When you have to rebuild...

     It has been my experience that the book of Nehemiah is not one of the most widely read books of the Bible.  I'm not sure why that might be the case (or even if it actually is the case), but I suppose there might be a lot of reasons.  It doesn't have the story of Jesus like the gospels.  It doesn't have a well-known main character like Moses.  It has a lot of hard names like Hallohesh, Sanballat and Tabbaoth.  However, I think there are some good lessons in this book and one of them struck me this week.

     I'm back to work at Northridge and working with young people preparing for the summer Bible Bowl season.  It's been a challenging time of getting everything in that needs to be done.  Working more hours and sleeping less has been an adjustment.  The truth is, though, I like doing it.  I like it a lot, actually.  That's not the message today.  The message from Nehemiah today is simply this.  Rebuilding can be tough, but stay with it.  Don't get distracted.  It can be done. 

     At the beginning of Nehemiah, the prophet gets this message, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace.  The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned with fire" (Nehemiah 1:3).  For Nehemiah, this is troubling news.  He wept, sought the Lord and was convicted to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  So, Nehemiah petitions the king to go back to his home, Jerusalem, and rebuild it.  This story is a wonderful read and I encourage all of you to check it out, but the point for today is that Nehemiah did just that.  He went home and began the arduous task of rebuilding.  Along the way he faced the challenge of criticism, distraction and daunting nature of the task, but he persevered.  The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt.  The words of God were once again read to the people; God had given them great joy and "the sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away" (Nehemiah 12:43).

     I know what you're thinking.  OK, that's a nice story but how does that affect me today?  I think there might be quite a few things that need to be rebuilt in our lives.  I'm working with young people learning the book of Acts for Bible Bowl competition.  They will memorize it word for word and be able to quote verses by the mention of a single word.  It is a tough process to get to that point.  Some of them have allowed the work they did during the year to "fall into disrepair."  They have to rebuild it.  It's not easy.  Other folks may have some even more serious rebuilding challenges.  Maybe what needs to be rebuilt is...

     A broken relationship

     A reputation

    A business or a career

    A life shattered by disease, death or divorce

     The point of Nehemiah and this message is that it can be done.  How?  Nehemiah 4:6 is the key.  "So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart."  That's how it gets done.  You work at it.  You begin in the middle of ruins and one stone or brick at a time, you put it back together.  It's not easy and you'll be challenged by opposition and distractions.  Follow, though, the example of Nehemiah. 

     Thanks for reading...

Wedding Thoughts...

     For the last year or so, I have been thinking about a wedding.  In the past twenty-four hours, it has become even more real.  Kimber Lane is going to marry Sean Gilbert tomorrow.  I'm excited and happy for both of them.  I have had the distinct honor and privilege to play a small part in Kimber's life as she has grown into a lovely and gracious young woman. Now, she and Sean have allowed me to have a small part tomorrow which makes me happy beyond what words can express. Being a part of this wedding means a lot to me.

     Revelation 19 mentions another wedding that is to come.  John writes, "'Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean was given to her to wear.'  (Fine linen stands for the righteousness of the saints)"  (Revelation 19:7-8  NIV).  He continues in verse 9, "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb."  

     The "wedding" that John mentions in Revelation is the wonderful union of Jesus Christ and his precious bride, the church.  Though there is much debate and discussion over the particulars of the end times and how it will unfold, there can be no doubt that the wedding of the Lamb of God and his bride will be extraordinary and wonderful.  As is the case at weddings in our world, I think there will be....

     --Unrestrained and unbounded joy

     --Reuniting and remembering with loved ones and friends

     --Caring, laughing, dancing and, yes, eating!

     It will be an event we won't want to miss.  And that's the point.  I don't think there's anything that would prevent me from missing what is going to happen tomorrow.  I've looked forward to being a part of the wedding.  But there is another comparison that needs to be made.  There is a guest list for Kimber and Sean's wedding.  You have to be on the list.  There's also a guest list for the Lamb's wedding.  He's already sent the invitation and you are invited.  To be on the list, though, you must RSVP.  How?  Receive the free gift that he offers.  Become a follower of Jesus Christ.  In doing so, you can be a part of the greatest wedding celebration ever.  

     I hope that you will consider what it might mean to be a part of the Lamb's wedding.  As much as I will enjoy tomorrow, I look forward to that one even more. 

     Thanks for reading and I hope to see you at the glorious reception!

Thoughts on Doing for Others

     I came home from Indianapolis today and found that the grass had been cut in both the church yard and the parsonage.  I know that might not sound like a "big deal" to you, but it was to me.  You see, for the last few weeks, I've been cutting both.  Some of the guys at church had cut it before, but I had been doing it for the last few weeks.  This week, though, we got quite a bit of rain early on and I had a busy Friday and Saturday.  I thought I would have to mow on Monday, a short week before I go back to Kansas City for a wedding.  However, as I pulled into the lot a few minutes ago, I saw that the grass was looking better than ever.  I appreciate those who did it and I think I know who it was.  In addition to be grateful, I was also reminded of a passage in James 2.  James wrote, "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right" (James 2:8 NIV).

     James is quoting this passage from Leviticus 19:18 in which God gives this command to the Israelites.  He is urging them to not hold a grudge or to seek revenge.  Instead, he challenges them to love.  I realize this is not a "new idea" or a "revolutionary concept."  I did think of it, especially tonight, in a practical way, though.  How do we, as followers of Christ, show that we "love our neighbors as ourselves?"   You see, as I read through James 2, "loving" is more than just a feeling or an emotion.  It is an action.  If you love, then you show it.  How?

