Habits

I've stopped putting lettuce on my sub.  I've stopped putting green relish on my hotdogs and hamburgers.  After forty some years of doing so I suddenly realized I don't really care  that much for those toppings and have  been doing it for years merely out of habit; a tradition I copied because everyone else I know did it that way.  Leaving the lettuce off won't make much difference to anyone except maybe my health, but I want to make a spiritual point.

How many other things do we do without really thinking about it simply because it has become habit?  Many "thoughtless" habits are good: brushing your teeth, putting on underwear, using your turn signal while driving.  But other things, especially spiritual things should never become merely habit.  One that comes to mind is giving thanks for meals.  I've spent my whole life doing it, but am I truly thankful or is it just habit?  Do I use the same words over and over again without really thinking about what I'm saying?  Bible reading and prayer can be the same way.  Getting into that habit is great.  Many people have trouble being consistent.  But it can also be not so good when we are just reading words or just saying words without thinking and actually listening and talking to God.

So what are you doing out of mere habit?  I challenge you to think through your life, especially your spiritual life, and make sure your relationship with Jesus is more than thoughtless habit.

Grace and peace,

Dave

 

Life After Death

Our church has said goodbye to two long-term members since Easter.  With that very much in mind, I preached a sermon this Sunday called "Death: The End or the Beginning?"  I asked the question: What difference does Jesus' resurrection make for us, right now today, as we mourn the loss of loved ones, and as each one of us march steadily toward death's door? 

I have no intention of reproducing the sermon here, but I would like to share the points of application.  Since we can all expect to die we should do what we can to prepare.  While still in college, Jim Elliot (martyred missionary) wrote in his journal, "When it comes time to die, make sure that all you have to do is die."  Here are four things we can each do--some for ourselves, some for those we'll leave behind, all for the glory of God.

*Make sure you are on the right road to Heaven through faith in Jesus Christ.  If you're not sure I'd be happy to be of assistance.

*Make sure you don't leave anything unsaid or undone in your relationships to let your loved ones know they are loved.  Forgive and ask forgiveness where necessary.

*Do some thinking and planning in regards to your funeral service.  The older and more settled we get, the more we can do, but I think it is important for everyone to put some thought into what songs and Scriptures you would like.  It is not only helpful to your pastor and your family, but can be your final earthly testimony.  Why let someone else choose your last words?

*Live everyday in light of Good Friday and Easter.  Daily think about and thank God for His provision of salvation and hope for eternity. 

Grace and peace,

Dave

He's Alive!

This is a powerful song of grace, forgiveness and resurrection.  
Wishing all of you a blessed Easter of hope and resurrection power no matter what you are facing.  Jesus is alive and more than able to meet any need!

Grace and peace,

Dave

A Sure Sign of Spring

We received a few more inches of snow this first week of April and we still have three foot snowbanks in our yard, but Spring is on the way.  I know it's officially here, but it sure has not felt like it.  But today I fired up the barbecue for the first time this year.  That is a sure sign of Spring from my perspective.  I know that some bbq all winter, but I'm not one of them.  So here I am in my winter coat with the temperature hovering around zero celsius, standing as close to the grill as possible to keep warm cooking hamburgers.  They were so good and my wife made her great potato salad to go along with them.  Forget the return of the birds.  We are a long way off from Spring flowers.  Firing up the bbq is the surest sign of Spring in our house.

Grace and peace,

Dave

The Women are Home!

I'm very happy!  My wife and daughter arrived safely to the airport on Friday night.  We spent the night and much of Saturday in Winnipeg doing a little shopping and resting up before driving the four hours back home.  Patti was happy to find her home in one piece and reasonably clean.  All the dishes and laundry were caught up.  The bed was made for the first time in two weeks.  There was even some milk in the fridge.  

So how do I evaluate the experience?  I'm not sure it's necessary to do so too deeply, but a few things.  I can do the bachelor thing if I have to.  I don't want to.  I don't like it.  But I can do it.  There were many things I missed with having my wife away.  Some of them had to do with things she does for me, but I also missed her and that enhanced my love for her.  And I discovered some things that I can do to show her my love.  She works very hard for me and I have taken much of that for granted.  But now that I've learned how to do some laundry and other such things, I can help her do some of that.  I know it won't automatically mean that I will and I know myself well enough to know how easily I can slip into old habits, but the time apart and having to do it all myself has made me more sensitive.

A humorous short story of adjustment to close.  I woke up in the middle of the night last night sensing that someone was wandering around my bedroom.  I felt a shot of fear for a few seconds.  Who's in my house?  In my room?  Then I realized that I wasn't living alone any longer and my wife was up to the bathroom!  I thankfully and happily turned over and went back to sleep.

Grace and peace,

Dave

Review of A Tale of Two Sons

A Tale of Two Sons by John MacArthur is the best book I’ve read in some time.  At just over 200 pages it is an easy but worthwhile read.  MacArthur has done a masterful job at opening up the story of what we commonly know as the prodigal son found in Luke 15:11-32.  

 In Part 1, MacArthur lays out the context, both in terms of the Pharisees’ conflict with Jesus and the setting in which this parable is told.  Luke 15 begins with these words:

“Now all the tax-gatherers and the sinners were coming near Him(Jesus) to listen to Him.  And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’”  (Luke 15:1-2) 

 Jesus’ response was two short parables and then the parable of the prodigal.  MacArthur summarizes all three, before going on to talk about them at greater length, with these words: 

 “Throughout Luke 15, Christ is describing and illustrating the celebratory joy that fills heaven over the repentance of sinners.  That is the single central theme and the major lesson that ties all of Luke 15 together.”  (page 20)

 Part 1 concludes with these words:

 “I encourage you to use your reading of this book as an opportunity to do some serious, heartfelt examination.  If you’re new to the Christian faith, the parable of the prodigal son is an excellent starting place for studying God’s Word and learning to apply its truths to your life.  Even if you have been a church member for years, you will benefit greatly from the exercise.”   (page 37)

 I say “Amen” to that.  That’s all I’m going to give you for now.  Perhaps it’s enough to make you run out and buy the book right now.  If not, stay tuned.  I’ll share some more soon.  

 Grace and peace,

 Dave

The Week the Women Went- Part 6

It's getting late, at least for me.  I know that some of you are nighthawks.  But it's been a couple days since I checked in and I didn't want anyone to think I had dropped dead.  I guess that could happen to a bachelor and no one might know for days!  I'm still alive.

I am counting the days now until my wife comes home.  Not the hours yet, but I have less time alone left than I've already survived.  I think I'll make it.  This week should go a little easier than last.  I usually have two or three nights out a week.  Last week I had none; on the very week Patti was away.  Tonight my District Coach was here for a meeting and is staying overnight at our house so between supper, the meeting and chatting afterward the night went quick.  I have our church's kids' club another night and floor hockey another.  So I should make it, although I will have no one to ask me if I'm alright when I get home from hockey or to feel sorry for me if I'm not.

I took about an hour and a quarter off for lunch today instead of my usual half hour.  With my District Coach coming I had to make sure the dishes were caught up, the floor swept and I had to go buy a few groceries.  I suppose it could be tough doing all those things on your own after working a full day everyday.  

I talk to Patti every couple days and she is doing alright.  She misses me and I miss her.  I think that's a very good thing.  Still I know that this has been good for us.  Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.  It makes it ache a little too, but that's not all bad.

Partly for a joke, partly because I did want to promote my blog to our church congregation(because sometime I might have something really worthwhile to say here!) I posted a note on the powerpoint at the end of Sunday's service.  Something to the effect that if people wanted to know how Pastor Dave was doing without Patti they could read his blog at--and then I gave the address.  It brought a few smiles and a few hits, I think.

I appreciate all of you who come by here regularly or from time to time, but I have to say that you have been altogether unhelpful in giving me any advice on how to cope with this bachelorhood thing!  It must be a miracle that I've survived as long as I have!

Grace and peace,

Dave