"Feline Theology"

“Feline Theology”

 

During our 48 years of marriage Karen and I have been the “parents” of thirteen cats. All but one came to us by adoption from friends, shelters and in one case a veterinary clinic where Karen worked. Over the years three disappeared, one was hit by a car, one was “returned to sender” because he didn’t fit the household well, seven were euthanized due to various maladies and we still have Lily. The common denominator is all of them enjoyed eating. Two in particular would let us know the food bowl was empty by verbalizing their concern then waiting nearby with anticipation that one of us would get the message.

Our family felines unknowingly illustrated reliance on God expressed by King David in Psalm 5:3: “Morning by morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; morning by morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Emphasis added). Just as our pets had confidence that they’d be appropriately fed David had faith that God would respond to his heartfelt prayers. And the biblical record shows his trust was rewarded.

Around 700 BC (three centuries after David) God’s prophet Micah echoed the same principle when he wrote, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7, emphasis added). And a hundred years later another of God’s messengers expressed the same assurance (“I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me….”—Habakkuk 2:1, emphasis added). Each highlighted phrase is a translation of the Hebrew word “tsaphah” which has the basic meaning of to peer into the distance. Tucked into this is the biblical definition of faith as “…being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1).

Much as Karen may be surprised to hear me admit it pets can enrich our lives in ways we don’t realize at first. And two of our furry friends proved to be (albeit unwittingly) feline theologians. I pray I’ll learn from their anticipation of response when they made their desires known and trust God to hear me and answer according to His purposes.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Final Authority"

“Final Authority”

 

The late George Steinbrenner, businessman and long-time principle owner of the New York Yankees, is said to have had two basic rules for his employees: #1: The owner is always right; #2: If any question arises refer to Rule #1. The revolving door to the Yankees’ manager’s office during the years of his ownership bears out the truth of these rules so there was no question of who was the final authority.

This past summer I read The Failure of the Founding Fathers by Yale Law Professor Bruce Ackerman. He cites the confusion over the Presidential Election of 1800 which resulted from the framers’ not anticipating the rise of political parties and almost destroyed the Constitution (and the nation) before the Electoral College was clarified by the Twelfth Amendment in 1804. But it must be remembered that that our Constitution was an experiment in democracy which hadn’t been attempted before and despite possible shortcomings has served us well since 1789 with just 27 amendments. Kudos to the courage and general foresight of the 55 delegates under the leadership of George Washington who gathered in Philadelphia in 1787.

Article VI states, “This Constitution…shall be the Supreme Law of the Land….” This simple statement leaves no doubt as to our nation’s final authority in law and practice. But since its application is made by flawed people there are times the outcomes are questionable.

As God’s people we have an Infallible Final Authority: His Word. Why do we believe this? Because our Perfect God communicates His Perfect Truth to us by His Perfect Spirit’s work through His chosen human instruments (“…No prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”--2 Peter 1:20-21, NASB, emphasis added). For this reason we must ask a fundamental question when anything comes down the pike: “What does the Scripture say?” (Romans 4:3). Why? “All Scripture is God-breathed….” (2 Timothy 3:16, emphasis added); “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (Psalm 119:89, emphasis added); and “Every word of God is flawless….” (Proverbs 30:5, emphasis added). Let’s thank God for providing His Word to us as “…a lamp to (our) feet and a light for (our) path.” (Psalm 119:105).

(For another take on the Bible’s reliability see the previous posting “No Need for Amendments”.)

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Journaling"

“Journaling”

 

Over the years I’ve read lots of books on Christian living and growth, many helpful, others not so much. A few of the more useful ones suggested keeping a journal to record daily events and observations in order to monitor progress in one’s walk of faith. I started doing this several times but never did so on a long-term basis, probably due to my lack of discipline.

Around 2014 I began a new approach to Bible reading in my quiet time. I choose an Old Testament book, read a chapter each day, then take one thought God puts in my mind and in a sentence or two write how it impacts me. Then I go through the book again in the same way (it’s amazing how much I miss the first time around). Not long ago I realized this was a method of journaling which works for me. My intention is to go through the entire Bible in this way. And periodically I’ll go back and reread what I’ve jotted down to see if I’m practicing it.

Many of the psalms composed by King David form a journal of his life’s story. These include prayer when being pursued by Saul (86), thanksgiving for deliverance from foreign enemies (34), confession of his sin surrounding Bathsheba (51) and reflections on his life-long relationship with God (23). I challenge you to read through this books of songs—time and again you’ll be able to identify with David and the other Spirit-inspired authors and your life will be enriched.

King Solomon also left us with his journal—we call it Ecclesiastes. In this book of wisdom he recalls the things he’d experienced trying to find purpose but came to a sad conclusion initially: “Everything is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). (The word “meaningless” appears 40 times in the book.) By the end of his thoughts, however, he recognized the folly of looking for meaning in pleasures and accomplishments and ends his journal with these significant words: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

We can avoid much struggle and heartache by heeding the experiences of this father and son as well as countless others whose stories are recorded in God’s Word (“…Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us….”—Romans 15:4). Let’s let Scripture’s purpose be fulfilled in our lives—and write about it in our own way.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Follow the Leader"

“Follow the Leader”

 

(This is a revision of my first “Pastoral Ponderings” written for the bulletin in our first church in Gorham, NY in January 1973. The response I received from our congregation and family members encouraged me to continue the practice through the remaining 36 years of pastoral work and ultimately led to creating this blog. I’ve learned much and still greatly enjoy putting these thoughts together with the prayer that God will use them to minister to others.)

 

As children we remember playing “Follow the Leader”. The object was to exactly copy whoever was at the head of the procession—anyone who failed to do so was disqualified. So to remain in the game one had to, without question or variation, follow the leader’s actions and words.

Some time prior to composing the original article I’d been reading in Numbers. Just before leaving Sinai to continue the journey to the Promised Land we see in 9:18: “At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.” Here we see Israel following their Leader but it was far from a game—it was a way of life. And Old Testament history verifies that as long as God’s people followed Him they prospered, but when they went their own way they suffered defeat, poverty and other indignities. God expects obedience, and we (just as His people of old) face the prospect of His discipline if we fail to do so (“…God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”—Ephesians 5:6).

Whether we realize it or not we are all following one of two (L)leaders: God or our own desires. If we follow our own instincts we’re letting the things around us—money, fame and prestige to name a few—lead us. These can never bring success or purpose in life (“There is a way that seems right…but in the end it leads to death.”—Proverbs 14:12). If, however, we choose to follow our Divine Leader (as did Abraham, Joshua, David and many others) we know we’ll be kept on the right path (“As for God, his way is perfect….”—Psalm 18:30).

God says, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21). Are we ready to follow our Leader?

 

Grace and Blessings”

Jim McMillan

"Journaling"

“Journaling”

 

Over the years I’ve read lots of books on Christian living and growth, many helpful, others not so much. A few of the more useful ones suggested keeping a journal to record daily events and observations in order to monitor progress in one’s walk of faith. I started doing this several times but never did so on a long-term basis, probably due to my lack of discipline.

Around 2014 I began a new approach to Bible reading in my quiet time. I choose an Old Testament book, read a chapter each day, then take one thought God puts in my mind and in a sentence or two write how it impacts me. Then I go through the book again in the same way (it’s amazing how much I miss the first time around). Not long ago I realized this was a method of journaling which works for me. My intention is to go through the entire Bible in this way. And periodically I’ll go back and reread what I’ve jotted down to see if I’m practicing it.

Many of the psalms composed by King David form a journal of his life’s story. These include prayer when being pursued by Saul (86), thanksgiving for deliverance from foreign enemies (34), confession of his sin surrounding Bathsheba (51) and reflections on his life-long relationship with God (23). I challenge you to read through this books of songs—time and again you’ll be able to identify with David and the other Spirit-inspired authors and your life will be enriched.

King Solomon also left us with his journal—we call it Ecclesiastes. In this book of wisdom he recalls the things he’d experienced trying to find purpose but came to a sad conclusion initially: “Everything is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). (The word “meaningless” appears 40 times in the book.) By the end of his thoughts, however, he recognized the folly of looking for meaning in pleasures and accomplishments and ends his journal with these significant words: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

We can avoid much struggle and heartache by heeding the experiences of this father and son as well as countless others whose stories are recorded in God’s Word (“…Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us….”—Romans 15:4). Let’s let Scripture’s purpose be fulfilled in our lives—and write about it in our own way.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Follow the Leader"

 

“Follow the Leader”

 

(This is a revision of my first “Pastoral Ponderings” written for the bulletin in our first church in Gorham, NY in January 1973. The response I received from our congregation and family members encouraged me to continue the practice through the remaining 36 years of pastoral work and ultimately led to creating this blog. I’ve learned much and still greatly enjoy putting these thoughts together with the prayer that God will use them to minister to others.)

 As children we remember playing “Follow the Leader”. The object was to exactly copy whoever was at the head of the procession—anyone who failed to do so was disqualified. So to remain in the game one had to, without question or variation, follow the leader’s actions and words.

Some time prior to composing the original article I’d been reading in Numbers. Just before leaving Sinai to continue the journey to the Promised Land we see in 9:18: “At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.” Here we see Israel following their Leader but it was far from a game—it was a way of life. And Old Testament history verifies that as long as God’s people followed Him they prospered, but when they went their own way they suffered defeat, poverty and other indignities. God expects obedience, and we (just as His people of old) face the prospect of His discipline if we fail to do so (“…God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”—Ephesians 5:6).

Whether we realize it or not we are all following one of two (L)leaders: God or our own desires. If we follow our own instincts we’re letting the things around us—money, fame and prestige to name a few—lead us. These can never bring success or purpose in life (“There is a way that seems right…but in the end it leads to death.”—Proverbs 14:12). If, however, we choose to follow our Divine Leader (as did Abraham, Joshua, David and many others) we know we’ll be kept on the right path (“As for God, his way is perfect….”—Psalm 18:30).

God says, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21). Are we ready to follow our Leader?

 

Grace and Blessings”

Jim McMillan