I just finished painting our front porch, which has had a dark wood stain for about 20 years. The special paint for this is supposed to be 6 times thicker than other paint, and is supposed to cover in one coat and change your deck in one day! Well, it has taken almost 2 weeks! It required 2 coats, and with just over 100 spindles to paint (and all 4 sides of each spindle), it has been many hours. It is done now, and looks much lighter and quite nice. The color is called “beach”, and makes you think you are sitting on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. (well, not really) The truth is, even though it looks clean and nice, it is still 20 year old deck boards, showing the gouges and occasional warping that comes with 20 year old boards. And in another 10 years or so, even after paint touch-ups, the boards will need to be torn up and replaced with something new.

I think my porch is somewhat of a metaphor for our lives and our world! We baby-boomers know our bodies are slowly wearing down like those deck boards, and even with diet, exercise, and other “touch up” schemes, eventually they will cease to function and decay into dust like those boards. Our bodies, our culture, and even the natural world are contaminated by sin, and we long for something better and lasting! All people want good families, good relationships with others without fear and prejudice, healthy lives, an end to war and injustice and all the other “isms” that plague our world. But as hard as we try to do good and make things right, we always seem to fall short! Today it’s popular to call out extreme groups on the right or left, but that often makes it easy to overlook our own sinful thoughts (and we all have them!). The apostle Paul understand the futility of trying to “do good” all the time when we are under the curse of sin:
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.- Romans 7:14-20 (NIV)

The Bible says God desires shalom for us, which is much more than just peace. It is the “webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight.” Shalom is the way things are supposed to be, the way God created them to be in the Garden of Eden. But, we can never get there on just our own best efforts. That’s like a temporary paint job over decaying boards. Our sin is a violation on shalom. God doesn’t hate sin because he wants to punish us; he hates sin because it disrupts the beautiful plans he has for his people!

It is into this mess that Jesus came to us, preaching the Kingdom of God! His Kingdom is not a self-improvement course, but a total reversal of all that is wrong with this world, and a way to return to the shalom that God wishes for us all! Jesus died to offer us forgiveness for our sins, and the power to reverse it’s effects. His resurrection is a victory over the power of sin, and a beginning of the restoration process to the life and world that we always wanted! It is no longer just a slight improvement to our world, but a new creation, a new Kingdom in which we are also made new. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) In Revelation 21, the Bible teaches that the Kingdom of God is not an immaterial paradise “out there”, but that when Jesus returns he will build a new earth, cleansing, renewing and perfecting what has been broken by sin!
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”- Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)

So, how are we to live as “Kingdom Christians”?
I will do future blogs in more detail on “Kingdom living”, but here are some basics:
1) Start by joining the Kingdom! (and inviting others to join as well!)
Jesus offers this forgiveness and new life to all, as a gift, but we must willingly trust him with our lives! The Kingdom involves a new, intimate relationship with God, allowing him to lead and control your life. It’s NOT God making your life better so you can run it the way you want.( that’s the definition of sin!) if you don’t want God’s presence in your life, then you won’t want to be in his Kingdom, either, because it will be all-God all the time! Jesus warned that many, possibly the majority of people, won’t accept his offer.
2) Allow God’s Spirit to change your mind, which will lead to new attitudes and actions.
God transforms us from the inside out! When you begin to think like Jesus thinks, you will begin to love others and see the world as he sees it.
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
3) Get involved in your daily world by being “salt and light”, bringing hope and reconciliation to a broken and dying world!
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.-Ephesians 2:14-18 (NIV)
Christians are to bring grace, hope, reconciliation, and love into a violent and divided culture. Are you joining in language that divides or alienates others, or are you speaking in ways that bring healing and reconciliation? Are your actions patient, forgiving, and caring toward others, even those who are hard to love?
The world will not ultimately be changed through government, politics, or education alone. It has already been redeemed through Jesus, and he is beginning the great reversal through his Kingdom followers. Are you part of the team? Why not join today?

When our boys were small, they loved the original “Ghostbusters” movies! They had all the toys, and even nicknamed our huge, ancient Oldsmobile “Ecto 1”. The movie theme song asked “Who You Gonna’ Call?” when you had ghosts, and the answer of course was “Ghostbusters”!

I think a more relevant question today, when it comes to the really significant issues in life, is “Who You Gonna’ Trust”? (please excuse the grammar, teachers!) What about questions like “Who am I, and what am I here for?” Does anybody really love me? How can I know real forgiveness, peace, and purpose in my life? Does it matter what I do? Is there another life after death, and if not, what difference does it make what we do now? Is my life making any significant difference in this world? And of course, will the Tigers ever win another World Series?

As children, if we are fortunate enough, we can trust our parents for security and guidance on the big issues of our young lives. And as Christian parents, we have the opportunity to point our children toward God at an early age, letting them know that God is our ultimate source of strength, hope, and wisdom! But when we turn adults and realize our parents are fallible and sometimes as confused as we are, where do we turn then? Sadly, in our culture today, most people turn to social media sites and the endless drivel of confusion, or they actually look to politicians as though they are responsible for making our lives happy and fulfilled! Christians, of all people, should know that a good government will protect us from harmful enemies, establish basic laws of right & wrong , have a system of basic, if imperfect, justice, and if they are really effective, provide us with freedom & opportunities to work and succeed at life. Historically, most governments don’t even accomplish that! Our present government, as much as people dislike it, is still better than most in history. So, pray for our political leaders that they will get back to the basic stuff they are called to do, and maybe get away from trying to micro-manage our lives in ways they were never intended to do.

As Christians, I encourage you to remember how God works in history! He sometimes used governing authorities, even evil ones, but mostly he worked through his people IN SPITE OF THE RULING AUTHORITIES! God has always called his people to trust in Him above all else! … not social media, nor partisan politicians or pundits, nor even well-meaning teachers or professors! God ALWAYS works through humble people, willing to obey and trust him!

I recently read an amazing article about the Methodist church in Cuba! In spite of many decades of ruthless Communist dictatorship under Castro, murdering his own people, and the resulting poverty and hopelessness of many, the Methodist church has seen amazing, Holy Spirit led revival and power to overcome the worst in life! They now have 410 churches and 927 churches in formation. One church leader said they are unified in “seeking God, the movement of the Holy Spirit, the falling of the fire and anticipating the glory of God to descend”! This revival began in the 1970’s, and has been transforming lives ever since! Another pastor says, “We rejoice every time we think of what God has done for us! In central Havana, many people were drug addicts, idol worshippers, prostitutes, and God took them out of that way and saved them. The Bible says that one who is forgiven much, loves much. And when somebody pays a huge deb for you, then expressions of joy and happiness come out of your heart and that’s what’s happening in Cuba!”

WOW! How can people with little in life, living on less than $20/month, be so filled with joy, power over their life circumstances, and know freedom from the sins that used to entangle them and pull them down? It’s simple! They trust and believe what God says! There is a major revival happening around the world, mostly in poor nations, and it’s based on the belief that the Bible is truly the Word of God, and that the Holy Spirit is real, powerful, and can miraculously transform our lives from the inside out!

So, in our extremely wealthy nation, why are so many Christians being duped into looking for entitlements and trusting the government, rather than actually seeking and trusting in God first?

1) We have forgotten our first love, Jesus, and have drifted from our foundation of trust and faith alone in Him!
In his wonderful book entitled “Stay the Course”, Pastor Choco De Jesus quotes theologian D.A. Carson, who said:
“People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking that we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated.”

2) We need to pray for revival, beginning with you and me!
King David prayed “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”. –Psalm 139:23-24
And once we confess our own sins, allow God to transform us from the inside out!
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

As a retired pastor, I regret not preaching and teaching more effectively on the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us and free us from the sin that limits us. To those who were in my churches, I apologize for not doing that better. But as a baby boomer, I also realize that in the years I have left, God is still calling you and me to pray for revival, not only for us personally, but for our nation and world as well! God is powerfully changing lives around the world right now, in spite of bumbling governments. He has done it in America before, and wants to do it again! Won’t you join me in returning to our first love, Jesus , and really trusting in His Holy Spirit to transform us, and then use us to humbly join him in transforming the world around us?

(This is a “guest” blog from my wonderful wife, Claudia!)

As I celebrate vacation by the ocean each day, interesting groups of people come by; different faces, languages, hairdos, —it is great people watching stuff. But this morning I received a wonderful message from just four of them. And, of course, their wonderful dogs:
The first couple I saw coming from quite a ways off. Their dog was a German short hair pointer (what I would call a Spencer Dog, as this breed was our neighbor for many years at the cabin!) This dog was so beautiful! Not so much his fur, or his face, (let’s face it –who can turn away a happy dog!) but mostly for his gate, his energy and his amazing devotion and enjoyment of his ‘family’. Pure joy! This dog was fetching a simple tennis ball, but you would think it was the most important trophy or treasure imaginable. His master would pitch this ball many yards and this dog would take off at full tilt into the ocean surf or up into the sandy beach—no matter!-wherever he threw it, this dog would take off and bring it back. Every once in a while the woman would throw it, and although she never threw it as far, still, the dog’s reaction was total love and obedience. And? This dog NEVER gave up. I watched for a good long while and the same scene played out all the way down the beach. What a great thing to watch!
The next couple came down the beach and their dog was a black lab. He was a little chubbier and perhaps older, but still lots of ‘spark’ for fetching. He was equally dedicated to his family, but instead of a tennis ball, or other dog toy, his master picked up any old rock or shell and threw it into the water. The dog immediately ran to try and pick it up, but, time after time—he could not—the stone or shell had disappeared into the soft sand, or the surf came and took it away. One time his master took a large rock and threw it into the water—fully aware that this dog could never pick it up—and, of course the poor pooch went to the place where it had dropped and looked back—confused and dismayed because the task was too great and the expectations were still high. He could not complete the command of this thoughtless master.
I think I will serve the first master, thank-you very much! I wake each day and He lays out the course for Today. My tasks are never senseless, no matter how hard or easy. The course He gives me fills me with purpose and grace. And each day I return with joy, purpose, blessing, and thankfulness. There are days, however, that I follow the daily grind of this Earth. I find myself running after many ‘rocks’ that drop into the surf and, even though I go after them, I find they have disappeared. I am left bewildered, frustrated and purposeless. Not with the First Master! Don’t get me wrong, the days are sometimes long. After all, I am not a pet. God gives me a fully human experience. I am so thankful for this. Because of the humanity of Christ, I KNOW that my Redeemer lived a fully human life, and continues to live as my perfect, joyful purpose filled Savior! Living out my life and using all He has developed in me makes so much more sense than trusting this daily chunk of time to anything but the First Master.

Please don’t misunderstand and take offense at this title! I don’t mean it negatively, such as “keep your nose out of my business”! No, I mean this in a positive sense, as in mind (focus on, be intentional, plan & implement) your OWN business in 2017 (what YOU are led by God to do, with your specific gifts and passions, in your sphere of influence in the world)! Remember when Jesus was just 12 years old, and his parents had to go back to Jerusalem and found him in the Temple courts, asking questions? He told them: “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. -Luke 2:49-50 (NIV) Jesus, even at a young age, was laser-focused on who he was and why he was sent here. In his later years of ministry, he made clear that everything he said and did was in direct correlation with his Father in Heaven!
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:9-14 (NIV)

WOW! Jesus says that we as believers may do even greater works than he did! How exciting might that be in 2017? Paul reminds us of this promise in Ephesians 2:10 (NIV): 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. But the problem is, we get distracted by focusing on things we are NOT called to do! For example, you may be shocked to learn that I was NOT invited by President-elect Trump to visit the Trump Tower and offer my advice on how to run the country and change the world for the better! And I’ll bet you weren’t either! After all, we have such important opinions and ideas on this, don’t we? While politics is entertaining to many ( and a blood-sport to some), the reality is, it is NOT our business! Now maybe you are gifted and passionate about a political career, and God is leading you on that path. Wonderful! We need more Christians of integrity in leadership at every level of society! But for the rest of us, we are called to pray for leaders at every level, vote, and encourage fair and just decisions for the benefit of all the people. But our primary concern should be to use our time, energy and gifts to do what God is calling US to do in our sphere of influence!

So, as we look forward to 2017, remember two important Biblical truths:
1) God has given you a specific area of passion and giftedness for a reason, and he expects you to use it!
We can be interested in a lot of things, but only committed to a few. When you are “interested” in doing something, you only do it when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses. Football coach Lou Holtz pointed out “The Kamikaze pilot who was able to fly 50 missions was involved— but never committed”! What are you really passionate about that can influence others and draw them closer to God and his grace?

2) The Kingdom of God grows one heart and soul at time!
It is true that governments and laws can have either positive or negative impacts on how people live. But Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God always begins small, in the heart of an individual, and then grows as that individual is transformed and meshes with other transformed Christians to slowly and powerfully change the world around them. Jesus came to save us from sin and all it’s destructive power in our lives, knowing that when we receive forgiveness and grace from God, we will think and act like him. Who in your life circle needs to know God’s forgiveness and mercy, and begin a new life under the power of God? What can you do to reach out in unconditional service and love?

There are many things in life that we find interesting, but only a few things that are vital and life-changing. You are a unique creation of God, and he wants to use you and your God-given passion and gifts to draw others to him and his Kingdom. Paul describes it this way:
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)

What is the “business” that God has uniquely given to you in 2017? Are you willing to “mind your own business in God”, by being intentional and committed to doing the good works that God has for you in 2017? Will you pray with me and other believers that God will show us, day by day, how he wants to use us? May the aroma that we diffuse throughout 2017 be one of mercy, compassion, and the life-changing grace of God!