“What to Do with Junk Mail”

“What to Do with Junk Mail”

 

For years most of our mailboxes have been filled with unwanted ads, appeals, and “information” of questionable value. Modern technology has expanded the distribution of what we’ve come to call “junk mail” through telemarketing, robo calls, fax, and email. Depending on the method of transmission, waste baskets, caller ID, and delete buttons have gained a new lease on life and usefulness.

What do we do when all this stuff shows up? Toss it? Hang up? Zap it? I used to do all of the above, often with a fair amount of grumbling! Then a while ago I began thinking of the many ministries which send communications. Almost all of them are worthy of support but given the number of requests it’s impossible to contribute to each one. Then God told me that even if I couldn’t give I could pray. So now I pray for the needs mentioned before placing it in File 13 or the cyberspace equivalent.

But what about the notices about products and services seeking to separate us from our money? Galatians 6:10 provides some guidance: “…As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people….” What better thing could we do than pray for those who work for these firms? It’s God’s desire that “…Requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone…this pleases God…who wants all…to be saved….” (1 Timothy 2:1-4). By asking God to somehow show them they need Jesus (maybe by enclosing a tract with our order or thanks-but-no-thanks response) we may have the chance to be a part of their coming to Christ. Maybe this is God’s purpose in our receiving this “junk mail.”

So before emptying our email or filling our circular file let’s train ourselves to pray for the senders. That’s what to do with “junk mail.”

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Making a Mark"

“Making a Mark”

 

Three of the best summers of my life were spent working at a Christian camp in the Catskill Mountains north of New York City. It was there the Lord called me into ministry. I also met Roger and Doug Hope, brothers who became life-long friends. During my second summer’s week of preparation before the camping season began Doug and I were assigned to paint the front of the main building. While on the make-shift scaffold I dropped a can of paint (fortunately only about ¼ full) onto the driveway. My “mark” remained there (albeit continuously fading) until the last time I visited the camp in the late 1970’s. I’ve gotten some laughs as I’ve retold this story (maybe with a bit of embellishment over the years).

As I was painting our garage door recently I dripped some paint on the driveway. (I know, I know—where was the drop cloth? Good question!) Anyway, this brought me back to the camp fiasco and other fond memories of those long-ago summers. Then it hit me: What marks have I left on people’s lives over the years? Have they lasted? I hope the good ones endured longer than the bad ones but since I’ve lost track of many people I’ve mixed with I really don’t know in many cases. (I did take a few moments to pray for those whose names I recalled.)

You and I are making our mark on those we encounter, often without our knowledge. Years ago a young couple attended our New Hampshire church for a few months before moving from the area. They would head for the door immediately after the closing prayer but I made the effort to speak to them as they were leaving. I lost contact with them but a few years later received an email that they were preparing to go to the mission field and one of the steps God used was my greeting them over those few months. I thank God for using me in a small way to make a mark in their journey. (I share this not to boast but to encourage you that little things can make a big impact.)

Jesus said, “…Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). We’re all making our marks—may they make Him look good!

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Whose Way?"

“Whose Way?

 

Some years ago a church pastored by a long-time friend lost its building to a fire. While the insurance process was going on a Building Committee was formed and once a settlement was reached an architectural firm was engaged. The designer assigned to work with the church had a particular feature he liked to incorporate in each of his plans but from the get-go the Committee members made it clear that they weren’t interested in this specialty. The architect, however, insisted it be included and did so in each revision he presented. The result? The Committee fired him! The church leaders knew the needs and desires of the congregation better than the architect did and were unimpressed by his determination to do things his way.

I see a parallel here with how you and I are apt to approach God. Even though He’s given us His guidelines in Scripture we come before Him with our plans and expect Him to adapt to the way we’ve determined we’ll do things. Does God look favorably on this “my way” attitude? Listen to His prophet’s warning: “The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.” (Hosea 14:9). I must admit (to my shame) that I’ve had to learn this lesson the hard way more than once and face the music due to my own stubbornness. Hopefully I’ve profited from these difficult experiences.

We’re living in a “my way” society as evidenced by a well-known song written several decades ago. Is God impressed? Not at all! Twice in Proverbs (14:12 and 16:25) He said through Solomon: “There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death.” God has given us freedom to choose our way but if we do He’s not responsible for the outcome. Compare “my way” to His way as expressed by King David (who certainly knew the dangers of the “my way” approach): “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.” (Psalm 18:30).

Whose way is best? Which will you and I follow?

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Does One Size Fit All?"

“Does One Size Fit All?”

 

During one of New Hampshire’s January ice storms a mail carrier in our church got stuck three times while covering his route. In describing his frustrating day he told me the reason for his trouble: Postal Service regulations called for the same trucks to be used in all parts of the country and these were road-tested in Arizona (probably during the summer)! I know buying in bulk can have advantages but it’s my guess that in this case the savings got eaten up by towing charges and lost time in places where Jack Frost reigns during the winter. Does the same vehicle serve well everywhere?

Remember the “one size fits all” craze with socks and gloves? This may be okay for some but for others feet and hands got lost or crammed into them. Does one size really fit all?

How about churches? Can the same style of ministry reach everyone? I believe the answer is no. Paul describes his approach in 1 Corinthians 9:20-23: “To the Jews I became like a Jew…To those under the law I became like one under the law…To those not having the law I became like one not having the law…To the weak I became weak…I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might same some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel….” But while his methods were anything but “one size fits all” the substance of his message never changed: “…I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

There’s room in the Body of Christ for His unchanging message to be presented in a great number of ways. And each local church, wherever it might be, can express its individuality by its methods which allow it to touch people others can’t. In God’s work one size doesn’t fit all. So let’s appreciate the variety Jesus has put in His Body and respect each other’s uniqueness. Then we’ll live out Jesus’ prayer just before Calvary: “I pray… for those who will believe in me through (the apostles’) message, that all of them may be one….” (John 17:20-21).

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan