"400"

 

“400”

 

This is “Article #400” since I began this “Pastoral Ponderings” series in November 2014. Over the eight years of this journey God’s given me thoughts and Bible truths from history, nature, sports, current events and other areas but many if not most have grown out of what God’s taught me from my own life experiences. I thank Him most but couldn’t have continued without Karen’s support and input. I’m truly blessed by my Heavenly Father and earthly mate.

Some interesting “400’s” include:

*57 Major Leaguers have amassed more than 400 career home runs.

*20 players have had a season batting average of .400 (the last was Ted Williams at .406 in 1941).

*Only 2 pitchers have accumulated more than 400 victories: Cy Young (511) and Walter Johnson (417).

*23 NBA coaches have won more than 400 games in their careers.

*8 NFL quarterbacks have thrown more than 400 touchdown passes (Tom Brady is still at it).

*There are 400 members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives (1 per 3500 residents). By contrast, each of New York’s 150 Assembly members represents about 135,000 constituents.

*400 is an HTTP status code describing an error caused by an invalid request.

*400 years ago—1622 wasn’t an especially significant year in history but it saw several Thirty Years’ War battles, the canonization of Ignatius of Loyola and the birth of the French playwright Moliere.

God’s Word tells of three approximately 400 year periods in which He brought His people through difficult circumstances:

*The Israelites’ bondage in Egypt (Acts 7:6).

*The chaotic times of the Judges (1 Kings 6:1. The Hebrew grammatical structure suggests 80 years of the reigns of Saul and David followed 400 years of governance by the Judges.)

*The “Silent Years” between the end of the Old and beginning of the New Testaments (“But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son….”—Galatians 4:4, TM, emphasis added). God then resumed speaking to humanity but in a way He never had before (“…in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son….”—Hebrews 1:2, emphasis added). And He introduced “…a new and living way….” (Hebrews 10:20) to enter into the presence of and relationship with God: “…the blood of Jesus….” (Hebrews 10:19). The price has been paid, forgiveness offered—but it’s up to you and me to receive it by faith. What will your/my answer be?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Fruit"

 

“Fruit”

 

Recent TV ads have stressed the importance of including fruits and vegetables in our diets because of their nutritional value. Both are found in abundance in the produce sections of our local super markets. What’s the difference? Botanists tell us that fruits contain internal seeds while veggies primarily consist of roots, stems and leaves so, contrary to conventional wisdom, tomatoes are a fruit, not a vegetable. We tend to enjoy the taste of fruit more than their cousins because they have natural sugars called fructose as part of their makeup. To take it a step further, my dad used to say he liked fruit—preferably between two crusts! I think he has a lot of company in his assessment.

Researchers tell us that there are more than 2000 known varieties of fruits. Most are grown regionally due to climate and soil conditions. For example, in central Florida where we live there are still many citrus groves but you’re not likely to find orange trees in Alaska. But with modern refrigeration and shipping methods most fruits can be enjoyed anywhere.

Fruits and fruitfulness are mentioned more than 200 times in Scripture, both literally and as figures of speech. Generally speaking, in the Old Testament it’s used in the material sense (“’Let the land produce vegetation…fruit with seed in it….’”—Genesis 1:11) while the New Testament utilizes it symbolically to refer to results of activity, both positively (“’…I chose you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.’”—John 15:16) and negatively (“’Watch out for false prophets…By their fruit you will recognize them.’”—Matthew 7:15-16). Which does God expect from me? Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul: “We…pray that your outward lives, which (people) see, may bring credit to your master’s name, and that you may bring joy to his heart by bearing genuine Christian fruit….” (Colossians 1:10, PH). (Emphasis added throughout.) And “…As we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word….” (to quote from a familiar hymn) we’ll move from bearing fruit to more fruit to much fruit to lasting fruit (John 15:2,8,16),

What kind of fruit bearer am I?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Somebody's One"

 

“Somebody’s One”

 

During the COVID shutdown in 2020 our church began an outreach effort called “Who’s Your One?” White ping pong balls were provided on which the initials of a person a member of the congregation was praying would come to faith in Christ were written and put in a glass enclosure. If an opportunity to present the gospel message arose a red ball was initialed and placed in the same container and a gold ball was used if “Somebody’s One” accepted Christ. The receptacle still occupies a prominent place in the building’s common area and is filled with colored balls including a good number of gold ones showing that “Many People’s One” have joined God’s family of believers.

This past spring Pastor Tommy Warnock, who has faithfully served our church in various roles for more than 40 years, brought a message entitled “You’re Somebody’s One”. His point was that God used a fellow Christian (maybe several) to lead us into a relationship with Jesus and that He was calling us to continue this process with someone we know. We often pray for people to be (in Billy Graham’s rendering of John 3:3) “…born from above….” but God may want us to be the answer to our own prayers by being available to be His instrument for it to happen.

Here are three examples of “Somebody’s One”:

*A Sunday School teacher in Boston was burdened for the salvation of a young man in his class and went to speak with him at his workplace where he prayed to accept Christ. The teacher was Edward Kimball and the young man…Dwight L. Moody.

*Two faithful ladies, Mrs. Poppo and Mrs. Kenny, led a Sunday School class of five and six year olds in Brooklyn in which a six year old boy received Jesus as his Savior. The boy was…yours truly.

*A fisherman was following Jesus and in so doing became concerned for his brother and brought him to meet his Master. That’s how God used Andrew to bring…Peter to salvation (John 1:40-42).

If we know Christ as our Savior we at some point were “Somebody’s One”. Who out there may be my (or your) “One” today? Will I/you be Edward Kimball, Mrs. Poppo, Mrs. Kenny or Andrew to him or her?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"The Few"

 

“The Few”

 

Since 1977 the U.S. Marine Corps has used the slogan, “The Few, The Proud” as a recruiting tool. It worked with our grandson Nate who took the Marine oath on March 12, 2020 but didn’t report to boot camp until June 8 due to COVID restrictions (including a two week quarantine period before his arrival at Parris Island). He’s now a Lance Corporal stationed at Camp Lejune, NC. We proudly display a banner recognizing his service to our nation in our front window.

Currently there are 1,195,000 active duty military personnel protecting us in addition to 788.000 reservists ready to step in if and when needed. Of this number 180,958, or about 15% of those on active duty are Marines and if all reservists are added in the Marine share is about 9%. So in the totality of our armed forces the Marines are certainly “The Few” but also “The Proud”. Semper Fi, Nate!

Over the course of history there are many examples of “The Few” who have made a huge difference. For instance, 56 patriots signed our Declaration of Independence in 1776 and in so doing said, “…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”. 246 years later we’re still the beneficiaries of their courage. Lenin began the Russian Revolution at a meeting in Prague in 1912 attended by 16 Bolsheviks and millions have been dominated, imprisoned and killed over the ensuing 110 years. And in 1948 Billy Graham, Cliff Barrows, George Beverly Shea and Grady Wilson drafted an accountability document which guided their ministry for decades by safeguarding their integrity in finances and conduct. It’s estimated that their Spirit directed efforts resulted in 10-12,000,000 million decisions for Christ. Again, “The Few” made a tremendous impact—in this case for God’s glory.

After Jesus’ eleven disciples witnessed His ascension to Heaven (Acts 1:9) they gathered in an upper room to pray (v. 13-14).  The group soon multiplied to 120 (v. 15).  When God’s Spirit empowered “The Few” at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) Peter preached and the church was born with 3000 baptized (v. 41), a number which rose to 5000 within a short time (Acts 4:4). From then on we read statements like “…The number of the disciples was multiplying….” (Acts 6:1, NKJV); “The number of disciples…increased rapidly….” (Acts 6:7); and “…Large numbers of people were brought to the Lord.” (Acts 11:24, NLT), all because “The Few” took Jesus’ final words (His “Great Commission”) seriously.

We as believers today may see ourselves as “The Few” but “…with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26, emphasis added) as He works through us to accomplish His purposes.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan