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!

A Tribute to My Dad

My father passed away 12 years ago, but I often think about him and truthfully, I miss him.  This blog is particularly difficult for me to write, for admittedly, as an adult, I had little contact with him.  I lived out of state and visits to Ashtabula County were infrequent.

In retrospect, I realize that after raising four of my own children, my dad had far more good points than bad ones.  After all, I discovered that it’s hard work raising parents!

Dads are a product of their own upbringing, and frankly, manuals do not exist on how to raise children.  Most any man can father children, but being a “dad” is an altogether different story.  Today I honor my dad’s memory and offer this tribute.

Paul Loomis was born on November 11, 1931, two years into the Great Depression.  I don’t remember discussing those difficult years with him, but like all Depression children, his formative years were characterized by financial hardship and fear of the unknown.  The only thing I remember dad saying was that “FDR was considered by many to be the country’s ‘savior.’”

Dad dropped out of high school and subsequently was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  He first served in Japan, but eventually was trained as a sharpshooter in Korea.  Details about his combat duty remain sketchy; however, my grandmother, his mother, told me before I left to attend college in 1974, “Your dad left for the Army a kind, gentle man and came back angry and out of sorts.”  I will probably never know the whole truth about his Korean tour, but the brutalities of war changed my dad.

After his return stateside, dad met my mother in Painesville, Ohio.  Later they married and raised seven children. Dad was a hard worker and a wonderful provider.  Many times he took outside jobs to provide for his growing family.  Dad was a jack-of-all-trades and many in Ashtabula County appreciated his carpentry and mechanical skills.  He also played the guitar with my uncles Don (Doc) and Alvin.  They’re all gone now and their music has been silenced.  Sad.

As a kid, I failed to appreciate my dad’s many skills and gifts.  Truthfully however, dad had little or no patience when it came to teaching me what he personally had mastered.  I purposely stayed away from him because his anger and verbal assaults often left me belittled and confused.

I don’t remember dad ever telling me he loved me, but in retrospect I understand that by providing for us and by taking care of mom, he was expressing his love.  Many men in his generation were the same.

Dad lost the love of his life – my mom – after only 20 years of marriage.  And when mom died, part of dad went with her.  He was left with seven teenagers, who through their grieving may have disconnected emotionally with dad (my assessment only).

At any rate, the last four of my teen years were emotionally difficult, and my recollection is that our immediate family lost its footing.  At the time I mostly blamed my dad, but now realize he was just as emotionally spent as I was – perhaps neither he nor I grieved properly.  Life as we knew it imploded into a far different turbulent direction.  Dad did tell me however, before I left for college, “I’m going to miss you.”  I secretly wept.

As I think back, I understand more of the “why’s” than I could at age 16.  Of course, I have forgiven my dad for any shortcomings – both real and perceived – and today think of him only in good ways.

I’m thankful that I reconnected with dad during the nine years prior to his death.  He, I’m sure, was uncomfortable with my saying, “I love you,” and my kissing him on top of his head before we parted company each time!  But you know what?  He too began telling me that he loved me and always asked about my kids – his grandkids.  His inquiries meant the world to me!

Dad did not completely understand my passion for Christ and church ministry, but deep inside I think he was proud of me.  As a matter of fact, he came to hear me preach in two of my pastorates.  Wow!  Good memories!

Dad’s final years brought him serious pulmonary issues that greatly impaired his breathing.  Life became a struggle, and on December 8, 2006, dad went to heaven.  How can I be so sure?  I love telling the following story:

Dad was a patient at the Veteran’s Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania.  For over 38 years I, and others, had prayed that he would give his life to Christ.  Lori and I visited him in his hospital room and here’s what he said:

“Hey Rog, guess who came to see me last night?”  I naturally thought he was referring to one of my siblings, but he continued by saying, “Jesus!”  To which I replied, “Jesus who?”  After all, Jesus was usually a cuss word in my dad’s life!

Dad continued, “Jesus came to me in the middle of the night.  He stood over there in that corner, and your mother was standing beside him.”  Whatever he saw turned his heart toward God, and two days before dad passed away, he gave his heart to Jesus!  How wonderful is that?

On this Father’s Day I have lots of memories regarding my dad – not all happy, but all under the forgiving blood of Jesus Christ.  I believe he did his best with the guidance he received during his early years; and after going through life difficulties that I remain ignorant about, parented me the best he could. 

I no longer speak of him with negative undertones, but honor him, knowing that heaven has perfected him and whatever mistakes or shortcomings he exhibited on earth were made right when he crossed over into eternal life.  I too have fallen short as a dad, so life evens the score by reminding me that none of us dads match up – but for the grace of God.

Unmet Expectations

Have you ever been disappointed? Of course you have!  All of us meet with disappointment at some level.  Today I want to talk about unmet expectations (disappointments) that may lead to anger and feelings of not being appreciated.  Let’s face it.  None of us see the “whole picture” in any given situation.  And that’s how disappointment can result!

Partial insight may lead to unmet expectations, which can lead to hard feelings and even strife.  Disappointments not tempered by the Holy Spirit can cause us to question leadership credibility.  This, in turn, can lead to rebellion.

Many years ago, I applied for a youth pastor position in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.  I was sure that I met the necessary qualifications and more!  Living in Alabama at the time and being unemployed, put my expectations on high alert.  I just knew that I would be hired. Not only was I passed over for the position, I was told, “You’re not youth pastor material.  You may want to consider getting out of ministry altogether.”  

Unmet expectations caused me to become critical and unreasonable.  God put me on the shelf for two years to correct my attitude.  The man who was hired did a wonderful job and later, in God’s time, I accepted the call to pastor my first church.  God had something better for me, but I allowed my unmet expectations to make me dogmatic and pride-filled.

Unmet expectations are partially brought on by our unwillingness to change formerly learned patterns.  We all live in comfort zones – those places where we settle into familiar areas of every day activity we call routine, and where most of us function nicely.  Routine fosters a sense of security, and that’s okay, but sometimes God requires us to move from routine to the unfamiliar to re-direct us.  Our comfort zones are stripped away so that we can be of greater use to the Master. 

God calls us to embrace new seasons of life; and frankly, new seasons are coming whether we like them or not.  When recently helping a friend to move, I said, “I used to jump off the back of pick-up trucks, now I slither off the tailgate!”  Feet, legs and hips no longer withstand high jumps!  It’s the difference between age 40 and age 62.  Forced flexibility protects me from broken bones! 

Unmet expectations cause us to become inflexible and fearful, which often lead to anger.  We used to say, “Learn to go with the flow.”  In our fast-changing world, it seems that nothing remains the same. 

Most of us have difficulty with change.  Comfort zones, which become threatened, cause us to lash out at anything that smacks of change.  “After all,” we reason, “If it worked in the past, it should be good enough for today as well.”

I’ve actually seen churches hurt, even divided by those who fight change and whose expectations (comfort zones) go unmet.  While the Scriptures tell us, “I am the God who changes not,” everything He does in and through the church has expiration dates, according to the seasons He implements.  The message of the Gospel never changes, but God’s methodologies are subject to constant change.  God places inside all of us creative ingenuity, whose goal is to reach people where they are. 

This has nothing to do with compromise; it ties in with God’s on-going passion to win the lost.  God is always looking for ways to draw people into the Kingdom.  Be careful.  Your unmet expectations may really be God’s invitation to a renewed celebration of His grace in your life. 

And your inflexibility and non-compliance may be the cause of a ministry not moving forward like it needs to.  You sure don’t want that!  Never be a hindrance, but always helpful.  After all, it’s not about you.  It’s about what’s best for His on-going work of redemption in the lives of people who desperately need the Lord.  Those who have been in the faith and in the church for years would do well to remember that the work of the Lord moves forward only through unity. 

Unmet expectations are not the end of the world, but they could lead to the hindrance of God’s work in a given church, at a given time, for kingdom purposes.  Never allow what you want or what you think to override God’s intended purposes.  It’s not about you.  It’s about His work!   Can I get an “Amen?”

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!                  

Grace is a Teacher

It goes without saying that the entire Bible is wonderful.  Not all 66 letters are easy to understand but it remains on the “best-selling list” and when faith is applied in the heart of the reader, it still transforms lives. Other books inform, but only God’s book, the Bible, transforms!

In recent years, I have been intrigued by one verse that God is using to rearrange my thinking. This pivotal verse has helped me glean a broader understanding of God’s grace.

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say, ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope –the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:11-13).    

You have to understand, I spent many years of my Christian life trying to weave law-based information into grace teaching; and let me tell you, it doesn’t work.  It’s like mixing oil and water.  Both are important, but they have to be understood in the context of their unique chemistry. 

The Apostle John segregates the two by writing, “The Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 2:17).  The Apostle Paul adds to this truth by reminding us, ”Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.  So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.  Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian” (Galatians 3:23-25). 

The King James Version uses the word “schoolmaster” in place of “guardian.” The Law served as the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.   In other words, both law and grace carry significance and both were necessary to our full understanding of the gospel.  But we can’t walk under law in some areas of life and then under grace in others areas and expect to experience the “abundant life!”

We were taught in Bible school:  “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed!”  In other words, to have a complete understanding of the Cross of Jesus, we have to understand unique teachings of the Old Testament, as they reveal types and shadows of what was to come in Christ.

Law-based lifestyles run contrary to healthy relationships.  Let me give you an example from personal experience.  I was taught as a boy to take my hat off in public buildings or when I walked into a room occupied by adults.  This, in essence, was a “law.”  To not take off one’s hat in a public building was considered disrespectful.

Many builders (those born between 1924-44) and baby boomers (those born between 1944-64) had this rule pounded in their heads.  Some years ago, when pastoring another church, I saw this “law” literally cause a newcomer to leave the building in anger.  The understood rule (not mine) was “no hats on men while in church.”  A teenage guy came into the church lobby and did not remove his hat. 

A crotchety older gentleman approached him and asked him to remove it.  When the young man refused, the older gentleman became irate, took the boy by the arm and escorted him out of the building.  I could not believe what I saw and heard.

“You will not disrespect this church,” the man yelled.  Naturally, the boy left, never to return.  I can only hope and pray that this law-based offense did not drive him away from the Lord. 

I angrily said to the old man, “I hope you understand the terrible offense you just caused, and I hope you’re ready to stand before the Lord with a ready answer for your stupid attitude.”  I have no patience for confessing Christians who use their personal preferences and opinions (skewed, law-based mindsets) to hurt others.

Do you understand what happened?  A man-made rule overrode grace.  Who cares if someone does not remove his hat in church (or wherever)?  That boy should have felt love, honor and respect, not retribution.  Instead, he was made to feel guilt and shame.  I’m still bothered by the events of that morning.  And this remains a perfect example of how the “law kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

May we never hurt others and subsequently justify our words and actions by using the Bible or our personal convictions to inflict pain and cause separation from the grace of God.  May we allow His grace to teach us how to live godly.  Legislated righteousness produces anger and offends people.  Grace is a teacher and takes us from where we are to where Jesus wants us to be.  It’s God’s grace that has appeared through Jesus Christ and brought us salvation.  Have you placed your faith in His saving grace!