"Variety"

 

“Variety”

 

In his 1785 poem “The Task” English writer William Cowper said, “Variety is the very spice of life”. (He’s also the author of two great hymns: “There Is a Fountain” and “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”.) The adage has found its way into the vernacular to describe how having diversity and new things makes life more enjoyable.

One TV genre, particularly in its early days, has been “variety shows” in which comedy skits, musical numbers and other artistic forms are featured. Familiar ones hosted by Milton Berle, Ed Sullivan, Arthur Godfrey, Carol Burnett and others provided entertainment for millions but, sadly, they’re now all but extinct. But we can relive these days of yesteryear on YouTube.

Speaking (or writing) of variety, in the New York City area in the 1950’s we had three network TV affiliates and three independent local stations broadcasting mostly sports and movies available to us. Our cable system in Lakeland now offers some 150 options covering almost every category one could imagine. The post-World War II era offered the original Cheerios—now more than 15 variations are marketed by General Mills. On your next supermarket trip check the number of kinds of pasta sauces, tomato products and other commonly purchased items staring at you from the shelves. And let’s not forget Baskin Robbins “31 Flavors” (the company has actually created more than 1400) and eateries ranging from fast food to elegant gourmet restaurants. All these choices complicate our decision making—witness a group of friends’ trying to come up with a consensus on where to go for dinner.

Someone has observed that God loves variety. Think of the world He’s created with mountains, shorelines and other topographical features. How about the myriad of colors of plants? In the words of Solomon, “(God) has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and Paul’s statement that “…God…provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17). And of the Church the Apostle says, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For…you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, NLT, emphasis added). So let’s appreciate the variety of the body of Christ and rejoice in our common relationship with Him.

 

Grace and Blessings,

Jim McMillan

"Out of My 'Comfort Zone'"

 

“Out of My ‘Comfort Zone’”

 

The term “comfort zone” was coined by Judith Bardwick in her 1991 book Danger in the Comfort Zone which she described as “a state where people feel safe, in control, and experience low stress”. Most of us would rather live and work under such conditions (including yours truly) than in circumstances that call for us to do what we’d rather not since they may call for unwelcome changes.

I went on my first short-term missions trip to Honduras in 2004. Karen had gone on two trips previously (China and Honduras) and a number of people from our Manchester church had traveled to different places to serve in construction, medical clinics, leadership training and other ministries. I’d had a life long interest in missions, albeit from afar, but felt God’s tug to be part of this team even though it was out of my “comfort zone”. When the departure day arrived I was anxious but thought I’d hidden it well. Several days into this new adventure I shared with our team leader that it wouldn’t have taken much for me to get back on the plane and return home. He said he knew that and had been praying for me. His prayers were answered as I went on three other trips over the next several years. It was a joy to see people from other countries and cultures respond positively to the message of Christ and grow in Him.

Since this wake-up call of 20+ years ago Karen and I have been faced with other situations which required us to leave a “comfort zone”: transition from the pastorate to health care chaplaincy, two relocations to new states, becoming part of churches in which we knew no one and traveling to new places, among other changes. These new experiences weren’t always easy for us but God’s always given us “…grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16). And we’ve often found that our fears weren’t to be feared.

The Apostle Paul moved from his “comfort zone” of legalistic Judaism to following, serving and suffering for Christ. But he wrote inspired words of what he’d learned that help us move from our “comfort zone”: “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11,13, emphasis added). Have I learned this? Have you?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"Limitations"

 

“Limitations”

 

When I worked at a camp some 65 years ago the staff members would attend a nearby church when our work schedules permitted. One Sunday we were in the teens’ Sunday School class and speed limits in high school parking lots came up. One of my colleagues observed that the limit at his school was 15 mph which prompted the locals to complain that theirs was 5 mph. Another visitor then said, “Don’t feel bad. We don’t even have a parking lot!” Sometimes we don’t recognize and appreciate our good fortune.

When driving from home to the church office in Manchester there was an oddly configured and dangerous intersection. Leading up to it there were four signs saying, “No left turn”. Apparently about half the drivers couldn’t read too well because they made the left turn anyway (I witnessed several near collisions). And Interstate 4 runs through Lakeland with a posted speed limit of 70 mph which is rarely observed (guilty as charged). These three examples show how our human natures balk at limitations.

Most laws on government books impose some kind of restrictions which are intended for the public’s good. I have a couple of physical issues which keep me from eating certain foods, most of which I don’t like anyway! But even though we might grudgingly admit they’re for our and others’ good we still don’t like to have our “liberties” curtailed.

Have we ever felt this way about God’s commands? Do we view His directives as impeding enjoyment in our lives? In reality they’re anything but this. The Lord’s friend and apostle tells us, “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3, emphasis added). Since obedience appears to be God’s “Love Language” (see the previous posting by this title) it’s a practice we need to take seriously (“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”—John 14:15). Truth be told, God’s “limitations” provide freedom to serve Him (1 Peter 2:16) and others (Galatians 5:13). Will we/I see them in this way and be thankful?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"The Rest of My Story"

 

“The Rest of My Story”

 

Famed newscaster Paul Harvey (1918-2009) was a fixture on ABC News Radio for almost six decades. His weekday morning and mid-day reports reached millions of listeners. His style was unique as he used humor, satire, irony and other approaches to make boring stories interesting. He’s perhaps best known for his “The Rest of the Story” segments in which he cited well-known and obscure events and their surprising outcomes. Many have tried to imitate him (my feeble attempt can be seen in an early posting “Never Too Late”) but his incomparable manner will likely never be duplicated.

As I’ve read through the Bible I’ve seen incidents in the lives of many people and wish I knew “the rest of their story”. I’ve written several narrations of possible scenarios of people’s lives after meeting Jesus but have no way of knowing if they represent the way they lived out their days. Here are a few of many possible life stories I’ve thought about over the years:

*The woman Jesus defended against a biased group of men and whom He told, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11). Did she? Or did she go back to her old ways?

*The anonymous innkeeper in Bethlehem who had no room available for Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:7) but provided shelter in the only way he could. Did he later learn the identity of the One born in his stable or cave? Did he believe in Him?

*The invalid who was brought to Jesus by four friends at the cost of someone’s roof, was forgiven by Him and was told to “…take your mat and go home.” (Mark 2:1-12). He walked away healed but Scripture is silent as to his future relationship with Jesus.

*The Magi who followed a strange astronomical sight to where Jesus was, bowed in worship before Him and presented Him with valuable gifts (Matthew 2:1-12). Did they return home as believers in Him? God’s Word doesn’t tell us.

I must ask myself, Can I trust God with the rest of my story? Stuart Hamblen wrote in his 1952 song “Known Only to Him”, “I don’t know what the future holds But I know who holds the future. It’s a secret known only to Him.” More importantly, will I trust God for the rest of my story? Will you?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Love Through Pain"

 

“Love Through Pain”

 

Shortly after moving to a new pastorate in New York’s Southern Tier I visited a home in which the husband was terminally ill and was being cared for by his wife and other family members with help from church and community friends. After about two months he was hospitalized to better manage his painful condition. A day or two later I received a call that he’d probably not live through the day so I went to his room to pray and be present with him. Soon his son arrived, went to his dad’s bedside and heard him whisper, “How’s Ron?”, his toddler grandson who’d undergone surgery earlier in the week. When his son replied that the child was doing well he smiled through his pain. Later in the day this godly gentleman stepped into Heaven. Perhaps this was the last thing he wanted to know before meeting Jesus.

I thought about this incident when I read Jesus’ third statement from the cross: “When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved (i.e. John) standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’” In His agony He, as His mother’s firstborn son, saw to her care by entrusting her to His friend. (Some scholars believe that Mary and John’s mother were sisters so there may have been a family relationship as well.) John then “…took her into his home.” (John 19:26-27). Like the man above, Jesus showed His concern for someone He loved hours before His death.

As we remember and celebrate our Lord’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection this month He showed His love not only for His mother but for the world (“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”—1 John 3:16). The plan was completed when “…God raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (Romans 4:24). Forty days later He ascended into Heaven and “…sat at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19, emphasis added) indicating that the work of salvation had been completed and He “…is now interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34) as our “…Advocate with the Father….” (1 John 2:1, NKJV). In the words of the last line of Beatrice Bush Bixler’s “I Am Not Worthy”, “What mercy, what love and what grace!” This is available to all (“…Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”—Romans 10:13, emphasis added)—receive God’s gift by trusting Jesus this Resurrection Season.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"GoFundGod"

 

“GoFundGod”

 

In 2010 Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester founded “GoFundMe”, an online program to “raise money for personal causes, emergencies, charitable projects and life events.” Pages are set up to receive donations for ministries, medical expenses, disaster relief and other worthwhile projects. While its intention may be honorable it’s also subject to fraud and abuse. So it’s important that we make sure that any need presented is legitimate and not a scam for personal advantage.

The entrepreneurs who created “GoFundMe” thought they had an original idea but David beat them to it by about 3000 years. Even though God had told the king that he’d not have the privilege of building the temple dedicated to worshipping Him David took action to provide resources for his son Solomon to do so. In 1 Chronicles 29 David established a “GoFundGod” for this great effort: “The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for (people) but for the Lord God. With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God…Besides…I now give my personal treasures…over and above everything I have provided….” (Verses 1-3). After setting this example he issued a challenge to the citizenry: “Now, who is willing to consecrate (oneself) today to the Lord?” (Verse 5). The leaders then “…gave willingly….” (Verse 6) and the construction was successfully completed about eleven years later (1 Kings 7:51).

Hardly a day goes by without our receiving requests for donations through texts, email or snail mail. Be they ministries or otherwise, most are worthwhile but obviously it’s not possible to give to each one. So how can we be reasonably assured that what we donate will be utilized for the stated purpose? First, pray for wisdom in using what God’s entrusted to us (James 1:5). Then, too, we can request a financial statement (if there’s reluctance to provide this it’s a big red flag). And for ministries the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) was established in 1979 to set standards for Christian organizations’ fiscal practices. And for most charitable efforts (both religious and secular) information can be obtained from Charity Navigator concerning how donations and other resources are allocated.

God says, “…It is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” (1 Corinthians 4:2, NASB). Let’s put this into practice in our “GoFundGod” efforts and all other financial decisions.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Unfounded Fears"

 

“Unfounded Fears”

 

Many people are plagued by phobias, defined as unfounded or abnormal fears, which can have great impact on their lives. The possibilities for phobias are virtually unlimited and in extreme cases professional intervention is needed to provide what Rabbi Edwin Friedman calls “a non-anxious presence”. On a personal level people like you and me can fulfill this role in less serious cases (“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.”—Proverbs 12:25, NLT).

Some common phobias include claustrophobia (fear of small or closed places), glossophobia (fear of speaking in public or before a group) and ophidiophobia (fear of snakes—I qualify here). Less common ones are aerophobia (fear of flying), acrophobia (fear of heights), trypanophobia (fear of needles), ornithophobia (fear of birds) and gephyrophobia (fear of crossing bridges). In my pastoral and chaplain roles I’ve known of people afflicted with each of these and other conditions which can cause great anxiety and hinder their quality of life and relationships.

There’s certainly a place for legitimate fears in our lives (e.g. of uncontrolled fire, an approaching tsunami and especially God’s judgment of sin {“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”—Hebrews 10:31, NKJV}) but God doesn’t want us to live in unfounded fear. Someone has pointed out that the phrase “Do not be afraid” or an equivalent appears 365 times in Scripture. Why is it repeated so often? So people like me will get it eventually! An anonymous psalmist wrote, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” (Psalm 94:19).

In 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul encourages his co-worker, “…God did not give us a spirit of timidity (other translations say fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” So if we’re dealing with unfounded fears they don’t come from God but are distractions from our archenemy to minimize our effectiveness in what He has for us to do, Rather, let’s hold onto His promise given through His prophet: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, emphasis added). That’s God’s way of dealing with our unfounded fears—trust Him to keep His word.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan