Lords and Commoners

On Sundays, pastors do a lot of speaking but the rest of the time they do a LOT of listening.  I’ve learned that listening effectively is an art, an intentional effort.

Stephen R. Covey said “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”  We’ve all experienced this haven’t we?  We are talking to someone and realize they are listening, but what they are really doing is formulating a response.

I have to guard this tendency in my life.  When I go to the hospital and someone tells me about their physical situation, it’s tempting for me to tell them about MY gall bladder surgery, or the car wreck I was in, or the even the good thing that happened in my life as a response to their statement of something great happening in their life.

Here are three things I’ve learned about listening.  First, ask open-ended questions. “Tell me about your day” (instead of, “Did you have a good day?”).  We took our granddaughters to the zoo and on the way home we simply asked “What part of the zoo did you like the best?” (not, “Did you have a good time at the zoo?”)  It’s amazing what you year when you ask questions that way! Second, listen to people younger or older than you!   Third, I’m convinced no real learning takes place without listening effectively!

I challenge you to put this into practice today.  Ask an open-ended question of someone younger or older than you and see what you learn.

Blessings!

Pastor Mark

An armchair quarterback is someone who watches a football game from their Lazy-boy and tells the quarterback what he should or shouldn’t have done on a given play.  Often this “advice” is accompanied by criticism and words I better not type here.

If you think about this “armchair quarterbacking” logically, the only guys who should be doing it are retired quarterbacks who are sitting in a recliner criticizing the game with words I better not type here.

Everyone else should just drink their Pepsi, eat their snacks, and be thankful they don’t have to wear a flak jacket to protect their ribs every Sunday while a 250lb linebacker in the prime of his life has them in his sights!

I wouldn’t want to be the president of the United States these days!

The approval ratings of the President and Congress are in the dumpster.  I can’t remember a time in my adult life when I have almost no (being gracious by not saying zero) confidence that people in Washington know what they are doing.

That said, I think it’s easy to armchair quarterback the position of President.

So my plan is to turn the TV off and simply pray for him and our nation.

Blessings!

Pastor Mark

I’ve noticed that, though it’s dark, many people are driving with their headlights turned off, even on the interstate.  I think it’s because they have their headlights set on auto and the car’s sensor isn’t reading the available light accurately.

On a recent very foggy day I drove Dinah’s car (which has this feature) and assumed the lights were on because it was set to auto. It wasn’t until I was almost to Lima when an Allen Country sheriff flashed his lights at me. I’d driven a considerable distance without proper illumination. No wonder the guy who almost pulled into a country road intersection I was in gave me the international one-finger salute.

I share this with you for two reasons.  First, how your car’s sensor reads light is super important, isn’t it?  So give a second look to make sure you are safe.  Second, how your life’s sensor reads light is super important, isn’t it!

Many of the people we know and love are, in fact, driving in the dark and don’t even know it!  Their “life sensor” has never been set to factor in the light of the gospel of Jesus, the light of the world.  How do we know this?  People wouldn’t continue to make the choices and often experience tragic circumstances if their life sensor was set to factor in the real dangers of darkness.  If people knew they were driving in the dark, would they say “leave me alone and don’t judge me” or “my parents drove in the dark and that’s all I know” or “some people drive in the dark and some don’t – it’s a personal choice” or “I’m doing the best I can and I’m sure that will be good enough” or “if driving in the light works for you, that’s fine – but it’s just as fine for me to drive in the dark.”

Our primary purpose, as Christ-followers and the church, is to walk in the light and share the light of Jesus.  Let’s pray TODAY that God will lay someone on your heart and give you the courage to tell them their lights aren’t on – even though they think they are.

Blessings!

Pastor Mark

My thoughts today are short and sweet!

Happiness is an “inside job”.  Happiness is a choice.  We all know people who are always unhappy about something.  It simply doesn’t have to be that way! The individual who discovers this reality has a better life.

And, happiness and joy aren’t the same thing!  If someone walks up to me and hands me a $100 bill – I’m happier than I was a few moments prior. I’m happier when things in life go well.

Joy is not dependent on the circumstances of life – joy endures.  The joy I experience when my four grandchildren are in my arms is not diminished by their occasional misbehaviors!

My greatest joy is knowing Jesus and the assurance my life is in His hands!

Blessings!

Pastor Mark

Last Sunday evening I attended the “Legends of Northwest Ohio” sports banquet at UNOH’s beautiful new event center.  I won’t go into the list of all the participants but there were some big names from the NFL and college players past and present.  The Bath Wildkitten State Champ softball and LCC state champ boys track teams were also honored.

Many of the athletes gave testimony of how they came to Christ and I want to share just two – because I believe they are indicative of how many people start a spiritual journey that results in becoming a Christian.

One group includes those who had “been there and done that”.  Many of the young men and women shared how “riotous living” (to quote the prodigal son’s lifestyle in the KJV of the Bible) played major roles in their lives until they figured out that these things (or anything) can fill that void God created in all of us that only He can fill.

The second group was made of athletes who were, by most reasonable qualifications, really good people.  There were small school athletes who did very well at the high school and college level.  College athletes shared how they had been successful at the pro level.  Two short stories typify how these people come to Christ.  One was a Bluffton University athlete whose best friend was killed in the 2007 bus crash that claimed the lives of seven.  The other was a senior in high school. His father died suddenly. Later as this student athlete sat in a Sunday school class, a man stood and shared how that as a result of the student’s father’s death he committed his life to Christ.  Shortly after that the student surrendered his life and became a Christian.

Friends, people come to the Lord in so many different ways but let’s pray the Holy Spirit will make us sensitive to the needs and hurts of people and the possibility people may be open to spiritual things from people who love them.

Blessings!

Pastor Mark

I received an email from a good friend who lamented the reality that he had recently celebrated his 40^th year of not being selected in the NBA draft.  He was a really good high school and college basketball player and if anyone could have made the big time – he could.  Except he didn’t.  I didn’t know him in his prime (is 60 the new 30?) but from what I’ve observed, if I was in trouble I’d want him on my team!  I’d like to quote some super funny excerpts from his email, but that’s probably illegal in some way or another and if the NSA looked into my blog – things could go viral and then…

But I will quote his last comment because it really tells the story of the man – more than the not-selected NBA player:  “Whatever I end up doing, you can be assured that I will do it with the same passion, energy, and skill that has marked everything else I have done in life.”

OK – that’s not exactly what he said (in his humor), but I assure you that’s who he is!  God, give us more men like Mike Alberts (not his real name).

Blessings!

Pastor Mark

As I’m preaching through the book Romans and finished the first half of chapter 8, I drew everyone’s attention to v. 15 – For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship (literally, adoption). And by him we cry “Abba, Father.”

I stated publically (in front of God and everyone!) that “Abba Father” could be translated “Daddy, Father.”  Then I did a little more research on the Monday after the Sunday sermon.

I must admit my face is blushing because a more accurate translation is “Dearest, Father” and was a word used by adult children with respect to THEIR parents.  I found many bloggers on the internet who were really adamant that Abba DOES NOT MEAN Daddy.

My response?

Click on this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEGHP2yqgp8

No, we shouldn’t address God in an irreverent way.  We must not view God as our buddy or the big guy upstairs or dude (the worst, I think).  But if you read the entirety of Romans 7 and 8, you’ll see the right response to the God who saves us, breaks the power of sin in our lives, and helps up put the sinful nature to death might be more like the two-year old preschooler than the mighty opinionators (a word I just made up) on the internet.

Blessings!

Pastor Mark

Recently, a California couple were walking their dog on their property and found eight cans filled with American gold coins dated from 1847-1894.  They were in pristine condition and it appears the coins had never been in circulation. Their value has been set at $11 million!

You can read more about this at:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/05/28/that-couple-who-found-a-treasure-trove-of-rare-gold-coins-while-walking-their-dog-just-got-a-major-payday/

I’m reading the New Testament through each month and last night I read Matthew 13:44 – “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”  Friends, the coins represent the treasure of the gospel and kingdom of God.  This “gospel treasure”, though often present, but as yet unseen by people, is available!  Salvation through Jesus, experiencing God’s grace and mercy, finding that empty place (that He created for Himself) filled!

Jesus is saying, among other things, that the value of the gospel treasure makes the California discovery’s worth that of those gold tin foil covered chocolate coins!

BTW – I hear those electronic metal detectors are on sale Sears this week.

Blessings!

Pastor Mark