PastorTim

THE AMAZING JEEP!

When I was but a wee lad there was a magical place not to far from my house called “The Woods”. Now “The Woods” consisted of a small stand of yellow pine, about an acre or so that was filled with mystery and intrigue. You could get lost; wander for days it seemed as adventure after adventure would ensue. Explorations often included trips to the Far East in search of treasure, and combat missions on the most top-secret levels of course. Today “The Woods” is generally used by me as a place to drive golf balls while waiting for the grill to warm up. But back then though it was an enchanted forest. At the front edge of the forest sat an old 1944 Willys Jeep. It was discarded there by one of my uncle’s years before, purchased for parts I believe. But there it sat, a rusting pile of scrap to the untrained eye, but to the eyes of a little boy this was a dream come true. The steering wheel still turned, well a little. The compartments still opened and closed easily, which by the way reminds of the day I opened one of those little storage bins to find a pine snake all cured up and comfy inside, “I just left him be”. But the adventures continued until that little boy grew up and cast his eyes on other horizons. My memory was jogged a week ago when Terri and I were working in the attic of our home. There in an old school desk was a stack of schoolbooks and papers along with an advertisement for, wouldn’t you know it, a Willy’s Jeep. Probably left there years ago by one of my uncles, who by the way grew up in this house. The ad told of all the incredible things that a Willy’s jeep could do. For example there were attachments you could buy such as a posthole drill, a scraper blade, a cross cut saw and even a plow! It was the neatest thing. As I thought about the ad my mind drifted back to my childhood and I remembered all that jeep was to me. It was a fire truck, a bulldozer, a tank and even an airplane! That jeep was so much more than even it’s designers could have dreamed. Sometimes we are only swayed by what we can see and touch. But behind the scenes by faith there is so much more especially for the Christ follower.
C.S. Lewis wrote, “We are very shy nowadays of even mentioning Heaven. We are afraid of the jeer about "pie in the sky," and of being told that we are trying to "escape from the duty of making a happy world here and now into dreams of a happy world elsewhere." But either there is "pie in the sky" or there is not. If there is not, then Christianity is false, for this doctrine is woven into its whole fabric. If there is, then this truth, like any other, must be faced, whether it is useful at political meetings or no.” Well praise the Lord and pass the pie! By faith in Christ we can trust the trust that there is a Heaven and its even more amazing than we can imagine. Listen to Paul’s words to the Corinthian church “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Did you catch that last line, “for them that Love him.” Funny, it’s for everybody, but not everyone will enjoy it. I mean, it’s made for everyone, but not everyone will get to go. Jesus in some of his last words to those who loved and served him aid in John 14, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Heaven, it’s a breathtaking place, and it was prepared for all who love the Lord and accept him as Savior. Not a popular thought in a politically correct world that dosen’t want offend any one else for any reason. Big problem I see is, God’s not politically correct and he’s the one that counts! A Gallup poll from a few years back showed that 78 percent of Americans expect to go to heaven when they die. However, many of them hardly ever pray, read the Bible, or attend church. They admit that they live to please themselves instead of God. I wonder why these people would want to go to heaven. In an article title, "Are We Ready for Heaven?" Maurice R. Irwin points out that only 34 percent of the American people who call themselves Christians attend church at least once a week.
To be honest after seeing all that a real Jeep is capable of I think I am more drawn toward the pile of scrap metal that is still laying in the woods behind my house. With a child’s faith it was capable of so much more than the real Jeep. Oh, to the untrained eye even Christianity my not look that appealing, but one day it will be obvious to every creature ….. “for I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Paul’s words in Romans 8:18. Again I quote C.S. Lewis…. “I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” Reminds me of the little girl who was taking an evening walk with her father. Wonderingly, she looked up at the stars and exclaimed; "Oh, Daddy, if the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what must the right side be!"

