“Generational Connectedness”

Someone has described the four ages of man this way: You believe in Santa Claus; you don’t believe in Santa Claus; you are Santa Claus; and you look like Santa Claus. Well my beard is white, my tummy has “done-lap-disease,” and every December little children keep staring and pointing at me while anxiously whispering excited words to a smiling mother. I guess this places me in the last age of man

A more scholarly division of adulthood by Dr. Win Arn suggests five stages of adulthood: emerging adults (18-30 yrs.); young adults (30-50 yrs.); middle adults (50-70 yrs.); senior adults (70-80 yrs.); and elderly adults (80+ yrs.). I suppose I prefer this description of the age groups because it puts me solidly in middle age and not the last stage of man! The American Board of Family Practice indicates you are middle-aged if you: “are between 46 and 65; think more about the past than the future; don’t recognize the names of the new music groups; need a day or two to recover from strenuous exercise; and worry about having money to take care of future medical needs.” Obviously they forgot one of the greatest indicators – you are middle aged when you rely heavily upon your grandchildren to explain the newest technological devices i.e. how to get new apps for the iPad you just bought from Radio Shack!

I have looked at how various generations function and interact with one another and my greatest concern is not how one divides the ages, but how one gets the various age groups to operate cohesively and not divisively. This may require tuning back the rhetoric. For example, one person of a former generation commenting on younger individuals said, “I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words. When I was a boy, we were taught to be discrete and respectful of elders, but the present youth are exceedingly wise and impatient of restraint.” You may have thought those words were lifted from current prose. The words in fact are attributed to Hesiod of the 8^th century B.C. Generational tension is not new! It goes way back!

Throughout history various age groups have always had to work at cohesiveness by communicating, respecting, and learning from one another. In the period of my youth, “the turbulent 1960’s,” there was a lot of discussion about the “generation gap” and very little emphasis upon how the various generations needed to connect to one another. Too often the notion is that younger generations do not want to connect with gray, white, or in my case – bald heads! Research does not support that belief. When PBS did a series entitled “American Family: Journey of Dreams” they revealed, “One common misconception is that they [youth] most admire celebrities --athletes, actors, or musicians. A Nickelodeon survey found quite different results. In their study, 80 percent of young people named their parents and 19 percent named their grandparents as the people that they admired most. Recent research has found that feelings of connectedness with family, other adults, the community, and social institutions greatly contribute to the health of American youth.” They added, “Researchers further found that even when a parent is not available, connectedness to another adult is highly protective, as are informal community networks, and connectedness to social institutions.”

Generations connecting with one another were assumed in the early church. Paul wrote to Timothy to “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example to those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12). As a young minister it was assumed he would engage with various age groups. He was instructed about interacting with various generations and genders, “Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger as brothers, the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity” (5:1-2). The early church would have looked with distain upon churches segregating by generational divisions Cp. Titus 2:1-8. Generations learn from one another as they interact, understand, and learn to appreciate one another.

Here is a novel idea, begin by acknowledging someone from another generation. A simple greeting is a start. Look for someone other than your peers with which to spend some time. How about sharing a meal with one another? Engage in conversation and ask them about themselves (what they do, like, think, etc.). When you attend church, you could sit in the section where the old or young folks sit. God won’t mind! He loves to hear praise from every generation and to see them love one another.

Living in Pain and Uncertainty

Every day we are faced with the reality that we live in a painfully uncertain world. The recent events in Japan illustrate this as an earthquake brought buildings down, a tsunami washed things around, a nuclear catastrophe polluted the ground, and now a financial crisis threatens to make them economically unsound. Certainly this was not what the people of Japan thought was going to happen when they awoke on March 11, 2011. What was a brief moment on a clock, seemed an eternity for those who lived through it. The world that day for millions citizens in that country was forever changed or ended.

Severe weather outbreaks in the southern states of our nation underscores for us that painful uncertainty knows no political boundaries. Accu Weather writes, “April 2011 has been a horrific month for severe weather so far with more than 1,000 reports of tornadoes, hundreds of tornado-related deaths and unthinkable destruction.” Pictures in the news captured both shattered homes and lives that will take decades to rebuild. The media has displayed thousands of faces of people etched with pain who never anticipated such devastation.

We realize that pain and uncertainty do not arise from only the natural world. Some find the source of their agony in a doctor’s report concerning a suspicious growth. For others their life is altered as they receive notification that their financial investments have failed. Devastating words from a spouse that there was no future for their marriage crushes some. Uncertainty seeps into others when an employer announces their job has been eliminated. Others find the ending of a friendship the source of their pain. Abuse of a child by a parent can leave lasting painful scars for some. The disintegration of affection between a parent and their child may produce distressful emotions. Frankly, living in a fallen, painful world is troubling.

Jesus knows people face uncertainties. He cares and He does not ignore the painful perplexities that result. Prior to his crucifixion – certainly a distressfully dark time for the disciples – he says, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). These words were spoken in the context of assurances and promises that Jesus has just made.

Among the assurances Jesus gave his followers was that they would not be facing this troublesome world alone. He promised that he would give them the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is described as the “Helper” or the “Comforter” (15:26). The Greek word that is used here means “one who is called to one's side, especially called to one's aid.” The promise was repeated immediately before the ascension after Christ’s resurrection. Jesus told his followers that the Spirit was going to be given to them so they would have the power to live as clear and bold witnesses in a painfully uncertain world (Acts 1:4-8). Because of this Jesus would promise, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NIV). We do not face the world in which we live alone, even when we feel helpless and hopeless.

The Psalmist captured the attitude we can have when he wrote, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2). When our world falls apart, God doesn’t. He is a sufficient resource when all other resources fail. He is the divine director when chaos rules. When this reality is embraced by us in our painfully uncertain world, we do not have to fear. Calmness in crisis – what a paradox.

Report after report by survivors of the tornado-ravaged South said the same thing, “We could only cry out to God.” It is significant that people facing impending catastrophic devastation called out to God. Is this a reflexive response of just a few? Or is it the deeply held, albeit vastly ignored, reality buried in the minds of a majority of people who may be trying to live as if there is no God (Psalm 2). Perhaps it takes impending doom to uncover a reality that lies buried deep in people who are living in a state of denial. The reality is that we are not god, cannot control our world, have limited power and resources, and therefore need to reach out to our Divine Creator.

One news account tells about a mother and two daughters, Stormy and Sky (appropriate names!), in Trent, GA, who survived by seeking refuge in a tanning bed in their business! One daughter thought she would die. Her mother, Linda said she had her, “Pray and pray and pray.” Somehow that mother realized they needed Someone bigger than them. Are you looking to Someone bigger than you in this painful uncertain world? “Seek the Lord… call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

Breaking Trail

The flakes of snow sifted through the white pine tree needles as we entered the forest. Snow lay heavy on the branches. The wind occasionally dislodged snow from its perch and it fell in a puffy avalanche. The response of our two granddaughters, ages 5 and 8, was joyous squeals. “Snowballs from heaven,” as I called them, plopped on their hooded heads. Soon their laughter was swallowed up in the silent stillness of the late winter wonderland that stretched out before us. Snow absorbs sound so quickly. With our snow shoes firmly fastened, we began plowing through the powdery snow to enjoy a unique look at God’s creation. The only thing we heard was the squeaking sound of snow compacting under our snowshoes.

The girls in their pastel snow suites insisted on leading the way. They were proudly “breaking trail” for Gandpop and Grandmom making it a little easier on the “old folks.” You must understand that when you snowshoe you really do not walk on top of the snow. You simply pack the snow under your broad shoes as you sink into the snow pack until the snow is able to support your distributed weight. Then you lift your snowshoe almost straight up out of the snow to make another step. Thus it is easier to snowshoe on a "packed" trail rather than a new one. The task of "breaking trail" is exhausting, especially when you are 5 and 8 years old. At that age there is no geometric theorem that says the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Their path in the woods meandered all through the trees as they explored wildlife tracks and other snow-covered mysteries. We were not far into the woods when their energy began to wane and their short little legs grew tired of “breaking trail.”

Soon two little voices tinged with a bit of whining breathlessly said, “We’re tired. Can’t you go in front?” Their energy was sapped and their enthusiasm had been evaporated by tired legs. Now they were willing to be led rather than lead. Soon Gandpop was out in front “breaking trail.” They were content with the path I made rather than making one for themselves. I led them to places in the woods to show them things that their inexperienced eyes would have missed.

At one point Gandmom decided that it would be better for the girls to stay on more level terrain. So she began to break another trail more appropriate for the legs of 5 and 8 year olds. The girls followed Grandmom without hesitation perhaps knowing my reputation for turning a short hike into a marathon march. As I continued on my trail, I could hear joyous squeals in the distance as we grew further apart. Grandmom’s path sounded like it was fun. My path… well let’s say it was becoming more an endurance exercise rather than an enjoyable stroll. When I came across fresh bear tracks, I thought Grandmom’s trail might be the better one to take and my excursion ended. I thought to myself, “I guess there are early risers even among the bear population!”

