"Mutations"

 

“Mutations”

 

It was in my high school biology class that I first learned about mutations. The scientific definition I found on line was complicated so I’ll go with the dictionary’s meaning: “Any heritable (i.e. transmissible) alteration of an organism”. The how, when or why can’t be accurately predicted which explains the difficulty health care professionals have in providing vaccines for COVID and seasonal flu bugs. They do the best they can but their work could be described as educated guesses.

The term mutation comes from the Latin word mutationem which means “a changing, alteration, a turn for the worse”. (Online Etymology Dictionary). Words translated “change” in Hebrew and Greek have the basic meaning “make different”. While some changes are God-ordained (e.g. “…You are not under law, but under grace.”—Romans 6:14; “…I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah….”—Jeremiah 31:31) there are some things that never can or will be different. God said through His prophet, “I the Lord do not change.” (Malachi 3:6) and spoke of His Son in Hebrews 13:8; “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (The jawbreaker theological term for this divine attribute is immutability, meaning unable to change for better or worse.) And what about His Word? The psalmist wrote, “Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.” (Psalm 119:152) which Jesus confirmed when He said, “…Until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:18, emphasis added throughout).

A number of hymn writers have emphasized God’s changeless nature. Examples include “Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me.” (“Abide with Me” by Henry R. Lyte); “As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.” (“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Thomas O. Chisholm); “From Everlasting Thou are God, To endless years the same.” (“O God, Our Help in Ages Past” by Isaac Watts). In these changing times we can rely on our changeless God who “,,,will never leave (us) nor forsake (us),” (Deuteronomy 31:6) and “,,,is faithful….” (1 Corinthians 1:9) in every way.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Role Models"

 

“Role Models”

 

A retired professional athlete once made the claim “I ain’t no role model!” Was he right? Before answering let’s consider another former sports star who appeared in several “Lite Beer from Miller” commercials during the 1970’s and 1980’s. The tag line for the product was “Tastes great, less filling”. He stopped appearing in the ads after marching in a parade and hearing kids from both sides of the street shouting “Tastes great, less filling” as he walked by because he felt he wasn’t being a good role model. Would that all of us felt this way!

Whether or not we realize it (or like it) chances are that as humans someone, perhaps many, is/are watching us. Contrary to the assertion of the first gentleman above that makes each of us a role model. But as followers of Christ we have a greater responsibility to those around us. Our Lord’s friend and apostle reminds us that He’s “…(left) you an example that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21). Paul challenged the believers in a troubled church to “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1, emphasis added). A few years later he admonished his young trainee to “…set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12). But lest his readers think a godly example is confined to our conduct within God’s family he reminds us to “Be wise in your behavior toward non-Christians….” (Colossians 4:5, PH). Dwight L. Moody once observed, “The Christian’s life is the world’s Bible”. Some people may never pick up God’s Word but they can read those of us who do. What message are we conveying to them?

Over my life’s journey God’s given me role models to shape my faith and ministry including family members, friends, pastors, teachers, chaplain colleagues and those in churches I’ve served. It’s my prayer that, in the spirit of 2 Timothy 2:2 I’ll be one to others so they can carry the torch further and “…(our) good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise (our) heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16, NLT, emphasis added).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(For another look at this subject see “Living Letters”.)

"Luck?"

 

“Luck?”

 

While on a tour of Italy in 2017 the bow on Karen’s glasses broke. Since they were a unique design we were concerned that repairs wouldn’t be possible. She contacted our small group at home for prayer then spoke to our Tour Director Guiseppe. He said his cousin who wore glasses lived in Turin, our next stop, and he’d see if she knew of an optical shop there. She did—and it “just happened” to be a block from our hotel. The optician “just happened” to be there at closing time and “just happened” to have what Karen needed. Luck? Or the hand of God?

On our Danube cruise this past summer one lens popped out of my glasses’ frame. This had happened before and it took a “pro” 20 minutes to get it back in. We prayed—and in less than five minutes I had it in place. Luck? Or the hand of God?

Legendary baseball executive Branch Rickey once observed, “Luck is the residue of design.” In other words, good planning is likely to produce a desired outcome. A list of common Christian sayings includes “Luck (I’ve also seen it as coincidence) is when God chooses to remain anonymous”, a down-home version of “…All things happen just as God decided long ago.” (Ephesians 1:11, NLT, emphasis added).

A dictionary I use defines luck as a “chance happening”. But is there any such thing? After a seven year affliction of mental illness the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar said of his recovery, “(God) does what he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand….” (Daniel 4:35, emphasis added). He found out the hard way that even he as the world’s most powerful ruler he was subject to God’s purposes—and the sooner you and I realize this the better off we’ll be!

When out nephew Jamie was three he represented his Sunday School class by giving the church’s new pastor a gift of Lucky Charms (the pastor’s favorite snack) during the installation service. But my brother Dave had put a piece of masking tape over the “Lucky” and had replaced it with “Sovereignty”! The congregation had a big laugh but it expresses an important truth: God is in control (“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it….”—Psalm 24:1, emphasis added). We may not fully grasp all of life’s unexpected events but we’re to (in Solomon’s words) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding….” (Proverbs 3:5) and remember (in Paul’s words) “…God is faithful….” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"Catch and Release?"

 

“Catch and Release?”

 

There’s a fishing pond in our community which residents and their guests are welcome to use with one restriction: any fish caught must be released back into the water. My New Hampshire friend mentioned in “Mountains” had a canoe which he used for relaxation and fishing on a local river but he’d always throw his catches back. This practice has been dubbed “catch and release” and is often used in fishing tournaments and for conservation purposes.

“Catch and release” is a good practice for protecting certain species of marine life that may be depleting but it has no place as we seek to fulfill Jesus’ “Great Commission”. Let me explain. Our Lord’s disciple records His final charge to His followers in Matthew 28:19-20: “…As you are going make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Literal translation, emphasis added). Interestingly, the only imperative in this charge is “…make disciples….”. Dann Spader in his helpful book Growing a Healthy Church points out the three activities surrounding this command: winning people to Christ (“going”), building them up in their faith (“baptizing”) and equipping them for service in the Body of Christ (“teaching”). Balancing these elements leads to spiritually healthy believers and, in turn, healthy churches.

We rejoice (as we should) when people receive Christ. But too often what follows is a “Christian version of catch and release”. We pray for them, pat them on the back but then thrust them back into the environment they came from and wonder why so many who make a “decision for Christ” soon fade away. Winning them to Christ is the beginning of a life-long process in which we as God’s people are involved through building them up by helping them “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) and equipping them to serve (“Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.”—2 Timothy 2:2, NLT). Let’s be proactive and prayerfully consider whom we might help on this life-changing journey.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan