"Keep at It!"

“Keep at It!”

According to statistics, professional hockey goalies stop about 90% of shots aimed at the net. This means only one in ten results in a score. A baseball player is considered to be a good hitter if he bats .300. So he’s unsuccessful in 70% of his official plate appearances. Pastor Rick Warren’s church in Southern California has reached a high level but he once wrote they’ve tried more things that didn’t work than did. And who could forget Thomas Edison’s attempts to develop the light bulb? When someone asked him how he felt about his inability to find a suitable material for the filament which could withstand the heat he responded, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” (How’s that for optimism?)

What would have happened if those cited above had thrown in the towel and seen themselves as incompetent underachievers? The world would never have heard of Gordie Howe or Wayne Gretzky; Hank Aaron or Ted Williams; or Saddleback Valley Community Church. And we may never have enjoyed the benefits of light bulbs, phonographs, and a myriad of other inventions from Edison’s imagination. These kept at it where others gave up and the results made history in their various fields.

During the throes of World War II Winston Churchill gave a speech at Harrow School. The address consisted of 32 words, the key phrase being, “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never….” His persevering leadership in those trying times was a major factor in the Allies’ victory and preservation of freedom. Had he not kept at it and challenged others to do the same history would likely have taken a very different course.

Solomon wrote, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Just before Calvary Jesus reminded His disciples that their work wouldn’t be easy (“In this world you will have trouble.”) but He also gave them hope (“…Take heart! I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33). And Paul encourages his readers, “Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” (Galatians 6:9, NLT). God’s message to us is clear: “Keep at it! You don’t know the outcome, but I do! See what I’ll do through you as you trust Me.”

Am I listening? Are you?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Responsible Free Will"

“Responsible Free Will”

A few years ago Karen and I were part of a Home Bible Study which was preceded by a pot-luck supper. One husband and wife who attended consistently made minimal contributions to the meal. So when plans were being made for a summer barbeque the hosts assigned menu items and this couple was asked to provide hamburger patties. When he heard this the husband said, “No one’s telling me what to bring!” and they didn’t come to the gathering. (Did I mention he had a control streak?) We’ve lost track of this couple following our move but I sometimes wonder about “the rest of the story” of their lives.

This man is an example of people who refuse to listen or do what they don’t want to. Some even take the attitude that “God (if He exists) isn’t going to boss me around!” I can’t help but think that a few who say this have also asked derisively, “Why didn’t God stop 9-11? Or the Orlando shootings? Or the Nice truck attack?” My response is if they don’t want God to direct their own actions how can they say He should with others’?

God has created us with a free will to make our own choices. Some are good (“…As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord…Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him….”—Joshua 24:15,31) and others bad (“…Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all…because all sinned….”—Romans 5:12) but as seen in these Scriptures using our free will can have far-reaching impact. Because of this God instructs us to exercise our freedom responsibly and not selfishly when He says through the Apostle Paul, “…Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13). Perhaps this is another way of stating Jesus’ “Golden Rule” (“In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you….”—Matthew 7:12).

Solomon warns us that “…the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.” (Proverbs 28:14, NLT). When we’re determined to do our own thing he has another warning which he states twice: “There is a way that seems right to a man (or woman), but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). But thankfully he also says, “…Blessed are those who keep (God’s) ways.” (Proverbs 8:32). The choice seems obvious—will I make the right one? Will you?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Selective Amnesia"

“Selective Amnesia”

 

From time to time people who have offended us may come to apologize and ask for our forgiveness. When this happens we may tell them to forget it. But is this what we really mean? Maybe not. Translated, we could be saying, “You can forget it but I won’t! I’ll let it go this time but I’m filing it away for future reference to clobber you with if you blow it again!” No wonder we find it so hard to talk with a brother or sister in the spirit of Matthew 18:15 (“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”).

While we can’t erase our minds, granting forgiveness means we no longer hold a person’s misdeeds against him or her. In a practical vein, this tells us we’re not to dwell on the wrongdoing. However, a real danger of selective amnesia is present whereby we pick and choose what we’re willing to put behind us and what we’re not. When this happens, the other person lives in fear of our retaliation and we in anticipation of evening the score. This is hardly the stuff of which solid relationships are made.

In a study guide for Hebrews it’s pointed out that “…an omniscient God has amnesia when it comes to our sins.” This may sound strange, but in Jeremiah 31:34 God says, “…I will remember their sins no more.” Since I have wronged God far more than anyone has me who am I to harbor a grocery list of grievances against another when He’s forgotten about my offenses towards Him once they’re confessed (“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:9)?

Are you plagued by selective amnesia (as I have been at times)? If so, we must give these things to God, trust His Spirit to work in all concerned, and reaffirm that our lives show the world that we belong to Jesus (“A new commandment I give you: Love one another….By this all…will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”—John 13:34-35).

 

Grace and Blessings!

 

Jim McMillan

"I Commend to You Our Sister Mary"

“I Commend to You Our Sister Mary”

 

Over my pastoral journey I was privileged to work with and learn from many godly people. Most of these were older in those early days but less so as the years sped by. One of these choice servants was Mary Manning, one of the godliest ladies I’ve ever known. She was an excellent Bible teacher, had a heart for missions (several of her children and grandchildren served overseas including Dr. Ed Child, her son-in-law who is the subject of an earlier article, “Ed, the Beloved Physician”), and was a faithful prayer warrior. On a number of occasions I sought her counsel and can’t remember a time she wasn’t right on as she applied biblical principles to the matters under discussion.

As time went by Mary declined physically and was often in pain. One Sunday I asked, “Mary, how are you?” She answered, “I’m fine. This house I live in isn’t so good.” Soon thereafter her health kept her from attending church services and participating as she had for decades. When her grandson Ted visited her while he and his family were on furlough from the mission field she told him she wasn’t doing anyone any good in her condition. Ted bawled her out and told her it was her prayers that helped keep him and his family (as well as his sister and her family) safe and serving God in risky places. (Karen’s grandmother had spoken similar words years before and Karen assured her she would always be loved for who she was, not what she did.) So there are times it’s appropriate to be scolded by our grandchildren—I hope I remember this when I need to be as time goes on!

The Lord welcomed Mary into His Presence at the age of 93. She left a great legacy of faithfulness to her family, church, and countless friends. She influenced me as she prayed and imparted wisdom and was a big part in shaping my ministry in Manchester. And she epitomized the description of a godly woman: “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue…Her children (and many others) arise and call her blessed…a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:26,28,30).

In Romans 16:1 Paul wrote, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe….” I present Mary Manning to you as one whose example I (and all) would do well to follow.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan