Blog Archives

GET A GRIP!

4/29/2016

Back when I was in my formative years, the fitness craze had just taken hold. So, like a good many others in my generation, I spent untold hours in the gym trying to look like the Incredible Hulk. Alas, it was all to little or no avail! Sadly, my friends and I grunted and strained away several years of our lives in a vain attempt at weightlifting glory that never quite materialized.

Since then, I’ve changed my priorities somewhat. I still try to spend a little time exercising; but suffice it to say that I long ago learned to understand the significance of what the Apostle Paul told young Timothy (in I Timothy 4:8 NET):

"physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come."

Maybe that is why, while I still try to exercise these days for the sake of staying in shape, I have nonetheless come to accept the wisdom proffered by the learned King Solomon, who said (in Proverbs 20:29):

“The glory of young men is their strength, but gray hair is the splendor of the old.”

Part of that wisdom is the recognition that exercising does not have to entail my forever trying to set some new personal best at the bench press or on the squat rack. Rather, moderation has now become the rule! In regards to such factors as the amount of weight handled, the number of sets and reps, allowance for proper rest, etc…, slow and steady seems to be the best rule, especially for someone in his mid-fifties.

I have also learned the value of using tools to aid me in my exercise. As a young man, I was a purist in the gym. I never wore braces, straps, or other such devices, as I saw this as cheating. Not anymore! If something will assist me in the execution of an exercise, I will employ it. This brings me to my point…

I recently acquired a set of wrist straps that have within them an imbedded metal hook. As the attached picture demonstrates, the hook is of great assistance when performing exercises in the gym that require the use of the hand to grip a bar for rowing, chinning, or other such pulling exercises.

You see, the problem I face, like so many, is that larger muscles can handle greater strain than smaller ones. Thus, the muscles of the back can handle so much more weight resistance than the muscles of the forearms. Hence, the amount of weight individuals can do in a given back exercise if often limited to what they can hold onto with their hands.

But with the introduction of hooked wrist straps into the equation, that all changes! Now, the person who is exercising is able to stimulate the larger muscle irrespective of the limits of the smaller ones.

As I have reflected on this simple principle, I have come to see my wrist straps as a metaphor for prayer. Like every other person I know, in the living out of my life, I am called upon to bear up under a certain load. And while it pains me to admit it, my own strength is also insufficient for the handling of this load.

But, enter the power of prayer; and suddenly, I find myself enabled in all sorts of new ways! I find that, through the added empowerment of prayer, I can handle a far bigger load. In short, I can get a grip! I can hold on! I can pull through! And for that, I am expressly thankful!

In Psalm 81, David testifies that he cried out to the Lord; and God rescued him by setting his hands free and lifting the burden from his shoulders that he was carrying! I believe God still works this way. And I believe Jesus challenges us to do the same as David did. for in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew (11:28-30), Jesus Christ lays down this offer:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

And the same Jesus Who said that also said this (in the New Testament Gospel of Luke 11:9-10):

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

It is little wonder, then, that the Apostle Paul felt led to add these words later in the New Testament (Philippians 4:13 KJV): “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!”

Paul had taken Jesus up on those promises. And Jesus had delivered! But the really good news is that what Jesus promised and did for Paul, He also promises and does for us!

I leave you with these immortal words penned by the hymn writer Johnson Oatman Jr. nearly one hundred and twenty years ago, particularly the underlined portions:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings - money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

SOURCES:
SCRIPTURE: http://biblehub.com.
HYMN: http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Count_Your_Blessings/.

STICKING POINT

4/26/2016

One of the most renowned names in Western history is that of Gaius Julius Caesar. Even today, more than two thousand years after his death, titles such as that of Russian Czar and German Kaiser derive from his family name. As does the month of July, Caesar salads, Caesarean section births, the names Julius, Julio, César, and Cesare, and a whole lot more things.

Caesar and the events and literature surrounding his life have also given us a great many memorable quotes. Thanks to Shakespeare and his eponymous play about Caesar, we all know that we should “Beware the ides of March!” And sooner or later, we all have to “Cross the Rubicon.”

