How Forgiving are You?

Gary Leon Ridgway (born 1949), notoriously known as the Green River Killer, is incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. In 2001, he was convicted of murdering 49 women, later he confessed to killing 60 women. At his sentencing in 2003, the families of his victims had the opportunity to speak directly to him. Most spoke ugly, hateful words. Those words didn’t faze the murderer. Robert Rule (1940-2015), the father of one of his victims, took a different path. He spoke these words:

“Mr. Ridgway, there are people here who hate you. I am not one of them. You’ve made it difficult to live up to what I believe, and what God says to do, and that is to forgive. You are forgiven, Sir.”

Those words brought Gary Leon Ridgway to tears. I believe Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) was right when he said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.” How strong are you? How forgiving are you? That takes us to our reading, Matthew 18:21-35.

According to our reading Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me?” Trying to impress Jesus, he answers his question with another question, “Up to seven times?” He must have been confident in his answer because the old rabbinic law said you must forgive someone three times. Seven means Peter had doubled that figure and added one, just to be safe. Seven falls short of Jesus’s number. Jesus says you must forgive someone seventy-seven times. The number does not really hold the answer. Jesus is telling Peter, the disciples and us, we must always forgive the one who has done us wrong. To illustrate the point Jesus tells them a story or parable:

A king was settling his debts. One man came who owed the king a large sum of money. Unable to repay his debt, the king threatened to take everything from him, including his wife and his children. The man begs the king for forgiveness. The king has mercy on him and completely forgives his debt. Unthankful for what the king had done for him; the man went out and threatened the man who owed him a very small sum of money. He begged for forgiveness too, but no mercy was given. A short time later, he finds himself in prison. In the end, the king learns what his debtor had done and had him thrown into prison, where he was tortured. There is only one point to the story. We should forgive others as God has forgiven us.

On September 29, 2020, Psychology Today published an article called Five Reasons Why It’s Important to Forgive. It was written by psychiatrist Abigail Brenner (born 1951). She stated that forgiving is essential to your well-being, future health, and sanity. Here are her five reasons why being able to forgive frees us to move on in your life.

When you forgive someone, you forgive yourself. Holding a grudge ties us emotionally to the hurt.

Forgiving gets you out of the victim mode. Unresolved hurt can become a defining part of your identity. Forgiveness frees us from reliving the pain.

Forgiveness frees you. Forgiveness allows you to take your power back.

Forgiveness helps your health. Negative emotions rob you of your energy and take a toll on your body, mind and spirit. Anger, anxiety, depression, and undue stress generate effect on your well-being.

Forgiving helps you move forward on your spiritual path. Forgiveness encourages compassion.

With all the benefits associated with forgiveness, it is my experience that many struggle to forgive. According to a University of Michigan survey, 48% of their participants say there is someone in their past they refuse to forgive. Forgiveness is a challenge within the life of the church as well. According to the Barna Research Group, 23% of practicing Christians say they cannot forgive a specific person in their life, while 70% say there is someone in their life they refuse to forgive. Not surprising, 89% of people report they cannot forgive themselves. I admit there are people in my life I need to forgive. Learning to forgive is a conscious, active choice to release resentment, bitterness, and negative experiences from the past. Sometimes it involves accepting your emotions, understanding true forgiveness, shifting your perspective, or developing healthy boundaries. What do you need to do to forgive?

Annually, my church held a rummage sale. They called it the GAB Sale. GAB stands for Garage, Attic, and Basement Sale. It was always the first weekend in May. I marveled at all the things that were donated and was humbled by the army of faithful volunteers. One year, one of the volunteers was a disgruntled church member named John. At one time he was one of the leaders in the congregation, but no longer. He became angry with the church long before I arrived, so we had a good relationship. When he saw me, he smiled and told me everything he had done for the church decades earlier. At one point, he pulled me aside to the church parking lot for privacy. He began to tell me in detail why he left the church. He must have told that story a million times. It was seamless. Without leaving out a single detail, he told me about that ugly night. It was a church meeting, and he had been done wrong. One by one, name by name, he told me about those “hypocrites”. He looked me in the eye and told me with all the pride he could muster that he would never forgive them.

When he finally ran out of breath, I said, “Do you know what all those people have in common?” He said, “No.” I responded, “They are all dead. However, they still have control over you.” John was silent, so I continued. “John, do you know what you need to do?” He gave me the deer in the headlights look. I continued, “You need to pray and forgive those people. You need to be liberated from your unforgiving heart.” John said, “I don’t pray.” I said, “You do today.” I grabbed his hand and right in the middle of the parking lot, we prayed that his unforgiving heart would be healed. When I finished, John was crying. At that moment, his wife walked by and he said to her, “Russ prayed for me!” She said, “Good, you need it.”

Can I ask you a question? Do you need to be liberated from an unforgiving heart? Who do you need to forgive so you can live the rest of your life burden free? Ghandi said, “Forgiveness is an attitude of the strong.” How strong are you? Jesus, your Lord and Savior, said you must forgive. How forgiving are you?

How Loving are You?

On November 6, 1919, silent screen stars Jean Acker (1892-1978) and Rudolph Valentino (1895-1926) were married. Those who attended the ceremony said it was beautiful. It was the highlight of their relationship, because their honeymoon was a disaster. Practically speaking, their marriage was over in six hours. She locked him out of their honeymoon suite. They didn’t understand love – love is not just an emotion; love is much more. They are not the only ones. There are many who don’t understand love. Do you understand love? That takes us to our reading, 1 Corinthians 13.

Today, the population of Corinth, Greece is 31,000. When the Apostle Paul wrote this letter in the year 55, the population was 650,000. Within that massive city was a Christian congregation. The problem was this church was not living up to their full potential; it was fractured. They had everything they needed to succeed, except one thing – love. Paul knew what we often forget. A congregation that lacks love, lacks everything. In our time, we spend far too much time talking about programs, budgets and personal expectations. Through the eyes of God, those things don’t matter. The only thing that matters in the life of the church is love. The problem is many don’t understand love.

Part of the problem is that the English-speaking world uses the word “love” so casually. Let me give you a few examples. I love hot peppers and baseball. I love sitting outside on a hot summer night listening to the crickets. I love my wife, daughters and grandchildren. I love shrimp with cocktail sauce. I love America and I love being retired. I love the colorful Ohio autumn leaves. I love being right and saying, “I told you so.” Just think about it for a moment. That means I have equated my feelings for my wife with hot peppers. In the English language we use one word, love, to cover many feelings and relationships. We use the word love so casually.

The Biblical writers were more exact. They had six words to describe the different kinds of love. Here are the six:

Eros is the Greek word for passionate love.
Philia is the Greek word for friendship love.
Ludus is the Greek word for playful love.
Agape is the Greek word for worldwide love.
Pragma is the Greek word for long lasting love.
Philautia is the Greek word for self-love.

To unlock our reading, you must discover which of those words Paul uses in I Corinthians 13. The answer is, agape love, or worldwide love, it is the highest form of love. Agape love is unconditional love. That is the kind of love that should exist in every congregation. Sadly, that is rare. Agape love keeps churches going in the right direction. Churches that lack agape love become self-destructive. That is why so many ugly church stories exist. Churches that possess agape love fulfill their divine purpose. They respond to the physical and spiritual needs of the world. Do you consider your church self-destructive or productive? Let me ask you a practical question, have you spent more time this week complaining about your church or talking about Jesus? Agape love in the life of the church is vital.

In 1984, Steve (born 1951) and Deborah (born 1951) Murrell went to the Philippines and founded Victory Manila Fellowship. Today, Victory Manila has fourteen different locations in that metro area, boasting 80,000 members. The Murrells believe any church can be successful if it has six things:

Calling – discover what God wants you to do with your life
Commitment – work hard at your calling
Concentration – focus on your passion
Honor God – we are not the stars
Make Disciples – nothing else matters
Community – pastors get too much credit and blame for success and failure. Pastors and congregations are in the ministry together.

The Apostle Paul and the Murrells are saying the same thing. No church can reach its full potential if the members don’t get along. That leads us back to our question of the day. How loving are you? The question is not about tolerance. The question is about unconditional love. Do you love your fellow church members and the world unconditionally?

For many years, my wife, Kathryn, led volunteer in mission teams to Dmitrov, Russia, home of the Renewal Orphanage. Each child in the orphanage is severely handicapped. I cherish the memories of those trips. For me one of the highlights was worshipping in a small Russian Orthodox Church outside of the walls of the orphanage grounds. There is nothing impressive about the structure. It is just a tiny neighborhood church. Yet, without knowing the language or traditions, I surprisingly found myself at home. That little church fed my soul.

One year on a Sunday in January the church was crowded. There were no pews in Orthodox Churches in Russia, so everyone stood. I stood in the back trying to unsuccessfully fit in. Every couple of minutes the outside door would open to let people enter or exit. Every time the door opened, cold air rushed in. One time the door opened, and a young couple walked in. They were a classic young Russian couple. She was holding a baby. He was holding a toddler by the hand. The toddler did what toddlers do. Within a few minutes, the toddler grew restless. The child started to cry, and everyone looked at them. I felt bad for the young couple. I felt worse when an old Russian woman came up to the couple, said something stern to them and pointed to the door. She kept pointing at the door until the young couple with their children left. The agape love in that church seemed to have been absent that day. Can I ask you a question?

How many people in your church have been shown the door? I don’t mean with a pointed finger. I mean with a harsh word, an intolerant attitude or an unwelcoming spirit. I would like to say it never happened in my churches, but it did. I experienced it personally in retirement while church shopping. Every church says they want new members, but they don’t. What they really want is potential members’ money. It is a sad situation and explains why so many local churches are struggling. Agape love is rare in the life of the church and needs to be cultivated. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” How loving are you?

How Faithful are You?

Our reading is Genesis 22:1-12. This story does not stand alone. It really began in the twelfth chapter of Genesis, where God made a covenant with Abram. Abram, now Abraham, was seventy-five years old when God promised to bless him and make his descendants into a great nation. It must have been an exciting day for Abraham. The problem was that God works in God’s own time. Twenty-five years later, Abraham and his wife Sarah welcomed their first child into the world. They named him Isaac. Abraham and Sarah loved Isaac deeply, which makes our reading so uncomfortable. According to the Scriptures, God decided to test Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac. I am happy to report that, in the end, Abraham passed the test and Isaac lived. Abraham proved that he was truly faithful. He set aside his own plans for his life and submitted to God’s will. He was not the only one in the Bible to do so. There were many others.

How many examples do you need? Moses, who did not want to return to Egypt, did so and helped liberate the Israelites. Daniel refused to abandon his faith despite the threat of the lions’ den. David remained faithful to God when he faced the giant Goliath. Noah built the ark despite unseen danger and the skepticism of those around him. Esther risked her position and safety to save her people from destruction. Mary, the mother of Jesus, set aside her own plans and accepted God’s call to bear the Christ child. The Apostle Paul left his promising career as a Pharisee to become an apostle of Jesus Christ. The ultimate example of faithfulness is Jesus himself, who died on the cross for the sins of the world. Each of these individuals set aside their own plans and submitted to God’s will. That is not an easy thing to do.

Many people in our time do not understand the true meaning of faithfulness. Faith is not a magic wand that grants the desires of your heart. For example, you pray for a sick loved one, and they are healed. Faith is not a collection of spiritual beliefs. Many of our beliefs are grounded in opinion rather than Scripture. Faith is not merely believing in the existence of God. Even Satan believes that God exists. Faith is not a tool to rally support at a political convention or during a time of military conflict. Faith is replacing your agenda for your life with God’s will. That is not an easy thing to do. If you doubt it, then look at the story of Abraham and Isaac.

Rick Warren (born 1954) is an American evangelical pastor and author. As the founder of Saddleback Church in California, he gained national attention with his bestselling book, The Purpose Driven Life. Warren argues that on Judgment Day, we will stand before God and be evaluated on our faithfulness. For that reason, he believes everyone should honestly examine whether they are living a faithful life. If not, some corrections may be needed. To help people evaluate their faithfulness, Warren developed a simple quiz on the subject. Here is his quiz:

Do you possess the right values? Life is a precious gift. Do you spend your time pursuing what is truly important, or do you waste it on trivial things? Faithful people keep their eyes fixed on God. They understand that success is not measured by wealth, power, popularity, or possessions, but by obedience to God’s will.

Do you care about the interests of others? More specifically, do you care about the needs of others, or are you preoccupied with yourself? Faithful people live compassionate lives. They understand that God calls them to love their neighbors, serve those in need, and put the welfare of others ahead of their own comfort and convenience.

Do you live with integrity before an unbelieving world? Your life is your greatest witness. Are you living in a way that attracts people to God, or are you living in a way that confuses them about God? Faithful people live with integrity. Their words match their actions, and their lives encourage others to see the goodness and grace of God.

Do you keep your promises? In other words, are you as good as your word, or do the people in your life find you undependable? Faithful people are dependable because they respect others and honor their commitments.

Do you develop your God-given gifts? God has given everyone a gift. Are you using that gift, or are you wasting it? Faithful people are a positive influence because they use their God-given abilities to bless others and glorify God.

Do you obey God’s commandments? There is no such thing as ignorance of God’s law. Most people know what God expects. Do you love God? Do you love other people unconditionally? Faithful people are obedient.

Do you pass on what you have learned? This question is not about reliving the “good old days.” Most people are less interested in your past accomplishments than in what those experiences have taught you about God. Are you sharing those lessons with others? Faithful people share their wisdom.

So, how did you do on the quiz? Are you living a faithful life, or is there room for improvement? It is better to discover the answer today than on Judgment Day. Is God the driving force in your life, or are your own interests occupying most of your attention? God calls each of us to live faithfully and to trust his will above our own.

Years ago, a group of United States senators visited Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in Calcutta, India, at the so-called “House of Dying.” It was filled with sick children in their last days and hundreds of others receiving medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to them, the senators were overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers faced daily. One senator asked, “How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?” Mother Teresa replied, “My dear senator, I am not called to be successful. I am called to be faithful.”

I will be the first to admit it. For many years in ministry, I was focused on being successful. It was only near the end of my career that I learned my success did not really matter. What mattered was faithfulness. I have decided to spend the rest of my life striving to be faithful to God and his calling. The great reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546) once said, “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.” How faithful are you?

How Hopeful Are You?

John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) is one of the great names in American history. He served our country in many capacities. He was an ambassador to Russia, Prussia, and the Netherlands. He served as both a Congressman and Senator from Massachusetts. He was our nation’s Secretary of State under President James Monroe (1758-1831) and later served as our sixth President from 1825 to 1829. Adams lived an extraordinary life, yet his accomplishments did not spare him from personal hardships. In 1846, fifteen years after leaving the White House, he suffered a stroke. When he returned to Congress the following year, his health was clearly failing. Adams described his condition this way: “I inhabit a weak, frail, decayed tenement, battered by the winds and broken in upon by the storms; and from all I can learn, the landlord does not intend to repair.” He died a year later, in 1848.

I find that story especially sad because John Quincy Adams died without hope. As a self-proclaimed Unitarian, he rejected the divinity of Jesus and the belief in eternal life. Some Unitarians view Jesus as a great moral teacher or prophet, while others reject His authority altogether. Without Jesus, there is no hope; as Christians, we believe that Jesus is our only hope. In Paul’s opening words to I Timothy 1:1, he introduces himself by saying, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.” That declaration reminds us that our hope is not found in our accomplishments. Our hope is found in Jesus Christ alone. With that truth in mind, let us turn to our reading from Matthew 14:22-33.

The scene is the Sea of Galilee. Only four and a half miles wide and seven miles long, it is more of a lake than a sea. However, it is notorious for its sudden and violent storms because of its shallow waters. In our story, that is exactly what the disciples experienced. They were crossing the Sea of Galilee when a storm arose between three and four o’clock in the morning. Fearful and distressed, the disciples cried out for help because they found themselves in a hopeless situation. Then, in a miraculous display of divine power, Jesus appeared, walking on the water. The mood of the story changed immediately when Jesus arrived. What had seemed hopeless was no longer hopeless.

It is a great story because it is the story of our lives. Like the disciples, we too are on a journey. We call that journey life. As we travel, we encounter many storms. Some storms come in the form of physical or mental illness. Others take the form of anxiety and depression. Still others involve broken relationships, grief, and addiction. In each of these situations, hope is essential. That is why Jesus must be a part of our lives. He gives us hope when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us. No matter how dark the night may seem, Christ is present with us. Desmond Tutu (1931-2021), the South African Anglican bishop and theologian, once said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” For Christians, that light is Jesus Christ. He is our hope in every storm.

During my years in ministry, I made hospital visitation a priority. Every afternoon, I would drive to the various hospitals in my area to visit parishioners. Except for childbirth, most of those visits revolved around some kind of hardship. Some people were facing surgery, while others were recovering from it. Some were dealing with heart problems. Others were undergoing tests to determine the cause of an illness.

I never minded hospital visits because they gave me an opportunity to be with my people when they needed their pastor the most. At the close of each visit, I would pray with the patient. In those precious moments, I sought to lift their eyes away from the storm they were facing and direct them to the love and presence of Jesus Christ. Their illness did not have the final word. Four years into retirement, I confess that I miss making hospital visits and I do not understand pastors who choose not to visit their people in the hospital.

Psychologists tell us that hope benefits us in three ways. First, there are mental and emotional benefits. Hope reduces stress and anxiety, builds resilience, provides a sense of purpose, and improves focus. Second, there are physical benefits. Hope can strengthen the immune system and encourage healthier habits. Third, there are practical and social benefits. Hope drives problem-solving, strengthens relationships, and helps sustain a sense of meaning. Let me add a fourth benefit. The hope we have in Jesus Christ allows us to enjoy today because we do not fear death. As Christians, we know that someday we will leave behind the problems, pain, and disappointments of this world and enter the perfection of heaven. Let me close with this story.

The story comes from Parade magazine in 1981. Self-made millionaire Eugene Lang (1919-2017) arranged to visit a sixth-grade class in East Harlem. He wanted to inspire those students to make something positive of their lives. He did not want them to become another statistic or school dropout. As he stood before the class, Lang decided to set aside his prepared remarks and speak from the heart. “Stay in school,” he urged them, “and I’ll help pay your college tuition.” At that moment, the lives of those fifty-nine students changed. For the first time, they had hope. One student later recalled, “I had something to look forward to, something waiting for me. It was a golden feeling.” Six years later, 90 percent of those sixth graders graduated from high school. With a single promise, Lang gave those students something they desperately needed: hope. The millionaire changed their lives with one word: hope!

In a recent Gallup poll, it was reported that 59.2 percent of Americans are hopeful about their personal futures. How hopeful are you? In our reading, the disciples had no hope until Jesus entered their situation. As Christians, our hope is more than wishful thinking or positive thinking. Our hope is a person, Jesus Christ.

How Compassionate Are You?

Our reading is Luke 7:11-17. According to the text, Jesus is several miles south of Nazareth in the town of Nain. As He enters the town, a funeral procession is taking place. The open casket is being carried by the crowd. The deceased is a young man, the only son of a widow. That means this grieving mother has nothing. According to verse 13, Jesus saw the grieving woman, and his heart went out to her. In other words, Jesus had compassion for her. Breaking Old Testament law (Numbers 19:16), Jesus touched the casket and resurrected the young man. Then he is reunited with his mother. It was a great moment, and news of the miracle began to spread; that story reveals that Jesus was compassionate. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are expected to be compassionate as well. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Never underestimate the influence compassion has on our lives. Consider these three stories.

Several years ago, I traveled to Haiti. That trip was shocking. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world, the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. The average Haitian lives on approximately $45 a month. It is a country with very little. There are few schools, limited postal services, inadequate medical care, and poor infrastructure. The people of Haiti struggle to survive, and there seems to be little hope. American author P. J. O’Rourke (1947-2022) once said, “Of course, the humans of Haiti have hope. They hope to leave.” I feel bad for the people of Haiti, but I do not know what to do. Money does not solve every problem. According to Wikipedia, Haiti has received tens of billions of dollars in international assistance, disaster relief, and development aid over the past few decades. Presently, Haiti is operating under a national state of emergency. I have few opportunities to express my compassion. Sometimes our desire to be compassionate frustrates us.

Nightly, the ASPCA runs commercials seeking financial support. Their advertisements are always emotional. There is usually a poor dog locked in a small cage. Lacking food and water, often injured or maimed, the dog appears sickly and thin. Without saying a word, its eyes seem to cry out for help. I usually change the channel before the commercial ends because they are hard to watch. However, those advertisements must be effective. According to the IRS, nearly $400 million is donated annually to the ASPCA. Many give more money to help animals than they give to help people. Jesus was interested in people. Sometimes our compassion misleads us.

Years ago, NBC News ran a story about the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Children facing surgery were encouraged to bring in their favorite stuffed animal. The surgical team would then pretend to perform on the stuffed animal the same kind of surgery the child was facing. They hoped this act of kindness would bring comfort to the child. The story focused on a three-year-old boy who needed a heart transplant. After his surgery, they showed him recovering in his hospital bed, holding his stuffed animal. Both the boy and the stuffed animal had matching incisions. When I saw the picture of that precious little boy, I fought back tears. I wanted to do something for him, but my only option was to pray. Sometimes compassion humbles us.

It is important at this point to say the words compassion and empathy are not interchangeable. Webster defines compassion as sympathetic pity and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Webster defines empathy as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. In other words, empathy feels bad about someone else’s suffering. Compassion seeks to eliminate that suffering. Compassion acts; empathy feels. Jesus expects us to be compassionate because he knows that compassion leads us to respond to human suffering. That is why Jesus told the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46). The compassionate sheep are invited into heaven because they respond to human need; compassion is woven into their daily lives. The uncompassionate goats are sent to hell because they ignore human suffering. Are you compassionate or empathetic?

That takes us to an old Irish legend of a king who had no heir. To fill that void, it was announced that all the young men in the kingdom could apply to become his successor. There were only two requirements. First, they must love God. Second, they must love their fellow human beings. One young man wanted to apply, but he did not have the proper clothes to wear to the king’s court. He worked an extra job to earn the money he needed to buy a new set of clothes. The next day, he put on his new clothes and headed for the castle. As he neared the castle, he was confronted by a homeless man. The beggar stretched out his arms and held out his hands for help. “I am hungry, thirsty, and cold,” he said. “Can you help me?” The young man was so moved that he gave the beggar his food, his water, and even his fine new clothes to keep him warm. Nevertheless, he decided to go to the castle because he had nothing left to lose. When his appointment came, he was shocked to see the king. It was the homeless man, still wearing the clothes he had given him. The young man asked, “Why did you trick me?” The king replied, “I needed to discover whether you were truly a compassionate man of God. You are my successor. You will inherit my kingdom.”

It isn’t just true in the legend. It is true in the kingdom of God. It isn’t enough to be empathetic and feel sorry for those in need. You must be compassionate and take action to alleviate human suffering. Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) once said, “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” How compassionate are you?

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Authentic Christianity

Our reading is Acts 2:37-42. The Holy Spirit has just been unleashed, so the church is in her infancy stage. The crowd is overwhelmed by what they are experiencing, so Paul tries to explain it by telling them about God’s plan of salvation. All they need to do is repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus. Doing so, two things will happen. Their sins will be forgiven, and they will receive the Holy Spirit. The crowd accepted Peter’s words. According to the text, three thousand accepted Jesus on that day. Each one was devoted to Jesus by listening to the apostle’s teachings, by remembering Jesus with the partaking of communion, by holding one another spiritually accountable, and with prayer. Their witness was powerful. Their numbers grew daily because their faith was so authentic. Never underestimate the power of Christian authenticity. It is extremely powerful. I know that is true because it is part of my story.

When I was entering high school, my home church, Central Christian Church in Warren, Ohio, called a new minister. At the time I didn’t know the influence he would have on my life. His name was James Cox (1927-2017). He was a tall thin man with a welcoming personality. Born in Maysville, Kentucky, he had a wonderful accent from that little corner of the world. I don’t remember him as a great preacher or leader. I don’t remember him as a great visionary or administrator. However, I consider him the finest pastor in the history of that congregation because he was so authentic; he had all the fruits of the spirit. He was filled with love, peace, kindness, faithfulness, joyfulness, patience, goodness and gentleness. Jim Cox taught me how to be a pastor and changed my life.

Peter was the perfect messenger that day because he was so authentic. Two thousand years later, much has changed, but the Holy Spirit is still using authentic Christians to change the world. Our society will tolerate many things, but it will not tolerate a hypocrite. This is especially true in the life of the church. In our time, the institutional church has been crippled by spiritual hypocrites. The Christian world must be on guard because the world is watching us. They want to know if you are an authentic Christian or a spiritual fraud. In this blog, I want to ask you three questions that will expose your authenticity.

First, what is your greatest priority? It is not an easy question to answer because our lives are filled with so many good things. It would be easy to make your country your greatest priority. It would be easy to make your friends and family your greatest priority. It would be easy to make your career your greatest priority. It would be easy to make your church or your favorite hobby your greatest priority. None of those things are bad, but as an authentic Christian your greatest priority must be Jesus. The good things in our lives are only good. Only Jesus is great. Your passion for Jesus, should be influencing the way you answer the next two questions.

Second, do you speak like an authentic Christian? Words are important to your Christian witness. I am not just talking about ugly profanity. Those words only make you look small and ignorant. I am talking about your words spoken to and about other people. Do your words push people away from you or do your words encourage and welcome others? Authentic Christians pick their words carefully. Authentic Christians select words that bring the best out of everyone.

When Catherine Booth (1829-1890), the co-founder of the Salvation Army, died, her body was taken to a large auditorium in London. For hours, people passed by her casket to pay their final respects. One man spoke for many. He said, “She spoke to me like no other. I knew she cared for me in the way she spoke to me. I was an outcast, lonely and lost and she accepted me. You could feel the spirit and love of Christ in her words.” The world is listening to your words. What are you saying about your authenticity? Never forget it – words are important!

Third, do you act like an authentic Christian? The Holy Spirit fell on everyone. Prior to our reading, the different nationalities are listed. If you had a map, then you would discover the nations mentioned were scattered throughout their world. Everyone was included and welcomed. Not one nation was excluded. Authentic Christian people include and welcome everyone.

Years ago, Lois Wyse (1926-2007) wrote an article for Good Housekeeping magazine. She wanted to help women who were looking for a potential husband. She said you should consider these six things when looking for a mate:

Watch him drive in heavy traffic
Play tennis with him
Listen to the way he talks to and about his mother
Notice how he treats those who serve him (waiters, ushers, maids, etc.)
Notice how he spends his money
Look at his friends

There is a common thread that runs through all six. Each one has to do with how we treat other people. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, because everyone has been made in the image of God. Nothing else matters. Age doesn’t matter. Income doesn’t matter. Race doesn’t matter. Nationality doesn’t matter. Sexuality doesn’t matter. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. The point is simple, but many struggle with it. Authentic Christians get it. They treat everyone with dignity and respect. How you treat others is important.

Billy Graham (1918-2018) was one of the greatest Christian leaders in American history. He had an incredible life. An ordained Southern Baptist minister, famous for his crusades, no one preached the Gospel to more than he did. He was the spiritual adviser to American presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) and Richard Nixon (1913-1994). One of his friends was Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968). Still later in his life, Graham became friends with Robert Schuller (1926-2015), of Crystal Cathedral fame and encouraged him to try television. Billy Graham lived an incredible life in the spotlight. Yet, he escaped controversy. Most consider Billy Graham an authentic Christian man. He had a passion for Jesus, which influenced his words and his behavior.

How authentic are you? Is your passion for Jesus influencing your words and behavior? If not, you are a spiritual fraud. Roman Catholic Pope Francis (1936-2025) once said, “Authentic faith has a deep desire to change the world!” How much is your faith changing you?

Blessed

Our reading is Genesis 27:25-34. In the perfect family, we love all our children equally and encourage them to explore their individuality. That is not happening in this story. The text says it clearly, the twins are not loved equally by their parents. The twin’s mother, Rebecca, loved Jacob more. The twin’s father, Isaac, loved Esau more. The parent’s unequal love for their sons divided the family. It is my experience that family problems don’t disappear with time; they intensify with time. That is what happened to Isaac’s family problems. In our reading, Issac is near the end of his life and both of his sons long to receive his blessing.

What was the blessing? Usually passed from the father to the eldest son, the blessing was a formal passing of the mantle. With the blessing came with both authority and resources. First, the one receiving the blessing assumed family leadership and responsibility. Second, with the extra responsibilities came a double share of his father’s inheritance. In our reading, Esau had the inside track for the blessing – he was the oldest son and his father’s favorite. However, in the end, Jacob deceived his father and cheated his brother. Jacob walked away with both authority and the resources. This entire story underscores the fact that Isaac had a dysfunctional family. In this blog, I don’t want to look at dysfunctional families. Instead, I want to encourage healthy families.

In 1986, Gary Smalley (1940-2016) and John Trent (born 1952) released a book called The Blessing. In that book, they argued there are four ingredients needed in every home. If these four ingredients are present, then families have better chance of reaching their full potential. When they are absent, the opposite is true. Each

of these ingredients is present in our reading.

The first ingredient is meaningful touch. Think about holding hands with the person you love the most. In verse 22, prior to our reading, it says Jacob went to his father. In verse 26 it says, “Then his father Isaac said to him, ‘Come here, my son, and kiss me.’” This is not an isolated case. When we lay hands on someone, when we kiss someone, when we embrace someone, we communicate that they are loved and accepted. In the tenth chapter of Mark, mothers brought their children to Jesus so he could bless them and touch them. Jacob received the blessing when he was forty years old. He wasn’t too old to be touched by his father. Your adult children still need to be loved and affirmed through touch.

The second ingredient is the spoken word. In the story touch is backed up with words. Verse 27 says, “So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, ‘Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field.’” That was Issac’s way of expressing his love. My father never told me he loved me or that he was proud of me. Those absent words left a hole in my soul. It is too late for my father, but it is not too late for you. Tell your children, regardless of their age, how much you care for them.

The third ingredient is high value. Verse 28 says, “May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness— an abundance of grain and new wine.” What does that verse mean? Isaac is saying to his son, “You are special!” In the Old Testament you didn’t receive your blessing in heaven, you received your blessing in this world. The more you had, the greater the blessings. Isaac said to his son, “May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s riches.” That is how he communicates his son’s high value. How do you communicate high value to your children?

The fourth and final ingredient is a glorious future. Verse 29 says, “May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed
and those who bless you be blessed.” Isaac is saying to his son, “Your future is bright!” Let me end with a story that draws those four ingredients together.

When I was a student at Asbury Seminary, I served a small membership church. One of my parishioners was a woman named Norma. Her most outstanding characteristic was her caring heart, and she treated me like a son.

One day, I was completely overwhelmed by life. There was sickness at home, and I was struggling financially. Besides my church I worked part-time on a tobacco farm. Despite my labor, I was penniless, facing a mountain of debt due to my student loans. With little time left to study I had fallen behind in my schoolwork. Completely defeated, I decided to drop out of school as I drove home. There was a sense of relief just thinking about leaving school. I needed to talk and found myself driving to Norma’s house.

When I pulled in her driveway, I saw her looking out the window. When I walked into her house, she said, “Russ, what are you doing here? Don’t you have things to do?” When she looked at my face she asked, “What’s wrong? Get a cup of coffee and sit.” Wasting no time, she got right to the point she asked me again, “What’s wrong?” Emotionally, I choked the words out, “I am going to quit school, move back to Ohio and get a real job.” Norma didn’t say a word. Instead, she made me a sandwich. I told her about school, my debt and my home life, I told her everything. When I had finished, Norma looked at me and said, “Can I say something?” Emotionally spent, I just looked at her. She said, “Russ, give me your hands.” I did and she said looking in my eyes, “I can’t give you any money, but I will say this. Someday, you are going to be a great man. God has given you the gifts to be a fine preacher. People are going to be blessed because of you! Don’t waste it. Go home and get some sleep. Get up tomorrow and try again.” I did what she said. I went home. I got some sleep and the next day I tried again. I don’t tell you that story because I think I am a great person. You know better. I tell you that story because Norma changed my life with her blessing! Norma gave me a meaningful touch, spoken affirmation, high value, and hope for the future at exactly the moment you needed it most. It has been said: “When someone believes in you, it alters your very chemistry.”

Is Revival Still Possible?

Our reading is Acts 2:1-4. The text is clear: it was Pentecost. To the Jewish world, Pentecost meant it was fifty days after Passover. Comparable to America’s Thanksgiving Day, it was a time to celebrate the harvest. To the Christian world, it meant that fifty days had passed since Jesus’ resurrection. It also meant that ten days had passed since Jesus ascended into heaven. Obeying Jesus, the disciples remained in Jerusalem and waited. On Pentecost, the waiting ended. The Holy Spirit was unleashed upon all believers, no longer reserved for spiritual or political leaders alone. Those who had gathered were transformed spiritually. Lessons they had struggled to understand suddenly became clear. Things they had been unable to do now seemed easy. It was an amazing moment. I believe the words of our reading only cast a shadow of the actual event. Nevertheless, the first revival in the history of the world had begun, and the church was born. I am happy to report there have been other revivals.

According to American evangelicals Elmer Towns (born 1932) and Douglas Porter (1929-2024), there have been nine great revivals since Pentecost. This is their list:

The Pre-Reformational Revival (1300-1500) led by John Wycliffe (1328-1384), and John Hus (1328-1384), who called for church reform. It is often viewed as the bridge between the medieval church and the Protestant Reformation.

The Protestant Reformation (beginning in 1517), led by figures such as Martin Luther (1483-1546) and John Calvin (1509-1564), challenged the authority and practices of the medieval church and emphasized the primacy of Scripture and salvation by faith.

The First Great Awakening (1727-1750), led by Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), George Whitfield (1714-1770), and John Wesley (1703-1791), emphasized personal conversion, heartfelt religion, and powerful evangelistic preaching. The movement swept through Britain and the American colonies, renewing churches and inspiring widespread religious enthusiasm.

The Second Great Awakening (1780-1810) was fueled by frontier camp meetings and widespread evangelistic preaching. The movement sparked significant growth in church membership across the United States and emphasized personal conversion, revival meetings, and active Christian involvement in society.

The General Awakening (1830-1840), led by Charles Grandison Finney (1792-1875), emphasized revival preaching, personal conversion, and evangelistic outreach. The movement helped expand missionary activity, encouraged social reform, and contributed to the spread of evangelical Christianity both in America and abroad.

The Layman’s Prayer Revival (1857-1861) began in New York City during a financial crisis and quickly spread across the United States. Ordinary businesspeople and community leaders gathered for prayer meetings, sparking a widespread spiritual awakening that led to renewed faith, church growth, and evangelistic outreach.

The Welsh Revival (1904-1905) was sparked by Welsh evangelist Evan Roberts (1878-1951). Characterized by fervent prayer, passionate worship, confession of sin, and transformed lives, the revival spread rapidly throughout Wales and inspired similar movements around the world.

The World War II Revival (1935-1950) was marked by renewed evangelistic fervor during a period of global crisis and recovery. Leaders such as Billy Graham (1918-2018) and Duncan Campbell (1898-1972) called people to personal faith, repentance, and spiritual renewal, contributing to a resurgence of evangelical Christianity in the years surrounding World War II.

The Jesus Movement Revival (1965-1970) gave birth to contemporary Christian music, large youth gatherings, and new forms of evangelistic outreach. Emerging among a generation of young people searching for meaning and spiritual truth, the movement spread throughout North America and beyond, leaving a lasting impact on worship, evangelism, and church life. I am a product of this revival.

Many believe our time is ripe for another revival, and they may be right. We are surrounded by troubling news. I have grown weary of negative political advertising, predictions of economic doom, and reports of international unrest. Even my local news is filled with stories about data centers and artificial intelligence, subjects I do not fully understand. So why hasn’t revival begun? God is not the problem, we are the problem. Too often, the lives we live fail to create the atmosphere in which revival flourishes. Throughout Scripture and throughout the history of God’s people, revival has come when hearts were prepared to receive it. Consider three essential conditions found in our reading. for revival.

First, they experienced revival because they obeyed Jesus. In Acts 1:4, Jesus commanded His disciples to remain in Jerusalem and wait. They obeyed. For ten days they waited before the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. Their own plans and agendas were not more important than the will of Jesus. Consider what might have happened if the disciples had left Jerusalem. They would have missed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. Their obedience positioned them to receive what God had promised. Before God changes a church, a community, or a nation, He often begins by changing the hearts of individuals who are willing to say, “Lord, not my will, but Yours be done.”

Second, they experienced revival because they cared about others. Acts 2:4 tells us that the disciples, who were Galileans, began to speak in other earthly languages as the Holy Spirit enabled them. When we examine the list of languages in Acts 2, we discover that people from across the known world were represented. That is remarkable because their world was filled with ethnic, cultural, and religious prejudices. Yet the Holy Spirit came in a way that demonstrated God’s concern for all people. The Holy Spirit did not come merely to bless the disciples. He came to empower them to tell others about Jesus. Revival is possible when we are concerned about others.

Third, they experienced revival because they were willing to pay the price. Beyond our reading, Peter stood up and addressed the crowd. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he explained what was happening and boldly proclaimed the message of Jesus Christ. The people listened and responded. Acts 2:41 tells us that about three thousand souls were saved that day. That was a wonderful blessing, but it also brought great responsibility. Following Jesus has always come at a cost. The promise of heaven is glorious, but until we reach heaven there is a price to pay for being a disciple of Christ.

Christians around the world continue to suffer for their faith through violence, government oppression, legal restrictions, social rejection, and discrimination. The early disciples understood this reality. Discipleship requires commitment, courage, and a willingness to put Jesus above personal comfort and convenience.

On New Year’s Eve 1739, John Wesley, and several of their friends gathered for a “love feast,” which became a watch night of prayer as they welcomed the New Year. At about 3 a.m., Wesley wrote, “The power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground.” The Holy Spirit was moving, and revival broke out in that little corner of the world.

That event happened 287 years ago, which leads to an interesting question: Is revival still possible? The answer is yes. Welsh author and journalist Howard Spring (1889-1965) once wrote, “The kingdom of God is not going to advance by our churches becoming filled with people, but by people in our churches becoming filled with God.”

Church Shopping

There was a time when a person’s church home was often chosen for them. If you were born into a Methodist family, you attended a Methodist church. If you were raised Baptist, you attended a Baptist church. Presbyterians attended Presbyterian churches, while Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians typically remained within their respective traditions.

Over the past fifty years, however, that pattern has changed. People today are more likely to visit several congregations before deciding where to worship. As a result, the term church shopper has become common. A church shopper is someone who visits multiple churches in search of a congregation that meets his or her spiritual needs, values, and preferences before making a commitment. At one time, many people were uncomfortable admitting that they were church shopping. Today, they speak about it quite openly. During my years in full-time ministry, I tried to be sensitive to church shoppers. Any pastor who is interested in church growth must answer the question:

What are church shoppers looking for in a church? To answer that question, we turn to Acts 2:42-47.

According to the text, the great Day of Pentecost had passed, and the church had been established. This early church was a body of believers who devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. They met together daily, shared life closely with one another, and gave generously to anyone in need. The Holy Spirit rested upon these believers, and miracles were common among them. The church enjoyed the favor of the people, and God added to their number daily those who were being saved. Throughout my years in ministry, I used the early church as a model, because church shoppers are looking for a church like the early church. In this blog, we will look at four priorities of church shoppers.

Church Shoppers are looking for a church that emphasizes Bible. Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teachings.” We do not have the benefit of living apostles. But we have the next best thing, the Bible! The Bible tells us how to live and what to believe. Without the Bible we are lost.

History tells us that the famed scientist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was sometimes so absorbed in thought that he would become forgetful about everyday matters. One evening, while riding the train home, the conductor came by to collect tickets. Einstein searched his pockets but could not find his ticket. “That’s all right, Dr. Einstein,” the conductor said. “I know who you are. You ride this train every day. You can show me your ticket tomorrow.” Einstein replied, “Young man, the problem is not my ticket. The problem is that I don’t know where I’m going.” In much the same way, without the Bible we do not know where we are going. God’s Word gives direction for life. It reveals His will, His purposes, and His plan for His people. Church shoppers are looking for a church that emphasizes the Bible.

Church shoppers are looking for a church with strong fellowship. Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship.” People are simply not looking for a place to attend on Sunday. They are looking for a place to belong. They want meaningful relationships, genuine acceptance, and a community that cares for them. In a world where loneliness is increasingly common, the church can provide what many people are desperately seeking: a spiritual family where they are known, loved, and encouraged in their walk with Christ.

John Wilkes Booth (1838-1865) shot Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) on April 14, 1865, at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln had five items in his possession that evening: a handkerchief embroidered with “A. Lincoln,” a boy’s penknife, a pair of spectacles, a five-dollar Confederate note, and a newspaper article written by John Bright. The article described Lincoln as one of the greatest men of all time. Those closest to Lincoln said that he read that article countless times because he could hardly believe those words. Lincoln struggled to see his own value. It is widely known today that he suffered from depression, and loneliness was a recurring part of his life. How many lonely people are there in our community today? How many are searching for a place where they can be loved, accepted, and supported? Church shoppers are looking for a church with strong fellowship.

Church shoppers are looking for a church that is passionate about Jesus! The text says, “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teachings and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread.” The author is not just talking about a meal. The author is talking about communion.” The early church had communion every time they gathered because they wanted to remember Jesus. They had a passion for Jesus.

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) once said, “Our hearts are restless until we find our rest in God.” John Wesley (1703-1791) called it prevenient grace – the kind of grace that calls us home. It all begins and ends with Jesus. German Lutheran theologian Rudolph Bultmann (1884-1976) once said, “There is a faint recollection of Eden in all of us calling us home.” Each one is saying the same thing – our lives are incomplete with Jesus. Without Jesus, our souls are incomplete. Church shoppers are looking for a church that is passionate about Jesus.

Church shoppers are looking for a church that places a high priority on prayer. The text says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Prayer was not an occasional activity for the early church. It was one of the foundations upon which the church was built. The importance of prayer remains evident today. According to Pew Research, 44% of Americans pray daily, while another 23% pray at least weekly. These numbers remind us that people continue to have a deep desire to connect with God.

True prayer is opening our hearts to God and aligning our lives with His will. It is a time of fellowship with Him, listening as well as speaking, trusting as well as asking. Church shoppers are looking for a church that places a high priority on prayer.

In retirement, I became a church shopper. I quickly discovered that finding a good church is not easy. After visiting and considering the churches in my community, I found a church an hour from our home. My soul is worth the drive. At this stage of life, I need a church that emphasizes the Bible, fosters strong fellowship, is passionate about Jesus, and places a high priority on prayer. I believe it is where God wants me to be. American author and church leader Thom S. Rainer may have said it best: “The church is not a store to be shopped; it is a community to be shared.”

Reduced to Silence

Our reading is Mark 9:30-35. Jesus and the disciples are walking toward Jerusalem, and everyone knows a great conflict is coming with leaders of the orthodox faith. However, Jesus and the disciples view that conflict in completely different ways. Jesus is focused on the will of God and his appointment with the cross. The disciples are focused on their personal desires. They believe Jesus is a political Messiah who will lead a political revolution against the Romans. As Jesus’s friends, they believe they will receive powerful positions in the new government. So, they begin arguing about who will get the most powerful positions. Their arrogance is on display for the entire world to see. When Jesus confronts them about their arrogance, they are reduced to silence. There is no place for arrogance in the Kingdom of God.

In this blog, I want to help you eliminate arrogance from your life by looking at three reasons the disciples were reduced to silence. Arrogance is an important topic for anyone who wants to be used by God in this world. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” So why were the disciples reduced to silence?

The disciples were reduced to silence because of their ruthless pride. I did not say pride, I said ruthless pride. There is a great difference between the two. I believe that having a certain kind of pride is good. For example, I am proud of my wife, who has helped countless people around the world through her nonprofit. I am proud of my daughters because they help children in their occupations. I am proud of my grandchildren – I believe they are perfect. I am proud I served in the ministry for decades, and I am thankful God called me. I am proud of the Christian faith; it is the one true religion. I am proud to be an American. Far from perfect, I do not want to live anywhere else. Having pride in certain things is a good thing.

The disciples didn’t just have pride; they had ruthless pride. Ruth is one of the great characters in the Old Testament. She is remembered for love, loyalty, thoughtfulness, and faithfulness. In her story, she worried more about her mother-in-law, Naomi, than she did about herself. She is a beautiful example of humility. The disciples in our story are not “ruth-filled”; they are ruthless. They cared only about themselves and possessed none of Ruth’s qualities. Their ruthless behavior had to be eliminated from their lives if they were going to be part of the Kingdom of God. In the same way, ruthless pride must be eliminated from your life if you are going to be used by God in this world. The disciples were guilty of ruthless pride. They were arrogant and were reduced to silence.

The disciples were reduced to silence because of their bitter self-centeredness. They dreamed about how this new kingdom would benefit them. They showed no concern for others and no sign of personal humility. Their arrogance was on full display. American evangelist Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899) once said, “God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.” Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility value others as better than yourself.”

On Christmas Eve 1910, the Salvation Army held its international convention in London. The organizers asked their founder, William Booth (1829-1912), to speak. Unable to attend because of poor health, he sent a telegram. To save money, the telegram contained only one word: OTHERS.

In 1964, Roy DeLamotte (1918-2010) served as chaplain at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. He was once asked to deliver a sermon answering the question, “What’s in religion for me?” The sermon became famous because it was the shortest in the history of Paine College. It was one word: NOTHING. When asked how long it took him to prepare the message, he said, “Twenty years.” It is too bad that the disciples didn’t attend that convention or hear that sermon. They were only worried about themselves and were reduced to silence, guilty of bitter self-centeredness.

The disciples were reduced to silence because of their bickering hostility. They were wrestling for position, hoping to influence the whole group. They were guilty of a condition I call “elitist domination.” That happens when one person or a small group dominates the behavior of the whole group. Sometimes, it is a well-meaning layperson. Sometimes, it is the pastor. How many struggling congregations do you know that are run by a small group or individual?

During my time in ministry, I believed in something called “healthy tension.” This is when everyone is permitted to express an opinion. Yes, tension arises and feelings can be hurt, but I believe that tension can be God’s will. In a local church, two groups are always present: bean counters and visionaries. Both hold strong opinions and believe they are right. Bean counters base their decisions on logic, while visionaries base their decisions on their hearts. If you have ever said in a church meeting, “We can’t afford it,” you are a bean counter. If you have ever said, “We need to step out in faith,” you are a visionary. The truth is that neither bean counters nor visionaries are always right. The best church decisions are often a compromise between the two. We find God’s will in that compromise. The disciples did not want tension or compromise, they wanted to dominate the entire group and were guilty of hostile bickering. They were arrogant and were ultimately reduced to silence. Let me end with a story I have told many times. At first, I thought it was historically accurate, but now I am not sure. Regardless, it makes a point.

In 1969, a group of friends in Pass Christian, Mississippi, gathered for a “hurricane party.” Police Chief Jerry Peralta arrived and urged everyone to leave because the storm was approaching. The group arrogantly refused. The officer wrote down their names, just in case. It was a good thing he did. On August 17 at 10:15 p.m., Hurricane Camille came ashore with winds of more than 200 miles per hour. Raindrops struck with the force of bullets, and waves along the Gulf Coast crested between twenty-two and twenty-eight feet high. Later news reports showed that Pass Christian, Mississippi, suffered some of the worst damage. Approximately twenty people were killed during the hurricane party. Nothing remained of the three-story structure except its foundation. Let me ask you a question: What killed them? Did the hurricane kill them, or was it their arrogance?

Jesus reduced the disciples to silence when He confronted them about their arrogance. Could that be our story? Are we dead in the water because of our arrogance? God cannot use you in His work if you are filled with ruthless pride, bitter self-centeredness, or bickering hostility. Perhaps Proverbs 16:18 says it best: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”