A New Generation

I am seeing a new generation arise. And they are passionate. They are passionate about God's Word. They are passionate that it ought to be lived out - now.

I feel a bit of irony in all of this. Being a pastor of churches for 30 years, I have lived inside the repeating criticism of young people being shallow theologically and bent on emotional experience. Most commonly, it was the kind of thing said during the "worship wars" at any given church.

This is a generation that knows not hymns. They sing contemporary worship songs. They use guitars and drums, instead of an organ. Their music has a "beat." And they have cast aside many of the traditions that I grew up in.

I can criticize the casting aside of some tradition, for there is much to learn from those who have come before us. But what I cannot criticize is a motivation that comes from knowing the God of the present who says "Go" and "Proclaim good news and freedom to the oppressed."

What can I say? More power to them. Holy Spirit power, that is.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

Isaiah 61.1 (ESV)

Get Rid of the S

Devo’s. Q.T. Quiet Time. Daily Bread. Time with God. Devotions.

Whatever you call it, it has been my assignment since the early days of following Jesus. And no doubt, it is a noble task. For how am I ever going to get to know God better if I do not spend time with Him? Taking time to read and study the Bible, as well as praying, are just plain essentials if you are going to grow in your faith.

For almost 40 years, devotions has been a task on my daily checklist that is done early and then crossed off. And if it is not done, it is an incomplete and ineffective day. In fact, it is a day that is ruined, because I have shown my priorities to be out of synch with what God requires of me.

And here lies the mystery. How is it that something that is meant to be a joy and a benefit turn into such drudgery?

Happily, the answer has not evaded me. The answer lies in that extra “s.” For years, I have been doing devotions, when all along what God has wanted is devotion. Devotion. Not devotions.

So, on my daily list, I still write “DEV” at the top, but I never cross it out. Devotion is not something done in the morning. It is done all day. And it is never finished.

In the end, I have decided, I do not want to be known for doing my devotions. I want to be known for my devotion to God.

Isn’t it odd that leaving one “s” off the end of a word can make so much of a difference?

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37.4 (NIV)

Is This Lie a Sin?

Three years ago, my favorite aunt died. Aunt Elinore died suddenly and unexpectedly. I still miss her. She only brought joy into my life. Only joy.

In a coordinated manner, her husband, my Uncle Earl, was my favorite uncle. He always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell. In contrast to the quick death of his wife, my Uncle Earl is dying a slow and painful death. Not for him, thankfully, but for the rest of us it is. He has memory loss, and whether you call it dementia, Alzheimer's, or just old age, it doesn't matter. It is slow and agonizing to those who love him much.

Uncle Earl thinks that Aunt Elinore is still with him. He is totally unable to get it into his mind that she is gone. He lives in the continual hope she is coming around the corner.

Their son, Earl Jr. (my cousin) had the sad duty to tell his dad, and my uncle cried long and hard the first time he heard the news. The next day, Uncle Earl had forgotten, and when Earl Jr. reminded him, he cried long and hard. Then came the next day, and you guessed it, my uncle cried long and hard at the news his wife had died.

Earl Jr. was in a spot no one wants to be in. Shall he speak only truth and watch his dad grieve anew every day? Or does he pretend his mom is still alive? Yikes! What a conundrum!

Compassionately, he chose the latter. His dad simply cannot get it. His mind is broken.

And as far as I can see, imperfect as it is, I believe my cousin is doing it right by lying to his father. Perhaps it is an adequate application of the biblical principle found in I Peter 4.8:

Love covers a multitude of sins.

Why the Cross Is Essential...

It strikes me, that though each gospel provided a large part of their narrative on the passion of Christ (John is the largest at one-half), each spends relatively little time describing the agony of the execution of Jesus.

One reason is that the first century audience was well aware of the physical pain that was associated with crucifixion. I believe that there is an even more significant reason. The physical pain is trumped by the spiritual reality.

The cross is where love, justice, mercy, and forgiveness meet. These needs are of extreme importance to the human psyche. We long for these. They are in humanity's DNA.

• We long to be loved.
• We desire justice when wronged.
• We crave mercy when we know we are guilty.
• We hope for forgiveness when we have wronged another.

Ironically, the cross, an instrument of execution, brings us good news. Since sin (any wrongdoing) is universal and God's judgment on sin is death, we are in more than just trouble. We are screwed. And as much as we desire justice, this is one case when none if us wants it.

All of sudden, mercy is what we crave and forgiveness is what we hope for. And here is the good news - God demonstrates His love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5.8). God satisfies justice by bringing judgment on His Incarnate Self. He who knew no sin became sin for us (II Corinthians 5.21).

So, it is here in the midst of an excruciating death, our most instinctive needs are met. Love, justice, mercy, and forgiveness all meet where two pieces of wood cross each other and a man is set upon them. Our fruitless efforts are set aside and God substitutes His own. And that is all we need.

Thank You...I Think...

I thought I would be a pastor of a church all my life. I just did not see any other options. This was my call - pure and simple.

So I admit it. I was a bit surprised when God began to guide this 50-something body toward the college campus back in 2009. I was not sure it would be a "fit" for me. Wasn't this the kind of ministry that was relegated to the young?

But it did turn out that there was plenty of room for those of us that are "young at heart" as well as those dedicated to preparing the next generation to lead the church.

It was reinforced by one of the college students at UB when I made the comment, "I'm just a guy who is old, fat, bald and ugly."

She quickly responded, "You're not old!"

Thank you...I think...

A Snowstorm, A Sliding Jetta and A Good Word

It’s the end of March, and Mother Nature seemed determined to shower western New York with another snowstorm. I reacted as most did as the 8-10 inches of snow was landing. I screamed. I am tired of winter. Oh please, global warming aficionados, tell me it is going to get warmer. I fear I have come to a conclusion that Al Gore invented global warming. I am tired of his fiction.

I was on the road during this storm. I had been invited to speak at the CA group at Monroe Community College (MCC) in Rochester. It was hard driving on the Thruway. I was not going fast, but as I was going by the Batavia exit, I moved into the passing lane to make room for cars coming onto the road. About a mile later, I moved back into the right lane, but the Jetta did not cooperate. I began to fishtail and I was looking straight ahead at Genesee Community College. That was a problem.

It is interesting the thoughts that come into your head when you lose control of a car. It becomes surreal and time seems to go slower. My first thought was, “I guess I am going to be late for this meeting.” So as I prepared to go off the road, the Lord enabled me to do the right thing, gas and steer (front-wheel drives are interesting creatures).

The meeting at MCC was a God-event. Following the principle of never wasting your pain, I once again spoke on the topic of Where Faith and Depression Meet. Afterwards, many of the students came to me to discuss their struggles. I could tell liberation was taking place as the truth was setting young men and women free. God was on the move.

It brings such joy to bring hope to the hurting. The opportunity to bring a good word – truth to those in pain is a blessing beyond comprehension.

The following verse comes from one of my favorite hymns, May the Mind of Christ My Savior, and it is my prayer…

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing

Dollars. Deficiency. Discouraged.

"Are you discouraged about finances?"

Hardly. Yeah, I mean that.

"But, after one year, you are still short of the 50% mark. Sounds to me that God is not blessing, doesn't it?"

It is a legitimate question, and though I have had seasons of doubt, I look at our situation and I am in awe of the God who supplies. Consider this...

Some might think we are okay because of Dondra's job. The reality is that Joel is okay because of Dondra's job. The vast majority of her paycheck goes to a city block in the Mount Vernon district of Baltimore so that Joel can keep spitting into his mouthpiece.

So, we basically live on what I am able to bring in financially. And, here is my testimony:

The bills are paid.

We are eating well.

The cars are running.

And though we are running "lean and mean," we are happy.

These have been days of faith. For thirty years, I have been used to the "weekly" paycheck from the church where we served. It has always been there.

Raising support is a different animal. It is uncertain. It is hard at times. It is humbling.

Yet, I am grateful - so grateful - for those who have come alongside financially. It brings tears to my eyes. I am reminded of the apostle Paul when he said...

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4.19, NIV).

Enough. Enriched. Encouraged.

That would have been a better title.