"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

"Passing the Baton"

 

“Passing the Baton”

 

In relay races the most crucial element isn’t the runners’ speed but passing the baton which each participant must carry during his or her portion of the event. It must be transferred within a specified zone on the track or the team will be disqualified. And dropping it means almost certain defeat. So the runners practice the maneuver constantly to avoid mishaps.

Figuratively “passing the baton” refers to a transition of responsibility and leadership. It’s used for changes in politics, business, ministry and even families. Due to human mortality this process is inevitable at some point. And just as in preparation for track meets this transfer exercise is necessary to continue smooth functioning. In politics it’s done every four or eight years at presidential changes after a transitional period of about eleven weeks between Election Day in early November and Inauguration Day on January 20. A family business in one of the towns in which we served is now led by the fourth generation but each CEO has been thoroughly trained in every aspect of the company’s operation and philosophy according to Christian principles before the baton is passed on. And after our mother’s death in 2014 my brother noted that I was the oldest McMillan and therefore our family patriarch. In each of these cases and literally millions of others the new baton bearer is charged with continuing to provide direction according to legal, historical and biblical guidelines—often all three.

When Joshua died after leading the Israelites in occupying Canaan it’s written that “Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him….” (Joshua 24:31). But he’d neglected to pass the baton by training new leaders (“…There arose another generation who did not know the Lord….”—Judges 2:10, NASB) and chaos resulted. Compare this outcome with Jesus’ words in His prayer just before Calvary: “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me (i.e. His disciples) out of the world…As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:6,18). What happened? They were used by God to lead in the establishment of Christ’s church which is still alive and well after 2000 years as they and succeeding generations trained others according to Paul’s instructions in 2 Timothy 2:2 and passed the baton until the present day. We as present-day believers now have the baton in this race called life—are we equipping those who follow us to receive it?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(For more on this subject see “Succession”.)

"The 'Princess and the Pea' Syndrome"

 

“’The 'Princess and the Pea’ Syndrome”

 

“Once Upon a Mattress” is a musical comedy based on the 1835 fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea” by Hans Christian Andersen. It first appeared on Broadway in 1959 and has seen numerous revivals since then. The plot surrounds Queen Aggravian’s ban on marriage in her kingdom until her son was married to a princess who met with her approval. The Queen devised a test for Princess Winnifred: sleeping on a bed twenty mattresses high wit a single pea underneath which she passed and “lived happily ever after” with her Prince.

“The Princess and the Pea” has found its way into our vernacular to describe emphasizing small things but missing the main point (or “majoring on minors”). During my pastoral years we replaced the large pulpit with a simple lectern. One church member told me he “couldn’t worship without the original pulpit”. My explanation that our objective was to lessen the perceived division between the pastors and congregation fell on deaf ears. In another case,  in my haste I wrote “Xmas” instead of “Christmas” on a chalkboard (remember those?), much to the annoyance of a man who lost the point I was making. My justification that “X” is the first letter of Christ in Greek didn’t make any headway. I’ve also been guilty of letting minor matters distract me and keep from grasping a more important truth—maybe you’ve had the same experience.

The Prophet Jonah allowed his concern for his personal comfort turn his attention from something far more important in God’s sight. The Lord said to his grousing servant, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. And a plant, at best, is only short lived. But Ninevah has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness…Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” (Jonah 4:10-11, NLT). I’d love to know Jonah’s response and the rest of his story (as I would with many Bible characters) but that’ll have to wait for Heaven. But I pray I’ll take God’s message to him seriously.

Our archenemy will try anything to distract us from “keeping the main thing the main thing”. We can’t afford to be “…unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:11), including diverting us from what matters most: honoring and serving our Lord. So at all costs let’s avoid “’The Princess and the Pea’ Syndrome” and emphasize the “…things (that) are excellent and profitable….” (Titus 3:8).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"School Days"

 

“School Days”

 

When I was in fourth grade my misbehavior in class (guess I left my halo home that day) resulted  in my teacher’s requiring me to write the week’s spelling words five times each and the multiplication tables three times. I don’t remember what my offense was but even after 70+ years I haven’t forgotten the consequences. But I learned valuable lessons: repetition by writing can be an effective way of gaining knowledge as well as correcting unacceptable conduct.

This long-ago incident came back to me recently when at Karen’s suggestion I read something in Deuteronomy 17 I’d never noticed before. (See “Perfect Faithfulness” for another example of this.) Moses prophesied that Israel would desire a king (fulfilled in 1 Samuel 8) and he set guidelines for the monarch. Included were these words from Verses 18-19 (NLT, emphasis added): “When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy these laws on a scroll for himself in the presence of the Levitical priests. He must always keep this copy of the law with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of this law.” (The priests likely provided oversight to see that this was done accurately.) So he was to write it, keep it, read it daily and obey it. At the conclusion of his final words to the nation “…Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests….” (Deuteronomy 31:9), putting the principle into practice.

The Bible is given to us to impact our lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17). To do this some of today’s discipleship programs strongly emphasize Scripture memorization and one of the best ways to accomplish this is to write the words out and refer to them daily as the kings of Israel were told to do and the psalmist carried out in his own life (“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”—Psalm 119:11). Maybe this takes you back to your school days and what you learned then has stayed with you without your realizing it as happened with me. We learn from our own past experiences as well as those of others (see Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:11) so let’s profit from both for our lives’ enrichment.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan (with helpful input from Karen)