Abiding Friendships

I recently spoke to an old high school buddy. He was bringing me up to date on some of the people we went to school with. I had to get out my old yearbooks to put faces with names. Talking to him reminded me that most of my relationships in high school were acquaintanceships. I didn't really know many people outside of class. I didn't hang out with many people outside of school nor did I take part in many after school activities. I had a small band of friends that I trusted and hung out with, but for the most part I stayed to myself.

I left high school the day of graduation. I don't mean that I simply stopped going to school. I mean that I left those times (and troubles) behind as I moved forward. My high school experience was not one of glory and joy. I felt out of place, like that odd sock in the back of your drawer that you can't remember buying, wearing, or where the other one went. I realize now that those feelings were part and parcel of being a teenager, but for me I found it very difficult to entrust myself to anyone. Again, I don't mean to imply that I didn't have any meaningful relationships, but while I accepted many, I only trusted a few.

I realize now that this was a defense mechanism meant to protect me from getting hurt. However, it also prevented me from really getting to know people. I was so afraid of getting caught in the crossfire of life, that I sat out a big part of mine. We approach church life much the same way I approached high school. We build a network of acquaintances when we should be building friendships. Life is messy. There is no escaping that fact. If we are to love like Jesus, we must move beyond surface level relationships. We need to bond in such a way that we can empathize with each other. To paraphrase Paul, "Cry together in hardship; rejoice together in blessing."

Church is not some temporary stepping stone to the next level of life. The Church is the training ground for life in the kingdom. We are preparing for eternity together with the Lord. But, we will also be together with our fellow believers. There exists between believers an inseparable union. They are united in Christ and that bond cannot be broken. An old hymn asks, "Will the circle be unbroken?" The reality is that many family circles will be broken. I do not say that they will be broken to discourage anyone. Continue to pray for and witness to your lost family members; the Lord may save them. The simple fact is that not all will be saved. This reality is one of the reasons we must seek to preserve the unity of the church. It is the circle of the Church that shall go unbroken.

We must seek deep and abiding relationships with fellow believers, because those relationships are eternal. How do you treat the family and friends you are close to? Do you call them daily? Write/email them? Eat with them? Hang out? Now let me ask: Is there any one in your church (that you aren't related to) that you do these same things with. There should be. A believer cannot live long in isolation without feeling the effects on his faith. We need each other for strength. The church needs to be a place where every believer feels like they belong, and not like some odd sock tossed in the drawer, alone and ignored. I encourage you to get in there and get messy. Start making friendships that will last forever.

I Miss Church

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:25, NIV).

I am really missing church. We have not found anywhere to attend while we are here. Although we are doing our daily devotions and family time, it still feels like something is missing. For the last thirteen years, church has been a central part of my week. I (usually) go twice on Sundays and once on Wednesdays. I (usually) get to spend time with God's people through out the week, but I specifically love coming together with the congregation for the purpose of worshipping our Great Redeemer and studying his Word. The old hymn, Wonderful Words of Life, sums it up well, "Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life; offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life; Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever." Through the wonderful words of life we are set free from sin and bondage, we are ushered into God's presence where we are transformed from wretched sinners into glorious saints, and through that Word we are made aware of our glorious inheritance in Christ Jesus Our Lord. I miss the hymns. I miss the fellowship. I miss preaching. I miss it all. I miss you all. Please, continue to pray for our safe and swift return, and Lord willing, we will be worshipping with you come next Sunday.

Pastor Appreciation Day

The Scripture states, "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad" (Prov. 12:25, ESV). If we are not careful, we will end up burdened down by the cares of this life. It is easy to stress out about a million little things: a drink knocked over at dinner, a package that doesn't arrive when you hoped it would, or the person driving in front of you who drives five miles per hour under the speed limit. Sometimes it is big things that bring us to an anxious place: like waiting for test results to return, the illness of a loved one, or the loss of a job. Anxiety is an all too familiar companion for most people.

This proverb reminds us that all our cares weigh us down. They place a burden on us that will crush us if we are not careful. Maybe you know someone who is buckling under the strain of anxiety. They need a good word to make them glad. We should seek to speak encouragement to those under the pressure of anxiety.

The "good word" may take many forms or have numerous expressions. It may be a reminder of God's grace, care, kindness, and/or greatness. It may be a word that confirms a person's place or calling. It may be a word that expresses empathy and concern. Any expression that seeks to lift the burden through the exaltation of the Lord and his grace is a "good word."

I say all of this because today was Pastor's Appreciation Day at Monticello. Delia and I were given a card, a gift, many words of encouragement and many expressions of gratitude and love. Our hearts were made glad by all the "good words" spoken and the anxiety of life melted away like ice in the desert.

It feels good to be appreciated. In ministry I often feel like I am stumbling around in the dark searching for the light switch. Such warm affirmation and genuine affection encourage me in ways I can't fully express in words. Any good that has come from my ministry or that will come in the future is from God.

So let me say to all of you, I love you. More than that, I thank God for you. I am thankful for your loving kindness toward Delia and me. I am thankful for all the gifts and cards we have received. I am thankful for the smiles, the handshakes, the laughter and the tears. I am thankful that you have opened your church, your homes, and your hearts to me. You have mourned with us and rejoiced with us, you have taught me as I have sought to teach you. I prayerfully look ahead to the coming days and years with excitement and anticipation. I can't wait to see what God is going to do!

Are Terms Important?

Was Juliet right when she said "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"? Do names/terms mean anything? Ponder with me if you will a couple of terms.

We call the buildings in which we meet "churches." Our Baptist ancestors often referred to the buildings as "meeting houses." They referred to the baptized believers, gathered to worship in Christ's name, as "churches." What is the difference? Is it right for us to refer to buildings as churches?

Also, the meetings that we hold on Sundays and Wednesdays are referred to as "services." They used to be called "gatherings." Is there a difference? Why do we call them services?