Running is Good, but Running the Right Direction is Better!

Throughout the Bible, we find athletic references and illustrations used to drive home teaching points. Running is one of the sports mentioned in Scripture. In 1 Corinthians 9:24 it states, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it." In Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." We're told not only to run; but run with the intention of winning.

On October 22, 2017, Eyob Faniel, won the Venice Marathon after the 7 lead runners followed a motorcycle and veered off the course. Yes, they were running; but they ran the wrong direction! By the time they realized their mistake, it was too late. The runners corrected their course, but they were too far behind and could not catch the Italian runner. Eyob Faniel's win was the first time an Italian man had won the Venice Marathon since 1995. What an epic failure for the leaders, but what a reward for the persistent endurance of the man who stayed the course.

As I watched the news reports and read the stories on the Internet, the spiritual significance of this event was glaring! Believers are in a spiritual race, and we must stay the course! Real victory only comes when we run to win... and run in the right direction! The Bible charts our course and the Holy Spirit guides our steps, but it is the responsibility of each individual believer to follow in obedience. It's not enough to just finish the course; we must run to win the race! The starting line is BROAD and lined with many, many runners; but the finish line NARROWS the field and the runners usually cross single-file. Many start the race, fewer cross the finish line; but only one wins the race!

What a spiritual application! Broad is the way that leads to destruction and narrow is the way that leads to life; but few there will be that find it. So, as you run your spiritual journey, keep your eyes on the prize and stay on the right path. It should be every believer's goal to say with the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Keep your eyes on Christ and you'll be heading in the right direction!

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. The Apostle Paul first taught this concept in 1 Timothy 5:17, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." Focus on the Family started recognizing pastors and encouraging congregations to honor their pastors in the 1990's. In 2002, the first greeting cards were printed in recognition of Pastor Appreciation. The practice of raising awareness about pastor appreciation now continues each October.

Pastor's don't enter ministry for recognition. True pastors enter ministry in response to God's calling. Serving as a pastor is rewarding, but difficult. Pastors and their families live in fishbowls with their congregations critiquing their every move. They serve people who often feel they know how to better manage the affairs of the church. The expectations are often unrealistic, the hours are long, the pressures are immense, they are expected to be perfect, and they deal with people... which can be both rewarding and very draining. An interesting and shocking article about reasons pastors leave ministry can be found here at EXPASTORS.COM. The article is good and the comments thought provoking. It's worth the read and may give you a greater appreciation for your pastor.

I'm finishing my 33rd year of ministry. I've had some of my greatest life's joys in ministry, as well as, some of my greatest life's disappointments. Both were directly connected to people. Even when people are cruel and unfaithful, pastors realize that God is faithful and He is ultimately the One we serve. God allows pastors the privilege of loving His people here on earth, and there is no greater honor than to hear someone call you by the name, Pastor.

I am blessed to have many men in my life that have served as my Pastors and friends:
- Dr. Verle Ackerman - took several "preacher boys" under his wing and taught us how to love God and love people.
- Dell Lindsey - Was my dear friend and ministry mentor. Faithful in the face of suffering.
- Jack Baskin - The first pastor I worked for and he gave me a heart for missions.
- Dan Burrell - A very dear friend, who taught me to do everything with excellence and showed me faithfulness through trials.
- David Nelms - Taught me to think outside the box and how to transition a traditional church into a vibrant church.
- Milton Frazier - Taught me faithfulness all the way to the end of his life.
- Jeff Huey - A brother (truly like family), friend, encourager, soulwinner, picture of Jesus! I don't have enough words to describe my love & appreciation for this man.
- Bill Monroe - Showed me that people are the heart of the ministry. My wife's family was saved under his ministry and he walked with Flora & I through a ministry valley.
- Clayton Simmons - A pastor and a true pastors' friend! He will go the extra mile (or two) to help others. He is the example of a pastor's heart.
- Tom Waggoner - A trailblazer that always sees the potential in men and ministries.
- Greg Hales - Encouraged me through one of the darkest points in my entire life. I owe this man so much!
- Ron Long - The greatest encourager of pastors that I've ever known. He is a pastor's friend and a lifter of my soul. Someone recently said that he has done more to influence modern-day Christianity than anyone they know!

These 12 men have influenced my life in ways they will never fully understand. They helped to teach, train, shape, stretch, help, heal, make and mold me into the pastor that I am today. You'll notice that most of these men are older, experienced pastors. They learned ministry in a generation that understood it differently. They aren't CEO's, clock watchers, slaves to their computer screens, counting their hours or looking for extra time off. These are ministers who prepare sermons; but they also serve, visit, teach, and train others. "God, please help me to be a pastor like these men and to apply what they poured into my life!" If you have a pastor who has made a difference in your life, take time to at least send them a note of encouragement. That small gesture will go a long way to help them keep on, keeping on.

Finally, I want to give a shout-out to the pastoral team with which I have the privilege of serving at Grace. Duane, Luke, Steve A. & Steve L.: I've served on, with and led several pastoral teams; but you are some of the finest men I've ever known or had the privilege of working with. Your commitment to Christ, love for his Church, compassion for people, attention to detail, commitment to excellence, heart for evangelism, tireless effort, and support for your Pastor is noticed and VERY MUCH appreciated. May God give us many years to serve Him together!

With a Little Help From My Friends

Many of you will remember the song, "With a Little Help from My Friends" produced by the Beatles on the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" from June 1967. The song was written for and sung by the Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr. The chorus states, "Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends; Mm, I get high (not endorsing) with a little help from my friends; Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends. Barbra Streisand's song, "People," reiterates the need for friendships, "People who need people are the luckiest people in the world."

I read a sad post the other day that said, "Don't depend too much on anyone in this world, because even your own shadow will leave you when you are in darkness." I wholeheartedly DISAGREE with that statement! Through the years, my wife and I have been SO very blessed, but we have walked through some dark valleys in life and ministry. In the good times and the bad, we have been blessed to have MANY, MANY friends beside us. In fact, we have found that it was the dark days that "revealed" who our true friends really were.

Pastors have many acquaintances, but usually very few deep friendships. My wife and I have intentionally tried to remove the proverbial wall that is built between pastors and people. We get our hands dirty in ministry, we get into the trenches with people, and we get close enough to see through the facades. In doing so, people can also get to know us, too. They see that we aren't perfect, that we are real, that we have the same struggles they do. It's in these times of transparency that friendships are built. True friendships are built when we take off our masks and people see us for who we really are... warts and all.

Our true friends keep in touch with us regularly. Our true friends bless us with cards, notes, and words of encouragement. Our true friends have met a need and even provided financial encouragement when we needed it most. Our true friends knew when we needed rest and took us away for a weekend. Our true friends sat, listened, wept, and walked through the valleys with us. Our true friends are the ones we pick up with, right where we left off. True friends enjoy the sunshine and the darkness together. The truth is that it was in the darkness, that some of our deepest friendships were forged.

Sure you will (and we have) encounter a few fakes, phonies, and wolves in sheep's clothing along the way; but don't let that stop you from trusting people and developing true friendships! Barbra Streisand was right in that "people who need people are the luckiest (most blessed) people in the world." My life is richer and better because of those I call friends.

I'll close by reminding you that I even have a Friend Who sticks closer than a brother! One of my favorite songs is "Friend of God" by Israel Houghton. Ponder these lyrics and let them encourage your heart today:

Who am I that You are mindful of me
That You hear me, when I call
Is it true that you are thinking of me
How You love me
It's amazing
[Choir sings lead verse]

[Chorus:]
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend.

Thank you Jesus for the way you love me, the friends who love me, and the people I get to love in this lifetime. My life is richer, fuller and better; because of the people I call friends!

A Spiritual Lesson from Driving?

Driving in South Florida is quite the experience. We have an international population and plenty of snowbirds, thus drivers navigate our roads using international driving rules and blue-haired driving skills. The roads are crowded, using a horn is second nature, cutting people off is expected, a yellow light means "punch it," and scooters & motorcycles use the dashed white line as a 3rd lane.

The aftermath of Hurricane Irma made the S. FL. driving experience even that much more exciting. The lights were out at many major intersections. Imagine 12 lanes of traffic trying to work like a 4-way stop! When you approached these types of intersections, you prayed harder; because every man (and woman) did what was right in their own eyes. If a driver got tired of waiting, they simply broke the 4-way stop pattern and altered the process. If they felt someone else wasn't doing things right, they yelled obscenities and flipped them off. Every person believed they were doing right and it created chaos, when the proper system was not followed.

As I sat and watched this scenario playing out, I realized a spiritual truth, "This is what religion looks like." The Bible warns against every man doing what is right in his own eyes. (Deut. 12:8, Judges 17:6, Judges 21:25, Job 32:1, Prov 12:15, and Prov 21:2) Religion is the epitome of people interpreting, practicing and teaching the Bible according to their personal interpretations. Religion is people trying to make God fit into their box. I've known people to seek-out Bible verses to prove their points or justify their behavior. We live in a world that paints and portrays God to be whatever and Whoever they want Him to be in order to "fit" into their personal belief system. It boils down to people setting themselves up as gods and determining that they can redefine spiritual success and chart their own course to heaven.

When driving, we see instructional road signs. These signs are not suggestions, they are commands that carry the full authority of the law. Those who follow these instructions will usually arrive alive; but for those who choose to break these laws, there are often costly (even deadly) consequences. In the Bible, God has given us a road map (GPS) and instructions for our spiritual journey. To start any trip, you must know where you are going. On our spiritual journey, the destination is heaven and we can only get there through Jesus Christ -- He is "the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man comes to the Father except through Him." We are sinners in need of a Savior!

So, the choice is up to you. You can be religious, follow your own interpretations of the law and risk spiritual death; or you can have a relationship with Christ, live for Him and experience eternal life in heaven. Remember, God made it very clear: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" - Prov. 16:25. So, will you choose your way or God's way? Will you choose religion or a relationship with Christ? The choice is yours, but choose carefully!