"The Ghostwriter"

“The Ghostwriter”

(Thanks to Karen for suggesting the subject and title)

When the late action novelist Tom Clancy was unable to keep up with the public’s demand for his books his publishers hired others to write in his style. This is known as ghostwriting, a practice by which one person writes for and gives credit for authorship to another. I don’t know how widespread this is but my guess is that it’s used more often than we might realize, especially in “autobiographies”.

While ghostwriters are engaged to enhance the quantity and quality of writing there’s One whose work cannot be improved upon. In 2 Peter 1:21 (KJV) Jesus’ friend makes a bold statement: “…The prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” The term “Holy Ghost” appears some 90 times in the KJV New Testament but in several other versions I checked it’s always translated “Holy Spirit”. So Peter is declaring that Scripture isn’t the product of human imagination but the working of God’s Spirit through people to communicate His truth. The Apostle Paul agrees: “All Scripture is God-breathed….” (2 Timothy 3:16—see the earlier article “Coining Words” for the significance of this expression). Since the Bible comes from our Perfect God through His Perfect Spirit we know that “Every word of God is flawless….” (Proverbs 30:5).

There are a number of reasons I believe the Bible in its entirety is the inerrant Word of God. One is its own claims (e.g. “Thus saith the Lord” {KJV}/”This is what the Lord says” {NIV} occurs some 415 times). Another is the testimony of history which recognized the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments as authoritative at the Council of Carthage in 397 AD. And let’s not forget the thousands of biblical manuscripts (someone has said more than all other ancient writings combined). Finally, a “logical” argument might be stated in this way: God’s Word is made up of 66 books written by about 40 individuals over 1500 years conveying one consistent message surrounding God’s plan to restore sinful humanity to Himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (“He is coming” in the Old Testament; “He has come” in the New).

Scripture is the product of God’s Ghostwriter. It tells me what I must know and do. Am I ready to listen and obey?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"A Word to the Whys"

“A Word to the Whys”

My high school newspaper once had a column called “Who Says It?” listing quotes for which teachers had become (in)famous. Karen had a math teacher whose notable saying was, “A word to the wise is sufficient”. This adage is thought to have originated with Roman writers during the days of the Great Empire. The idea is that people will use their intelligence and/or common sense to understand and act appropriately in life’s situations. Have I always done so? No—but many times I wish I had!

I’ve taken some liberties with this ancient bit of wisdom in this article’s title. By definition “why” is asking the reason, purpose or cause of a statement or event. Sometimes one of a child’s first words is “Why?” Teenagers might use it to try to con their parents into changing their minds (guilty as charged!). And it’s posed in college classrooms to help students think for themselves (or at least this used to be done). So “why” goes beyond the first four “w” objective questions (who, what, where, when) and moves into subjective areas.

As I’ve visited in health care facilities and conducted funeral services over the years I’m frequently asked, “Why?”. In most cases I haven’t a satisfactory answer for the asker or myself. So as I meet people in these and other difficult circumstances I often respond, “I don’t have answers but I have ears.” I’ve learned that listening to someone’s concerns can be a great stress reliever for the hurting.

“Why” appears about 550 times in the Bible. Since it comes from God (“All Scripture is God-breathed….”—2 Timothy 3:16) there’s a reason behind each use, including its being used towards God (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—Psalm 22:1, quoted by Jesus on the cross in Matthew 27:46). I’ve heard some people say it’s wrong to ask God why. Not necessarily—Jesus in His human perfection did so. The difference for us might be between trying to understand and questioning God’s wisdom.

I know of no place in Scripture where God says, “Understand Me”—in fact, the opposite is true (“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?”—1 Corinthians 2:16). But many times He tells us to trust Him (“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”—Proverbs 3:5). Will He fail me? Never (“If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.”—2 Timothy 2:13, NLT).

I hope this word to the whys is sufficient for now.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"The Debt Eraser"

“The Debt Eraser”

(The title comes from the Our Daily Bread devotional for January 8, 2018)

On August 13, 2007 Gary and Kathy, faithful believers and servants of God, were severely injured in a motorcycle crash on I-70 near Russell, Kansas when a defective tire blew. Gary’s injuries led to 74 days of hospitalization and rehab while Kathy was placed in a medically-induced coma due to brain bleeds. It soon became apparent she’d require long-term care which was difficult to find because of the level of her needs. Finally a facility was located in their home city and arrangements were made for a medical flight, but the day before the trip was to take place the nursing home decided not to accept Kathy as a patient. As I talked with Gary he shared how he cried out, “Where are you, God?” I had asked the same question years before during a difficult period and discovered, as Gary did, that (in the words of Gary Paxton’s song) “He Was There All the Time.”

God worked through a series of circumstances surrounding a new restaurant job for Gary’s daughter and a “chance” meeting with a customer who was able to cut through bureaucratic red tape to bring Gary and Kathy back to Florida on October 25 where she was cared for as a “VIP” at a facility until Gary brought her home on January 16, 2013. He’s been her primary caregiver since then (with assistance from others) in fulfillment of his marriage vows.

Then there was the matter of medical bills which added up to over $2 million, of which Gary was responsible for about half. He contacted all the providers and made arrangements to pay each one monthly as he was able while remaining faithful in his tithe to God first. After making payments for four months he received a call from the Kansas hospital in March 2008 and was told, “Don’t send any more money. Your debt has been forgiven.” Only God could orchestrate this seven month journey and ensuing ten years (at the time of this writing) of caring for Kathy. To Him be all the Glory!

When Jesus died on the cross God said, “Your debt has been forgiven.” The Apostle Paul writes, “…(We) are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.” (Romans 3:24-25). Since we are no longer debtors to God because of our sin we can sing with Philip P. Bliss, “Sing, O sing of my Redeemer, with His blood He purchased me; On the cross He sealed my pardon, Paid the debt, and made me free.” (Emphasis added)

Gary’s debt was erased twice—have you let Jesus erase yours once?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(The piece cited above appeared the day before my meeting with Gary to prepare for this article. The circumstances in both cases are remarkably similar.)

"Watch Out for Imitations"

“Watch Out for Imitations”

Years ago a friend told me of a fellow pastor who went to a training conference led by a man who believed his style of leadership would work in any church situation and encouraged attendees to put his methods into practice in their ministries. The pastor bought into this approach and once at home began imitating the instructor. Not long afterwards his church leaders told him in no uncertain terms to stop trying to be someone else or someone else would soon be their pastor! This shows that while we can certainly learn from the words and examples of others we must be careful about trying to be a clone of someone else.

Early in his pastoral ministry Bible teacher Dr. J. Vernon McGee was told by a trusted friend, “We would rather have a genuine Vernon McGee than an imitation anyone else.” And my Professor of Preaching at seminary, Dr. Ray McLaughlin, emphasized developing our own pulpit style rather than trying to copy another’s. All of us can profit from watching and listening to faithful mentors who’ve influenced us, but these godly people would likely call attention to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (Emphasis added).

Each of us is created in the image of God (‘…we…have been made in God’s likeness.”—James 3:9) in unique fashion (“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”—Psalm 139:14). In its comment on the latter verse the Life Application Study Bible observes, “We should have as much respect for ourselves as our Maker has for us.” God has made all of us as He saw fit and wants to use us in the special ways He’s equipped us. So to try to do otherwise shows disrespect for our Creator.

Thirteen times in the gospels we read that Jesus said, “Follow me.” Apparently His disciples took this command seriously because the religious leaders “…took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13). As he concludes his practical exposition of First John Dr. Warren Wiersbe writes, “Watch out for the imitation and the artificial and BE REAL!” (the book’s title—emphasis in the original). How can we do any less?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan