Rainy Seasons

I can’t remember a spring when it has rained so much. 

Farmers have been unable to plow their fields, as tractors sink up to their axles.  Lawns are high.  Water overflows creeks, rivers and ditches.  Cars hydroplane because of deep water on the roads.  Wipers often fail to remove torrential rains from windshields and cars are forced to pull over to wait out heavy down pours.  The ground is saturated causing sports events to be cancelled.  Parts of Texas are under deep water!

And it appears that no let-up is in sight. 

Sometimes life is like that, too.  We become saturated and overwhelmed by difficult days.  Tension-filled situations threaten to destroy the very fiber of our existence, often with no let up in sight.  But summer and sunshine are on the way!

Over 35 years ago my late father-in-law experienced a long bout of depression.  Severe life-altering situations threatened his physical, mental and emotional health.  It seemed that nothing worked out for him.  Financial setbacks and family struggles took him to the brink of disaster.  Dad was a strong man, but everyone has a breaking point.  It seemed the more he prayed, the worse things got.  Ultimately, over a five-year period, he also lost his health.  Instead of family members and friends saying, “Poor Job,” they were saying, “Poor Dale!”

When life’s struggles escalated to a severe breakdown, my in-laws drove to Indiana from Alabama to be with their parents.  Subsequently, our family history records and remembers a miracle. 

Dad’s health had declined to the point where his nerves were shot and Parkinson-like symptoms caused his hands to shake.  He was at his wits end.  Dad sat mostly in silence, refusing to talk to anyone, including his worried wife and parents.

My wife and I remained in Alabama to take care of the church he pastored.  During those years Sunday night church was a regular part of our week.  Lori was at the piano when she heard the Lord say, “Pray for your father.”  Suddenly an intense burden came over her and she knelt down behind the piano and began praying earnestly for her dad, who was in desperate straits some 500 miles away. 

Dad was sitting in his parent’s living room in Jamestown, Indiana when he began experiencing more severe tremors.  He later said, “I felt like I was dying.”  The prayer burden in Lori’s heart became crushing to the point that she could only weep and moan.  Intercessory prayer reached the throne of grace from Gadsden, Alabama and exactly at 7:03 p.m., Dale Owens was healed!  Lori felt the burden lift that very moment.

Like rain that seems not to let up, we sometimes go through long periods when our faith is severely tested and answers escape us.  For me personally, my mind races back to October 1982 when an intercessory prayer meeting (of one!) connected with the Healer and across the miles a man who was desperately ill experienced an instantaneous healing. 

Inordinate amounts of rain may continue to fall but God alone is able to bring us through the harsh seasons of our life into the sunshine of His grace, healing and provision!

A Culture of Honor, Part 3

The gospel should draw on the heartstrings of lost people, not beat them up with condemnation, guilt and shame. The gospel is good news, not bad news. Had Jesus not honored the much-hated tax collector, Zacchaeus, like He did; but continued to address him on the same course that the townspeople were accustomed to, Zacchaeus potentially would never have come to faith. His story is found in Luke 19

Note with me in verse 7 that the people were used to coming at Zacchaeus in a very dishonoring and self-righteous manner: “He (Jesus) has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” His reputation preceded him, and his chances for reconciliation and a better life were minimized. The Spirit of God, by all indicators, was dealing with the heart and attitude of that little man, or he would not have been there in the first place.

Something inside the tax collector caused him to show up that day when he heard that Jesus was coming; and desperation for life change drove that little guy up a tree! What was going inside this wretched tax collector went way beyond natural curiosity. Jesus would testify later concerning Zacchaeus that “Today salvation has come to his house…” (verse 9). Something supernatural was pulling at his heartstrings. Jesus Christ honored the much-despised man. He honored him by informing the unsuspecting loner of his dinner plans. What’s so significant about the Master inviting Himself to dinner? The Son of God loved him for WHO he was, not WHAT he was! Jesus showed him honor!

Believe me, this little man probably lived in a gated community, or at least a gated parcel of property with high fences around his home. He probably lived on the outskirts of town, where human interaction would be minimized. Where the taunts and threats of angry people could not be heard.

We can well imagine that nights were spent alone, and every night represented a new eternity for the little man who had no friends and the friends he did have were fair-weather – hearts as crooked as his and ready to sell one another down the river if it meant more corrupt wealth. Rome certainly did not care about Zacchaeus. If he were murdered, there were always others to take his place. Zacchaeus was disposable and a human target.

His dimly lit home would only intensify the darkness of his already broken life. Zacchaeus would later testify that money fell short of a meaningful life: “Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount” (verse 8).

The crowd that day directed a calculated slur against the Master when they said, “He has gone home to be the guest of a sinner” (verse 7). Comically, Jesus invites himself to Zacchaeus’ home for dinner! While this may be frowned upon in modern day life – viewed as socially inappropriate – the Master touched a heart-string that caused the little man to come alive on the inside. “You mean, you want to come to MY house tonight? MY house? You’re coming to MY house?” Jesus Christ, in a display of honor overlooked WHAT Zacchaeus did for a living to honor WHO he was! Jesus honored the man’s personhood. When someone honors us, we open our hearts to him.

In today’s church, if we will honor those God sends us, I’m convinced we will see more conversions to Christ than ever before. That’s why we at Hope Community continually stress servant leadership that places the needs of others over ours. People are frantically searching for significance. “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

Do you know him today? Jesus Christ knows how to get your attention. He knows what pulls on your heartstring. He will address you at the point of what captures your heart’s attention and draw you toward saving faith. Jesus turns significance into salvation!

Jesus Wept

You probably know that John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible. It packs a punch!  John writes two words that echo across the years – from the Garden of Eden to the tomb of Lazarus, to the end of this age:  “Jesus wept.”

This powerful verse describes what Jesus Christ did during an emotionally charged event – a funeral.  What makes this so unusual?  After all, people often cry at funerals.  Yes, but on this occasion we see God crying at a funeral.  Many suggest He cried because His good friend Lazarus had died.  And that may be partly true; however, I believe He cried for reasons that go much deeper.

First of all, Jesus Christ did not simply cry – He wailed.  His eyes were more than moist.  An emotional dam broke deep within the Master, as tears cascaded down His face and a loud moan overrode the already high-pitched sounds of paid mourners. 

Surely, our Savior’s thoughts traveled back in time to the Garden of Eden.  He recalled the very moment when Adam and Eve disobeyed God   He watched as human perfection was overturned by sin, then, sickness and ultimately death. He saw the ugliness of sin played out on the stage of human history.  He stood alongside Lazarus’ two grief-stricken sisters outside the tomb, now four days occupied; and He wept! 

Perhaps He thought, “This was never meant to be.  This was never the Father’s plan.  It did not have to be this way.”  Then, with righteous anger, the Lord commanded the rock to be moved; and in a voice that blasted Satanic strongholds, said, “Lazarus, come forth!” 

Immediately, resurrection life flowed through a wrapped corpse long affected by rigor mortis and Lazarus walked out!  I personally believe that had Jesus Christ not specifically said “Lazarus,” multitudes that died in faith since Adam’s time would have risen as well! 

Several days later, Jesus would go to Jerusalem, endure six trials – three of them mock and illegal; be savagely beaten, hung on a cruel cross and die.  Three days later, the “Resurrection and life” would rise from the dead, defeating death and hell.  Death died that day!  What happened outside of Lazarus’ tomb was a precursor to the hope that’s ours who have placed our faith and trust in Jesus’ saving grace.

The risen Son of God still weeps at funerals, but now He weeps over those who reject His finished work on the cross and who forfeit resurrection power that makes possible eternal life with Christ.  Don’t reject the resurrected Christ!

The Cross-Stitch

In all probability, March 7 holds little or no significance for you.  It’s just another day.  However, our lives were forever altered on March 7, 1995.  My wife’s parents left home that morning never to return.  They were involved in a fatal car crash.

My in-laws were pastors.  They left home that dismal, rainy morning to make a hospital call in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Just south of Frankfurt another minister ran a stop sign and broadsided them, forcing their car into the side of a waiting eighteen wheeler at the four-way stop.  Dad died on impact and Mom succumbed to her injuries five weeks later.

Accidents change our lives forever.  No one is ever ready for such news. 

In a split second we lost dad, grandpa, son, brother, pastor, mentor and friend to many.  Mom planned his funeral then lapsed into a coma when she heard that his service and committal were over.  After a thirty-five day hospital vigil, the family also laid mom to rest.    

No one fully understands or explains tragedy.  Bad things happen to wonderful people.  It rains on the just and the unjust.  Even Job, perhaps the Bible’s premiere example of suffering, remained clueless as to the “why’s.”  Chuck Swindoll wrote, “God is too kind to do anything cruel, too wise to make a mistake, and too deep to explain Himself.”  At times, the faith walk leads us into inexplicable depths. 

Dale and Jean Owens were preparing to celebrate their 40^th wedding anniversary on Saturday.  The accident occurred on Tuesday, when celebration turned to mourning.  Even though March 7, 2018 will mark 23 years since the accident, it still hurts to think about it.  My wife’s grandmother said at Dad’s funeral, “It’s just not right.  Parents should never have to bury their children.”

A cross-stitch wall hanging in our home depicts a winter scene with trees and a full moon in the background.  My mother-in-law gave it to me for Christmas in 1986.  The inscription on the back reads, “To Roger.  When this you see, think of me.”

I still fight back tears when I look at it.  And oh, how I miss them.  This cross-stitch is a bittersweet reminder of better days.  Have you lost a loved one?  Do painful memories continue to well up inside when you think back? 

I still remember walking away from two fresh graves, contemplating the many ways that Mom and Dad Owens impacted my life.  I was privileged to be their son-in-law for 19 years.  The pastor who officiated their wedding 40 years prior said, “Look, there’s ‘Resurrection Row.’”  Today four graves line side by side – my in-laws, and my wife’s maternal grandparents.  All of them awaiting the trumpet blast:  “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first…” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

This priceless cross-stitch wall hanging still incites me to sadness, but then my heart fills with resurrection joy, as I’m reminded that some day there’s going to be a meeting in the air.  Mom and Dad, along with saints from across the ages, will rise first before those alive on the earth at the time – to meet Jesus in the air.  I plan to be in that meeting!                  

Lead Me to the Rock

Life has a way of pulling us down. Downward spirals into discouragement, depression and even despondency result when we fail to keep “looking up.”  The enemy of our soul wants to ground us.  He whispers, “I will use your circumstances to destroy you.” But he cannot as long as we look to the “Rock!”

David, the psalmist-king of Israel, wrote in Psalm 61:1-3, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.  From the ends of the earth I call to you.  I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”

David was heart broken.  His son Absalom had staged a coup to overthrow him as king.  Like his father, the son was handsome and charismatic but Absalom was spoiled – a narcissist.  We read about him in 2 Samuel 15-17. 

Because he listened to the wrong advice from self-seeking friends, he plotted against his father to take away the throne.  His plot was well executed.  He used his position as prince to win the hearts of the people by subtly undermining the authority and favor of the king.

By most casual observers, Absalom would have made an excellent king, and the people loved him, but he lacked the inner character and self-control needed to be a good leader.  His appearance, skill and position did not make up for his lack of personal integrity.

Can you imagine David’s inner turmoil as he fled the palace to find refuge from his dearly loved son?  Absalom had gathered enough public support to potentially overthrow David.  However, David mustered adequate military support to defeat Absalom’s troops, and 20,000 men lost their lives in battle. Think about it.  One man’s self-love and rebellion led to the destruction of thousands!

When the battle turned and Israel’s impending victory became evident, Absalom fled from the chaos.  His long hair became entangled in the low branch of an oak tree, pulling him off his donkey. 

As the would-be-king struggled mid air to free himself, he was killed by Joab, Commander in Chief of David’s army.  Upon hearing the news of Absalom’s death, a grief-stricken father cried, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son” 2 Samuel 19:33)!

It was against this backdrop that David wrote, “Lead me to a rock that is higher than I.”  When hidden away in the desert, David must surely have seen the majestic rock formations around him.  He perhaps felt despondent about the rebellious intentions of his son, while noting the safety of his position – surrounded by a natural rock fortress. 

David’s words remind us of our Rock – the one we hold to during the overwhelming and seemingly helpless circumstances of life.  Our Rock is Jesus!  He is our refuge.  He is our strong tower in the day of trouble.  We can run to Him and find safety.

David said, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

I’m so thankful that Jesus towers above the difficulties of our lives.  He is the “Rock of our salvation, “ and as we run to Him He lifts us above those things that threaten to destroy us.  In David’s case, it was his precious son.  Imagine the mixed emotions of the king. 

We too go through extremely difficult days when we can run to the Rock and find peace and protection.  Run to the Rock today!