His eye is on the sparrow

Last evening I almost said to Pat, "Ssh! Listen! Can you hear the song? From deep within I could hear it!

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Chorus:
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Chorus

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Chorus

The first time I remember hearing the song a distant relative from Northern Michigan sang it in church. If she had recorded an album they would have been sold at J. L. Hudson’s downtown on the "irregular" counter. I had a little trouble with the bird image, and the capacity for full-blown discouragement had not yet been developed as I was still in elementary school.

It was 1953, I looked it up, and Billy Graham came to Detroit for an extended crusade. My recollection is that Ethel Waters sang "His Eye is on the Sparrow." She really set the high water mark for that song in my opinion.

But, my favorite soloist’s rendition of "His Eye" occurred at Vailsburg Assembly of God. The new church was barely gaining traction. Our team was weary following months of building renovations and start-up efforts. Howard and Dorothy DeCosta, Jamaicans who had been saved in their homeland because of faithful missionary efforts, began attending. Dorothy could sing! Really sing! On a Sunday when Matthew 10 was my text, Dorothy sang like I’ve never heard the song sung before. Like warmed wax the lyrics melted into my soul. The words soothed surfaces of my spirit and penetrated into the cracks and crevices as healing balm.

Pat and I have had to confront a few uncertainties the last few days. We need to make a few decisions. Today is unlike any other day and we both were beginning to feel a bit anxious. You’ve probably had a few of those days yourself! After doing the really spiritual things like reading the Bible, praying and seeking counsel, my coping mechanism is to retreat. I filled the evening reading the memoire of a family that suffered at the hands government officials who tested their loyalty to the United States. The book is fascinating but does little to inform us about which path to take! My eyes grew tired, so I started toward the bedroom. And then the song started! The tune was being sung by all the voices I had heard before, the odd relative whose voice was not that good, Ethel Waters, smaller Pentecostal congregations, recorded artists and Dorothy!

Pat knows that when I die the song must be sung at my memorial service. I haven’t been told the date yet, but I believe it will be long enough into the future for you to learn the lyrics so you can sing along.

A King's Worthy Example

If one lives long enough he will admit, "I don’t know!" Only fools resist the obvious and slog forward in unconfessed ignorance. This week I was reminded of this truth while reading my friend and fellow US Missionary Rick Roberts’ novel Firing Squad.¹ The plot includes a tense moment when a judge sought the Lord’s guidance. In his preparations for sentencing a murderer a Christian judge prayed an excerpt from King Jehoshaphat’s prayer, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." (2 Chronicles 20:12)

The setting for the prayer adds weight to the simplicity of the prayer.

• Jehoshaphat was an upright man and dedicated to national reforms. He had led Judah out of a spiritual and moral morass. His father Asa has been a loved and respected leader but had foolishly entered into political and military alliances that proved detrimental to Judah. Jehoshaphat spent no time blaming his father for his troubles, he simply called out to the Lord for help.
• Jehoshaphat was transparent. The problem King Jehoshaphat experienced would trouble any national leader. The armies of rival Moab and Ammon declared war and were encroaching at Judah’s board. Jehoshaphat’s response to their threat is a practical template for leaders. "Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him." (2 Chronicles 20:3-4) Notice, the king offered no "spin," and no cronies tried to sway public opinion.
• Jehoshaphat taught Judah’s citizens how to pray by publicly exposing his heart in intercession. Good leaders teach the importance and patterns of prayer to those who follow. Pastoral prayers are powerful because they are multiplied as congregants learn and emulate the one charged with their soul’s safety.
• Jehoshaphat life and leadership were validated by the Holy Spirit. Something always happens when people pray! "Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel . . . a Levite . . . as he stood in the assembly. He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’" (2 Chronicles 20:12-17)
• And then, after the mass prayer meeting, the prophetic word sent by the Spirit, the worship began. Jehoshaphat appointed worshipers to sing of the Lord’s splendor and holiness. (2 Chronicles 20:21) With the sounds of worship in the background, God sent an ambush!

Jehoshaphat and the Judeans spent their time plundering their dead enemies.

We all have had occasions when we didn’t know what to do. King Jehoshaphat has served us well in providing a pattern worthy of following.

Every Day Is Thanksgiving in Heaven

The Book of Revelation is one of my favorites. Some of the most powerful and life-changing moments have occurred as I read the book or listened to the lyrics as Handle’s "Messiah" was sung. While others have developed charts and written in intricate detail about the meanings of eyes, horns, oxen and eagles, I revel in the simple message that in heaven worship and praise ascends without interruption. In heaven every day is Thanksgiving.

Chapters two and three of the Revelation of Jesus applaud the faithfulness and good works of the church as she struggles against adversity. The church is affirmed for enduring hardship, addressing errors, suffering patiently and persevering when greatly outnumbered. The church is also warned about losing her first love, compromising in worship and growing lukewarm. I find the Revelation refreshing because the real struggles of real people are simply defined. Chapters two and three deal with church people as they are, not as I want them to be, and with me as I am, not as I often pretend to be!

Chapters four and five pull back the draperies of human shortsightedness and allow uncomplicated people like us to peer into what is happening in heaven while struggle with sin and self, sputter in worship and praise, and squirm uncomfortably with doubts in the arena of adversity. In chapter four and five readers of the Revelation begin to experience the promised blessing of chapter one, "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." (Verse 3) While good churchmen are struggling in difficult venues with demanding challenges, Thanksgiving is going on in heaven!

Pat and I will spend the next few days with our family. When we return home, I will insert my favorite CD into our sound system, turn up volume, and fill our home with the sounds of heaven, Handel’s Messiah! If we can find affordable tickets, we will attend a live performance. Something faith-building, spirit-lifting, hope-filling happens in my spirit when I hear the words of the Revelation sung by the chorus.
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (5:12) The orchestra, the chorus and my atonal voice agree with heaven where Thanksgivings never end! Another hymn of adoration and affirmation to the One surrounded by twenty-four elders, the One worthy to open the scroll, the Lamb that was killed but is still living is lifted by the chorus in heaven and echoed on earth, under the earth and in the sea ascends in mighty power.
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!" (5:13) Yes! It is happening right now and always in heaven! It is Thanksgiving every day in heaven!

And, finally, the agreement of 100 million voices are united forever in heaven and on earth by those who choose to follow heaven’s maestro. The roaring sound is like a mighty waterfall drowning the voice of every naysayer and merchant of doubt! "Amen!"

"Amen!" Forever, "Amen!" "Amen!" "Amen!"! It is Thanksgiving every day in heaven!

　

　

Grace and Peace at Thanksgiving

This past Sunday our pastor led a wonderful season of Thanksgiving in the worship service. Each worshiper found a note with instructions about how to best participate. The effects were positive, inspiring faith, sharing appropriate appreciation, and were appropriately centered on the One from whom all good and perfect gifts are received. The pastor’s message strongly reinforced what had preceded. Pat and I were glad we were able to attend.

One of the most powerful points of the pastor’s message was an observation that others notice and are affected by our spirit of appreciation. Our family shares experiences the pastor used as examples. Several times restaurant diners have briefly interrupted us as we ate, thanking us for bowing our heads and giving thanks before eating. It happened last Christmas at the　holiday season when all 16 members of our immediate family dominated a corner of a restaurant. The usual indecision of how we would be seated took an embarrassingly long time. The laughter was as playful as always. Smaller grandchildren grew restless and behaved their age. We were certain that other diners were getting annoyed. But, contrary to fears, people stopped to speak of how they wished they had a family they could enjoy like we enjoy ours, and specifically mentioned our prayer of thanks before eating the meal.

Thursday most of our immediate family will gather around a table to eat a very traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The memory of aromas from past holiday meals builds anticipation for the newest display of culinary art. Our mealtime custom includes each person at the table sharing thanks for God’s blessings. Given the range of ages and interests in our family, Thanksgiving is a broad, ever-expanding exercise. The grandchildren at this year’s meal will range in age from three to nine years-old. Their recitals of thanks keep maturing as their palate of experience expands.

This year I am prepared to point to Saint Paul’s letters to the churches. In each of at least ten letters Paul bestows a blessing of "grace and peace" to those who would receive them. In his letters to Timothy Paul expands his blessing to "grace, mercy and peace" bringing the total to twelve reinforcing mentions of an all-important truth. We　could never experience　the peace of God unless God had preceded that with His grace. After man sinned, it was God who came to look for man and not man for God. My friend, Bob Neuman suggested adding the following poem.

He did not wait 'til I needed Him;

He loved me at my worst.

He need never have died at all

If I could have loved Him first.

First, grace always precedes peace. By definition, grace is undeserved, given freely by Him who metes out unmerited blessing. Paul’s letters help us understand the power of grace. Consider –　
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8　
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
– Ephesians 2:8-19
Paul personalized grace in 1 Timothy.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (Verses 12-14)
James shares an additional dimension about where good begins and how utterly helpless mankind is without God’s grace.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. - James 1:16-18We could paraphrase James by saying, "If it is good, it didn’t start with us!
As a high school senior I encountered the 15^th chapter of John in a powerful, life-changing manner. While reading the Gospel I was captivated with verses 15 and 16,
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
God aggressively seeks out those He desires to follow Him! Wonder! Awe! Startled surprise fills my spirit while I contemplate the grace of God.

Peace is the fruit of grace received. Shalom, well being, rest and serenity are experienced by those who revel in God’s grace. In last Sunday’s service an older member of the congregation exhorted us as she gave thanks, "People, God has everything under control! It’s going to be all right!" The dear saint was God’s mouthpiece, blessing the church with peace! The refrain of an old gospel song comes to mind. It says,
"There’s a deep settled peace in my soul.
There’s a deep settled peace in my soul.
Tho the billows of sin near me roll;
He abides.　Christ abides!"
The peace of God is more than the absence of conflict or unfavorable circumstances. Christ’s shalom is confident trust that He is fulfilling His plans.

On the surface some could conclude that our family could pose for Norman Rockwell. But our family is more complicated than "home on the range, where seldom is heard a discouraging word." Our lives are blessed because God grace and peace have been poured out on us! Some storms are passed. Others may be on the horizon. The peace of God follows His grace. We ought always to be giving thanks for both grace and peace.

The Word Accomplishes the Work

Radical Together is an argument for applying Biblical principles in the contemporary church. David Platt states, "The Word of God accomplishes the work of God." Evangelicals passionately affirm that truth. We believe the Bible is without error and write endless volumes about the Book.

Dr. Platt, the pastor of the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham Alabama, asks in Radical Together, if Jesus’ American disciples are prepared to hear God’s Word and allow the Word to strip away good human efforts and programs so that the Bible can transform individuals and congregations.

