"Reviewing"

 

“Reviewing”

 

When I was in high school I was required to take (and pass) exams prepared by the New York State Board of Regents on selected subjects in order to receive a Regents’ diploma. These state-wide end-of-course standardized tests began in 1866 and continue to the present day. To prepare for them many teachers had us purchase review books which summarized the courses and increased our chances of success when exam day arrived. It was a nerve-wracking experience because our graduating with our class depended on passing grades.

In 1958 Clifton Hillegass purchased rights from a Canadian book business to publish student study guides. From modest beginnings CliffsNotes grew to dozens of titles on many subjects. Over the years they’ve received mixed reviews from educators, some commending them as concise review aids but others maintaining they promote poor reading and study habits. They are still available as learning and reviewing tools for high schoolers and others.

When I reread a book, set of instructions and especially God’s Word I often learn something I didn’t see the last time around. (A while back a friend told our Bible Study group that something he saw in the passage we were discussing wasn’t there the previous time he read it!) God knew long ago that we needed repetition to get what He wants to tell us so He repeats admonitions like “Do not be afraid”. “Forgive” and “Love each other”. Deuteronomy is largely a review of Genesis-Numbers, summarized by Moses shortly before his death (it means “second law” in Greek). And our Lord’s friend and apostle said, “…I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them….” (2 Peter 1:12). His readers then and now needed (and still need) God’s truth to be reinforced in our minds.

A month or so ago I began rereading the articles I’ve been writing since 2014 for two reasons: to avoid being overly repetitive but primarily to remind myself to put into practice what I’ve put on paper and the internet. It’s a form of accountability I need. Part of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is, in the words of Jesus, to “…remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26). So let’s allow the Scriptures to be God’s Review Book for us and learn what we’ve missed or overlooked before.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"A Strong Place"

 

“A Strong Place”

(Please read the previous article, “A Scary Place”, before this one.)

 

In Brooklyn there’s a one block long street called Strong Place. It’s named for lawyer and farmer Selah Strong (1792-1872) who lived in the area. It’s probably unknown to most New Yorkers but has great significance for our family. On one end of the street stood Strong Place Baptist Church where my mother grew up, my grandparents were long-time members, my parents were married and I accepted Christ as my Savior. Due to economic and social changes the building (constructed in 1851) was abandoned in the 1960’s and fell into disrepair but in recent years has been refurbished into 23 luxury condominiums. The church itself, organized in 1848, still exists and meets in a storefront a few blocks from the original site, showing that Christ’s church is people, not a facility.

I believe God desires His church to be a strong place. The assembly of believers bearing this name has lasted 176 years so has lived up to it. But since the body of Christ is made up of people like you and me Strong Place has a heritage of faithful saints whose prayers, service and giving have kept its light shining in its Brooklyn neighborhood for almost two centuries.

In 1 Corinthians 16:13 Paul admonishes us, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be (people) of courage; be strong.” We’re also told to “…be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:4) and “…be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:1). (Emphasis added throughout.) In each case the original Greek has the idea of being empowered for a purpose. This presents a question I must answer: Is my mind a strong place? In Romans 8:6 God says, “The mind of (a sinful person) is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace….” In His Great Commission our Lord promised His followers, “…You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you….” (Acts 1:8). So we each have the resources we need for our mind to be a strong place (“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness….”--2 Peter 1:3, emphasis added).

Remember that “…God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV, emphasis added) so let’s allow Him to transform our minds from a scary place to a strong place.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"A Scary Place"

 

“A Scary Place”

 

Think for a moment of the scariest place you remember. Was it a twisting mountain road with no guardrails? How about a dark alley in an unsavory part of town at midnight? Maybe a haunted house at an amusement park? Or a horror movie in a theater (a place you wouldn’t find me)? The common thread in the above scenarios is that we made a choice that put us in these circumstances, be it intentional or unintentional.

In the Our Daily Bread devotional article for January 14 the closing prayer says, “Dear God, my mind can be a scary place, and I fear so much. Please give me Your peace.” (Emphasis added). I’d never thought of my mind in such a way but as I reflected on this description I realized how true it is. Have you ever had your mind drift then been horrified at where it ended up? (I know I have.) What then? I believe the first step is to acknowledge our sin and receive God’s forgiveness (“{The one} who conceals {his or her} sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”—Proverbs 28:13). Then (something I’ve said before but it bears repeating) establish a “think list” based on Philippians 4:8: The things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. By diverting our thinking from the things that drag us down to those that build us up we can get rid of the scary stuff that hinders our growth and service. And it reflects the peace God gives us as we pray with thankfulness (see Philippians 4:6-7).

In 1 Corinthians 2:16 Paul assures us as God’s people that “…we have the mind of Christ.” Or, in the Phillips paraphrase, “…we have the very thoughts of Christ.” So we have the capacity to think as Jesus did (and does). And as we do this in the power of the Holy Spirit our minds can be transformed from a scary to a strong place (see the following posting). That’s where I want to be and I pray you do too.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Someone's Somebody Else"

 

“Someone’s ‘Somebody Else’”

 

A grandmother I knew was told that her grandson was considering enlisting in the military. When she objected to her son about this he said he was proud that his son wanted to protect our nation. Her reply: “Let somebody else do it!” When I heard about this I thought of Moses who, when God called him to lead Israel from bondage in Egypt, responded, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” (Exodus 4:13). So this lady’s reaction wasn’t new in the annals of human history.

A long-time friend has a grandson with severe autism. Rather than wait for the “professionals” to develop a program to help their boy his parents took it upon themselves to research his condition and are in the process of creating a course of action to serve the needs of children afflicted with this malady. When I learned of the couple’s response Isaiah’s answer to God’s summons to service came to mind: “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) rather than that of many: “Here am I. Send him/her!”

Recently an activity was announced in our 55+ community which many of God’s people felt would be an affront to God’s values. A number of us met to talk about how to make our concerns known to the Association’s leadership. As we discussed how to do so someone brought up a principle which has been expressed in various ways: “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for God’s people to do nothing!” So we determined to wake up, size up, wise up, rise up, speak up and not shut up but to “…do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15). In other words, “Let us not be offensive in making our convictions known.” (Another McMillan paraphrase.)

As I pondered and prayed about this planned event I briefly wavered about “getting involved”. But God brought a question to my mind: Am I someone’s “somebody else”? Put another way, is there a fellow believer out there who’s looking to me as a spiritual leader to act? Our Lord’s brother wrote, “Anyone…who knows the good (he or she) ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 4:17). In other words, I’m sinning if I fail to do what’s right in God’s sight. So I expressed my views to the powers that be. As of this writing the event will go on as scheduled but we’re praying for God’s purposes to be fulfilled. But I’m thankful for God’s prompting me to move beyond thinking to doing.

A question for all of us: Am I someone’s “somebody else”?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan