Youth Camp Hidden Treasure

I'm looking in the bus rearview window today thinking of the 60+ weeks of camp that I've been blessed to take part in. From the heat of Lake Texoma to the cool of Colorado mountain air, one thing was common to all: when we set aside time for God to speak to us, He never disappoints! 

Spiritual battles confronted in chapels, on hillsides, in dorms and devotions with many victories won that decided godly change for years to come. Yes, there were losses and casualties. I rejoice in the good things and am painfully aware of sin's deceptive power.

There were many difficulties and obstacles in every week and among every group. Prayer and the working of God's Holy Spirit still amazes me.

But I am thankful to have presented the opportunity to know the plan and will of God to those who would choose to follow.

 Salvation, surrendered lives to God and being able to have the forgiving longsuffering peace of God is the priceless gift in a purpose driven life.

"To seek the will of God is life's greatest adventure

To find the will of God is life's greatest discovery 

To do the will of God is life's greatest achievement"

First Snow

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..

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.