LOOKING GOOD

I have always been taken by the beauty of a particular grove of oak trees that line the road just a few miles from my home. I remember the site even from my childhood, along scenic Duck Run road, highlighting the beauty of Branch Rickey’s childhood home place, it has always reminded me of something you would see in one of those travel magazines. In fact I often find myself pausing to focus on the beauty of the scenery as I drive through it today. Because of the age of the trees I am often reminded of their frailty in the aftermath of strong winds and the site of broken branches big and small. A few weeks back the strong winds toppled one of the silent giants that stood along the scenic thoroughfare. When I saw the damage I was at first saddened and then I was overtaken with the simple curiosity of a child. The trunk that supported the large tree which stood tall and strong for more years that I can remember was, hollow? The strong beautiful tree was hollow on the inside!
The scriptures are full of word pictures, which remind us that God is not only interested in our outward appearance but also what’s on the inside. From His words to the prophet Samuel as a new king for Israel was chosen, “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” In the New Testament Jesus calls attention to the unseen part of a mans life. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” We begin to get the idea as to what God focuses on the most.
Now I began to ask the practical question, why do trees get hollow in the first place. According to North Carolina State University “You’re welcome Dr. J.”…. “Hollow trees result from a tree injury. Fungi cause wood decay and insects assist with wood removal. Growth continues to occur on the outer part of the trunk. Traditionally, homeowners have attempted to clean decay from the cavity and to add a material, such as concrete, to fill the empty space. Cavity treatment is an exacting process that if done incorrectly can shorten the life of the tree. Benefits from filling the cavity are questionable at best. Since the fill material will expand and contract at a different rate than tree wood it can create problems of its own. The strength of a hollow tree comes from the new wood produced after the injury, not from material used to fill a cavity.” The apostle Paul has given us the remedy for what’s needed on the inside. Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” then in Colossians 1:9 “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;” John H. Morgan writes “Our life in Christ can be compared to an aqueduct, the stone waterways that brought water from nearby mountains into parched cities in Italy and Spain, and that are still used in some countries today. The objective foundation of our spiritual lives, the Word of God, is like the huge stone aqueduct itself. The subjective elements, our daily experience of Christ, is like the fresh water flowing through it. Some Christians neglect the Word and seek only the subjective experience. But without the solid Word of God to contain and channel that experience, the experience itself drains away into error and is lost. Other Christians boast well-engineered aqueducts based on extensive knowledge of the Bible, but they are bone dry. They bring no refreshment. Strong spiritual lives require both a strong knowledge of the Word of God and an intimate daily relationship with Christ.” Looking good spiritually is one thing, and I do believe that when others view our lives they should see a truly genuine Christ follower, but the genuineness of who we are to be is first and foremost because of what is in our heart. Just as Jesus saw those around him, he sees us. Just as Jesus knew those around him, he knows us. Just as Jesus filled those who desired His fullness then, He can fill us today.
J. Stowell in his book “Fan The Flame” writes “The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. I want to run all the way with the flame of my torch still lit for Him!” When the tree of our lives has fallen, and it will someday! When our life is over then the reality of what’s on the inside will become wonderfully or painfully apparent. My prayer is that we may we truly be at our core the wonderful image of who He is and who He has planned for us to be. Not just looking good, but being good!

FIRST LOVE

Maybe it’s just the romantic in me but this past weekend while in Pennsylvania at a camp and retreat center I was taken back to my teen years and the feeling of young love. During the weekend of events which centered around assessing Ministerial students in their call to serve and Follow God in His amazing call on their lives I found myself with a few unassigned moments which I used to explore the venue we were enjoying for the event. The Roxbury Holiness Camp and Conference Center in Roxbury PA, Nestled at the foot of the North Mountain in the scenic Blue Mountain range. This beautiful setting took me back to the first time that I was introduce to church camp in any way. When Terri and I were starting to date I was to young to drive so captured by the love bug I rode my ten speed bike 13 miles one way to see her! Not being raised in a Christian home I was oblivious to the concept of church camp but when the subject came up I eagerly jumped on the bandwagon primarily at that point because I wouldn’t have to make a 26 mile round trip on my bike to see my girl. “Not that she wasn’t worth it mind you!” I went to church camp to see a girl and in the second night of services while sitting next to my sweet heart, the Holy Spirit sat down next to me ion the other side, deep conviction gripped my heart and that night I forgot about my girl and made my way to the alter and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior and I have never been the same! So that’s why church camp has a dear memory for me. So years later as I strolled the vacant camp grounds I was taken back to those precious days. While on a stroll with camera in hand I came across quite a nostalgic site. Just across a quaint little bridge there were some unusual trees. The trees in fact were not unlike others I had seen in days gone by because they were tattooed and etched with the initials of past and perhaps present love. (For those of you reading this in a newspaper you can visit my blog for the pictures themselves.) Any way the trees were covered with initials of long ago love. Initials, names and even some pictures that depicted the romance that I am sure was a part of many years of teenagers roaming the beautiful camp grounds. The one that touched me the most was high on the trunk of an old tree. It simply said “I Love Jesus”. Now I am sure that many of the initials that peppered the bark of those trees never ended up on Holy matrimony and that’s ok, but I do hope that whoever etched those words is still juts as in love with Jesus today as they were then.

Listen with me to the Apostle Johns words in Revelation chapter 2…. “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I al so hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” No in-depth study needed here, just a note about the words “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Interesting isn’t it? God knows who we loved then and who we love now. He has the ability regardless of what we say and do to actually measure the love in our hearts. Kind of takes away the need for undo focus on the temporary and the superficial doesn’t it? So let just pry a little here and ask you, How’s your love life? None of you’re cotton pickin business Tim you may say. And you are correct, but in our relationship to our creator we are reminded that it is indeed His. And I promise you today that his love for you over the years has never wavered. Not a bit.
During the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, sentenced a soldier to be shot for his crimes. The execution was to take place at the ringing of the evening curfew bell. However, the bell did not sound. The soldier's fiancé had climbed into the belfry and clung to the great clapper of the bell to prevent it from striking. When she was summoned by Cromwell to account for her actions, she wept as she showed him her bruised and bleeding hands. Cromwell's heart was touched and he said, "Your lover shall live because of your sacrifice. Curfew shall not ring tonight!" Christ’s love for you and me saved us from more than execution, it saved us from an eternal separation from himself. That’s how much he loved and still loves you and me. The only questions are regarding our love for Him. May the words carved into that tree in Pennsylvania be carved in our hearts as well.

AW MAN, NOT AGAIN!

If you stop and think about it for a second, there is quite a level of talent required to accomplish what I pulled off with great ease yesterday. I just know that if I tried, I mean really tried I couldn’t do it in a hundred attempts. But oh how easy it was, effortless at best. Now as I describe to you this amazing feat please remember that in the for forefront of my mind was a great urgency to get from point A to point B. Point A being Ashland Kentucky, point B being Columbus Ohio. I needed to get to the Ohio State University hospital to make a pastoral visit and I was running unbelievably ahead of schedule at this point. Then it happened, as it only does when I am in a hurry. I got to my car unlocking it mid stride on my way across the parking lot. I opened the back door to hang up my dress coat at the same time tossing my cell phone and my keys into the front passenger seat so that I could just hop in, grab my keys and take off like the space shuttle from the Kennedy space center. I do remember the sound of my horn honking though as my cargo landed on the front seat, but as I said earlier I was in a fit of HASTE… So after hanging up my coat I shut the door reached for the front door handle only to find it securely locked. That, my friends was the moment it dawned on me the significance of that little honk I heard as my keys and phone landed on the front seat. I had locked all my doors! What joy! It was during the process of waiting for the AAA tow truck to arrive, as a good friend and I were desperately trying to find a way into the car via a coat hanger that a passerby asked the spiritual question “what do you thing the Lord is trying to speak to you through this little dilemma?” now I gotta tell ya, at that moment, keys locked in car, now running late, I hadn’t stopped to consider the spiritual aspect of the whole adventure! But in due time the truck arrived, my doors were unlocked and I took off or Columbus. I picked up Terri on the way and we dashed for the big city arriving so much later that I wanted to be there. Here’s where the spiritual lesson comes in, “see I can pay attention once and a while!” we arrived just in time to go into the ICU unit with the whole family, the patient was eager to talk about her spiritual need and readily accepted Jesus as her personal Savior much to the rejoicing of her Mother who had been praying for her for a long time! Later yesterday evening on my way home a few things talked with Terri about the frenzied day that was coming to a close I realized a few things. First, God’s timing is perfect, if we had arrived earlier I would have been able to see the patient but without the rest of the family, and Oh I wouldn’t have wanted them to miss the moment. Secondly I realized that my timing is not perfect! I thought I knew when I needed to be where and what for, but I just need to listen to him. I guess I really can’t take any credit for locking my car doors after all can I?
Driving to work today I remembered what the Lord laid on my heart for the Sunday evening message just a few days back. The text was in the book of Psalms, chapter 139 verses 23 and 24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. These verses teach us four things that we need the Lord to do for us. We are always asking God to do things for us that we may or may not really need. But these four things we need. First we need God to search us. “Search me, O God.” This is a reminder that nothing in our lives is off limits to God. Is there anything in your life that is not under His Lordship? Secondly we need God to test us. Try me the psalmist says. Try me, and know my thoughts:” Tests are used in schools to see whether or not we have mastered the subject matter. In other words it shows whether or mot we have been paying attention. So have I really learned to trust God? Have I really learned to depend on His words and His wisdom? The psalmist goes on to say that we need God to see us. “And see if there be any wicked way in me”. Now I know that He already does, but do we live like we know that. Is there anything in our attitude that we would not want God to see? Is there anything in our home or lifestyle that we would keep from His eyes? And lastly we need God to lead us. “And lead me in the way everlasting.” I believe that was one of the lessons that hit home with me yesterday. I need God’s leading not my own.
Missionary statesman Hudson Taylor had complete trust in God's faithfulness. In his journal he wrote: Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning...He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all...Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply. Even if you do lock your keys in your car!