Devotions Sowing Seeds of Faith Blog The Church
Final Weekly Devotion & Father’s Day
Father’s Day is a second-class holiday, and I don’t like it. Approximately thirty years ago, I wrote this in my local newspaper, The Amelia Bulletin-Monitor.
Father’s Day is a second-class holiday, and I don’t like it. Approximately thirty years ago, I wrote this in my local newspaper, The Amelia Bulletin-Monitor.
We do not fully appreciate the importance and power of prayer. Prayer should be as critical and functional as the steering wheel on your car. Yet, for most, prayer is more like a spare tire, seldom used until something goes flat.
After many years of Bible study and reading the Bible from cover to cover at least once each year, I’ve come to better appreciate how much the Bible can say to all of us. What I first thought were inaccuracies turned out to be misunderstandings on my part. Are there still parts of the Bible that I question? Sure! Any serious student would say that. But I found answers to convince me the Bible is Godly inspired, designed to guide our lives as we struggle with life issues.
Most churches in America are declining but some are thriving. I visited four churches thriving in the midst of decline.
Richard Avery describes the church in a song: “I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we’re the church together!”
Something happened to those two disciples. Something happened to me and something happened and is still happening to so many others.
So, how should we respond to those in need? One reaction would be to ignore them. After all, you didn’t cause their problems. A better response would be to pray and hope their situation will improve. You could send a check or volunteer with a group involved in helping others. All appropriate but as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are challenged to “do more” through the love and grace of almighty God.
“20/20” media treated this as an “Ah Ha” moment suggesting that no one who is Christian and certainly not a minister’s family could ever do something like this. This was news and evidence that proves Ministers are not perfect. Church people are not perfect. I could have told them that.
A few years ago, Mell and I moved from a three-story house full of furniture, mementos and stuff to a small condominium less than half the size. So, in addition to the normal stress and strain of moving we also faced a serious dilemma. How do we reduce our possessions by more than 50%?
Prayer doesn’t come easy for me. I tend to be a doer. Even after becoming a pastor, I am more about doing things for the church. I didn’t have an active prayer life. I read the Bible and other spiritual books, but I spent little time in prayer. There always seemed to be something else to do.