Some time ago I received a very interesting phone call from someone I had never met before. My caller basically wanted to ask of me a favor. Now, over the past two dozen years or so I have received several calls that have been similar, but never with the kind of appeal that this particular individual made. He told me his name and then went on to tell me about his church. As I recall, he said it had about 1500 members, and that they had just completed building a brand new $6 million facility, situated between two beautiful lakes and right next to a gorgeous 18-hole golf course. When I inquired as to the reason for his call, he said, "Well, we have a problem at our church, and we've been told by somebody that you're the man to fix it." (Now my curiosity was really picqued).
"So, what's your problem?" I asked.
"We need a new Senior Pastor," he replied.
"What makes you think I'm the man to fix your problem?" I pressed, beginning to wonder with a slight twinge of excitement (I confess) if I was about to be "translated" to "paradise."
His reply, which was spoken tongue-in-cheek, caught me off-guard. "Well," he said, "we're located in Wisconsin (not too far from Green Bay) - and you just happen to have the right last name!" (That's a good reason to call a man as your pastor, don't you think)?
For those of you who may be recreationally-challenged, my caller was alluding to Vince Lombardi, of course, the legendary head coach from 1959-1967 of the Green Bay Packers, winners of the NFL championships in 1965, 1966 and 1967, as well as the first two Super Bowls. Although Lombardi stepped down as head coach of the Packers in 1967, and then succombed to intestinal cancer in 1970, his name and fame are still celebrated by "cheeseheads" throughout "America's Dairyland" state of Wisconsin.
My caller was kidding, of course - but it got me to thinking . . .
It seems to me that just about everyone in this world is looking for some sort of "fix-it man" for the world. For good reason, too - for humanity is broken. (Indeed, the Bible makes it clear that mankind has been that way ever since the "fall" in the Garden). In fact, next year, many of my fellow Americans will cast their presidential ballot for whichever man (or woman) they believe has the ability to fix everything. Others are looking to the sciences (including the so-called "soft" sciences) - from anthropology to biology and cosmology to psychology - to find this talented fix-it man. Still others may turn to religious figures for the ultimate solutions to mankind's problems, whether it be the Catholic Pope, a Jewish Rabbi, a Moslem Imam - or even one of America's notorious tele-evangelists.
That reminds me that the Bible talks about a time when there will be a man who will convince the world that "he's da man" who can fix everything! In fact, if this blog (and others like it) are still posted somewhere in cyberspace when this man (the son of perdition, the man of sin, the antichrist) ascends to world domination, I suspect he will do everything he can to track it down and then hit the delete button.
The truth of the matter is that in the "Who's Who" book of people who can truly fix this world, there is really only one entry: the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says that "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" (Colossians 1:15-17). And again, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). You see, you just cannot substitute anyone else for Him - Who was, by the way, the one and only substitute for YOU! "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Jesus really is the Answer. To be sure, if He doesn't return soon, I have some well-intentioned friends and colleagues who would wish that when the history of the Church (and the world) in this 21st century is written, there might be at least a whole chapter devoted solely to them. Honestly, I rather doubt that my name will even appear in a footnote. In fact, there are several "Lombardis" (maybe a dozen or so) listed in "Who's Who in America" - including Vince Lombardi - but I'm not one of them, either. But, then, it has never really been about me. Indeed, it is all about Him. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17).
Obviously, we never did go to that church. In fact, things took a serious turn for the worse when I informed my Wisconsin caller that my wife, Win, is a diehard Chicago Bears fan. So much for my "translation" to "Paradise."
But, hey, now I get to live in the Pacific Northwest. I ask you, dear reader, is there any other place on this planet that is closer than Oregon to "heaven on earth?"
I'm STILL amazed by His grace!
"So, what's your problem?" I asked.
"We need a new Senior Pastor," he replied.
"What makes you think I'm the man to fix your problem?" I pressed, beginning to wonder with a slight twinge of excitement (I confess) if I was about to be "translated" to "paradise."
His reply, which was spoken tongue-in-cheek, caught me off-guard. "Well," he said, "we're located in Wisconsin (not too far from Green Bay) - and you just happen to have the right last name!" (That's a good reason to call a man as your pastor, don't you think)?
For those of you who may be recreationally-challenged, my caller was alluding to Vince Lombardi, of course, the legendary head coach from 1959-1967 of the Green Bay Packers, winners of the NFL championships in 1965, 1966 and 1967, as well as the first two Super Bowls. Although Lombardi stepped down as head coach of the Packers in 1967, and then succombed to intestinal cancer in 1970, his name and fame are still celebrated by "cheeseheads" throughout "America's Dairyland" state of Wisconsin.
My caller was kidding, of course - but it got me to thinking . . .
It seems to me that just about everyone in this world is looking for some sort of "fix-it man" for the world. For good reason, too - for humanity is broken. (Indeed, the Bible makes it clear that mankind has been that way ever since the "fall" in the Garden). In fact, next year, many of my fellow Americans will cast their presidential ballot for whichever man (or woman) they believe has the ability to fix everything. Others are looking to the sciences (including the so-called "soft" sciences) - from anthropology to biology and cosmology to psychology - to find this talented fix-it man. Still others may turn to religious figures for the ultimate solutions to mankind's problems, whether it be the Catholic Pope, a Jewish Rabbi, a Moslem Imam - or even one of America's notorious tele-evangelists.
That reminds me that the Bible talks about a time when there will be a man who will convince the world that "he's da man" who can fix everything! In fact, if this blog (and others like it) are still posted somewhere in cyberspace when this man (the son of perdition, the man of sin, the antichrist) ascends to world domination, I suspect he will do everything he can to track it down and then hit the delete button.
The truth of the matter is that in the "Who's Who" book of people who can truly fix this world, there is really only one entry: the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says that "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" (Colossians 1:15-17). And again, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). You see, you just cannot substitute anyone else for Him - Who was, by the way, the one and only substitute for YOU! "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Jesus really is the Answer. To be sure, if He doesn't return soon, I have some well-intentioned friends and colleagues who would wish that when the history of the Church (and the world) in this 21st century is written, there might be at least a whole chapter devoted solely to them. Honestly, I rather doubt that my name will even appear in a footnote. In fact, there are several "Lombardis" (maybe a dozen or so) listed in "Who's Who in America" - including Vince Lombardi - but I'm not one of them, either. But, then, it has never really been about me. Indeed, it is all about Him. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17).
Obviously, we never did go to that church. In fact, things took a serious turn for the worse when I informed my Wisconsin caller that my wife, Win, is a diehard Chicago Bears fan. So much for my "translation" to "Paradise."
But, hey, now I get to live in the Pacific Northwest. I ask you, dear reader, is there any other place on this planet that is closer than Oregon to "heaven on earth?"
I'm STILL amazed by His grace!
9 comments:
I'm sure you're very familiar with the phrase "the grass is greener on the other side."
I can remember listening to people give testimonies about how they were "trapped in sin...caught in addictions" to drugs, or alcohol, or sex, or whatever...and how they were searching for a new, real life, and then one day "found" Jesus. Then they were so fulfilled by this person who had radically changed their lives. They found "the grass is greener on the other side".
As someone who grew up on the church side of the fence, I found as I got older that I thought the grass might be greener on the "sinner's" side of the fence. And this was a result of a breakdown of some of the fundamental "truths" I was taught by the church.
I think what is difficult for me is that I feel as if the both sides of the fence are nothing more than barren fields of dirt and weeds. Neither side has been very fulfilling in anyway. Which finally brings me to my question...
...how am I suppose to believe Jesus is some sort of divine "handyman" when I feel like work done is coming unglued?
I've been thinking about your post all day. I guess I don't completely understand what you mean by the phrase "the grass is greener." Does that mean that life may appear to be more full of purpose, joy, excitement, money, success, stuff, etc. on the "other side?"
Obviously, since you posted your comment anonymously, I don't know whether or not I know you - or if you know me. If you do know me, you probably are aware that inasmuch as I believed in Jesus for everlasting life at the age of seven, was raised in a Christian home, attended a Christian college, went to seminary and have been in full-time ministry for thirty-five years, I really don't know a lot about the "drugs, alcohol, sex or whatever" side of life. But I'm not totally naive. Just as obviously, I've been around for a while - with the gray hair to prove it. There is absolutely nothing about that self-destructive "side" that holds any attraction to me. Having walked with Jesus for 50 years this year, there isn't any other place I would rather be than by His side. That's not to say that He hasn't led me through some very dark valleys (as in "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death"), but I have come to learn that those dark valleys are 1) intentional - my Shepherd led me there 2) transitional - He just didn't lead me INTO them but THROUGH them, and 3) beneficial - ultimately they were (and are) for my good and His glory. When you get right down to it, the truth of the matter is that He indeed "makes me to life down in GREEN pastures" (Psalm 23:2). And as I wrote in the "About Me" paragraph of my blogspot, there really is JOY in the journey. And someday when I truly "crossover" to the "other side" of life . . . well, I can only imagine what awaits me there!
I would have to say that "the grass is greener" phrase did refer to this ideal that something looked more fulfilling than the present. I guess that for quite a long time I was fulfilled in living a very "christian" lifestyle. But as time went on I felt as if I became a bit disillusioned with it. And in some naivety allowed (or traveled through) some "dark valleys" of my life.
However, in the recent past I made some attempts to really embrace my faith again and even tried being more involved in a local church. But in the end, I just ended up in what seemed like an even darker valley...and rather than feeling as if I was led in by some good shepherd, it felt more like a bunch of so-called christians led me there and abandoned me.
That brings me back around to what I eluded to in the first comment; that I felt as if neither lifestyle has been able to fulfill.
I don't think so much about the future either. Hoping for some eternal safety and peace seems a little disillusioned (not to sound offensive to what you said, I'm simply stating how I feel). That mind set only seems to digress into the idea that I might as well not be here now.
Thanks for the dialogue. You are forcing me to articulate some things that I have been thinking about for some time, but never really put into words. It's a good exercise for the mind and heart of this old man.
I want to return to something you said in your first comment, about the "breakdown of fundamental truths."
It seems to me that truth, by its very definition and nature, cannot be "broken down." Truth is truth. It can be questioned, doubted, maligned . . . but it cannot be broken down. Furthermore, its meaning is not determined by what I think about it or how I feel about it, or what I may or may not have "experienced" regarding it. Nor do I have the right to redefine it (or to twist it and to distort it) in some attempt to make it fit my own wishes, preferences, opinions or desires. Now, I may grow in my understanding of truth, but it remains fixed.
By the way, I find it interesting that the Bible refers to the church of the living God as "the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). I am dismayed by the fact that some of my pastoral "colleagues" today (especially those in the so-called "emerging church") have forgotten that fact, and in some cases have forsaken the truth. In the words of John MacArthur, in his latest book titled "The Truth War," they are using every tool available in the deconstruction of truth, including "relativism, subjectivism, the denial of every dogma, the dissection and annihilation of every clear definition, the relentless questioning of every axiom, the undue exaltation of mystery and paradox, the deliberate exaggeration of every ambiguity, and above all the cultivation of uncertainty about everything." (Pg 11).
But do you know what? In the long run . . . TRUTH WINS!
You know, you remind me of someone I know, a person who is very dear to me, but whose privacy I need to respect and to protect - especially in a public forum like this one. For the purpose of ease in writing, I will refer to this individual with masculine pronouns. He has become pretty disillusioned with Christianity - and I suspect it is pretty much because of church people, and church leaders. It sounds to me like your experience is similar.
Let me take a risk and become a bit transparent with you . . . One of the darkest valleys in my life occurred a couple of years ago when I experienced something so brutal and vicious, so personally (and professionally) as well as emotionally devastating, that the resultant stress almost took my life in a massive and extensive heart attack. In fact, my cardiologist later said that I probably had less than five minutes to live when I was checked into the ER that day in August, 2004. And it was basically caused by "friendly fire" (which really wasn't all that friendly). If anyone ever had a reason to walk away from ministry - and maybe even Christianity - I certainly did. But I was determined that somehow by the grace of God I wanted that experience to help me become better . . . not bitter. Now, just about three years later, I can say with the Apostle Paul, "Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). Yep, the "outward" man is definitely showing signs of deterioration. But, the "inward man" - Oh, wow, the Lord has given me some new ministry opportunities this year that I never would have even dreamed of before!
One passage of Scripture that has really helped me throughout this whole ordeal is this one, beginning with these words, "But He gives more grace. (I love that phrase). Therefore He says, 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. . .' Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:6, 10).
Sometimes it is pride that keeps a person in the "fog," and hinders one's full appropriation and appreciation of the grace that could be theirs. For some reason, many times during the last year or two the Lord has often brought the parable of the prodigal son to my mind. Because you said you "grew up on the church side of the fence," I suspect that you probably are at least a little familiar with the story. Talk about a dillusioned young man. He sunk about as low as a person could go. And then the Bible says, "But when he came to himself . . ." (Luke 4:17). Up until that point, he was proud. And, yes, God was resisting him. But he humbled himself, returned home and said to his dad, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son" (Luke 4:21). And so he humbled himself - and God gave him grace (undeserved favor) and lifted him up!
I hope that some of what I said is helpful to you. I have been asking the Lord for wisdom on how to respond to you. (Not that I am suggesting that He is to blame if all of this sounds like meaningless rambling to you). Maybe it's my "pastor's heart," but I just sense that the Lord wants me to challenge (and encourage) you to come back to Him. I think you know that if it seems as though He is far away, it's not because He moved. (You did). But, like the father in the parable, He will meet you with open arms, envelop you with His mercy and embrace you with His love, and greet you with the words, "welcome home."
I would have to agree with the start of your comment. Truth itself cannot be broken down. But the people that bring a message of something "truthful", those can be broken down. The truth itself cannot be changed, but the message can. Far too often I believe the message is changed to "make it fit my [or their] own wishes, preferences, opinions or desires." I believe it was someone in the New Testament who talked about always investigating the teaching of others? But I found that when I would start to ask questions and disagree with others, I was pushed out. Or simply told I was wrong.
To be a little more honest (and perhaps more cynical than I should) I don't see a majority of "christian" leaders bringing a message of truth. (Be they "Emergent" or "Modernist" or "Evangelical". I think the Emergents are a little too radical for some, so their message of unity is lost. The Modernists are too intent on proving their right and everyone else is wrong, and not many people are "tolerant" of that mindset. The Evangelicals are too focused on just having someone say a prayer to get them into Heaven.)
I don't believe that I am wrestling with God as much as I am wrestling with everyone that says they believe in God. I feel as if too many people have too many ideas about God and much too many of them have the ability to speak their mind to the masses, and they somehow believe they have an authority to preach that message.
I apologize. I didn't mean to sound so harsh, especially to a pastor. There is quite a bit of frustration within me right now.
I’m glad you mentioned the New Testament. The verse you referred to is found in Acts 17:11, the last part of which reads that the Bereans “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so (the things that Paul and Silas taught). Notice, the reason for their “investigation” was not so much to understand what Paul & Silas taught, but to make sure that their teaching conformed to the truth of Scripture. What is so significant about this text is that there was (and is) a standard of truth. What is that standard? The Word of God itself. Jesus is the Word of God incarnated, so He could say, “I am the way, THE TRUTH, and the life” (John 14:6). In other words, all truth must be defined in terms of God. Jesus is the perfect expression of God and thus the embodiment of all that is true. Furthermore, the Bible is the Word of God inscripturated, so Jesus could also so, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is TRUTH” (John 17:17). In other words, the Bible does not just contain nuggets of truth, it IS truth – which cannot be “broken” (John 10:35) – which was why I took exception to the statement you made in your first comment about the “BREAKDOWN of some of the fundamental truths.” So, the real question is not so much whether someone else agrees with you or whether you agree with them, but do you both agree with the standard of Truth – the Word of God? If you were to hear me preach you might say, “Well, I disagree with him, so obviously, he is not speaking the truth!” Oh, really? By what standard – yours, or the Bible’s? On the other hand, you might say, “Well, for once I do agree with him, so he must be speaking the truth.” Oh really? And again I will ask, by what standard of truth? Yours, or the Bible’s?
By the way, I do agree with you – sometimes it does seem like there are too many people with too many ideas about God . . . Whether we like it or not, we have the responsibility to be discerning, to determine whether or not those ideas conform to God’s standard of truth. Because we do not yet live in a perfect world, we will never be released from this task of being like the Bereans of old.
I do agree with you that Modernity, with its exaltation of human reason, had its major problems, not the least of which is the fact that it gave birth to communism, fascism, Marxism and theological liberalism. Similarly, most of the so-called “emergent” thinkers are Postmodern, and as such are embracing a philosophy that will eventually implode upon itself. When Postmodernists say (absolutely) that the only absolute is that there are no absolutes, they have a recipe for disaster. Someone has wisely said, “to make any kind of cogent argument against the use of propositions, a person would have to employ propositional statements. So, every argument against propositions is instantly self-defeating.”
This leaves us with the Evangelicals. You say, “evangelicals are too focused on just having someone say a prayer to get them into Heaven.” Nice straw man. Perhaps an understandable caricature. But inasmuch as I consider myself one, I’d have to say that the statement is untrue. By what standard? The Bible, of course. First of all, I hope you know that “saying a prayer” is NOT what gets anyone into heaven. (But, I will concede that there are probably many Evangelicals who confuse the Gospel). What gets a person into heaven is believing in Jesus for everlasting life. (John 1:12, 3:16, 5:24, 6:47, 11:25-27, etc.). This, by the way was what JESUS was really focused on.
Oh, by the way . . . the verse you referred to in your last comment . . . Acts 17:11 . . . about the Bereans searching the Scriptures to make sure what they heard from Paul and Silas conformed to the truth of the Word of God . . . Well, the very next verse says, “Therefore, (that is, realizing that what Paul and Silas said was truth), MANY OF THEM BELIEVED.” Interesting . . . seems to me that was the “focus” of Paul and Silas, too.
Jesus, Paul & Silas set the ministry model, pattern and priorities for me . . .
One more thing, my anonymous friend - or, are there more than one of you? I mean, the thought just occurred to me that I could now be responding to more than one person who wishes to remain "anonymous." On the other hand, are you one of my preacher friends who is just yanking my chain and trying to get me to reply? Oh, whatever . . . I actually do appreciate being challenged to put my thoughts into words. But, whoever you are, if I don't respond as quickly this week, it's just because I've got a lot on my plate, including (but not limited to) praying and preaching so that others might come to faith in Jesus Christ! Have a BLESSED day.
Well, I can safely say there is only one of me. I shudder to think how horrible the world would be with two or more of me. And I can also safely say that I am not one of the "preacher friends". That actually seems a bit more of a cruel joke to perpetrate.
There is something interesting that is in that story of the Bereans. Paul and Silas were teaching them (so they apparently had some sort of "authority"), yet a group of people who were not necessarily "ordained" leaders were exercising authority. But that is simply an observation of someone who is not "ordained" either.
As far as the whole post-modern vs modern debate. I really do think it's quite pointless. So no need to dive into that one right now.
I hope this final paragraph is not to intrusive or offensive. But as a person who has spent a significant amount of their recent life as a very bitter person (especially towards religious people), I sense a bit of distain towards some of the "religious" people that you've referred to.
Disdain . . . "A feeling of contempt and aversion for that which is regarded as beneath one" (Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary).
Honestly, I don't believe disdain is the right word. Not even a little "bit." The one person in this world who unquestionably knows me better than anyone else in this world would probably say that if I have a weakness (and there is no doubt about the fact that I do), it is not setting myself up above anybody, but usually putting myself down below everyone. For example, there are probably 500,000-1,000,000 pastors in the U.S. today, and I would place myself at the bottom of the heap in terms of ability, "success", etc. It's like my life verse is Ephesians 3:8, "To me, who am less than the least of all the saints . . ."
I went back and searched every line of every comment I made on this blog to see where I may have showed signs of contempt . . . I couldn't find any . . . But, admittedly, it could be a "blind spot" that I needed to have someone else (like you) bring to my attention. And if you are right, then I am truly sorry for coming across that way.
The Apostle Paul charged his protege, Timothy, "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition . . ." (1 Timothy 2:24). In humility correcting those who are in opposition . . . By the way, have you observed that some people don't take to correction too well? I have. It's that pride thing again.
But the servant of the Lord still has the responsibility to correct, and in so doing he must be bold (but not proud), and gentle (but not wishy-washy), and able to teach, "if God perchance will grant them repentance, so that they may come to their senses (there is that same phrase from the story of the Prodigal Son) and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will"(2 Timothy 2:25-26).
Probably every pastor knows someone like that . . . snared by the devil and captive to do his will . . . I do. It hurts me more than words can describe to see someone in that condition, and on occasion to think that an irresponsible preacher or teacher may have knowingly or unwittingly contributed to that person's "back-slidden" condition.
By the way, I also wouldn't say that the Bereans were exercising "authority" over Paul and Silas when they tested their words to see if they conformed to Scripture. But I would say that they were certainly exercising "responsibility." (I occasionally remind my congregation that is their responsibility as well). It disheartens me sometimes that so many Christians have lost the will to be discerning.
One more thing . . . You said in your comment, "Well, I can safely say there is only one of me. I shudder to think how horrible the world would be with two or more of me." It's a little bit eerie . . . but you almost sound just like me, putting yourself down like that.
I'm glad to know you are not one of my pastor friends, yanking my chain - but, I have a sneaky suspician that you are a very special person, uniquely gifted by God with tremendous capacities to bless His people and bring glory to Him. If my discernment is correct, please don't squander what you have been given! (There I go, acting like a pastor again). Nice chatting with you.
I appreciate your words. I sometimes have a way of demeaning myself. I want to apologize for making that comment about your distain. Perhaps I should choose my words more carefully. Thank you for the conversation.
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