Thanksgiving

After our brief hiatus, we write again! This post-Thanksgiving item is an attempt to capture the swelling spirit of appreciation we are experiencing. Because this season in our life is enriched by the longer shadows cast by years of experience and observation, our Thanksgiving goes deeper and is richer. Once we felt compelled to produce, were continuously planning and moving from one project or assignment to the next. In contrast, we now enjoy a slightly slower pace (In the last month we drove over 5000 miles to reach ministry assignments.) and spend more time reflecting, musing, evaluating, and reading before preaching. We have even enjoyed the luxury of spending a bit of time in our garage wood shop making Christmas gifts.

As boys in elementary school, my brother and I played church. Dennis was the worship leader, I was usually the preacher. The pulpit was an upturned child sized rocking chair. We were short on content, full of zeal! My parents were amused and even prompted us to perform for their friends on occasion. What was once play became our vocations.

After spending Thanksgiving Day with most of the grandchildren, listening to their chatter, I am full of thanksgiving that another generation is following Jesus close on our heels. Each of our children, Candace, Jonathan, Joanna and their spouses are immersed in ministry. Sitting around the holiday dinner table was emotional for Pat and me as we witnessed and heard the passions and desires of our family. And then, Monday, Joanna called to tell us that Isabella and Luca were leading a Bible study in their play house in their backyard. Isabella is now seven years old, Luca, five. Photo proof is posted on our Facebook page. Click, enjoy, and give thanks with us! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150428686814637&set=at.10150428685134637.377173.578004636.1000462933&type=1#!/otto.wegner. Jon’s daughter, Abigail is already singing with the worship team in church. Joanna, Jon’s second daughter, was baptized in water recently.

On Sunday we ministered in Hackensack, New Jersey. More than twenty years ago we led a team of Bible college students in planting the church now known as Emanuel Christian Church. For seven weeks, 50 consecutive nights, we conducted evangelism services. Each Friday for seven weeks we walked around the perimeter of the city of over 80,000 praying. Our prayer walk path passed within 100 feet of the current meeting place! The prayers of God’s people continue in the heavens long after the sounds drift into silence.

Pastor Ralph and Debbie Fiorelli are the workers Jesus is using to fashion a radiant group of people into a church destined to be without spot or wrinkle. Among the Sunday worshipers were people from a homeless shelter, paroled convicts, people who live in a park along the Hackensack River, and well educated, well trained people from the community. The extent of the practical ministry was thrilling to witness. Jesus certainly is smiling in approval over the Fiorellis who are pouring out their lives in His Name. Please pray for Debbie. She is confined to a wheel chair when she leaves the house.

One of the expressions of ministry worthy of celebrating is Ralph’s business, Crossroads Plumbing and Heating. Ralph, a licensed master plumber, is using his business to train unemployed men to be plumbers. He uses daily interactions with the men to teach life skills and spiritual truth. Pastor Fiorelli’s plan is to lead the men in additional church planting teams. How great is that? We are looking into ways that Ralph’s model can be reproduced in Philadelphia and other places.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful opportunity to refocus, to realign our thoughts and attitude. It is only natural for us to become presumptuous and slip into thinking that we are in some way deserving of the bounty we enjoy. After all, we are pretty good – compared to others. We are diligent and hard-working. Yes, God blesses, but he blesses those who work hard and are deserving. NOT!

As we pause to give thanks this week we ought to remember that we are who we are because of how God has embraced us, and nothing else! Psalm 115 begins with –
“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.”
Our God deserves all the glory because of His mercy and truth. The gods of the nations are fashioned by men’s hands and though they have ears, they are unable to hear; have eyes they are sightless; have noses, but smell nothing. Their hands remain unmovable and their feet never take a step. They are as mute as the materials from which they were formed. (verses 4-8)

But, the God revealed in Jesus remembers us, helps those who trust in Him, and blesses! Most of our family will gather around a festive table tomorrow. Traditions will be extended another year. The Psalmist’s truth is too important to ignore. We join those for who for generations remember the Lord’s blessings. Psalm 115 ends with –
“The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
“Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
“The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
“But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.”
We are looking forward to parades on television, football, scrumptious food, and playful banter, but, we will stop all others sounds to say and hearty “Thank you!” recognizing that our blessings are undeserved. “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.”

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Pleasant boundaries

The degree to which God leads his people is mind bending! I can find ample excuse to fret, question or even complain, until I am confounded by the truth about God in His Word. Psalm 104 is a song celebrating God’s authority. God’s poet cites the deluge in Noah’s day to highlight His power.
He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.
You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them.
You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth. (Verses 5-9)
We can refresh ourselves and build up our faith by remembering that God has never said, “Oops!” He sets the boundaries for our life.

This morning Pat and I are reveling in the goodness of God. Yesterday our second granddaughter, Joanna, was baptized in water. Her Dad, Jonathan, baptized seventeen others. Many of those obeying the Lord in baptism yesterday were the very first in their family. We wept as we realized that Joanna is the fifth generation on the paternal side of the clan, the third on the maternal side.

He has set the boundary that cannot be crossed. Thank you Father for sending Jesus to be our savior. You have set pleasant boundaries for us!

Black Friday is coming!

WARNING! BE ALERT! HEADS UP! BLACK FRIDAY IS COMING!

Every day for the past two weeks my electronic mail box has been stuffed as full as a Thanksgiving turkey – with “Black Friday” spam. Stores with whom I have a made a loyalty card send “once-a-year savings” reminders to buy their stuff. The stuff being marketed is of such high quality, it is being sold at discount! Just I, and a few other loyal customers (who number in the 1000s) receive these offers. Some of our customer loyalty has been pledged to national discounters with retail outlets just up the road from us. I drove by the outlet establishments yesterday and it seems as if 1000's who share similar loyalty are more eager than I am to make use of the coupons.

Newspapers are heavier than usual nowadays as merchants from Abercrombie to Zoes insert coupons and “unbelievable bargains.” The current deal on batteries offered by a pharmacy chain is enticing, until I try to think where I would use four dozen AAA size current producers. Even with eight grandchildren who possess more than enough electric gizmos, I am having hard time thinking up a reason to buy the bargain pack!

Since our new home has much lower ceilings than the old row house in Philadelphia, we purchased a new, shorter, smaller-in-diameter Christmas tree. Today’s challenge is, “Who wants all the ornaments that won’t fit on the smaller tree?” The kids have their own array of bangles and beads. Used ornaments don’t sell well at flea markets. “Craigslist” isn’t promising either.

And, then, this morning I was arrested as I read the five Psalms I usually read on the 18th of each month. Have you considered that those who love God’s Word pray as they agree with the Psalmist’s song, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your Word?” (Psalm 119:37) Pat and I momentarily lost our better judgment this week when we saw a 90% display at a arts and crafts retailer. Our youngest Grands will be the proud owners of fake walkie-talkies, cameras, and calculators. Our eyes saw, our hearts overwhelmed our better judgment! Stuff will multiply in a playroom of other “worthless things.” The girls and one boys will hug us and say, “Thank you Papa,” as their parents eyes roll back in the their head!

Is the seasonal exercise we all have in mind absolutely worthless? No, I don’t think so. All I have to do is anticipate the one-of-a-kind hug each of the little ones will share. The thirty minutes of make believe communication will help balance out the outrageous $1.07 purchase made by a doting Papa and Grandma. We have already discarded offers for plasma TVs, complex electronic gadgets for simulated sports activity, and dozens of other items. (We thought that you might want them!)

Am I a Grinch? No! Don’t spread that rumor! It just seems important that before we start negotiating the retail fields mined with discount coupons. The urge to purchase “worthless things” must be weighed carefully and resisted aggressively.

Be careful in the parking lots surrounding the outlets. I’ll be there at least once!

Listen, the Good Shepherd is speaking!

A long time ago, when I was little more than a novice, a man many years my senior taught me about listening carefully, hearing accurately. He was a native of Western Tennessee and could hear the nuances of accent between people hailing from various Tennessee counties. They all sounded the same to me, but he would listen and hear what I could not.

I wondered, “How does he do that?” So, I asked! The reply was simple, and profound. First, “I am a native of Tennessee and learned to speak my mother tongue with my home county’s peculiar accent. And, I was the pastor of a church near Ford’s River Rouge Plant. Folk came North to earn good wages and became part of our church family. Each one had a slightly different dialect, and I learned several.”

The life applications are not buried deeply. You can anticipate one or more. We are familiar with our mother tongue. Tones, inflections, idiom, and cadence become part of us. And, when we hear the slightest difference, our ears transmit a message deep into the inner man. A strange accent signals, “Stranger!”

Jesus’ self-disclosure as the “Good Shepherd” in John 10 was part of his training of the Twelve, those who would serve as apostles, leading the way to make Him known following the ascension. He said very simply to those who understood the characteristics of sheep, “ ... his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” Sheep recognize the voice of only one shepherd among many. Many flocks may share a watering place or graze together in one field, but sheep respond to only their own shepherd’s voice. Other shepherds may call out, but only his sheep will follow.

If we would spend more time listening when praying, learn the cadence and inflections of God’s voice in His Word, become comfortable with the witness of the Holy Spirit, we would be familiar with the Good Shepherd’s voice. When we listen, we discover, God is speaking and I follow him! If we learn to listen, we take fewer excursions up blind alleys and going nowhere cul de sacs. Is it safe to say that our own voices, and those around us, are often better known than the Shepherd’s? Alas, some quote their favorite preacher or author, than speak with awe and respect for Jesus’ voice giving direction and counsel.

We may also remember that the Good Shepherd does not carry voice enhancing bull horns or deafen His sheep with blaring orders. He most often whispers, or uses quiet cues which assure His charges that they are safe, that He is present and leading us safely.

A quaint song authored by C. Austin Miles is now seldom sung, but captures much of the simplicity of Jesus’ teaching.

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

Refrain

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain

Listen friends, and fellow sheep, God is speaking!

P.S. Since it will be a new song to some, “In the Garden” may be presented sometime soon where you worship!

Partnerships

Pat and I have learned to absorb audio books on long road trips. The local library has enough good material to last for the rest of our driving days, and when we misjudge how much material we can consume, Cracker Barrel Restaurants make good listening affordable.

We are currently listening to the last disk of Tom Brokaw’s The Time of Our Lives, the veteran journalists musings on where the United States is in relationship to her past and future. From his comments on the values of partnerships, I quote, “What would Hewlett have been without Packard, Huntley without Brinkley, McCartney without Lennon, Woodward without Bernstein? Another query is worthy of mention, “Joe Montana was my idea of the best all-time National Football League quarterback, but without Jerry Rice, who knows?”

The list of those with whom we have been privileged to partner is long and impressive. Each partner embodied skills we needed, character which reinforced us, and added to our life immeasurably. Our hearts are warmed and smiles crease our faces when we remember the times when team members contributed in as many ways as God is creative. They collaborated by reminding us to laugh when we could only think of weeping, teaching us needed skills as we fumbled ineptly, and shared unselfishly when nothing less would have made a difference.

Linda Ellerbe, Brokaw’s on-screen partner is quoted as saying, “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did and she did it in high heels while dancing backward.” Listening to that line, and then reading it on the pages of the paper copy, reminded me of the extraordinary skills Pat has displayed for almost 45 years now. Her accomplishments, poise, contributions and steadfast support are simply astounding.

Solomon recognized the importance of partnership and expressed God-given wisdom. Long ago he penned this counsel –
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Barak stumbled until Deborah took the lead. Aquila was partnered with Priscilla. I enjoy Pat!

No compromise

The ability to negotiate and compromise is a necessary life skill. Rigid, stubborn, inflexible people who see situations only one way are like a burr under ones saddle. However, there is also a need for uncompromising commitment to obey and honor authority. Obedience and honor can often be difficult when a leader is less than honorable and is proven untrustworthy.

I have experienced the stress of being caught between two conflicting values. By culture and Scripture I have embraced the rightness of honoring those in authority, but have found myself uncertain what to do when the person in leadership was dishonorable, untruthful, or embraced a spurious strategy or policy.

When Joshua died Israel was left with no visible God-appointed leader. The nation was poised on the Promised Land side of the Jordan River and Lord communicated directly with tribal leaders. Judah obeyed and conquered the Canaanites and Perizzites. King Adoni-Bezek was captured and disabled when his thumbs and great toes were severed. Their victory was expanded when they joined forces with the Simeonites and routed the residents of Gaza, Ashkelon and Ekron.

But a different and deadly compromise was struck beginning with Benjamin and continued through to Manasseh, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali. The reports are repetitious and disappointing. Instead of eradicating the enemies, the tribes compromised. The language is revealing, “they failed to dislodge,” and “did not drive out.” Manasseh was content to press the Canaanites into forced labor, but as one reads the rest of the record, the Canaanites became a constant problem. Israeli children intermarried with the Canaanites children and God’s plan was endangered.

The takeaway lessons are rather obvious and will serve Jesus’ disciples well.

• It is fair to compromise on non-absolutes, but obedience to Jesus is never to be negotiated. To be a disciple of Jesus is to say, “Yes,” always! Being Jesus’ disciple is a full-time commitment of every facet of our life. A Gospel song sung in the church so instrumental in forming me, usually sung in response to a missionary presentation, says –



It may not be on the mountain’s height, or over the stormy sea;
It may not be at the battle’s front my Lord will have need of me;
But if by a still, small voice He calls to paths I do not know,
I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Yours,
I’ll go where You want me to go.
Refrain
I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord,
O’er mountain, or plain, or sea;
I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord,
I’ll be what You want me to be.
Perhaps today there are loving words which Jesus would have me speak;
There may be now, in the paths of sin, some wand’rer whom I should seek.
O Savior, if You will be my Guide, though dark and rugged the way,
My voice shall echo the message sweet,
I’ll say what You want me to say.
There’s surely somewhere a lowly place in earth’s harvest fields so wide,
Where I may labor through life’s short day for Jesus, the Crucified.
So, trusting my all unto Your care, I know You always love me!
I’ll do Your will with a heart sincere,
I’ll be what You want me to be.
Isn’t it interesting that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings the song on “YouTube” and that all her youth are expected to say, “Yes!” to two years of missionary service before pursuing a vocation?




• The Judges teach us that agreeing to a compromised obedience to Jesus sets off confusion, political and emotional corruption, economic failures, ambiguity about one’s identity.

• Reputations are determined by consistency over one’s life span. When compromises in ethic or character are revealed a whole lifetime of good works and professional success is undone.

As a teen I read the biography of William Whiting Borden. Reading Borden’s story changed my life! After Borden died, his Bible was found and given to his parents. In it they found the words "No Reserve" and a date placing the note shortly after he renounced his multi-million dollar fortune in favor of missions. Later, he had written "No Retreat", dated near the time his father told him that he would never let him work in the company again. Shortly before he died in Egypt, he added the phrase "No Regrets."

Today I am renewing my commitment to fully obey Jesus, again! And, tomorrow, I will do it again.

Blemished reputations, redemption in humility

In the last few days an aspiring presidential candidate and iconic football coach have been called on to explain accusations reported in news media. In each case the accused person is responding to infractions more than a decade old. Surely each man thought that the events were long buried in the tombs of forgetfulness and wrapped in the shrouds of personal accomplishment. Past events would never see the light of day.

