A healthy diet

Yes, I realize I am writing about diets two days prior to Thanksgiving. But you will be pleased to note that I am not talking about the food you eat or don't eat during this week.

I came across this quote recently: "It is the responsibility of every pastor to ensure that his flock is being fed the proper diet consisting of one ingredient - God's Word." While I have long known this and readily agree, I was struck by something I had never bothered to consider before. A diet with only one ingredient in it depends crucially on that ingredient. That means that as a pastor, it is imperative that I prepare a diet for my flock carefully.

The impact and application of this thought is staggering! I need to carefully select my ingredient to fit the dietary needs of my flock. Notice that the choice is based on need and not preference or taste. While the collective needs differ from the individual needs, I must prepare my ingredient so that the maximum nutrition is gained for the entire flock.

How often have I settled for the spiritual equivalent of cheese doodles and neglected the One Ingredient that was really necessary for my spiritual health and development? How often have I presented a meal of cheese doodles to my flock? May God help me to never do so!

Honoring veterans

This weekend has been deemed "Veteran's Weekend" (or Remembrance Weekend in Canada) to honor those who have laid their lives on the line for their country.

Our family is privileged to number several of our members in the ranks of national service. An uncle in the Marine Corps (ret.), a cousin formerly in the Air Force, and another uncle in the Navy (served in WWII) give us cause to stand proudly with those who defend our nation's honor.

I spent a major portion of the day Thursday touring the USS Hornet (CVA-12). What an amazing vessel filled with history. I left in awe of the men who served aboard her, the women who helped build her, and the nation that this grand ship defended.

But what of our other veterans? What of those who rose, not in defense of a country, but in defense of their faith? This Veterans' Remembrance Weekend, I propose we reflect on those listed on The Memorial Wall in Hebrews. Those of whom "the world was not worthy" but who lived their lives as examples of faith.

Names like Samson, Abraham, Jephthah, Moses, Gideon should echo alongside Luther, Calvin, Wycliffe, Wesley, Ketcham, Jones, Sunday and ahead of MacArthur, Washington, Pershing, Patton, and Nimitz.

To any veterans reading, Thank you! To those of you reading who have defended the faith, Thank you! May we all be veterans in the "good fight".

But they are . . .

How many times have I heard from either my children or the children of others "But they are / were ..."? It is easy to validate one's actions by comparing them to anyone OBVIOUSLY 'worse' than one's self. But when the measuring standard is God's holiness, who really measures up?

What does it say about God when He takes someone 'doing worse things than I' and uses them to correct me? Is this a demonstration of some divine masochistic delight? Hardly. When God chooses to use anyone - be they 'good', 'bad', or 'ugly' - it is His sovereign choice to do so. None of us merit anything of worth from Him.

The next time I need to be corrected, may I have the right attitude: one that praises God for loving me enough to correct me; and not the attitude that criticizes and argues about the agent He uses to correct me.

Come ye Thankful People, Come!

Fall brings its unique charm to the Bay Area. Gone are the leaf-burning, smoke-filled autumns of my Pennsylvania youth. Banished are the fantastic flaming displays of foliage of the Northeast. In their place comes the crisp brisk mornings around the San Francisco Bay and the luxuriously warm afternoons. Rain is hinted at from time to time, but usually showers are the only resulting precipitation. Snow is unheard of at this elevation!

What better month to have set aside as one of thanksgiving! And truly there is much for which to be thankful. God's direction and provision continue to amaze and impress me. He has glorified His name above all others in recent months; and by Thanksgiving Day, a new ministry will have begun - thanks to His provision. Health and safety have been provided in abundant measure over the past 12 months. Loved ones were protected while in harm's way; activities were "routine" instead of "casualty laden." Even in the Homegoing of loved ones (2 in our family since last November), God graciously provided grace, strength, peace, comfort, and above all HOPE that there is more to living than just this lifetime.

But, as we pause to reflect on the agrarian harvest holiday, what of our own harvesting efforts? Have we been faithful in our own corner of the field, laboring for the Master and being about His work? What sheaves have been borne out of our bearing the precious seed with tears to our own community? Yes, God gives the increase; but we are to be planting and watering.

God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied!
Come ye thankful people, come! Raise the song of Harvest Home!