"Wandering Minds"

 

“Wandering Minds”

 

During my final year of pastoral ministry I completed my first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at a seniors’ continuing care community. One of the program’s requirements was conducting a Sunday afternoon chapel service for the residents which was to be taped and shown to the study group for evaluation. When my turn came Karen accompanied me to run the video system. I have a habit of walking around when I preach so Karen had trouble following my movements. I closed the service with the old hymn “Come, Thou Fount” and afterwards she told me I lived up to a line in the last verse: “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it….” We’ve had a few chuckles over the years as we remember that day.

“Prone to wander” is a description of what my mind frequently does when listening, reading and especially praying.  Too often as I pray something triggers a distraction and before long I’m in la-la land and wonder how I got there. Maybe you’ve experienced this as well. So how do we keep our concentration on where God wants our minds to be? As usual, Scripture has help for us.

First, we need to focus on the One with whom we’re communing when we pray. Psalm 123:2 reminds us, “…Our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy.” An anonymous but inspired author writes, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus….” (Hebrews 12:2). In her hymn “All for Jesus” Mary James describes her experience: “Since mine eyes were fixed on Jesus I’ve lost sight of all beside….” Paul had it right when he said, “…One thing I do….” (Philippians 3:13)—we’d do well to emulate this practice. (Emphasis added throughout.)

Next, direct your attention to the truth of God’s Word. Luke cites the practice of the believers in Berea who “…received the message…and examined the Scriptures every day….” (Acts 17:11). Another great hymn, “Break Thou the Bread of Life” by Mary Lathbury asks God to “Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word.” So let’s intertwine biblical truth with our prayers.

Lastly, when we find our thoughts going towards unhealthy places we can bring them back with a healthy dose of Philippians 4:8 (NLT): “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” As we do this it’ll leave no room for the junk our enemy wants to rent space in our heads with as we put out the “No Vacancy” sign.

In His “discussion” with the religious leaders Jesus told them, “…I always do what pleases (my Father),” (John 8:29). Remember, He’s “…left us an example, that we should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"Unexpected Fixes"

 

“Unexpected Fixes”

 

While in high school our son Dave was driving through town and was stopped by a police officer because our car’s tail lights weren’t working. He was cited but there was a grace period for repairs and no blot would be on his license. When the problem was corrected the next day we were surprised that the gas gauge, which hadn’t worked for some time (we only ran out once), began functioning again. Recently our dryer wasn’t doing its job as quickly as it had been and we left a message for a service man which was never answered. But when our roof was replaced in early November the dryer started working normally. In both cases these “unexpected fixes” kept us from further frustration and expense.

On the other hand, a teacher in high school told us of a friend who fancied himself as an all-around handyman who installed a new doorbell at his house which worked perfectly—but only if the light in the attic was left on! (Sounds like Tim Allen’s character on “Home Improvement!”) So sometimes there are also “unexpected unfixes”.

God often does His fixes in unusual and unexpected ways. He used 300 soldiers commanded by Gideon armed with trumpets and empty jars to rout the Amalekites (Judges 7); Joshua’s leadership of the Israelites in their silent march around Jericho thirteen times, shouting and seeing the city’s walls collapse (Joshua 6); and Joseph’s brothers’ selling him into slavery in Egypt to save his family (Genesis 45:1-5). God said through His prophet, “…My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways….” (Isaiah 55:8). So it’s not our job to question—God wants us to trust and obey Him.

One of the most fascinating, comforting and helpful passages in Scripture tells us of how God works through unlikely means: “You don’t see among you many of the wise (according to this world’s judgment) nor many of the ruling class, nor many from the noblest families. But God has chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise; he has chosen what the world calls weak to shame the strong. He has chosen things of little strength and small repute, yes and even things which have no real existence to explode the pretentions of the things that are—that no (one) may boast in the presence of God,” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, PH). In other words, He’s called people like you and me to be His “unexpected fixers”. What a privilege—and responsibility! Will we give ourselves to this calling?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Re-Tests"

 

“Re-Tests”

 

One of my high school math teachers had a policy that if we did poorly on a test we could take a “re-test” on the same material but with a 10% reduction in our grade. I once served on a board with a pastor who was also an attorney who represented many underprivileged clients who took the bar exam repeatedly until he was successful on his seventh try. Ditto a lady I knew years ago who passed her driver’s test on her seventh attempt. And a physician might order lab work re-tested if the results are unexpected or inconclusive. So there’s hope beyond an initial shortcoming, failure or uncertainty.

Paul Pack, our Youth Pastor in Manchester, used to say God was “The God of Second Chances”. (See “Second Chances” for more on this topic.) Many have bought into the satanic lie that if one fails God once He wants nothing more to do with such a person. But Jesus’ friend reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he (i.e. God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). “Confess” is in the Greek present tense which suggests a repeated action. So God’s forgiveness and restoration is continuously available as we acknowledge our shortcomings to Him. However, there’s a caveat: “People who cover their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13, NLT, emphasis added). So God expects a change in direction (i.e. repentance) when we ask Him to forgive us.

Scripture gives several examples of those who failed a first test but passed a re-test with flying colors:

*Peter denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75) but passed the re-test by being God’s messenger to bring about the church’s birth (Acts 2:37-41).

*Mark bailed when the going got rough on Paul’s and Barnabas’ first mission (Acts 13:13) but later Paul commended his ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).

*Abraham’s faith failed twice when out of fear he referred to his wife Sarah as his sister (Genesis 12:10-20; 20:1-18) but he trusted God when He told him to offer Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19).

Our re-tests may not be as momentous as those cited above but God can use us in new and greater ways after we’ve blown it. The psalmist reminds us, “…There’s forgiveness with (God), that (he) may be reverently feared and worshiped.” (Psalm 130:4, Amplified). Trust Him to keep His word.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"He Has My Back"

 

“He Has My Back”

 

During my pastoral years I took a strong position on a controversial issue in the church which I documented with Scripture. The next day I received a call from a couple active in the ministry supporting my stand and assuring me, “We’re behind you all the way!” But when the situation came to a head they were nowhere to be found. It was P.T. Barnum who’s said to have coined the phrase, “Talk is cheap” (for the record he added “but whiskey costs money”) which has found its way into our everyday language as a reminder that “actions speak louder than words”. Our Lord’s brother anticipated this long ago when he wrote, “Don’t merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22).

Recently while reading through the Old Testament’s prophetic books I came across a phrase in Isaiah 58:8 (it also appears in four other places): “…The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” The NLT renders it, “…The glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.” (Emphasis added in both cases.) The Hebrew word occurs almost 200 times and has the basic meaning of gather or assemble. So the thought is that God has my back and will gather His forces to protect me from behind. Interestingly, the “full armor of God” described in Ephesians 6:10-18 offers no defense from an attack from the rear—but God is there and He has my back.

We’ve likely felt abandoned by people at some point (maybe multiple times) in our lives. So did King David: “I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.” (Psalm 69:2). But who had his back? “The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.” (Verse 33). He further states, “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.” (Psalm 27:10, NLT, emphasis added) and “I will call to you whenever trouble strikes, and you will answer me.” (Psalm 86:7, NLT).

Over the years I’m thankful for Karen’s having my back in the struggles of life—and hopefully I’ve had hers. But we both praise God that He holds us “in His grip” (a long-time friend now with the Lord always closed letters with these words). And what better place could we be?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan