THE BIRTHDAY BOY
Tomorrow is my brother’s birthday. He’ll be 71. He’s not supposed to be here, you know. Several years ago, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and given a short time to live. But God had different plans and this kind and godly man has been granted longevity for the purposes of God. I don’t presume to know what those purposes are but I suspect they are related to the relationships he treasures most. He is a loving, protective, faithful and supportive husband—so unusual today. His daughters will tell you that he’s the best dad who ever lived. The legacy he is leaving for his grandchildren is one of honesty, generosity, forgiveness and a devout love for the Lord.
And as far as I’m concerned, he’s the best brother one could have. When we were kids, he was my defender against bullies in our neighborhood. He taught me how to play baseball, football, basketball, golf, chess, a myriad of card games, archery, fishing—and I’m sure there’s more. But most of all, he taught me how to be there when someone needs you.
Over the years, there has been more than once that I have called him and said, “I need you” and he was on his way. When he arrived, I knew everything would be alright—because my big brother was there.
Several years ago, I asked the Lord to let me live close to my brother and because God does give us the desires of our heart, last August He moved us less than two miles from Charles and Sandra. Now, I get to see him as much as I wish. We can play golf whenever we want. On Friday, he’ll come by my house at 1:00 PM (in his golf cart) and pick me up for an afternoon of golf.
"Lord, thank you for Charles. I thank you for the brother he has been, the example that he is, and the love that we share. Amen."
P.S. "And oh yes, Lord, give me the skill to beat him in golf at least once in my life."
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
WHY I DO WHAT I DO
Recently a friend said, "Tom, you've been doing this for more than 40 years. When are you going to hang it up and enjoy life?" The occasion was my 63rd birthday. Don't get me wrong, it isn't that I haven't thought about it. But will Mary Ann and I ever 'hang it up?' Never.
Here's why. One thousand years from now, the GracePointe Church facilities will be no more. Even the materials used to build the structures will have returned to dust. But GracePointe will live on...in heaven. The people we've won to Christ, baptized and discipled will be there along with all of the others from previous churches we've served.
So why not rest with the knowledge of that in our hearts? Because God has planned for more to cross our paths and He intends to use us for their salvation experiences.
Get weary? Maybe. Faint? I think not.
Recently a friend said, "Tom, you've been doing this for more than 40 years. When are you going to hang it up and enjoy life?" The occasion was my 63rd birthday. Don't get me wrong, it isn't that I haven't thought about it. But will Mary Ann and I ever 'hang it up?' Never.
Here's why. One thousand years from now, the GracePointe Church facilities will be no more. Even the materials used to build the structures will have returned to dust. But GracePointe will live on...in heaven. The people we've won to Christ, baptized and discipled will be there along with all of the others from previous churches we've served.
So why not rest with the knowledge of that in our hearts? Because God has planned for more to cross our paths and He intends to use us for their salvation experiences.
Get weary? Maybe. Faint? I think not.
BONDO BELIEVERS
Have you ever bought a used car? One thing you have to beware of is a car that has been in an accident and bondo was used to repair it. Bondo is a resin product that is used in the place of proper body work.
In forty years of ministry, I have known my share of bondo-believers. By that, I mean people who appear to be Christians on the outside but inwardly were something quite different.
The apostle Paul wrote what his prayer was for the believers living in Philippi. “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9-10).
Without Wax
A definition of the word sincere that Paul uses would be “without wax.” The origin of this goes back to ancient Rome, when they would make fine pottery, which was relatively thin, and fragile cracks would develop after firing.
So, rather than remake the piece, unscrupulous potters would fill the cracks with hard, dark wax (first-century bondo). This would be revealed when the object purchased was placed in bright sunlight, as the wax would melt.
So Paul uses this phrase “without wax” to speak of genuine believers, not fake believers. As we wait for Christ’s return, let’s pray that we are not bondo-believers, but rather genuine followers.
Have you ever bought a used car? One thing you have to beware of is a car that has been in an accident and bondo was used to repair it. Bondo is a resin product that is used in the place of proper body work.
In forty years of ministry, I have known my share of bondo-believers. By that, I mean people who appear to be Christians on the outside but inwardly were something quite different.
The apostle Paul wrote what his prayer was for the believers living in Philippi. “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9-10).
Without Wax
A definition of the word sincere that Paul uses would be “without wax.” The origin of this goes back to ancient Rome, when they would make fine pottery, which was relatively thin, and fragile cracks would develop after firing.
So, rather than remake the piece, unscrupulous potters would fill the cracks with hard, dark wax (first-century bondo). This would be revealed when the object purchased was placed in bright sunlight, as the wax would melt.
So Paul uses this phrase “without wax” to speak of genuine believers, not fake believers. As we wait for Christ’s return, let’s pray that we are not bondo-believers, but rather genuine followers.
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