Beware of religious people who do not know God

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“An hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think he is offering service to God” (John 16:2).  “Deceiving and being deceived” (II Timothy 3:13).

I wrote something on an earlier blog calling for transparency and integrity from churches, using as a jumping off point the billboards up and down the Mississippi Gulf Coast which hawk the fun, the shows, the money, the jackpots, etc., they offer without once mentioning the addicted souls, broken lives and destroyed homes that accompany these enticements. In the piece, I was wondering what if the government enforced “truth in advertising” laws that would require them to tell the full story.

That article was directed to the churches. But someone who found it on the internet jumped all over it (and in ALL CAPITALS!) to accuse me of worse things when our churches ask people to give money.

When people cannot see the difference in a church and a casino, forget about trying to reason with them.

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The PR lesson every church must learn

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“So that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world….” (Philippians 2:15)

The largest antebellum plantation home in the country just learned an important lesson:  “How you appear to yourself is not necessarily how the outside world sees you.”  And similarly, “Sometimes it helps to get an outside opinion on how you are being perceived.”

Nottoway Plantation, situated halfway between Baton Rouge and New Orleans on the west (aka, the south) side of the Mississippi River, is said to be the largest plantation home in the country. Built by slaves in 1859, just before the Civil War, it serves today as a tourist attraction, a bed and breakfast, a restaurant, gift shop, and a site for conferences, weddings, and parties.

Recently, Nottoway (it’s actually located at White Castle, LA) was in the news because a singer canceled her retreat/concert there due to its slavery connections.  James Gill, columnist for the New Orleans Advocate, writing in the Sunday January 5, 2014 edition, gives the details.

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There is no fine print in the gospel

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“Indeed, all who desire to live godly  in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (Second Timothy 3:12).

Driving along the interstate from Mobile to New Orleans recently, I was struck by the relentless assault of billboards promoting the numerous casinos along the coast.  One after another shouted about shows and concerts, giveaways, jackpots, winners, great food, and fine hotels.  But not one word was said regarding the massive amounts of money people lose in those places, or the gambling addiction that ruins their lives, or the personal problems resulting from casinos.

Some have even noted that when bettors lose big and take their lives in the casino parking lots, not a word will appear in the local newspapers about it.  Is there a conspiracy of some kind to protect this industry?

The government which requires truth in advertising might want to give attention to the oversights associated with gambling in this country.

Then again, I wonder sometimes what if our churches were required to tell the “full story” in all our advertisements….

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What we must not assume about the godly among us

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“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours….” (James 5:17)

Don’t be mistaken about the godly and mature among the hodge-podge of God’s children.  They’re so much like you and me that we might be surprised.

And possibly disappointed too.

Sorry about that. If you were in the hopes that some among us had achieved a sinless state where every thought was pure and godlike and temptation no longer pestered them, I’m sorry to be the one to let the air out of that balloon.

In fact, these whom we treasure for their Christlikeness and maturity do not know they are the envy of the rest of the congregation. Most would be surprised anyone thinks of them that way.

That’s actually one of the signs that they are.

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A rhapsody on the theme of the Apostle Paul: His final words

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“…the time of my departure has come” (II Timothy 4:6).

This is about the Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy.  These are Paul’s last recorded words.

It’s good to know when your task is complete and that you are about to be recalled home.  It concentrates the mind, as they say.

Paul knew he was on schedule, that his earthly ministry was coming to an end and the bus home was about to arrive.

There is a peace about his pronouncements in Second Timothy, even when he speaks of his coming re-trial before Caesar.  The Lord had been alongside him during the first and will be there during the second, even though Paul does not expect to be set free.  The apostle knows where he is and how things are done in Rome.  But far from growing bitter toward the government–Christians in America might want to take note!–his eyes were on Jesus Christ and the things of God.

There is much to love in this little epistle. It is unlike anything else in Scripture and, in some respects, the most passionate thing we have from the hands of Paul.

Paul is about to die. And, in the words of Dr. Samuel Johnson, nothing concentrates the mind like knowing you’re going to be hanged “in a fortnight.”

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Tasks that are finished and ships that have sailed

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“It is finished” (John 19:30).

In a panel discussion regarding the movie “Saving Mr. Banks,” actor Tom Hanks, who plays Walt Disney in the film, tells of the final conversation between Disney and the creator of Mary Poppins, P. L. Travers.

“Just after the premiere of the movie, Mrs. Travers said, ‘Oh, we have much work to do on this movie, Mr. Disney. Much work indeed.’ Disney said to her, ‘Pam, that ship has sailed,’ and walked away.”

Hanks says, “It was the last time they ever spoke.”

That ship has sailed.

It’s a wonderful expression to indicate tasks that are over and should now be set aside, events that are now history and cannot be improved on, and projects that are completed and cannot be tampered with.

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The number one mistake of the immature

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“For the things which  are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

I was sketching this kid and asked him how old he was. “I’m 9,” he said. Then, making conversation to keep him focused, I said, “Do you like being 9, or do you wish you were 12 or 13?”  I thought I knew the answer. Children always seem to want to be older than they are.

“I like being 9,” he said. “I’m still a kid and can still get by with a lot of stuff.”

Now, there’s a 9-year-old worthy of the name!

We all start out in life as immature. The trick is not to grow attached to what should be a temporary status, to camp out there and resist growing up.

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Eliminating hurry from my life. Right now!

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“Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4).

The maid told my friend, “The reason you are tired all the time is that you’re always rushing.”

Wisdom is where you find it.

My friend Don Davidson, who pastors the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia, quotes John Ortberg who said the best advice he ever received came from Dallas Willard.  “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”

My wife says, “It’s easier said than done.”

Indeed. That’s why so few manage it.

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Something about celebrity pastors that might surprise you

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I know a few of those (ahem) big-shot pastors. And I know some things about them they don’t advertise.

That said, here is my list of what celebrity pastors feel that would surprise you.  (These are generalizations, of course, and do not fit all megachurch pastors.  However, you might be surprised to know how many it does fit! Smiley-face goes here.)

1) A sense of inadequacy.

It goes like this: “All the usual indicators say we’re going a great job, but if that’s the case, why do I feel like a failure, as though I’m missing something as clear as the nose on my face?  Maybe what I’m doing with God’s call is not such a good idea after all. But what about all those people who depend on me for their livelihood and those who say they look to me as their pastor?”

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When the preacher needs help and no one will tell him

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“But encourage one another, so much the more, as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

It sounds like such fun, being an encourager of ministers of the gospel. And it is.

Except for when it’s not.

What does an encourager of preachers do when he finds those who need not so much encouragement as basic instruction?  They have fundamental problems in their preaching and need to make some serious changes but you’re in no position to tell them.

Compounding the problem, what if those preachers are being outwardly successful in their Kingdom work (as far as you can tell) in spite of their preaching flaws?

Many would say, “Leave it alone then. Clearly, the Lord is blessing, so maybe you are not the judge of their preaching.”

I happily admit I’m not the judge of anyone’s preaching.

However….

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