We need to get caught up in the story line of the Bible! Too often the programs and the parties of the church trump the truth. We become more concerned about the machinery than biblical history. Churches have a tendency to follow the next fad of popular Christianity that is driven by budgets, buildings and numbers. What has happened is that we measure the success of the church by a standard of programming instead of disciple making (
cf. the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8).
The story line of the Bible is the theme we discover as we read the Scriptures. At times it is a tragic story of disobedience. This is the human element of doubt, distrust and denial. We find this when the characters of the Bible manipulated the plan of God for their own ends. Examples of this are Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden; Moses striking the rock instead of speaking to the rock because of anger; Daniel's adultery, attempted trickery, and eventual murder of Uriah; Judas' betrayal; the Pharisees' plot to kill Jesus; Thomas doubting the resurrection; etc. This part of the story line (failure) teaches us the frailty and need of humanity. The powerful lesson of failure is: We cannot do this without God's grace.
At other times the story line of the Bible is a beautiful story of obedience. It is about God's grace enabling men and women to accomplish great things. Examples of this are Abraham and Isaac; Joseph in Egypt; Ruth's faithfulness; the disciples following Jesus; Stephen being killed for his faith; and the stories go on. The powerful lesson of obedience is: God uses common people to accomplish His will.
All of this is ultimately for the purpose of the glory of God. God's plan is the He would receive all the honor for stepping into a seemingly impossible situation. This is the story line of the Bible...let's get caught up in it!
Grace & Peace,
Scott
This week we honor fathers. And just what is the best way we can accomplish this task? How can we honor our fathers best, not only on June 20th, but every other day of the year as well? Perhaps John expressed it best when writing to the disciple, Gaius.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 4)
Let me first challenge dads, and then I will return to children...
The greatest, best and most lasting legacy we can leave our children is not land or a large bank account, but a desire to know God by walking in the truth. Contemporary society puts pressure on dads to secure their children's future by providing for them financially. This is all well and good but it falls short of what God desires us men to do for our kids. We can't control the stock market or interest rates on CDs. This leaves us short in the end if that is all we are leaving our kids. But what lasts for eternity, what really counts in the long run, and what really outstrips economics is the truth in Jesus (cf. Ephesians 4:20-21). This is how we can fulfill the admonition Paul gives to "bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
As children the best way we can honor dad is to continue walking in the truth they taught us. I believe all of us Christian dads will agree that nothing brings a smile to our faces and a deep sense of satisfaction more than knowing that our kids are honoring God by walking consistently in truth.
Happy Father's Day,
Scott
P.S. Keep Tammy Gilbert in your prayers this week as she serves the Lord in Honduras. She will return on June 27.
This week marks the beginning of two mission trips Calvary Church people are taking. By the time you read this, our students will be in Blythewood, SC. During this week long mission trip (June 12-19) they will be helping needy families with rebuilding and repairing their homes. This is the third summer they have taken a week our of their busy schedules to minister through Salkehatchie Summer Service, and each time they have been profoundly touched by God through ministering. The second mission trip is being taken by Tammy Gilbert. Tammy will be going to Honduras June 20-27 with a medical mission team. This team has been going to Honduras for six years now and this marks Tammy's second trip. Whenever I think of missionaries (short and long term) I am reminded of what Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2"
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil me. For not all have faith.
This passage teaches us to pray for two things for our students and Tammy as they go. First, pray for the success of the Word. Pray that as they share God's Word with people that the Holy Spirit would use it and that it would quickly invade their hearts. Pray that people would trust in the Savior as a result of their Christ-like efforts.
Second, pray for the safety of the messengers. Dangers are everywhere and we need to keep our missionaries' safety before God's graceful throne. Pray while they are on the road or in the air; pray while they carry a hammer or a syringe; pray as they travel to their work site or satellite clinic; pray for them in the morning, in the afternoon, when you go to bed, and whenever the Spirit prompts you. Pray! Pray!! Pray!!! Praying is what we can do, while going is what they are doing.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
Everyone is weighing in on the obviously bad call made by MLB umpire Jim Joyce on Wednesday night (6-2-10). His call cost a young pitcher, Armando Galarraga, from the Detroit Tigers a place in history. Here's my bit of insight...
I think the call should stand, yea, it must stand. Being human is part of the game, and a bad call is simply a bad call. Yes, I do believe Galarraga deserves a perfect game and he deserves to go down in history as the man who pitched the 21st perfect game in MLB history. But to reverse the call because we can replay them on a monitor rapes the purity of the game. I detest replays in any sport.
Also, if we had instant replay in baseball then we would have totally missed what these two men showed us over the last couple of days. I loved Galarraga's immediate response, he smiled. That's class. He never became angry...he just stepped up to the mound and pitched the ball one more time. That was awesome.
Jim Joyce apologized as soon as he was given the opportunity. He displayed humility for all of us to see. He took the blame and all the heat. He didn't run, didn't make any excuses, he just manned up to his error!
What I have witnessed from these two men is common grace. This is what the world needs to see, especially in the juiced-up, entitlement-ridden professional sports world. Maybe even our softball church leagues should take notice!
Grace & Peace,
Scott
This week (June 3) Barb and I celebrate our wedding anniversary. I remember the Saturday evening we gathered at the little church in Pound, Wisconsin to rehearse the wedding. I remember taking a walk around the neighborhood with my sister, Julie, to talk about marriage. I remember getting up the next morning and going to church with my brother, Jack. I remember being excited as we drove up to the church that afternoon for the wedding. I remember all our friends and family who came. I remember hearing later that summer that a date of a friend accepted Christ as a result of the wedding. I remember being nervous. I remember cutting the cake and not returning to the reception because of all the pictures we had yet to take. I remember leaving for the honeymoon and stopping at a burger joint because we were starved (remember, we missed the reception). And...well, that's as far as I am going to share remembering with you!
Here is our marriage by the numbers...
We have owned 27 cars and been married for 26 years! We've lived in 14 different dorm rooms, trailers, apartments and houses. We have served in 6 churches in 4 states. God has blessed us with 4 children. In all of this I have only had 1 wife! She is the woman God blessed my life with...there have been no others, and I would never shop around for another! Barb is the first, and only, girl I ever said, "I love you" to in a romantic way. She is my best friend and knows me better than anyone else, and she still loves and accepts me.
I constantly thank God for Barb. She is truly the best thing I have going for me personally. I love her with all my heart and want to spend the next 26 years learning more about her--Ancora Imparo! One of our prayers and desires is to show our kids and the church that a good marriage is possible, but a great marriage takes hard work! I still enjoy thinking about marriage the way Jesus did in Mark 10:6-9--One woman for one man for one lifetime! It's not a fairytale, but please don't wake Barb!
I Love You, Barb,
Scott
