Life is Indeed a Vapor

Yesterday, during my regular visit to the nursing home, I had a great conversation with the oldest resident. Ms. Brooks is proud to tell everyone that she is approaching her 101st birthday. Wow, can you imagine? She is also quick to give glory to God and share her trust in Him as the only source of strength and joy.

I couldn't help but think of her when I read the recent post over at The Pulpit & the Pew. I commend this post for its gospel-centered perspective on life and death.

While we cling to this life with all its trappings, we must be honest with ourselves. Life is indeed a vapor. When this brief journey is completed a new one will begin. For those who are in Christ, that journey will take us into the very presence of our Creator. This new life will be incomparable to even what we think of as wonderful on this earth. All of this eternal glory comes to us as an extension of God's grace, not based on worldly accomplishments or well-practiced religion.

Even if we live to be 100, amass enormous wealth, and experience celebrity-type fame, all of that will pass away in an instant. It is a terribly humbling thought. I trust that you can echo the words of William Cowper: "Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save, when this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave."

Federal Bailout Concerns?

"For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." 2 Tim. 1:12

"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Mt. 6:31-34

The current financial crisis is the latest buzz among all the "talking heads." It seems everyone has a different solution. I'm not very smart when it comes to economics and finance. I realize that if you spend more than you make, you will have problems. I also realize that if you don't save money for a "rainy day," then when it rains you will get wet. Furthermore, I realize that cash is a great thing and credit can often get you jammed up. Then there is something about buying low and selling high that I once heard some stock broker say. Anyway, I just have a simple-minded way of understanding this stuff. Call me crazy or stupid. It makes no difference to me.

But the real deal is this. Although I have some money invested and try to build up our savings account, that is not where I have placed my total confidence. The crash of the US economy or the failing of 2 or 3 huge companies doesn't change my ultimate outlook. I'm trading in eternal currency. I've already been bailed out. My debt has been paid in full. When my broker speaks, worlds are created.

If you are with me on this one, praise the Lord for His grace. And pray for those blinded by the enemy and seeking to justify themselves.

Thankful for my Wife

Fourteen years ago today I pledged my love and devotion to Lisa Kay Runion. So much has transpired in our lives since that day. Here is a brief glimpse:

We bought our first house on Tremont Street in South Charleston, WV in March of 1995. The following November, God stirred in my heart. I was forever changed and saved by His grace. Madison Olivia was born in 1996. I changed jobs twice while we were living in South Charleston. Lydia Grace was born in 2000. Lisa and I both lost our fathers to cancer. The Lord led us into His ministry and I began to wonder what all that meant. We picked up stakes and moved to Louisville on August 1, 2002 so I could study at Southern Seminary. Since coming to Louisville, Lisa has had 3 'career' changes, 4 if you count staying home with the girls for about 6 months (her personal favorite, and mine too). I was called as Pastor of FBC in Prospect on September 11, 2005 and graduated from Southern in December of 2006. In between all that we bought and sold a house moved twice while living here in Louisville.

Through all of this stuff, life has been a tremendous blessing. We have had much and little. We have laughed and cried. We have faced struggles and many joys. There is nothing comparable, in this life, to marriage. Kids are great, I love my three girls immensely. But my relationship to Lisa is so very special. She knows me, and still loves me. That is saying something.

I am so thankful for my wife!

Our Sovereign God

For the last 10 days I have been praying and following the progress of Josiah Carrier. He is a little guy who was in a serious accident in his home. His Dad, Jason, is a friend who serves in ministry in Birmingham, AL. Jason is also a native of WV and served on staff at FBC, where I currently minister.

As I sit comfortably at a distance I have been moved to tears on several occasions while reading online updates. What I have witnessed is the mighty hand of God on my friend Jason, his wife Janna and this entire situation. I do not know what the final outcome will be. But I know two things for certain: The God who spoke this world into existence is Sovereign and He is doing a remarkable work through this near fatal tragedy.

I encourage you to read the online account of Josiah's story and continued healing. I also ask that you pray for the Carrier family. Josiah has 3 brothers at home who undoubtedly miss him dearly and I imagine his parents are being pushed to the brink.

But even so, God is good. In this situation God is being glorified, He is revealing Himself daily and the gospel is being proclaimed. Amazing Grace!

We've Got the Power

Our nemesis, hurricane Ike, came just north of Prospect, KY on Sunday afternoon. No rain, but lots of wind. Winds as high as 75 MPH were reported. Trees and branches down everywhere around the city of Louisville. As of late on Monday there were as many as 215,000 plus homes without power.

Many thousands are still without electricity. Thankfully, we now have power here "under the steeple." The clean up is under way. Lots of leaves and branches to pick up. We have invited all the "powerless" from our church family to come for dinner tonight (potentially that could be a huge crowd, depending on your definition). Looking forward to a fun time.

The wind is an amazing thing. Sometimes a gentle breeze is so calming, and a blessing on a warm day. While at other times a strong wind can cause much damage and frustration. All of this is guided by the mighty hand of our Sovereign God. He is so awesome.

"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8

Media Meets Ministry

A new layer has been added to my life. I have joined the Facebook generation. It was at my sister's urging that I do this as a way to keep in touch with family and friends. So, I now have a profile and all that stuff. I must be careful not to spend too much time.

Today I was reading the Pastor's Edition of On Mission magazine. I found an interesting and timely article entitled "Facebook for Pastors." The author, Chris Forbes, is involved in ministry marketing.

The premise of the article (which I can't find a link for) is that Facebook can be used by pastors and others to connect with people. The idea is that this can be a new way to reach folks with the gospel and maintain contact with those in and out of our churches. Overall I see the logic and understand the validity of using a broad range of tools to share Christ.

However, there can be other challenges when media meets ministry. I found one statement in the article just a little problematic. Maybe I'm being too critical, which is always possible. Here's the statement that troubles me: "With all the potential of social media, like Facebook, to form authentic communication and connections it's easy to see that it's becoming a great investment." [emphasis added]

I really don't think reading about someone on a computer screen fosters authenticity and creates genuine connections. This is what we have come to. Email, text messages, blogs, instant messaging and on the list goes. Electronic connections are not the genuine heartfelt connections that people need and want.

Certainly we should be creative in our approach to our friends and family with the message of hope in Christ Jesus. We should seek to build real and lasting relationships that will grow as a bridge for the gospel. But there is a time to cast aside pragmatism in favor of face to face, heart to heart communication. There is just something very special about looking someone directly in the eye as you share with them about God's grace in your life. Or being able to shake their hand as a means of encouragement.

There have been hundreds of people who have read this blog, well okay, dozens. Many of whom I will never know and never meet in person. God could use this form of communication for the purpose of ministry and evangelism. But the people I meet at the coffee shop and the ones who attend our church, those are the folks that I can really know in an authentic way.

I will use Facebook and this blog to share the truth. I would be crazy not to. But, I will bear in mind the limitations of electronic media. What do you think?

The Holy Spirit and Prayer

Last week in our mid-week Bible study we discussed the Holy Spirit and prayer. To aid my study I have been slowly reading through Derek Prime's work Practical Prayer. Here is a brief snippet from his thoughts on the Holy Spirit that I found encouraging.

"The Holy Spirit has been given to assist us in every aspect of our living of the Christian life. He increases our spiritual understanding; He gives spiritual strength and stamina; He guides and directs; and He provides gifts for service. He works both in and with us. But He is particularly our helper in prayer, and prayer is a non-event without His presence and activity. Responsible from the beginning for our spiritual new birth, the Holy Spirit helps us to utter our first cry to God - 'God have mercy on me, a sinner.'"

More and more I realize the deficiency of my prayer life. However, it is a great blessing and encouragement to know that I have a helper, one sent from God to walk along with me. Tuck that truth away and draw it out next time you find yourself in a struggle to pray.