"Creative Parking"

“Creative Parking”

 

New Hampshire is known for its snowy winters (and sometimes falls and springs as well). The white stuff often wreaked havoc on our church parking lot—about a third of the area vanished due to the piles of plowed snow and the remaining sections often had the parking lines obliterated resulting in more lost spaces and inconvenience for members of the congregation. (Shopping centers and office buildings around town had the same headaches we did.) This was one of the host of reasons we were happy when spring finally made its appearance.

Lining parking lots is done to accommodate the most vehicles in the available area. But far too many drivers seem to practice “creative parking”, meaning they pay little attention to the space markings and in so doing make parking for others more difficult. Usually this happens due to carelessness but sometimes it comes from an “I’ll do as I please” attitude in which little if any regard is shown for the concerns of others.

Parking stripes aren’t intended to limit freedom but provide benefit to all. The same is true of God’s directives. The Apostle John assures us, “(God’s) commands are not burdensome….” (1 John 5:3). And ten centuries earlier King David wrote, “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart…in keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:8,11). So God’s ways are freeing, not confining.

By practicing “creative obedience” (rationalizing and twisting what God has said) we’re really being disobedient, which keeps us from receiving God’s best. Karen and I once met with a young lady from our congregation who was making poor (and unbiblical) life-style choices to caution her about the possible consequences of her actions. Her response was, “God wants me happy.” We acknowledged this was true but only if she was first obedient to His instructions (“…If you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law…and if you do what it says…God will bless you for doing it.”—James 1:25, NLT). Sadly she opted to go on her own path rather than God’s. My prayer is that she’ll return to God’s ways and find the happiness and purpose she’s been seeking.

So when we’re tempted to engage in “creative parking” let’s use it to remind ourselves to avoid “creative obedience” and for our own good heed God’s directives.

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Of Tubas and Piccolos"

“Of Tubas and Piccolos”

 

For about two years the Men’s Bible Study in our New Hampshire church explored the Book of Acts. During one session we ran across a phrase in which Jesus described the newly converted Saul of Tarsus as “My chosen instrument.” (9:15). We shared ideas about what this meant and concluded that God had a specific purpose for His new servant. We then realized that we’re all chosen instruments to get His work done in the ways He’s equipped us.

Someone then asked if this had anything to do with musical instruments, which took the discussion in a different direction. I’d never thought of it in this way, but the longer I pondered it the more I saw how appropriate the picture is. Each instrument in an orchestra has a unique role and something is lost if another tries to take its place. Can you imagine a tuba’s trying to play the piccolo solo in “Stars and Stripes Forever”? Or violins the trumpets’ part in “Buglers’ Holiday”? Talk about chaos and discord!

In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul (the “chosen instrument” of Acts 9:15) writes, “…To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (Verse 7). He goes on to describe some of the gifts which God by His Spirit has provided to carry out ministry and compares them to the parts of the human body and how each has a function which is needed by all the others. Just as the tuba can’t replace the piccolo without impacting the orchestra’s blend, and our eyes can’t do what our ears are intended to, neither can a non-functioning part of Christ’s Body (His Church) be adequately compensated for by the others—something is lost.

We’re all “His chosen instruments”, set apart for our special role in God’s plan. Will each of us play our tuba or piccolo in the symphony of ministry He has for us?

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Wisdom from Charlie"

“Wisdom from Charlie”

 

One of the noteworthy statements uttered by Good Ol’ Charlie Brown in Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” comic strip is, “I love mankind, it’s people I can’t stand!” In a humorous way our round-headed friend expresses how we sometimes feel: it’s easy to say we love others when they’re cloaked in the anonymity of the masses but meeting them one-on-one where we may have to get “down and dirty” is another story. But what did Jesus do? He defended a helpless woman who was accused of sin by men who overlooked their own hypocrisy (John 8:1-11) and loved a man who couldn’t part with his wealth to follow Him (Mark 10:17-22). What does His attitude towards needy individuals say to us?

When it comes to God’s Word have we sometimes said, “I love the Bible, it’s its commands I can’t stand!”? We know Scripture comes from God (“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful….”—2 Timothy 3:16) and we say we’re committed to it, but our excitement wanes when it steps on our toes and tells us to do what we really don’t want to (or not to do what we really want to). What does God say? “…The words of the Lord are flawless….” (Psalm 12:6). That means all of them, including the parts we wish weren’t there! Another psalmist put it this way: “I delight in your commandments because I love them.” (119:47). Do I really?

Our Lord’s brother James reminds us, “Do not merely listen to the word…Do what it says.” (1:22). In other words, the Bible we love is intended to be lived out in a world full of people who need to hear its message. D.L. Moody said, “The Christian’s life is the world’s Bible.” The question is, then, do I love people enough to live God’s truth before them?

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Sheltered"

“Sheltered”

 

Recently our daughter Kristie sent a picture of our boxer “granddog” Kingston and a yet unnamed offspring of our “grandcat” Annabelle. The photo showed Kingston with the kitten snuggled up close and almost completely enveloped by her big canine brother. Given the age-old alleged animosity between cats and dogs it was amazing that a bundle of fur that could have been a one-gulp lunch for Kingston looked so secure in his care. So much for this old wives tale (at least in this case).

As I viewed this captivating image my mind went to a similar scene described in Psalm 91:4: “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge….” The particulars are different but the reminder of God’s constant care and protection is clear in both instances. Several song-writers have put this truth to music:

     Under His wings—O what precious enjoyment!

     There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;

     Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,

     Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

(From “Under His Wings” by William Cushing and Ira Sankey)

     I’m overshadowed by His mighty love,

     Love eternal, changeless pure.

     Overshadowed by His mighty love,

     Rest is mine, serene, secure.

(From “Overshadowed” by H.A. Ironside and George Shuler of Moody Church in Chicago)

     So let the storms rage high, The dark clouds rise,

     They don’t bother me, For I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God.

     He walks with me, And naught of earth shall harm me,

     For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.

(From “Sheltered in the Arms of God” by Dottie Rambo)

If our unnamed “great-grandkitten” could say more than “meow” she might have expressed fear as she faced a big, uncertain world. But she found her shelter and protection between Kingston’s paws. You and I may be confronted with challenges which threaten to overwhelm us. What can we do? How about taking a cue from a feline Jane Doe and bask in God’s loving embrace? Remember, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find their rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1, NLT).

Blessings!

Jim McMillan