After being a pulpit guest in more than 300 churches of my denomination, I have made a few observations which indicate that the Word is God is slipping and sliding from the central place in classical Pentecostalism.
Congregations seldom open their Bible and follow their pastor as he reads an extended text. Recently my pastor led our congregation in reading Psalm 136. The rhythms of 36 statements affirming God’s goodness were reinforced with "His mercy endureth forever." The song of mercy echoed in my spirit the following week.
More time is spent worshiping than preaching and teaching. Do we modulate through key changes, polish transitions and create atmospheres of worship at great expense, the greatest being the displacement of strong, Biblical preaching? Great churches, transforming communities of faith, most often are fed rich food from God’s Word.
Much preaching is topical and thematic in an attempt to be culturally relevant. The agelessness of the Bible demands that it be allowed to speak for itself. The preacher-teacher, the Holy Spirit’s gift to the church (Ephesians 4:11-12) is ordained to "preach the Word." (2 Timothy 4:2) By application, if someone experiences an emergency in the darkness of night the first reasonable action is to turn on the light! Are we spending time groping in darkness, flailing away with useless tools when what we really need is light? The Psalm of the Word, 119, defines God’s Word as light.
Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple
(Verses 129, 130, KJV)
And, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
(Verse 105, KJV) Architecturally, evangelicals have placed their pulpits in the center of the church, usually elevated and prominent. Huge stages now are filled with instruments, speakers, screens and other equipment used to create a desired effect. If present at all, contemporary pulpits are spindly nearly invisible podiums. The phrase, "Hide me behind the sacred desk," so often heard a generation ago as pastors prayed before preaching is no longer appropriate. Billy Graham’s mantra, "The Bible says . . ." is a quaint item in video archives.
A new commitment to knowing the content of the Bible is in order. Knowing it is critical to life-sustaining faith.
The Word must be trusted as the material with which the Holy Spirit constructs the likeness of Jesus (the Word made flesh, John 1) in His disciples. A thorough review of Romans 10:17 ought to bring us to a thorough examination of our message.
Jesus’ prayer for the Twelve includes, Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. (John 17:17-19, NIV) And, I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.
All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. (John 16:12-14, NIV)
Those who know the stories of the Bible dare to pray more boldly, without hesitation. The spirit of man is energized with the accounts of Daniel in the lion’s den, Gideon’s battle, and Joshua at Jericho. Those who are sick approach God differently if they have committed James 5 to memory and believe the promise.
David Platt’s line is worthy of our musing, "The Word of God accomplishes the work of God." Our musing may result in daring decisions to pursue effectiveness in the pulpit.

A Lesson from Job

During my most recent reading of Job I was reminded that the icon for suffering and vindication was far richer and influential than I could ever dream of becoming. But, I have better friends! Reading Job is like watching a tennis match at center court. The wordy volley between Job and his three friends is a study of world class argument.

Job is able to say, "I’m innocent and will go into my grave without admitting that my present problems are a result of my sins." Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar are as adamant and consistent in their responses to Job with repeated appeals to, "Fess up! No one suffers like you if they are not guilty of some pretty bad stuff! Your sins brought this on!" The nettlesome trio plied their best cause and affect arguments to cause Job to acknowledge the errors of his ways.

In chapter nine of John’s Gospel Jesus addresses a similar simplistic response to an imponderable and troubling circumstance.
"As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’
"‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’"
"Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ‘Go,’ he told him, ‘wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing."

In our limited capacity to see and understand mere humans see "two dimensionally" as either -or. But God sees mega-dimensionally! He sees everything at once. We see blindness and want to know why. Our Sovereign sees the end from the beginning and has never been taken by surprise.

Remember that Job is playing three-on-one! Job’s best shot, an "ace" served into the questionable Magi’s back court, is in chapter 28.
"People know where to mine silver and how to refine gold. They know where to dig iron from the earth and how to smelt copper from rock. They know how to shine light in the darkness and explore the farthest regions of the earth as they search in the dark for ore. They sink a mine shaft into the earth far from where anyone lives. They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth. (NLT, Verses 1-3)
Men can build incredibly complex machines, erect bridges spanning miles of water, and can lift precious metals from miles below the earth’s surface. In spite of this, Job adds,
"But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?
No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living." (NLT, Verses 12-13)
Complicated actions are easy in comparison to understanding motives and reasons. In an environment where knowledge is multiplied at the speed of light we creep along in a moral morass unable to understand why men behave as they do. Why does a man of highest rank allow himself to be inanely entrapped in an extramarital affair? Why do the powerful find it so difficult to be candid and transparent? Am I the only one who wonders about the "double speak" of press conferences? Why has compromise for the common good become so hard to achieve? If we can fly unmanned planes with a mouse and keyboard from within the safety of an office, why can’t we discipline ourselves to listen to an opponent and reason with a person who sees the mountain from a different angle?
"And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’" (NLT, Verse 28)
It may be advisable to mute the media opinion mongers, analysts of the imponderable, and verbally slippery people of power and learn to listen to One who is Wisdom! It may be time to echo Job and say, "Sorry Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, you just aren’t getting it! Your opinions, your assessments and your counsel aren’t working."

My good friend Bob added, "God and Satan were having a battle. Job didn’t know that he was the battlefield!

