Something left when you're done

Heritage:

This morning was Friday morning on the side of the world where I live now. It's fourteen hours in the future compared to my home in Virginia. At eight this morning I was beginning a class that I teach at Pacific Islands University. We typically start our classes with prayer. So as we went to the Lord in prayer on Fridaymorning it was six in the evening, back in Virginia. Thursday at 6:00 PM my home church and several other congregations were beginning the last night of a big event for teenagers, TEENWEEK. My class was praying for TEENWEEK. More than three decades ago, Covington Bible Church started TEENWEEK. I was privileged to be instrumental in its beginning and continuation.  Some of the Teens and leaders at TEENWEEK '18   As the class and I prayed this morning, what was going on in Virginia seemed very distant. I guess that is because it is very distant, both in miles and minutes. I don't want to give the idea that I think that doing games in a mud-pit, having a half-court basketball tournament, or serving up fifty pizzas at a time is essential to the cause of Christ. It isn't, and I know that. TEENWEEK, however, is a tool that has been used by God's people and blessed by God. I feel a bit like someone who is attending his own funeral. Normally, we think about heritage as something that goes beyond a person's life. I'm privileged to be alive and see something that by God's grace I was privileged to be involved in, that still goes on. Some of the leaders in the picture above are children the teens I was privileged to work with years ago. They are doing TEENWEEK and, more importantly, taking leadership in reaching a new generation. Thank You, Lord. My advice to you is, Go do something that lasts. It's Something To Think About. To see more about TEENWEEK '18, scroll through the posts at the Covington Bible Church Facebook page.

A Grandpa Moment

HERITAGE:

For most of the year, Kathy and I live on the other side of the world. We enjoy it, but we also enjoy the opportunities we have to visit here in the mainland USA. I don't want to offend the rest of you, but at the top of the list of why we enjoy visiting here are Christopher, Carrington, Madeline, Kendal, Silas, Kira, and Ava--our grandchildren. On this trip, we have been able to see all of them, except Carrington. She was busy at college finishing up projects and studying for finals. Like all of our grandchildren, we are proud of her.   I recently had a conversation with a Godly gentleman who has been getting a senior-discount for a while. Neither of us is done, but both of us recognize that our time to make a difference is limited. One way of maximizing that is to invest in those who still have a long time to be involved in active service. People ask me, "Are you retired?" I guess technically I am. I draw Social Security, the church where I was privileged serve as pastor for 40+ years gave me the "emeritus" title, I've been excused from any expectation that I'll participate in any athletic endeavors at PIU, and I'm comfortable with the old-guy personae. Yet, I'm probably busier than I have been in years. Clearly the focus of my activity, though, is not on what I can do; it is on working with others--equipping them to do good work long after I can't do anything. It is quite likely that my youngest grandchild will live into the 22nd Century. All of them will be making a difference in the world long after I'm gone. While grandchildren aren't the only heritage we leave behind they do powerfully illustrate the concept. What will remain? Heritage, it's not only a topic for we gray-heads. Even you youngsters ought to ask yourselves, "What will I leave behind?" It's Something to Think About. PS: The picture, above, is of the 2018 commencement exercises at Pacific Islands University, where Kathy and I are privileged to serve. Find out more about PIU, and this part of the heritage we hope to leave in the current edition of Live Ready, a publication of Liebenzell Misssion, USA. Click on the link above or on the picture to the left, to find out more.

Memorial Day Thoughts From the Patriarch

Something to Think About Remembering:

I don't feel patriarchal--other than a gradual slowdown, and a few aches and pains, I feel good, but I guess I am the patriarch.  My Mom died a few years ago, her parents a long time ago, and on that side I'm the oldest in my generation.  My Dad died when he was four years younger than I am.  His Dad died when he was a toddler, and his mom three decades ago.  I have two cousins older than me on Dad's side of the family, but they are both of the matronly persuasion, and I'm senior on Mom's side, so, though I'm sure my family could do better, I am the Patriarch.  They didn't get to vote. From my white topped perch I share a few memories on this Memorial Weekend. Grandpa Hargrove was a man who worked hard all his life.  I'm told that when he was just a boy he was already driving teams of mules.  Somebody has to break those famously stubborn hybrids to get them to respond to the "gee," "haw," & "whoa" commands.  Grandpa did that.  My mom shared a life-long fear of big animals, inspired, she said, by seeing her Dad come in with his head split open after a round with one of the ornery beasts.  I never saw him use it, but I remember seeing Grandpa's old bull-whip (in his case wouldn't it be a "mule-whip"?) hanging on the wall.  Grandpa was recognized as a man who was a "good hand with stock."  He died showing an Angus bull he had raised and trained.  It wasn't the bull that took him, it was a stroke.  I was told the big, black animal just stood there next to his fallen master.  Grandma married again, to a man named Mr. Rogers.  She outlived him as well. Dad's father died in a railroad accident in Arkansas.  My Dad and his two brothers were raised by a widowed mom, and an assortment of relatives, who it always sounded to me like, from the stories Dad told, weren't all that helpful.  My Dad, and his two brothers fought in World War 2.  Together with an uncle (husband of Mom's sister) they helped defeat the scourge of the mid-Twentieth Century.  Two of my Mom's brother's served in post-war Germany.  My Dad's oldest brother died in the fighting around Saint Lo one month after he came ashore at Utah Beach.  The middle brother suffered as a prisoner of war, eventually losing a lung and his eyesight.  He became an avid fisherman, gentleman farmer, lover of rabbit beagles, and, toward the end of his life, mastered the art of reupholstering furniture.  Dad tried farming, and a couple of other ventures after the War.  Like so many other Southern Boys, he moved north for work.  I was raised in the Suburbs of Chicago.   My family logged, worked on railroads, built tires,turned out rolled steel, help put men on the moon, worked the high-iron that became the Super Dome, fed a nation and helped save the world. Me?  I sit in my living room on this Memorial Weekend and reminisce.  I hope it will stir your memories in a worthwhile direction. It’s STTA. Read here to find out about the greatest blessing.

Well Done.

Something To Think About Charles Ryrie:

News came to me, yesterday about the death of Dr. Charles Ryrie. I live and minister way downstream from the likes of Charles Ryrie.  I was not privileged to be in one of his classes, though a number of my friends were.  I heard him preach a time or two.  To be honest, I wasn’t all that impressed.  I don’t think preaching was his forte’.  On the other hand, I have been very blessed and helped by the books he wrote, and the legacy he left.  As I write, I’m looking across the room at one of his Theology texts.  His Balancing the Christian Life not only helped me maintain equilibrium, but as I taught its truths to others it helped them stay on track as well.  My alma mater, a school where I serve on the board, another where a friend is on staff, and I have no idea how many others have all been blessed by donations from his foundation.  Dr. Ryrie chose to write and minister in a way that reached down to people like me who, though not in the realm of academe, need folk who work in the upper stories to send some stuff down the chute to us.  On the first page of his Basic Theology he said, “Theology is for everyone. . . . every Christian should read theology.” Thank you for giving us something to read; your legacy remains. Dr. Ryrie was an unapologetic dispensationalist, in fact, he is one of the definers of the movement.  He maintained that view in a day when it isn’t cool.  I haven’t read about young, restless, and dispensationalbloggers.  Many disagree with his conclusions, about Israel, the church, and last things.  I’m still mostly on that side.  I disagreed with him about his views on divorce (I’m glad I was never asked to debate him, though.), and I pretty much landed on the other end of the unfortunate “Lordship Salvation” debate.  It always appeared clear to me, though, that Charles Ryrie had a trait about his scholarship and writing that we need a lot more of.  His writings, teaching, and the way he oversaw the investments from his foundation reflect this basic truth: “. . . the entire Bible came from God to show us how to live. . . . God used men and gave us a completely truthful Bible.” What Charles Ryrie believed, taught, and wrote, came from what he believed to be the teaching of Scripture. A few months ago a friend of mine had the privilege of sitting down and chatting with Dr. Ryrie.  They talked Theology.  I figure he’s doing a lot of that about now. It’s STTA.

Family Heritage:

Something To Think About, Family:

I was privileged to hang out with my wife's family over the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Really, at this point in my life they are my family.  They are a remarkable group.  Their impact for the Lord's work is significant.  Their salt and light influence is clearly a result of God's grace, but beyond doubt one of the prime channels of Divine blessing were two parents who loved the Lord and were dedicated to bringing up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).  While I didn't grow up in their home, I am the recipient of God's grace that came through their dedicated parenting. It was uncanny.  We are a group of people in their 50s and 60s, yet our conversation clearly indicated that we have yet to get over our raising.  Parents, God has given you a powerful opportunity.  Make the most of it.  To all of us, if our parents gave us Book of Proverbs kind of resources to build on, let's make sure that we erect lives worthy of that foundation.  To those of you who look back and find that your parents didn't give you a good start, stay tuned.  We aren't doomed. It's Something To Think About.

A Heritage Worth Inheriting:

It's early morning.  I'm sitting in the room that used to be the sanctuary of Covington Bible Church.  It has been otherwise for so long, now--about thirty years--that only a few of us can still picture our fellowship hall with pews--I remember when we painted and padded those pews--and pulpit.  As I sit here in the morning quiet I think of Maxine Kouns, George and Ava Reynolds, Berlin and Alma Sizemore, Guy and Eleanor Brown, and others.  All of those I named are folk who worshiped with us in this building and have since gone to heaven.  They are names that mean little to most of those who come here for Sunday School, Prayer Meeting or Sunday morning breakfast, but they left their mark.  In some cases this room is part of the mark they left.
Last Sunday, here at CBC, I asked myself and ourcongregation, "How can we leave behind a worthwhile heritage that lasts?
Joseph certainly accomplished that.  His lasting impact is summarized in the deathbed words of his dad, Jacob.
I won't re-preach the message here.  (If you check at ourwebsite you'll find how to access a recording of it.)  A couple thoughts, though, to keep in mind:

• Building a positive heritage usually takes a long time.  That is certainly true about Joseph.  His young adulthood was spent in obscurity--slavery and prison--preparing him for his public impact.  Moses spent eighty years preparing for the last forty years of his life.  Most of us will not do any one outstanding thing.  If our life is to have lasting impact, it will be because we have taken a great many baby steps in the right direction.
• What would otherwise be a solid heritage can be torn down.  Maybe it is one of life's "unfairnesses," but it can be ruined much quicker than it can be built.  Both Saul, the King of Israel, and Benedict Arnold, of colonial American fame, had  sterling qualities.  They were eclipsed by their failures.
• Heritage building is one of those pursuits that is self-defeating.  It must be a by-product of Godly, obedient living.  If it is our main goal we will fail at it.  It is clearly one of those "He that tries to keep it will lose it" concepts.

My grandfather used to say, "You pay for your raisin' when you raise your own."  The same can be said for heritage, as a member of family, a member of THE church, and my church, as well as a member of my community and nation, I am greatly privileged by the heritage others have left.

Lord, may live so that I will leaves something for others.  Amen. 

 It's STTA. 

NEXT

I'm neck deep in the blessing of heritage.
As I type this, I'm upstairs in my son's house. He and my daughter-in-law are downstairs doing premarital counseling with a young couple who show every sign of being world-changers. In just a few weeks the young man is headed to a land that was closed to the gospel until just recently for a short-term ministry. I'm connecting the dots in my mind. The dots go back to times with a skinny kid,and beyond. They fade into the horizon, who knows where.
It's one of my granddaughters' birthday today. All of my grandchildren profess to love the Lord. The oldest of them displays a passion for the things of God that challenges me. They are growing up in homes where Joshua's words apply. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
I just heard reports about a spiritual son and grandson who are serving the Lord. Like John, I take joy in knowing that they are "walking in truth" (2 John 4 & 3 John 3) and serving the Lord.
Another, with whom it has been my privilege to share life, is together with his family, on his way back to place where they are punching holes in the darkness,


I'm asking myself, "What will I do this year that will go beyond me?"
You?




It's STTA.