"Closets"

“Closets”

Karen and I enjoy watching the HGTV series “House Hunters”. (The interpersonal dynamics of those searching for a suitable home are often a show of their own.) One of the main concerns of many potential buyers or renters is closet space, especially in the master bedroom. Since I hold to the theory that the amount of “stuff” we save expands to fill the space available to keep it (whether or not we need it) large closets can become a disadvantage, especially when moving time rolls around. So the adage “A house can never have too many closets” may or may not be true.

In His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus talked about prayer. He cautioned His hearers (and us today) about using our conversations with our Father in Heaven as public displays of “godliness” (Matthew 6:5) then said, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret….” (Matthew 6:6a, KJV, emphasis added). The Greek word refers to a secret chamber or place of retreat. (If you saw the movie “War Room” you might remember the main character’s retiring to such a place in her home where she prayed.) I believe we all need some area like this where we can commune with God apart from life’s distractions with the result that “…thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:6b, KJV).

Some of us, however, put God in a “closet” until we “need” Him then expect Him to run to our rescue. Churches were filled during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 and immediately after September 11, 2001. But once life got back to normal (whatever that might be) we put God back into His “closet” until the next crisis we can’t manage by ourselves (maybe the Coronavirus—see the previous article). But we sometimes forget that God’s a gentleman and doesn’t barge in to where His presence isn’t welcome—but there are consequences when this is done (the Old Testaments accounts of Israel’s history and the present condition of our own nation bear this up).

Let’s ask God for His help in using our closets for their intended purposes and give Him free reign in our lives. As we trust Him He’s promised. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, emphasis added). Amen!

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Coronavirus"

“Coronavirus”

As I write this piece in mid-March the world is in a health crisis brought on by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). It was first reported in January by a branch of the World Health Organization as a “public health emergency of international concern” and was designated a pandemic earlier this month. While the risk appears to be low for most people in our country it can be serious for those with underlying health issues such as heart and lung disease, diabetes and compromised immune systems. Government and health care officials are hard at work to contain, treat and prevent the disease and protect the public from a devastating impact.

Businesses, health services and religious organizations have sent emails and used media outlets to explain what they’ve done to address this concern and assure customers, patients and adherents that their safety is of utmost importance. (Unfortunately scams and misinformation are out there too so please check with the CDC, NIH or reputable web sites before forwarding or taking personal action on them.) All appear to be in agreement to practice hand washing, avoid assembling and get checked out medically if symptoms appear. Self-isolation may also be in order if we believe we possibly have been exposed during travel or group gatherings. If this is the case or you have ongoing physical conditions please take whatever steps necessary to minimize risk to yourself and others.

As God’s people how might we respond? First and foremost, PRAY (“Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit.”—Ephesians 6:18, NLT). Also pray for and listen to our leaders (“Pray…for…all…who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity.”—1 Timothy 2:2, NLT). Next, continue to live as normally as possible until circumstances and/or the voice of God indicate otherwise (“Do business until I come.”—Luke 19:13, NKJV, This is the only place in the New Testament this Greek word is found. It’s in the present imperative form and can be understood as “Keep on doing your business.”) Finally, we must recognize that God is sovereign (“…{God is} the ruler of all things. In {his} hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”—1 Chronicles 29:12).

The present circumstances are an opportunity for the church (you and me) to be the church before one another as well as our friends, neighbors and society at large. Jesus said, “…Let your light shine before (people), that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). By our words and actions let’s make Him look good in this trying time.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Going, Going, Gone?"

“Going, Going, Gone?”

One of the interesting traits of baseball broadcasters is the variety of ways they describe home runs. Bob Prince of the Pittsburgh Pirates would say, “He’ll touch ‘em all!”. Joe Castiglione of the Boston Red Sox announces, “You can forget about this one!” And who can overlook the Yankees’ Mel Allen’s, “That ball is going, going, gone!” While all three used their catch phrases for virtually every homer they called they were more enthusiastic when it came to their own teams.

“Going, going, gone” can describe a man in one of Jesus’ parables whom many translations refer to as “The Rich Fool”. Our Lord tells his story in Luke 12:16-21 after saying, “…(One’s) life does not consist in the abundance of (one’s) possessions.” (Luke 12:15). This prosperous farmer had harvested a bumper crop which he thought he could keep and support himself in a comfortable retirement without seeking after God. But that night he died and his wealth was left behind. (Charles Swindoll once observed he’d never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul.) So what he had accumulated was, for him, gone overnight without warning. A couple of chapters later we read of “The Prodigal Son” who found his fortune “going, going, gone” when he “…squandered his wealth in wild living.” (Luke 15:13). He was welcomed back by his father (Verse 13) but his inheritance was gone (Verse 31), How many in history have walked similar roads?

In and of itself money is morally neutral—it can be used for good or evil. Paul challenged his pastoral mentoree to “Command those who are rich in this present world not to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17, emphasis added). Solomon wrote, “…Riches do not endure forever….” (Proverbs 27:24), a principle he understood from his accumulating much of this world’s goods which didn’t satisfy (read Ecclesiastes, his “spiritual autobiography”). Maybe Jesus had him in mind when He said, “Do not store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be kept safe from thieves.” (Matthew 6:19-20, NLT).

We can’t take our “stuff” with us but we can send what we’ve invested in God’s kingdom ahead—“going, going, gone” to be used by Him.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Keep Moving"

“Keep Moving”

During my 50+ years of ministry I’ve conducted or assisted in about 275 funerals. While each situation is unique the common thread in virtually all of them is the need of comfort for those impacted by a loved one’s or friend’s death. For this reason I almost always quoted or otherwise incorporated Psalm 23 into the service. God has used this passage from the heart of King David to bring encouragement to millions of people in the 3000 years since it was written.

As is the case with many familiar parts of Scripture Psalm 23 can be repeated by rote without thinking about the words (guilty as charged). I was made aware of this by Reggie Dabbs in a recent message at our church. He reminded the congregation that “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4, emphasis added). Pastor Reggie pointed out that rather than stopping in the midst of difficult circumstances we’re to keep moving with God so He can lead us out of them. This was a real eye-opener for me—I thought of the times I’d stayed in a valley due to my own stubbornness or self-pity then wondered why God seemed to be silent.

The children of Israel found themselves in a valley just after leaving Egypt on the night of the first Passover (see Exodus 12). They soon arrived at the shore of the Red Sea and looked behind them and saw Pharaoh’s approaching army. The people cried out against Moses’ leadership, he prayed and God answered by saying, “Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” (Exodus 14:15, NKJV, emphasis added). When they obeyed God opened the way, the people crossed on dry ground and their pursuers were drowned when the waters returned to where they’d been before.

Had the nation stayed put they’d have been taken back into bondage in Egypt. But because they kept moving they were delivered. You and I might find ourselves in a situation in which there appears to be no way out. If so, we can’t just sit and wait—we must stand up and move forward with confidence that “…The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs….” (Isaiah 58:11). And we can take Him at His word because “…he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(For a couple of other looks at this subject see “Stuck in Park” and “The I-80 Classroom”.)