"A Patient Teacher"

“A Patient Teacher”

One of my retirement activities is serving as a spiritual care volunteer with a local hospice agency. In this role I’ve seen a number of patients, including one whom I’ve called on monthly for the past year. He’s a fellow believer so we usually discuss how the Bible speaks to our needs and how God is working in both our lives. He always welcomes my visits and after prayer asks me to come again soon.

When I arrived at his home recently he was seated in the living room watching a game show. As we began talking I requested that he turn the sound down which he willingly did (he apologized for forgetting to do so). He had a question about a Scripture passage he’d read and as I was sharing my insights his eyes wandered to the TV, but once he realized what he was doing he turned it off and said, “I don’t want to get distracted.”

We then talked about how this was like sin in our lives. It’s attractive and commands our attention (as do many TV shows) and we think we can escape its impact by partially avoiding it. But then we realize that it’s still affecting us and we need to turn away completely lest it keep us from hearing what God wants to tell us.

Studies have shown that the eyes and mind can focus on only one thing at a time. Jesus likely had this in mind when He said, “No one can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24). Scripture gives many examples of how sin distracts from God’s commands including Eve by the fruit in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6), Achan by the spoils of war (Joshua 7:21), and Solomon by wealth (Ecclesiastes 6:2). But it also provides a remedy: “…Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…Let us fix our eyes on Jesus….” (Hebrews 12:1-2). A line in an old hymn says, “Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside.” That’s God’s way of not being taken in by the world’s sin and distractions.

I’ve had a lot of patient teachers and other influencers over the years (especially Karen), but not many teachers who were patients. Thanks, my friend, for helping me see God’s truth in a practical way.

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Getting Out of a Slump"

“Getting Out of a Slump”

After a game in which he’d missed far more shots than he’d made, NBA star Paul Pierce was asked why he’d kept shooting when it was obvious he wasn’t on his game. He replied, “You have to shoot to get out of a shooting slump.” By this he meant that eventually the ball would go through the hoop consistently if he kept at it. The same principle could be applied to a baseball player whose batting average is heading south or a football quarterback whose passes fail to find receivers. If athletes were to give up rather than play through their struggles they’d soon need to find a new line of work.

Have you ever been in a prayer slump? (I know I have.) If so, how did you get out of it? By stopping altogether? Or (to take a page from the pro athletes’ handbook) by praying your way out? When Jesus wanted His disciples to learn about prayer He used parables “…to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1). The Apostle Paul said, “…Pray continually….” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). In his song of thanksgiving David challenged Israel to “…Seek (God’s) face always.” (1 Chronicles 16:11). What happens if we choose to give up on praying? The answers stop coming (“You do not have, because you do not ask God.”—James 4:2). Is this any way to get out of our slump?

I once heard a speaker say, “Pray when you feel like it, pray when you don’t feel like it, pray until you do feel like it!” In other words, there’s never a good excuse for not praying (or at least not having a prayerful attitude).

In a prayer slump? Pray your way out! You’ll be blessed, the devil will be defeated, and God will be glorified as we see Him at work.

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Just As I Am"

“Just As I Am?”

In 1995 Billy Graham released his autobiography which he called “Just As I Am”. The title was taken from the old hymn which usually was sung by the choir during the invitation to receive Christ at the close of his gospel message. His life story portrays him as he really is, warts and all, and has blessed and challenged multiplied thousands (including me) with his humility and integrity.

Karen’s sister told us of correcting our toddler niece’s behavior who responded, “That’s just the way I be!” That may be humorous coming from a two-year-old but it’s anything but from an adult. Have you ever heard someone dismiss his or her conduct with the flippant “explanation”: “That’s just the way I am!”? Over the years this excuse has been used to justify unkind words, unbiblical practices, and resistance to change. (To my regret, I’m guilty of falling into this trap more often than I care to admit.) It’s true that God accepts us as we are when we receive Christ as our Savior (“…God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open.”—Acts 10:34-35, The Message) but He also tells us to “…Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24). In other words, He expects changes in our behavior and outlook once we’re in His family (“…The old has gone, the new has come!”—2 Corinthians 5:17).

So instead of saying, “That’s just the way I am!” let’s train ourselves to ask, “Is this the way God wants me to be?” If the answer is no, let’s not hide behind our weakness but move ahead in His power, believing His promise that “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13). Then we can move towards becoming “Just as He is.”

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Not Always the Teacher:

“Not Always the Teacher”

In December I took my favorite (and only) granddaughter Kimbur to lunch and shopping for a gift for her sixteenth birthday. As we talked I recalled an incident when she was three which she also remembered (including a detail or two I had forgotten). She and her parents were visiting us and she was in the yard watching me barbecue chicken legs for supper. I asked her to go in the house and ask Karen (aka Gram) for tongs and she replied, “It would be my pleasure!” I later told Karen what had happened and we’ve laughed about it many times since. (By the way, I asked for and got Kimbur’s permission to share this story.)

This was a simple request and I was delighted at Kimbur’s “out of the mouth of babes” response. But it wasn’t until a few months ago that I realized this is the way God wants me to answer Him when He asks something of me (“Serve the Lord with gladness….”—Psalm 100:2). Too often, to my shame, my reaction has been one of reluctance and grumbling, something in which He takes no pleasure (“Do everything without complaining or arguing.”—Philippians 2:14).

This process with a multi-year gap motivated me to examine the Scriptures to see how I measure up to those things in which God wants me to take pleasure. I found this includes His Word (“I delight in your decrees….”—Psalm119:16), His will (“I delight to do thy will, O my God….”—Psalm 40:8, KJV), showing mercy (“…If you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”—Romans 12:8, NLT), and giving (“…God loves a cheerful giver.”—2 Corinthians 9:7). After writing the above God convicted me of my shortcomings and I paused to ask His forgiveness and that my pattern might change.

Sometimes we think we’re always the teachers and seldom if ever the learners from our grand-children. Thank you, Kimbur, for being my teacher. I love you!

Blessings!

Jim McMillan (aka Gramps)