Walking with a King

I was blessed this past week to be given two passes to Arnold Palmer's PGA tournament at Bay Hill here in Orlando. I called a good friend and the two of us enjoyed four days of beautiful Florida weather, the vistas of a spectacular golf course, and the amazing way the pros play the game. Since the "free" passes were for the entire week we even took in the "Pro-Am" event on Wednesday. One tee time we made sure to see was the tee time of the King, 80 year old Arnie, himself. He played that day with hockey great, Bobby Orr, and Homeland Security Director, Tom Ridge. After the grouping finished the first hole they proceeded to walk toward the 2nd tee and during that 100 yard or so walk guess who I ended up walking next to....The King, himself! I even managed to brush his shoulder with mine and offer a humble and polite greeting.

O.K., so you know where this is going. I'm goin' there anyway! I, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, have been given another "free pass". And with that one I will have the blessing of walking side by side with the "real" King, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lord's.....Jesus Christ, Himself! On that special day I suppose my response will be to get as close as I can and offer a humble and polite greeting. So once again, while I certainly enjoyed the moment, I know that the BEST IS YET TO COME!

Just One More Cast!!!

If you are any kind of fisherman I know that there have been times when, after a great full day of fishing, you have found yourself saying; "Just one more cast!" Why? Because you are just certain that "the big one" is right there underneath that log and although you've already got a "mess" to clean that one more cast might just bring you the best catch of the day.

I went fishing this past week and enjoyed every minute of the day. The weather was beautiful, the water was clear, a gentle breeze helped our drift, and the fish were hitting. I cherished each moment on the lake and soaked it all in the best I could but when the day was almost done I found myself asking my fishing buddy; "can't we make one more drift...just one more" (I said the same thing three separate times). Why? Not because i hadn't enjoyed the entire experience but because I was sure that the BEST WAS YET TO COME!

My youngest son, Drew, now 27, told me the other day he thought my blog "too dark" to much focus on "death". He said he understood that for the Christ follower the best is yet to come but that I didn't need to think about it so much. Then I read my daughter's facebook status that said she found herself looking forward to so many things but maybe missing the moment. And I thought about my fishing trip.

For my entire life I have enjoyed the moment. It is the moments that comprise the life. Discovering true love, watching your children being born, cheering for your favorite teams, seeing someone "come to Christ", experiencing childhood, youth, the young adult years, the middle adult years, and even the senior adult years. Moment after moment after moment to be enjoyed and savored, to be cherished and devoured.

On the fishing trip, with a live well full of fish, I still couldn't wait to make one more cast and see what might happen. In life, with so many wonderful memories filling my heart, I still can't wait to see what lies just around the corner. For me, THE BEST IS NOW and and yet I know that THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

I'm Blessed thank you. And you?

Some time ago I made a choice. Whenever someone would ask me; "How are you?" my chosen response would be; "Blessed, thank you. And you? It is interesting the responses I get from so many people that I really don't know. People like the clerk at the bank or the grocery store. I wasn't sure it was making any kind of real impression but I kept it up none the less.

A couple of days ago, at the grocery store where I shop, got my answer. The check out girl was new and being trained by a manager who had helped me check out several times. As she started sliding my few items across the scanner she said;
"How are you today, sir?"
"Blessed, thank you, and you?", I replied.
"I'm fine.", was her somewhat puzzled response as she quoted me the damage and her supervisor handed me my plastic bag filled with my goodies. (don't ask)

About half way to the store door I overheard the manager say to the new clerk; 'Now there's a true Christian man!" I felt good, as I made my way to the car, to know that the message of my faith had come through and that if the manager was a Christ Follower (and I believe she is) that I had given her the perfect opportunity to share her own faith.

As I was basking in the good feelings of being acknowledged as a "true Christian man" I was reminded that, no matter how good it felt, it would pale in comparison to the day when I check out of this life and check in to Heaven. On that day I hope to hear the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's say; "Father, now there's a true Christian." On that day I will truely understand the meaning of being "blessed" and fully understand that THE BEST WAS YET TO COME.

What'd I Say?

It has been my blessing to have continued my ministry here in the Orlando area for I have found a new opportunity of sharing the Gospel that is somewhat out of my confront zone. I am talking about the chance to preach with an interpreter! Since moving here in 2004 I have found myself preaching to Spanish speaking congregations, Creole speaking congregations, and Vietnamese Speaking congregations. All with the use of a translator! This doesn't even count preaching every Sunday to a beautiful group of folks for whom some English is their "second" language. Needless to say, in each case, it is an ongoing challenge.

Yesterday I shared with a wonderful group of believers at the Orlando Vietnamese Nazarene Church as they celebrated their 6Th anniversary as a church and also the "Lunar" New Year. The musical part of the service was wonderful (ever tho I didn't understand a word). You could just see the presence of the Lord on their redeemed faces and hear their love for the Savior in their voices. The interpreter was amazing as he followed me around the platform echoing my every word (I hope), the people were responsive, and the Holy Spirit put it all together to make a special service.

As I thought about it, on the short drive home, I couldn't help but thank the Lord for placing me in this place right now, late in my ministry. It is a vista and positioning that I have never had before and it is incredible! I thought also about Heaven and how spectacular it will be as we come together to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! No one will need anyone else to speak his words of praise. Somehow people from all nations will join in joyous celebration together and language will not be a barrier. I thank God for the things that He is teaching me and the blessings He is sending my way.....but deep in my heart I know that THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Weather Report: "It's goin' be hot, it's goin' be cold."

It's that time of year when everybody in the "northland" wished they lived in Florida. The wind chills in places like Coleman, Michigan or Avon, Indiana are - 30 degrees, schools are closed, roads are blocked by drifting snow, and being outside can be a literal "pain". Here in the Sunshine state right now it is in the high 60s and low 70s, the sky is deep blue, the grass is green, and the oranges are waiting to be picked. It seems, right now, to our northern friends that good old Florida is the place to be. But wait a few months! Now the temperatures in the land of the relentless sun are in the mid to high 90s, the humidity to stifling, and the sever thunderstorms (with the occasional hurricane) are to be expected. Meanwhile, it is the north that has become the desired destination with its' low humidity, temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s, and the fresh, cool, refreshing evenings. Both places have their pluses and minuses.

Whether you prefer to endure the cold and snow for the beautiful summers or you prefer to endure the scorching heat for the mild winters, there is one thing that remains perfectly true for the Christ-follower (you guessed it) THE BEST IS YET TO COME. There will be no discussion of weather, of hot or cold, of ice or hurricanes there....it will be perfect there day in and day out (if there are literal days there). Everyone will somehow be happy with the climate and every day people will say; "It just doesn't get any nicer than this!" But until then...keep your chin up and learn to enjoy what you got, while giving God all the praise for his wonderful creation.

January in America's Tropical Paradise

January in Florida is nice but a January break to the U.S. Virgin Islands is nicer! I now understand why they call them "America's Paradise". Sherry and I just returned from an all to brief four day excursion to St. Thomas where the quiet and peaceful surroundings on Cowpet Bay were just what we both needed.

The weather was perfect with gentle tropical breezes, deep blue skies, soft white clouds, and temperatures always in the 80s. It was 80 when you went to bed and 80 when you got up and with the light but constant trade winds it was as nice as it gets. We got up when we wanted, ate when we wanted, and time was almost irrelevant. We simply enjoyed each other and our beautiful surroundings for four blissful days.

But.....I am now home. Oh, the temperatures are in the 70s (not bad) and we have blue skies and white drifting clouds but it's not quite the same. Nice but different and once again I was reminded that the BEST IS YET TO COME. Don't get me wrong, I love planet earth and plan to thoroughly enjoy my time here but I know there is a better place and day coming where it is as nice as it gets. A place where time is irrelevant and we can enjoy our surroundings forever!

I wonder if John felt this way after his vision of that place. I wonder if after that he kept telling people that the BEST IS YET TO COME.

A New Year and a Vision to be Completed

Sorry about the lack of any blogs in December but for pastors that is one month where there is not a lot of spare time. Add to that trying to keep the construction of our new church facilities on target and thus no blogs. But a New Year has begun and it will be a year filled with anticipation and excitement. 2008 was a year of mixed emotions with the poor economy and all but it was a year when we all learned that "God knows best".

Three years ago when He first impressed upon the church that we should do our relocation and building project debt free it just seemed like the prudent thing to do but now we understand that He knew it was the only thing to do. To incur any new debt with the economy effecting our tithes and offerings would have been disastrous! But He knew!!!!!!!!

His timing in the entire project has been perfect! We sold property at the peak of the real estate run up in Florida, we are building the buildings while contractors are looking for work and the gas prices have dipped to the lowest levels in years! We didn't know these things were going to happen when they did, but He did! So can there be any doubt that THE BEST IS YET TO COME and that 2009 will be another year of His leadership and blessing.