Among the more notable quotes actually attributable to the real Julius Caesar are:

“Cowards die many times before their actual deaths.”
“The die is cast.”
“Et tu, Brute?”
And perhaps the most famous of all: “Veni, Vidi, Vici.”

According to the Roman historian Appian, Julius Caesar used this phrase in a letter delivered to the Roman Senate around 47 BC, reporting on a quick victory he had achieved against the Kingdom of Pontus at the Battle of Zela. The phrase, referring to a swift, conclusive victory, translates as “I came, I saw, I conquered.”

I share this today because of something I once read by Dr. Brian Harbour. When he retired after seventeen years as Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Richardson, Texas (and forty-one total years in the ministry), Dr. Harbour referenced the above quote by Caesar as he summed up his ministry there in this phrase: “Veni, Vidi, Velcro!” That is to say, “I came, I saw, I stuck!”

For my part, I was honored to celebrate my fifteenth anniversary as Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lenoir City this past Sunday. Fifteen years ago, I came to this community, I looked around (and, I might add, I liked what I saw), and, praise God, I stuck!

Seriously, I am grateful to God for the opportunity to have served this wonderful church family all these years. In my heart, I know that I am completely undeserving of this position. If not for the grace of God, I would not have been able to have experienced this great blessing to begin with.

I liken my position to that of riding on the handlebars. Most of us can remember when we were children and there were five individuals and only four bikes. I like to tell folks that I am like that kid without his own bike who got to ride along on someone else's handlebars.

You see, God could have chosen anyone other than me to serve as Pastor of such a great church. But in His providence, He chose me. And hey, I’m just thankful to be along for the ride! Otherwise, I’ll be the first to admit that I'd be left behind and still walking!

I close with a picture of a wonderful gift that a very special lady in our church recently gave me. I shared the “Velcro” quote above; and she showed up the following week with this delightful gift. I will always cherish it.

Julius Caesar quotes can be found at many sites online. Among them:
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/julius_caesar.html.
Dr. Harbour’s website is here: http://www.seminaryplus.org.

I JUST REMEMBERED…

4/21/2016

I love the old story about a group of 30-year-old friends who had a reunion. It seems that…

They were discussing where they should go for dinner. Somebody suggested that they meet at the Glowing Embers Restaurant because the waiters and waitresses there are young and beautiful. They all agreed.

Fifteen years later, at 45 years of age, they met and discussed again where they should have dinner. Somebody suggested the Glowing Embers because the food and wine selection there are very good. They all agreed.

Another 15 years later at 60 years of age, they once again discussed where to meet. Somebody suggested the Glowing Embers because you can eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant is smoke free. They all agreed.

Another fifteen years later, at the age of 75, the group discussed again where they should meet. Somebody suggested that they should meet at the Glowing Embers because the restaurant is physically accessible and they even have an elevator. They all agreed.

Finally, 15 years later at the age of 90, the same group of friends discussed one more time where they should meet for dinner. Somebody suggested that they should meet at the Glowing Embers because they had never been there before. And they all agreed.

Who among us cannot relate to this?! It is all too easy to find ourselves forgetting things. Most of us know what it is like to walk into a room and then to have to stop and think about why we went in there in the first place.

I am personally discovering that the older I get, the more often this sort of thing happens. Perhaps you are as well. For, as we age, we tend to find ourselves forgetting many things...

What day of the week it is. What all we wanted to pick up at the grocery store on the way home. A bill that needed to be paid. A loved one’s birthday. (And a great many more things that I just cannot seem to recall right now!)

Of course, some things are okay to forget. A former boyfriend or girlfriend (as the case may be). A bad experience. A rejection letter. A hurtful comment. Etc…

But other things should never be forgotten. A kind deed. A hand up. An encouraging affirmation. A word fitly spoken.

And, of course, one other thing should never be forgotten. I’m talking about the goodness of God! This should never be forgotten. The Psalmist said it best (Psalm 103:1-2): “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits…”

He then proceeds to enumerate these benefits (in verses 3-5) from the God Who:

“forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases…” and Who
“redeems your life from the pit…” and Who
“crowns you with love and compassion…” and Who
“satisfies your desires with good things…” and Who does this…
“so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Yes, my friends, we forget lots of things in life. And in truth, perhaps, many, if not most, of these deserve to be forgotten. But numbered among those things we tend to forget should never be the blessings of God. The Psalmist is right: these benefits should not be forgotten!

I leave you with these words by famed poet John Paul Moore:

I've never made a fortune,
And I'll never make one now,
But it really doesn't matter,
'Cause I'm happy anyhow.

As I go along my journey,
I'm reaping better than I've sowed,
I'm drinking from the saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I don't have a lot of riches,
And sometimes the going's tough,
But with kin and friends to love me,
I think I'm rich enough.

I thank God for the blessings,
That His mercy has bestowed,
I'm drinking from the saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

He gives me strength and courage,
When the way grows steep and rough,
I'll not ask for other blessings for,
I'm already blessed enough.

May we never be too busy,
To help bear another's load,
Then we'll all be drinking from the saucer,
When our cups have overflowed.

JOKE SOURCE: Available widely on the internet. See, for example:
http://www.yourfountain.org/docs/series/2012/esther/week08/Remembering%20the%20King%20-%20Written.pdf.

Most every usage cites the following original source: P. J. Alindogan, "Communicate and Relate," The Potter's Jar” blog, (3-25-12). This blog is available online at: http://pottersjar.blogspot.com/. However, I was unable to find the particular post with this story.

POEM SOURCE: http://www.ellenbailey.com/poems/ellen_100.htm.

UNSUNG HEROES

4/18/2016

I recently came across the following story by John Kenneth Galbraith, related in his autobiography, A Life in Our Times, and illustrating the dedication of one Emily Gloria Wilson, his family's faithful and devoted housekeeper:

It had been a wearying day, and I asked Emily to hold all telephone calls while I had a nap. Shortly thereafter the phone rang. Lyndon Johnson was calling from the White House. "Get me Ken Galbraith. This is Lyndon Johnson." "He is sleeping, Mr. President. He said not to disturb him." "Well, wake him up. I want to talk to him." "No, Mr. President. I work for him, not you.” When I called the President back, he could scarcely control his pleasure. "Tell that woman I want her here in the White House."

This past Sunday, we recognized our support staff at our church. This devoted group of men and women are what the ancients might have termed “unsung heroes”. Simply put, they do not get the recognition they deserve. Moreover, even when we do recognize them, it is often too little and too late.

And yet, without them, our church would never be able to fulfill the ministry calling we have been given.

Indeed, who among us could even begin to accomplish the things required of us without the invaluable assistance of others? For this reason, I thank God for the vital assistance of the ministry team members at our church.

Pastor Jim Martin has put it well:

Much like Emily Gloria Wilson our role as a Christian is simply the role of a servant … nothing more … nothing less. It is not the recognition, the fame, the accolades, the honors, the “name-in-the-paper,” the “getting-published” syndrome…, getting elected…, being invited to preach at various churches … but it is simply going about the task that God has placed in our hands.

The servants of God are the glue that holds together the earthly Kingdom of God. It is those men and women – the young and old – who just go about the task at hand because it needs to be done. They are the people who see something that should happen… that needs to happen… that ought to happen … and they just do it … unnoticed … unheralded … no praise … no thank you needed … no name in the bulletin … no mention from the pulpit.

They are the “Emily Gloria Wilson’s” of the world. Their loyalty is unwavering. Their commitment is outstanding. They listen to only one master. They know whom they work for. And may it be said of us that we were faithful servants of the Most High God moving the Kingdom ever onward one act at a time.

Amen, brother! Well said. May we remember to express this sentiment more than merely once a year. May we remember to do so on a regular and consistent basis, joining with the Apostle Paul and as he expressed his thankfulness for the unsung heroes of the churches of Philippi (Philippians 1:3), Rome (Romans 1:8), Thessalonica (2 Thessalonians 1:3), and many more with which he served.

SOURCE: http://pastorjimmartin.blogspot.com/2012/06/on-being-servant-to-one-master-hebrews.html.

The Galbraith story is available widely on the internet. Several sources trace this to Reader's Digest, December, 1981. But the actual book, titled A Life in Our Times and containing the memoirs of John Kenneth Galbraith, was first published in its hardcover edition by Houghton Mifflin in 1981 and then in its paperback edition by Ballantine Books in 1982.

OUR UTMOST FOR GOD’S HIGHEST

4/14/2016

The technical term is “polymath”, meaning “a person of wide-ranging knowledge or learning”. This is opposed to a “monomath”, or “a person with an extensive knowledge of a single subject or field, but little knowledge of others”.

Alas the curse of the modern world… ever-increasing specialization! With our myriad of degree programs and doctorates in an ever increasing array of minutiae, we appear to know more and more. But in truth, often we actually know less and less - at least of the world at large and of our cultural heritage as whole here in the western world.

The common term for polymath is, of course, “Renaissance Man”. And it is best embodied in the person of Leonardo da Vinci. Tomorrow, April 15, 2016, had he lived, he would be turning 564 years old. Leonardo has been much maligned at various times in history. In recent years, his persona has also been high-jacked by more than a few individuals with agendas to push. For my part, I simply choose to let the man’s work speak for itself. After all, what he left behind as a result of his own efforts is by far his best testimony.

Born April 15, 1452, to unwed parents, Leonardo would grow up a social outcast in relative obscurity. As he progressed through life, he was forced to overcome any number of barriers along the way. But he would not allow these things to define him. He would go on to use his God-given talents to change the world. For his heart was afire with a passion for both learning and living.

According to Wikipedia...

“Many historians and scholars regard Leonardo as the prime exemplar of the ‘Universal Genius’ or ‘Renaissance Man’, an individual of ‘unquenchable curiosity’ and ‘feverishly inventive imagination’.”

Moreover, Leonardo’s areas of interest included: “invention, painting, sculpting, architecture, science, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, writing, history, and cartography. He has been variously called the father of paleontology, ichnology, and architecture, and is widely considered one of the greatest painters of all time…

Sometimes credited with the inventions of the parachute, helicopter and tank, his genius epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal.”

Wow!.. Talk about making the most of one’s interests!

For my part, I can relate to Leonardo’s multifaceted curiosities. I have always been an inquisitive person in that a great many things intrigue me. Thus, like Leonardo, I have always tried to learn as much as I can about a wide variety of things. Moreover, as a communicator, I have discovered that it behooves me much more to know a little about a lot of things than to know a lot about only one or two things. I pray I will be a lifelong learner.

And yet, learning things was not the sole measure of Leonardo da Vinci. In his notebooks, he once scribbled the following notation: “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” Obviously, among his great many thoughts was the realization that he should be using his many God-given gifts for the glory of his creator!

Like Leonardo, I like to think that my God has gifted me with a wide range of talents as well - all of which can and should be used for His glory. After all, that is the admonition of Holy Scripture (Colossians 3:23, BSB): “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord…”

It is also the pattern laid down by God’s one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Not unlike Leonardo, Jesus was born in questionable circumstances and grew up in relative obscurity. Yet, neither did He allow these humble origins to define Him. Rather, He made the most of His circumstances by making the most of His divine endowments. Indeed, one of my favorite Bible verses is found in the second chapter of the New Testament Gospel of Luke (2:52): “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

And there you have it. Jesus used His mind, His body, His spirit, and His relationships with other people to bring glory to God! In so doing, he fulfilled the intent of God as taught in Scripture. Consider this conversation as recorded in the New Testament Gospel of Mark (12:28-34:

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

I believe with all my heart that this is the simple key to making a difference in this world. It all comes down to this: “Whatcha do with whatcha got”! Do you love your Creator enough to glorify Him with the things he has given you? With your God-given mind? With your God-given body? With your God-given spirit? With your God-given relationships (i.e., your situation in time and place and the others you encounter there)?

So, then, what have you been given? What is your context? And what are your unique skills, talents, and above all, spiritual gifts? For these all add up together to create the formula required for you to make a difference in this world!

There is little disagreement that Leonardo took what he had been given and made the most of it! Five hundred plus years of history testify to his singular impact upon the world. Even more, than this, Jesus Christ took what He had been given and changed, not only the world, but also eternity!

So… my friend, ask yourself this question: “Whatcha got?” Then, more importantly, ask yourself this question: “Whatcha gonna do with whatcha got?”

Having answered that, then go out and make a difference. Go out and change the world! And perhaps even eternity in the process!

SOURCES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci.

NUMEROUS LEONARDO QUOTES CAN BE FOUND ONLINE AT: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/leonardo_da_vinci.html.

Among some of the more convicting ones are: “Time stays long enough for anyone who will use it.” And… “It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES AT: http://biblehub.com/colossians/3-23.htm, http://biblehub.com/luke/2-52.htm, and http://biblehub.com/niv/mark/12.htm.

LEONARDO’S “RESUME” , IN THE FORM A OF A PERSONAL LETTER TO THE DUKE OF MILAN ADVERTSING HIS SERVICES, CAN BE FOUND HERE: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/03/skills-of-da-vinci.html. (Note: Pay particular attention to the third paragraph from the bottom. as the saying goes, "It ain't braggin' if you can do it!" He got the job. He was later commissioned by this very Duke to paint the famed “Last Supper”.)

POST TITLE: Adapted from the famous book of daily devotions, My Utmost for His Highest, compiled from his writings by the wife of Rev. Oswald Chambers after his passing. Cf. http://utmost.org.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

4/11/2016

John F. Kennedy was President of the United States for barely 1000 days. Yet, in that time, he delivered some of the most memorable speeches ever given by any Chief Executive in American History. Indeed, phrases from his speeches have become ingrained in our culture.

For instance…

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."

"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace."

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

During his campaign for the presidency in 1960, Kennedy closed many of his speeches with one particular story - that of a certain Colonel Davenport, the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, during the events that unfolded on May 19th, 1780…

"In 1780 in Hartford Connecticut, the skies at noon turned one day from blue to gray, and by mid-afternoon the city had darkened over so densely that in that religious age men fell on their knees and begged a final blessing before the end came. The Connecticut House of Representatives was in session, and many of the members clamored for immediate adjournment."

"The Speaker of the House, one Colonel Davenport, came to his feet, and he silenced the din with these words: "The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish, therefore, that candles may be brought."

As Christians, we believe in the return of Jesus Christ to earth. This is known as the doctrine of the Second Coming. But no one knows exactly when that event will transpire. To be sure, Jesus gave us some signs to look for which will indicate that His return is near. The twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew, among other New Testament passages, contains a great many of these signs.
Here, Jesus speaks of:

wars and rumors of wars;
nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;
famines and earthquakes in various places;
believers being hated and persecuted and put to death because of Him;
many turning away from the faith and betraying and hating each other;
many false prophets appearing and deceiving many people;
because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most growing cold;
the sun being darkened and the moon will not giving its light;
stars falling from the sky and heavenly bodies being shaken;
many false messiahs and false prophets appearing and performing great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the very elect.

It is arguable that many of these things are unfolding in our current lifetime. More so than at any time before in history, we see these "signs of the times" coming to pass.

The question is: in light of this, what should we do? Should we cower in fear? Should we shrink back in dread? Should we resign the world, move to the mountaintop, and simply stare at the sky?

No, according to Jesus, rather than fearing what is to come, we must stay faithful till He returns. Instead of fearing the dark, we must be lights shining in that very darkness as we watch and await His coming.

And for my part, when my Lord does return, like Colonel Davenport, I want to be found doing my duty! I want to be found holding forth a light in the midst of the darkness while I am faithfully fulfilling my God given purpose!

SOURCES:
QUOTES: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_f_kennedy.html.
COL. DAVENPORT STORY: http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/JFK-Speeches/Washington-DC_19600920.aspx.

USE IT OR LOSE IT

4/7/2016

In his book titled Marching Orders: The Final Discipleship Instructions of Jesus in John 13-17, J. Carl Laney shares the following story:

The great violinist, Niccolo Paganini willed his marvelous violin to city of Genoa on condition that it must never be played. The wood of such an instrument, while used and handled, wears only slightly, but set aside, it begins to decay. Paganini's lovely violin has today become worm-eaten and useless except as a relic. A Christian's unwillingness to serve may soon destroy his capacity for usefulness.

This past Sunday at our church, we were privileged to ordain a young man named Corey Adams to the Gospel Ministry. As a part of the service, various portions of the Apostle Paul’s New Testament charge to young Timothy were read aloud. Paul begins his Second Letter to Timothy with these words (2:1-14):

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

The phrase Paul uses in Verse 7, “fan into flame”, is actually one long compound word in the original Koine (or common) Greek language: “anazópureó”. This term itself is a combination of three smaller words: “ana”, “ zoon”, and “pur”, meaning “anew, again” and “to be living” and “fire”.

It is a beautiful word picture for rekindling a dying ember. For every fire, no matter how hot or how bright it burns, will eventually die down and smolder and even go out if it is not tended, stoked, and fed.

In like manner, most every of follower of Christ, whether they be an ordained minister or a lay servant, begin their walk with the Lord “on fire” for Him. But over time, that passion can, and often does, dwindle. It is important, therefore, to give attention to that passion - to fan into flame the spiritual nature of our lives. And then, once this is glowing afresh and anew, it will also be important to use it for God’s glory, both by helping to light the way and to warm the hearts of others.

For, set aside and left unattended, as was the case with Paganini’s violin, we may well become brittle, unproductive, and eventually, all but useless.

STORY SOURCE: J. Carl Laney, Marching Orders: The Final Discipleship Instructions of Jesus in John 13-17 (Victor books, 1983), p. 34. (Available through Dr. Laney’s personal website at: http://www.carllaney.com/.)

SCRIPTURE SOURCE: http://biblehub.com/niv/2_timothy/1.htm.

GREEK WORD STUDY SOURCE: http://biblehub.com/greek/329.htm.

ALL FOR ONE!

4/4/2016

Given that so many of you have asked, I wanted to devote my blog post today to sharing an update on my sister. Her official diagnosis is ovarian cancer. It is technically classified as Stage Four because, by the time it was discovered, it had already migrated from the originating organ, one of her ovaries, to a secondary organ, specifically, the lining outside of one of her lungs.

The treatment approach prescribed by the doctors involves three stages. First, she will have nine weeks of chemotherapy. This will consist of three treatments, each followed by two to three weeks of rest. After this, she will then have a complete hysterectomy. Lastly, once she has recuperated from this surgery, she will undergo a second nine weeks of chemotherapy treatments mirroring the first.

The question has been asked as to why they would not go ahead and do the hysterectomy now. And the answer we have been given is that even though the PET Scan only showed the cancer present in her ovary and on her lung, it could still be present elsewhere in very miniscule amounts.

Apparently, the chemo is designed to seek out and kill any cancer cells loose in her body before they can lodge somewhere else and begin growing there as well. The logic is also that the same chemo finding and killing these cells is at the same time attacking the cancer inside her ovary. We further understand that the second round of chemo is designed to “mop up” after the first round and the hysterectomy.

According to the doctors, we have every reason to be hopeful. We are looking at around a twenty-four week process from start to finish. Given that her first round of chemo came this past Wednesday, we are thus shooting for a completion date of around the end of September.

To their everlasting credit, the medical professionals have loved us and coached us every step of the way. They have provided insight, encouragement, medical support, and many other things.

But more than just trusting in doctors, we are depending upon the Lord and His mercy to get us through this entire ordeal. For this reason, along with the Psalmist (138:3), we look up to Heaven and declare: “In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.”

In the meantime, dear friends, your prayers are also very much coveted. Please pray for my sister in the following ways:

-physically, as she endures her treatments (and all this entails), -emotionally, as she processes what has unfolded so quickly in her life,
-psychologically, as she struggles with what are so often unanswerable questions, and above all…
-spiritually, as she walks day by day in the power of God’s all-encompassing love.

Thank you.