We may learn some lessons from those presently writhing in the light of public scrutiny and avoid personal embarrassment and the impossible task of regaining the luster of past reputation.

1. We must remember that the challenge for Jesus’ disciples is to live without moral blemish. “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:21-22) There can be no allowance for selfish lapses into impurity.

2. Resist making an excuse for even the smallest infractions and confess the truth. “It is only a small thing and only a couple of people know about it,” is the rationale which negates the need to live humbly before our God. (Micah 6:8) And, the antidote for the most insignificant sin is the same as for the largest, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” (1 John 1:8-10) God and people embrace humility and brokenness.

3. Wise men build an accountability relationship with someone who has access to the deepest part of their being. If Nathan had not had access to David’s private chamber, he could not have announced, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says ...” (2 Samuel 12:13). Neither would we be able to pray with David,

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:
according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalm 51:1-4, KJV)

Jesus’ disciples learn to pray David’s prayer with humility, broken spirit and passion akin to the author’s.

4. In this life we will not reach the summit of spiritual maturity where we are no longer vulnerable to temptation and possibility of falling. I recently learned of a person, at least a decade older than me, and one with a distinguished and enviable career, who is now embarrassed, uncovered, ashamed. We cannot afford to grow certain of our own abilities and competencies. Godly people mellow, grow more forgiving and understanding, less judgmental and more loving as they deal with their own vulnerabilities and move toward life’s finish line.

When the Holy Spirit applies these lessons and others, we learn and celebrate that we are among those who will be presented “faultless” at His coming. (Jude 1:24)

One last thought, everyone’s successes and embarrassments are shared by others. Innocent people, including family members, team members, and confidants share in the darkness of humiliation and experience the searing pain of betrayal, just as they basked in the sunlight of successes. Psalm 51 is a worthy prayer to pray, defines a worthy spirit to cultivate.

Don't love the world!

Periodically a passage of Scripture interrupts my casual thoughts. The Scriptures appear abruptly, without announcement, and command my attention. This morning it happened again. The verse is from John’s first epistle, and flows from deep within my memory vault, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (2:15) The church that formed me emphasized that we are “in” the world, but not “of” the world.

There is a risk that I might become a sort of religious Andy Rooney curmudgeon, (O, how I would love to write as well as he!) but I must ask, “Is the separation between world and church becoming blurred? Are our efforts to make our message relevant blunting the edge of personal accountability before the Judge of the whole world?”

Two or three areas of personal behavior and choice come to mind.

• I recently read that Evangelical Christians are quite at home with consuming alcohol and that some former tee-totaling groups are growing “soft” on their stance about the dangers of alcohol. As a pastor I spent a lot of time helping individuals and their families who were terrorized by alcohol. Missed work assignments, stresses to family budgets, disruptions to God-designed relationships were all too common. A measureable expression of God’s grace is found wherever the hard yoke of alcohol is broken.
• When the American entertainment industry was not yet very bold in depicting evil behavior, attendance at “worldly amusements” was a sign of spiritual compromise, but now representations of the world’s values are beamed into living rooms and episodes are even cited from pulpits. We have come a long way from “The Honeymooners” and “Father Knows Best!”
• Personal money management, promptly paying ones creditors, living frugally and giving generously indicated one was Jesus’ follower. The nation’s economy in the mid 50's tanked and I remember generous sharing of resources as Christians helped one another and neighbors. In an era of economic downturn we may be wise to revisit the values and expressions of too easily forgotten convictions.
Faith and behavior must be inseparable. Or, as a mentor of mine was fond of repeating, “If what I confess I believe is different than the way I behave, the best prayer I can pray is, ‘On Lord, help me to keep my mouth shut.’”

Is it possible that the world needs an expression of “authentic” as well as “relevant?” As I consider the Holy Spirit’s interruption of my thoughts, I must consider how process the mandate, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” It will take more than a casual resolve to do better. The same Spirit that brings the alert must empower me to apply the truth He delivers.