I learned something from this day in the woods. First, it is easier to let someone who has more strength and wisdom to “break trail.” Think of this reality in the spiritual realm. We assume that we can make our own path in the world without God and His leading. We can. However, is this the wisest thing to do? In doing so are we only asking for trouble? The Psalmist thought about that and wrote, “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long… He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Psalm 25:4, 5, 9). God is stronger and wiser. He can “break trail” in life much better than I can.

A second discovery I made is that paths we choose can lead to the unexpected. Our wisdom is so limited as human beings. When I took my trail, I did not expect to encounter fresh bear tracks in February in the middle of a snow storm. I did not expect that the course over the hilly terrain I chose would be so exhausting. I had minimized risk and maximized capabilities. How foolish. I often do the same thing in life. I do not consider the path God is setting before me and I rely on my own wisdom. Solomon, one of the wisest of all men said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3:5-7). Sadly, later in his life it appears he forgot that principle.

I am grateful that God is willing to “break trail” for me. The Psalmist said, “You have made know to me the path of life” (16:11). What I must consider is whether or not I am following that trail or choosing to forge my own way. A walk in the woods on a snowy day let me reflect on how I needed to live life. You don’t have to wait for a snowy day to do some reflection. A “walk” in the Word of God can produce the same results – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). Let God “break trail” for you. You will find life much more manageable.

"Follow the Right Leader"

As Canadian geese honked overhead, I plodded along through my daily predawn walk. There was still crispness in the late winter air, yet the temperatures had modified over the last several days melting snow piles and allowing patches of grass to materialize over night. I looked up and admit a smile formed on my face when I realized that the v-shaped flock was headed in a generally northern direction. The leading goose flapped away as the rest followed as an obedient avian flock on a mission. “Can spring be far away?” I mused. I could at least be hopeful.

The sighting of the flock of geese reminded me of the 1996 movie release entitled Fly Away Home. This movie was loosely based upon a true-life experience of a Canadian, Bill Lishman. He theorized that if he could get a flock of geese to become “imprinted” (the process by which birds will approach and follow an object to which they are exposed soon after hatching – from Scienceray.com) he could get them to follow an ultra light aircraft. In 1993 he successfully went through this “imprinting” process with some newly hatched goslings and later that fall led a flock of 16 Canadian geese from Ontario, Canada, to Northern Virginia. He had convinced these birds that he and the ultra light were leaders worth following. Fortunately he was a leader that had their best interests at heart.

Each fall there are groups of people who also try to lead Canadian geese. They do not use an ultra light aircraft; they use decoys cleverly set in fields and waterways along the geese’s migration routes. They are called goose hunters. Through skill and trickery these hunters try to get the geese to follow their lead and land where decoys are strategically located. Geese that follow the hunters “leadership” often end up a tasty meal on a hunter’s kitchen table. These leaders have their own best interests in mind, not the geese’s.

You have to be careful when it comes to following a leader. Following is important. So is knowing who and what you follow. If you follow the wrong person or thing – no matter how sincere and how much effort you invest – you can be in trouble. Following the right leader is as important as the activity itself! Who wants to have their goose cooked by a dangerous leader!

In our lives there are many “leaders” that vie for our followership. They may arise from among our peers, popular cultural personalities, religious instructors, educational institutions, print and electronic media, friends, and a host of other sources. The point is they are attempting to influence us to head in a particular direction and toward a specific outcome. The challenge is to determine if the leader is taking us where we really should be going and thus worthy of our followership.

Throughout the Bible there is ample evidence that leaders need to be scrutinized and not blindly followed because of their charming personalities, convincing propositions, and pleasing promises. One biblical warning states it this way, “There were false prophets [looking back at history]… even as there will be false teachers among you [looking ahead in history] who will secretly bring in destructive heresies… and bring on themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1). Here it seems clear if you follow the wrong leader you might find yourself destroyed along with them. That is why it is essential to inspect a leader’s leading by measuring them against the absolutes of Scripture. The people in Berea did this in Acts 17:11 as they listened to the leaders of the early church, Paul and Silas. Dr. Luke reports they listened to their leading, but they also “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

One needs to be careful about who and what they follow or they could find their goose is cooked! I just heard another flock of geese outside my window. I hope their leader is taking them north. I’m anxious for spring!

Loving God as Much as the Super Bowl

I love football. I loved to play it. I love to read about it. I love to watch it. So when the Super Bowl came along years ago, I loved it. The first Super Bowl was played when I was a college freshman, January 15, 1967. I clearly remember this game between the AFL and the NFL league champions as they bashed one another for bragging rights. I watched the game on a 21-inch black and white television located in the lounge of the men’s dorm of Philadelphia College of Bible. The room was packed with guys sitting on discarded couches and chairs and munching cheeseburgers and fries from a “greasy spoon” called St. George’s. The food wasn’t great, but it was functional – the heart burn you got from the food could keep you awake all night so you could study. I remember little about that game, but I remember that it was a great evening!

