PastorTim

WHAT MAYCEE SEE’S IN ME…..

One of the precious flowers in this garden we call a congregation here at the Plymouth Heights church is a darling little girl by the name of Maycee Burnside. The love and adoration of her parents, Brad & Heather is eclipsed only by the love of her Grandparent’s, Poppy & Nanna Moore. “They do have regular names by the way” Now Miss Maycee is the picture of innocence and simplicity. From time to time when her Pastor forgets to hug her on Sunday mornings she will take Poppy by the hand and scour the Sanctuary, marching to the platform if need be to retrieve a hug from her Pastor. “That would be me!” she sees life through the eyes of a child, a view which most of us have long since forgotten but should be reminded of from time to time. One of Maycee’s recent observations hit me pretty hard and has since challenged me to be more aware of what others see in me.
It was during a Sunday Morning service and we had a special musical guest joining us at the church. After making the proper introductions and bringing them to the stage I spotted my sweet wife Terri sitting in the back row and so I made my way to where she was and sat down next to her. Maycee and her grandparents were sitting across the aisle from us and I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Maycee was looking our way all the while whispering something to them. Later after the service Poppy, “not his real name” shared with me that Maycee was excited to learn that Terri and I were husband and wife. Stop the presses! You mean, She didn’t know that already? We had been a part of her life since she was born and she didn’t know we were married? She has seen us each week here at the church and she didn’t even know we were hitched? I was astounded, shocked even! How could this be? Then I began to think. Though she had seen us together we never sat together. One of the hazards of pastoring I’m afraid. I’m always on the platform and Terri’s always in her seat. I’m always talking to members and visitors and Terri is talking to others as well. Maycee only saw us in the setting of a church service and so she just assumed we knew each other, but not as a married couple. Terri and I have since chuckled about this, although I do try to stay closer to her before and after services! This entire episode got me to thinking. If that was what Maycee saw in me and my relationship to my wife, then what does the world see in me in my relationship to my Lord?
In the New Testament book of Ephesians the Apostle Paul encourages Christ followers to be aware of what others see in them. In chapter 5 he begins… “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in Love as Christ also hath loved us, and ha given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not once be named among you, as becometh saints; not in filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.” I am well aware that some of the above scripture would be an affront to anyone today of a politically correct mindset. That’s a debate for another column, but what struck me about Paul’s words was the phrase “as becometh saints”. There should be he seems to imply, something about us that should portray to those who can see us, a life of intimate communion with God and not the world around us. There is an old children’s Sunday School song that says, “If you’re saved and you know it, clap your hands, if you’re saved and you know it stomp your feet, if you’re saved and you know it turn around.” Then each verse would end with the line “if your saved and you know it, then you’re life will surely show it!” So the obvious question is, what does our life remind others of?
During one of his political campaigns, a delegation called on Theodore Roosevelt at his home in Oyster Bay, Long Island. The President met them with his coat off and his sleeves rolled up. "Ah, gentlemen," he said, "come down to the barn and we will talk while I do some work." At the barn, Roosevelt picked up a pitchfork and looked around for the hay. Then he called out, "John, where's all the hay?" "Sorry, sir," John called down from the hayloft. "I ain't have time to toss it back down again after you pitched it up while the Iowa folks were here." I don’t want to just appear to others to have my sleeves rolled up and working for the Kingdom, but I want to be found pitching hay when no one is looking. I’ve heard it said that a mule dressed in a tuxedo is still a mule. And I am sure there are a lot of dressed up mules out there proclaiming themselves to be something they are not. But I am convinced that a true Christ follower can be recognized making a real difference in the world we live in today. All the while displaying a genuine relationship with a real and living Savior. Thank you Maycee for helping me to consider what others see in my life.

SEE YOU IN COURT….

It had to happen sooner or later. Associated Press Tue Sep 18, 5:12 PM ET, LINCOLN, Neb. - The defendant in a state senator's lawsuit is accused of causing untold death and horror and threatening to cause more still. He can be sued in Douglas County, the legislator claims, because He's everywhere. State Sen. Ernie Chambers sued God last week. Angered by another lawsuit he considers frivolous, Chambers says he's trying to make the point that anybody can file a lawsuit against anybody. Chambers says in his lawsuit that God has made terrorist threats against the senator and his constituents, inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants." The Omaha senator, who skips morning prayers during the legislative session and often criticizes Christians, also says God has caused "fearsome floods ... horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornadoes." He's seeking a permanent injunction against the Almighty "People might call it frivolous but if they read it they'll see there are very serious issues I have raised." Now if that’s not enough, according to the same AP writer there was a response from God. “By NATE JENKINS, Associated Press Writer LINCOLN, Neb. - A legislator who filed a lawsuit against God has gotten something he might not have expected: a response. One of two court filings from "God" came Wednesday under otherworldly circumstances, according to John Friend, clerk of the Douglas County District Court in Omaha. "This one miraculously appeared on the counter. It just all of a sudden was here — poof!" Friend said. God’s supposed response argues that the defendant is immune from some earthly laws and the court lacks jurisdiction. It adds that blaming God for human oppression and suffering misses an important point. "I created man and woman with free will and next to the promise of immortal life, free will is my greatest gift to you," according to the response, as read by Friend.” Now, you may ask, Tim do you really think that God responded to this Senator by dropping off a envelope in Omaha? “No I don’t!” I don’t because God already took us to court!
Listen to Micah 6:1-8 “Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD's controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me. For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD. Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” The structure of Micah 6.1-8 is in the form of a legal case brought by the Lord against his people, Israel, and I believe, all of His creation as well. In vv. 1-2 the Lord is acting as the plaintiff or the prosecutor. And the Lord is calling upon the mountains to be witnesses in this prosecution. Then, in v. 3, the Lord takes the role of the defendant in the legal action: In other words, is it my fault, God is asking, that you relate to me the way you do? Why, my people, have you turned your back on me? Why have you cooled in your affection toward me? Why do you live such divided lives tipping your cap to me, being religious and going to church, and then doing what you want to do? Have I done something to deserve this, God asks? Present your evidence. What have I done wrong? And then the Lord goes through a recitation of Israel's history in vv. 4-5. The Lord speaks to Israel about how he saved them from bondage from Egypt. He speaks about how he gave them leaders, how he protected them against pagan kings, and how he brought them through the Jordan River into the Promised Land. My people, pause and look back and remember all that I've done for you. Instead of grumbling about how your lives are going right now, or asking the question: What have you done for me lately, God? Or where are you, God? Why aren't you answering this prayer? That is what God is saying. My children, all I've ever wanted was a relationship with you. When did I ask you to buy me off? All I've ever wanted was you. I want you. I want you to give yourself back to me. I want your heart. What does it mean to give ourselves to God? What does that look like? V.-8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” I’ve always liked the words of John Wesley, “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as you ever can.”
A law suit against God! Does this Senator know there’s only one way to serve the papers?

UP, UP, AND AWAY….

Not long after we moved into our current residence I decided that we needed a flagpole in our front yard. I’m proud to be an American and especially proud to display the majestic Red, White and Blue in front of our home. So I gathered the necessary items, a pole, some quick Crete, and oh of course a flag. After finding what I considered to be the ideal place for the flagpole I began the afternoon project. It was one of those family moments you still remember. The kids were younger and they enjoyed putting their initials and the date in the drying cement. After the flag was raised I called Terri outside to behold the fruits of our labor. But instead of gazing in rapt awe of the patriotic emblem of our great nation she laughed, yes, she laughed! Then she said, “Where’s the flag?” Let me interject here and say that I am a Tim the Tool man kind of guy and the flag pole that I chose was rather long, but what could be more inspiring than a flag flying way up there in the wild blue yonder for all the world, or at least those that drove by our house to see? Reluctantly I had to admit that the flag was a little concealed by the maple tree that was planted in the front yard along side it. And I had to admit that from the road all you could see would just be pole towering alongside the tree with no flag in sight. “But honey, from the house” I countered, “isn’t it beautiful to see the flag against a backdrop of maple leaves.” “Yes but its still to high” rings the echo to this day. In fact whenever the opportunity arises she snickers still. She was right, I had to admit. Good idea, bad location.
The snickers were heard again this week when sitting on our portico swing looking out at the front yard I remarked, “We need a new flag for our flag pole”. To which my sweet darling Terri said “Oh there is a flag up there isn’t there!” This ongoing episode in the Throckmorton home reminded me of story I read recently regarding a lighthouse in California. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse to be exact which stood watch over the entrance to San Diego Bay for 36 years. In 1851, a year after California entered the Union; the U.S. Coastal Survey selected the heights of Point Loma for the location of a navigational aid. The crest seemed like the right location: it stood 422 feet above sea level, overlooking the bay and the ocean, and a lighthouse there could serve as both a harbor light and a coastal beacon. Construction began three years later. Workers carved sandstone from the hillside for walls and salvaged floor tiles from the ruins of an old Spanish fort. A rolled tin roof, a brick tower, and an iron and brass housing for the light topped the squat, thick-walled building. By late summer 1854, the work was done. More than a year passed before the lighting apparatus - a five foot tall 3rd order Fresnel lens, the best available technology - arrived from France and was installed The light had only a short life because the seemingly good location concealed a serious flaw: fog and low clouds often obscured the beam. On March 23, 1891, the keeper extinguished the lamp for the last time. Boarding up the lighthouse, he moved his family and belongings into a new light station at the bottom of the hill. Today you can see the "New" Point Loma Lighthouse from the Whale Overlook, 100 yards south of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Good idea, bad location!
Doing the right thing the wrong way has been a problem mankind has faced for ages. David learned this principle when he tried by his own devices to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem his own way. It was a costly mistake that cost a man his life. Not a mistake in bringing the ark to Jerusalem, but how he did it. When he looked to the scripture for direction the task was completed successfully. You see, he was trying to do the right thing he was simply going about it the wrong way. His son Solomon would write years later “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:1-6. Pretty good advice don’t you think. Good advice for flagpole installers and Christ followers as well. God’s plan done God’s way always produces the best results. We must be careful to wave the flag of Christ’s love and shine the Light where it is most visible and most effective. And oh by the way, I’m going to lower that flagpole!

NOW BOARDING FLIGHT 6632 TO CHICAGO OHARE………

Dateline Vancouver British Columbia, June 23rd, arrived at airport to board connecting flight to Chicago O’Hare. Immediate problem encountered upon arrival. To late for flight! What? I said with a bit in incredulity to the customs agent as we arrived at the table to check in our carry on’s. Yep, he said, you’re supposed to be boarding right now, and your gate is at the other end of the airport. I’m not sure whether it was the look of hopelessness in my eyes or the fear in Terri’s, but he seized the moment and our arms and ushered us to the front of the line, which I am sure the folks we were put in front of didn’t appreciate. I just avoided making eye contact at that point. Anyway we were whisked through customs and pointed in the general direction of our gate and then it began. I don’t know how many of you remember the old O.J Simpson commercial where he would run through the airport leaping over luggage, chairs and so on. Something similar began to take place although if you now me personally you have a hard time visualizing me gracefully bounding through crowds with my wife and carry on in tow. I’m 4_ “you fill in the blank”, years old and I don’t bound very well any more in fact I more accurately resembled a tired steer fighting his way through the gate at a livestock sale. But in record time I’m sure we safely arrived at the correct gate and the first thing I noticed were a lot of people sitting, sitting mind you, not standing with boarding passes in hand but sitting. The next thing that caught my eye were the words DELAYED in bold print on the screen. Terri and I look at each other through labored breaths and then back at the screen. We didn’t miss the flight it hadn’t even started boarding yet. Then we found out that we weren’t even on that flight! Our flight didn’t leave for another two hours! How it happened I don’t know. Maybe the customs agent thought I needed a healthy jog that morning, maybe it was just meant for us to run through an airport frightening children and old people encouraging others to exercise more. I don’t know, all I do know is that we didn’t miss our flight. Miss one connecting flight and you miss em all you know. So as I stood there breathing had and sweating profusely it occurred to me. I know one flight I don’t want to miss! I know one flight that I want no confusion when it comes to the paperwork of flight schedule. I know one flight that I don’t want to panic over and that’s the flight that I plan to take one day when the Lord returns for His church.
Much has been written in recent years regarding the Lords return and I know that there are various schools of thought regarding the matter but I want to simply say that which ever side of the fence you are on one thing remains true. Jesus is coming back. In fact he comes back everyday for somebody. In fact, according to Biblehelp.org 1.78 die each second, 107 die every minute, 6390 die each hour and 153 thousand die every day. Every second, every minute every hour and every day people are catching flights. What’s more important than catching the flight, is the final destination. Reminds me of the story of Former Senator Dwight W. Morrow who searched in vain to find his railroad ticket as he was on a train leaving New York City. "I must find that ticket," he muttered. The conductor, who stood waiting beside him, said, "Don't worry about it, Mr. Morrow. We know you had a ticket. Just mail it to the railroad when you find it." "That's not what's troubling me," replied Morrow, "I need to find it to know where I'm going."
Let me ask you, what does your ticket say? We don’t know when our flight may leave but we can know for sure the destination. Listen to Jesus words from Matthew 24: 36-44,”But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Point being, Jesus is coming back, the question is, are you ready? You don’t have to worry, sweat, or even run through airports. You simply have to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and your ticket will be in hand. Don’t miss your flight!

LOADED FOR WASP…..

When thou sprayest a nest of wasps thou shouldest maketh sure thy can is not empty! Just a little bit of wisdom I picked up recently. When I was mowing last week I noticed a lot of wasp traffic close to the dining room bay window. Being a you can do it we can help kind of guy and equipped with a can of some kind of wasp & hornet killer, “you know, the ones that can shoot 50ft”, I approached the nest of winged stinger wielding pests. I got a little closer than the spray can suggested thinking I could blast them away in one strong burst. Kind of like machine-gun Kelly blasting his way out of a bank job. The first problem as I think back was that I was a little to close, this coupled with the second problem that was that the spray can was empty!!! Now I just know that those little beasts knew my intentions, I know it! I base this assumption on the fact that when my aerosol machine-gun shot blanks they immediately seized the moment to launch a little attack of their very own. I think the correct terminology is SWARM! Somehow I survived the attack, retreated to my bunker, or in this case, tool shed and retrieved a fresh wasp and hornet grenade launcher. The whole exercise took only a few minutes and the job was completed thoroughly and effectively.
This little episode reminded me of a letter the Apostle Paul had written to a young protégé by the name of Timothy. In a sense Paul was warning his young friend to be aware of his spiritual condition, his spiritual surroundings and his spiritual direction. All this Paul reminds Timothy is so that when the Lord has a task for you to do, you will be prepared for the task. Let’s listen in…. “ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:20-22” In essence Paul is reminding young Timothy, You must be prepared by having what you need on the inside “a pure heart”, so that you can be used by God to accomplish his will using your outside, “vessel of honor”. The problem arises when we have put off getting prepared for so long, when the enemy comes our way it’s to late…. And we get stung!
We are a lot like the little poem Gloria Pitzer has written: Procrastination is my sin; it brings me naught but sorrow. I know that I should stop it In fact, I will...tomorrow. The poem reminds me of the farm boy who accidentally overturned his wagonload of corn in the road. The farmer who lived nearby came to investigate. "Hey, Willis," he called out, "forget your troubles for a spell and come on in and have dinner with us. Then I'll help you get the wagon up." "That's mighty nice of you," Willis answered, "But I don't think Pa would like me to." "Aw, come on, son!" the farmer insisted. "Well, okay," the boy finally agreed. "But Pa won't like it." After a hearty dinner, Willis thanked his host. "I feel a lot better now, but I just know Pa is going to be real upset." "Don't be foolish!" exclaimed the neighbor. "By the way, where is he?" "Under the wagon!".
For the Christ follower it may be a case of putting off drawing closer to the will of God in their lives…. Then the battle begins, or the temptation comes, and it becomes woefully apparent that they are unprepared. The good news is that God’s workshop is stocked with just what you need to keep the enemy from nesting in your life! Sadder yet is the condition of the unbeliever when the sting of death hovers nearby and a wasted life is all that that is available to draw upon for help and comfort. Our Creator has more than enough power to deliver us from the buzz of the enemy of our soul’s tactics and influence. Don’t be unprepared to live for Christ and whatever you do don’t be unprepared to die! May our lives be as Mark Twain once said.. “Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.