"Worth Waiting For"

 

“Worth Waiting For”

 

In 1933 Roland Lindemann founded the Catskill Game Farm as the first privately owned zoo in the United States. It was located about 125 miles north of New York City in rural Greene County. At its peak it featured about 2000 animals and welcomed as many as 500,000 visitors a year. Unfortunately it was closed in 2006 due to decreasing attendance, rising costs and legal restrictions. The 1000 acre property has been redeveloped to include a B&B, RV resort, campground and most recently an Inn from the remodeled giraffe house. The Farm is one of the many pieces of Americana which failed to survive cultural and economic changes.

I remember nothing about my only visit to this family-oriented attraction 70+ years ago but oddly enough I recall something about how we got there. My dad knew we had to turn west off Route 9W and saw an advertisement for the Farm which said, “Turn here then turn left at the traffic light.” He drove several miles then came to a billboard proclaiming, “Turn left at the light ten miles ahead.” Had the first sign said the destination was some twenty miles over winding back roads many would have given up and not enjoyed what the Park had to offer. But it was worth the trip and waiting to get there.

Sometimes our God-directed journey takes longer than we expect and the temptation is to give up before we arrive at His place of blessings for us. It’s uncertain when David wrote Psalm 27—I believe it was near the end of his life and he’s sharing some lessons he’d learned—but he concludes his song in this way: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Verse 14, emphasis added). The highlighted phrase (or a similar one) occurs over twenty times in the Scriptures. It comes from a Hebrew word meaning “expectation” and carries with it an assurance of a good outcome. On several occasions it’s coupled with the adverb “patiently” (Ouch!). God’s never in a hurry—keep in mind He’s eternal and not bound by time—but in His sovereignty His timing is always right. (See the earlier posting “Always on Time” for an example of this truth.) A 1938 chorus by Norman Clayton has a line, “The road may be long but my Savior is strong and He holds my hand.”

We can be sure that God will always walk with us on this path we call life (“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”—Hebrews 13:5, emphasis added). His ways are worth waiting for as is the Eternal Home He’s prepared for us. So let’s wait in expectation for His promise to be fulfilled.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Whatever"

 

“Whatever”

 

Here in Florida caps are commonly worn, especially during hot weather to protect from sunburn. Most have an emblem of some kind representing military units, sports teams, faith and many other things. I have nine “lids” with my two favorites being a blue Brooklyn Dodgers retro and one identifying me as a “Proud Grandfather of a U.S. Marine”. My brother Dave often wears his “Vietnam Veteran” hat and enjoys greeting fellow vets with “Welcome Home”.

Recently while eating a “fancy” lunch with Karen at a gourmet restaurant (aka Sam’s Club) I noticed a gentleman a couple of tables away wearing a cap saying “Whatever”. For several years I’d had a note in my blog piling system for an article on this topic and this observation gave me the incentive to write about it. My research found that it’s a “highly versatile word” (Wiktionary), commonly used to express options, dismiss an argument or show indifference. I remember Archie Bunker’s using the word derisively several times on “All in the Family” and others in the sense of “So what?”

Our contemporary world uses the word primarily in a negative fashion. But this is nothing new. About halfway through his forty-year reign over Israel King Solomon turned from God’s ways and tried to find purpose through pleasures and projects. Did it work? Read his “spiritual autobiography” (aka Ecclesiastes) to see how his “whatevers” didn’t cut it and his conclusion was, “Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NLT). The Apostle Paul, however, uses it in a positive way. He states in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” And in Philippians 4:8 he writes, “…Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…think on these things.” (Emphasis added throughout). God’s “whatevers” are uplifting to Him and us while those of people often display an “I really don’t care!” attitude. Which honors Him and shows respect for others” Which doesn’t? Will we accept Paul’s counsel to “…think (and speak) …with sound judgment….” (Romans 12:3, AMP), whatever the situation may be?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Truths That Last"

 

“Truths That Last”

 

In a conversation with another pastor about twenty years ago I said that sometimes biblical principles are more important than specific facts. When he questioned my statement I assured him that many facts are crucial to our faith (e.g. Christ’s virgin birth, sinless life, death on the cross and resurrection) while some no longer are but give us lasting and timeless truths to guide us. Two illustrations come to mind. The Old Testament sacrifices of perfect animals are no longer necessary because “…(Christ) offered for all time one sacrifice for sins….” (Hebrews 10:12) but we learn that God rightly expects the best we can bring to Him (“…I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?” (Romans 12:1, NLT, emphasis added). Another example has to do with whether or not Christians should eat meat which had been sold in ancient marketplaces after being offered to pagan gods (1 Corinthians 8). Obviously this isn’t an issue in our culture but it shows how we can determine what we should do about circumstances in our lives when Scripture doesn’t directly address them by applying the principles of love (v.1-3), liberty (4-6) and limitation (7-13).

In 2 Corinthians 4:18 Paul says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” The facts are seen but the principles are largely unseen and work in any time and culture. Since they come from God Who is eternal (“Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, through all generations.”—Psalm 135:13) so are His words and works (“Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”—Psalm 119:89).

In a world in which “truth” is in the mind of the beholder the end result is that each one becomes the determiner of what it is for him or her—in other words, there are no universal absolutes. But without a final authority chaos is the outcome. Twice in Judges (17:6; 21:25) it’s stated, “In those days Israel had no king; so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” (NLT). The conclusion: the only truths that last come from God (“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”—Deuteronomy 32:4). Amen!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Mountaintops"

 

“Mountaintops”

 

Many of God’s people have had a “mountaintop experience” (maybe more than one) at a camp, conference or even in a private time with God. (I’ve had them in each of these contexts.) It’s a term describing a significant event in one’s spiritual life in which God feels especially close. Often, however, this time is followed by a “valley” when we return to the “real world”. As preachers, including yours truly) have said, “You can’t reach the mountaintops without going through the valleys.”

Many key persons in the Bible have had important encounters with God on mountains but once they left the high points they sunk into valleys. Here are some examples:

*Noah left the ark, which had settled on Mount Ararat, with his family after the great flood and built an altar to honor God for His deliverance (Genesis 8:18-22) but soon thereafter fell into a drunken stupor (Genesis 9:20-23).

*Abraham passed God’s test by being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:1-18) but a few years later his wife Sarah died (Genesis 23:1-2),

*Moses spent forty days in God’s presence atop Mount Sinai where he received the two tablets on which God had written His Laws (Exodus 24:18; 31:18) but on his descent found the Israelites worshipping a golden calf (Exodus 32:15-20).

*God gave Elijah a great victory over Baal’s prophets on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) but immediately thereafter fled for his life from Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1-9).

*Three of Jesus’ disciples (Peter, James and John) witnessed His transfiguration on (probably) Mount Hermon (Matthew 17:1-9) but saw the weakness of their colleagues’ faith (and their own later) when they came down (Matthew 17:14-16).

But one was very different:

*Jesus’ eleven disciples saw His ascension into Heaven from the Mount of Olives forty days after His resurrection (Acts 1:1-11), obeyed His instructions (Luke 24:45-49) and prayed with others for ten days until the Holy Spirit empowered them at Pentecost and gave birth to the church (Acts 2).

We may have a down time after a “mountaintop” encounter with God but He’s using it to shape us for His glory. So “…wait patiently for him….” (Psalm 37:7)—He’s faithful and will come through.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Taking a Breather"

 

“Taking a Breather”

 

In the early 20^th century the saying “taking a breather” emerged to describe a time to recover from intense physical activity. As the years passed the adage moved from a literal to figurative meaning referring to a temporary pause from emotional or physical stress to calm down and, to use another maxim, “recharge one’s batteries”. This can provide a respite from life’s demands imposed by ourselves and others.

Earlier this spring I began to write an article but it didn’t come together. I shared my struggle with Karen and she suggested I “take a breather” from my self-imposed practice of posting four essays each month (at times one or two more if I was working on a series). As usual she was right (although it took me some time to realize it) so after we returned from our April cruise I determined to follow her wise counsel.

Solomon wrote, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). So beginning next month I’ll break my twelve year and 580 article routine and continue at a slower pace as ideas develop and come to fruition. I have a file (or pile) of seed thoughts which I’ll review periodically and seek to be sensitive to God’s leading and open to the Spirit’s voice through listening and observation and with Samuel say, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10).

Maybe God’s telling you to “take a breather” from the “same ol’ same ol’” of your life and try something new. Keep your mind open to His promise: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8). Remember, too, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"The Yesterdays of Life"

 

“The Yesterdays of Life”

 

In 1965 Paul McCartney and John Lennon of “The Beatles” composed the hit song “Yesterday”. It’s a ballad about a broken romantic relationship, the heartache it brought and the desire that the clock be turned back to days of happiness. Many of us wish we could go back to more trouble-free times rather than face the struggles of present-day life but, revisionist history notwithstanding, we can’t change the past. But we can certainly learn from it (“…Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us….”—Romans 15:4). In the words of Rick Warren, “God never wastes a hurt.”

In his 1973 book The Seven Last Words of the Church or We Never Tried It That Way Before Pastor Ralph Neighbour wrote of “the yesterdays of life” which brought a feeling of comfort and were comparatively non-threatening. But we can’t stay in the past—we must live in the now and look ahead in faith. A cruise ship’s captain once observed, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.” Great words of wisdom.

In Isaiah 43 God addressed His unfaithful people through His prophet: “This is what the Lord says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters…Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Verses 16,18-19, emphasis added). “A “new thing” suggests something different—in other words change. We might want to stay in yesterday but as time marches on change is inevitable (it’ll happen whether we welcome it or not), intimidating (it makes us uneasy) but also inspiring (it can bring us to a new level in our faith in and walk with Christ.

While the world in which we live is in constant flux we can be thankful that Who or what really matters doesn’t change: God (“I the Lord do not change.”—Malachi 3:6); Jesus (“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”—Hebrews 13:8); the Holy Spirit (“…the eternal Spirit….”—Hebrews 9:14); God’s Word (“Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”—Psalm 119:89); God’s purposes (“…God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”—Romans 11:29). So let’s allow God to teach us from life’s yesterdays to prepare us for today and tomorrow.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(See “Life’s Gilgals” and “A Personal Gilgal” to see how these principles worked in my life.)

"Songs from the Psalms"

 

“Songs from the Psalms”

 

In Colossians 3:16 Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…as you sing, psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Similar words are found in Ephesians 5:19.) Commentators have suggested that psalms refers to setting Scripture to music, hymns to those melodies that express our belief in the great doctrines of our faith and spiritual songs tell of our experiences of living out our commitment to Christ. A Men’s Bible Study I led in our New Hampshire church once took the musical numbers we used in our services and discussed how they fit into these categories which helped us to better understand our worship and praise in song.

In the hymnal (remember those?) we made available in the pews for use in our traditionally formatted service each of the 800+ selections gave its scriptural basis under the title. Of these many came from the Psalms, Israel’s hymnbook (or as someone once said, “Himbook”). Here are a few examples—please look up the references and read the entire Psalm along with the songs’ words:

*”As the Deer” (42:1). Karen once saw a deer drinking  from a pond while she was on a walk which touched her in a way she needed at that moment (she called in a “God hug”).

*”Surely Goodness and Mercy” (23:6). Many have been comforted by these words over the 3000 years since David wrote them.

*”Cleanse Me” (139:23-24). This is a prayer of David asking God to search his heart, forgive his sin and renew his relationship with Him.

*”I Exalt Thee” (97:9). Only God is worthy of our worship and praise.

*”Sing unto the Lord” (96:1-4). All creation cries out in praise whether He’s recognized or not (see Psalm 19:1-6).

*”This Is the Day.” (118:24). I usually sing this to myself at the start of each new day. Try it—it may set the tone for what lies ahead.

Music is a great way to worship and praise our Lord. And no source could be better than His Word. So lift up your voice to Him even if it’s a “joyful noise” (Psalm 100:1, KJV).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan