'Til we meet again

I set out to write this article on several different occasions, but each time the words I wanted to say just wouldn’t come. I’m thankful that I use a computer instead of a typewriter. Otherwise I’d be knee deep in wadded up papers that missed the overflowing trash can!!!

Eleven or so years ago I was standing in the doorway of my office at Manhattan Christian College when a fellow by the name of Wendell came along and stopped for a brief visit. I don’t remember the entire conversation but there is one part I hope I never forget. He told me that he had the perfect church for me – once he retired. Any guesses as to which church he was referring to?

At the time I had probably passed through Morrowville once or twice on my way to and from Nebraska, but I wouldn’t have been able to locate it on a map. I knew nothing about the community or the church Wendell was referring to and so I didn’t give what he said much thought.

Now, some would call it chance or circumstance – but over the years that followed I was slowly introduced to this wonderful church. Space doesn’t allow me to go into great detail about this introduction – but suffice it to say there is nothing about my relationship with this church that is by chance, instead each step of the way has been carefully orchestrated by God.

In 2005 my ministry began – and Wendell you were right – this has been the perfect church for me. I came here as a 45-year old rookie. There was nothing spectacular or special about me, yet I was loved and accepted from day one. And your love and support has continued even though it is three years later and there is still nothing spectacular or special about me!

Words fail to express my thoughts about each of you. You are all very important to me and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the time that we have spent together laboring for the Lord.  I love you!!!  Thank you for: loving me, loving the fellow (and his family) that follows me, and, most of all for loving the Lord.

When I was a kid I had several “favorite” TV shows. One of those was the Carol Burnett show. I enjoyed the antics of Carol, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman and the rest of the cast. At the end of each show Carol would always sing the same song. As I recall the words went something like:   “I’m so glad we had this time together. Just to have a laugh and sing a song. Seems we just get started and before you know it. Comes the time we have to say so long.”

I am so glad we had this time together – I consider it one of my life’s greatest blessings. But I’m not going to say “so long” like Carol did. So long is kin to goodbye and Christians need not say goodbye. Any separation we have is only temporary. Who knows, God may decide that we will serve side-by-side again in the future. And if He doesn’t, we know for sure that thanks to our Savior we will celebrate together for all eternity.

So – instead of good-bye – I say “See you later.” My sincere hope is that we meet soon and often. Please look us up when you are “in the big city.”  There is nothing that I’d love better than to spend more time with you.

Till we meet again,

Ron

Ole #11982...

In 1994 I received my first “32-bit” computer on my office desk. With this computer came a game called FreeCell and it quickly became a break time/lunch time favorite. Unfortunately space doesn’t allow me to explain the game for those of you who are unfamiliar with it, but suffice it to say it is similar to the game of Solitaire.

Before attempting my first game, I was told by a friend that there were over 32,000 possible combinations of cards the game would present. Some would be hard to find solutions and others would be easy, but he assured me that every combination was “winnable.”

He also shared that he was going to try to solve all 32,000 games in order. So, starting game #1 he was going to play until he solved that puzzle - then and only then would he move to the next game. It sounded like a fun way to play so I set out on my own journey to solve every game in order.

So, I also started on game #1 and I’ve been playing and solving games in order ever since. (For those of you who are curious I’m currently at game #12461.)  Most days I play a couple games. Some have taken days to solve and others only a couple of minutes.

A few weeks ago I came to a game that proved to be a huge challenge – game #11982. I played it a few times and couldn’t get it solved. The next day I gave it another shot, but again I couldn’t find a solution. This went on for days, but try as I might I couldn’t hit on the right combination.

My string of finding solutions and moving on to the next challenge was in serious jeopardy and I was getting frustrated with ole #11982. I had never skipped over a game before, but it was getting very tempting. I had never asked for help before either, but after days and days of failed attempts I decided to search the Internet for a “solution.”  

The information I found about ole #11982 came as quite a surprise. I had been playing FreeCell for 14 years under the assumption that every game had a solution. As it turns out every game does have a solution except for ole #11982!!!   FreeCell experts have tried for years to solve this puzzle, rewards have been offered, and computers have “cranked away” for hours and no solution has ever been found.  

Anyway, when I learned that ole #11982 wasn’t “solvable” I stopped trying to solve it. But I can’t help wondering if there wasn’t a solution out there. Is there someone who would know – someone who can make the impossible possible?

I wonder what Abraham and Sarah would say about the impossible becoming possible. Wasn’t Abraham 100 years old and Sarah 90 years old when their son was born?  Would Moses have anything to say on the subject?  Wasn’t he leading Israel’s escape from Egypt when Pharaoh’s army caught up with them and pinned them against the banks of the Red Sea?  Could Gideon clear things up?  Didn’t he find himself leading a band of 300 men armed with trumpets into a battle against all of Midian’s army?  How about Peter?  Wasn’t he the one who charged into the empty tomb of the man he saw die on a Roman cross?

What would they testify about the impossible becoming possible?  I suspect their testimony would match that of the fellow who brought his demon possessed son to Jesus. When Jesus asked the man how long his son had been possessed, the man replied, “From childhood. It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."   To that Jesus said, “`If you can'?’ Everything is possible for him who believes.”   And immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"  (Mark 9:22-24)  And Jesus did what no one else had been able to do – he healed the boy.

To quote an old hymn, “Got any rivers you think are uncrossable? Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through? God specializes in things thought impossible and does the things others cannot do.”  

Are you facing your own #11982?  Hand your “impossible” over to Him --- He can handle it!!!

Ron

Resolved to love as He has

The note read…

Sarah,

I am going to tell Mom that you were using a pen.

Your sister,

Hannah Brown

I was going through some files the other day when I discovered this priceless gem from the past. I suspect that at the time it was written, the author hadn’t been writing long and the recipient hadn’t learned to read!  Everyone in the family had a good chuckle as we reread the note and reminisced about days gone by.

This note got me to thinking about how the relationship between my “youngest” has changed over the years.  If a note was written and passed today it would read quite differently. You see as they have grown and matured so has their relationship.

Yes, they still test each other from time to time.  Neither one of them is perfect, far from it. At times they fail, they disappoint, disagree, say things they’d wish they hadn’t, don’t do things they should and do things they shouldn’t. With out a doubt they sometimes under appreciate and under utilize the time they’ve been given to be together and they even forget to care about each other as they should.

But when I look at their relationship I see them learning what it means to truly love each other unconditionally. They are working towards the kind of unconditional love that God has for each one of us and expects us as family related by blood, His blood, to have for one another.

Unconditional love is not burdened with criteria that must be met. It is not dependent upon action, not destroyed by inaction, not detoured by word or deed in any way. It is absolute and has no limitations. Unconditional love is not retracted, will not be altered, can not be destroyed by disappointment or failure of any kind.

Check out what Paul says about God’s love in his letter to the Romans. God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8  NIV)

Imagine that…   If anyone ever had a reason to repeal His decision to love it would be God. Each one of us has failed to love Him as we should. Each one of us has sinned against Him – a clear demonstration of a lack of love on our part. Each one of us has also failed to love one another – doing further harm to our relationship with Him. Yet, God still loves - loves even though we haven’t and don’t reciprocate as we should – loves enough to send His Son to save unloving sinners like you and I.

His unconditional love, demonstrated and delivered by His Son restores our relationship with Him and becomes our motivation and inspiration to love one another in the same manner.

Is it easy to love this way? No.  Is it possible? Yes.  Is it necessary? Absolutely.  

So, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”  (1 John 4:7-11  NIV)

Resolved to love as He has,

Ron

Headlights in the Rearview Mirror

Hmmm, those headlights are closing fast…

A few nights ago, we were enjoying a quiet ride home from a basketball game when I noticed a car coming quickly from behind, but I didn’t give it much thought since we were at the “corner” and about to turn north.

So, in accordance with Kansas law and well in advance of my turn, I flipped on the turn signal. And, instantly the headlights behind were joined by the blue, white and red lights of a Kansas Highway Patrol cruiser.  

He was pulling me over!  

The officer’s first words were, “I stopped you tonight because your tail-light is broken. Did you know it was out?”

It’s amazing how quickly the mind works, for in the brief moment between question and answer I processed a couple of possible responses. The first was to offer a subtle gasp and then in feigned surprise laced with mock concern say, “What??? You’ve gotta be kidding me!?!?”   

The other response that came to mind was to tell the truth - the tail-light had been broken for some time. Red tape covered the hole for awhile, but it fell off months ago.

Which response did I choose?  “Officer, I can’t lie to you. I knew it was broken. I just haven’t gotten it fixed yet.”  To that admission he said, “Well, I’m only going to write you a warning tonight, but you need to get it fixed.”   Whatever you say officer!!!

When all was said and done I felt pretty good – in part because I didn’t get a ticket, but primarily because I didn’t give the first response. Beyond the obvious sin (lie), what message would I have sent to my daughter sitting in the backseat?

Po Bronson, in an article in the New York magazine, said not long ago, “Kids lie early, often, and for all sorts of reasons—to avoid punishment, to bond with friends, to gain a sense of control. But now there’s a singular theory for one way this habit develops: They are just copying their parents.”  Do you think?  

What can we do about our children’s lying?  How about trying not to lie - give them a better example to follow. What can we do about their gossiping?  Don’t gossip - give them a better example. What can we do about laziness?  Don’t sit around. How can we encourage them into a deeper relationship with Jesus?  Don’t coast when it comes to Christ - give them a better example.

Scripture is filled with encouragement for parents regarding their responsibility as teacher to their children.       Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Deut. 6:5-7a (NIV)

What, you have no children or grandchildren to “impress” your faith upon?  No worries, we have a world full of people we are responsible to “impress” upon.  Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world. 1 Peter 2:12 (NLT)

In ways far more scrutinizing then a trooper’s probing flashlight, people watch and examine our lives. They watch to see how we respond to challenges and temptations. They observe our faith in action and draw conclusions that will guide their own response and relationship with God.  

Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity… Eph. 4:15-16 (NIV)

From the side of the highway,

Ron

Disclaimer: This article was written under the mild protest of my wife. She’s kind of embarrassed about her delinquent husband. ☺

Looking for Lost

Every time I need a tool it turns into a hunting expedition…

The other day I was rooting around for some rope when I noticed the sheath for my “souvenir” machete sitting in the corner of the garage, but the machete was nowhere to be found. Now, if there was a fire and I only had time to grab one thing from the garage it would be the machete, after all, it is a special reminder of a mission trip to Brazil.

A sheath and no machete? The hunt was on.  I tore that corner of the garage apart. No machete. I went through the rest of the garage. No machete. Where is my machete!?!?!!    

If  time hadn’t been a factor I would have searched until the machete was back safely in its sheath, but Sunday’s sermon lay half written on my computer back at the office. So, I begrudgingly I headed back to work, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the last time I had used that machete.

I recalled using it to hack away at underbrush which was keeping me from my favorite fishing hole. And in my minds eye, as I retraced my steps, I could “see” my machete still leaning up against a tree a few feet away from the bank.

So, I determined to leave work a few minutes early, head to the pond, kick away the snow, and find my “prized” machete. But there was one problem with my plan – I didn’t get away early and it was dark when I got home. Actually, my plan had a second problem – the fishing hole wasn’t the last place I used the machete.

I had also used it in the fall to clear away some weeds and brush in the backyard. Fortunately I remembered this before tromping around a dark fishing hole in a futile attempt to find my poor long lost machete.

So, armed with a flash light, I headed into the wilderness that is my backyard. After a few minutes of searching – eureka!!!

At this point my story could take several turns – there are multiple “morals to the story” I could share. But one thought continued to cross my mind that day as I thought about my missing souvenir: My machete, a reminder of a special time and place, was missing and I didn’t even realize it was lost. How sad…

Jesus once told a parable about a lost sheep. "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'   Luke 15:4-6

I was clueless about the plight of my machete as it lay rusting for weeks on end in our backyard.  I’m so thankful that God is not this inattentive when it comes to the plight of man. He has always been aware of our lost state – and love compelled Him to do something about it. He sent His one and only Son ‘to seek and to save what was lost.’

As a part of this mission, Jesus sent His disciples out to “find” the ‘lost sheep of Israel’ and He tasked us with continuing His mission to a lost and hurting world. But I wonder, are we aware of lost and hurting friends, family, and neighbors? Or are they like my machete – lost and hurting and no one realizes or worse yet cares?   

Pause here for a second a give it some thought…

Do we go about our daily lives, unaware that those precious to God – who should be precious to us too – are hurting and lost?  Do we share God’s compassion for them? Do we share His interest in them?  Do we spend any time looking for them?

I certainly can do better – how about you?

Ron

Diamonds

It sparkles like diamonds…

When the morning sun hits ice covered branches the entire tree looks as if it were coated with thousands of diamonds. Of course there is another side to an ice storm. From my office I have great view of the Chinese Elm trees behind the church. And sunlight is making their branches sparkle like diamonds – even if they are lying on the ground.

Branches weighed down with ice, break free and fall indiscriminately; not caring if they bring down other branches, take out power lines, break windshields, or collapse roofs. Days after the storm the clean-up continues. Communities set up and man emergency shelters. City crews work diligently to the clear streets. And utility workers work tirelessly to restore power and phone service.

Recently a representative from Westar Energy was interviewed by a local TV station. He shared a little about the efforts of the company to restore power and in so doing said something that got me thinking.  He said, “Everyone relies on electrical power.”

There’s something about sitting in a cold and dark house that makes you understand the truth of his statement.  So much of our daily existence – our homes, schools, churches, farms, and businesses are powered by electricity and things grind to a halt when the power supply is cut off.

Now you would think our dependence upon such a vital source of power would cause us to treat it with continual respect and great appreciation. After all something so important should be admired, cherished, and celebrated, shouldn’t it?

Do you think about electricity when day after day it surges through the power lines?  Do you celebrate when you flip a switch and a light comes on?  The truth for most of us is – it is the absence of electricity that causes us to notice electricity.

There is another Power that too often goes unnoticed, unappreciated, and uncelebrated. A Power that is more susceptible to being overlooked because an “interruption in service” never happens. Yet we owe our very existence to this Power. And daily, whether we realize it or not, we rely on It to continue caring for Its creation, of which we are a part.

So, when you gaze at the diamonds sparkling in the downed limbs surrounding you, and you wonder if “power” will ever be restored – lift your praises to faithful One who has promised to never leave you.  And when the debris is cleared, “power” restored, and your life is back to normal – remember to rely upon and celebrate the Power of powers.   No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who should not revere you, O King of the nations?  This is your due.  Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you.  Jeremiah 10:6-7 (NIV)

In the Light,

Ron