"In the Midst of the Storm"

“In the Midst of the Storm”

 

Karen and I returned from our New Hampshire trip (see the previous article, “More Than a Game”) on September 5, just in time to prepare for the visit from Hurricane Irma on September 10. While it had weakened after landfall it still brought devastation to our area from flooding, downed trees and power outages (in some places for two weeks or more). But in the midst of the storm it was encouraging to see people working together and reaching out to one another.

Karen and I were among those blest beyond our imagination in that we had no damage whatsoever to our house and were without electricity for only 24 hours. Because we’d been spared from much hardship we had an obligation to those not nearly as fortunate (“Much is required from those to whom much is given….”—Luke 12:48, NLT). And God opened doors for us to assist others in tangible ways as well as through prayer. Our church stepped up by shipping truckloads of food and supplies to areas of Florida which were hardest hit, making its facility available as a regional center for FEMA distribution of food and water, receiving a special offering to help meet other needs and praying for those affected. We feel privileged to have been a part of the church being the church.

Someone once observed that we have no right to ask “Why me?” in bad times unless we ask the same question when our circumstances are good. We wonder why we were protected from loss but my cousins Murry and Vicky lost everything in the Louisiana floods in the spring of 2016. We don’t know why (and likely never will this side of Heaven) but in our emails back and forth Murry and Vicky shared how their faith sustained them in the midst of their storm. Would I have handled it in the same way? I honestly don’t know.

Shortly before Irma arrived one of the ladies in our Home Bible Study texted the group and suggested we all read Psalm 91. In part it says, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty…He alone is my refuge, my place of safety…Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day…When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them.” (Verses 1,2,5,15—NLT). In the words of a great hymn, “What more can He say than to you He hath said, To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?” Amen!!

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"More Than a Game"

“More Than a Game”

This past Labor Day weekend Karen and I traveled to New Hampshire to renew fellowship with many friends from our twenty years of ministry in Manchester. We greatly enjoyed spending time with those we’d known and worked with during those two decades. The only problem was that most of the get-togethers involved eating so we had to address several unwanted and unneeded pounds we had somehow acquired when we got home.

While we were there we attended church with our host couple. A new pastor had arrived just a few weeks before so the people were excited about the future. During the “children’s sermon” the pastor played the old game “Simon Says….” with the “Church of Tomorrow” gathered at the front of the auditorium. When he gave a command without prefacing it with “Simon says” one child followed what he said and was disqualified. The pastor then stressed the importance of carefully listening to and obeying God’s voice as found in Scripture.

As I’ve thought about the message given to the children that day it hit me that obedience to God and His Word is much more than a game—it’s to be a practice of my life with Him. In Psalm 119 (someone has called it “The Guide to Right Living”) the writer promises to obey the Word 16 times (e.g. “I will always obey your law, for ever and ever.”—Verse 44; “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.”—Verse 60). Apparently the author recognized his obligation to heed God’s directives—I’d do well to follow his example.

Why does God tell us to obey? Does He want to curtail our freedom or make things difficult? Not in any way (“…his commands are not burdensome….”—1 John 5:3)—He wants His best for us and the best way to achieve it is to do what He says (“Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever.”—Deuteronomy 5:29). In addition, we’re told “…We have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.” (1 John 3:21-22)

Every biblical directive boils down to a basic question: Will I obey? It’s my choice (and yours too). My/our response will bring blessings or consequences (“A {person} reaps what {is sown}.”—Galatians 6:7). May I say with the psalmist, “Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” (Psalm 119:34).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"A Critical Need Addressed"

“A Critical Need Addressed”

 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was first recognized as a “mental disorder” by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980, although it’s not, strictly speaking, a mental illness but rather a normal reaction to an extraordinary event. (Traumatic spiritual and moral wounds may be present in people’s lives as Post-Traumatic Stress {PTS} but not reach a level warranting a PTSD diagnosis.) According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) some 7.7 million adults are affected in any given year. While it occurs in society as a whole as a result of accidents, natural disasters, abuse and other significant events it’s commonly associated with the military. The phenomenon goes back many centuries but in the American context it has its roots in the Revolutionary War and was especially prevalent during the Civil War when it was called “Nostalgia” or “Soldier’s Heart”. In 1915 the term “Shell Shock” was coined. It’s developed by exposure to harmful and violent incidents, especially deaths of colleagues. Before the condition was seen for what it is those demonstrating symptoms were thought of as weak, removed from threatening situations and often discharged from the service.

In a summary posted by the NIH to identify and treat symptoms of PTSD one element is conspicuously missing: the spiritual aspect. CBAmerica Chaplain (Colonel) Dean Bonura, a 30+-year Army veteran, has stepped into this void with his significant book Beyond Trauma: Hope and Healing for Warriors. His thesis is summarized in his own words: “When we focus on spiritual aspects, many of the associated effects—whether mental, emotional, or physical—diminish, and become manageable.” Since we are spiritual beings (“…It is the spirit in a {person}, the breath of the Almighty, that gives {him or her} understanding.”—Job 32:8) any attempt to achieve wholeness apart from the faith dimension is incomplete. Through careful research Chaplain Bonura shows that by applying biblical principles to the struggles of PTSD the needs of the total person can be met. He moves from the theoretical to the practical by using recent real life as well as biblical examples (citing Job, David, Paul and Jesus) to illustrate the place of faith in this process.

Since counselors and other health professionals often disregard the spiritual factor in dealing with clients suffering from PTSD Chaplain Bonura’s work is a real breakthrough. I wish such help had been available during my pastoral career and earlier in my health care chaplaincy ministry. If you know anyone who shows traits of PTSD or are in a position to help those struggling with it I strongly recommend this resource. As we take our responsibility to our fellow believers seriously (“Each one should use whatever gift {he or she} has received to serve others….”—1 Peter 4:10) the Body of Christ becomes stronger and He’s glorified. And please continue in prayer for those afflicted with PTSD.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"The Star of the Church"

 

“The Star of the Church”

 

During his 27 years as Head Coach of the UCLA basketball team the late John Wooden led the Bruins to 620 victories (without a losing season) and in the process won ten NCAA titles. He also mentored numerous All-American players who went on to successful careers in the professional ranks. And in a 2016 Sporting News survey he was named the all-time greatest coach/manager in any sport. Quite a resume—how did it happen? He explains his approach and philosophy of life in Wooden on Leadership, an autobiographical account of his guiding principles written at the age of 95. (For another description of a life governed by godly character see my earlier posting “Values”.)

As I read his book I learned that his success could be credited to his faith and two overall convictions. The first is attention to the basics. At the start of each season Coach Wooden took time to show his players how to put on their socks and lace up their sneakers correctly. A waste of time and majoring on minors? Not when blisters and other foot maladies were avoided! On the practice court he conducted countless drills to keep skills sharp so his team was ready to respond under game conditions. He was a patient man but wouldn’t tolerate sloppiness or carelessness. (Check out the earlier article “Practicing the Basics” to see how these principles impacted a basketball superstar.)

Coach Wooden’s other major emphasis can be summed up in his own words: “The star of the team is the team.” and “It takes ten hands to score a basket.” Many All-Americans played under his tutelage but they learned that they were part of a unit, not a one-man gang. It took NBA great Wilt Chamberlain nine seasons to win a championship—but it happened only after he learned to play as a team member, not an individual, and his scoring average dropped from 39 to 21 points per game.

If we apply Coach Wooden’s reasoning to the Body of Christ we could say, “The star of the church is the church.” Of course, there are leaders as in a sports’ organization but each of us has a part in its functioning in the way God desires (“Each one should use whatever gift {he or she} has received to serve others….”—1 Peter 4:10, emphasis added; “…In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”—Romans 12:5, emphasis added). Just as there’s no “I” in “team” there isn’t one in “church” either.

There’s only one Star of the Church: Jesus (“I am…the bright Morning Star.”—Revelation 22:16). And as His followers we’re to “…shine like stars in the dark world.” (Philippians 2:15, NCV). In other words, we’re here to make Jesus, the real Star, look good. How are we doing at it?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan