When Christmas Becomes Real

What is your favorite memory?  If you are like me you will may be inclined to say, Christmas. I love everything about the holiday but especially the memories growing up in a large family and seeing how generous my parents were in getting us all gifts. It had to be costly.

At the time, as a child, it was magical. I heard about Santa and having older brothers I quickly learned that my parents were the reason we had gifts. Never-the-less, it was a real magical experience. The tree was decorated and my mother loved to hang many lights on the house. I think that she dressed up the occasion because it was here favorite season as well.


There were several reasons and right-of-passage experiences that made this holiday so special.

1. It was all about the gift. I know that may sound selfish. I can remember circling every item I wanted in the Sears catalog. I loved the food and decorations but it was the gifts under the tree that made it special for me. My sister, Robin always woke us up around 2 AM. We could hardly wait to open the gifts. My parents worked so hard to provide for our happiness but we were merciless on Christmas morning. We tried to be quiet but the excitement got the best of us.

2. The BB Gun. When anyone turned twelve years old we could expect to find a BB Gun under the tree. The year that it was my official birth year, I anticipated my own right-of-passage. There it was, a shiny new BB Gun just for me. I could hardly wait to load it and begin to hit my targets. It is funny that today I don't own a weapon but at 11-years old, it was what marked manhood. I learned to shoot my father's 22-calibar rifle and 357 handgun when I was five but getting my own BB Gun rifle meant that I finally was becoming a man.

3. Oh the aroma. Space around the table was limited but the food was plenty. Our family didn't have plenty through the year. In fact, if you missed the call for dinner you may have to eat dry cereal, the only thing we seemed to have plenty of. Often I missed the main course because I was too busy riding my bike or hiking in the marshlands to hear the dinner call. I did eventually learn to sit at the back stoop when dinner was being prepared so that I could be first to the table.



These sights and sound of Christmas were always some of my favorite memories. I am certain that I was spoiled!  Yet, in the midst of all the festivities that made up my memories, one thing always stuck out to me. It was the ministry of the local church. Christmas eve services and candy corn balls (remember those?) were highlights of the year. The church reminded us that the holiday was not just to meet the needs (or wants) of mine, it was a reminder to care about those that didn't have as much as we did.  The church would tell the story of Christ in a humble manger. The pastor would preach a message of love and good will for all. There were the youth group film night themed with the message of giving not receiving from the Grinch to Scrooge. The message was that we are blessed and should give to others who don't have as much.

I reflect on those years with a keen sense of the real message of Christ in the manger. In a world of commercialization and materialism I can recall how important it is to give to those in need.

Today, I know that I am impacted by the emphasis on giving. I love buying gifts for those less fortunate. I enjoy ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. I enjoy promoting and collecting gifts for needy children. I even carry cash that I have handed out to people in need.



I don't say that to brag. I say that because I know that you too have experienced the joy of Christ in Christmas. I know that you too give to those in need. It is a time of year that reminds all of us to be generous in giving and in our spirit. We may be tempted to be impatient as we stand in long lines at superstores.  We can become impatient waiting on our packages to be delivered to our homes.

Yet, the season of music and good will toward men is refreshing. I am now at an age that I love to see kids get excited about opening gifts, just like I did ages ago.




Make this year a season of giving like never before. Show your love to someone in need. Demonstrate generosity to someone even if they may not deserve it. Do something for someone else that may not have the means to do for themselves. It is in doing for others that Christmas becomes real.

The Sacrifices Moms Make.

This year, in fact this week my mother turned 81 years young. Today I thought I would reflect on the sacrifice that mom’s make, at least as I reflect on my own mother.

Growing up in a large family of eight children is no easy task. Yet, it was the sacrifice of our mother that is extraordinary. There were so many times that her sacrifice meant that her children could be happy and healthy.

Amidst so many memories, one stands out in particular. I can recall the many hours that she would spend sorting laundry and standing at an ironing board while many of her children ran in and out of the home living carefree. The picture of that is forever burned in my memory as I reflect on the joy that my mother would sacrifice for my happiness.

Of course, there were stressful days and difficult times. What home would be complete without those memories as well. Yet, my mother seem to always triumph in her ability to care for our needs. Often, setting aside her own needs in the process of caring for ours.

Three things come to mind as I think about not only my own mother but the many times that moms sacrifice.

1. Picking up after us.

I’ve raised children and I’ve seen the many times that their mother, Cindi would walk behind them picking up as they dropped their clothes in a trail. My mother, with not only have to pick up after us but could’ve easily gotten lost in the midst of all the laundry that would pile up all around the house. 

My mother grew up Dutch and she was always cleaning up after us. She would always keep the house clean and would constantly get after us about leaving dirty dishes or other debris in the wake of our busy little lives. You could imagine that each of us left our fair share for mother to clean up.

2. Teaching us those lessons in real time.

Each my siblings could tell you about the many lessons that we learned because of our mother. We learned to work hard and to be honest. Many time she had to be the judge to deliberate the many times that we accused one another of lying or have to break up a dispute like a boxing referee. 

We learned not too pull the wool over our mother’s eyes. She was often on to us when we thought we could scheme or lie. She would call us into account and often use the threat that many of us have heard, "Wait ‘till your father gets home." I think most of us were more concerned about what our mother would do to us. 

It was a different day when physical punishment was often the norm. I don’t believe our mother was ever abusive but there were those times when we needed correction. She would have us go to the willow tree to obtain the tool of correction. When she said sit down and be quiet we didn’t hesitate but obeyed. 

3. I’ll take care of that.

Since she was a nurturer, many times we would come to her with our difficulties and problems whether it was the neighborhood bully or difficulties at school. On more than one occasion I would hear her say, "I’ll take care of that." 

Hearing those words brought instant relief to the anxiety that we felt. I remember times when she would get on the school bus to issue a fair warning to the neighborhood bully. Of course that was when I was in third grade. It is a reminder of how protective mother can be.

Of course, there were those sick days but I felt I needed to take time off from school. I would wake up in the morning with a cough or fever and my mother would simply say, "I’ll take care of that."

So many times I needed things to be taken care of and I could always depend on my mother stepping in to take care of things that I didn’t know how to do.

All of us could assure tributes about her mothers in their care. She has often been a protector and would nurture, taking care of the needs that we have from skinned knees and bruised egos.

I am grateful that my mother is still living in that we have the opportunity to tell her often that we love her and appreciate her.

Today Will Never Come Again!

My father-in-law, affectionately called, Papa Don often says, "This is a great day. There has never been a day like this one and there will never be a day like this one again." With wild enthusiasm for life, Papa Don is optimistic as he expresses his love for for God’s new day and people often. This is the foundation of my blog today. 

Each new day is a new awakening to the blessings God has given. In the age we live too many waste their day in worry and pass quickly through planning the days to come. We are all guilty of this. Our calendars are full as we anticipate tomorrow. We are often anxious as we look into the future, missing the present. 

Few people are living in the present. Most are anxious for tomorrow. You can spot them because they look hurried. I am one of those. My wife often said that I possessed the "hurried sickness" referring to Dr. James Dodson’s research on this particular illness. 

In recent years I have made every attempt to work on my anxious spirit. I memorized the Bible passages that tell me not to worry; Matthew 6:25, 28; Luke 12:22; Phillipians 4:6; Proverbs 27:1; 1 Corinthians 15:32: James 4:14. 

It is too often that people can rush through their day striving to earn an income and forgetting how God provides. Even though I still make plans for the future, because I know that God would want us to remain active, I attempt to live in the present. Scripture reminds us that God is in control. In Psalm 37:23 we read, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." 

As we seek God‘s will we soon discover opportunities that can only be from the Lord. Each day I pray that the Lord would send a "divine interruption" in my life so that I could be a blessing and encouragement to someone. I define a divine interruption as a situation that is not planned but that God chooses to use to make a divine opportunity for ministry.

Take just a few minutes now and meditate on the Word of God. Take a few minutes to listen to this video originally produced by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Order My Steps.

Psalm 119:133-136 King James Version (KJV)

133 - Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Consider today only. Be in the present and discover the presence of God in all you do. It may surprise you to know that everyone is gaurenteed the same, Christian or non-Christian. We may call this prevenient Grace.

Lamentations 3:22-24

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."

You Don’t Need To Believe in God To Go To Church, Do You?

You don’t have to believe in God go to church, do you? Intrigued? Perhaps this goes against everything that you have been taught. You may believe that only those who believe in God through Jesus Christ should even be in church.

If it makes it easier I could’ve entitled this, the benefits of community. Today I want to unpack for you some of the benefits that church offers, even to nonbelievers. Indeed, you may be right because for those that believe in God through Jesus Christ changes everything however, let’s explore a bit about what the church does for its community.

This idea came to me one day when I was ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. A family that I know came out of the store after shopping and I recognized one of the ladies. On occasion I’ve seen her at church but only because her mother made her go. I greeted them in my usual, and sometimes awkward way. I simply said, "Are you behaving yourself?" The 18-year-old woman looked at me as though I was an alien with a bit of a trouble look on her face, as if I knew something that I didn’t. She simply replied, "What do you care?" 

I laughed only because I felt a little bit of tension. Bravely I approached the question with a simple smile and a reminder that I have seen her in church from time to time. I told her that it is good that she attend a church from time to time. In the course of our conversation she blurted out, "I don’t even believe in God so why bother?" Not to let the conversation go I simply replied, "You don’t have to believe in God to go to church."

The look on her face was one of surprise. I wasn’t sure myself that what I said was helpful but it open up a conversation for just a few moments. I continued, "There are lots of reasons to go to church even if you don’t believe in God."

This is the nature of this blog entry. What are the benefits to church for those who don’t believe in God?

There is a statement that I believe and often say in the recruitment of foster care workers: "You may very well be the only reflection of love they see." As you go around living life expressing your love to people in tangible ways you are often confronted by an opportunity to demonstrate care. It is especially helpful if you show your loving attitudes in church as you’ve done in your community. The following are some of the benefits that I gave to the young lady about attend church.

1. You can network for employment. 

As I told the young lady who, at the time was not employed. I stated to her that the church is a place where people are looking for employees. I encouraged her to connect relationally with people so that people know that she is looking for a job.

Perhaps it’s not intended to be a social club yet this does mean that the opportunity is available for anyone at church.

2. You can find friends that care about you.

I told the young lady that it is a place where she can find others who would care about her. Her rough exterior may be more difficult than most to engage with however she can find trusting friends none the less.

3. There are services, beyond the worship service that can help.

Many churches these days have food pantries and other emergency care ministries for people. This is a wonderful place to be able to help people in hopes that they would reciprocate the opportunity.

4. When you have an emergency need, church people can be very helpful.

There have been times even in my own life when an emergency has arisen and the church has come through on my behalf. For nonbelievers it is a way for us as Christians to reflect the love of Christ in the lives of others.

There’s no question that the church is a gathering place for believers. It is also a lighthouse where nonbelievers can also feel comfortable in attending. Our signs on the outside usually convey an attitude of invitation. I’ve read many signs that promote the special events and activities. We even spent time training our greeters and ushers and how to help people feel welcomed. The scripture reminds us that God‘s Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11) and that the opportunity to witness is around us every day, even on Sundays when we are in church. We know that God‘s Word penetrates into the very soul of an individual and without casting judgment and criticism, we find that the word of God can change peoples lives.

You may be thinking, these are all selfish motivations for going to church. Indeed, you are correct but if the church is more than a museum for the saints but rather a hospital for the sick than this is in-keeping with its mission. The church is a place where people live life becoming caring, loving people of God. 

The church is not just for the super spiritual. It is a place of refuge and love for those in need. 

Have You Not Read?

Approximately 32 million adults in America are considered to be illiterate; about 14% of the entire adult population cannot read. Source.

As startling as a statistic is, my topic today has less to do with illiteracy then you might think. It is a genuine concern that many in America are illiterate yet even more alarming is the number of people that are not reading the Bible. It’s not because they can’t read but that they won’t read. That statistic is proving to be more concerning which goes beyond illiteracy.

LifeWay recently did I study in which they found, "...more than half of Americans have read little or none of the Bible." Lifeway Study. Startled yet? It may be unbelievable as we have so much access to the Word of God in this country. 

In Matthew 19:4, we see Jesus answering a question that has huge implications. He was asked about divorce but gives a broader answer about marriage. He is answering the question of those who are supposedly, well read of the Scriptures. These are the religious leaders that he is answering, "Have you not read?"

And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?" He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."  (ESV) Matt. 19

Recently a pastor friend of mine gave me a book that he authored on the subject of marriage. As I began to thumb through its contents, I quickly realized that there are parallels that relate to this topic. The instructions for marriage are clearly laid out in scripture yet many debate it’s content. Divorce is at an all-time high and many choose to live together without the covenant before God in marriage. We find that the definition of marriage are hotly debated today with little regard for what the Bible has to say. There are even debate around what Jesus said about marriage in this passage of scripture I am referring to. 

First of all, the prescription for marriage is easily spelled out in the Bible if we only would read it. Second I noticed that God’s plans for marriage went beyond procreation but the boundaries were clearly set by God. The problems we see in our world today have much to do with our lack of understanding God‘s plan. There seems to be the misunderstanding of what the Bible says. 

Rev. Randy Blankenship, Sr. is Pastor of the New Life Church in Kokomo, Indiana. His book made clear God’s plan for healthy relationships and marriage.

Blankenship says; But in reality, while most people may acknowledge what the Bible says, many do not want to accept what the Bible says. I’m not sure this book will change that trend. However, I do believe that most people do not know why the Bible says what it says – and the reasons given by most, listed previously, do not come close to being the main reason why the Bible says what it says.

 Check out the book here! 

I could easily create an illustration on this. Often we receive instructions on how to put something together. It may be a bicycle or in my case, it was putting together a shelf for my daughter’s bathroom. There were only twenty parts to the shelf and all the screws were easily identified but for some reason I couldn’t get everything to fit together correctly. After I had exhausted my efforts and was clearly frustrated, I read the instructions and realized that I had stupidly misread the chart. How can I be so dumb? The paperwork was clear, if I had only read the instructions and directions first.

Back to Blankenship’s book. His book is filled with many illustrations and scriptures but most certainly an illustration for us, God’s children, as the bride awaiting her bridegroom. This mysterious love through a covenant unites the man and woman as one in Christ. The Bible not only spells this out throughout scripture, if we would but read it, but it even illustrates it too, making it easy for anyone to know His divine plan. 

