Category: Pastor’s Corner

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Patmos Journal – #5

April 15, 2020

Peace in the midst of the storm 

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all give an account of this storm. Let’s read Mark’s version:

Mark 4:35-41
35  On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”
36  Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.
37  And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.
38  Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39  And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.
40  And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41  They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

I’ve been on big water when a storm kicked up. Not anything I’d like to ever repeat – but you can’t always know when the next storm is going to come. You just know that in time, it will. The hard truth is that faith cannot be tested well in calm waters. I have learned this in my life; I am still learning it today.

The disciples are probably thinking of Jonah as they contemplate their situation. Given that they know their Scriptures, it could be they are pondering what sin has caused God to now sink them into the deep. Even their response seems to mirror the pagan sailors waking that reluctant prophet with word of their soon-demise. When tested fishermen are rattled, you know it’s a bad one…

But these fishermen and company are with Jesus. You’d think it would be smooth sailing with the Creator of the world in the boat. Still, they must have the storm. We see Jesus, and unsurprisingly, He is not upset by this event. There is no screaming, or wild gestures from Him. He is at peace, and when He speaks, perfect peace on the sea is immediate.

These disciples are learning of Him, and I am amused that we often get critical of Peter and the band, as if we would do much better in their place. Times like we are in today should help us to realize that we too have much yet to learn about our Lord, and deepening our faith in Him.

In this current violent storm, we might consider this as well: God allows such natural occurrences to open mankind’s eyes to our frailty, sinful condition, and limited life. We don’t always bring the trial on ourselves, but a judgement does often fall by rejecting God, embracing sin and balking at repentance. The Lord’s patient desire is for a spiritual turning. The storm could be viewed through God’s heart of mercy, even amid so much destruction. He seeks to draw all to Himself. It often takes much to get our attention. I know it did in my life, many years ago.

Yet, as believers experience, God often ordains His children to be in the storm as well. This is to sharpen and perfect us. He would have us to testify of Him both to the lost, and to the fainthearted saints whose faith is not as seasoned as our own. Remember Mark’s words at verse 36; there were “other boats” that were with them. A lot of people were in that storm; a mixture of faith and fears. Sometimes we tend to think we’re the only one in the storm…

My hand is up first to bear witness that no testing seems pleasant to us. I must keep my mind on Him and not the storm.  I remember Isaiah 26:3; Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

It is helpful for us to focus on this greater issue the Lord then speaks about to the rattled “survivors” of this storm at sea. Don’t miss the point: Jesus tells them that this is not about waves; it is a question of faith. This truly sharpens me, for I need to ask if I’ve determined a “point” in this storm (or any) where there can be no more faith, only wide-eyed fear of the situation. You know, the point where Jesus is not producing rescue/ease/tranquility/goods/whatever as I think He needs to give me, and I abandon Him for something that will “work” in my situation. Could that “lifeboat” I jump into be my portfolio? My social media responses? An old addiction, or a new shiny one? Am I resolute in looking to Jesus, or do I habitually fall into unbelief which so powerfully drags me under (Heb. 12: 1-3)?  All are fear responses when I vainly try to orchestrate my own rescue. And all are indeed a desertion of Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Without faith, the only direction is down to the depths.

I read at the beginning of Mark’s account, that Jesus had told them (:35) they were going over. I do know that Jesus does not lie. So, He gave assurance to them, (had they been listening) before the storm ever appeared, that they would be safely across, with Him. Do I fully accept the Word of Christ, that regardless of the storm I ever find myself in, He will see me safely home, in His presence?  I find it reassuring that the biggest challenges around me are not my material concerns. Whatever shape those “waves” take, they are not the core issue. They certainly are not the Lord’s chief concern, for He has determined to provide for me. Read of this in Matthew 6:19-34. Storms can and will come, and change, and ramp up, and fall away. The waves are not given to defeat us, but to strengthen our trust in, our relationship with, and our dependence on our Lord. He provides in the storm, because He is with us in it.

Even with all our experience in life, and lessons of faith, there will always be deeper, more severe storms.  We don’t choose them, set their duration, or approve their timetable.

Also, I need to grasp that faith is not merely reading, and assenting. It is not just mouthing a creed as if on autopilot. Faith needs legs to exercise itself. That move from the desk to the real world is a test we are not always poised to take. I do wonder in our keyboard world about the ease in which we can sit and hammer out words. I ask myself this as I write today. What I say had better be lived, else it’s a profitless head game that won’t stand up in trial to a breeze, let alone a gale.  Likewise, in our video/post/influencer world, it is easy to publish carefully “unrehearsed” platitudes, or endless snippets amounting to “happy Jesus songs.” Am I glib when it’s a “good life,” and mute as a stone when the storm breaks the horizon?  For some, I watch them flounder and go down. Their Christ of only boundless blessings has left their love boat, and they solitarily perish. They think they need a greater life preserver; what they need is a greater understanding of the One who gives eternal life.

Storms will demonstrate our substance in faith– read Hebrews 11 for real world examples of this assurance in God. Our resolve in the storm should be to constantly bail out fear from our tiny craft. Jesus is with us, we are all secure, and all will be well through Him.

Even in the fiercest of life’s storms, we can always trust that He will see us to the homeland shore.

Blessings to you, until we meet again…  

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Patmos Journal – #4

April 8, 2020

As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:11

Is it worth it?

I never would have imagined that a hot topic for national debate this month would be the mandatory requirement of wearing a face mask when in public.

When I was a kid, ages ago, probably the coolest news I could have ever received was that I would be ordered to always fix my red bandana over my nose whenever I was around others. Of course, I would have also wanted to don my leatherette holsters containing the twin faux-pearl-handle 6-shooter cap guns to complete my ensemble. Oh, and the cowboy hat. Can’t forget the white cowboy hat.

I have used particle masks for much of my adult life, because I’ve worked in dusty shop and construction environments. I’ve also used respirator masks for catalyst finishes, spray booth work, enameling a cast iron tub, and other toxic fume encounters. Often, I mow and trim with a mask, because I paid to have my nose redone a few years back, and don’t want to carelessly mess it up again. For the curious– it was just necessary septum repairs; damage from a bad-hop grounder when I was a little leaguer. The cosmetic work is yet unscheduled. Paula says we’re going to save up, so we can get my whole face done. Stay tuned for that…

So, I know masks are a good thing. True, it’s not like we’re out just running around right now. You are staying in, except for essential duties and supplies, right? But to hear with passion so much debate about a simple homemade cloth face cover to ward off passing a virus when we are out and about– it’s kind of staggering to me. The bottom line: Is it worth it?

My short answer is “yes,” if only for the reason that it is something. In a time where we still don’t have solid answers on this thing, at least it’s something. If nothing else, it does send a good visual to our neighbors: “I’m doing this for your protection.”  And loving our neighbors sounds like something Jesus once said, right?

“Is it worth it?” I know you’ve posed that question a thousand times in your lifetime, as I have too. The range of situations where we’ve asked that is as huge as the total of our combined life’s experiences: purchases, jobs, relationships, health issues, parenting, marriage (dare I say!), recreational pursuits, and even the challenge of living for Christ when the heat is on… yep, we’ve asked that question a lot.

Our difficulty as mere humans (at least most of us would admit to that) is that we cannot see what lies ahead. We are prone to jump with enthusiasm, but that can fade quickly when difficulties and the storms of life start pummeling our tiny craft. The ease of following Jesus is never presented in God’s Word. Christians are not given a world’s “golden ticket” to health, wealth and ease by virtue of believing in the finished work of Christ. This truth flies in the face of much “gospel” kingdom/prosperity teaching today. For those who submit to such instructors, it is nigh impossible to reason them out, since they did not reason their way into that quagmire.

Jesus answered for His disciples that question on their minds, “Is it worth it?” Is obedience to Christ the right thing, given the cost? We can see our Lord’s answer is for our day as well:

And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.” Luke 18:29-30

…saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.” 23  And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. Luke 9:22-24

 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Revelation 22:12-13

So, it would behoove us to be settled in our heart and mind that indeed, it is worth it to follow Him. Worth it to obey His Word. And, worth it to consistently bear witness to Him through our obedience to His commands, even loving our neighbors as ourselves. If that can be evidenced by wearing my bandana, for the sake of Christ alone, I will do so.

It is a solemn reminder in this Holy Week that the Lord Jesus could have weighed that same question- “Is it worth It?” when it came to the terrific cost that He would bear for our sin. But we see no debate. No weighing of pro’s and con’s. There is but love, and purpose, and obedience, and mission. We, in the astounding, amazing love of God, were worth it.

There was immense, unimaginable suffering. Wrathful separation from the Father, as He took our sin upon Himself. Anguish as He hung on the cross, despised and rejected. The scope of Isaiah 53 is completely focused upon Him, our Suffering Servant, the Messiah, the Redeemer. Our Redeemer.

But get this: He knew. He knew. As that 11th verse states, and I paraphrase, “He saw that through all the grief He would bear, it would be worth it in the final outcome…”

Perhaps in this season, as we contemplate all that we are currently laying down for self, family, community, nation, world, and church, we will be bolstered in our courage and composure by knowing that the Lord is still very much in control. Dying to self and living for others in His Name is to be embraced as the normal Christian life, not just in times of pandemic. Perhaps the Lord is sharpening us all in that point…

He would have us focused on the glorious things that lie just ahead, so that we endure the present trial with resolve and even joy along a hard path, remembering that we are

… fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3

So mask up, because it is worth it. I might catch a glimpse of you, but I might not recognize you.

Me, I’m the one with the red bandana. And the cowboy hat.

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Patmos Journal – #3

April 1, 2020

Non-essential Workers

During this pandemic, the oft-used term “non-essential worker” has given me pause to think. Part of it is personal: I’m a pastor and hence deemed non-essential. Perhaps you’re sidelined on Patmos right now, as well. I am aware that for many, work has ceased completely. As awful as that is, from a safety/security/flatten the curve view, I fully “get it.” It doesn’t take away the sting, however.

In my praying, I find myself thanking the Lord for the many who are continuing on as “essential workers,” providing goods and services for all of us during this time. It doesn’t take a lot of talent to encourage one another, does it? I’ve made a conscious effort to thank the ones I encounter when out on my brief errands of necessity. These individuals are key to the many of us coming through this. You cannot lift up and appreciate the “essential ones” enough, for most of these are experiencing right now much more than they ever signed up for. None of us could have imagined the complexity of days like this. I am sure that this rekindled gratefulness for those who serve us will continue long after this storm has passed.

That said, I want to get into the Bible now. When it comes to reading the Word of God, I would suppose that you have your habits. One might be the habit of reading casually–skimming–over portions of scripture where multiple names are listed. You know: tribal allocations, nations and rulers, travel acquaintances, census details, or genealogy reviews.  For those of us who remember the day, it’s somewhat akin to using our old phone book. You hurried through the pages to get to the listing you wanted–there was no reason to ponder every entry. You skimmed through, and got to what you were after. I want to share a chapter of scripture probably given short shrift by many of us. Then, I want to talk about a lesson I’ve learned, or re-learned, from it. I ask for your patience with my pronunciations.

Romans 16
1  I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;
2  that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.
3  Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
4  who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;
5  also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
6  Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.
7  Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8  Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
9  Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10  Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
11  Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.
12  Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.
13  Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.
14  Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them.
15  Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16  Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
17  Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.
18  For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
19  For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
20  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21  Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
22  I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23  Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother.
24  [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]
25  Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,
26  but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;
27  to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.

So, these people Paul enumerates– how much do we know of them? Right–very little– and perhaps in Scripture, only by name once, in this chapter, here. Even their very names are unfamiliar, and odd to pronounce; so fleeting is our connection to them.

It is common for many of us to know the “big names” of the Bible. We’re often able to rehearse their stories, recalling either their virtues or flaws with some grasp of the details. After all, the Lord preserved for us many of the specifics. We might see it as these being the real “essential workers” in God’s story of revealing His Glory to us. By name, we can get lost in their stories: Adam, Eve, Lucifer, Noah, Abram, Sarai, Moses, Pharaoh, Ruth, David, Isaiah, John the Baptizer, Gabriel, Mary, “The Twelve,” the Herods, Luke, Paul, Timothy, Barnabas, the Beast…

I wonder if we realize that God knows the story and the faithfulness of each of these Romans 16 saints. That their service -minus a spotlight- was just as essential as the “big names” that God used. That the reward for these “non-essentials” is no less than the reward of those who by God’s design were thrust into more prominent roles. That we have no room to “retreat” from serving the Lord under a self-quarantine that excuses with, “Whew… thank God my role in the body is non-essential.” That there are no “greater” or “lesser” members of God’s family; that by His design, we are essential workers, all.

If you might hold to a greater than/less than Christian worker system, I commend the words of the Baptizer, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).  I would also ask you to mediate at length over the content of Hebrews, Chapter 11. Interspersed with the “stars” of faith are numberless heroes; nameless saints to us, who gave their lifeblood rather than deny their Lord Jesus Christ. What do we give, and do we shelter in place when the sifting comes? Would we only stand to let our name be known, or do we stand to make His Name known? Guess which has the real reward…

In the fight with coronavirus in this world, there is great justification to designate the “Essentials” and “Non-essentials.” To all who serve, in your varied capacities and roles, may God protect and propel you in your calling. Unknown, in unseen acts of service; heroes all.

In the fight to take the Gospel to the world, may the Lord’s people see our essential roles. There is no furlough, quarantine order, or deferred service.

Each one, to our essential work.

Each one, known to our Lord.

Each one, a hero of the faith.