"Feeling at Home?"

 

“Feeling at Home?”

 

All of us have probably been guests in homes of family, friends and those hosting group events. In most cases we’ve felt welcome but at other times not so much as seen in words, body language or overall attitude which said, “I wish you weren’t here!” Showing hospitality is a biblical directive (“Practice hospitality.”—Romans 12:13; “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”—1 Peter 4:9, emphasis added). Paul also instructs us to “Accept one another…just as Christ accepted you….” (Romans 15:7) which I believe includes receiving our fellow believers into our homes as opportunities to do so come our way.

But how does this principle relate to our churches? We discussed this in a recent Men’s Bible Study session and shared church experiences of feeling welcome as well as the perception that it was a closed group in which newcomers had little part. Church analysts have concluded that many first-timers decide before a service begins if they’ll return based on the friendliness of those they’d encountered because they’re not seeking a “friendly” church (which many claim to be but only with those they already know) but one in which they can make friends and build relationships.

What makes you feel at home? In seeking to answer this question Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote a song called “Feelin’ at Home in the Presence of Jesus”. Whether it’s in a family residence or house of God it’s the reality of Jesus’ presence that makes us feel welcome and valued. So I must answer uncomfortable questions: Would Jesus feel welcome in my home? Would He feel welcome in my church? In correcting His disciples for arguing among themselves as to who was the greatest of them Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my names welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:37). Have we (I) welcomed Jesus by lovingly receiving those He puts in our (my) path?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"A School That Has No Graduates"

 

“A School That Has No Graduates”

 

During my lifetime I’ve had seven graduations: elementary school, junior high school, high school, college, seminary, basic Clinical Pastoral Education and resident CPE. All were recognitions that my classmates and I had completed certain standards to prepare us for our next steps in our life’s journeys. Each brought a certain level of accomplishment but also presented new opportunities for growth and influence.

But there’s one “educational institution” which has no graduates because its requirements are never completed: “The School of Hard Knocks”. The phrase first appeared in 1870 in The Men Who Advertise in which George P. Rowell contrasted life’s experiences with formal education, showing how painful circumstances can prepare people for facing life’s challenges through what some have called “The University of Life”. Since life brings struggles of many kinds (remember Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.”—John 16:33) we never complete the curriculum of dealing with adversities thus we never graduate.

A psalmist, likely King David, expressed the value of life’s misfortunes. He was well acquainted with them as we see from his ordeals surrounding Saul, Bathsheba and Absalom. But he saw their benefits as he stated, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word…It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” (Psalm 119:67,71). Our difficult times are intended to drive us back to God and His Word to provide needed resources (“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”—2 Peter 1:3, emphasis added). His prophet also assures us, “…I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). This truth worked for me during a devastating period in my life and assured me that God hadn’t abandoned me but was getting me ready for “…great and unsearchable things….” (Jeremiah 33:3) in the years to come.

I haven’t graduated from “The School of Hard Knocks” and never will because there’s always more to learn. In the words of Eliphaz to Job, “Blessed is the (one) whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17). Is this pleasant? No! Is it valuable? Most Assuredly yes! So let’s benefit from our ongoing education at the feet of our Father in Heaven.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"In Between"

 

“In Between”

 

“In between” describes a place bound by two points or events. A patient may be in between appointments, an unemployed worker may be in between jobs, a traveler may be in between destinations. But there’s a place where one can be literally in Between: Between, GA. It’s a tiny hamlet (1.2 square miles) mid-distance from Loganville and Monroe (and larger cities Atlanta and Athens) on US Highway 78 and GA Highway 10. In 2000 it had a population of 148 which more than tripled to 475 in 2024. (See “Strange Names” for more interesting places’ names and how they were acquired.)

As we read about Jesus’ life and ministry we find a number of incidents of His actions while on His way from one place to another. In John 4 He and His disciples were going from Judea to Galilee and “…he had to go through Samaria.” (Verse 4). Why? A woman of ill repute needed to hear His message that He was the long-awaited Messiah (Verse 26) and based on her testimony, “Many of the Samaritans…believed in him….” (Verse 39). In Matthew 9 Jesus was in the midst of teaching in Matthew’s home (Verses 9-17) when Jairus, a synagogue ruler (Mark 5:22), begged Him to heal his sick daughter (Verse 18). While on His way a woman touched His clothing and was healed of a twelve-year illness (Verses 20-22) before He arrived at the official’s home and raised his daughter from the dead (Verses 23-26). And while going to Jerusalem from Capernaum our Lord met and healed ten men suffering from leprosy (Luke 1711-19). To some these may have been seen as interruptions but to the Master they were opportunities.

I shudder to think of the chances to minister I’ve lost because I was in a hurry to do something else. It may have been a good opportunity but maybe it kept me from a better one (see “Being a Friend” for a personal example). In 1974 Mac Davis wrote and sung these words: “Where you going in such a hurry…You got to Stop and Smell the roses….” Those “in between” moments (aka smelling the roses) can bless us and others in countless ways—will I/you avail myself/yourselves of them?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Meaningful Lives"

 

“Meaningful Lives”

 

If we were involved in a Bible Trivia game most of us could answer the question of who was the oldest person in Scripture: Methuselah at 969 years young. But we might be stumped for numbers two, three and four (to help us win the next game they are Jared {962}, Noah {950} and Adam {930}). Each one’s birthday cake would look like a bonfire! I can’t imagine living almost twelve times longer than my present age—nor would I want to!

This brings to mind a childhood memory. When they were in their 60’s my grandparents attended a Sunday School class taught by a long-time pillar of their church who was in his late 70’s. The group somehow acquired the name “The Methuselahs”. Fast forward about  seven decades—I’d now qualify to be a member of that distinguished company.

Genesis 5 records the genealogy from Adam to Noah with little information beyond names and ages. Verses 21-27 tell us Methuselah was the son of Enoch, father of Lamech and grandfather of Noah. His name means “one who was sent” and symbolically in Hebrew prophecy “his death shall bring”, thus fulfilling his name’s meaning. (Some Bible scholars maintain that he died the year of the great flood from which only Noah and his family survived.)

The lives of all those mentioned in Genesis 5 conclude in the same way: “…then he died.” with one notable exception: “Enoch walked with God, then he was no more, because God took him away.” (Genesis 5:24). He and Elijah (see 2 Kings 2:1-12) are the only ones who were taken to Heaven apart from physical death. But there will be a generation of Christ’s followers who will enter His presence without dying (“…We who are still alive and left will be caught up together with them (i.e. those believers who had died) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”—1 Thessalonians 4:17). In the words of an old song of hope, “What a day, glorious day, that will be!”

For 300 years Methuselah had a great spiritual heritage from Enoch and for 669 years he had the opportunity to influence his descendants, so his life was meaningful. I have far less years to impact my family, both physical and spiritual, but my prayer is expressed by an unknown psalmist: “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” (Psalm 71:18). I hope this will be your prayer as well—it would make my life (and yours) much more meaningful.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan