YOUR PASTOR’S HEART
“Simple Life”
“You’re probably too busy to read this book.”
So begins the introduction to Thom and Art Rainer’s book, ‘Simple Life.’ To be honest, with that they had me. I knew these two had been reading my mail, and I wanted to see if they had anything practical to say, or if this was just another ‘try harder’ kind of book. I was not disappointed.
Filled with stories of real people, this father and son team share what it means to follow the example of Jesus as we untangle ourselves from our self-imposed obligations, duties, and schedules. Drawing on their research of a survey of over 1,000 individuals, the writers confirmed what I already knew: many of us are stressed out and overwhelmed. We feel there is more than what we’re experiencing, and we feel left out. As one person stated, “This life is not right!”
One reviewer notes, “As they share these highly relatable stories, the Rainers chart a simple path from joyless to joyful. Breaking life down into four key sections (God, Time, Relationships, Money), the authors show how four key goals (Clarity, Movement, Alignment, Focus) can begin to foster a life that is more spiritual and less busy, a life rich in experiences with family and friends rather than double-booked to-do lists and late nights at the office. The book even lays out an easy-to-follow action plan that will move readers assuredly toward the simple life in just thirty days.”
The Rainers tell us that it really comes down to helping us understand what God’s wants for our dash. You know, the little mark that appears between the date of birth and the date of death on a headstone? That mark, that tiny dash, sums up our lifetime of activity. What happens in the dash defines who we are and distinguishes us from the everyone else. All too often, I have found myself filling the dash with things that don’t really matter and not having enough room for the things that count. The book helps. It puts some new words to an ancient message. “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
By the way, if you purchase the book online, make sure you don’t order the DVD of a certain reality TV show by the same name. Not a choice I would recommend!
It’s a joy to be your pastor!
Bro. Dave
Tina Briggs share her story with us…
Join us this Sunday for worship at 10:50 a.m.
October 24, 2009
It was a busy Saturday for Chisholm Heights Baptist Church. As I arrived this morning to listen in on an Audio/Visual Ministry Team meeting, I noticed the cars. Dozens and dozens of cars that testified to a myriad of activities at our building this bright, clear, and chilly morning. Parents had gathered with their sons and daughters for Upward Flag Football. Some had come for Men’s Bible Study. Several showed up for a workday on the building. Still more came for choir practice. Lots of folks. Lots of activities.
Such a schedule illustrates a significant temptation for the people of God. If we’re not careful, we can get so busy with the ‘stuff’ that we forget why we’re here. We’re not here to learn how to run a sound system, but to use the sound system to glorify God. Bible study is not an end in itself, but rather a discipline that draws us closer to God and His will for our lives. Upward Football is so much more than a game; it’s way for kids to hear the good news of Christ. Taking care of our building is simply being a good steward of the resources the Lord has given us. And the choir? Practicing not just to make beautiful music, but to lead us in worship.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong at all about such things as went on around CHBC this morning. But might we simply not be a busy people, but a faithful people. Good things done for the wrong reason are of little value, but faithfulness carries a reward of blessing.
It’s a joy to be your pastor!
Bro. Dave
October 20, 2009
Over lunch a friend of mine told an interesting story. He was on a humanitarian mission in Iraq not too long after the American occupation began. He was riding in an Army helicopter when all of a sudden, someone on the ground started shoot at them! The sargeant sitting next to my friend yelled for the tail gunner to fire back. The soldier turned around and said, “I can’t sir, they haven’t hit us yet.”
They’re called rules of engagement. The parameters that those in command had given to the men said that they could only attack if one of the rounds actually had found it’s mark. (Obviously the ones in command had not spent a great deal of time riding in a helicopter targeted by enemy fire.) So, my friend says, a bullet pings off the side of the helicopter and the tail gunner unleashes his own barrage. The gunfire from below soon stops.
Rules of engagement. It’s one thing when it’s on the battlefield of Iraq. But I wonder if such things exist to guide us as we engage the people of Mustang? Maybe we should only talk to them about Jesus if they bring up the topic? Or maybe we can only approach them in Jesus name if they’re in church? After all, we need some guidelines, don’t we? We can’t just go around talking to anyone at any given time about their spiritual condition, . . . or can we?
Seems to me when Jesus said we are to be witnesses, He didn’t attach any kind of disclaimer to His expectation. Seems like He expects us to be His ambassadors 24/7, not when it is merely convenient for us. To be sure, we need to be sensitive to people and their perceptions. But tell them we must.
Yes, there are rules of engagement. We engage them now.
The deadline still looms, my friends. It’s a joy to be your pastor!
Bro. Dave
October 19, 2009
Her name is Maddie. She’s a bundle of energy, packed in four legs, a fur coat, and a tail that is forever running in overdrive. You’d be hard pressed to find her at a time when she’s not having the best day of her life. She can jump onto a kitchen counter effortlessly, shred a bathroom rug in under 14 seconds, and increase her body weight by 30 pounds when being lifted to be taken outside. Normally quiet, she somehow has adopted a theology that reserves her barking for around 1 am. She is a pain. She is chaos wearing a collar. She is Sarah’s dog.
Yet somehow, my wife has fallen in love with the animal. Lets her in the house. Gives her a toy to play with. Makes sure she has fresh water. Even lets her jump onto the bed. Despite all the irritation, insanity, and outright obnoxious behavior, Karen seems to see nothing but the good in the mutt. It’s a love I do not understand.
Speaking of a incomprehensible love, The Screwtape Letters, a book written by C.S. Lewis, chronicles the correspondence between a senior demon and his subordinate. Describing how our Heavenly Father feels about us, Screwtape writes, “. . . it is the most repellent and inexplicable trait in our enemy; He really loves the hairless bipeds He has created . . .”
It really is an understanding only held by our precious Lord. It is beyond Satan’s comprehension. We certainly can’t make sense of it. All we know is that while we don’t deserve it, and while we’ve not earned it, by His grace, we have it.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9
It’s a joy to be your pastor!
Bro. Dave
October 16, 2009
Well, I get to go home today! It’s been a great trip with lots of things getting accomplished. I was able to do some much needed planning for an upcoming mission trip, worked with Omar on a few things for the seminary, had some excellent quiet times with the Lord, and certainly was able to write a little bit. It’s been a very good week.
But, I’m ready to get back. To that amazing place called home. Where I understand folks when they speak, and hopefully they understand me. Where I am no longer a guest, but a family member. Where a hug has significantly more meaning. A land of hot water, and cool sheets. Yup, I ready to get home.
And, I’m ready to get back to my church home. I certainly appreciate our congregation allowing me to invest some of my time in the work here in San Jeronimito, but I miss my church family. I miss our staff. What a privilege to be one of the pastors that gets to say that and mean it!
I want to come back home to Mustang. As I’ve written about our community for my book, I’ve been reminded of what a great joy it is to be a part of a city with the values, traditions, and commitments of our little burg.
Good stuff folks. I don’t care whether you’re a couple of dogs and a cat looking down on the city that marks the end of your journey, a Marine named Gibbs looking at his battle weary team, or a pastor finishing up a weeks worth of study and retreat in Mexico. It is good to come home!
By the way, just in case you’re interested. We had goat for lunch yesterday. Yeah, goat. Not bad, either. But it did not taste like chicken.
It’s a joy to be your pastor!
Bro. Dave
October 15, 2009
Oh yeah. Somebody’s in trouble. Big trouble. I don’t know who. Don’t know exactly what’s going to happen to them. All I know is somebody is right in the middle of the worst day of their life.
The brother of a six year old boy raised the alarm by saying the younger one had climbed into a homemade hot air balloon and it had taken off. For a couple of hours officials followed the balloon, shutting down airports, dispatching helicopters, and generally raising a ruckus for over 50 miles and two counties as they chased the thing.
It finally landed in a field. And no boy was in the basket.
Someone reported seeing something fall out at some point of the flight.
Now the ruckus backtracked along the balloon’s route. Again, airports shut down, helicopters flew with their infrared detectors, and patrol cars with their flashing lights and sirens continued their screaming frenzy. If it weren’t for the fact that it involved the life of a little boy, it would be comical. Like a scene out of the Dukes of Hazzard TV show. You can almost hear the banjo music in the background!
Finally, somebody looked in the boys’ attic. He was hiding in a box.
I don’t know who. All I know somebody’s in trouble. And for once, it isn’t me!
And yet, the deadline still looms.
It’s a joy to be your pastor!
Bro. Dave
October 14, 2009
I’ve been coming to Mexico now for over 10 years, and it never ceases to amaze me the new things I discover every time I visit.
For example, let’s talk about lunch today. Now realize its pretty simple fair around here during the school year. Nothing fancy, but always something good. To be honest, to my American palate, sometimes the menu is a bit of a challenge. But I’ll try anything once, just for the bragging rights if nothing else.
So today, I walk into the Dining Hall. The aroma is one I know very well. Something has been fried. And, could it be? It certainly seems that way. Maybe, just maybe, it’s fried chicken. I mean it certainly smells like it, and possibly they wanted to do something special for their visiting American friend.
Well, it was fried. But it wasn’t fried chicken. Instead, a cauliflower floret has been boiled, dipped in batter, and fried in a skillet. Then, it’s put in a large pot with a semi-spicy salsa type sauce. Served with rice, beans, and tortillas. Not exactly KFC, but all in all, not too bad.
As we talked over the meal, I mentioned the Oklahoma State Fair. I found out Omar and Hortensia had been there last year during their Sabbatical. Omar proceeded to tell everyone at the table about the turkey leg he had. (From the way he was talking, it sounded about the size of one Fred Flinstone might have. Preachers!) Hortensia shared about the ‘deep friend’ menus up and down the walkways.
Then I looked down at my ‘fried cauliflower in salsa’ dish and thought maybe there’s not too much of a difference between us after all.
We are family in our menus and certainly in our faith. He died for us all, folks. Sinners saved by grace. He is an Amazing God!!!
And yet, the deadline still looms.
It’s a joy to be your pastor!
Bro. Dave
October 13, 2009
What a difference a few hours on a plane makes. Monday morning I left the cold and drizzle of Oklahoma and made my way down to sunny, balmy, and just a bit humid San Jeronimito, Mexico, the home of STBS, a local seminary that trains students for ministry. Our church, along with many others, has had and ongoing partnership with this wonderful organization.
I have several things to do while I’m here. The main thing is to work on a book I’m writing. The deadline is looming, and I needed to get away for a few days to focus on it. But, I’m also going to be making arrangements for a College/Career mission trip in the area next year. And, I’m going to be sharing a sermon in chapel here at the seminary tomorrow and giving the students a chance to give me some feedback on how I can to a better job of preaching in Mexico. Of course, I’m getting to spend a little bit of time just being around the faculty, staff, and students.
One small picture of what student life is like here. At lunch today, I noticed some chips, gum, and other assorted snacks set out for students to purchase. It raised my curiosity a little and wanting to once again display my superb lack of spanish skills, I asked Omar what it was all about. He explained that the students are raising money for missions. Places like Africa and China. They hope to reach their goal by their Week of Prayer for International Missions in February.
Interesting. While the seminary is a part of our mission endeavor, they understand that they too have a Great Commission responsibility. It is a privilege to partner with folks like that!
Oh, and by the way. Their goal? $25,000 pesos. That’s almost $2,000 American. In just a few months. Seminary students. Some of whom cannot afford to buy their own textbooks. Yeah, think about it.
And yet, the deadline continues to loom. Bless you all. It’s a joy to be your pastor!
Bro. Dave