March 19, 2015

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16

I understand the inherent risk of mixing politics with religion but since liberal/progressives insist on politicizing just about everything, they have changed the game. Since they have, I’ll play.

First, praise God for a political victory in Israel!

On a far less significant note, but a matter worth addressing, the Starbucks decision to have their baristas raise the issue of racism is another reason to avoid Starbucks and support some of the locally owned coffee shops.

Let me say, I have always enjoyed going to Starbucks. I have a couple gift cards I need to use up so I will likely continue to go until those are spent. I will miss going there, so hopefully they will reconsider their policy.

Also, I must defend their right to institute whatever policy they choose on any issue they support. It is their business and their stores and they are free to operate the company and the stores as they see fit. I believe in free enterprise and capitalism and I don’t want either of those important freedoms abridged.

But, by the same standard, I have a right to shop elsewhere or to continue going to Starbucks until one of their baristas actually throws the race issue out there. Here are several possible responses I could give should that happen:

1) If they raise the issue as I order, I can cancel the order and announce I am going to Blackstone instead.

2) If they raise the issue after I have ordered and paid I can refuse my order and ask for a refund.

3) I can respond, “I don’t want to talk about racism because race isn’t the issue sin is. Would you like to talk about Jesus?”

4) I can grab my phone and proudly show them pictures of my beautiful mixed-race grandchildren and great-children and ask to see theirs.

5) I can also respond, “I belong to a movement (Wesleyan Church) that has been at the forefront of fighting slavery and racism for nearly 200 years! So, how about you?”  In fact, the Founders of The Wesleyan Church were some of the earliest leaders in the abolitionist movement 30 years before the Civil War. We became a separate denomination because our Founders were kicked out of the Methodist Church due to their strong moral opposition to slavery.

6) I could give them a history lesson on the fact that it has predominantly Liberals who have consistently opposed freedom and civil rights for black Americans from the early days of our nation and especially during the Civil Rights Movement of the 50’s and 60’s. Google names like Margaret Sanger, George Wallace, Bull Connors, Orville Faubus, Albert Gore Sr. and Robert Byrd, just for a few.

7) If I am standing behind a person or people in line who have been engaged in the discussion, thereby hindering customer service I can step out of line and mention I am going to another coffee shop where the service is better.

You can probably think of other appropriate and polite responses.

It is time to kindly, respectfully, and clearly confront the foolish ideas of our culture with Gospel truth. You have more influence than you think you do and God’s truth has more power than you realize.

Jesus has called you and me to be salt and light! Salt refers to the godly influence we should have as followers of Christ. Light refers to the truth of God’s Word that guides our decisions and shapes our convictions.

The time for silence is over. It’s time to speak up and stand up and live up for the truth!

March 18, 2015

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

A triple is a hit in baseball that allows the batter to make it safely all the way to third base. Triples are rather rare in baseball. Last season in Major League Baseball only 2% of all the hits were triples.

The great Babe Ruth had a total of 2,873 hits. 714 of those hits were home runs, 506 hits were doubles but only 136 hits were triples.

Ted Williams, regarded by many as the greatest hitter in the history of the Major Leagues, had 2,654 hits. 521 of those hits were home runs, 525 were doubles and only 71 were triples.

It is hard to get to third base in baseball. Getting to third base requires a solid connection at home plate and then successfully rounding first base and second base before arriving at third.

But once a runner makes it to third his chances of crossing the plate for a score are good. From third base you can score on a hit, an error, a passed ball, a wild pitch, a sacrifice or even a steal. Third base is a great place to be - if you can get there!

Getting to third base in the Home Run life is huge as well. To get there requires a solid connection with God at home plate and the finding success at first base and at second base.

Success at home plate means winning with God by connecting with His salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Success at home plate will get you down the line to first base. First base is the personal character base. Success at first base means winning within as the character of Christ develops in your spirit.

Second base is the community base. Success at second is winning with people. God created you to belong to him and belong with others. Winning at second is evidence of success at home and at first base.

Third base is the competence base. At third base you win with results. You made it to third base because you were successful at home, at first and at second. Those are significant results!

Arriving at third is not only evidence of past success but puts you in a position where you are likely to score!

Everyone wants to have a Home Run life but few ever do.

Are you in the game?

Have you connected with God?

How are you doing on the bases?

Where do you need to win today?

March 17, 2015

"God commended His love toward you in this way; when you were yet a sinner Christ died for you." Romans 5:8

Sunday I talked about some of the issues involved with getting from first base into scoring position. The one that seemed to connect well was the point about keeping short accounts. The advice was threefold: forgive what you can't fix, bitterness is unnecessary baggage and when you get wronged get right. 

During that part of the message I shared some painful childhood experiences I suffered because of my absent father who was unable to keep his word and find time for me. Even though I hesitate to share painful things out of my past, I need to do that so you are able to know me and my struggles.

Some of the things I shared Sunday Barbara hadn't even heard before, so we were talking after church and it occurred to me I should share how I got through that without any bitterness. Perhaps it will be helpful for you to know.

The most important thing I was able to do was accept him for he was rather than what I wanted him to be. He was a hurting person who hurt others because of his unresolved pain. His attempts to dull the spiritual and emotional pain that plagued his life was to drink. Since I lived with an alcoholic step-father I knew first-hand how it affects people. That gave me insights into some of his thinking and behavior.

Because, by the grace of God, I was able to accept him as he was and not expect him to be what I wanted him to be I was able to see him more objectively and not project his problems on myself.

As someone who has closely with people over many years I have observed how common it is for people to struggle at this point. While it is hard to let go of your hopes and expectations for a person you love, real love, healthy love, is able to free the person from those expectations and come to an acceptance of the person as they are and for who they are.

When I finally came to that point of acceptance, it was hard to admit that I was never going to enjoy the blessing of an earthly father. Facing that painful fact led me to open my life more completely to my Heavenly Father.

That was the best decision I ever could have made! My Heavenly Father healed my heart and my spirit and has NEVER disappointed me!

Is there someone who continually disappoints you? 

Is there a hurting person in your life who persists in causing you pain? 

If you are not careful, the hurt they are causing you will cause you to hurt others.

Perhaps it is time to ask God to give you grace to accept this person for who he is, what he is, and stop expecting him to be other than what you accept him to be. This acceptance will actually treat the pain and open your heart to love that person in a healthy satisfying way.

This is how God loves! He saw you in your sin and knew exactly what sort of hurtful and hurting person you were. Seeing you at your worst, he accepted you and counted you worthy of salvation through His Son.

If God can love you like that can't he help you love someone else in that same way?

March 16, 2015

Here's a question for you this morning, "Would you rather impress Jesus or bless Him?"

Those are two very different ways of thinking about faith. That occurred to me as I was reading in Luke 21. You are probably familiar with this story:

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins."I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4

Imagine going to church one Sunday and there is Jesus standing next to the offering plate. How would that impact your giving pattern?

While this isn't my main point this morning, it is obvious that Jesus pays attention to what we give.

More to the point, Jesus knows why we give.

He watched as a wealthy member paraded past the offering plate and with great ceremony he pulled out his wad, peeled off some large bills and dropped them into the plate. I can imagine that after depositing that final bill he shoots a glance over to Jesus and nods.

Then the next guy in line has to step up and dig a little deeper. So it went all morning. One after another they step up trying to impress Jesus with their generosity, each trying to outdo the other. So it goes all morning.

Jesus isn't impressed.

As He turns to leave, Jesus catches movement out of the corner of His eye. Turning back he sees an elderly little lady slip out of the crowd, quickly deposit a couple of coins and try to fade back into the crowd. But Jesus won't allow that. He calls His disciples, "Whoa! Did you see that? That is impressive! All these other people have been trying to impress us by giving out of their abundance, but this dear lady emptied her bank account!"

Jesus was impressed - and blessed.

As I read that story for the billionth time, that is how it challenged me. What is my faith walk all about? Am I trying to impress Jesus or do I live to bless Him?

Sometimes I don't like the answer. Sometimes I serve Him with my leftovers instead of my all.

How about you?

I promise that today I will live to bless Jesus and not try to impress Him. 

Want to join me?

March 15, 2015

"Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just a Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

Second base is about loving others and living in Christian community with God's people. Second base is the evidence that you have done first base well.

Here's an important truth about your relationship with other people: you will either love them or you will leverage them. 

When you love someone you are preoccupied with how you can serve them or encourage them or bless them or comfort them. When you don't truly love them you find yourself calculating how they can serve you or help you or benefit you in some way.

There is a world of difference between those two attitudes!

Paul wrote to the Ephesians that they are to love as God loves and walk in His way of love.

What does that look like?

Keep your word!

One of the many ways God proves His love for you is by keeping His Word! So must you!

It is hard to love someone you can't trust and you won't trust someone who continually breaks his word.

Love is built on trust and respect but how can you trust or respect one who doesn't keep his word?

Keep your calendar aligned with your relationships!

Another way that love is demonstrated is through giving time to the one you love. Life is made of time so when you make time for someone you are sharing your life with them!

Think about it! When God wanted to demonstrate His love to a lost and dying world He stepped out of eternity and into time!

You will make time for the things you love! Make sure you love the right things! 

Every day of your life, carve out home plate time to connect with God. Plan first base time to allow God to work on your character. Set aside second base time to fellowship with and serve others. And schedule third base time so you can enjoy the fruits of your hard work.

Keep short accounts!

If the Omniscient Eternal God of the universe chooses to forgive AND then forgive your sins, shouldn't you be quick to forgive others?

As a follower of Christ you are commanded to forgive others, so why not do it quickly rather than eventually?

Here are some helpful suggestions to execute this plan:

• Forgive what you can't fix

God extended grace to you and continues to do so! Why should you not be willing grace others with forgiveness. If you don't grace them you will disgrace yourself and God.

• Bitterness is unnecessary baggage

Hebrews 12:14-15 says, "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

• When you get wronged - get right

Will you spend your life being either a victim or a victor, It is entirely your choice!

You can cry and complain over what has happened to you or you can choose to correct your attitude. You can become angry over your wrongs or you can act in love and do what's right.

"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." Ephesians 4:26

Second base is where you learn to win with people. Winning with people requires you to lose you pride, your arrogance, your selfishness, your spite and your ego. 

Second base reveals whether or not you have spent enough time at home plate and first base.

March 14, 2015

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." II Corinthians 4:16-18

The late Steven Covey, in his book "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" offers this wise advice, "begin with the end in mind".

How can you have a direction without a destination? How often do you start on a journey without knowing where you are going?

Kevin Myers in the "Home Run" book says "Figure out what counts on the last day so you know what counts every day.

In his counsel to the Corinthians, Paul says to "fix your eyes on what's eternal". Effective Christian lives are lived each day with eternal values in mind. Effective Christians know that only two things are eternal and they prioritize their days around those two things.

What are the two things? They are the Word or God and people! Those two things last forever.

The Word of God and people are home plate to first base to second base issues. They happen on the right side of the ball diamond.

Home plate is where you connect with the Word of God because home plate is where you connect with God! So, to be an effective Christian you must dedicate time every day to connect with God at home plate. Connecting with God at home plate connects God with you as well! And connecting with God allows you to know His purpose and receive his power.

Are you doing that? Are you scheduling home plate time daily?

Making the connection with God at home helps you move down the line to first base. While you received God at home plate, first base is where God gets you! First base is the character development base where God, through the activity of His Word, transforms your heart and your mind to the image of Christ. 

What happens at home plate and first base and in between is what changes your eternity and will transform you for eternity! So first base time is crucial!

Are you making time each day for first base?

Connecting with the Word and allow the Word to correct you by connecting with you will allow you to move toward second base. At second base you connect with others who are also connected with His Word. You learn to live in community with other believers in fellowship and in ministry. You learn how to worship together and serve together. You learn how to humbly serve God by serving one another. You learn how to serve together in spreading God's Word beyond the church into the world.  

Are you spending time and investing time every day at second base? Do you make time daily to serve, minister, and fellowship with people? 

If there are only two things that last for eternity - God's Word and people - doesn't it make sense to spend significant amounts of time daily interacting with these things?

In fact, spending time with God's Word and with people is actually more than spending time - it is investing it! Spending your days on eternal issues trades time for eternity!

So, will you spend time today or will you invest it?

March 13, 2015

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Second base is often called “scoring position” because a runner can make it to home plate from second base if a team mate hits a single. A lot of good things happen at second base.

In the Home Run life second base is the community base where you learn to live in love with others.  A lot of good things can happen at second base and second base positions you for more good things to happen.

But you can’t get to second unless you connect with God at home plate and develop His character at first base.  Love is first experienced at home plate when a connection in made with God. Love is expanded at first base as God’s character is developed in you. Love is then expressed at second base giving evidence that what happened at home and first is real.

To win in baseball you must run the bases in order once you have connected with the ball for a hit at home plate. Once you hit the ball you cannot stand at home plate but you must run to first as fast as you can. If you run to third you will be out. If you try to run across the diamond to second base you will be out. If you fail to run or stand in the batter’s box at home plate you will be out. There are no exceptions – ever! You play by the rules or you lose!

The same is true in the Home Run life! There is an order to spiritual growth! Spiritual growth is dynamic and progressive. While spiritual growth begins with connecting to God by faith it cannot end there. You’re not saved to stand you are saved to run! You’re not saved just to know but also to grow. Growth happens in four primary areas – your personal relationship with God, your personal character development, your relationship with other Christians and your spiritual production – home plate, first base, second base and third base.

Once you start running the bases you must continue connection with God and covering the bases. As you continue rounding the bases and touching home the scores add up! As you continue to run according to His pattern you progress spiritually. You will move from Tee Ball level to Little League to Pony League to High School level to College level to Minor Leagues and perhaps to the Big Leagues.

In baseball and in the Christian life everything begins and ends in God! There is a pattern of progress that MUST be followed – connecting with God, character development, learn community and reap results. That is how winning baseball happens and it is also how growth in God happens!

Are you in the game?

Are you connected with God?

What base are you currently occupying?

What’s your plan for getting to the next base?

Are you playing to win?