One of the most often rehearsed quotes from the lips of the apostle Paul can be found in the third chapter of the book of Philippians. After listing all the things he has been through—both good and bad—he reaffirms his intention to continue to pursue Christ by saying, “…but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” When we consider this text, we usually consider Paul’s exclusive focus (“this one thing I do”). We are inspired by someone who is following, reaching and pressing toward the finish line despite life’s challenges. However, in the examination of the text we often fail to consider the imperative word that makes his strivings possible; it is the word “forgetting.” Paul was a deliberate and intentional forgetter. One of the things that keeps so many people from going forward is Read more…

This article was published in the Baptist Voice Magazine March 2010 issue: People are dangerous! Our sinfulness often brings with it the capacity to hurt others. We hurt one another with the words we say, with the things we do or forget to do, and sometimes injure our relationship with others through carelessness or negligence. When this happens, we need to learn to find the grace to forgive as the Lord has commanded us to do. Forgiveness is one of the great themes of the Christian faith. We learn from the Bible that God has provided for the forgiveness of our sins, and that He has the expectation that we pass that same forgiveness along to others. Forgiveness, though sometimes terribly hard to do, is absolutely necessary in order for our personal relationships to stay strong, to grow into the image of Christ, and to free others and ourselves from the bondage of bitterness and resentment. No doubt many of us have heard numerous sermons, Sunday School lessons, and devotions of the subject of forgiveness. However, it is important to realize that there is not only a scriptural obligation on the part of an offended party to forgive, but also a responsibility on the part of the offender to make things right. Read more…

A while back I was doing some work with my Treo cell phone; it is a PDA type phone that keeps my contacts, does email, and has a calendar. I was pushing  too many buttons at once when suddenly it “locked up”. It stopped working; it no longer was doing what I was asking it to do. As a matter of fact it stopped doing anything at all. For the moment it was completely unusable. The phone was no longer doing what it was designed to do because it was stuck on the last thing it could not resolve. I pulled off the back cover and found a reset button; once it was pushed the phone starting working again and I could get back to work.  I wish people were more like that; I wish we had a reset button to help us get over things we can’t seem to get past. Read more…

And it came to pass, when the time was come, that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. (Luke 9:51-56)

The Jews and the Samaritans had a long history of animosity and hatred one toward another. Because of this, when Jesus sought accommodations in Samaria as He passed through, it was not a strange thing that He should be treated rudely and refused. Most Jews avoided Samaria altogether when traveling between Galilee and Jerusalem, but Jesus chose rather to go through this hostile land—evidently to demonstrate his love for all people and to use the opportunity to teach a few things to his disciples. Chief among these lessons is that mercy needs to be cultivated in our lives as much as righteousness. Doing right and living a moral life is part of what it means to follow Christ, but so, too, is being kind, loving, and gracious—even toward those who seemingly do not deserve it. Read more…

In a recent conversation with someone I was reminded of a principle that we would all do well to remember.  We were talking about some of today’s great college athletes who never fulfilled their potential.  Though exceptionally talented; they failed to succeed in both sport and life.  The reason was because “their talent took them to a place where their character could not sustain them”.  Think about that principle for a moment; talent is not enough.  Undergirding all we do is our character and if it is deficient in time it will be exposed and we will come tumbling down.  Every year we hear about athletic stars who get themselves into trouble and lose a scholarship or millions of dollars in the pro’s because of poor character.  We too can lose much when placed in positions of leadership or responsibility and then because of undeveloped character we break a trust, or talk poorly of someone, or fail to do right.  The place we held could not be sustained because we lacked what was most important…character.  Be careful not to let your talents, abilities, intelligence, or even relationships take you where your character cannot sustain you.  The friendship we have, the talents God gives, and the abilities we develop are all wonderful gifts, but all must be supported by character.   It matters!  Pastor