The Melrose in Dallas was built in 1924. Today, it is a Four-Diamond luxury hotel boasting a Landmark Restaurant—one of the top ten restaurants in a city priding itself on having more restaurants per capita than any other city in the U.S. Their dining room is set with circular tables covered with linen, stuffed chairs, and a library while you are waiting that makes you feel that you’re an English lord in your castle.
A few weeks ago I got to pretend that I was one of the elites of Dallas as my brother, Don, and I reunited two roommates from graduate school who are now in their eighties for lunch. Jerry Jones and his wife casually strolled in for a quiet meal together half way through our meal to enhance my feelings of power, prestige, and position. There’s a part of me that loves to sit at a table like this, have the multiple waiters repeatedly fill my water glass, and even help place the linen napkin on my lap.
Jesus had all this attention and infinitely more. The blinding stars only reflect a fraction of the divine light that burns forever in His heavenly home. The majesty of the Montana Bear Tooth Mountains a split second before sun down are like a Dollar Store card compared to the true beauty of His perfect landscapes. Think of ants on the floor of the United States Capitol building thinking they are the movers and shakers while in the chairs above the Senators meet in session—this is a weak comparison. Supernatural cherubim and hosts of angels bowed continually before Jesus’ divine throne. Reveling in all this power, prestige, and position, why didn’t God the Father and His Son decide to use the fiery, divine royal war chariot that Ezekiel saw in prophetic vision? Why a Galilean teenager’s womb? Why a cave in a rural, small town south of Jerusalem?
Like John 1:1-18, Philippians 2:6-11 gives us not the melody, but the words to another Christmas carol—more technically an incarnation hymn of praise—that the 1st Century church sang when they met together either early Sunday morning or after work in the evening after their Agape meal and communion. Paul uses this hymn to point out to the Philippian believers and to us the way to the top. This path cuts right across my desire to get rich enough so I can eat at the Melrose daily.
Take some time in the midst of the Bethlehem child's birthday celebration to study what He teaches us about being a slave so that we can rule in the end. Before you conclude that this is all pious sentimentalism ask yourself this: Two thousand years later who actually is august--Augustus or the Lord Jesus Christ?
Monday, December 24, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Only Violence Continually
This Sunday morning between services I was in the church office as one of our men checked the Internet. He scrolled down and read to me the first news of the 24 year old gunmen who took the lives of four of our brothers and sisters in Christ in Colorado.
"I can't believe this is happening!" "There must be some mistake!" " Why attack young people who are seeking to be trained to take Jesus' Good News around the world?" My heart struggled to handle the fact that again believers have been killed right here in the U.S.
This spring my youngest son and his wife completed three years of graduate school in New Haven, Connecticut. The Youth with a Mission students and teachers in the city became their local spiritual family and gave them biblical support. During the graduation week I watched my son play ultimate Frisbee with his YWAM friends. After the game, I got to chat with some of them about their future plans. What an encouragement to interact with young people in their twenties committed to Jesus and looking forward to going overseas and sharing His truth and love with others. Now Tiffany Johnson (26) , an easy going, friendly, adventuresome young lady and Philip Crouse (24), who had helped to build a foster home on the Crow Indian reservation in Montana, will not be able to continue Christ's mission here on earth.
When God looked at the pre-flood world, He saw that it was "corrupt and full of violence." (Gen. 6.11). What does He see when He looks at our nation?
I'm praying that God will open hearts to the power of the crucified and resurrected Jesus. He alone can conquer violence, bring His forgiveness and mercy, and awaken consciences all over our land and soften hearts, including mine. We must not allow murder, especially when it is caused by those who hate Christians, to become only another headline.
God is still the Sovereign Lord who sent His Son into the violent world of Herod and Caesar. Though He was murdered, death could not hold Him and His resurrection power will allow us to keep going into all the world to make disciples in every nation.
"I can't believe this is happening!" "There must be some mistake!" " Why attack young people who are seeking to be trained to take Jesus' Good News around the world?" My heart struggled to handle the fact that again believers have been killed right here in the U.S.
This spring my youngest son and his wife completed three years of graduate school in New Haven, Connecticut. The Youth with a Mission students and teachers in the city became their local spiritual family and gave them biblical support. During the graduation week I watched my son play ultimate Frisbee with his YWAM friends. After the game, I got to chat with some of them about their future plans. What an encouragement to interact with young people in their twenties committed to Jesus and looking forward to going overseas and sharing His truth and love with others. Now Tiffany Johnson (26) , an easy going, friendly, adventuresome young lady and Philip Crouse (24), who had helped to build a foster home on the Crow Indian reservation in Montana, will not be able to continue Christ's mission here on earth.
When God looked at the pre-flood world, He saw that it was "corrupt and full of violence." (Gen. 6.11). What does He see when He looks at our nation?
I'm praying that God will open hearts to the power of the crucified and resurrected Jesus. He alone can conquer violence, bring His forgiveness and mercy, and awaken consciences all over our land and soften hearts, including mine. We must not allow murder, especially when it is caused by those who hate Christians, to become only another headline.
God is still the Sovereign Lord who sent His Son into the violent world of Herod and Caesar. Though He was murdered, death could not hold Him and His resurrection power will allow us to keep going into all the world to make disciples in every nation.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Listening to the Heavens
When Carl Sagan was alive, SETI (Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence) got a lot of media attention. I have not heard much about it since his death until this past week and Time's report on Paul Allen's gift of 25 million to install a set of 42 dish antennas in Hat Creek. California..
Allen is the co-founder of Mircrosoft, owner of the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Seattle Seahawks so he has the cash to give to the University of California to fund their latest attempt to listen for voices from outer space.
Now I'm all for learning all that we can about outer space and fascinated by radio signals that might give us more insight into the incredible universe. But I have always questioned why scientists will spend millions trying to discover intelligent life that might be out there when they won't listen to a communication from Heaven that is available right at your local Barnes and Nobles.
If there is some great superior Intelligence, you would expect him or her to have the smarts to communicate with us long before the invention of the computer chip or improved radio telescopes.
This is exactly what the Apostle Paul claims in Romans 10:6. We don't have to ascend to the highest heaven. God has already sent His Son from the highest heaven to reveal Himself on planet earth. Check out my discussion on Romans 10:1-15 in our Truth Encounter message this week.
Allen is the co-founder of Mircrosoft, owner of the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Seattle Seahawks so he has the cash to give to the University of California to fund their latest attempt to listen for voices from outer space.
Now I'm all for learning all that we can about outer space and fascinated by radio signals that might give us more insight into the incredible universe. But I have always questioned why scientists will spend millions trying to discover intelligent life that might be out there when they won't listen to a communication from Heaven that is available right at your local Barnes and Nobles.
If there is some great superior Intelligence, you would expect him or her to have the smarts to communicate with us long before the invention of the computer chip or improved radio telescopes.
This is exactly what the Apostle Paul claims in Romans 10:6. We don't have to ascend to the highest heaven. God has already sent His Son from the highest heaven to reveal Himself on planet earth. Check out my discussion on Romans 10:1-15 in our Truth Encounter message this week.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Global Cerebral Atrophy against God's Will
God's will isn't being done in the life of one of our precious new little babies in Midlothian Bible Church, the church where my wife and I serve!
Mary just returned from Children's Hospital in Dallas where a neurologist and a paediatrician informed one of our young families, Jason and Lauren Kunz and their daughter Malory, that little Grant has global cerebral atrophy. The physicians can't agree on the prognosis, but neither doctor gave us good news, and this is why Jesus taught us to pray "Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!"
Yes, history is being written according to the divine Author's hand. He has a sovereign decreed will, but a lot of things are included in the present story that make Him angry, frustrated, and hurt. A lot of things, like a baby's illness, happen against His heart, against the way that things are done in heaven.
Our Lord is angry that the curse of sin has been able to touch Grant's little body and He invites us to pray that we might see a glimpse of His coming Kingdom where there will be no more brain malfunction, eye problems, or hearts that don't beat the right rhythm.
We need to pray for healing, for the miracle of seeing in the present God's life giving Heavenly will. During this time of trouble for the Kunz family, our MBC family needs to complete their family circle by giving them our prayers, compassion, and love. You can join us in praying for them.
This Sunday morning at MBC we will be taking a look at what the Divine Potter is up to in the lives of the Jewish people and in our lives. You can join us on Monday morning as Mary makes the teaching of Romans 9:19-32 availabe to you on the Internet. Here's a preview.
Have you ever seen a skilled potter shaping a vase? Now animate that picture. Imagine that the clay suddenly jumps off the spinning wheel and declares to the potter, "You don't exist!" Or "You're an idiot. I'd rather do it my way!"
Sound ridiculous? Its what a lot of us do when we resist our Creator's skilful hands. Romans 9 declares that with all of our strutting and fist raising, we are after all just clay in the Potter's hands. The question is--Will we respond to His merciful touch or have to be trashed because of hardened resistance.
Do you have some friends that haven't heard God's Word in a while or possibly never? Invite them to come and sit with you this Sunday as you gather with your local church family, and then take them out to eat. You can also invite your friends who won't darken the door of church to check out what we are learning from the Book of Romans at www.truthencounter.com .
Maybe the Potter will use you as He places His hands on someone else's life.
Mary just returned from Children's Hospital in Dallas where a neurologist and a paediatrician informed one of our young families, Jason and Lauren Kunz and their daughter Malory, that little Grant has global cerebral atrophy. The physicians can't agree on the prognosis, but neither doctor gave us good news, and this is why Jesus taught us to pray "Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!"
Yes, history is being written according to the divine Author's hand. He has a sovereign decreed will, but a lot of things are included in the present story that make Him angry, frustrated, and hurt. A lot of things, like a baby's illness, happen against His heart, against the way that things are done in heaven.
Our Lord is angry that the curse of sin has been able to touch Grant's little body and He invites us to pray that we might see a glimpse of His coming Kingdom where there will be no more brain malfunction, eye problems, or hearts that don't beat the right rhythm.
We need to pray for healing, for the miracle of seeing in the present God's life giving Heavenly will. During this time of trouble for the Kunz family, our MBC family needs to complete their family circle by giving them our prayers, compassion, and love. You can join us in praying for them.
This Sunday morning at MBC we will be taking a look at what the Divine Potter is up to in the lives of the Jewish people and in our lives. You can join us on Monday morning as Mary makes the teaching of Romans 9:19-32 availabe to you on the Internet. Here's a preview.
Have you ever seen a skilled potter shaping a vase? Now animate that picture. Imagine that the clay suddenly jumps off the spinning wheel and declares to the potter, "You don't exist!" Or "You're an idiot. I'd rather do it my way!"
Sound ridiculous? Its what a lot of us do when we resist our Creator's skilful hands. Romans 9 declares that with all of our strutting and fist raising, we are after all just clay in the Potter's hands. The question is--Will we respond to His merciful touch or have to be trashed because of hardened resistance.
Do you have some friends that haven't heard God's Word in a while or possibly never? Invite them to come and sit with you this Sunday as you gather with your local church family, and then take them out to eat. You can also invite your friends who won't darken the door of church to check out what we are learning from the Book of Romans at www.truthencounter.com .
Maybe the Potter will use you as He places His hands on someone else's life.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
A Covenant Promise
This Friday my wife and I jumped in our Tundra like good Texans and headed close to the Oklahoma border for Pilot Point, nestled on the shores of Lake Ray Roberts. We scoped things out early in the afternoon so that we would know where to go for the evening wedding rehearsal.
The rehearsal dinner was in Denton and then we headed for the fairy tale setting.
My wife is a skilled administrator. So she took the lead in instructing two families who were just beginning to get to know each other and friends of the groom and friends of the bride on the intricacies of escorting grandparents, parents, and then finally pulling off an orderly procession to set the stage for the bride and her dad.
The next evening at 7:00 with the sun setting over the lake the bride and groom stood together under the cupola and repeated before God "I do promise and covenant before God and these witnesses to be your loving and faithful husband (wife) in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live."
I know that more than fifty percent of American marriages end in divorce, but as I challenged this brand new husband and wife to remember that these promises could only be kept by relying completely upon the forgiveness of the Savior who died for them and who can fuel their promise keeping with His resurrection power, I thanked the Lord again for the incredible privilege of being a pastor and having Him use me to challenge another couple to build their home on amazing grace. Please rememember to pray for Aaron and Melanie and the young couples you have the responsibility to support because you witnessed their sacred vows.
The rehearsal dinner was in Denton and then we headed for the fairy tale setting.
My wife is a skilled administrator. So she took the lead in instructing two families who were just beginning to get to know each other and friends of the groom and friends of the bride on the intricacies of escorting grandparents, parents, and then finally pulling off an orderly procession to set the stage for the bride and her dad.
The next evening at 7:00 with the sun setting over the lake the bride and groom stood together under the cupola and repeated before God "I do promise and covenant before God and these witnesses to be your loving and faithful husband (wife) in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live."
I know that more than fifty percent of American marriages end in divorce, but as I challenged this brand new husband and wife to remember that these promises could only be kept by relying completely upon the forgiveness of the Savior who died for them and who can fuel their promise keeping with His resurrection power, I thanked the Lord again for the incredible privilege of being a pastor and having Him use me to challenge another couple to build their home on amazing grace. Please rememember to pray for Aaron and Melanie and the young couples you have the responsibility to support because you witnessed their sacred vows.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Just Tell Stories
He's an Ivy League trained professor, yet in his book Religious Literacy --What Every American Needs to Know and Doesn't Stephen Prothero of Boston University argues that in a world warring over religion every high school curriculum must include a course on Basic Bible and World Religions 101. Our national security depends on it.
In the 20th century secularists argued that as society matured and became more scientific and technological religion would die a slow death. A secularist who believes that proposition in 2007 has committed the classic ostrich head in the sand error. Diplomats and army officers today must know the difference between a Sunni, a Shiite, and that a Sikh is not a Muslim or a Hindu. The frightening reality is that many do not.
Prothero traces our public education's history from The New England Primer that taught our children that they were sinners who needed Jesus to save them, to the McGuffey Readers that taught them to be good, sober, modest, and thrifty, to our present curriculum where a teacher is afraid to even mention that the Pilgrims actually celebrated Thanksgiving to thank the God of the Bible.
Prothero makes a strong argument for the Constitutional right to teach about the Bible and about Religion in the public schools. Whether or not his distinction between teaching--acceptable, and preaching--not acceptable will hold in the real world of high school curriculums is up for National debate.
What struck me as ironic about Prothero's discussion is that at the time when he is calling for the strong, objective teaching about the Bible and religion in the Public Schools, many leading evangelical pastors are calling for less Bible and more stories in our churches.
Now I'm not against stories. After all, our Savior told some powerful ones about the Prodigal Son, the Lost Sheep, and the Good Samaritan. What I am against is forgetting that He also included Romans in His inspired text that had some strong warnings against turning the message of Jesus' cross and resurrection into just another chapter in William Bennet's Book of Virtues.
Mary and I will be flying to Mitchell, Nebraska in the morning for the Berean National Convention. I have to deliver four messages from the Book of Jeremiah. The theme of the Conference is The Clay. Pray that we will be pliable in the Potter's hands the next several days so that he can encourage many pastors, leaders, and their families.
In the 20th century secularists argued that as society matured and became more scientific and technological religion would die a slow death. A secularist who believes that proposition in 2007 has committed the classic ostrich head in the sand error. Diplomats and army officers today must know the difference between a Sunni, a Shiite, and that a Sikh is not a Muslim or a Hindu. The frightening reality is that many do not.
Prothero traces our public education's history from The New England Primer that taught our children that they were sinners who needed Jesus to save them, to the McGuffey Readers that taught them to be good, sober, modest, and thrifty, to our present curriculum where a teacher is afraid to even mention that the Pilgrims actually celebrated Thanksgiving to thank the God of the Bible.
Prothero makes a strong argument for the Constitutional right to teach about the Bible and about Religion in the public schools. Whether or not his distinction between teaching--acceptable, and preaching--not acceptable will hold in the real world of high school curriculums is up for National debate.
What struck me as ironic about Prothero's discussion is that at the time when he is calling for the strong, objective teaching about the Bible and religion in the Public Schools, many leading evangelical pastors are calling for less Bible and more stories in our churches.
Now I'm not against stories. After all, our Savior told some powerful ones about the Prodigal Son, the Lost Sheep, and the Good Samaritan. What I am against is forgetting that He also included Romans in His inspired text that had some strong warnings against turning the message of Jesus' cross and resurrection into just another chapter in William Bennet's Book of Virtues.
Mary and I will be flying to Mitchell, Nebraska in the morning for the Berean National Convention. I have to deliver four messages from the Book of Jeremiah. The theme of the Conference is The Clay. Pray that we will be pliable in the Potter's hands the next several days so that he can encourage many pastors, leaders, and their families.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Soccer Coaching and Jesus
I knew nothing about soccer. Football, basketball and baseball--Yes! But soccer was not one of the big three when I was growing up. Yet when my son's coach decided he needed to retire, I was conscripted.
My wife and I prayed for each of the boys on the team and tried to reach out to their parents. James, one of my player's dads, was not responsive. He was in to cutting horses, not into Jesus. Our failure to make any apparent impact for Jesus was discouraging.
My oldest son is now 34, and my soccer coaching days ended more than twenty years ago, but the power of the Gospel continues. This morning I got to teach 61 men at the Waxahachie Cowboy Church's men's breakfast from Romans 7:21ff about the internal conflict that we can win through the power of Jesus.
Guess who invited me to speak for this gathering? James, my old soccer player's dad. He came to Jesus a few years ago, and now leads the men's breakfast every month at the Cowboy Church.
Whether its coaching soccer, football, or girls volleyball, believe that Jesus can use you to get across far more than athletic skills, and don't get discouraged if it takes some time to bear fruit.
My wife and I prayed for each of the boys on the team and tried to reach out to their parents. James, one of my player's dads, was not responsive. He was in to cutting horses, not into Jesus. Our failure to make any apparent impact for Jesus was discouraging.
My oldest son is now 34, and my soccer coaching days ended more than twenty years ago, but the power of the Gospel continues. This morning I got to teach 61 men at the Waxahachie Cowboy Church's men's breakfast from Romans 7:21ff about the internal conflict that we can win through the power of Jesus.
Guess who invited me to speak for this gathering? James, my old soccer player's dad. He came to Jesus a few years ago, and now leads the men's breakfast every month at the Cowboy Church.
Whether its coaching soccer, football, or girls volleyball, believe that Jesus can use you to get across far more than athletic skills, and don't get discouraged if it takes some time to bear fruit.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Communicating Jesus
Who was the first person to tell you about Jesus? A dad or mom? A grandparent? Maybe a friend? You can probably think back to several people who the Spirit of God used to help you understand the Good News about Jesus dying on the cross, rising again, and the need for you to personally decide to trust Jesus. Now here’s the question, Do you regret that any of these people told you about Christ?
The first century church did not grow because they kept silent. The New Testament
reveals that the new powerful message about a Jewish crucified Messiah who rose from the dead was spreading like a flame driven by gusty winds. Paul begins his letter to the Colossians expressing his passion to let everyone in on the incredible mystery that was now clear.
Paul offered far more than five steps to overcoming your anger or three principles that could help you to achieve financial success. He believed that God had revealed to him a secret that not even Abraham, Moses, or Isaiah knew about.
Down through the ages and in past generations the secret was in God’s heart. But when Jesus died and rose again the secret was out. The Messiah would take up residence in the life of anyone who would simply trust Him, and this presence would guarantee that glory, not death, was ahead. Paul could not have stated this precious revelation more succinctly.
"To the saints (believers) God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is the Messiah in you, the hope of glory."
Colossians 3: 27
When I am intimidated about sharing Jesus with someone else, I remember what a gift it is to have Him living inside my life, and I remember those who had the courage to make the Gospel clear to me. This gets my tongue untied when the opportunities come to speak up.
Some suggestions to help you to proclaim Him:
1. Reflect back on this past week. What evidence do you see in your personal life that Jesus has made your heart His home address? (Check out Matthew 5:14-16)
2. Do you find it easier to shine your life in your home, school, workplace or neighborhood?
Where is the most difficult place to shine your light?
Think of one concrete way that you can shine your light this week.
3. Can you think of three family members, fellow students, golf or hunting buddies, or work associates who do not clearly understand what it means that Jesus can take up residence in their lives?
Write down their names:
a.
b.
c.
Now make a commitment to pray for them for the next thirty days –
Pray that the Holy Spirit would work in their life and draw them to Jesus.
Pray that your life would serve as a good witness.
Pray for boldness and opportunity to share your faith with them.
Pray that they would trust Christ as their Savior
4. You are an expert in telling your story of how you came to trust Jesus for your salvation. Have you ever written it down? Take a few minutes this week to do this and then share it with a friend.
The first century church did not grow because they kept silent. The New Testament
reveals that the new powerful message about a Jewish crucified Messiah who rose from the dead was spreading like a flame driven by gusty winds. Paul begins his letter to the Colossians expressing his passion to let everyone in on the incredible mystery that was now clear.
Paul offered far more than five steps to overcoming your anger or three principles that could help you to achieve financial success. He believed that God had revealed to him a secret that not even Abraham, Moses, or Isaiah knew about.
Down through the ages and in past generations the secret was in God’s heart. But when Jesus died and rose again the secret was out. The Messiah would take up residence in the life of anyone who would simply trust Him, and this presence would guarantee that glory, not death, was ahead. Paul could not have stated this precious revelation more succinctly.
"To the saints (believers) God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is the Messiah in you, the hope of glory."
Colossians 3: 27
When I am intimidated about sharing Jesus with someone else, I remember what a gift it is to have Him living inside my life, and I remember those who had the courage to make the Gospel clear to me. This gets my tongue untied when the opportunities come to speak up.
Some suggestions to help you to proclaim Him:
1. Reflect back on this past week. What evidence do you see in your personal life that Jesus has made your heart His home address? (Check out Matthew 5:14-16)
2. Do you find it easier to shine your life in your home, school, workplace or neighborhood?
Where is the most difficult place to shine your light?
Think of one concrete way that you can shine your light this week.
3. Can you think of three family members, fellow students, golf or hunting buddies, or work associates who do not clearly understand what it means that Jesus can take up residence in their lives?
Write down their names:
a.
b.
c.
Now make a commitment to pray for them for the next thirty days –
Pray that the Holy Spirit would work in their life and draw them to Jesus.
Pray that your life would serve as a good witness.
Pray for boldness and opportunity to share your faith with them.
Pray that they would trust Christ as their Savior
4. You are an expert in telling your story of how you came to trust Jesus for your salvation. Have you ever written it down? Take a few minutes this week to do this and then share it with a friend.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Celebrating 50 Years
This week I am teaching Romans at the Word of Life Camps in Upstate New York, but the primary reason Mary and I flew up to Albany was to celebrate my sister and brother-inlaw's 50th wedding anniversary. Dave and Mary Ann were married in 1957, one year after five of their fellow Wheaton graduates were martyred in Equador. Dave's father was a pioneer missionary in Guatemala, but the Lord called the young couple to Brazil where they started Word of Life's first Bible Institute.
In a family filled with loud voices for Jesus Dave was the quiet, steady, disciplined planner who used his administrative skills to transform the training of counselors at Christian summer camps throughout the U.S. and then to found Palavra Da Vida Seminary --a school that has become the Moody Bible Institute--Dallas Seminary for the Brazilian culture.
David Cox Jr., Dave and Mary Ann's oldest son, worked on our pastoral staff in Midlothian while he attended Dallas Seminary. Then after a few more years serving with us headed out to Brazil to join his mom and dad as one of the profs in the seminary.
For three hours Sunday afternoon David led us in a tribute to his dad and mom built on Psalm 127:1.
Unless the Lord builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
In a family filled with loud voices for Jesus Dave was the quiet, steady, disciplined planner who used his administrative skills to transform the training of counselors at Christian summer camps throughout the U.S. and then to found Palavra Da Vida Seminary --a school that has become the Moody Bible Institute--Dallas Seminary for the Brazilian culture.
David Cox Jr., Dave and Mary Ann's oldest son, worked on our pastoral staff in Midlothian while he attended Dallas Seminary. Then after a few more years serving with us headed out to Brazil to join his mom and dad as one of the profs in the seminary.
For three hours Sunday afternoon David led us in a tribute to his dad and mom built on Psalm 127:1.
Unless the Lord builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
Listening to their children and grand children extol their dad and mom and their grandpa and grand ma proved that the Spirit can still fuel a marriage for 50 years.Praise the Lord! He is still in the business of building strong homes.
Congratulations Dave and Mary Ann, I pray the Lord gives you 50 more.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Hippy Turned Evangelist
Last night I stayed in the home of Tom and Vicki Maheiras. The first time I saw Tom he looked like one of the Three Musketeers--complete with mustache, beard, and in place of a sword--a Gibson guitar. It was the summer of '68, and Tom was high on drugs when my friend Bruce invited him to leave Lake George and come up to Word of Life Island on Schroon Lake. That night, Jack Wyrtzen, my dad, proclaimed the good news about Jesus, and Tom came forward to receive Christ. That was 39 years ago, and last night, instead of being high on LSD, he was high on how the Lord had used him to speak to 50,000 Africans in Uganda, and he was strategizing about how to unite the power of the Gospel with the skill of American entrepreneurship to seek to bring more than just a hand-out in Africa. He has pastored for more than 30 years and now head up CitiVision, an inner city ministry mobilizing the Body of Christ not only in New York City, but in cities around the world, to change the ghetto into a community transformed by Jesus. The Gospel still is the power of God. My friend Tom and his precious wife, Vicki, prove it. I picked up my oldest son and his family at JFK this morning. Now its time to relax with the Wyrtzen tribe for a week at Word of LIfe where new "Toms" could get close to Jesus during another week of ministry. Pray!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Beautiful Bodies--Aching Bodies
The 77 Dallas Cowboys were the Champions in the hallowed days of NFL gridiron glory. Roger Staubach, Bob Lilly, Randy White, Rayfield Wright, and Mel Renfro--these were the gladiators that charmed my childhood. If anyone could defy the ravages of time, these giants could do it. Then I picked up this Sunday's Dallas Morning News. The headline read Champions aging in agony. Thirty years ago Mel Renthro played his last NFL game and walked off the field--the winner of Super Bowl XII. Thirty years later he has an artificial left hip, a right knee that needs to be replaced, arthritis in his shoulders, damaged vertebrae in his neck, and headaches from the glare of the sun. The article details the ravages of time against these football greats, but I am thankful that the Apostle Paul asked this question, "Who will deliver us from this body of death?" His answer? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! My lower back might stoop me over in an old man's gait, but I've got a new eternal model waiting ahead, and it's a certain thing because of Jesus Christ's historical resurrection.
Pray for Mary and me this next week. Early Wednesday morning we fly up to Albany, New York to meet my eldest son, his wife, and their two girls, flying home from France. Word of Life is hosting a Wyrtzen Family Reunion and giving us the privilege of teaching at the Conference the first week in August. My oldest sister is celebrating her fiftieth wedding anniversary, and it will be one of those rare times of getting to spend time with the Wyrtzen side of our family and all serving Jesus together.
Pray for Mary and me this next week. Early Wednesday morning we fly up to Albany, New York to meet my eldest son, his wife, and their two girls, flying home from France. Word of Life is hosting a Wyrtzen Family Reunion and giving us the privilege of teaching at the Conference the first week in August. My oldest sister is celebrating her fiftieth wedding anniversary, and it will be one of those rare times of getting to spend time with the Wyrtzen side of our family and all serving Jesus together.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Worship Is More than Niche Marketing
I arrived back in Midlothian at 1:30 this morning after spending a day in Austin with our Midlothian Bible worship leaders, but the late night was worth it. Hundreds of worship leaders and pastors met at River Bend Church in Austin for the first national worship leader conference.
Just listening to that many incredible voices proclaiming "Your Grace Is Enough" made the price of the five hour travel up and down I 35 worth it, but listening to a younger pastor like Ross Parsley argue against the niche marketing of our Sunday morning services was priceless. Ross lamented the tragedy of losing our multi-generational dinner time around the table where even grandma was forced to acknowledge five year old Johnny and vice versa. He then went on to use the possibility of recapturing the joy and love around this table as a picture of what God the Father desires for us in worship at least once a week as we gather as His Household.
I've been reminding our worship leaders for years that the family is one of the dominant New Testament symbols for what the Church needs to be. What an encouragement to have this Pauline revelation underlined by Scott as he leads an influential, resurgent church in Colorado.
Pray for Mary and me as we get packed to head to Schroon Lake next week for a Wyrtzen Familiy Reunion and a teaching assignment along side Dr. Mark Bailey, my precious friend and the President of Dallas Theological. We would love to see you at Word of Life that first week in August.
Just listening to that many incredible voices proclaiming "Your Grace Is Enough" made the price of the five hour travel up and down I 35 worth it, but listening to a younger pastor like Ross Parsley argue against the niche marketing of our Sunday morning services was priceless. Ross lamented the tragedy of losing our multi-generational dinner time around the table where even grandma was forced to acknowledge five year old Johnny and vice versa. He then went on to use the possibility of recapturing the joy and love around this table as a picture of what God the Father desires for us in worship at least once a week as we gather as His Household.
I've been reminding our worship leaders for years that the family is one of the dominant New Testament symbols for what the Church needs to be. What an encouragement to have this Pauline revelation underlined by Scott as he leads an influential, resurgent church in Colorado.
Pray for Mary and me as we get packed to head to Schroon Lake next week for a Wyrtzen Familiy Reunion and a teaching assignment along side Dr. Mark Bailey, my precious friend and the President of Dallas Theological. We would love to see you at Word of Life that first week in August.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Seven Thousand Jewelers and the Great Commission
My wife Mary and I are spending three days in Forth Worth at the Convention Center at the Premier Designs National Convention. Back in 1985 (that's before the Iron Curtain fell), Andy Horner and I went to Poland to teach the Book of Proverbs to a couple hundred polish teens. Andy was in his early sixties and ready to retire after a successful career with Home Interiors.
After listening to his life story and burden to raise money for indigenous missions, I casually said to him on our return flight across the big pond, "Andy, why don't you use your entrepreneurial skills for Jesus." When he got back to Dallas, he did. He founded a jewelry company called Premier. With his wife Joan, their purpose was to help moms stay at home and raise their kids. A mom could do a couple of home shows a week and earn what she would earn in five hard days in an office. They also committed themselves to founding a foundation that would give funds to missions.
That was 22 years ago and now their company has more than 25,000 jewelers and our Horner Premier Foundation has been able to support evangelical outreaches around the world. This Foundation is one of the tools God uses to support Truth Encounter, and this is why Mary and I are shaking hands and handing out free trials for our Jewels of Sinai video game. We are also rubbing shoulders with Latin Americans, Africans, Austrians, and Brazilians who are declaring Jesus because a business man and his wife in 1985 decided to use their skills in the market place for Jesus.
For those of you representing Jesus on the front lines of business today, you are in full time Jesus service. I want to bless you today, and I need to go and shake some more hands to let all these Premier Jewelers know how much we appreciate what they are doing to enable us to help others to encounter Jesus.
Have a great day walking with our Lord Jesus,
Dave
After listening to his life story and burden to raise money for indigenous missions, I casually said to him on our return flight across the big pond, "Andy, why don't you use your entrepreneurial skills for Jesus." When he got back to Dallas, he did. He founded a jewelry company called Premier. With his wife Joan, their purpose was to help moms stay at home and raise their kids. A mom could do a couple of home shows a week and earn what she would earn in five hard days in an office. They also committed themselves to founding a foundation that would give funds to missions.
That was 22 years ago and now their company has more than 25,000 jewelers and our Horner Premier Foundation has been able to support evangelical outreaches around the world. This Foundation is one of the tools God uses to support Truth Encounter, and this is why Mary and I are shaking hands and handing out free trials for our Jewels of Sinai video game. We are also rubbing shoulders with Latin Americans, Africans, Austrians, and Brazilians who are declaring Jesus because a business man and his wife in 1985 decided to use their skills in the market place for Jesus.
For those of you representing Jesus on the front lines of business today, you are in full time Jesus service. I want to bless you today, and I need to go and shake some more hands to let all these Premier Jewelers know how much we appreciate what they are doing to enable us to help others to encounter Jesus.
Have a great day walking with our Lord Jesus,
Dave
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