If the designer, God in Jesus, would’ve wanted the Bible to read differently, I believe He would’ve simply stated it that way as to the order of things in marriage. He had every opportunity to "set the record straight" on marriage and divorce. 

Perhaps there are two elements to what is being said by Jesus in Matthew 19 which has implications for us today.

1. The religious leaders missed the essentials because they simply did not read.

The Pharisees were known for making God‘s plan exhaustively difficult to understand. They would create rules without reasons which made knowing God’s simple plan difficult. In an effort to more fully explain they simply missed the essential truth. Perhaps that’s why they asked Jesus such a question about divorce.

Jesus simply answered, "Have you not read?" He was attempting to point out to them that they missed the essential truth. Divorce is certainly not God’s plan but it does happen because people broke God‘s covenant. We also break agreements that are made between each other in the presence of God.

Divorce is not the unforgivable sin but Jesus instructed the man, who had the responsibility to provide appropriate documentation when it comes to divorce. Furthermore He explained what God intended for marriage. The religious leaders are the ones who made things difficult to understand. 

2. We settle for half-baked answers when we do not read.

Once more and just as important for us to realize the implications of reading God’s Word that goes beyond His teaching marriage and divorce. Jesus was concerned about those who would give answers that were not complete. I might call these half-baked answers.

In giving a half-baked answer we might include only partial truth but it is by no means complete. As Jesus taught his followers, by answering the Pharisees, Ge gives a complete understand of what God’s Word and plan truly is.

If we failed to read God‘s Word and fully understand the solutions for our lives, as well as its application to our lives, we may use incomplete answers and therefore not find the solution we need. Similarly, as illustrated by my putting together the bookshelf or even understanding marriage as prescribed by scripture, we miss the designer’s plan. Could it be that Jesus is speaking to us even today, "Have you not read?"

Eight Ain’t Enough!

I loved growing up in a large family! There were eight children under one roof and only one bathroom. In spite of the challenges and the discomforts of sharing bedrooms and even beds, I would never trade it for anything. Not everyone would say that about a large family but for me the benefits of always having something to do and someone to do something with outweighed any of the hangups and difficulties. We weren’t the perfect family but we learned how to get along with each other.

Strict rules and routines with structure made it workable. My favorite day was Saturday because it was laundry day. This usually meant throwing all of our clothes to the bottom of the stairs and for entertainment we would take a running leap into the pile as my mother attempted to sort through various colors. Breakfast was usually on the go as we hurried to catch the bus for school. Sunday meals usually offered plenty to go around but during the week, if you missed the call for supper you may not have anything to eat but a dry bowl of cereal; that is without milk.

We always kept the line of credit at the local country store next door and there were those evening emergency errands in the dark because someone ran out of toilet paper. We were often fighting for leftovers from my dad‘s lunch but we called this family.

All of us were expected to get jobs at an early age to help pay the family bills. My first job was when I was  ljust 9 years old. It was a job helping a neighbor lady every day after school and on weekends trim bushes and mow grass or working at her marina cleaning boats and repairing the docks. We shared responsibility from year-to-year passing down our newspaper route from sibling to sibling. Each of us had a responsibility for custodial work at our church. It’s hard to believe but we did this for over 25-years. Each one of us took turns with the responsibilities from the time we were children until we were adults.

There were times when groceries were delivered to our home from the Salvation Army. When we went shopping our shopping cart was filled with generic foods. I remember seeing mostly black and white cans while all of my friends had colorful carts of food. In that day generic foods were packaged in black-and-white labels. No one will ever forget the annual occasions of living in a floodplain area near the shores of Lake Erie. We got hand-me-downs and second hand clothes. My parents were stressed but we called this home.

We had lots of fun as children making our own entertainment. I can recall times fishing off my back porch as bluegill swim by when creeks would run over and the lake would flood into our backyard. On occasions we would take all of the items we could to the second floor of our home because water was going to come into the house. We loved hiking through the swampy back yard and wet & woodsy playground. We called this an adventure. 

When I started a family of my own, we would eventually have foster teens live with us. At one time we had eight of us living in the same home. I considered it just like my childhood home. My wife called this ministry. The neighbors called us crazy seeing not only our natural children but foster teens as well. Like my childhood, they were plenty of adventures and things to do. 

The home was busy but orderly. Even at times when we would have 15 or more gather around our dining room table as foster kids and their friends along with our own children would sit down for supper. My wife had a standing invitation that welcomed anyone in our home but for meals you had to arrive by 5:30 pm if you wanted to eat supper with us. For a while our table was too small to accommodate everyone. Eventually a member of our congregation brought over pictures of a used but new to us dining room set that was being given away. That was an answer to prayer and an upgrade. That meant that everyone could be at the table at the same time.

Even with having eight in our household at one time there seemed to be room for more. Our home was full but yet we thought, eight ain’t enough. Cindi used her gifts of hospitality and helps to nurture and love those in our family. Even though she didn’t grow up in a large family she seem to adapt comfortably to meet the ever-growing needs of others. There were times where it seemed like chaos, when things were unmanageable but there were timeless when it seemed like the calm before the storm. We grew to depend on the Lord for everything. In a sense, paraphrasing a quote by Chuck Norris, we lived life never knowing what the day would bring but we knew the One who brought the day.

I look back with fondness as I think about those years early in marriage with an appetite for ministry that was bigger than our resources. I believe that everyone in our family was impacted in a positive way through the experiences of ministry life. We each learned to do a lot with very little. In ministry we discovered that the benefits outweigh the sacrifices. Of course we had to share a little more and cooperate to make everything work out in a busy household. Whether it was coordinating transportation for the kids or managing limited resources and even having to manage conflict and crises, we realized the opportunities before us. We called this ministry.

No matter what the opportunities are before you, God will lead and provide for you at the right time and always on-time to meet your every need. You might call it family. Some may call you crazy. You might see it as an adventure. You may even define it as ministry. When you follow God‘s Will you live a life filled with blessings and hopes. It may not always be easy but with God’s help you can make an eternal difference.

Do It Anyways!

Don’t tell me that you’ve been told the same thing as I have. It’s pretty annoying in fact. I’m certain that you could get as discouraged as I have when I’ve been told not just once but several times, "You can’t do that!"

Even those who are well intended can bring discouragement to another individual when they say that. I’m certain that they are often thinking about circumstance in their life that didn’t work out or even concerned that I could fail at whatever I am making an effort to accomplish.

Someone once said, "Don’t let someone who gave up on their dreams talk you out of yours."

These comments can come from people whom you trust or those that are your mentors. They are likely trying to keep you from getting hurt but what they don’t realize is that perhaps God has planted a dream on your heart.

If Thomas Edison would’ve quit after his first field effort we likely would not have the inventions and the convenience of the incandescent light. In fact, he faced 100’s of failures what could have discouraged him and was even overheard saying, "That’s 500 ways that I know won’t work."

Sometimes what keeps us from trying is the fear of failure. It may be just a few words but someone else’s discouragement can keep us from realizing our dream or for filling our purpose. 

Proverbs 13:12 reminds us that, "Hope deferred his heart ache, but a dream for filled is the tree of life."  All throughout Scripture in fact we find that hope is often set aside. Abraham face this challenge when he chose his own plan instead of waiting for God to give him a child. Moses spent 40 years in the desert before responding to God’s Call. The Israelites were sentenced to 40 years in the desert because the spies, who surveyed the promised land came back with a negative report. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers because of their jealousy of him.

Over and over we can find examples of God’s people becoming discouraged and having their hopes dashed my circumstances. Of course we’ve all heard similar words of discouragement that have kept us from our dreams. 

I’ve heard it said that hope is stronger than fear. The proverb also reminds us that a dream for filled is the tree of life. It is a reminder that as our dreams are accomplished and we are able to see results, it gives us greater opportunity and potential to dream bigger dreams. In fact, we are encouraged to have a "BHAG", a big hairy audacious goal.

Experts tell us that if we fail to dream big then we fail to dream at all. Scripture reminds us that we should pursue something bigger than ourselves because it is a reminder that only God can accomplish our BHAG. 

Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever ask, think, or imagine.

Often we limit ourselves because of a barrier or lack of resources. We may say to ourselves that it cannot be done. We may even talk ourselves out of it. We might worry that it’s too much sacrifice or we may fail so we simply follow the status quo.

The Bible is the most optimistic book ever written. It tells us that we can accomplish great things for gods glory. It reminds us that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. It tells us that with man it is impossible but with God all things are possible.

Most of us are not motivated because of the fear of failure. But I say that we should strive anyways. I want to encourage you that no matter the barrier or lack of resources or circumstances that seem insurmountable that you should do it anyways. Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.

Passion in itself may not be enough but coupled with your abilities and God’s empowerment you could accomplish much for His glory and His heavenly gain. Proverbs 16:3 reads, "Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed."

Evangelism: Taking the Path of Least Resistance

"Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus

For many people the idea of sharing their faith is terrifying. This conjures up images of conflict and emotional stress that can immobilize people at the very thought of evangelism. I have spoken with Christian who are so easily overwhelmed by the idea that they will avoid it at all cost. They may be like what Albert Camus who wrote about; keeping the peace above all things. However, sharing your faith is very rewarding and can be inspiring to your own spiritual growth. 

What if I told you that there are two strategies of evangelism that you can use that can reduce the stress? What if I told you that there is a path of least resistance? Would you give it a try if it came with guarantees? Or if you can fairly sure that there would not be conflict at the very suggestion of the gospel. 

Too often we work so hard at being a peacemaker that we miss the opportunities that God has for us. My hope is that this will challenge you to take a risk to realize the eternal reward that is available in Jesus’ name. As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers and we are also called to reach others for Jesus, as His witness. That requires a risk but I do believe that we can have a peaceful engagement in our world through the following strategies that I will explain. You might say that we are taking the path of least resistance but hopeful that we can make an eternal difference if we dare to confess Jesus.

I remember like it was yesterday my very first opportunity to share my faith. I was in high school and the pressure & fear I felt was like spreading frozen butter over dry toast. Like nails to a chalkboard, the fear of failure was very much on my mind. 

It was over lunch and the subject of my youth group came up. A comment was made, "Oh you don’t go to one of those, do you?" I quickly gathered my thoughts. I didn’t want to be like Peter who denied Jesus. I wanted to be bold and assertive but instead I simply said, "We do fun things there too, you know!" I felt as if I was defensive and hostile but I didn’t know what exactly I should do. It was fortunate for me that one of my other friends, who also attended a youth group, spoke up in my defense. Her answer was an example for me. She simply said, "Do you want to go with me the next time we meet and see for yourself?" 

All I remember from that point on was that I needed to be more positive and easy-going when it came to sharing my faith. The opportunity to talk about Jesus was really not as difficult as I made it out to be. I have come to realize that it is only my responsibility to share what I can about Jesus. When Jesus sent out the 72 recorded in Luke chapter 10 he told them to take little provisions and depend upon that which is given to them. He shared with His disciples that whatever home welcomes them that they have the obligation to fellowship and to share about Jesus. The responsibility in the decision to follow Jesus is up to those that we minister to. In fact, he told his disciples that whoever does not receive them that they are to just simply wipe the dust off their feet and move on. It tells me that if I simply remain faithful that God will do the work in the hearts of people.

Since realizing this truth, I have found that there are many opportunities that are before us. I have since been involved in many of different strategies to evangelize. I have attended seminars and even took classes in preparation for the ministry that prepared me to deal with nearly every circumstance that could arise when it came to evangelism. I have knocked on hundreds of doors and have spoken to even hundreds more through casual acquaintances and brief encounters that the Lord has led me to. Through each of these experiences, I have learned to depend on the Lord.

Evangelism can take on many different functions from friendship evangelism, proclamation evangelism, acts of service evangelism, and even what I call, "crisis evangelism." The term "crisis evangelism" is a much more popular phrase today but it was years ago when I would apply those tactics. In the early 90’s I designed my entire ministry philosophy around five different opportunities for ministry and evangelism. The ideas were simplistic but seemingly effective. I thought of the different times in peoples lives when there were potential threats and difficulties that people faced. Those included; marriage, the birth of a child, family crises, illness, and the death of a loved one. Later in life, as my children became teenagers I would’ve added raising teenagers as a sixth crisis evangelism opportunity.

A friend and I were talking one day about evangelism and he attributed a phrase to Dr. Billy Graham; "Evangelism without discipleship is irresponsible." I haven’t yet found the evidence or who actually offered that phrase but I tend to agree with it. Everyone that we witness to and even lead to Christ needs to be led and discipled. It is fruit that needs encouraged because of the complexities of life and the need for understanding of God’s Word.

However, if the first step is not completed then there’s no need for the second step. We must evangelize in order to have disciples. Too often I find people willing to disciple others who havevnever shared their faith. That doesn’t seem to be the order of God’s plan as we read Matthew 28. He did tell us that we all are to go, proclaim, then baptize abd disciple. I have to believe that is God’s plan for us. We are to lead people to Jesus and then disciple them. He is telling us in the great commission that we all have the responsibility to lead others to Jesus and disciple them. This is not just reserved for those who have the gift of evangelism or the gift of teaching but it is for every one whom God equips and who are filled with His Spirit.

Let me share with you that there are two paths of least resistance when it comes to sharing your faith in Jesus. If you are a follower of Jesus you have the responsibility of sharing your faith. This is part of your act of confession that Jesus is Lord. In fact, every time that you confess with your mouth you reaffirm your faith and tell others of the transformation that God has done in you.

1. Testimony.

When you examine your testimony you come to realize that the story is more about what God has done in you than it is about you. A testimony of Jesus Christ is a witness because of the way He has worked in our life both in the past as well as in the present.

I talk to many people about evangelism in a growing trend is what is called "friendship evangelism". This trend is popular because it requires little commitment on our part and it is met with little resistance on the part of those who we talk to.Yet, I find it ineffective. 

I’ve heard people tell stories of how they have become friends with someone of a different faith or no faith at all. They spend time sipping coffee and discussing the current affairs of the day. When I asked them about how it’s going with sharing their faith, they simply respond but they don’t want to put any pressure on their friend. They confess that they’ve kept the conversation rather casual. While I agree that we should be friendly I’m not sure how effective it is in reality. Often I have asked the question about a person coming to faith or even joining them at church. Over and over again I hear that but have not gotten to that point yet. Months and even years can pass without let me even sharing a simple testimony.

The truth is that our world is very accommodating and if we have a personal testimony of how God has changed our hearts and minds or has provided for our needs, we need to let others know. Our world is generally kind and may even reciprocate the relationship but sharing our faith gives them the motivation of our heart. 

In fact, I have never been insulted or criticized by anyone ay anytime I have shared my testimony. I want to emphasize that a little more deeply. Even if what I share is not put in to the best of terms, as long as I am authentic people will generally respond positively. I don’t have to have a polished speech ready. In fact, I would encourage it to come from your heart and to share about your vulnerable times as well.

There are opportunities that we are confronted with every day in which we can give our "elevator testimony". There are opportunities for us to share a 30-second testimony about what God is doing in our lives. Even a simple phrase spoken with authenticity can open the door to evangelism. "How are you doing?" can be that key. 

Often I believe that we are afraid to risk in fear of rejection or persecution so we stay silent on the sidelines. We never really know but what you say can actually be just what the other person needs to hear. If we say it with kindness and genuineness, most people will reciprocate. 

In fact, because of your kindness you can be a silent witness but God doesn’t always receive glory until you confess that your motive is because of Jesus. People say, "What a nice guy. " However, they may never know that you weren’t always that nice. Not until you confess Jesus with your mouth will people be impacted by the ministry of evangelism.

Take a few minutes and write down a brief testimony that you could use the next time you are at a restaurant or at the checkout lane. It could sound something like this:

"Thank you for your service today. You exhibit values and traits that I appreciate. There was a time in my life when I was not patient like you. People frustrated me. That is until I came to know Jesus Christ." 

A simple phrase allows you to confess Jesus with your mouth and not cast negative judgment on another person. It opens the door for a brief encounter. You don’t have to quote verse & text to get your message across. There is a great likelihood that you will see them again so you can follow up with that context of relationship with an invitation to church or special event or another simple expression of God‘s love.

2. Prayer.

Another tactic that I believe could be used is prayer. I find it to be a path of least resistance when it comes to sharing my faith in Jesus. I have never had anyone refuse my invitation to pray for them. While I may not be able to pray for them at that moment I can add them to my prayer list. Most people receive that genuine invitation with a heart of gratitude.

I was having lunch with the pastor one day at a local restaurant when I decided to use a genuine concern to meet the needs of our waitress. The waitress had already served us our meal and filled our drinks and was simply stopping by to see if there was anything else she could do for us when I said to her, "You have been so kind and patient with us. You are treating me better than I deserve. Is there anything that I can pray about for you?" At that moment the waitress begin to break down and cry. She leaned over and in a soft tone to say to us that she has several serious concern and expressed appreciation for our interest. I asked her if I could pray for her that moment without hesitation she said, "Indeed!" She wept as I prayed for God’s blessing on her life and following our prayer she seemed as if there was a huge weight that have been lifted. With a smile she simply said, "Oh, here’s your bill."

I thanked her for her service and I left a generous tip. My opportunity to be a witness was coupled with a heart of generosity through my tip. I believe God could use this to further provide opportunities to be a positive witness in the future. This was a simple and yet authentic way to evangelize. I don’t believe that she thought I was weird or a fanatic or crazy.

We all have those opportunities because we do go to the store or to a restaurant. There are always opportunities if we are prayerful and we were looking out for them.

On one of my business trips I stopped at a fast food place during a busy lunch hour. I happen to be a woman who appeared to be homeless asking for handouts. Instead of just giving her a few bucks I asked her if I could buy her a meal? She joined me at the cash register as I said to her, "Pick anything that you want because I’m buying." She made her selection and after paying I stopped and said, "Can I pray for you?" She said but it was okay. Without thinking about the customers behind me I begin to pray for her out loud with my hand on her shoulder. It was a long prayer and it was truly authentic and genuine. As I finished praying I suddenly realize that I was holding up the line. As I turned to apologize I noticed that most people in the line we’re also bowing their heads with several giving me a gentle smile indicating that it was okay as if to say that there’s always time for prayer.

These two tactics can be a positive means, if used appropriately and with a genuine heart of love and care to be a positive witness. You may even have the opportunity to pray as someone receives Jesus in their hearts.

We read the scripture in Luke 10 that Jesus taught his disciples to be a witness. He told them that the fields are ripe unto harvest so pray that the Lord would send out workers to gather the harvest. This metaphor would’ve been easily understood by his disciples as being prepared to go out and be a positive witness to proclaim the ministry of Jesus. If we say that we are his disciple then we have an obligation to be a witness to those around us. Believe me, I meet many people for the very first time and I use these simple tactics and a genuine and loving way to share about Jesus. It’s not because I’m a preacher that it makes it easier. In fact, most people don’t know that about me. I’m just a patron getting a sandwich and then I’ll be on my way. My hope is that I could drop a seed in the life of another so that I’m doing my part to make a difference.

One final note and an assignment. Often I will pray a prayer inviting God to give leadership to my opportunity to witness throughout the day. I simply pray, "Lord, send a divine interruption into my life today. Send someone that will not be on my radar but instead an interruption so that I have no choice but to follow through with sharing my faith because it was you that sent them." Pray this prayer each day and see what God has in store for you.

Three Lessons I’ve Learned From Doing Church Work; Actually Four.

The ministry of the church is very complex. It is very rewarding with lots of wonderful stories about the grace and spiritual gifts of the Lord at work in His church. There’s nothing like it. 

It is a living organism with lots of moving pieces. It is likened unto the body with its complexities and all the different parts that work together. It is a mystery that invokes curiosity and we see miracles which motivate us to be active in our Call to ministry. I have always been amazed and there is never a dull moment. I have been involved in the ministry of the local church as a minister for over 30 years and I can tell you that there are experiences that are so unique that most people would never believe the half.

Perhaps you are like me. When you do something long enough you begin to take note of some of the lesson learned that are most important. Sometimes it’s hard to separate the work of the ministry from personal matters. Many times I felt that it was a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week type of responsibility. The mission of the church is all-encompassing and extensive. 

Today my family ranks highest in my priorities but, early on in ministry it was not always the case. When I first entered into the ministry, I was so excited about ministry that I would often spend almost all my time at the church and in ministry. I would say that I’m not the best example but it is both case and point. On the very day that my wife was expecting our first child, she called me up at the church asking when I was going to finish my meeting. The clues were not immediately obvious to me because all I simply said to her was, "I should be done within the hour." Some of the ladies, more sensitive simply said, "What she means is that the baby is coming and you really need to leave now to go to the hospital." That was nearly thirty years ago. 

I loved being active in the ministry of the church. I had the fortunate opportunity that my family could participate in many of the ministries that I was leading. Whether that was teaching Sunday School or youth group activities and outings, my family was often with me. In many cases, I even took them for granted. 

Not every vocational or career allows you to take your child to work with you, but in the ministry of the local church, that was pretty common. I’ve learned a few things since those days. The following is a list of three, no four lessons that I’ve learned in doing local church ministry. You might say that I have been to the school of hard knocks because many of these lessons came as a result of hardships.

1. Most people are forgiving.

There are countless examples of times when I have personally experienced that most people are forgiving. My first sermon, my first youth outing, or my first choir cantata taught me that people are filled with grace and mercy. I have made major blenders in my ministry years and have discovered that people will forgive you, at least most will forgive you. Then there are some who may never forgive you.

The nature of the ministry is so broad that it’s possible that your blind spots are clear to everyone but yourself. Even in areas of natural abilities and strengths, I can often remember times when I produced anxiety and frustration in others. From my perspective I was doing just fine. Yet, from the perspective of others I was creating problems and added to the stress that people felt. 

I learned that there are some who were negatively impacted by my passion and zeal and who may have even been offended by how I went about doing my ministry. Some would simply tell me graciously while others would simply quietly remain frustrated and even angry. 

I believe I’m much more sensitive today but I am human. As I surfed through life, carefree I would leave a wake of mistakes along the shoreline of people’s lives. It was years before I could understand the negative impact of my actions and decisions. While most people are pretty forgiving there are a few who just simply cannot forgive. 

I’ve met some pastors who are actually grateful when people leave their church because they believe deeply that it’s best for those people to move on. These notions are of course wrong but preachers like me reasoned that the problem couldn’t have been mine. Sometimes our actions create such a barrier in the relationship that people have no choice but to go to a different church. I’ve never understood the belief that it was best for them to move on because I now hold to the belief that everyone has value, everyone has something to offer. That lesson came after much hardship and trouble that may in fact was the result of my doing. 

Today I encourage new pastors in the process of vocational training to listen more and be people with gifts and graces. I have learned how essential it is to be confident in the Lord but humble in the care of others. 

2. I can’t do it all by myself.

One of the most difficult realizations that I came to learn in my ministry is that I don’t have the ability to do it all by myself. It was in my early years but I can recall a time when I felt as if I didn’t need anyone else and that it would be far more difficult to train someone then if I just did it myself. After all, I was the trained professional, so I thought. This philosophy of ministry drove me to do more and more and it communicated to others that they were not needed. I didn’t understood in those early years that I was being a "martyr". I thought it was admirable to think that I could be the hero and receive all the accolades but in actuality, I was really crippling the ministry of those around me. I needed to trust others and train them to the work of the ministry. 

I remember coming to a place when I was emotionally drained and literally didn’t even have time to take a vacation or a day off. I would work early in the morning and late at night trying to get it all done because I thought that it all was depended upon me. I thought those early years that I needed to run all of the meetings and that I needed to execute all of the action steps. I even thought it was a spiritual gift that drove me to do it all by myself. When I would get together with my peers and other colleagues I would even brag about how useful I was, even how much the ministry needed me. I would complain about how "no one else can do it." 

I still believe that I need to work hard but I need to delegate, train, and trust others to do the work of the ministry. I know now that if I am going to be effective, I need to trust others. I don’t mean to say, use people as if they are my minions but to allow people to experience the benefits and joy of serving. 

In recent years I have discovered that doing things in my own strength is not healthy. I felt better about myself for a period of time. I actually came to enjoy the compliments that came with being the Lone Ranger in ministry. I didn’t even have a faithful assistant who would ride along life‘s journey.

3. A greater dependency on God‘s Word.

The complexities of life and the issues that people have reminds me that I need to depend on the Lord’s Word in my life. While the ministry was always changing, Truth is most often challenged. I don’t believe that in my early years it was any more difficult than it is today but I thought I had all the answers. I was confident in myself. That lasted for a time but I fell short. 

Often I felt like I needed to have all the answers to questions that I never really proposed to myself. The authority of God‘s Word has always been challenged by people of the world, whether in the church or outside of the church.

I can remember times when families would come to me with complexities about underage drinking and drugs or early age pregnancy. As a youth leader the answers seem to come easy as I reflected on the hardships that people faced, made more complex by poor choices. I don’t say that to be judgmental but the reality is that people do make bad decisions that impact them for the rest of their lives. 

In church ministry we are confronted by those hardships and often people want to blame God when they never even consulted him in the first place.

Over the years I have found myself more and more dependent upon what God’s Word has to say. There are always those who misalign the Scriptures or proof text something to fit their philosophies but the bottom line is that God‘s Word is the authority and it does prevent many of the foolish actions of mankind.

Pastors are not only called to preach and teach but they are called to be pastoral while serving as counselors and consultants as well as using parenting skills. The vocation of pastoring is not a simple science like other professions. I believe that is a vocation but that doesn’t minimize the importance of being professional and being trained. They are just too many details to life and we must become scholars of the Word of God.

4. It seems like the more that I discover about church work, the less I really know.

I have learned that the more I know, the less I really know. It’s such an oxymoron to realize that as you experience the ministry you become much more humble in the process. Over the years I have went from knowing all the answers, at least I thought I did, to seemingly knowing that I need to know more. 

Let me illustrate that this way. When I was a youth pastor and had no children of my own yet I seemingly was the expert on parenting. I would hear what my students would say to me about their parents and like every young adult, I would come up with ideas of my own. Then, that day came when I had my own child. It wasn’t long before I realize that I really didn’t know anything at all about parenting. I came to realize that I was a student more than an expert. I laugh at myself when I think about calling parent meetings in my living room and my first church when I thought that I could tell the parents how to raise their children. It was textbook knowledge with no experience at all.

After all of these years of ministry, just when I think that I seemingly have heard at all, there are still surprises. There is a debate about scripture or the complexities of someone’s life that causes me to realize that I really don’t know it all. 

I believe what the wisest man, Solomon said of life. He is indeed correct. There is nothing new under the sun and it is all vanity, vanity.

I hope that the lessons I’ve learned in ministry over the years can be helpful for those developing to become ministry leaders. Learning from someone else’s life journey can help people avoid pitfalls.  

"God calls and the church recognizes, examines, and validates that divine vocation." - Willimon

For Good Men To Do Nothing

In times of crisis there are a variety of speeches and quotes that have become hallmark expressions. With Martin Luther King, Jr. it was, "I have a dream." For Abraham Lincoln it was his memorable speech, the Gettysburg Address. For Winston Churchhill it was, "We will never surrender." Even if I just mention famous names you would associate their famous quotes or speeches such as, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mother Teresa, George MacArthur, and Florence Nightingale. The list goes on. During great times of national struggle and triumph, there are those that rise to leadership.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/edmund_burke_377528

Edmund Burke is credited for saying this quote. This famous line has been quoted often during great crises. It is a famous line that is both motivational and triumphant. It evokes a sense of duty and is a rally call that unites. 

The Irish philosopher is recognized as the one of the greatest leaders and the father of the conservative party in England and also in modern days, he is credited for his conservative thought and politics. His writings and thoughts in modern days has evoked a sense of responsibility for people. We must be people of action is essentially what he is saying.

While it often has been attributed to him in great speeches including the Inaugerational speech of John F. Kennedy, yet, in reality, there are serious doubts that he actually said it. It is true, however that he did similar things like this in his early writings.

Nevertheless, it is quotes like this one that carries through generations.

"...quotations from Burke and Mill are conceptually related to the quote under examination, but neither expression is close textually. In October of 1916 Charles F. Aked used a maxim in a speech that was similar but not identical."

Look at the full history of the quote here.

No matter the origin of the authorship, this quote is worthy of examination.

Today I want to spend just a few moments attributing my thoughts to this famous quote. For good men to do nothing carries with it a dramatic overture that causes us to stop and ask, what would happen if no one took action? This quote is not just directed toward men of course, it is for everyone.

Each generation seems to have those that step forward to lead. Nelson Mandela is such an example. Leading in Africa through civil inequality and bringing hope for all meant that he stood out as a leader.

Each of us can look around and see the inequalities of those oppressed. We  raise the banner of hope. Like Nelson Mandela, famous for saying, "May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." His positive, hope-filled attitude, even while even being imprisoned made a difference. 

For me at this time of my life i am bringing hope to the vulnerable children in foster care. Each of us must decide that we will act through compassion and love in order to make a difference in the lives of another. Even against the current pressures we may face, through adversity and hardship, we are called to action. 

Often what keeps us going in the midst of adversity and trial is hope. Hope is the only thing stronger than fear. We have a vision beyond ourselves for the good of all. This encourages us to be people of courage and conviction. It challenges us to be people of action. To do nothing is to allow evil to succeed.

You might say that I’m a bit obsessed about the history of World War II. I just can’t help myself. I often read articles and watch TV programming on that  time in history. My wife often says to me, "Why do you like Hitler so much?" What she doesn’t understand is that it’s not Hitler that I’m interested in but rather the history of this war. Hitler just happens to be center stage during that war. When we think of evil, nothing comes to mind worse than to think about the holocaust in such terrible times as World War II. For Hitler to succeed, all he really needed is for good people to do nothing. That’s exactly what happened when the French sought for peace. He marched his army over the borders with an invasion of little resistance. 

All throughout the war there were many who failed to act when they could have prevented such atrocities. Even the United States of America failed to enter the war at first, while only supplying military arsenal, they stayed out of the war until the attack on Pearl Harbor. Over and over we see examples of good people doing nothing.

No matter who ultimately made the statement the profound truth and its application in our every day life. The sin of omission, that is to do nothing, has great consequences. To turn the blinds eye or to say it’s not my problem are excuses that keep us from action. We know all to well the consequences of inaction.

As we look to the scripture we find that even Jesus could be cited as making a similar statement when he said that we are to do unto the least of these around us. He warned us in the scripture that we are not to be like those who do nothing.

Matthew 25:44-45 | Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

For good men to do nothing should be a quote that is attributed to no one. Each one of us can do something and should take action to make a difference.

Seeking Shelter From a Stranger

We were trying to beat the storm as we stopped briefly at a fire station in Warsaw, Indiana. "Do you have an update on the storm?" I asked the firefighters who were leisurely sitting at their station but observing the weather reports. "It looks like it’s going to be a bad one," they said.

The series of storms were tracking across northern Indiana as we tried to make our way home to Elkhart. We were driving a small car with my young family. Driving a Chevette was rather cramped as our two boys strapped in the backseat with our baby daughter taking up much of the room in her car seat. "I think we can make it," I said to Cindi. Prompted by what the firefighter said it seemed as if the storm would allow us a quick yet safe passage through a back road so that we could get home before the worst of the storm was to hit. There were threats of tornadoes and heavy rain and even hail. There were pop-up showers everywhere.

We quickly made our way along our usual path, through back road that met up with State Road 19. The sky was looking rather grim but we felt the assurance that we could get through this area and be ahead of the storm. That was a big mistake. 

As the skies opened up and the heavy rains fell we felt the battering of the winds. I quickly turned on the radio which was issuing alerts all along the area that we were traveling. "We’re not gonna make it," I said to Cindi yet trying to convey a sense of confidence for the sake of the kids. She could see the look on my face which was one of worry and anxiety. We both thought the same thing, we’re going to have to stop somewhere and seek shelter. We were in the middle of the country with very few houses. As the storm was getting worse I decided to go ahead and stop at one of the houses in hopes that we could seek shelter from a stranger.

As the rain poured I frantically knocked on the door on the little white house. Never mind my anxiety for the storm I never considered the fear of a stranger answering the door. "I am sorry to bother you but I have my family in the car and it looks like a tornado is in the vicinity. May we come in?" I said to an older lady. With little regard for herself she quickly said, "Yes, indeed, bring your family in, and quickly."

I motioned that was okay to come in and quickly went out into the pouring rain to gather the children. We were soaking wet as we enter the house but our host and stranger quickly gathered up a few towels to rush us into the basement. "Thank you, thank you very much!" my wife said. We were relieved that we were out of the storm but concerned about the seriousness of the situation. The storm still loom and yet threatened. On the radio we were hearing reports of serious damage in the area. Spotter alerts had indicated that even the road that we were traveling on had a tornado that was on the ground and the rain-wrapped threat was nearby. We stayed sheltered in place for nearly an hour as we were hunkered down into the basement hearing the winds and rain that pound against the house.

To our relief the storm did passed and  the stranger and host became our dearest friend. Her hospitality provided us the safety we needed and we were soon to learn how close we came to the danger as we made our way home later that evening. Indeed a tornado did touch the ground and within a mile of our shelter there was substantial damage that gave clear evidence that was all too real to us.

I share the story with you because even twenty-five years later the emotion of that evening still seems to course through my veins and upon reflection caused my heart to beat a little extra. Cindi and I often reflect on that moment and even our kids remember the fear of that afternoon storm and the shelter from a stranger. Years followed and whenever we passed that home that served as our shelter our children pointed out the car window and they would say, "There it is!" 

Events in our lives seem to offer moral lessons for ourselves and our children. It seems as though the ministry we were to be involved in seemed to be impacted by that one experience. Often our home became the place for strangers when I would pick up people hitchhiking or those who needed a warm meal. My wife knew that we were the shelter for someone in need. Even years later when we became licensed foster parents we were the strangers who were offering shelter to youth at risk. For years we offered a safe shelter for teenagers who needed a safe place from their family and even the harm they were to themselves. Teenagers who are proned to negative conditions would eventually find a place of nurture and boundaries of care. My wife knew how to create hospitality, even at times feeding 15 or more around our table as other youth would gather. We spent many meals talking about hopes and dreams with those teenagers. That was our form of evangelism. As they talked we would simply say, "I believe you can do that." We would instill their value in God and His ability to help them fulfill their dreams.

There were risks of course but the rewards were greater. Being able to help another person was far more of an impact on our own lives than what we could ever provide for those we attempted to serve. Our rewards came through the feelings of doing good and helping others as well as the occasional words of thanksgiving. There’s something motivational about helping others that can only be explained by the feelings we would experience.

Of course not every metaphor in a story meets with every situation. There was excitement and fear of a thunderstorm by no means a comparison to the routine placement of a child in a strangers home. There are similarities but the raging storm that has often impacted a child or teen is in out-of-home placement had passed by the time they came to our home. There certainly were feelings and concerns that a child felt coming into the home of a stranger but we seldom took shelter in a basement and worrying about the damage of a passing thunderstorm.

Shelter of a stranger means being willing to be a person of hospitality while also being prepared through prayer to meet the needs of another. We always welcomed the opportunity but seldom realize the full impact of what we were presenting to our family. As we opened our home to foster children we were always reminded to be completely dependent on the Lord to guide and even help us to love someone who was also a stranger to us. But at the same time it was also easy because there were simple acts of kindness that we could provide that became solutions to ease the tension and provide care to those seeking shelter at our door step. Just as the stranger in the storm twenty-five years earlier provided towels and even freshly baked cookies to us the strangers at her doorstep, we too could provide simple acts of kindness. I don’t mean to say that being a foster parent is always easy. Yes, there are challenges but if we start with the basics, somehow God is able to equip us and provide for every need.

Impact ONE and You Change the Lives of Many.

What if I told that if you could make a million for only a $1 investment, wouldn’t you want to know how? Or what if I told you that making the difference with one could exponentially impact the world, would that make you curious enough to try?

"When you lead one person to Christ, you reach everyone they encounter as well." - Fred Stayton, Pastor of Columbia City United Methodist Church.

I was in church at the Columbia City UMC Church when Pastor Fred Stayton made this very statement. He was talking about the difference that we can have when we reach just ONE person. After reading the parable of the good shepherd who left the 99 sheep to find the lost ONE, he challenged us to make a difference in the life of just one other person. He encouraged us to reach them for Christ and the impact will make a significant difference in the lives of many more. His simple faith statement caused me to image what I could do in my simple journey through life. "When you lead one person to Christ, you reach everyone they encounter as well", said Fred Stayton, Pastor of Columbia City United Methodist Church.

This prompted me to write this blog and to just imagine the impact that we can have by reaching one person at a time for Christ. We all know the Dr. Billy Graham became an incredible evangelist and America’s pastor. 

Dr. Billy Graham shared that his conversion came as a result of a shoe salesman named Edward Kimble who led Dwight L. Moody to Jesus. Even in his time, Moody was known as one of the greatest evangelist, preaching to millions over to continents. It was through just one person who reached another and another until finally we pick up the story of Dr. Billy Graham who came to know Jesus. The conversion of Billy Graham

What was true for them and  also true for my family, though perhaps not the dramatic influence as they were. For my family the It was through a neighborhood revival meeting that my brothers Bob and Jim attended. They eventually ended up attending the Monroe First Wesleyan Church and later my parents came to know the Lord. Eventually calling several of us into full-time church ministry but impacting other siblings for Jesus as well. Most of us were impacted by the ministry of Sunday School teachers. Nelly Ihrkey was one of our Sunday school teachers who loved children and loved Jesus. Her classes, during my preschool years are memorable even to this day because she taught lessons using a sock monkey and an incredible love for us. Her simple, yet effective teaching has had an impact on my family and now my grandchildren. Simply making the difference in one person has exponential impact on others.

What Pastor Fred at the UMC Church reminds us that we can make an incredible difference if we should choose to leave the 99 and go after the ONE who is least and lost all around us. 

Who is that one individual that you would like to reach for Christ? Who could you plant a seed of hope in the Gospel today that would yield a harvest of many souls?

Of course we know it doesn’t take much to make a difference in the lives of people.  Just by listening we can become a profound impact in the life of another. If we start by listening and respond quickly with loving words we can make a difference of just one other in need. Only what is done for Christ will last. We try to gather money, property, & stuff but these things will rust and be destroyed.

I love the saying that we impress people from a distance but we impact them up close. It is true that if we attempt to go through life trying to impress everyone, it will leave us empty and vain but if we serve to impact people up close, we will make any eternal difference. 

Matthew 6:19-20

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal."

Aged to Perfection - Tribute to Merle at 111 & 1/2 Years Young.

The following was written a few months back, with a few updates. This is a tribute to Merle who passed away today at 111 & 1/2 years young. 

Let me tell you a story. I first met Merle over twenty years ago when I was serving as a pastor in her church just outside of Chicago, Illinois. Merle is an unassuming, quiet, and very respectful individual. She is soft spoken and yet hard-working, who possesses a can-do attitude. Merle is not quite 4 1/2 feet tall and you hardly would notice her if she entered a room except for her loving qualities.

When you first meet her, you could not know the impact that she would have on you and other people. You are drawn to her because of her kind and approachable manner. You may not immediately know of her incredible influence on others but, as you get to know her, you discover how she makes a difference. You always feel better being with her.

One of first times I stopped at her home was in the winter, just after a fresh snowfall - and you must know that she was pushing 90 years old at that time. I discovered that she was shoveling her driveway by herself by hand. She wasn’t moving very fast but she was clearing a path. I jumped in quickly to give her a hand only to have her say, "I can do this, don’t you bother."

Stories are told that were legends in the annals of folklore, yet I assure you that she’s every bit the reality of those supposed fables.

I heard that she went to college – when few women did.

I heard that she ran her own business and even rented rooms - when few widows would dare do.

I heard that she would walk up and down the streets of her town selling books that she authored.

I once was the witness of her strength when she was confronted by a large man on her front porch. He clearly had the advantage and I even attempted to step in to rescue her but not before she threw the man off her porch; she physically, throw the man of her porch. I stepped out of her house and attempted to shield her from the man’s retaliate but to my surprise, all I could say to the man was, "It’s a good thing I’m here because SHE might’ve really hurt YOU."

Merle had seen a lot in her lifetime. She had a difficult home life growing up in Iowa; seeing two world wars, the great depression, and the invention of nearly everything. She has committed herself to influence the world through grace, charm, and a determination to serve Jesus.

I say all that because in order to understand leadership influence, you must fully understand that in her own way, she appeared defenseless and unable to make a difference yet she influenced everyone she met! 

She never really possessed a title or had the kind of promotion that would cause you to rank her a success in business or the kind of wealth that would cause people to turn their heads toward her. Yet, she carries an influence far beyond most even today.

If you think that you cannot be a leader without a title or status or certain lofty friends, you’re mistaken because Merle is that example.

Picture: Ministry from IWU visited with Merle to sing and pray with her.

Even at 111 years young, who, by the way is the oldest church member of the Wesleyan Church, in her passing she will be remembered as a gentle giant in faith and influence.

At her birthday celebrating her 110 year, (last year) there were many who gathered to give honor to her. There were Cousins. Friends. Coworkers. Also dignitaries like Mayors and other political representatives.

There were reports that were filed with news affiliates out of Chicago and newspapers who wrote articles about her. Each of them expressing a very special meaning to their interaction with Merle. See Chicago News Story.

Leadership is having influence like Merle; who doesn’t need to be loud or bossy or threatening or coercive and mean. It’s not a title or a special rank but it someone who gives what they have to help another. As I think about leadership I would encourage you to be thinking about Merle and you will likely be challenged by her can-do attitude.

As I reflect on Merle’s passing at 111 years young, I reflect on attending last year’s birthday, and when we finish singing happy birthday you could hear Merle in her soft very quiet demeanor call out to everyone, "I’ll see you next year". 

I want to wrap up our discussion and tell you something very special about Merle that I think should the challenge all of us. I mentioned that Merle has seen a lot in her 111 years of living. I told you that she is not known for her career. I told you that she is not known just for having the a boarding house in the city just outside of Chicago. She’s not known just for working almost every day into her 90s. She’s known because of the influence that she has on those that she has met. Interesting fact that she challenge all of us is that Merle is known as an author. 

She has offered articles and has written stories to her credit but what is what’s most interesting to me is that even after living a life time, well past the time that most of us will retire and would sit back to enjoy their remaining years. Not Merle. She begin to author her first book when she was in her 70’s. So, when you think you cannot accomplish something or make a difference in a persons life and be a leader with influence, I want you to think of Merle who has just finished her 12th book! 

A local television affiliate out of Chicago decided to do a news report and videotaped interview. At the end of the video the reporter asked her, "Merle, what’s the secret to long life?" after a pause Merle spoke up and said, "Keep breathing!"

See also a story about her 111th birthday: See celebration of 111th birthday.

View Celebration of Life-Funeral