"Rusty Rails"

 

“Rusty Rails”

 

When he moved to Plant City about ten years ago Pastor Brian Stowe observed he didn’t know if he lived “on the other side of the tracks” because they were all over town! The same can be said for Lakeland. With railroads crisscrossing our area we frequently hear train whistles and other sounds of the industry.

With so many rail lines around us our travels often make it necessary to use grade crossings. As a railroad buff I enjoy being held up by a passing train and seeing the different railroad names and logos on the cars going by (not to mention the graffiti). The power of modern locomotives amazes me when I see two or three of them followed by dozens of cars carrying who knows what to who knows where. Many historians credit the railroads for our nation’s growth from coast to coast by providing faster and cheaper transportation of people and goods.

Just today (February 28) I was on my way to an appointment and my route took me over two contrasting grade crossings, one a primary freight artery and the other a siding to a grocery warehouse. The difference in appearance was striking. The main line’s rails were gleaming from constant use and the spur’s were rusty with weeds growing between the ties because it was used only when needed.

To me this is a picture of prayer. When I only communicate with God when I need to be bailed out of a jam it’s like the rusty rails—but if I do so as a regular practice as He commands (“…{we} should always pray and not give up.”—Luke 18:1; “…Pray continually….”—1 Thessalonians 5:17) there’s a freshness and enrichment in my life as pictured by the glistening rails. During the period of the Judges God’s people only prayed when they were in trouble and saw it as necessary (think of the rusty rails) but during the time between Christ’s ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost His followers gathered and “…joined together constantly in prayer….” (Acts 1:14, emphasis added throughout) (reflect on the shiny rails). What was “the rest of the story” of these accounts? The Judges’ period of several centuries was the most chaotic of Israel’s history while the continuous prayer led to the establishment and growth of the church (see Acts 2 and onward). And it still impacts the world today.

So….is my prayer life more like the rusty or glistening rails?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Faith at Work"

 

“Faith at Work”

 

When my father went for his physical exam during World War II he was classified as 4-F due to a minor medical condition. (Long after his Homegoing I learned he was very disappointed over not being able to serve his country.) During this time he was active in the Young People’s Baptist Union of Brooklyn and Long Island (YPBU for short) which operated a camp for disadvantaged children called Sunshine Acres. He and several other “4-F’s” worked hard in keeping the ministry open and serving the needs of “the kids” during those difficult times. For a couple of years he was President of the organization which gave him the responsibility of choosing a theme hymn for his tenure. He chose “Faith Is the Victory”, written by John Yates and Ira Sankey in 1882, based on 1 John 5:4: “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” By faith Dad and many others prayed, worked and gave to fulfill the ministry’s God-given purpose during the War and for many years afterwards.

My scriptural journaling recently took me to Joshua 3-5. Chapter 3 relates the Israelites’ entering Canaan when God made a dry path through the Jordan River. Chapter 4 tells of the nation’s arrival at Gilgal which became the base of operations for the military campaign to take possession of the land God had promised them. Then in Chapter 5 we read of the restoration of the Passover and rite of circumcision as well as the cessation of God’s provision of manna. So Gilgal was a key place of transition for His people.

Because of their previous disobedience God told the Jewish nation, “…You…will be…here (i.e. in the wilderness) for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness….” (Numbers 14:32-33, emphasis added). Fast forward about 40 years. At the eastern shore of the Jordan Joshua relayed God’s instructions that the priests “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people.” (Joshua 3:6). When by faith the priests stepped into the river “…the water from upstream stopped flowing…So the people crossed over….” (Joshua 3:16). So the Israelites wandered aimlessly for 40 years due to their lack of faith but entered the Promised Land because of their practice of faith. Truly, faith was (and is) the victory! The truth of this great hymn which Dad chose some 80 years ago was as relevant then as it was with Joshua 3000+ years before and still is today. Thank God that His truth that faith is the victory never changes!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(To see how Gilgal impacted me personally see “Life Changes” and “A Personal Gilgal.”)

"The Power of One Word"

 

“The Power of One Word”

 

In December of 1944 the U.S. Army’s 101^st Airborne Division was under attack by German forces during World War II’s Battle of the Bulge. The enemy’s leader sent a message to the Unit’s Commander, Gen. Anthony McAuliffe, demanding surrender to which McAuliffe famously replied with one word: “Nuts!” The Americans dug in, the tide of the battle and war was turned and Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. A single word response made a tremendous difference.

Here are several more examples of the power of one word, all of which have biblical significance:

*In 1982 First Lady Nancy Reagan told a schoolgirl who asked what to do if she were offered drugs: “Just say ‘No!’” (“Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’, No’….”—Matthew 5:37).

*In a world-wide gathering of Salvation Army officers in 1910 General William Booth’s message was simply “Others!” (“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”—Mark 16:15, NKJV, emphasis added).

*A line in Martin Luther’s great hymn “A Mighty Fortress” says, “One little word shall fell him (i.e. Satan).” (“…At the name of Jesus every knee should bow….”—Philippians 2:10, emphasis added).

*Upon seeing Jesus alive on Resurrection Morning Mary Magdalene cried out in wonder and recognition, “Teacher!” (John 20:16). (“You call me ‘Teacher’…and rightly so….”—John 13:13).

*One of Jesus’ final utterances from the cross was “It is finished.” (John 19:30). (It’s one word in Greek, literally meaning “It has been completed.”) (“…Christ died for sins once for all….”—1 Peter 3:18, emphasis added).

We see the power and significance of other “one word” statements, some of which call for obedience (“Stop”), provide welcome (“Aloha”) and afford protection (“Exit”). But perhaps the most meaningful “one word” we can hear is “Come” because it shows acceptance and desire for fellowship. Jesus invited Peter to walk on the water with Him (Matthew 14:29) and weary ones to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28). And He welcomes all to Himself (“…Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”—Romans 10:13, emphasis added).

Jesus has said “Come!” to you—have you said “Come!” to Him?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Genealogies"

 

“Genealogies”

 

Last fall our son Dave began a search of our families’ ancestry. His research (as of early February when this is being written) has thus far uncovered almost 700 people in Karen’s and my genealogical records, the last of whom is our great-granddaughter Harper Florence McMillan, born on August 21, 2023. Because of Karen’s British heritage her side has been easier to trace than mine which is mostly in Germany and Northern Ireland. He found out that his 17^th great-grandfather was King Henry VII of England which makes Henry VIII his 16^th great uncle. And he also discovered that both Karen’s parents were descendants of William I (“The Conqueror”) in the 11^th century so they were about 30^th cousins! (Dave’s comment when he uncovered his roots: “If enough people die I could be King of England!”)

Bloodlines are meticulously kept in thoroughbred horse circles to (hopefully) breed race winners. Family genealogies are interesting to trace (as long as we recognize we might find some unsavory characters) and are important to royal lines as well as to some A-listers. For these reasons sites such as Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com and Findmypast.com have attracted millions of users in recent years. Some also offer DNA testing which have brought many surprises as to national and cultural origins.

Genealogies were very important to the Israelites in the Old Testament to document their inheritances in Canaan as well as priestly successions so many are recorded. As we move to the New Testament both Matthew and Luke tell of the ancestry of Jesus, Matthew through Joseph and Luke through Mary. They meet at David (Matthew 1:6; Luke 3:31), showing Christ’s right to rule as King of the Jews.

Most Christians can’t trace their spiritual roots beyond a “generation” or two. In my case I was led to Christ by two Sunday School teachers, Mrs. Poppo and Mrs. Kenny, but I have no idea whom God used to bring them to faith. But someone did and was His instrument to show them that “(Jesus) is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through (him).” (John 14:6). And this process will eventually lead back to Jesus and His followers. One who was led to salvation by Jesus Himself, Saul of Tarsus (aka the Apostle Paul), gave this commission to one of his converts: “…The things you have heard me say…entrust to reliable (people) who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2). Who will be the next one (or maybe the first) to be part of your (and my) spiritual family because we (I) take this seriously to fulfill our (my) part of Christ’s Great Commission?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan