What are others hearing us say?                                                                              Two or three times a year I am very honored, thankful     

to speak to men transitioning from being incarecerated    back into society...getting a job, being reconciled with      family, defeating their demons, etc. These men, for the  most part, are not "playing games," patronizing those of us who show up to speak God's truth to them. I always pray for God to direct me to a passage of Scripture and for His Spirit to help me explain God's Word to both instruct and encourage, while also not compromsing truth. These guys are one of my most favorite groups God allows me to share  His Word with each year!

   

My first time to share with the group in 2023 was just a few days ago and, as usual, I incorporated a portion of my personal journey with Jesus into my talk for that day. At one point I referred to myself, as I often have, as a "redneck" whose life God has graciously transformed. As I would learn after my talk that morning, I said something like, "I'm still a redneck, but one who is serving and seeking to obey God now." A man I had met earlier, an African American man I'll just refer to as "Mike," approached me and as I attempted to shake his hand, he did not extend it and asked "How long have you been part of the 'Klan,' and how can you be a preacher?" Needless to say, I was stunned, taken aback, and asked "Mike" how he'd come to that conclusion? He explained that he'd been taught that members of the KKK also were generally called rednecks too! In my 50 plus years I had never before heard that some considered redneck to also be a term always assigned to white suprmacists. I immediately wondered how many I had offended over the years by calling or referring to myself, friends and fellow southerners, even Christians, as rednecks!

I thanked him for sharing his erroneous conclusion WITH me, but that I was very much opposed to white supremacy and any racism whatsoever. We talked some more, i asked him if our conversation might change his perspective and he replied "I don't know." I thanked him for his honesty, shook his hand, and I left that place and the interaction I had with "Mike" with a multitude of thoughts going through my mind. Probably the most significant being "How often have the words I've spoken been misconstrued and/or misunderstood by those who've heard me?" I speak publically multiple times a week, including the people who listen to our services online, whom I may never see. The potential to be misunderstood, as the conversation I had with "Mike" revealed, has soberly reminded me that what we say matters. I'm not concerned about whether my communicating truth from God's Word convicts, even offends, but shouldn't I? Shouldn't we all desire to avoid careless words which needlessly offend? 

Matthew 12:36-37, "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Click!

For my hunting fraternity, I need say no more! This has happened maybe 2-3 times in my life, but the timing was especially frustrating the other day. As a husband of a wife that LOVES the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, and we always have a BUSY holidays in terms of family, friends, etc., a grandfather, and a pastor, my hunting time is limited. Often the ideal hunting days and times find me doing what I've been called by the Lord, OR coerced, delegated...TOLD by my wife to do! For once, I was in a spot I had been wanting to hunt, had gotten in early, quietly, and felt prepared. It was Dec. 31, 2022 and as I sat and processed life, what I would preach on Sunday, plans and resolutions for the New Year, and whatever else deer hunters think about while waiting for one of those magnificent beasts to appear out of thin air (crazy how they do that!), I had determined the distances I'd have opportunities to shoot, how I needed to adjust my crosshairs, etc. I.Was.Ready! Or, so I thought! To make a long story (which we hunters have plenty of!) shorter, a deer stepped out at a distance I was comfortable with and I aimed, shot...AND missed!

So, here I was, last day and last hunt of 2022, going home with tail tucked between legs. Still no deer sausage or bacon burger in the freezer! We had a dinner with friends planned, so I was able to suck it up, go and do the New Years Eve thing with a forced smile on my face, and get ready to preach on Sunday. Fast forward to Monday evening, Jan. 2. A friend had invited me to go to his place, that had not been hunted all year, and to harvest 1 or 2 deer. So, I decided to give my shooting skills, or the gun I had blamed the miss on, another chance. Had not been in the shooting house 30 minutes and 4 came through. So, I picked out the one I chose to take, aimed, fired, and...CLICK! My first reaction was to throw my gun AT the deer, second was to pack up and go to the house! But I reasonsed that this was the only time, in 15 years of hunting with and shooting this rifle, that this had happend and I needed to stay put. As I waited, I began to consider crazy thoughts, "Maybe I'm just snakebit, cursed, should sell or give away ALL of my hunting stuff, take up golf, tennis, fish more and just forget how much I love venison!" So, just 30 minutes later, while wondering if I'd ever see or harvest another deer, another large doe stepped out. I aimed, pulled trigger and heard that earth shattering BOOM I live to hear when hunting, but was unsure, up unitl the time I squeezed trigger, if I would indeed hear it! Finally, the gun fired, I could in fact aim and fire a gun...pepperjack smoked sausage and bacon burger is on the way to the freezer!

I felt relieved, laughed at myself for getting discouraged about a stupid deer on the way home! THEN, as I got back to the real, non-hunting world, I found myself in Job chapters 1-5 in my chronological reading plan yesterday. As I read, I thought about my deer hunting journey over the last few days, and how I am so often, TOO often, easily discouraged and disillusioned, not just with hunting but with ministry, life, the seeming ineffectiveness of my ministry at times, finances, the state of our world, etc. I had one of those "come to Jesus" moments where it feels as though He sits down across from me and says, "Really, Mark, consider my servant Job..." If you need to, go read the first 3 chapters of Job. Job did express disillusionment and discouragement in verse 3, but only after exhibiting tremendous faith in God, in the midst of personal catasrophe, in chapters 1 & 2. If you want to see a sobering and mature account of a man working out his faith, interacting with God honestly, and whether he actually could trust in His God, read the entire book of Job over the next few days. Job's story even incorporates "so-called" friends who hurt more than they help, eventually having to be quietened by God! 

In such a difficult time in the history of this world, in our nation, and even in many of our families, personal lives, as well as in the church, disillusionment seems to be the most common emotion I gleen from people I encounter each day. I need to remember, and I invite anyone who's read up until now, to take to heart a passage I have memorized, and will include below to hopefully encourage others, as it has me. As long as God is sovereign over this world, and He is, as long as we have access to his love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ and his atoning for our sins, which we do, there is hope, a reason to keep pressing on even through the greatest moments of discouragement and disillusionment. Aim and fire, and don't quit WHEN you miss your mark! 

Hebrews 12:1-3  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

 

 The World is Breaking,  Bring Jesus Back!

One of the most common, and I'll go ahead and say effective forms of "communication" in my family, even between my wife and I, has been the refrigerator messages. We have taped or "magneted" wedding invitations, reminders for forgetful family members (not I), even doctor's appointments, my LEAST favorite, on the fridge! I was visiting in a home just a few days ago, attempting to provide words of comfort, my presence as one who is supposed to represent the Deliverer of hope, and what I believe to have been the best thing I could do in the moment, prayer. The precious grandmother, grieving the loss of a grandson and possibly another family member from a tragedy just a week ago, showed me a note on HER refrigerator as I prepared to leave for my next visit with more hurting people.

She prefaced showing me the note, she was obviously very proud of and touched by, with informing me that the note was given to her by the daughter of the son she was grieving the loss of, presented to her just a few days before he tragically died. It was a note written in pencil, but with an illustrative "picture" that had been filled in with different colored crayons. The picture was of the world, with a crack right through the middle of it. I do not know the child, her interaction with or her family's involvement in a church or even with Christians, but the words on the page, describing the very simplistic not even symmetrical world she had colored for her grandmother, immediately evoked tears from my already burdened, sleep deprived and weary eyes. "The world is breaking, bring Jesus back."

As I left, I briefly, ashamedly, thought about taking a picture, but I knew doing so was not right, and would have been invasive and callous. This very heartfelt drawing that the 9 yr. old was no doubt excited to present to her grandmother is a gift this lady will treasure the rest of her life! I only share this, for those who take the time to read, to remind us that our world IS indeed "breaking," I would respectfully argue with the 9 yr. old author of such rich, insightful, even philosophical and maybe prophectic artwork, that the world is in fact broken. As I drove away wiping tears, I felt an assuring and comforting presence I've come to recognize as the Holy Spirit. He reminded me that even in the horrible brokeness of this world, and in the life of a 9 yr. old girl whose life will forever be marked by the tragedy of this past week, God is still at work, reminding us all that Jesus IS in fact the answer, and that we all need to "bring Jesus back!"

Walking slower through Walmart!

Oh, the times I have bolted into  Walmart, intending to get what I came for in the least amount of time possible! Would anyone else confess to pulling off an express Walmart trip while hoping to not see anyone you know, maybe even SEEING someone you know and putting alot of effort into avoiding them? Whether grabbing the last ingredients for a meal, fishing tackle I just had to have, parts for a car repair, school supplies...so often my trips to Walmart were simply necessary inconveniences to get through as quickly as possible so I could get dinner cooked, to the lake to go fishing, or get the car repair done! I even took pride in my shopping buggy evaluation skills, making sure I picked the one with the best wheels, that didn't need a front end alignment! As I sped through the store with the goal of being inside as little time as possible, there were several "near misses!" I'm fortunate no one was hospitalized as I barreled down aisles, narrowly avoiding t-boning or rear-ending those seeming to enjoy meandering through Wally World, as if they had nowhere to go! I'd even brag that I didn't go to Walmart to shop, I knew what I was there for and I was "buying!" 

I may leave my "man card" embedded in this post, but I have learned to walk slower through Wal Mart as I've realized those people I use to hope to avoid,  who were preventing me from getting to my next destination, WERE my purpose! I wish I could go back and re-engage those conversations in Walmart I cut short, purposely communincated aloofness, or just simply avoided. Some of the richest, most meaningful, and even Gospel focused conversations I've had this past week were in Walmart, the coffee shop, restaurants, even the auto parts store! Maybe our world would benefit more from our slowing down, engaging in genuine and meanginful conversations with one another, and not stressing over getting to the next activity, adventure or obligation! I know I've gotten in the way of the guys flying through Walmart like I used to do. I know it can be annoying to need that item blocked by two buggies pulled alongside one another, whose temporary drivers are engaged in conversation. But, what if we valued those who are pushing those shopping buggies more than the items we're hurriedly tossing into them, on the way to whatever it is we esteem to be so important? Try walking slower through Walmart on your next trip, and if you run into me, remind me of this post if I appear to be in too big of a hurry!

 

Disciple of Jesus or "child of hell?"                             "Where the world seeks gain, the Christian will renounce it. Where the world exploits, he will dispossess himself, and where the world oppresses, he will stoop down and raise up the oppressed. If the world refuses justice, the Christian will pursue mercy, and if the world takes refuge in lies, he will open his mouth of the dumb, and bear testimony to the truth. For the sake of his brother, be he Jew or Greek, bond or free, strong or weak, noble or base, he will renounce all fellowship with the world. For the Christian serves the fellowship of the Body of Christ, and he cannot hide it from the world. He is called out of the world to follow Christ.”                                                                                                                                                 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship" has had more of an impact, outside of God's own Word, than any book I've ever read. I am deeply troubled over what the church today, and many self-professing 'disciples of Jesus' (and I consider my own faults in this evaluation), have SETTLED for in terms of claiming to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus. I am afraid we have institutionalized discipleship, stripping away the rawness, transparency, authenticity we see Jesus describe in passages like the "Sermon on the Mount," Matt. 5-7,  and Christ's hard teaching on discipleship in Luke 14:25-33. I'm in a relationship with a few brothers in Christ, most from different churches than where I pastor, and we can get real, "get into one another's faces and business." We even occasionally anger one another, but our desire is to help the other one recognize his faults, blind spots and weaknesses. It's hard to develop such discipleship, accountability driven groups, and I have tried and failed often to get men to engage in true discipleship! But...the brothers I regularly meet with (one who just reached out to me today, when I really needed some encouragement) address the issues that must be addressed to assist us in pursuing Christ more passionately, and conforming our lives to his example.

I am afraid that the kind of "discipleship" being developed and multiplied by far too many was spoken of by Jesus in Matt. 23:15, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves." Discipleship is NOT to become "more like Jesus" ONLY in our knowledge of Scripture, moral behavior, ability to point out all the failures of others, etc. and I've had sharp conflict with many who have adopted and are proliferating THAT model of "discipleship!" A "self-righteous" misapplication of discipleship is often what is posted by professing Christians (and THIS one has been guilty) on social media and even blogs such as this one while ignoring the things Bonhoeffer spoke of. Too often, we post a "rant," being sure to include a verse, often taken out of context I might add, to "Christianize" what we want to make a point about. Jesus didn't realize so many of his words were about political issues!😉 Bonhoeffer's burden and quest for justice, mercy and compassion for the marginalized, oppressed, disillusioned and persecuted cost him financially, in personal and even ministry related renown and eventually resulted in his death. 

Could it be that the most authentic followers of Jesus can't be found with catchy quotes on social media, and that maybe some currently leading small groups, d groups, bible studies, etc., or who are at church every time the door opens are the kinds of "disciples" Jesus was warning about in Matt. 23? Do we constantly evaluate ourselves and ask, "Do I possess and reflect the heart of Jesus in the things I am most passionate about, most burdened with, and most vocal about and known for? Do I seek to know which attributes of Christ are available to me, and am I seeking to possess and emulate them?" The Pharisees Christ spoke of were more "religious" than any of us will ever be! They had simply determined in their hearts that their appearance, behavior, performances and ability to point out YOUR sin, and even their disdain for the Roman government made them more godly than "the rest!" I got to witness and come along side students who served people fitting Bonhoeffer's description of those in need of grace, mercy, compassion as they ministered mostly in obscurity last week. Most of those students have their own issues - struggles with immorality, materialism, popularity, self identity and self image issues, etc. Let's be a generation of true Christ followers who model authentic, biblical discipleship rather than Phariseeism and shaming and/or dismissing and discouraging them for not being like us! The world has enough "children of hell," I want to be checking myself to make sure that moniker can't be said about me!

"God killed his son, Why can't I?"

This was a quote made over the weekend by a woman (I will reserve the term lady!) who calls herself Crackhead Barney. Some of this stuff you can't make up! When you read that, viewed the picture I posted, what did you feel? I had a hard time typing it. Wondered if I'd get struck down! As a Christian, I was initially shocked, then triggered to feel anger. Isn't that what those who display such provocative, blasphemous, in this case,  statements want...to shock, arouse anger, incite hostile words or behavior, a reaction of...some kind? The reactions surrounding the suspiciously leaked supposed Supreme Court decision to strike down Roe Vs. Wade have brought about yet another season of the enraged making their position known. As I've watched our country, the world for that matter, drift farther and farther away from God's purposes and the chasm between a biblical and secular, or sinful worldview greatly widen, I keep returning to the "refuge" of Psalm 2. I include it here, to keep you on this blog, AND in hopes that it will enlighten just one person!😉

Psalm 2 - The Reign of the LORD's Anointed

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?          The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 

Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” 

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

So, in light of Psalm 2 and all that is taking place in our world right now, what's a good posture for a Christian to hold toward the enraged? Enraged not just with authority and our local & national leaders and the Supreme Court, not just at those with a Christian, biblical worldview. Make no mistake, whether consciously or subconsciously, many in the world today are enraged with God! Here's a concise (for me it's concise!) approach as we await Christ's return AND continue to love, and even extend His offer of salvation to a world kicking against his sovereign reign.

Remain engaged with the enraged...even when their attacks are provoking, vile, and  personal. Continue to remind them and YOURSELF of Christ's love, his longsuffering. Be reminded and remind others that his forgiveness, his sovereign position in heaven has not changed and is not threatened. Regularly revisit his uncompromising demand that all "bend the knee" and confess Him as Lord! Remember, memorize, internalize, and remind others of that last sentence in Psalm 2, verse 12, "Blessed are all who take refuge in him!" Jesus is Lord, all will acknowledge this! 

For any who have stayed with me til now, be sure you have "kissed the Son (submitted to Jesus as Lord)," while mercy and grace abound for this brief moment in eternity, or you will do so in judgment, suffering from and in your rebellion!

                When they leave us

I love the western Tombstone! The iconic lines by the heroes, even the villains, in the movie have often found their way into my every day communication! Although directed toward the Earp family as they left Tombstone after being shot up by the evil "Cowboys," Curly Bill Brocius's farewell has become an often used salutation, even among us "good guys!" I confess, I've whispered it under my breath, trying to convince myself one's departure hadn't bothered me at all!

The problem is, when people who we've invested in, befriended, established a relationship with, ministered to and alongside choose to leave, it hurts. It both saddens AND comforts my heart that Jesus knew the heartache of being left by those who could not follow what he taught, or how he was leading! My favorite Gospel to read is John's, primarily because it communicates the humanity of Jesus, often in a way that is so palpable, more than the other 3. In John 6, Jesus had just finished a difficult teaching in which he made the statement that "The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:54) The verses that follow, John 6:60-71, reveal that MANY followers of Jesus left him, claiming this teaching was just too much for them to accept and follow. The words of Jesus that I have so often identified with are in verse 67, as Jesus asks the 12 who first followed him, "You don't want to go away too, do you?" 

As I prepared myself, personally and ministerially for Easter, tears welled up in my eyes as I came across John 6 yet again. Once again, I felt one with Christ in his feeling of being abandoned, simply for presenting a hard truth regarding God's purpose in His life and eventual sacrificial death. The fact of the matter is that in contemporary culture, particularly church culture for pastors like myself, people leaving, checking out, moving on..."feeling God leading me, or us, in another direction" is pretty common. Whether one's departure from a relationship, place of employment, our neighborhood or community, AND from our church family is legitimate, best for all involved, and inevitable, "saying goodbye" often hurts. While my tendency is to silently utter a thick skinned, tough, even hard hearted, Curly Bill inspired, "Well...bye," I am so affirmed and comforted by the fact that Jesus' watching people walk away from him hurt him too!