"Great Expectations"

My son Dave turned 21 while in college. We lived too far away for him to come home to celebrate (especially since he was a car-less student) but he was able to hitch a ride to spend the weekend with Karen’s parents who lived two hours from campus. On his special day his grandfather asked if he had his driver’s license with him. Dave said he did and all three got in the car. Dave’s reaction: “They’re buying me a car!” After a while they pulled into a Denny’s restaurant and Grandpa said, “Get your license out. They give you a free meal on your birthday.” Talk about coming back to earth! We had a hearty laugh with him when he told us what had happened and have chuckled about it ever since.

During my pastoral days a retired couple new to our church asked me to stop by their house so they could present me with a check. Since both had held responsible positions I anticipated a sizeable gift to the ministry. Alas, when I received the check it was for $25.00! What’s that old saying? Oh yeah—“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!”

Both these experiences show that our great expectations often don’t work out as we hope. Why? Because we as humans can (many times unknowingly) dash each other’s dreams. But isn’t it a comfort to know that we can by faith have great expectations of God? What are some? 1) That He’ll always be faithful (“God…is faithful.”—1 Corinthians 1:9, among other places); 2) That He’ll always be with us (“…Surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.”—Matthew 28:20); 3) That He’ll meet every need (“…God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:19); 4) That He’ll always love us (“…I have loved you with an everlasting love….”—Jeremiah 31:3).

So when people disappoint us (or we frustrate others) let’s remember the prophet’s words: “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” (Isaiah 26:4). Only He can be counted on to meet our great expectations. And He’ll not fail!

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Diplomatic Immunity"

In the international community there’s a generally accepted policy called diplomatic immunity. Its intention is to protect a nation’s representatives from unjust prosecution by a host country as well as safeguard confidentiality as officials go about their duties. While the need for this practice is apparent there are times when the privilege is abused and used as a shield for misconduct and even illegal activity (a recurring theme of TV crime shows). So when we hear the term it sometimes raises red flags in our minds.

 

As God’s people we can fall into the trap of seeing our security in His family as a kind of spiritual diplomatic immunity. Scripture clearly teaches that once one receives Christ as his/her Savior nothing can negate that relationship with Him (“…I am convinced that…nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Romans 8:38-39, NLT). But does this give us the license to live as we please? The Apostle Paul didn’t think so (“Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!”—Romans 6:1-2). On the contrary, Jesus’ beloved apostle wrote, “…Those who keep on sinning have never known (God) or understood who he is.” (1 John 3:6, NLT).

 

Diplomatic immunity carries with it the responsibility to positively represent one’s nation. Similarly, the certainty of our place in God’s family calls on us to make Him look good before a needy world. Jesus said, “…Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). Are we ready to take His words seriously? Or are we more interested in claiming our version of diplomatic immunity?

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Keeping In Balance"

In January 2013 Karen and I went on our first Caribbean cruise with another couple with whom we’d developed a close friendship. As we planned the trip we expressed concern about putting on a number of unnecessary and unwanted pounds since these voyages are known for their unlimited supply of sumptuous cuisine. Our friends (who had been on several previous cruises) had a suggestion: instead of riding the elevators between decks we would take the stairs. This sounded good until we discovered that our staterooms were on Deck 1 and the main dining area was on Deck 10! But with some grumbling we followed through with the plan of action and (to our delight) gained no weight while enjoying the trip.

Our sea-faring experience showed us that maintaining our weight (and health) required a balance between taking in and giving out. The same is true in our lives as God’s people. The Apostle Peter challenges us to “…Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18). Jesus’ brother takes it a step further: “Do not merely listen to the word…Do what it says.” (James 1:22). Then he adds, “…Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17). Could God’s desire (and expectation) for us be any clearer?

Maintaining a healthy balance between eating and exercise as well as in learning and practicing God’s truth involves more than good intentions (according to an old saying, the road to failure is paved with good intentions). A concerted effort is needed for both. Can we do it? Paul had faith he could (“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”—Philippians 4:13) and that same power is available to you and me. Are we ready to use it?

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Watch Your Language!"

Years ago I had a co-worker who regularly swore on the job, sometimes when a client was present. The supervisor called him out on several occasions by saying, “Watch your language!” He wasn’t around very long and I’ve sometimes wondered if his loose tongue got him fired.

We may fall into the trap of thinking that the only way in which we need to watch our language is to avoid using “four letter words.” But it goes a lot further than that. While I was watching a national news broadcast some time ago a member of Congress spoke uncivilly and (according to some commentators) falsely about a colleague. But such speech is protected by congressional rules so there’s no legal accountability.

During my pastoral years a church member prefaced her remarks at a congregational meeting by stating she didn’t want a response (translation: she didn’t want to be answerable for her words). When a godly lady pointed out the scriptural inconsistency of what had been said the offender angrily said she didn’t want to hear Scripture, an action which cost her the ministry position she’d guarded for some time. It also may have been the first time in her life she’d been held accountable for her conduct.

Without accountability doors are open to falsehoods, innuendo, name-calling, and other forms of irresponsible and thoughtless speech. Jesus’ warning is clear: “…(All) will have to give an account…for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36=37). Ten centuries earlier David had seen the need to watch his language when he prayed, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm141:3). As we echo his prayer 3000 years later may we also heed Paul’s directive in Colossians 4:6: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt….” In other words, how we speak is as important as what we say (“…{speak} the truth in love….”—Ephesians 4:15). THAT’S what watching our language is all about. How are you and I doing with it?

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Of Batteries and Propane"

I paid my way through seminary by working in a Sears warehouse in Denver. From time to time my responsibilities required me to drive a forklift or other machinery to move heavy merchandise. Of the dozen or so pieces of equipment available, some were powered by batteries and others by propane. At the end of the work day the battery vehicles were plugged in to be recharged overnight and those using propane were parked with the tanks turned off. With the daily restoration the “batteried” machines kept going and going and…(you get the idea) while the “propaned” ones sometimes ran out of fuel in the middle of a job. You can imagine how frustrating that could be!

What a great picture of God’s grace! Without daily renewal His grace and strength can be depleted until they run out (just like the propane vehicles), but as we come to Him for help each day we receive what we need for that day (a la the battery-powered ones). In Hebrews 4:16 God gives us this invitation: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” God’s grace can’t be stockpiled any more than time can be so we must continually ask. Will we get it? Listen to Jesus: “Ask and it will be given to you….” (Matthew 7:7).

A college girlfriend (about whom Karen knows) once told me, “You can’t count on yesterday’s strength and victory for today.” She was right! Even as godly a man as Daniel felt the need to pray three times daily (see Daniel 6:10) and in that strength he went into the lions’ den confident of God’s presence and help. Those same resources are available to you and me. May we follow God’s counsel in Proverbs 8:34: “Blessed (are those) who listen to me, watching daily at my doors….”

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan