"Reliable Guidance"

“Reliable Guidance”

 

In 1960 the U.S. Navy launched Transit, a satellite system which enabled ships to fix their nautical location hourly. For the next two decades the Military developed this network, using it especially for intelligence gathering purposes. In 1983 it was first adapted for civilian applications. And by 1995 a group of 24 satellites was in place to complete the Global Positioning System (or GPS) project. With certain modifications this is the system we use today to guide us to and through unfamiliar places.

The GPS is one of those modern conveniences which we don’t want to do without (cell phones, on-demand TV, and email are a few other things in this category). Remember the days of AAA Triptiks and other paper maps? I’m still old-fashioned enough to want them (and a road atlas) close at hand for a long driving excursion as a back-up for my GPS.

In my hospice work I’m constantly punching addresses for new patients into my “trusty” Garmin. But I’ve discovered it’s not always the last word in getting me where I want to go. Sometimes it tells me to turn onto roads that don’t exist, takes me on cow paths that last received DOT attention during the Truman Administration, or leads me through the middle of cities where my level of patience is sorely tested. And when I deviate from Hortense’s (my name for this tool—don’t ask me where it came from) suggestions she gets hoarse from saying “recalculating.”

There’s another GPS which is far superior to the one described above: God’s Pathfinding System (aka the Scriptures). In Psalm 119:105 the psalmist writes, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” And God tells us through King David, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8, NKJV). To do this He has set forth principles in His Word which, when followed, assure us of success in what really matters in life (“{God’s people} delight in doing everything the Lord wants…They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.”—Psalm 1:2-3, NLT). I want this kind of life—and as I seek reliable guidance through consulting God’s unerring GPS I can have it. And so can you. Why? “God…is faithful.” (1 Corinthians 1:9).

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Crossword Puzzles"

“Crossword Puzzles”

 

One of my favorite pastimes is doing crossword puzzles. It’s usually the first place I turn in a newspaper or an airline magazine while on a flight. Apparently my family knows about this hobby as Karen over the years has given me two crossword dictionaries (which don’t always provide answers to some of the more outrageous clues given) and Dave and Jenna sent me a book of 250 Chicago Tribune Sunday Puzzles as a Christmas gift this past year. Working these grids can be a mixture of pleasure (when I complete one) and frustration (when I can’t get those last two words and the dictionaries impart no help). But I don’t plan to quit anytime soon, especially since I have about 100 to go in the Trib Omnibus!

In a puzzle the answers to the across clues frequently lead to solving the mysteries of the down ones (and vice-versa). And many have an overall theme which provides additional help. Sometimes, however, the hints can be misleading. A noted Bible teacher told of a clue “Christian” to which the answer sought was “Gentile.” Time for a cram course in theology!

I see a parallel here with understanding God’s Word. The Scriptures unfold one unified theme, God’s grace as shown in His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament points forward towards its fulfillment, while the New Testament tells of its completion and availability to each of us. And just as the crossword clues lead to direct and indirect answers various passages bring clarity to some of the more difficult ones. The end result is “…(God’s) divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him….” (2 Peter 1:3).

In the benediction to his great treatise on God’s grace and redemption The Apostle Paul writes, “Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the mystery hidden from long ages past, but now revealed and made known….” (Romans 16:25-26). The theme and clues have been provided—will we let God complete the crossword of our lives?

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"You Gotta Start Someplace"

“You Gotta Start Someplace”

 

In 1897 a redeemed alcoholic named William Raws had the vision to help men needing deliverance from this addiction. Starting with $1.87 he founded a ministry in central New Jersey which over almost 120 years has set thousands free from bondage to the bottle. Today the Keswick Colony of Mercy continues to provide hope through Christ’s power and love to men seeking liberation from slavery to drink as well as their families.

In 1933 a service station and luncheonette owner (and amateur tinkerer) outside Albany, NY designed and built a reel to be installed on a fuel delivery truck at the request of a friend. Several years later his son believed there was a market for the product and went on the road to promote it. Today Clifford B. Hannay and Son ships about 80,000 reels a year all over the world, employs some 150 people, and has supported God’s work at home and abroad.

After Jesus ascended into Heaven His disciples were joined by about 100 others to wait for God’s direction as to their next move. Ten days after Jesus left the Holy Spirit came to indwell and empower these people and in that power Peter preached, 3000 were converted, and the church was born. Since then millions have put their faith in Christ and become members of His body around the world.

In each of these examples great things grew from small beginnings. There are two major reasons for their success: first, people were convinced that their vision would work; and second, they were committed to make it work. And with God’s leading these (and countless other enterprises of faith) have made a great impact for Him. So can we as God provides us with the motivation to make it possible.

Ventures of faith gotta start someplace. Is God calling me (or you) to pioneer some task? Will we respond with God’s prophet, “Here am I. Send (and use) me.” (Isaiah 6:8)?

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Never Fully Assembled"

“Never Fully Assembled”

 

When Dave and Kristie were growing up the scariest words on a box containing a Christmas or birthday gift were “some assembly required.” Remember those Christmas eves when the boxes were opened after our kids went to bed and we saw strange pieces of plastic, metal, etc. and an even stranger set of instructions (hopefully in English—one project we took on had directions in Italian) for putting the mess together so it looked something like the picture on the carton? After numerous complaints about the intelligence (or lack of same) of the designers (but conveniently forgetting my own ineptitude in this area) and more time than a normal person would take the project was usually successfully completed in time for the event in question and (for a time, at least) was enjoyed by the recipient.

Recently as my mind went back to those not-so-thrilling days of yesteryear I remembered some words from King David: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14). God has uniquely assembled each of us to fulfill His purpose (“…I know the plans I have for you…plans to give you a hope and a future.”—Jeremiah 29:11) and to accomplish this He’s “…given us everything we need for life and godliness….” (2 Peter 1:3). How has He done this? Through His Word (“All Scripture…is useful…so that the {people of God} may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”—2 Timothy 3:16-17) and the Holy Spirit’s empowering (…You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses….”—Acts 1:8). Sounds like we’re fully assembled, doesn’t it?

But are we ever? While all that’s necessary to fulfill God’s desires for us is available our progress is ongoing throughout our lives (…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 1:6). So we’re never fully assembled while we’re in this world—but we can look forward to “…when (Jesus) appears, we shall be like him….” (1 John 3:2).

So as we continue on life’s journey may we let God shape us for our work here and prepare us for worshipping Him forever.

Blessings!

Jim McMillan