"A Lost Art"

 

“A Lost Art”

 

In 1973 the American League adopted the designated hitter (DH) rule by which a weak hitter, usually the pitcher, could be replaced in the batting order by a better one. (It wasn’t until 2022—49 years later—that the National League followed suit.) The main purpose for this change was to increase run production and add more excitement to America’s pastime. Assuming my math is correct, statistics show about a 7% increase in runs scored per game. The debate over the DH continues even after 50+ years.

The insertion of the DH into the lineup led to a strategic element’s becoming almost a lost art: the sacrifice bunt. When pitchers, notoriously weak hitters, took their turn at the plate with men on base they were often called upon to try to move the runners along with a bunt to increase the possibility of scoring. This part of the game is seldom seen now and I for one miss it.

The essential meaning of sacrifice is to give up one thing to gain something better. In baseball an out is traded for raising the possibility of a score. In the Old Testament animals were brought to God and put to death (i.e. sacrificed) to atone for sin (see Job 1:5 for an example). But because “…it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4), Jesus “…offered for all time one sacrifice for sins….” (Hebrews 10:12). And because He did, Paul admonishes us “…to offer your bodies as living sacrifices….” (Romans 12:1)—in other words, give up our own desires in order to walk with, honor and serve God. “…With such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16).

The “living sacrifice” seems to be going the way of the sacrifice bunt and becoming a lost art. People today seem to be seeking a “faith” that makes no demands or requires them to give up nothing. Some time ago I saw a bumper sticker which asked, “How much can I get away with and still go to Heaven?” (My question: What if isn’t as much as one thinks or hopes?) If this is my mindset it’s time to “…examine (my) ways and test them, and…return to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:40) to recover the lost art of sacrifice in my life.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Getting Rid of the Idles"

 

“Getting Rid of the Idles”

 

In June our Men’s Bible Study Fellowship completed a discussion series of arguably the most neglected portion of Scripture: the “minor” prophets. These twelve messengers from God weren’t popular because they called His people to repentance from their ungodly actions, especially idolatry. This certainly wasn’t new as in His first two commandments God said, “You shall have no other gods before (or besides) me. You shall not make for yourself an idol….” (Exodus 20:3-4, emphasis added throughout). But almost immediately the nation fell into idolatry (Exodus 32), a sin which plagued Israel throughout its history and eventually led to God’s judgment (“All this {i.e. the deportation of the Northern Kingdom} took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God…They worshiped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them….”—2 Kings 17:7-8). Despite continued pleas from the prophets and others to “Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped….” (Joshua 24:14) “They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law….” (Zechariah 7:12), including getting rid of their idols. Our Lord’s friend warns us to “…keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21)—in other words, avoid them and you won’t have to deal with them later. Good advice!

The English language sometimes plays tricks on us with homophones, words which sound the same in conversation but have different meanings. Such is the case with idol and idle. God has commanded us to get rid of idols in our lives as shown above but He’s also told us to get rid of idles lest we become lazy in our walk with and/or our service to Christ. Paul challenged a strong-in-faith church which appears to have had struggles with idleness (possibly because these believers were convinced that Jesus would return during their lifetimes) with these words: “We urge you…warn those who are idle….” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Apparently his readers didn’t get the message because a short time later the Apostle stated rather bluntly, “We hear that some among you are idle…Such people we command and urge…to settle down and earn the bread they eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12). Scripture is silent as to whether or not the admonition to get rid of the idles was heeded but church history indicates it hasn’t been taken as seriously as it should be.

About 1000 years before Paul’s ministry Solomon seems to have observed the same tendency and wrote, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might….” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Are we/am I ready to get rid of the idles and serve our/my Lord diligently out of love and thanksgiving to Him?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Integrity"

 

“Integrity”

 

In 1990 University of Colorado Head Football Coach Bill McCartney founded Promise Keepers, a men’s organization promoting Christian values in the home, church and community using the theme “Men of Integrity”. During the 1990’s it conducted many large events including a Pastors’ Gathering in Atlanta in 1996 attended by some 42,000 (including yours truly) and a Sacred Assembly of Men in 1997 which brought 600,000-800,000 to the National Mall in Washington DC. While its primary focus has changed to Bible study groups with an annual stadium event PK continues in its purpose under the “Men of Integrity” motto.

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines integrity as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that (one) refuses to change”. In Hebrew the word so translated in the Old Testament is also rendered blameless. In Job 2:3 God asks Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Emphasis added). The Apostle Paul uses a Greek word (its only occurrence in the New Testament) to challenge his mentoree, “In your teaching show integrity….” (Titus 2:7, emphasis added)—in other words, “Display consistency in your words and actions.” (To clarify, this doesn’t suggest that we never change our methods—note Paul’s description of his ministry in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23)—but that we always conduct ourselves according to the principles set forth in Scripture.) In One Year with Jesus the devotional thought for September 7 says, “Don’t let your integrity slip in small matters, and it will not fail you in critical decisions either.” Wise words we need to take seriously.

As I neared the end of my pastoral ministry I read Psalm 78 (the longest one except for 119) in which Asaph, a worship leader during the time of David and Solomon, summarizes Israel’s history from Moses’ receiving God’s law to the end of David’s reign. I was familiar with it but never had understood the significance of Verse 72 before: “And David shepherded (God’s people) with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” (Emphasis added). I prayed then (and still do) that these words might be true of me in whatever role God has for me and that I’ll always be described as a “Man of Integrity” in all I say and do.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Theme Songs"

 

“Theme Songs”

 

Years ago a theme song from a TV show rented space in Karen’s and my heads but we couldn’t remember the program. This bothered us for months until Karen hummed the tune to a friend who immediately recognized it as coming from “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour”. It’s now a permanent resident in our gray matter along with many other theme songs—some with words, some without them—from TV shows, movies and ministry broadcasts. A few examples:

*TV—classic programs such as “I Love Lucy”, “Batman” and who can forget “The Lone Ranger” and “The William Tell Overture”? (Someone once described a person of culture as one who could listen to “William Tell” and not think of “The Lone Ranger”.)

*Movies—“Somewhere My Love” (“Doctor Zhivago”); “Where Do I Begin?” (“Love Story”); “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (“The Wizard of Oz”).

*Ministry broadcasts—“Count Your Blessings” (Ralph Montanus, a blind New York City area pastor and evangelist); “How Firm a Foundation” (“Through the Bible” with Dr. J. Vernon McGee); “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” (“Radio Bible Class”, now known as “Our Daily Bread”).

You can likely think of others which will get the nostalgia juices flowing.

As I thought about these melodies of days gone by I found myself asking, “What’s the theme song in Heaven?” I believe I discovered the answer in Revelation 4:8: “…The four living creatures…never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’” (The Greek word for “saying” is translated “singing” in Revelation 5:12-13, where “…many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands…” are joined by “…every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea….” uniting with the living creatures in worshipping Christ.) Think of it—you and I will lift up our voices in worship and praise with everyone God has created! We can warm up for this incredible time with a rousing rendition of Reginald Heber’s great hymn from 1826 “Holy, Holy, Holy”, maybe the best theme song for the church today given its repetition in Heaven. But whatever we choose for ourselves, our churches or any other context, let’s be sure it reflects the truth of God’s Word in honoring the One who gave us voices to lift up to Him.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan