Thanks class of 2010:

It was my privilege, yesterday, to speak to a fine group of young adults in honor of their graduation from high school. In our area there is a tradition of long standing called a Baccalaureate Service. The term may mean other things in other places, but here it is a fairly formal gathering--at this one the graduates wore their caps & gowns and I put on my "marrying and burying" suit--for the purpose of offering spiritual input, and asking Divine favor on the occasion of this important step ahead. Decades ago these affairs were planned by the schools; it was kind of like graduation was a two step process. Now school systems can't force students to do anything religious, so baccalaureates are student run, and attendance is voluntary. I find that very impressive.A group of young people planned the service I participated in. They planned the program. They invited the singers and the preacher. By my informal count, a few more than half the class came, together with a number of parents, grandparents and assorted relatives and friends. I'm not sure how much effect my message had on these young scholars. I know that their invitation, attendance, and attention were a great encouragement to me.Thanks guys!And for the rest of you, I hope it gives some hope. It's STTA.

There are a couple of really strange statements the Lord Jesus made. He said several times that if you tried to keep your life that you would lose it. (Matthew 16:25, Luke 17:33) He also said something that makes no sense if you are running a race--"But many who are first will be last, and the last, first."" (Mark 10:31)
My son sent me a sports story that gives us a taste of the concepts the Lord was speaking about. An incredibly successful girl's high-school softball team found itself playing a team that didn't even know how to play the game. What should have happened, by the usual standards, was for the "Invincibles" to score the requisite runs for the "slaughter rule" and then go our for pizza, leaving the underlings to nurse their wounds and go home eating bag lunches in a quiet bus. They couldn't help it, they were just better than the other team. Claim the win. A victory is a victory. To the victor go the spoils. Quote the Vince man. "Winning isn't the main thing. Winning is the only thing!"
I don't know exactly how the idea came to them but the clear winners in this contest decided to do something different. They would lose so they could win something better. They didn't throw the game--that would have been demeaning to the team with inferior skills. Instead they decided to use the couple of hours it would normally take to play a game to hold a clinic to teach the inexperienced team to play better. In order to get the winning and losing thing out of the way, they forfeited.
I'd like to interview one of these young women twenty-five years from now. "Tell me about the most memorable softball game you ever played." I would ask. Somehow I think the answer will start, "Let me tell you about the game we forfeited when we could have won throwing wrong handed, and batting with broomsticks.
By willingly being last, these women clearly finished ahead--not of their competitors but in front of all expectation. By willingly releasing that to which they had a clear right, they received more than they could have imagined.
You can read the whole story here.
If it works in a game, just think what can be accomplished if we apply these principles in life.
It's STTA.

Life?

Dr. Craig Venter just achieved a remarkable scientific breakthrough. According to his press release, He produced the "first self-replicating species we've had on the planet whose parent is a computer." (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/science/21cell.html)
Others with impressive credentials, though, say though his achievement may be impressive, his press release is considerably overblown. "That said, this is not the creation of artificial life. The scientists have used an existing cell as the vehicle for the new genome. And the medium in which they synthesized what they produced was live yeast cells in which they created their new artificial chromosomes to inject into live host bacteria cells."
(http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-dr-venters-research-has-thrilling-possibilities-1979991.html)
News articles heralded the experiment as the creation of an artificial life-form.
It reminds me of an old joke. A group of scientists and the Lord were having a contest related to the creation of life. The Lord took a handful of dirt, formed it into the shape of a human-being, and breathed into its nostrils the breath of life. The Lord added a suit of clothes and the new creation sat down to watch the rest of the proceedings. The scientists started to gather up some dirt for their turn. The Lord looked at them, shook His head and said, "Uh uh, create your own dirt."
Only God makes something from nothing.
While Venter actually came short of creating life, he did serve to illustrate that life is incredibly complex--certainly not the product of infinite chance.

It's STTA.

Overuse of the passive:

"I'm sorry this happened."

It is the most recent in a stream of confessions from that flows from the glitterati of our culture, almost as impressively as the oil spewing into Gulf. I can't totally condemn these confessions. If I knew for sure that they are what they appear to be--public relations damage control, and attempts to save or recover the flow of money--I'd be more categorical and forceful. I'll leave the matter of sincerity for another day. My point, or beef, today is that it didn't just happen. It almost never does, and if it did just happen, no confession would be in order. She did it!

Compare the typically lame celebrity confession with the words of the utterly broken King of Israel
in Psalm 51.

I'm not promoting a new order of flagellants. I am reminding all of us--few of whom will ever confess sin on network TV--that honesty, even brutal honesty is appropriate when it comes to dealing with sin. The word "confess" in 1 John literally means to say the same thing. When we confess in the Biblical sense we agree with God about our sin, and the last time I checked, He doesn't excuse it.

It's STTA

I'm Thinking About Staying Married:

Tara Parker-Pope, according to a recent Time Magazine article challenges the long-held, much-quoted statistic that half of all marriages in the US end in divorce. Her book may identify some segments of society doing better than 50%, but, according to other authorities, she doesn't slay the Divorce-Dragon. "Penn State sociologist Paul Amato . . . . writes that the half-of-all-marriages-end-badly figure still "appears to be reasonably accurate." (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1989124,00.html#ixzz0oZ7aJlXl)Far more important than figuring the staying together average for the nation is actually staying married as a couple. "Parker-Pope argues, all the talk about grim marriage stats becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. "It makes us ambivalent and more vulnerable to giving up when problems occur,"(http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1989124,00.html)Yeah!We have created a culture in which divorce is seen as being as acceptable as ordering coffee without cream. Two things happen when a culture says something is bad: It makes people, who care about the cultural voices, feel bad if they violate the cultural more.Because of #1, it will bring about a lessening of the frequency of the bad behavior.
I fear that, combined with an over-emphasis on self-image, so called, we have so focused on the first result (above) that we have forfeited the second. I don't have a study to back up my statement, but, as a pastor, I have seen marriages that work and those that have failed. In my humble opinion we want a culture that encourages people to stay married. Parents, when you and your children hear about the divorce of an acquaintance--maybe the parents of your child's schoolmate, take a minute and reflect on the loss. Help create a bias toward staying married. All of us can refuse to treat the marital-breakups of the rich and famous as just another piece of gossip-news.More than anything, those of us who are married can push down the divorce average, and lead the way. Most likely it is good for us, and it benefits those who are watching. 'til death do us part.It's STTA

How many Theologians does it take to unscrew the inscrutable?

Dr. Joseph Pinter, my Theology prof. in College used to joke about trying to "unscrew the inscrutable." Doc. I could use a little extra torque. I've been reading and thinking about the incarnation of the Son of God, in particular the kenosis. The Bible gives us straight-forward information--"The Word (referring to Christ) became flesh ." (incarnation, John 1:14) "Christ Jesus . . . emptied Himself." (kenosis, Philippians 2:5-7) For 400 years Theologians labored to adequately express in one statement what they saw, concerning this, presented throughout the New Testament. In 451 at the Council of Chalcedon, the assembled delegates agreed that Jesus Christ is one person, "the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be acknowledge in two natures [Divine and human], without confusion, without change, witout division, or separation . . ."
A contemporary Theolog, Millard Erickson, points out that the statement is essentially negative. "It tells us what 'two natures in one person' does not mean."* There is good reason for the learned, ancient scholars to be so nay-saying. We are dealing with something beyond us. After eight pretty tight pages, Erickson admits, "we may have difficulty specifying exactly the content of this doctrine."**
If I can be allowed to hang out in such learned company for a moment, I'll add my two cents. "If God couldn't do anything that I couldn't understand, He wouldn't be much of a God, would He?"
I'm still twisting. Though my progress in understanding is minimal, my advance in appreciation is great. "God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son . . . " (John 3:16).

It's STTA.

* **Erickson, M. (1985). Christian Theology. (730 & 738). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Doing my part means telling the truth--I have no part!

I don't want to get in a fight--at least not today--if you can identify who I'm talking about, and want to take a cyber-swing, you can go squabble on your own webspace,
No one will ever go wrong overestimating how ridiculous some of the statements made in commencement speeches are. They probably contain more cliches, and lame sentimentalism per minute than any other form of communication.
Recently, though, before a group of graduates who ought to know better, and a faculty who clearly does, a speaker spoke of the atonement as a combination of God doing His thing and me doing mine. God, of course, will uphold His part . . .
OK, we need atonement--not in the sappy, tie-your-running-shoes-tighter-and-get-going kind of way, but in the sense of realizing that I am a sinner, and there is nothing that I by myself can do about it, but, "Praise God! Christ did." You might want to see what the word "atonement" means in the Biblical sense. Easton's Bible Dictionary says, "Christ's mediatorial work and sufferings are the ground or efficient cause of reconciliation with God. They rectify the disturbed relations between God and man, taking away the obstacles interposed by sin." (read more)
Yes, we need atonement--THE ATONEMENT, the work Christ did on the cross making possible our receiving forgiveness, and new life, and heaven, and more.
Read more about how this can be yours here.

It's STTA.

OK,
there is probably more pavement in that in that picture than exists in the entire county where I live--maybe even throw in the neighboring county, as well.
I do identify with the scene, though.
I just read an email from my niece and nephew. They are on their way to the Czech Republic to work with young adults. Their route lies through Florida, New York, South Carolina, Virginia, Indiana, Podunkville, and Gotham City. I just returned from a pastor's conference. I had a great time. Met with one of my favorite pastoral-buddies, heard some incredible preaching, and music, ate too much and was generally refreshed. Budget and location don't allow flying to such events, so the odometer read nearly 800 miles when I returned.
I'll do another 800 between today and tomorrow. This time I'll ride instead of drive. A buddy will be chauffeur. I'll get in at least 500 miles of study while he deals with the traffic. Thank the Lord for laptops. Part of the reason I'll be studying is to be ready for a trip to the other side of the world, where I'll work with friends in a Bible conference.
I had breakfast yesterday with a friend who will be in Bangkok before long. He's going there to meet his first grandchild. She'll be born a missionary--not to Thailand--she is a traveler, too. My associate and his young family, just yesterday, were discussing his plans to move to Asia. And did I mention the purpose for today's trip is to work with a organization that has people around the world--reaching, teaching, encouraging, and sharing the Good News that Jesus Christ lived, died and rose again.
Oh, and how could I forget? My sweet wife is headed out in a minute, not as far, but part of her trip is to touch the life of a lady whose life is a complication of miseries. "People need the Lord." With a large measure of truth, this woman recently told Kathy, "You are all I have."
So, you see why the picture seems vaguely familiar.
By this time a question screams out, "Why?"
Two reasons in this already too long STTA:
People do need the Lord. It is likely that there are people who as far as eternal hope could say about you, "You are all I have."
The primary command of the Great Commission is not to go. It is to make disciples. Generally, though, it does involves going.
That pastor buddy I was just with speaks of "stewardship of opportunity."
I can't do everything, but I need to take seriously the openings where I can make a difference that the Lord puts in front of me.
What are you doing with the opportunities that the Lord put in your path?

It's STTA.

TRUTH

"The truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth." It sounds like a line from an old courtroom drama, but I intend it as a summary of some reminders that I've been receiving over the past couple of days.
So much of our world attempts to function on opinions, relativity, desires, even whims, with no regard for the truth. I admit that truth is often a difficult thing to find, but too many folk have quit looking.
The Bible purports to be truth. The fact of its survival and continued relevance might indicate that it is worth a look.
Since Solomon--even before--people have been looking for some nails to anchor life in the midst of turmoil, and we certainly need some goads to get us off the dime. (Ecclesiastes 12:11) I'm one of the Millions who has found stability and encouragement in the pages of the Bible. I invite you to have a look.

God's Word:
It's STTA.

Way too often people think that the Christian life involves only subtraction--what we don't do, what we give up, and seek to take away. I was reminded this evening that view living as the Lord would have us live in this way is a sure route to failure. Passages like Colossians two talk about that which is added--chiefly a relationship of being in Christ and He in us, that is the basis of that which is taken away.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3) For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4) When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5) Therefore . . . (continue reading)" (Colossians 3:2-5, NASB95)

It's STTA.

THANKS MOM!

A little over sixty years ago Irene Merrell gave birth to her first-born, a son, me.
It is the first of many acts for which I am very thankful on this Mother's Day weekend. Thanks, Mom!
I grew up in the era when youngsters still got chicken-pox, measles, and mumps. Mom nursed me through all of them, plus a fractured collarbone, seriously messed up knee and an occasional broken heart. "I'm there for you." is a trite, often false, catch-phrase of our culture. In my life, though, in profoundly real ways, my Mom was there.
Unfortunately, my "Happy Mother's Day" won't be in person. Mom lives with one of my sisters. Thanks Sis' for being mom to Mom. Like many folk in her age bracket, Mom is dealing with some health issues. I hope to see her next month.

Not only to my Mom, but to all you ladies who make life so much better, and with cookies and milk to boot, Happy Mother's Day.


It is STTA.

Looking Back and Looking Around, at Greece:

In many ways we can look back to Greece to see where our civilization came from. Unfortunately it may be that we can look there, now, to see where we are going.
The last I heard three people had died in riots in and around Athens, and a number of buildings have been burned or damaged. I'm not a political analyst, journalist, or economist, but it looks like the issues are pretty simple and straight-forward:
The country is broke. Without a massive amount of money from the outside, Greece will cease to exist as a nation.
Many Greeks are not willing to go along with the spending cut-backs that are necessary for the bankrupt government to receive aid from nations like Germany.
Unfortunately, I see a tendency here in the U. S, of A that could lead to that kind of action--in fact in limited ways it already has. Rather than people asking, "What is right?" too many folk ask, "What do I want?" I heard George Will give the frightening statistic that a majority of Americans had absolutely no personal interest in seeing our Government be fiscally responsible--they were on the receiving end. I heard Paul Harvey say, one time, something to the effect that once the citizens of a nation figure out they can vote themselves a raise there is little hope of that nation surviving.

A basic principle of Biblical morality is that we need to think of the needs of others and not focus only on what we "need." (Philippians 2:4)

I fear we are seeing the unraveling of a nation because people are ignoring that concept.

Are we far behind?

It is STTA.

Thanks for the Compliment:

I won't go into all the reasons behind the statement, but a young lady paid me a profound compliment just recently. She is at a point in her life where she is making an important decision--stepping up to a new level of commitment in her walk with the Lord. There was a choice about who would be involved in this step. Basically she said, "Howard is my Pastor. I want him to be involved."
That brings joy to this gray-head.
Two lessons:
When we step into places of service where we can make a difference in people's lives, sometimes we actually get to make an impact. You will never have the reward if you don't step up.
Second, there are probably folk in your life who have had a major impact. Trust me, if you let them know, it will make their day.

It's STTA.

The Reverends:

I almost never call myself "Reverend," or sign my name "Rev. Howard Merrell." It is certainly not that I am ashamed of the designation. On the contrary--I hope in the right sense--I am very proud to be a part of that privileged few, who shepherd God's people, teach God's word and seek to challenge the church to move forward with God's program in this age.
The ranks of we "Men of the cloth," though the cloth of preference is likely to be denim, has been recently expanded by two.
Rev. Brandon Lomasney grew up in the Covington Bible Church. It was my privilege to do the wedding ceremony for his mom and dad. Brandon graduated from Word of Life Bible Institute and Liberty University. He was recently ordained by Temple Baptist Church, here in Covington. Shortly after becoming a Reverend, Brandon also picked up another title, husband. Congratulations to he and Samantha.
Actually, I can't call Jacob Morse Reverend just yet. As the old saying goes, though, "It's all over but the shouting." Jacob came to our church after a profound tragedy. Jacob's birth-father murdered his birth-mom, and is now serving a life-without-the-possibility-of-parole sentence for his crime. Jacob was a confused eight-year-old when his Aunt and Uncle began the process of becoming his mom and dad. Jacob is likewise a graduate of Word of Life and Liberty University. He is currently on staff, as Pastoral-Intern, here at Covington Bible Church. He, his wife Crystal, one-year-old daughter, Kiera, and another little girl to be born in July, plan to serve the Lord with Word of Life Korea.
Jacob was examined by a group of pastors and Christian leaders this past Saturday. In particular I enjoyed the fact that two CBC missionaries--guys we had ordained in recent years--Fred Stromberg and Pink Davis, were able to participate in the ordination council, via skype. In spite of the fact that the previous week had been one of great emotion and stress--Jacob's dad was involved in a life-threatening car wreck on Tuesday prior to Jacob's examination. In fact we weren't sure that we could proceed until Thursday--Jacob answered the questions offered by the council in a more than satisfactory manner. These eight leaders found Jacob to be of sound testimony and belief, and a man who is capable of handling the word of God effectively. Their recommendation was for the Covington Bible Church to proceed with the ordination of Jacob. We'll be doing that Sunday, May 9, at 3:00 PM. You are invited. A reception for the Morses will follow.

I was privileged to be these guys pastor as they grew through childhood, teendom, and young-adulthood. In particular both these guys were part of a Sunday School class that I was privileged to teach when these guys were in seventh and eighth grade. In a track meet passing the baton in a relay-race takes but a second. Passing the torch to the next generation of Christian leadership takes years.
Run guys! Run hard! Who's next?