PastorTim

THANKS JUST NEVER SEEMS ENOUGH….

Memorial Day is an official holiday in most states of the United States. It was observed on May 30 until 1971, when for federal employees, the date was changed to the last Monday in May. With the exception of Louisiana, all states observing Memorial Day adopted the change. It is also known as Decoration Day. The custom of placing flowers on the graves of the war began on May 5, 1866, in Waterloo, NY, and Waterloo has been recognized by Congress as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. In 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, then president of the Grand Army of the Republic, declared that May 30 would be a day to decorate with “flowers the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” After World War I the day was set aside to honor the dead of all American wars, and the custom was extended to pay homage to deceased relatives and friends, both military and civilian. The most solemn ceremony conducted on Memorial Day is the placing of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns located in Arlington national Cemetery.
(Pictures below from when Terri and I were there a few years ago during January)
Just saying thank you has always seemed a little inadequate to me. This is especially so when it comes to the level of sacrifice some have reached. Abraham Lincoln called this sacrifice for ones country giving “Ones full measure of devotion”. How true that is. A few days back I was blessed to spend some time with my good friend Vance Huston. Col. Huston Served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. He served in the Vietnam conflict as well as a Marine One helicopter pilot for Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson. He shared again the story of the first landings on the White house lawn with the president as well as other Memorial Day memories. As a pilot for Marine One he recalled, there was a problem that developed with the White House groundskeepers because of the large indentations the wheels of the aircraft lift in the beautifully manicured lawns. The solution was to place large sheets of thick painted plywood on the ground for the wheels to land on. This as well presented a problem for the wheels of the helicopter are situated in such a way that the pilot can’t see them while at the controls. They remedied this by placing two lines of tape so that the pilot could line up with a tape to his front and to his side enabling him to perfectly land the craft. Vance has shared before with me the incredible spiritual lesson he learned from this incident. Not only do we have to line up with God’s word and his will to make a safe landing ourselves when our vessel comes to the end of this life, but we are laying tape with the life and example we live that is giving to those that we influence the direction to follow. What an amazing thought. Jesus said it this way….. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. May we be remembered for laying tape in the right direction, so that we may correctly guide those that follow.
In talking with Col. Huston he spoke of a recent trip to Washington DC and a visit to the Vietnam Memorial with his grandchildren. What an incredible place that is. If you have never gone, you should do so at least once in your life. He talked of looking up a dear friends name on the wall that he has served with in that conflict. He found the name of a dear friend by the name of Ralph Caspole with whom he had served in the Presidential squadron with He also shared of standing by the wall looking at the name of a dear friend Ralph who was killed on his last mission in Vietnam. With tears in his eyes my friend recalled standing before that wall, looking at the name of his friend and then seeing his own reflection looking back at him from the wall itself. The thought that came to his mind was that his friend Ralph Caspole died that he Vance Huston could be free. May we never cease to remember those who have given that full measure of devotion that we may enjoy freedom. In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael wrote:
 We cherish too, the Poppy red, That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies, That blood of heroes never dies. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Please allow me to close with a few portions of President Ronald Reagan’s speech delivered at the site of the U.S. Ranger Monument at Pointe du Hoc, France June 6, 1984 on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day. “Behind me is a memorial that symbolizes the Ranger daggers that were thrust into the top of these cliffs. And before me are the men who put them there. These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war. Gentlemen, I look at you and I think of the words of Stephen Spender's poem. You are men who in your "lives fought for life . . . and left the vivid air signed with your honor……Here, in this place where the West held together, let us make a vow to our dead. Let us show them by our actions that we understand what they died for. Let our actions say to them the words for which Matthew Ridgway listened: "I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.'' Strengthened by their courage, heartened by their value [valor], and borne by their memory, let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died.” Amen!

FACING THE MUSIC

I have a confession to make; I have been guilty of listening to classical music. I know I know, you can hardly believe it. Refined and cultured I don’t resemble in the least, but alas here I sit early on Monday morning listening to Yo Yo Ma playing Bach’s Cello Suite #1 In G joyfully writing this column. Growing up surrounded by music I have learned to appreciate all styles of music including classical which I often listen to while reading. So a few weeks back I was thrilled when my daughter Stephanie called and shared with me that she would like to take me to the Columbus Symphony where the world renowned Yo Yo Ma would be performing with the orchestra. The evening was wonderful; of course if you know me you know how I miss seeing my little anyway. So here we were seating in the beautiful Ohio Theater in downtown Columbus listen to the musicians fine tune their instruments, suddenly the lights dimmed and the hall grew silent. Nothing happened, not a sound until out of the curtain walked a small man, well he didn’t walk, he actually jogged onto the stage to the applause of the audience. Still yet, no beautiful music to fill the air. It wasn’t until this man raised his hands and begin to move them did the wondrous melody fill the air. The instruments were ready and tuned, the musicians were poised and capable but until the maestro began to direct the house was silent. So it is I believe with our lives. Until the great maestro is directing our lives we exist without the music that was intended to fill our souls. It might be a good time to consider the question, who is directing my life? To whose hand do I look to for direction? May we always be directed by the Master and creator of our lives Jesus Christ. By the way, it was by the artful direction of the Maestro that the entire evening was remembered by, as should it be in our lives as well. The music that’s made, the beauty of our life’s melody should bring credit to the director of our life.
Next came the featured soloist Yo Yo Ma. He joined the Columbus Symphony for Haydn’s concerto in C Major for Cello and orchestra. How beautifully the gifted Cellist blended with the whole of music to touch the heart. After his part of the evening was apparently over I was amazed to watch him pull his chair from the front of the stage to the back section of he orchestra where the other cellist’s were seated. To the applause of the audience this artist who had performed for Presidents and Kings took his place with the rest of the musicians to finish the evening as unassuming as possible. He played without drawing attention to himself, turning the pages of music for other performers, and encouraging everyone he interacted with. My eyes were fixed on this scene. What a lesson. What an example. He could have been escorted off the stage and relaxed in the green room I’m sure for the remainder of the evening and no one would have uttered a word. Yet for the love of the music, for the joy of being a part of something bigger than himself he chose to lay aside the attention and just do what needed to be done, and enjoy it all the while. While many illustrations flood my mind one rises to the top of my thought process. I want to be a part of the music. I want to see the big picture at all times. Thought I may speak to lot of people each week, what’s most important is the mission. It’s not about the event, it’s about the call that God has placed on each of us to participate in this grand design he has for His church. To be a part of accomplishing the great symphony called the great commission.

Many years ago, a man wanted to play in the Imperial Orchestra, but he couldn't play a note. Since he was a person of great wealth and influence, however, he demanded to be allowed to join the orchestra so that he could perform in front of the king.
 The conductor agreed to let him sit in the second row of the orchestra. Even though he couldn't read music, he was given a flute, and when a concert would begin, he would raise his instrument, pucker his lips, and move his fingers. He went through all the motions of playing, but he never made a sound. This deception went on for two years. Then one day a new conductor took over the Imperial Orchestra. He told the orchestra that he wanted to personally audition all the players to see how well they could play. The audition would weed out all those who weren't able to meet his standards, and he would dismiss them from the orchestra. One by one the players performed in his presence. Frantic with worry when it was his turn, the phony flutist pretended to be sick. The doctor who was ordered to examine him, however, declared that he was perfectly well. The conductor insisted that the man appear and demonstrate his skill. Shamefacedly, the man had to confess that he was a fake. That was the day he had to "face the music."
 Many of us go through the motions of life. We say all the right things. In reality, though, we are fakes. A time is coming when all of us will be called to stand before the Judge of heaven and earth and "face the music." No one will be able to hide in the crowd. But it needn't be a scary experience. You must first met the maestro and know Him personally then equipped with the talents and gifts He has given you take your place in the great symphony called the Kingdom of God.

FOR THE LOVE OF ATHEISTS EVERYWHERE!