        --Send a card to someone who's lonely
       -- Visit the nursing home, even when you don't have a family member there
       -- Spend time with the people around you
       --  Go on date nights with your spouse
       --  Play catch with your child or the neighborhood kid
       --  Visit the sick in the hospital

Yes, cut the grass for a neighbor who just can't get it done this week.  I appreciate those who helped me.  I hope to be a blessing to others.  Maybe you can, too.  Thanks for reading...  

Motivation for Persuasion

     A Cleveland man kidnaps and holds three women captive for over a decade.  A Philadelphia abortion doctor is on trial for unspeakable acts of brutality and murder.  There is a "back and forth" discussion in our nation's capital about whether or not there was a "cover up" in the tragic attack on the consulate in Benghazi.  These are headlines for actual stories that I pulled off of news websites today.  It seems that bad things are occurring and being reported more than ever.  In one of the Bible study groups I lead, we had a discussion recently about whether or not the current times are more "evil" than previous ones.  I don't know for sure if things are more "evil" now or if we are simply getting more of the stories.  I do know, though, that the world in which we live is not really getting much "better." 

     What is a Christian to do in an increasingly messed up world?   I was reading through 2 Corinthians this morning and came across a verse that, I think, people read through on their way to other passages without really stopping to consider what it says.  Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:11 "Since then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men" (NIV).  To put the verse in its context, we need to note the "Since then."  Since what?  In the passages prior to this one, Paul has been writing about his goal and that of his fellow-workers.  He has noted that "heavenly bodies" await the followers of Jesus, but until we meet the Lord at the end of this life, we live in these mortal bodies with the Holy Spirit as a deposit of what is to come.  Because of this, Paul states that their goal is to please the Lord.  He writes, in verse ten, that all will appear before the judgment seat of Christ.  That is where the "Since then" comes in. 

     Since all will appear before Christ at judgment, Paul says we know what it is to "fear the Lord." This phrase, too, is an interesting one.  In our small group this week at Northridge we were discussing what it meant to "fear the Lord."   I don't know if I have one "great" answer, but I think in this context and in others, to "fear the Lord" might mean to recognize that I am going to be accountable to him for what I've done and the choices I've made.  It combines, I think, respect for who the Lord is, acknowledgment of his power, recognition of his purity and an awareness of my shortcomings.  

     Paul says, "Since the, we know what it is to fear the Lord," we do something.  What does he say we do?  He says, "we try to persuade men."  The word there for "persuade" is one that means to "influence" or "convince."  It seems to me that one of Paul's motivations for trying to influence others is that he understand what it is like to "fear the Lord."  

     What does that mean for the Christian in 2013?  I suppose it means the same thing it meant to Paul.  If we know and believe that all will appear before Christ in judgment, then that can be our motivation to influence or convince others to turn to Jesus Christ.  I'm not saying in any way that should be the only motivation.  I don't know that people can be "scared" into heaven.  Just a few verses from this one, Paul writes, "For Christ love compels us..."   I do believe that love is a much greater and meaningful motivator than fear.  Having said that, though, there does seem to be a place for "fearing the Lord."  

     Perhaps in a world saturated by evil, a healthy "fear of the Lord" might be a welcome reminder.  I believe we always lead with the love of God and Christ.  John 3:16 still stands as the most powerful verse in my opinion.  Just keep in mind 2 Corinthians 5:11.  It is worth reading, too.  Thanks for reading and have a blessed day...

Beautification: Weeding and Mulching

     Today was "Beautification Day" at Northridge.  I hadn't heard that term used to describe what I had previously known as "Work Day."  However, after looking at the results, I think it may be an apt description.  Several of the faithful here at Northridge gathered at 9:00 this morning to spruce up the church grounds for summer.  All who attended had some gardening skill or tool proficiency, well, nearly all.  I was there, too.  With the tool talent and skill that I have, I was given the task of first pulling weeds and then spreading the mulch.  It was a job that required desire, but very little talent.  In other words, it was right up my alley.  Our work crew labored hard and when we finished, the church looked,  I think, a little nicer.  

     Later, on my way to a hospital visit in Columbus, I was thinking about "Beautification Day" (as well as how my Bible Bowlers had performed today, but that's for another time).  I thought about how we spend quite a bit of time making things look nice around our houses and yards.  There were a lot of people out on Wil Mar Drive today working.  I am positive that throughout the city, state and in many parts of the country people spend a lot of money, time and effort to make houses and yards look as nice as they can.  I don't see anything wrong with this (other than I have limited ability).  I was wondering, though, how much time and effort we spend on "Beautification Day of the Soul."  Do you like that term?  I hope so.  Do we concern ourselves as much about the condition of our spiritual lives as we do about the flowers and the grass?  Do we spend our time and treasure in an appropriate proportion to how much we value our walk with the Lord?  

     Paul writes in Colossians 3, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1  NKJV).  Jesus says, as found in Matthew 10:28, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell"  (NKJV).  In both of these passages, the emphasis is on prioritizing the things that have eternal significance.  Make sure that you're taking care of the things that will last.  

     What would "Beautification of the Soul Day" look like?   I'm not sure, everyone's yard is different and everyone's life is, too.  However,  it probably begins with a thoughtful look at your walk with Jesus Christ.  It may involve prayer, spending time in His Word, being in church, worship, serving and a host of other things.

     I thought "Beautification Day" at Northridge was a success.  I hope that you'll try a "Beautification of the Soul Day."  Thanks for reading....