One Day to Feed the World

Highway Tabernacle was in financial distress. Her members had courageously determined to undertake the needed renovations on an abandoned church building in North Philadelphia’s Nicetown neighborhood. Like many worthy endeavors, the project stalled for want of funds. Morale was low. Some of the things that happened during the summer and fall months are better forgotten. At several low points, I was questioning myself and the decision to encourage the congregation to get involved.

As usual, the autumn mail was filled with year-end requests for funding worthy missions. The local missions appealed for monies to provide homeless people with shelter and needy families Thanksgiving dinners. Friends asked for our help in providing study Bibles needed by church leaders in distant places. If water wells were dug, thousands in Africa would be spared from death by starvation. I was all too familiar with year-end efforts to finish the financial year in the black.

At one of our lowest points a written appeal came from a favorite mission, Convoy of Hope. Convoy delivers food, water and a variety of services in large community events. The key ingredient of each event is a n offer to pray with honored guests before they leave the event site with bags of groceries, offer recipients a haircut, family photo, help writing a resume, or share a variety of other gifts. The written request caught my eye because my brother-in-law, Hugh Duncan, trains workers to pray with guests at Convoy outreaches. A telephone call from a Convoy representative added urgency and explanation of "One Day to Feed the World." I promised the caller that I would present the need to the deacons but secretly believed that the church could do little to help.

The "One Day to Feed the World" opportunity was near the bottom of the agenda for the deacon meeting. I made a somewhat apologetic presentation pointing out the present financial challenges before the church. I may have even said, "How many times can we ask the people to give?" The turning point in the meeting, and in the life of the church came as a deacon, my son-in-law, said, "I think we ought to give the people an opportunity to give. If they are moved to give, they will and we will be blessed."　An explanation of "One Day to Feed the World" was shared in several services. The congregation was asked to give one day’s wages to Convoy so that the less fortunate would experience a taste of Jesus’ generosity. The offering was received and counted. I was shocked and pleased with the response.

Almost immediately the church’s financial distress was eased. Gifts flowed in for the renovation project. Unsolicited funds came from several sources. I had never witnessed anything like what happened after the special appeal and generous offering was received.

Highway Tabernacle is participating again this year. Resurrection Life Church, the congregation which is housed in the once abandoned building, will add its offerings. In retrospect, I ought to never have hesitated to present another need. God blesses generosity. Saint Paul wrote by the Spirit about the dynamic of Christian generosity.
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, yo u will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." – 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

And, I celebrate a word of wisdom delivered by the Spirit through my son-in-law! Otis courageously urged us to give people an opportunity to give. God met our need as we obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Pat and I will be sharing a "One Day to Feed the World" offering again this year and recommend the ministry of Convoy of Hope! Please join us!

God Knows Before We Ask!

While renovating the building which now houses Resurrection Life Church, my routines included regularly reading through the pages of Craig’s List, an online classified ad site. By daily searching for needed materials, tools and services, over the course of several months we reduced the cost of renovations by purchasing surplus materials from contractors, lightly used tools, and manufacturers’ overruns.

One of the best Craig’s List experiences was the day we discovered over half of the needed interior doors. Our needs were unique, which makes this story even more remarkable. Because we planned to use part of the building as school classrooms some doors had to have "lights" (contractor’s language for windows), commercial grade closers, and codes required that a few had to be fire rated.

The listing caught my eye. "Interior commercial doors with hardware. Best offer." I called the listed number, the home office of Cento Fine Foods in West Deptford, New Jersey. I quickly learned that the doors matched our need and dared to ask, "What is the ‘best offer you have received?’" The answer, "None, yet." Since we didn’t have any money to offer, I suggested that Cento Fine Foods might benefit more by donating the doors and hardware than by selling them. Within a few minutes one of the owner-managers of the family foods business said, "Come and get them!"

When our volunteers began sorting through the donation, we discovered that we had more than half of what we needed. The doors even swung in the right direction! Doors of equal quality retailed for more than $125, the hydraulic closers cost more than $100 and the metal jambs were equally expensive. The added cost of the "lights" was an additional $75 value. Each of the 20 openings that Cento Foods doors and hardware filled would have cost more than $400 each, or $8,000!

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he said, "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:5-8

Through the more than 45 years of our pastoral vocation, we have been formed by fervent, simple prayers offered by people who eagerly desired that the Name of our God be glorified. When Highway Tabernacle walked through the months of challenging renovations, multiple breaking and entering episodes, municipal red tape, and faith-testing uncertainty, the congregation’s prayers were heard all the way into heaven! And the God to whom we prayed answered as surely and as powerfully as He answered Elijah when he contested with the prophets of Baal.

Friday Night Missionary Services

In September 1962, I was a 18-year-old freshman at Central Bible College in Springfield, MO. The school had a tradition of lighting a bonfire on the ball field for an outdoor service the first Friday night students were on campus. I don’t remember too many details of the evening except that a missionary evangelist, Reverend Otis Keener, spoke and students were challenged to give their best effort during the academic year.

Reverend Keener issued a challenge which proved life-changing. He said, "You will attend chapel Monday through Friday because it is required and attendance will be taken. However, the Friday evening Campus Missionary Fellowship service is voluntary. If you attend the missionary services, your life will be changed." At the conclusion of Reverend Keener’s message students were asked to make commitments to the Lord concerning the school year. I determined to attend every Friday missionary service when I was on campus, and I kept the promise for four years.

Each Friday night I heard of human need. I learned about creative strategies employed by missionaries from many countries, all continents, and subcontinents. The appeal nearly always included a need for workers, I took the short walk from my seat to altar every Friday evening and told the Lord of Harvest I was available and would gladly go to Africa, Europe, South America and . . . no place was too distant or too demanding. My senior year Pat Kolas Wegner was my every Friday night date. Pat and I learned to say, "Yes!" rhythmically and happily. Friday nights were the occasions when Jesus used others to open my eyes to a world we didn’t know existed. He whetted our appetite for meaningful service to people who needed Him. The Holy Spirit formed our spirits and set the trajectory for our life and vocation during those hours when we learned from missionaries and lingered at the altar.

Otis Keener passed away several years ago without learning how God used him to change the course of my life. As a result of a short paragraph embedded in his message to a student body on a warm September evening, on a small college ball field, I and others were forever changed.

Last week, October 31, we marked the 25^th anniversary of receiving an invitation to plant churches in the large cities of Northeast. Our missionary experience overseas lasted only a few weeks in Africa and Europe, but learning to say "Yes!" prepared us for the most satisfying vocation. Pat and I had begun to learn how to say "Yes" 50 years ago. The years have flown by. Evenings with the Lord of Harvest and key spokesmen He assigned for the meetings are still lively memories.

Friends

Pat and I recently attended our alma mater’s homecoming and anniversary event. As we reinforced friendships with worship services and playful fellowship for several days, one classmate mentioned that we first met 50 years ago as teenage freshmen. Each wondered, "How did the time pass so quickly?"

Since we returned home, I have been wondering, "How have we maintained friendships when we see each other so infrequently?" We meet a few of our friends at biennial church conventions. Others live near family and we enjoy the luxury sharing an occasional cup of coffee. None live within 100 miles.

Since returning home I have been stirred by the J. Wilbur Chapman song, "Our Great Savior." (I am fond of Chapman because of his association with Philadelphia.) The first verse and refrain say:
Jesus! What a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end. The Book of Proverbs says, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (18:24) I believe God makes enduring friendships possible as reminders that He is the One who never fails in His role, no matter how often we may falter in keeping our part of the relationship alive and well.

Chapman included foes in his poem and we may have had a few. I simply cannot remember them. What I find most remarkable is that Pat and I have been blessed with friends who have not failed. Their names are ordinary: Bob, Judy, Carley, Barbara, Jim, Rick, Abe, Patty, Nilli and James. Other friends are younger than our children: David and Laura, Edwin and Liz, Johnnie and Jennie. Life is richer, sweeter, happier because God gave us extraordinary friends with some rather ordinary names.