I have met them from time to time but not to often, those that claim to be atheist. Some probably just toss the title at me to try and push the conversation away from the topic at hand, which often has something to do with Jesus. So the title atheist is used just to as a shield or excuse. In all my travels I have only come across one person that I would classify as a sincere atheist. (Not sure about the guy I met in Detroit last week at the Henry Ford Museum, Picture below) Allow me to share some definition of the subject at hand before going any farther. According to Wikepedia Atheism, is an explicit position, either affirms the nonexistence of gods or rejects theism. When defined more broadly, atheism is the absence of belief in deities, alternatively called nontheism. In practical, or pragmatic, atheism, also known as apatheism, individuals live as if there are no gods and explain natural phenomena without resorting to the divine. The existence of gods is not denied, but may be designated unnecessary or useless; gods neither provide purpose to life, nor influence everyday life, according to this view. Historically, practical atheism was considered by some people to be associated with moral failure, willful ignorance and impiety. Those considered practical atheists were said to behave as though God, ethics and social responsibility did not exist; they abandoned duty and embraced hedonism. According to the French Catholic philosopher Étienne Borne, "Practical atheism is not the denial of the existence of God, but complete godlessness of action; it is a moral evil, implying not the denial of the absolute validity of the moral law but simply rebellion against that law." During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, ... The term 'atheist' was an insult. Nobody would have dreamed of calling himself an atheist. Interesting overview isn’t it. So why even discuss it?
I gotta tell ya, my heart literally breaks for those who have been blinded by Satan and his tactics for infiltrating the minds of our culture. The minds of those we know and live by the way. Listen to Paul’s words to the church, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.” I sense a measure of compassion and genuine concern in those lines don’t you?
Many of the problems facing our culture today (terrorism, disease, injustice etc…) aren’t the fault of God as some like to list as the reasoning for their unbelief, but the result of godless society. Charles Colson writes, “Have you not heard of the madman who lit a lamp in the bright morning and went to the marketplace crying ceaselessly, "I seek God! I seek God!" There were many among those standing there who didn't believe in God so he made them laugh. "Is God lost?" one of them said. "Has he gone astray like a child?" said another. "Or is he hiding? Has he gone on board ship and emigrated?" So they laughed and shouted to one another. The man sprang into their midst and looked daggers at them. "Where is God?" he cried. "I will tell you. We have killed him--you and I We are all his killers! But how have we done this? How could we swallow up the sea? Who gave us the sponge to wipe away the horizon? What will we do as the earth is set loose from its sun?" Friedrich Nietzsche, 1889. “Nietzsche's point was not that God does not exist, but that God has become irrelevant. Men and women may assert that God exists or that He does not, but it makes little difference either way. God is dead not because He doesn't exist, but because we live, play, procreate, govern, and die as though He doesn't.” I was intrigued by an article I read recently in Relevant Magazine by Phil White, “Book releases such as God is not Great: How religion poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchen and God Delusion by Richard Dawkins are making the New York Times best seller lists. There has also been an increase in atheistic dialog on university campuses across the country. So how should Christians respond to the New Atheism discussion? Writer/speaker Alistar McGrath of Oxford offers this: ‘We can reach out to new atheists in Love and break their stereotypes about Christians. It’s our responsibility to show the grace of Christ’s presence to atheists. It shouldn’t be a vicious back and forth exchange, because we must hold ourselves to a higher standard-God’s standard.” I strongly believe that every soul longs for a personal relationship with their creator. Pascal said there is within every person a "God-shaped vacuum." He's right. Historians Will and Ariel Durant observed in their summery volume, The Lessons of History, that There never has been a significant example of morality apart from belief in God." It doesn’t matter, whether atheist, or simply a non-believer. Whether prostitute or drug addict, whether a skeptic or just plain apathetic. God longs to embrace you in his Love, forgive all your past and give you hope for tomorrow!
Let me close by saying to you who fall into the category of atheist or non believer, there is a God in Heaven who Loves you more than you can know even if you don’t believe, and a Christ follower here on earth who does as well!