From that humble beginning, the Super Bowl has morphed into a world all of its own. The game has become an unofficial national holiday gathering family and friends around all sorts and sizes of screens. Most years it is the most-watched television broadcast in the USA. Last year 106.5 million viewers made it the largest TV audience in history. People watch football teams play a game and half-watch a half-time show – often of dubious interest. They laugh at commercials funded by corporations that pay millions of dollars for fleeting seconds of opportunity, hoping to capture the nation’s attention and hawk their products.

Consumption of food has become a key ingredient to watching the game, becoming second in the USA only to Thanksgiving as the largest day for food consumption. The cost of the food, estimated at about $55 million, including among others things: 15,000 tons of chips, 4,000 tons of popcorn, and 8 million pounds of guacamole! It is no coincidence that the Monday after Super Bowl, 7-Eleven claims their sales of antacid increases 20 percent and there is a 6 percent increase of all working Americans who call in sick. I suppose you could say, “Americans love their Super Bowl… no matter what it costs them.”

What would happen if people loved God as much as they loved the Super Bowl? First, people would give a lot of attention to God. He would not be a casual interest. He would be a compelling reason to adjust schedules and make sure that nothing would interrupt time with Him. People would hardly be able to wait for Super Sunday to get to church to focus upon God. Each day there would be discussions about God’s strategies and daily opportunities would be taken to read the Bible and to learn about how God operates.

If people loved God like the Super Bowl, then they would gather family and friends together to focus upon God. There would be no fear that someone might not be interested in God. In fact, the love they had for God would have them thinking it would only be natural that their associates would want to love God too. Invitations to encounter God would be so natural that people who loved God would look at their invitation as a reasonable act of friendship, not an invasion into a person’s private world. There would be lots of enthusiasm and little embarrassment.

Loving God like people love the Super Bowl would bring joy into the lives of those who loved God. Being with God would be seen as a wonderful time of celebration, not a mere obligation or something to be tolerated and endured. They would think of all the victories God had won and reflect on the exciting prospect of what God was going to do. Cheers of praise would flow out of their lips. Being in God’s presence is where they wanted to be, and they rejoiced that they had the opportunity to do so. After all, God the Son is the champion over sin and death! He has already won the game over our soul’s opponent, Satan.

If one loved God like they do the Super Bowl, one would not think about the cost and fret about the sacrifice of being with God. You would just be glad to be able to be there and experience Him. After all, you would think, “Isn’t He worth it?”

Loving God is more important than the Super Bowl. The 45th Super Bowl will be over in a few days and few will even remember much about the game. On the other hand, God and His love for you will last for forever and it impacts your eternal soul. Why not love God more than the Super Bowl?

Keeping a Christmas Promise

Last week the wind was bitter and snow dusted the cemetery as I pushed against the car door that seems glued shut by the force of the squall. My traditional pilgrimage to my family’s grave plots was again met with a blast of winter weather that always seems to accompany the yearly ritual. This annual trek started years ago when Dad complained that I never went to the cemetery to see the family graves. My theological explanations and rationalization for my lack of attendance did not seem to diminish his disappointment. He commented that after he was gone there would be no one to put the “Christmas blankets” of greens on the graves.

One part love and one part guilt joined together to generate a promise from me. “Look Dad,” I said, “I promise that after you are gone; I’ll carry out the tradition as long as I can.” Several weeks after those words were spoken, the day after Christmas 1997; Dad unexpectedly went home to be with the Lord.

Almost a year later, on a frigid day in December 1998, I was at the cemetery trying to fasten “Christmas blankets” to frozen ground as snow flakes fell. All the while I knew Dad was in the perfect environment of heaven with the Lord, along with Mom, my sister, and other family members who had trusted Jesus Christ to be their Savior. For the Bible promises that believers in Christ can be assured that when we are absent from the body we are at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Yet there I was with frozen red hands pounding metal fasteners in the ground. Why? Because I made a promise – a promise my children witnessed – and it was a promise I intended to keep.

There will come a day when I will not be able to keep that promise to my Dad, because, after all, I am human. This is the problem with human promises. They have limitations attached to the best of intentions. Think of some of the limiting factors we face in fulfilling our word including physical frailty, limited resources, finite life spans, and the inability to control many other circumstances associated with our humanness. This year I was able to drive to north Philadelphia and keep my promise. I have no idea if I can do that next year.

I thank God that He has no limiting factors associated with His promises. His abilities are unbounded. His resources are unlimited. His integrity is impeccable. His power is immeasurable. His character is saturated and overflows with mercy and grace. As such, I have every confidence that God will honor His word and fulfill that which He says He will do. He is not fickle like humans often are.

A major demonstration of God’s ability to keep his promises is displayed at Christmas. God promised Mary, Joseph, and shepherds, through angelic messengers, that Jesus would come and be the one to save people from their sin (Luke 1:26-33; 2:8-12; Matthew 1:20-21). Their message was simply a continuation of the prophetic promises God had given previously concerning Jesus in the Old Testament (i.e. he would be born in Bethlehem; he would have the specific genealogical heritage; he would have a miraculous birth; he would be worshipped by royalty; his birth would be accompanied by mourning; he would have an Egyptian connection; he would have an amazing name; etc.). God did exactly what He said He would do that first Advent.

Seeing how God kept His promise at Christmas encourages me as I consider the other promises God makes throughout the pages of Scripture. I am promised that God will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). I have the assurance that my God shall supply all my needs (Philippians 4:19). I am encouraged to realize that God’s Word guarantees that nothing shall separate me from the love of God – no not even death (Romans 8:35-39). I realize too that God’s promises touch not only my present life, they touch my future too. God the Son, Jesus Christ, promised a Second Advent – that he would come again and take me to heaven to a place He has prepared for me (John 14:1-6). God who has fulfilled His promises, is fulfilling His promises, and will fulfill His promises as we enter eternity.

At Christmas I remember that I have made a promise I hope I can keep. Even more importantly at Christmas, I am reminded that God can and does keep His promises.

Moving to the Next Phase

Following up the letter to the congregation about our decision to conclude our ministry at the church next year, December 2011, Abe Fisher (current Chairman of the Elders) and Doug Denlinger (new Chairman of the Elders) addressed the congregation before the morning worship services on November 14, 2010. I also shared the following comments:

“Life is essentially a series of phases that God sovereignly leads us through. As we leave one phase we understand that that phase is closed and will not be altered. We also realize at the same time the Lord is sovereignly opening up a new phase of life and he wants us to enter into it by faith. We are to confidently move ahead embracing the truth that the next phase may be unknown to us, however the Lord already has the path well charted. Calvary Monument Bible Church, Doris and I are entering into a new phase.

"As we move into this next phase, I want to assure you of something. Our relationship to this church will remain special, but different. In the letter you received, I hope you understand how special you are when I wrote, “This church represents people we deeply love, a ministry we fully support, and a part of God’s harvest field were we have invested half our lives.” Yet things will be different.

"A ministry friend drew an analogy between pastors who move from a ministry with the father of the bride. I have pondered that analogy. The father stands at the end of the church aisle and realizes in brief moments the relationship between his daughter and he will soon be very different. It creates a tug at the father’s heart. But even after a 'new man' enters into his daughter’s life, the love for his daughter does not change. The relationship is indeed different, but on another level, a relationship remains because the love remains. I expect the same will be true in the leadership change that will be occurring in our church. The relationship will be different, yet a relationship will remain.

"I will be praying for you as the Lord leads this congregation to a new man, a new pastor, who will enter into this congregation’s life. I pray that he will love you and serve you. I pray that you will love him and support his ministry among you.

"I am asking that you support the rest of the ministry team – my fellow “under shepherds” of the pastoral staff and the elders. They will be walking with you through this process and will need your prayers for wisdom, spiritual understanding, and patient endurance. They will be taking on more responsibilities and will need your encouragement and helpful efforts to lift some of the load. I am praying for unity and love to abound as this phase of our church’s life. We cannot allow Satan to have any foothold in our congregation through the manifestation of ungodly attitudes or actions.

"I will continue serving here for the next year. So don’t turn this time into a funeral dirge. Doris and I are excited for what God has ahead for us. We take this step of faith fully convinced that we are to “Trust the Lord with all our heart, and lean not on our own understanding; in all our ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct our paths” (Prov. 3:5-6). I pray too that our church will have this same conviction."

Thanks for praying for us as we will be assuming the title of Minister-at-Large in about a year from now. The position is described like this: "As Minister-at-Large, Pastor Reid will serve beyond the walls of Calvary Monument Bible Church to the larger universal church through the teaching of Scripture, the strengthening of the body of Christ, and the encouragement of churches and Christian workers, in the U.S. and around the world. He will be free to serve whenever and wherever he believes the Lord has provided the opportunity. He will report annually to the elders of Calvary Monument Bible Church, and may seek their prayer and counsel regarding opportunities for ministry."