A Texas Preacher in Michigan

Word of the day: VISION

2011-04-08T05:05:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like the passion of a God honoring, church strengthening, heart thumping vision. More than just some childhood dream or short-lived amusement park thrill ride, it is, according to Bill Hybels, "the fuel that leaders run on, the energy that creates action, the fire that ignites the passion of its followers". Jesus saw clearly the will of the Father in the "joy that was set before Him", Abraham looked for a city "whose builder and maker was God", Moses chose to "suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season", Nehemiah looked past the rubble of the walls and led a nation in a glorious rebuilding project, John, though exiled, was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day and given the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ! And then there is Paul: his vision of preaching the Gospel to the gentiles of Rome took him as far as a person can go... to death... of which he said "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain".

A vision without a task is a dream;

A task without a vision is drudgery;

A vision with a task is the hope of the world!

Today is a good day to ask God for a vision of some task that you can do for Him that will require your complete reliance upon His enabling power to accomplish it well.

"Where there is no vision, the people perish" Proverbs 29:18

On Being a GRANDPARENT

2011-01-21T19:43:00.000-08:00

ugust 12, 2000. The day a new privilege and responsibility began. My FIRST grandchild was born. The greatest discovery that day was an unrealized newfound love in my heart. A new role also was impressed upon me of the high and holy calling from God to be a part of influencing the future.

“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”

his day changed my prayer concerns as well. My prayers already involved my desire to develop a deeper walk with Christ for myself as a partner, as a parent and my role as a father, as a pastor, the flock and my ministry. Now my family concerns are greatly expanded and intensified. The prayer for my children and grandchildren’s needs include:

Salvation, that they will come to know the Lord at an early age
Sanctification, a pure relationship with God and growth in grace
Satan’s reality, protection from the evil one
Strength of character, health in mind, body and spirit
Separation from worldly wisdom to a godly discernment of good and evil
Singularity of life purpose and calling
Spouses that are good life partners and wisely choosing godly companions
Serving God and His church with an active love for God

oday, we are on the verge of having our twelfth (an even dozen grandchildren), the last of which is known only to me as the “Little One” in my prayers. My love has already begun to well up in my heart for this one as well. I am thankful to my grandparents for turning the direction of our family around for God and have seen how God blesses those who follow Him. Psalm 103:17,18 reminds us “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”

t is my firm belief that we can make a difference as grandparents, regardless of the ungodliness of our culture. An encouraging reminder is given by David Jeremiah in “Family Factor” as he makes reference to grandparents’ influence in history.

he Bolshevik Revolution took place in Russia in 1917, resulting in what became the Communist Soviet Union. Until that rule imploded in the late 1980’s, the faith of Russian Christians was severely tested by the atheistic Communist government. It is said that during the 70 years of Soviet rule, it was the grandmothers of Russia, the babushkas, who kept the faith alive. They were the ones who kept faith and hope alive in the darkest days of repression. Many of them obviously died before the Soviet empire collapsed, but their faith did not die with them. They taught their children and grandchildren so that, when conditions allowed, a vibrant church emerged from the ruins of Soviet atheism.

2011-01-01T17:00:00.000-08:00

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." -Proverbs 3:5,6

As another year begins, this is a good time to go back to the building blocks of faith in God: TRUST. We all have to trust in something or someone to help us through the storms of life. God has proved Himself trustworthy time and time again. This coming year is no different. I am so thankful that God has led my path this far and am thankful that God has promised to direct my steps throughout the coming year!

JOY TO THE WORLD

2010-12-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

As we enjoy this year’s Christmas celebrations, it is truly a time to be thankful for Jesus’ birth. I have always tried to make it clear to our children (and now grandchildren) on Christmas morning before the gifts are handed out that the reason we are celebrating is the birth of Jesus Christ. We would even take time each year to read the story once again and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the greatest gift of all, God’s own Son.

It is wonderful once again to enjoy the beautiful decorations and carols echoing and ringing joyfully in places around the world. One of those carols that we sing is “Joy to the World” written by Isaac Watts more than 250 years ago. However, he did not intend for it to be a Christmas song, but music to announce the Second Coming of Christ and His kingdom rule. Remember some of the words? “Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her king.… No more let sins and sorrows grow.… He rules the world with truth and grace.…” This is really a song of the Millennium—a reminder that the Babe who came the first time in a manger will return the second time as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Even so come Lord Jesus!

On Defending Oneself..

2010-12-18T19:34:00.000-08:00

-Abraham Lincoln

My Old Bible..

2010-10-26T14:50:00.000-07:00

The Road Ahead

2010-10-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

It was Augustine who said "We count on God’s mercy for our past mistakes, on God’s love for our present needs, on God’s sovereignty for our future." I am so thankful we have never been alone on our journey

..As We Travel The Days Ahead..

and that God is continuing to reveal Himself in our lives in ways we never imagined. I am full of hope and trust in His guiding, loving hand as we travel the days ahead. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Jeremiah 29:11

A Nation in Reflection

2010-09-11T04:30:00.000-07:00

"The answer for our nation’s problems is not in Washington.

Nor will it be found in a politician, no matter how great!

The answer does not lie on a battlefield or in a great general.

The answer to our nation’s problems will only be found in a place of humility and repentance.

The answer for our nation’s problems begins and ends at an altar of prayer!"

-Don Ebie

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

CHURCHES

2010-08-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of people who have influenced my life. As I have thought about all the churches that have helped me, it is great to think of the path that God has chosen for me. It is almost like Hebrews 11 as I think through the people of faith that have helped me in my walk with God. I am so thankful for Godly people that have been a part of my life.

Going Back Home

2010-08-07T05:34:00.000-07:00

Thirty six years ago this August I "left home". Having climbed the mountain and coming to the twin peaks of “Seventeen” and “high school graduate”, it was time to climb higher to the height of "college freshman". Having packed most of my earthly belongings into my '68 metallic blue (327 dual exhaust, white lettered wide 70 tired, white vinyl topped, eight track equipped) Impala SS, it was time to say a tearful goodbye to a wonderful childhood home and hello to an unknown but highly anticipated wonderful, hopeful life "on my own".

Just a few months from that time I came back home to visit. Although it was the same house in the same neighborhood on the same street, somehow it was not the same. Something had changed... me. It wasn't that I had changed my beliefs or even my lifestyle, although college life was a different pace. Actually, I had taken a few "baby steps" in my walk of faith. I was just beginning to understand what Peter meant when he referred to the Christian life as "the time of sojourning"(1Peter 1:17). There has been a lot of mountain climbing and valley walking since that time. I still enjoy going “back home”. But the life of faith is not in the comfortable nest but in the pilgrim journey that takes us to places we never dreamed God would take us.

As I am traveling today to visit with my mom and family (something I don't get to do as often as I would like), I think of the words embolden on the pages of the sacred text in Hebrews 11 that speaks to me again of those who have sojourned before me and "died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."

There is a land I long to see

A place that waits before me

A place where wonder beckons me

A place that I call home

I’m not quite sure just where it’s found

Or just when I’ll be going

For in his wisdom God has placed

Such things beyond our knowing

And north or south or east or west

Wherever I may wander

I will not fear the tempest blast

Nor tremble at its thunder

For this I know I am secure

No matter what befalls me

I have a place in heaven sure

A place that I call home*

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DADS!

2010-06-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

Father's Day makes me thankful for all the men in my life who have "fathered" me.

My dad, "Dub" Chittenden, was a trim carpenter, a soul-winnin' deacon, Sunday School teacher and a genuine Christian. He loved my mom and "us kids". I observed through many difficult situations his principles based on "what is right" which I always knew he had determined from prayer and God's Word. Even through the cancer that took his life, he was the "same" man who even witnessed to his brother from his death bed. He was only 42 when he died and I was 16. His example has always been "larger than life" and I have tried to follow his footsteps. Sometimes it seems as though I can hear his loving voice and hear his laughter. I am looking forward to the day when we will enjoy each other's company once again.

My grandfather, O. B. Scott, was a Santa Fe Roadmaster. His gruff exterior and tenth grade education was hard for some to handle, but I observed his love for Jesus Christ, his "do what's right" attitude and still remember getting to sit in his Sunday School class as he taught the Word of God and would weep over some great truth he had discovered.

My "new" dad, Chuck Muse, has been in my life longer than either my father or grandfather. He has picked right up where they left off. I always felt he had the "harder" job of dealing with "adult" you-can-tell-a-Texan-but-you-can't-tell-em-much children. He has been loving, kind, generous and supportive for which I am very thankful. But most of all, I am thankful for him taking care of and loving my mom. He has been a great father and I thank God for him.

These men have had a tremendous influence on my life and I hope someday my children will be able to carry on the godly legacy that I have been so blessed with. Happy Father's Day, Dads!

YOUTH CAMP: FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

2010-06-16T21:31:00.000-07:00

..who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

The place is chosen, the week is set, fundraisers are planned, parents are contacted, transportation is arranged, forms are filled out (and copied), sponsors rework vacation time, children “setters” are coerced, pets are boarded, bills are paid ahead and mail pickup is diverted.

I’m just sayin… it is easy to lose focus on what can happen with just one dedicated life.

After attending over fifty weeks of camps in a vast array of places, one thing is constant. For just a few days there is a concerted effort to go to a different environment to focus on a personal relationship with GOD! Many discover a higher purpose and calling as there is a concentrated presentation of God’s Word and its power to guide our life.

I have personally witnessed that life changing encounter as it happened weekly in the cool, thin air of Colorado, in the mountains surrounding Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the humid air coming off Lake Texoma mixes with the singing and preaching of an old fashioned open air tabernacle and at the central Texas mesquite tree Junior High camp that shook some young men that are still serving God today. And now it is time to see what God has been/ is doing in Miamisburg, Ohio.

Just one life changed. One person can truly make a difference. It was David Jeremiah who summed up the difference one person can make when he said “It is hard to believe that one person can make a difference in the course of human events. But if you subtract Esther from the Old Testament, there is no Jewish nation, there is no Jesus Christ, there is no Bible, and there is no hope for humankind, because Esther was the link that preserved the Jewish nation. She was one who consecrated her life to God and did what God wanted her to do. God used Esther to turn the events of the world around. He may choose to use you in a significant way as well. The dedication of one can make the difference for many.”

A Call to Preach

2010-05-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

Santa Fe (Railroad) Road-Master O.B. Scott (nicknamed "Scotty") only had an eight grade education but he possessed a pointed common sense vocabulary. One of the more humorous cliches came after listening to a preacher that was particularly hard to listen to. It was almost certain that you would hear Grandpa mutter just loud enough for us to hear..."When that fellow saw in the clouds G P, he thought God was telling him to Go Preach when God was probably saying Go Plow".

Of course there is much more to the call of God to preach than a formation of clouds. It truly must come from, as one my mentors, missionary Elmer Deal taught me,"a deep conviction accompanied by peace in the heart and confirmed by the Word of God that God would have you do a certain work in a certain place."
I have thought about that a lot since God called me to preach. There MUST BE a Divinely empowered connection between the hearers and the preacher. Having a message from God that needs to be imparted to people by way of preaching carries a tremendous weight of responsibility on the one who is called to preach. Courage to say what is unpopular to the audience within earshot and a willingness to look beyond the faces and say the hard stuff. Having preached thousands of times, (some of which... and more than I care to admit... were not messages clearly communicated) it is still fresh in my mind the importance of today's pointed message. Positive and negative. Comforting and convicting. Relevant and cross-cultural. Heaven sent and earthly delivered.

More than ever in my lifetime we need to hear from heaven. That STILL takes place by the preacher who has a definite call from God accompanied by the touch of God to preach the Word of God!

Warren Wiersbe put it like this "The touch of God makes the difference between success and failure. God touched Isaiah’s lips to give him purity ...and Jeremiah’s lips to give him power. He touched Jacob’s hip and gave him a limp, thus helping him to become a “prince with God.” God touched Daniel and set him on his feet, gave him strength, and opened his mouth for ministry. The call of God and the touch of God must go together or we fail."

Milestones

2010-04-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

Learning to conquer the the next challenge starts young. Once it is overcome, the next challenge rapidly presents itself.. so fast that we quickly forget the accomplishment and move on.. unless you are a grandparent with a camera.

I ran across this video yesterday and it brings back a flood of memories. And with the challenges that face us (in this case almost 10 years later), it is good to mark milestones and remember that God can help us to face todays challenges and give us the strength we need for today. Matthew 6:33 reminds us "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Twenty-One Gun Salute

2010-01-23T21:36:00.000-08:00

Louie was 93. Fought in the Big War. As I looked at the memorial display of a newspaper clipping from June 4, 1944, it all seems so long ago. There was an article by General Eisenhower sending a message to the soldiers to "accept nothing less than complete victory". Our nation has certainly come a long way since that day. I think of all the lives that have been affected because of that great leadership. Freedom has cost a great deal.. for those who died and for those who lived through it.

Then I think of another war. It is the war of God for the soul. At today's memorial there were stories told of children who were picked up on a bus and brought to church. Of a Christian mother and of a dad who came to know Christ as a result and then lived out the remainder of his days in a different war... reaching people with the life-changing Gospel of Christ.

Today we said goodbye to that soldier. From a grateful nation and a grateful church, it has been a privilege to have known such a man. My prayer is that we will see more soldiers get involved in this long war for God. I hope I can say when this time comes "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

A BRAND NEW YEAR AND A RE-NEWED HEART

2010-01-04T13:50:00.000-08:00

Many of us would have to say have just come through a pretty rough year. I wish I could tell you that it is going to be smoother this year...but we all know that is known only to God. So I have a few things that we do know and that we must remember “come what may”.

GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED

God promises to give us the grace we need to face whatever lies on the path ahead. Amy Carmichael once said “One day I was in trouble and oppressed about many things. It was one of those days when everything seems to go wrong. I was trying t

o get my Quiet Time but was constantly interrupted. Suddenly these words came—I could hardly believe they were in the Bible, they seemed so new to my needy heart—‘Grace to help in time of need.’ I found them and read them and marked them with joy, and in that moment, the moment of their coming, I was renewed in strength.”

GUARD YOUR HEART

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23) Christian (godly) character can withstand the storms of temptation. A story in Our Daily Bread relates that after a violent storm one night, a large tree, which over the years had become a stately giant, was found lying across the pathway in a park. Nothing but a splintered stump was left. Closer examination showed that is was rotten at the core because thousands of tiny insects had eaten away at its heart. The weakness of that tree was not brought on by the sudden storm; it began the very moment the first insect nested within its bark. With the Holy Spirit’s help, let’s be very careful to guard our purity.

GLORIFY GOD IN ALL THAT COMES OUR WAY

George MacFarren puts it this way:

Father, let me dedicate

All this year to Thee,

In whatever worldly state

Thou wilt have me be:

Not from sorrow, pain, or care

Freedom dare I claim;

This alone shall be my prayer,

Glorify Thy Name.

Beautiful Decorations in Places of Sadness

2009-12-19T18:05:00.000-08:00

Standing beside the red poinsettia "tree" and looking up at it's two story height is breathtaking. Every year since I came to Michigan I have walked beside this beautiful decoration found in this place of sadness. You see, it is located in the lobby of a hospital in Grand Blanc. As I took a picture of it this morning, two ladies' commented to me on its' exceptional presence each Christmas. Whether you stand on the ground floor and look up or look down from four floors up, it seems to beckon a second glance.

It's presence doesn't change the fact that there are a lot of sick folks in rooms that surround it. Most (if not all) people that are lying in the beds here don't really want to be there. Some will soon breathe their last breath. That is why I was at the hospital today. The caregiver spoke of comforts given to those who are at the "end of life". As I walked away from the room trying to absorb the words I had just heard, sometimes this place has a heaviness that is more than I can carry.

It was Isaiah who wrote "The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." (Isaiah 40:6-8)

These beautiful flowers that God created for us to enjoy will fade, much like our lives. We have so much to enjoy in our short time and we should make the most of it. But we must keep it in the perspective of the temporary verses the eternal.

Numbering Our Days

2009-12-11T22:07:00.000-08:00

My birthday this year marked 19,358 days of life. It was actually a great day. My Facebook friends sent me birthday wishes (most of them good), several cards and presents, Vicki fixed me brownies, my children chatted with me, our church choir sang to me (it was at a caroling event at the park and was the most on tune "Happy Birthday" I have ever had sung to me), I was not sick, rode a train with two of my grandkids.. you get the idea.. it was a GREAT day. One of many.

Not every day is such an enjoyable day. Sometimes it is good that it is just ONE day... one long, seemingly extended and painful day. Those are the days you would hit the "fast forward" button if you could. Other more enjoyable days, you want to hit the "pause" button if you could find the remote. But neither is possible.

One day at time. And I am glad that God made it so. Yesterday's difficulty need not be carried along with today nor should we spend too much time on tomorrow's worries. Today is one of God's favorite words. It is an important lesson we must learn. It is a good day to ask ourself where we are in our life. Is it where we should be? I don't know who said it, but truly "today is the first day of the rest of your life". We don't know what lies ahead, but we need to be prepared to take it one day at a time. May we apply Psalm 90:12 where it says "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

First Snow

2009-12-04T17:44:00.000-08:00

There is something about that first blanket of winter snow. Who would have thought I would see it at the cemetery.

Jack's involvement in the UAW was "roasted" by over a dozen men who worked alongside him and heralded the "30 and out" accomplishment. Acknowledgement also came in the form of a plaque presented by Congressman Dale Kildee's representative to his sons. His 85 years of life was hard to cover in less than sixty minutes. The crowd was good, but he had obviously outlived many of his friends.

My turn came at the end. Jack's last service in church was for the message entitled "Faith to the Finish" detailing Abraham's death and legacy of faith out of Hebrews 11. Today in his memory we looked at Philippians letter when Paul proclaimed "To Die is Gain". It was a message I believe Jack would want his friends to hear. Union negotiation gains pale in comparison to the gain (or loss) of heaven. For those in attendance it is a time of eternal perspective.

A Bible had been placed in Jack's hand open to Psalm 23. I read it one last time to the family and friends assembled at the cemetery. As I drove away, I took a few pictures and am thankful that God never forgets His own. The thousands represented by the stones and flowers are now and have ever been important to our Saviour Jesus Christ. Wouldn't it be something if Jack's earthly tabernacle only rests here a few days before that soon event that will raise all those who have placed their faith in Jesus.

Even so come Lord Jesus.

Preaching is usually the easy part..

2009-12-01T17:21:00.000-08:00

One thing about preaching that has always amazed me is to see God use His Word through a human channel to impact someone's life.

A huge part of pastoring is preaching. I love to dive into a study of a portion of God's Word. It is like walking on a spring mountain trail finding freshly ripe strawberries with sounds of a creek's rushing snowmelted water and looking up to suddenly see an antelope and her little ones running though the open field ahead.... get the picture! The discovery and surprises that God reveals through His Word that you know you will soon be able to unwrap and share with others is the joy of this preachers heart.

The other parts of the pastoring puzzle are not so easy. Counseling, budgets, building maintenance, buses, administration, planning, hospitals, funeral homes...

Today, as I prepare a funeral message for an elderly member who heard me preach for the last time just last Sunday, my heart is torn. How joyous for him as he is loosed from "the surly bonds of earth" and is now taking in celestial air in heaven. But for us who still cough in the smog of this world we have to say a tearful goodbye again. Were it not for Jesus' comforting touch and reassurance through the valley of the shadow of death, it would be more than we could bear.

Goodbye, Jack. You won't need that hearing device as you hear the heavenly choir sing glory to the King of Kings. You can throw away that watch and walk straight and strong on golden streets. I'm sure by now you have seen folks that have beat you there. I can almost hear the rejoicing and see the smiles. Maybe you have met my dad and grandpa. But what I envision most vividly is your standing face to face with our Saviour. What a joy that must be.

Preaching this Friday will not be so easy. Another reminder of how brief a vapor our lives are. The change that God's Word has caused in someone's life is now taken its greatest effect. Eternal destiny set. I hope the preaching that Jack heard from me has helped him on his last few miles of the journey. The message still hasn't changed, its only become more real. For both of us.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.