THANK YOU LORD FOR GOOD FRIENDS…

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.” As I walk through this life I find myself from time to time having to let go of things that are precious to me. Valuables I’ve lost, positions and careers I’ve seen come and go, and most difficult for me, friends. Some of those who have grown dear to me have had the privilege of graduating from this life to the next. Souls I have loved and labored in the ministry with have moved on to a heavenly residence. Others though have just moved! Taken new positions, relocated to other assignments, or in the case of my focus this morning, retired. Ah retirement, that elusive bandit that rides on the horizon of life that if we are blessed, we’ll catch him and hitch a ride. My family has been blessed for the past fourteen years to work with and labor along side our friends Richard and Linda. At the end of this month they will retire to “their other Eden”, which in He and Linda’s case is the Great State of North Carolina! This Southern Gentleman and his precious wife for the last 13 years have been a Pastor to my family and me. That’s a big statement if you’re in the ministry you understand. Pastors don’t always have a pastor themselves, and trust me, they do need them! C.S. Lewis. Said friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, "What! You, too? I thought I was the only one."
When I first met Richard and Linda I was the interim Pastor of the Rarden church of the Nazarene. Not long after that came the call to Pastor The Plymouth Heights church where I have been for the past 11 plus years. During that time we have traveled around the world on missions trips together. We have laughed, cried and often prayed together. I can still remember the first time they visited our home, I believe it was during our first year at Plymouth Heights. Richard was to preach the next morning at our church so on Saturday evening they came by for dinner. Picture this if you will, a prominent figure in denominational leadership coming to dinner in a young inexperienced preachers home. I was a little intimidated I’ll tell ya. But what happened soon after they arrived would set the tone for our friendship for many years to come. It wasn’t a minute into the visit until Richard was on the floor of our living room looking at baseball cards with my 11-year-old daughter! Here this guy was, genuinely interested in what my little girl thought was important. It was as if I wasn’t even in the room. He made an impression on her, and me as well. That friendship with that same little girl would one day lead to my friend Richard praying the Pastoral prayer at her wedding. Someone once said, “Prosperity begets friends, adversity proves them.” As the years have rolled along there have been good days and bad, parties and funerals, but one lasting common denominator. Our friends Richard & Linda. Solomon aptly said “A friend loveth at all times”
That friendship has also been a help and encouragement to me as I have meandered through the beginning years of full time ministry. From encouraging words to just taking the time to simply listen when I was going through a difficult time. Chuck Swindoll in his book “The Grace Awakening” writes these words… “During his days as president, Thomas Jefferson and a group of companions were traveling across the country on horseback. They came to a river, which had left its banks because of a recent downpour. The swollen river had washed the bridge away. Each rider was forced to ford the river on horseback, fighting for his life against the rapid currents. The very real possibility of death threatened each rider, which caused a traveler who was not part of their group to step aside and watch. After several had plunged in and made it to the other side, the stranger asked President Jefferson if he would ferry him across the river. The president agreed without hesitation. The man climbed on, and shortly thereafter the two of them made it safely to the other side. As the stranger slid off the back of the saddle onto dry ground, one in the group asked him, "Tell me, why did you select the president to ask this favor of?" The man was shocked, admitting he had no idea it was the president who had helped him. "All I know," he said, "Is that on some of your faces was written the answer 'No,' and on some of them was the answer 'yes.' His was a 'Yes' face." It is true, prosperity begets friends, adversity proves them. It was also Solomon who said, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend”. I want to be that kind of friend to many.
These friends of ours are known to many as the District Superintendent of the Central Ohio District Church of the Nazarene, Dr. Richard Jordan and his wife Linda. So as I close this column I hope to have accomplished two things. First, to give roses to my friends now while they can enjoy them from their new digs way down yonder in the Tar Heel State. And second, to remind myself that I still have many years to enjoy this precious couple who God has made a part of our lives. Richard & Linda, Happy retirement and you better have some Starbucks in your cupboards; Terri and I are planning a trip south!