"A Personal Testimony"

“A Personal Testimony”

Three decades ago I went through a ministry crisis which left me devastated and prompted me to think seriously about another line of work. I became angry and negative toward those who I believed had wronged me which made life difficult for my family as well as myself. While in these throes of bitterness someone gave me cassettes on the subject by Charles Stanley which among other things showed me I was hurting myself (not to mention Karen, Dave and Kristie) far more than those toward whom my bitterness was directed. It took some time (far more than it should have) for God’s truth to sink in but eventually I saw (as Joseph had in his struggles centuries before) that “…God intended it for good….” (Genesis 50:20) to teach me what I’d never have learned otherwise.

Paul had addressed the need to put off bad speech and adopt words that build others up for the benefit of all in Ephesians 4:29. As he moves on he addresses the underlying attitude which brings on harsh utterances: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32). Warren Wiersbe observes that bitterness is “…a settled hostility that poisons the whole inner man.” This described me to a “T” and grieved the Father, Son and Spirit as the inward soon manifested itself outwardly. Through my own prayers as well as those of others and the love and counsel of Karen and close friends God brought me to the place where I put off bitterness and put on forgiveness (literally extension grace or undeserved kindness). But it was the reason I was to do this that got me between the eyes: “…just as in Christ God forgave you.” (emphasis added). It’s as if God said, “I’ve forgiven you from so much. Who do you think you are holding a grudge against someone else?” I then asked Him to forgive me and make me forgiving, something I still pray about daily.

These events of thirty years ago raise their ugly heads occasionally but I’ve learned to combat these attacks with a dose of the “think list” of Philippians 4:8. If anyone reading these thoughts is dealing with past circumstances which keep gnawing at you I urge you to learn from my testimony and let God deal with the situation (and you). Remember His words: “…This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Watch Your Mouth!"

“Watch Your Mouth!”

During my pastorate in New Hampshire I received a phone call from a woman in the community demanding (not asking for) financial help. I explained to her that we networked through a downtown ministry which provided food and other assistance. She belligerently said that this organization offered her no support and hung up on me. Karen worked there at the time so I phoned her and found that the caller had been “x’ed out” from receiving help because she’d verbally abused the staff. It brought back another memory of my camp days when the Director would remind us, “Watch your mouth!” Who of us hasn’t gotten into trouble by not heeding this bit of down-home wisdom? (See the previous postings “Watch Your Language”, “Shooting from the Lip” and “Muscle Talk” for more on this topic.)

The Apostle Paul offered similar counsel to first century believers by writing, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, so that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29). He’s telling his readers (including us almost 20 centuries later) that there’s no place for morally corrupt speech in our lives. (The Greek word used refers to rotten fruit that’s not fit to be eaten in the other seven places it appears.) Our Lord’s brother had echoed this theme some years before: “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My (brothers and sisters), this should not be.” (James 3:10). We’re then called upon to replace unsavory words which tear others down with those that build them up. So in our speech we’re to “…make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19).

This admonition from the inspired pen of Paul will be a blessing to the entire church—but only if we listen and allow it to shape our lives and attitudes. Let’s pay attention to our friend James one more time: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22, emphasis added). Will I say, “I will listen and not delay to keep your commands.” (Psalm 119:60) when it comes to using my mouth? Will you?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Work? Who, Me?"

“Work? Who, Me?”

I spent three summers during my high school years working at a Christian camp in upstate New York. The eight or ten staff guys stayed in one cabin which the Camp Director dubbed “Pig Sty #1” in deference to our housekeeping skills (or lack of same). One of my colleagues had a plaque over his bunk stating his labor philosophy: “Work fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.” While we did our assigned jobs (well, most of the time) we also did our share of goldbricking when we thought we might get away with it. But my camp experiences taught me a work ethic which I’ve tried to carry through my life.

Avoiding work has its humorous moments but there’s also a serious side to it. Paul addressed the issue in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 by writing, “If (one) will not work, (one) shall not eat.” That’s a pretty good indication of the importance of this obligation. But apparently his teaching didn’t make the jump across the Aegean Sea because about ten years later the problem had intensified to the point that he said, “(The one) who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with (his or her) hands, that (one) may have something to share with those in need.” (Ephesians 4:28). So stealing to provide for one’s necessities was to be put off and replaced with labor. Paul himself had set an example by plying his trade as a tent-maker (Acts 18:3) and he expected his fellow believers to earn their keep honestly, not sponge off or steal from others.

But the Apostle gives a reason for his admonition which goes beyond individual or family responsibilities: so we can share with those who need assistance, presumably because they were unable (not unwilling) to provide for themselves. Earlier in his ministry Paul (then still known as Saul) and Barnabas brought an offering from the church at Antioch to help suffering Christians in Judea (Acts 11:27-30). And he reminds the church at Rome of this duty (“Share with God’s people who are in need.”—Romans 12:13).

As humans we tend to be selfish but one of the marks of our “newness” is to be concerned for the “…interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4), not just our own. If I say, “Who, me?” when it comes to working to help others God says, “Yes, you!” So I pray I’ll work willingly, diligently, honestly and devotedly so I can serve others and show my love and obedience to Him.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Do You Need a Good Memory?"

“Do You Need a Good Memory?”

In 1974 college and professional basketball great Jerry Lucas corroborated with entertainer and memory specialist Harry Lorayne in writing The Memory Book, a guide to improving recollection skills. Thousands of people, including yours truly, have read this work and profited from the principles suggested. Now if I could only remember them….

A good memory is a great advantage in education, business, ministry and virtually every other area of life. It can enhance our skills and effectiveness in what God’s called us to do and keep us from embarrassing situations. It’s certainly a favorable and valuable quality to possess but is it really necessary to survive on life’s journey? In most cases the answer is no, but there’s one time I can think of when it’s a “must have”: lying. Perhaps Abraham Lincoln said it best: “A liar better have a good memory.”

Paul addresses this issue in Ephesians 4:25: “…Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to (his or her) neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (Emphasis added) Using the approach described in the previous blog “Dressing Ourselves” we see we’re to stop lying (using deception of any kind to gain an advantage) and practice telling the truth. But it’s more than speaking correct and honest words (anyone can do this even occasionally)—it’s being people whose word can be trusted over the long haul.

So then why is it so important for us to be truth tellers? For an opener, “…The Lord hates…a lying tongue….” (Proverbs 6:16-17) and “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in (those) who are truthful.” (Proverbs 12:22). But the apostle also gives a practical reason: we belong to each other in Christ’s church and this fellowship can be hindered or even destroyed by lying. (Remember that Jesus, the Head of the church, is “…the way and the truth and the life….”—John 14:6, emphasis added.) Truth telling, however, must be tempered by love (“…{speak} the truth in love….”—Ephesians 4:15). That’s the stuff that makes the Body of Christ look good to a skeptical world (“All…will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”—John 13:35).

By God’s grace I have a pretty good memory but I hope and pray it’s a blessing, not a necessity.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Dressing Ourselves"

“Dressing Ourselves”

In 1981 I made a 250 mile round trip on ten consecutive Mondays to attend a nouthetic counseling course. This approach was popularized by Dr. Jay Adams, a seminary professor in Philadelphia. It comes from the Greek word noutheteo, literally meaning to put in the mind, and is usually translated warn or admonish. Adams’ thesis is that as people apply biblical truths to their struggles most of them can be dealt with successfully. The classes were very helpful in my pastoral work and continue to influence my chaplaincy ministry.

One of the principles Adams uses to implement his method is emphasizing the “put offs/put ons” found in the New Testament. Paul writes, “…Put off your old self…and…put on the new self….” (Ephesians 4:22-24). The thought he expresses tells us to put our old ways behind us and clothe ourselves with a new manner of living. But it’s more than a modification of our behavior—it’s changing something of who we are. How can this be done? Adams illustrates with an old corny “joke”: When is a door not a door? Answer: When it is a jar! (I can hear the moans and groans.) The point is that a door ceases to be a door when it becomes something else. And this is the objective behind the changes the “put offs/put ons” are meant to bring.

In each of the following nine articles the same general format will be followed: what we’re to put off (cease doing), what we’re to put on (start practicing) and the reason(s) for making this change. In these actions we must keep another Adams principle in mind: We can’t break a bad habit—we must replace it with a good one. (An example of how this works is seen in Philippians 4:8.) As we take the admonitions of the “put offs/put ons” seriously we’re dressing ourselves appropriately before God. To quote from Adams’ The Christian Counselor’s Manual: “The Scriptures give the needed hope, direction and goals, the Holy Spirit provides the power, and Christian discipline is the method.”

Do I have to change my wardrobe? Probably in some areas. I pray I’m willing to do so.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan