"Spiritual Sheriffs"

“Spiritual Sheriffs”

(The title comes from a message by Pastor Wayne Blackburn delivered at Victory Church)

For several years Karen and I lived in an apartment in Manchester before purchasing our fixer-upper house. During one summer we went on a ten day trip and our son Dave moved in to care for our cat. I went to our management office to find out if he needed a parking permit and was told (paraphrased), “He probably ought to have one. We have a resident who thinks he’s the Sheriff of Dodge who goes around checking for stickers and reports license numbers to have the offending vehicles towed.” Needless to say, we got Dave a temporary permit and his car survived the scrutiny.

While serving in Manchester a pastor whose church had recently closed due to dwindling attendance visited our service. The next day I received an email pointing out all the things we’d done wrong by his standards for how church should be done. I responded (hopefully kindly, not in kind) explaining our rationale for how we conducted our ministry. (I never received a reply and the gentleman never returned.) I also had a few phone calls over the years asking what version of the Bible we used. Normally I’d answer that we endorsed none exclusively and encouraged our congregation to utilize one which was best for them provided it was true to the original languages and who Jesus is. Usually this wasn’t good enough for the caller and we were labeled “liberal” or another uncomplimentary term.

In each of these examples individuals had appointed themselves the arbiter for what in their opinion was right. Jesus had some harsh words for the “spiritual sheriffs” of His day (teachers of the law and Pharisees), referring to them as hypocrites numerous times in Matthew 23:13-36. Later Paul cited an incident in which “…some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus….” (Galatians 2:4). So both our Lord and a leading apostle spoke against holding people to a personal (and often unbiblical) standard (“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”—Matthew 7:1; “…Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”—Galatians 5:1, NLT). But Paul went on to say that this freedom was to be used to “…serve one another in love.”, not to “…indulge the sinful nature….” (Galatians 5:13).

God doesn’t need sheriffs—he needs servants. Which will I choose to be?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"December 25"

“December 25”

Probably the most familiar date on the calendar is December 25. Before discussing the main reason for this permit me to cite some significant historical events which occurred on this day:

200 years ago (1818)—“Silent Night” was introduced at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria; Handel’s “Messiah” was performed for the first time in the U.S. in Boston.

150 years ago (1868)—President Andrew Johnson issued an unconditional pardon to all Confederates involved in the Civil War.

100 years ago (1918)—Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt who signed the Camp David Accord with Israel in 1978, was born. (This led to his assassination in October 1981.)

50 years ago (1968)—Astronauts Frank Borman, William Anders and James Lovell read from Genesis 1 and prayed while orbiting the moon aboard Apollo 8. (A lawsuit filed by Madelyn Murray O’Hair alleging violation of the First Amendment was dismissed by the Supreme Court.)

Other noteworthy happenings on December 25:

800—Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III.

1066—The coronation of William the Conqueror as King of England.

1776—George Washington led the American Revolutionary Army across the Delaware River to Trenton where he defeated the Hessians (German soldiers contracted by the British).

1896—John Philip Sousa composed “The Stars and Stripes Forever”. (It was designated the National March of the U.S. by Congress in 1987.)

1991—Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as leader of the U.S.S.R. leading to its dissolution.

But by far the most important celebration on December 25 is the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s Promised Messiah. (The exact date is uncertain but in 336 the Roman Emperor Constantine designated this day to overshadow a pagan feast day.) Statistically 1 in 365 people is born on this date (I’ve known a few) but no one has made the impact Jesus did (and still does). He came “…to give his life to set many…free.” (Matthew 20:28, Phillips); “…to seek and to save those…who are lost.” (Luke 19:10, NLT); and “…to save the world….” (John 3:17). His mission from eternity past—His birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension—was planned by God “…to bring us safely home to (him).” (1 Peter 3:18, NLT).

We remember an old story on December 25 but it continues to bring new life and hope to all who believe its message. So celebrate Jesus on this (and every other) day.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Guaranteed Delivery"

“Guaranteed Delivery”

About two years ago Karen and I contacted an attorney friend in New Hampshire who’d drawn up some legal documents for us. Since we have no plans to move back north (is anyone surprised?) we asked him to send the originals to us, which he did by certified mail. A week or so later he emailed us that the package had been returned to him marked “Refused”. (To our knowledge no delivery attempt was made so how could it have been rejected?) So I went to our nearby post office to ask what should be done (and maybe complain a bit). The papers were then resent and we received them within the time indicated.

Generally speaking, the Postal Service lives up to its two slogans “We deliver for you” and “Guaranteed delivery”. In this case, however, we could add “But not necessarily”. Sometimes delays are unavoidable due to weather and equipment failures but the human factor may play a part. Our situation was aggravating but in the end we received what we needed and life went on.

The Bible I use for most of my studying lists more than 40 Old Testament predictions of the coming of the Messiah (meaning “Anointed One”). Then “…when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman….” (Galatians 4:4, The Message) and “…he was named Jesus….” (Luke 2:21). Jesus is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Joshua, both meaning “The Lord saves”.

During this Christmas season most of us will utilize the USPS to send cards and gifts. Will it live up to its catchphrases cited above? Probably, but not always. Bur God promised “Guaranteed Delivery” and it happened just as He said it would, affirming Solomon’s words, “Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave….” (1 Kings 8:56). But for whom was He sent? God says, “I deliver for you!” (…The grace of God that brings salvation {deliverance} has appeared to all….”—Titus 2:11, emphasis added) and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved {delivered}”—Romans 10:13, emphasis added).

God has acted—we celebrate His entrance into human history during this time of year—how will each of us respond?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Comforters"

“Comforters”

I’ve previously written about my devotional readings from Scripture in “Journaling”. As of now I’ve come to First Chronicles, which begins with nine chapters of genealogies complete with jaw-breaking names of people, most of which I didn’t recognize (more are found in later chapters). I have to admit this isn’t the most exciting portion of God’s Word but as I’ve asked Him to show me practical lessons for my life He’s done it. Now it’s up to me what to do with them.

Today is one of those times described in my last posting (“What to Write”) that a thought and article came on the same day. 1 Chronicles 7:22 says, “…Ephraim mourned for (his two sons) many days, and his relatives came to comfort him.” Compare the compassion of his family members with the actions of Job’s friends who “…met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.” (Job 2:11). The same Hebrew word, meaning to feel sorrow or pity for another, is used in both passages. In Ephraim’s case the context indicates his comforters were helpful to him in coping with his losses, but with Job “comfort” took the form of accusations and judgment over presumed “hidden sin” in his life. Which fulfilled Solomon’s wise statement, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)?

My work at the hospital is intended to bring encouragement, hope and comfort to patients and families. (As I was preparing to start this piece I got a call to see a lady who was injured in a motorcycle crash in which her husband of 38 years died.) When I’m paged for an emergency I often don’t know what I’ll encounter when I arrive in the room. But God has been faithful in giving wisdom far beyond what I have in myself.

After this morning’s reading and this afternoon’s visit I must ask myself: What kind of comforter am I? Do I more resemble Ephraim’s family or Job’s friends? I pray I’ll be a comforter who “(Carries another’s) burdens, and in this way…(fulfills) the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"What to Write"

“What to Write”

Many years ago Dr. M.R. DeHaan, founder of the Radio Bible Class, penned an article in the devotional Our Daily Bread (the current name of the ministry) that he’d gone outside onto his patio to write something for a future issue but no idea emerged. After a while he gave up and went back into his house. It was then God put thoughts into his mind and heart and the words flowed. From this experience he learned (admittedly taking some liberties with Matthew 10:19-20), “At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

I’ve been writing pieces like this for churches and now in this format for 45 years and have found Dr. DeHaan’s observation to be true. As of today I have a bulging file of about 190 pump primers for blogs. They come from a myriad of sources (e.g. reading, observations, conversations). Some of them have been buried for so long that I have no idea of what they mean (I sometimes jot things down in a version of hieroglyphics) so they seem to be useless and worthy of File 13G. But I can’t bring myself to put them there—who knows if God might bring them back from the dead and use them in some way I never would have imagined?

Every now and then I go through the stack and pull out a few that may have possibilities. Some of them come to fruition but many don’t (at least not then—good ideas sometimes have to wait for the right timing). What did Solomon write some 3000 years ago (please allow for an obvious personal reference)? “In his heart Jim plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9).

There have been occasions I’ve begun an article then gotten stuck and couldn’t finish it. (A couple I’ve not yet completed are reposing in the aforementioned folder.) And some have come to life after many years in the doldrums. But there also have been times (rare to be sure) that the spark and article came together on the same day. So God works in various ways to carry out His work—including what to write. Please pray with me that I’ll be sensitive to His leading and in so doing bring encouragement to His people.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan