Saints in a Secular World

Spiritual Heat
Posted by Michael on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 10:18am
I’m sitting at my desk in my cold office writing this entry. I’m cold because, unfortunately, my heating unit went out! Perhaps there’s nothing colder than a house with a busted heating unit in the winter time! Though a temporary inconvenience, this frustrating episode did get me thinking about a sermon I recently heard. The sermon focused on the work of the Holy Spirit. In this dynamic sermon, the speaker addressed how the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our prayer life. The speaker explained the teaching of Romans 8:26-27 and provided powerfully clear teaching on the Spirit’s expressing the intimate thoughts of our hearts to God the Father. What a comforting thought. When my heating unit ceased functioning, the house gradually grew quite cold. Imagine the spiritual temperature of a person in whom the Holy Spirit does not dwell! There is no warmth because the light of God is absent. There is no sharing of genuine life because there is no union with God. Perhaps more frightening is the thought of Christians who refuse to honor their “temple” – the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit for the believer. An unkempt temple works against His divine purpose. How hindered are the prayers of that Christian! How cold that Christian will become! I expect the repairman to be here shortly to get this heating unit back on track. It’s still under a maintenance agreement – something I make sure I keep up-to-date. By the way Christians, as long as we live, we are still under God’s maintenance agreement. If you sense that spiritual heat has left your life, call on the Father to renew your spirit. Let’s keep the Holy Spirit’s temple as it ought to be so that we can enjoy the heat of His presence. Stay Faithful! Doc B. Christian Living
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Spiritual Check-Ups
Posted by Michael on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 7:31am
I recently had a routine doctor’s appointment. I always try and keep regular appointments. It’s the typical drill. I weigh in, get checked for pulse and blood pressure, and comically say to my physician, “What’s wrong with me, Doc? I think I’m falling apart!” His normal response is, “Make sure you go down swinging!” Then we talk about the various numbers that chart how I’m doing health-wise. Reflecting on this all-too-familiar experience, I started thinking that what’s good for my physical health is even better for my spiritual health. Such thoughts from Scripture as “examine yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5) and “let him who thinks he stands take heed” (1 Corinthians 10:12) came to mind. There are a number of admonitions and exhortations to examine ourselves and take note of our spiritual health. When we couple this with the fact that our spiritual health has a direct correlation to our total well-being, we can’t help but see the need for regular check-ups. Spiritual check-ups really aren’t that difficult to schedule. However, like caring for our bodies, it takes discipline. It requires discipline to feed our minds the right thought-foods. It takes regular exercise – keeping our bodies engaged in good activities that serve to glorify God. It takes regular attendance at the spiritual fitness spa – the local church assemblies for worship, Bible study, and fellowship. It also takes real, frank conversations with the Great Physician about what’s going on with us. Are we being acutely tempted in some physical, emotional, or spiritual areas? Are we struggling with numbness in prayer life? Are we having temper pressure elevations? Is our pulse in line with that of our loved ones? These are just a few areas that require routine check-up. Thank God that our Great Physician provides all that we need to heal us and keep us on maintenance! If you haven’t already, I encourage you to think about a regular spiritual fitness routine. Check your pressure points. Check your pulse. Track your progress. Talk to your Doctor. Most importantly, keep regular visits with the Great Physician. For me, it’s a daily appointment. It’s the only way I can make it! Keep Swinging! Doc B. Christian Living
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Surviving the Perfect Storm
Posted by Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 9:54am
It is a very interesting time to be a Christian in America. We are a country with such a rich heritage of Christian (or Christian-like) belief and practice. The county’s founding fathers are largely considered to have been Christian men. The historical documents that have shaped and or reflected our country are laced with Christian principles. Yet, despite all of this, we are in a quagmire of debate as to what it means to be a good Christian today. Why the predicament? There are many proposed answers to this question, and each has some merit. I would suggest that we have come to the perfect storm. The tempests of political correctness, relativism, and religious pluralism have stealthily converged upon the Christian world. This perfect storm has Christians reeling with questions as to how to react to the shifting sands of our time. These questions have to do with what constitutes moral and ethical behavior, can judgment be passed on anything, and is Jesus just a nice option in the pursuit of spiritual life. These are stressful times for many of us, and some seek refuge in the Christian world of yesteryear. It’s not that earlier expressions of Christian America were perfect – for they certainly weren’t. However, those older times did allow for a surer worldview. The good news is that we can weather this storm. The challenging news is that it will not be easy. Christianity is not now nor has ever been a lazy faith system. It has always required sober thinking in utilizing God’s word to combat opposing thoughts and ideas. God’s Old Covenant people were called to Him in the midst of a religiously pluralistic and relativistic world that had its own version of political correctness. Their challenge was to follow after Him based upon His very nature – of which standard the Law was but a reflection. Now God’s New Covenant people are being called to keep focused on His nature – as shown in Christ though the Bible - as the means for conducting themselves within an eerily similar world. I’d humbly suggest that we not get caught up in the circumlocution of contemporary arguments of political correctness, relativism, and religious pluralism. I think we are better served to focus on the revealed nature of God – inclusive of His purity, love, and righteousness – as our basis for living in this country…in this world. This aides us in determining proper behavior. This gives us absolutes on which to stand. This points us to the only one who has personally revealed Him to world. Stay Faithful! Doc B. Christian Living
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Revival Time
Posted by Michael on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 6:41am
Its revival time again! By this I’m referring to an opportunity to be the keynote speaker for a local church. I’ve been blessed with many such opportunities during my career, and this year’s agenda houses many more. As always, I relish each occasion. Generally speaking, a revival sparks thoughts of joyous singing and uplifting preaching. It’s usually viewed from the perspective of the pew. Perhaps there is need for preachers, teachers, and other public speakers to slightly redefine “revival.” While I’ve often been called upon to help “bring revival” during such events, I think that I’m the one who is really revived. It’s a privilege to speak on topics for which we have great passion. It’s an even greater privilege to be humbled in the study and preparation required to make these presentations. Therefore, in a revival, I think I receive as much as I give – if not more. My Minister once told me that learning is a humbling experience. “The more you learn, the more you find that you don’t know.” I’ve found this to be true throughout the years. Perhaps this should be the mantra of all who are blessed to teach, preach, or speak a word of encouragement and exhortation to others. It’s a mantra that can keep us humble and sensitive when tempted by arrogance and aloofness. My late Father was known for his spirited song leading. One of his favorite songs was, “Revive Us Again.” I can still hear him joyously leading that song, moving the congregation to tremendous heights of praise. As revival time begins next week, I yearn to do the same. Love Preaching the Word! Doc B. Miscellaneous
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It's What You Do
Posted by Michael on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 9:11am
Prolific author Chuck Swindoll has a knack for providing sobering thoughts in an encouraging way. I find this illustration in one of Swindoll’s books to be very useful. He entitled it, “It’s What You Do—Not When You Do It.” • Ted Williams, at age 42, slammed a home run in his last official time at bat. • Mickey Mantle, age 20, hit 23 home runs his first full year in the major leagues. • Golda Meir was 71 when she became Prime Minister of Israel. • William Pitt II was 24 when he became Prime minister of Great Britain. • George Bernard Shaw was 94 when one of his plays was first produced. • Mozart was just seven when his first composition was published. • Now how about this? Benjamin Franklin was a newspaper columnist at 16 and a framer of the United States Constitution when he was 81. I thought of this today when talking with a dear elderly sister in Christ. I first met her in my early days of ministry (my late teens). She was in her forties at that time, and I was just getting my feet wet in leading a local church. This sister has to be the hardest working Christian that I’ve ever met! She was an ardent, tireless supporter of our church ministry. I was introduced to scores of potential converts through her. I received several preaching opportunities in various churches as a direct result of her. My ministry program for that local church was championed by her. There was not a dollar that the ministry needed that she didn’t help to supply. There was not a ministry effort that she didn’t support. There was not a concern for my young family that she didn’t share. What a tremendous help the Lord gave us in my first church ministry! Now in her eighties, this dear sister (a second “Mom” to me) is still extremely active. She still works in secular employment – sometimes putting in 40-plus working hours a week. The Lord, the church, and her family still take first priority in her life. She remains active in her local church. She still calls and encourages me to keep the faith! All of this brings me back to Swindoll’s note. Here is a woman who has embodied good works over a lifetime. Here is a woman who is still about the Lord’s business. I encourage you to take on her spirit – regardless of where you are in life today. If you’re reading this blog entry, then it’s not too late to be about the Lord’s business. It’s what you do that’s important…regardless of when you start! Let's Get Busy! Doc B. Christian Living
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