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.”

Life’s Greatest Motivator

Viktor Frankl (1905–1997) was an Austrian psychologist who spent four years in Nazi concentration camps. During that time, he observed something that reshaped his work: the people who survived were not always the physically strongest, but those who held on to a reason to live. That insight led him to ask, “What is the greatest motivating force in life?”

Frankl reflected on the leading theories of his day. Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) believed pleasure was life’s greatest motivator, but there was no pleasure in the camp. Alfred Adler (1870–1937) believed power was life’s greatest motivator, but the Jews had no power there. Frankl developed a different theory: the greatest motivating force in a person’s life is hope. Those who survived never lost hope. Despite the hardships around them, they believed their suffering would one day end and that they would again live meaningful, purposeful lives. Never underestimate the power of hope. That takes us to our scripture reading, Matthew 14:22-33.

Jesus has just fed 5,000 men, plus women and children, with five loaves and two fish. Physically and spiritually spent, he longs to be alone. Before going up the mountainside to pray, he sends the crowd away and tells the disciples to sail to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. According to Mark’s version of the story, the disciples head to Bethsaida. While Jesus and the disciples are separated, a storm strikes. Things look bad when the disciples cannot row against the storm, but Jesus saves them. Breaking natural law, he walks on the water and calms the storm. That quick overview leads us to the first of three questions.

Where are the storms in your life? There are all kinds of storms. Maybe your storm is financial. Life is expensive. Maybe your storm is employment-related. There is more to life than paying bills. Maybe your storm is medical. You spend your time visiting various healthcare professionals. Maybe your storm is relational. You are concerned about your aging parents living alone in an old neighborhood that is no longer safe. Or maybe you are concerned about the youngest generation in your life because the world they are inheriting is complex. Maybe your storm is spiritual. You are afraid to die. Maybe you are facing more than one storm. Everyone faces storms. Where are the storms in your life? That leads us to question number two.

Are you ready to experience God in unexpected ways? In our story, the disciples are in a boat in the middle of a storm. They see what they believe is a ghost coming toward them and are afraid. In their culture, seeing a ghost meant someone was going to die. They think they are going to die. But then they experience Jesus in an unexpected way: he is walking on the water. They had just seen Jesus feed 5,000 men with only five loaves and two fish, but they are still amazed. They never expected him to come to them that way.

Sometimes Jesus comes to us in surprising ways. During the Korean War, a soldier became separated from his unit and was trapped behind enemy lines. With little chance of escape, he hid in a cave and prayed for God to help him. When he lifted his head, he saw a spider busily building a web over the cave’s opening. Moments later, he heard Korean soldiers approaching. Since he did not speak Korean, he understood only two words: spider web. As the enemy soldiers walked away, he realized why they had passed him by. Because the mouth of the cave was covered with a spider web, they assumed no one was inside. Sometimes God comes to us in surprising ways.

Sometimes God comes to us in the routine of daily life. I have been retired for four years, and people often ask what I miss about ministry. I do not miss preaching regularly. I do not miss the stress of Advent or Lent. I do not miss the weekly administrative meetings. I do not miss the complaints from well-meaning people. I do not miss attending every church function. I do not miss being accountable to all my parishioners. What I miss is praying with people during the most sacred moments of their lives: before surgery, at the birth of a child, and at the death of a loved one. I went into ministry to help people, but as a pastor, I was pulled in many directions. The larger my church grew, the less time I had with individuals. I took those moments for granted and forgot that God comes to us in the routine of daily life. That leads us to question three.

Are you ready to be a sign of hope for the hopeless? In our story, the disciples believe they are going to die. They have no hope, and then Jesus suddenly appears. Verse 27 says that once they recognize Jesus, they are no longer afraid. Peter, one of the twelve, is so inspired by Jesus’ presence that he attempts to walk on the water. Are you ready to be like Jesus? Are you ready to be a sign of hope to those who are hopeless?

American clergyman James P. Wind (1941–2011) once visited the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, where he came across a piece titled “America’s Joyous Future.” As contemporary artists often do, Erika Rothenberg (born 1950) had taken something from everyday life, a small church bulletin board, and turned it into a provocative work of art. In a style familiar to clergy across the country, she spelled out life at one local congregation in simple white letters against a stark black background. This is what it said. EVENINGS AT 7 IN THE PARISH HALL. Mon. Alcoholics Anonymous. Tues. Abused Spouses. Wed. Eating Disorders. Thurs. Say No To Drugs. Fri. Teen Suicide Watch. Sat. Soup Kitchen. Sunday Sermon 9 a.m. “America’s Joyous Future.” Wind admitted later that the piece haunted him. Did visitors to that art museum see it as an indictment of churches and synagogues that preach pie in the sky in their worship services while remaining oblivious to real human hurt and need? Or did they see it as a sign that our congregations are deeply immersed in human suffering?

American poet Emily Dickinson (1830–1886) famously described hope as a “thing with feathers.” We tend to imagine hope as something winged, flying serenely above the storms and untouched by ordinary life. But the value of hope lies in its presence in our everyday lives. Hope walks beside us. Are you ready to walk alongside people who are hopeless? Are you willing to be a sign of hope? Or are you another example of indifference?

3 Myths about Sin

Nome, Alaska, is covered with snow nine months a year, making it look like a quaint winter wonderland of pure white. However, during the other three months, the temperature rises and the snow melts. Once the snow is gone, large amounts of debris are exposed. It is not uncommon to see yards filled with broken washing machines, junked cars, old toilets, scrap wood, and piles of non-degradable refuse. The yards are a mess all year, but during the long winters, the snow covers the mess. Could that be the story of our lives? On the surface, we look good, but below the surface, there is a mess. Everyone has some work to do. That takes us to our reading, Joshua 7:16-26.

The main character in our story is Achan. He was a soldier in Israel’s army when Israel defeated Jericho. It was a great military victory for Israel because no one predicted victory. God granted them the victory with only one condition: no soldier was to take any plunder. Plunder was how a soldier was normally paid. Refusing to take plunder showed obedience to God. The problem was that Achan did not obey that command. He took a beautiful mantle, along with some silver and gold. At first, his sin went unnoticed. It was only after Israel lost its next battle against the city of Ai that people began to ask questions. How could Israel defeat the superior forces of Jericho and then be defeated by the inferior forces of Ai? The answer to that question was sin. Achan reminds us that sin should be taken seriously.

Sin is any action, feeling, thought, or failure to act that violates God’s law, character, or perfect standard. Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In my experience, most people do not take sin seriously. Rather than comparing ourselves to Jesus, the sinless One, we compare ourselves to other sinners. Our society has created three myths that lessen the seriousness of sin. In this blog, I will address those myths and use Achan’s story to illustrate each one.

Myth Number One: One sin will not hurt. That simply is not true. God commanded that no one take any plunder from Jericho, and everyone followed that command except Achan. Nearly 100% obedience was not good enough, because God expected 100% of the troops to obey the order. In God’s eyes, one sin does matter. The story ends with Achan being taken out and stoned. The point is clear: one sin does matter!

This is not an isolated case in the Bible. Adam and Eve committed just one sin and were expelled from the garden. Moses committed just one sin and was not permitted to enter the Promised Land. The sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, committed just one sin and died by fire. Uzzah committed just one sin, he accidentally touched the ark and died instantly. Even in the New Testament, God will not tolerate a single sin. Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit and died. One sin does matter to God! The world says one sin won’t hurt. In God’s eyes, one sin does matter! Are you concerned about the sin in your life?

Myth Number Two: One sin will not affect others. That simply is not true. In our story, Achan’s sin affected many people. Without God’s protection, Israel lost thirty-six soldiers in a losing effort in a battle against Ai, bringing shame to the entire country. One person’s sin can affect the whole community by damaging relationships, eroding trust, and creating a ripple effect of negative consequences. How many examples do you need?

Vienna is a small town in northeast Ohio. Located twenty miles from my home, it has been on the local news regularly because it is in a fiscal emergency. Its budget is $1.3 million short. Part of the problem involved the township treasurer. Between August 2021 and March 2024, the treasurer made 127 electronic transfers from township accounts to pay for her personal expenses. Those transfers totaled more than $120,000. To balance the budget, the township was forced to lay off police officers and firefighters. The 4,000 residents of Vienna Township will tell you that one person’s sin affects others. Are you concerned about the sin in your life?

Myth Number Three: Sin can be hidden. That simply is not true. In our story, Achan hid his plunder in his tent, but Joshua found it. While it may be possible to hide your sins temporarily from the people in your life, it is not wise. Hiding sin creates guilt and stress, damages relationships, and frustrates spiritual growth. More importantly, it is impossible to hide your sins from God, who is omniscient. In other words, God is all-knowing. Proverbs 28:13 encourages us to confess our sins to God because we will receive mercy. Are you concerned about the sin in your life?

My Great-Uncle Grant was a dairy farmer near Conneaut, Ohio. He was the last person in the family to live on a farm. I remember visiting his farm as a small boy. He spent his life milking cows and worrying that one of them would wander off. He knew why cows wandered off. It started with a cow nibbling at a tuft of grass. When it had finished that tuft, it found another and then another. Each tuft of grass led the cow farther away from the farm until the cow had nibbled itself into being lost. Could that be our story?

You may have nibbled yourself away from God. It is easy to do. Perhaps you rationalized that one sin would not matter, would not hurt anyone, or could remain your little secret. But as you nibbled away at those little sins, you eventually became lost. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.” Isn’t it time you took sin seriously?

Trust and Obey

In my time in the ministry, most traditional worshippers loved the hymn, Trust and Obey. The hymn was inspired in 1886 when the composer of the music, Daniel B. Towner (1950-1919), was the music leader at one of Dwight L. Moody’s (1837-1899) revivals in Blockton, Massachusetts. On one evening, a young man stood up in a testimony meeting and said, “I am not quite sure – but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.” Towner jotted down that line and sent it to a Presbyterian minister, J. H. Sammis (1846-1919), who wrote the hymn and the tune was born. With that story in mind, let us look at our scripture reading, 2 Kings 5:1-14.

The main character in the story is Naaman. Prior to our reading, Naaman had a good life. As Commander of the Syrian army, he was professionally successful, well connected, and respected. His good life was threatened when he discovered he had leprosy, a highly contagious skin disease. In our time it is treatable, but in Naaman’s time there was no cure. His association with the king, professional success, fame, and wealth could not help him. The powerful Naaman was powerless against the disease.

His only hope was in God. Naaman’s story resonates with anyone who has ever had a major problem. In this blog, I want to examine three divine truths about problems.

Divine Truth Number One: problems force us to seek God. When life is good, we have no need for God. Now, God does not create our problems, but God uses our problems to remind us of what is important. That was Naaman’s story. Naaman had everything this world had to offer. Verse one says, “Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. (Aram was the King of Syria.) He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.” Those four words, “but he had leprosy”, changed everything. Suddenly, God became important to Naaman. It was his wife’s maid, an Israelite refugee, who spoke of the prophet Elisha. It is a universal truth – how many people do you know have no need for God until a problem invades their personal space?

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC) was born 525 before Jesus. He had a good life. He lived in the palace away from the harshness of this world. It was not until he was in his early twenties that he left the palace for the first time. When he did, he saw the harshness of his world. He saw poverty, disease, and death for the first time and he was forever changed. He looked for a higher power to answer some tough questions and find relief. He developed meditation to disassociate himself from this world. It worked for him and he taught it to others. Today, Siddhartha Gautama is called Buddha, or the “enlightened one”. Today, there are approximately four hundred million Buddhists worldwide. It all started because one young man saw the big problems of this world. He reached for a higher power to ease his pain. Seeking God during a problem does not make you a Christian, but it does make you human. Problems force us to seek God. The next two divine truths go hand in hand.

Divine Truth Number Two: problems force us to trust God. Naaman took the words of the maid seriously. He received permission from his king to travel to Israel. Verse five says he took a hefty sum of money with him expecting to pay a king’s ransom for the healing. Upon his arrival he discovers two things. First, the prophet was not in the court of the King of Israel. Second, he discovered that his money is worthless. The healing cannot be bought. If he wanted to be healed, then he must trust God. Before Naaman could submit to God, he had to learn how to trust God. That was difficult for him. It has been said, “A person who trusts no one can’t be trusted.” How much do you trust God? Problems force us to trust God.

Divine Truth Number Three: problems force us to submit to God. The greatest barrier to Naaman’s healing was his own pride. Several things happen to break his pride. First, Naaman learned the King of Israel was powerless against the disease; Naaman’s political connections could not help him. Second, Naaman was instructed to go to Elisha’s house and was greeted by a messenger. Verse eleven tells us Naaman felt disrespected and was angry. Third, Naaman was instructed to dunk himself seven times in the muddy Jordan River. The number seven in the Bible stands for completeness. In other words, Naaman had to completely submit to God. That would require Naaman to humble himself. That was difficult for him. Without the encouraging words of his servants, Naaman would have returned home with leprosy. In the end, Naaman swallowed his pride and submitted. As promised, he was healed after dunking himself seven times in the Jordan. New Zealand explorer Edmund Hillary (1919-2008) once said, “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”

Submitting to God’s will is one of the most challenging things you will ever do in your life as a disciple. We are more comfortable with Jesus being our Saviour, than we are Jesus being our Lord. The reason is, God does not always address a problem in the way that we expect. Naaman took his great wealth to Israel expecting to buy a miracle. He never dreamed he would be dunking himself in the Jordan River. How many times has God responded to your problems in a surprising way? Problems force us to submit to God.

Let me end where I began. In 1886, Dwight L. Moody held a revival in Blockton, Massachusetts. One of the attendees was a young man who attended a testimony meeting. He stood up and said that he would trust and obey God for the rest of his life. That is easy to say when life is good. It is not so easy to say when problems invade your life. Problems are a part of life. The greater the problem the more trust and obedience is required. If you do not believe me, ask Naaman.

Show Us God

Our reading is John 14:1-9. For some time, Jesus had been telling the disciples that he was going to be leaving them, but his words fell on deaf ears. Advertisers tell us we need to hear something seven times before we hear it the first time. Do you know someone who needs to hear something more than once? Do not be hard on that person. Jesus was not hard on the disciples. For some reason, this time the disciples heard it; Jesus is leaving and they are upset. They are like young children whose parents are going out on a Saturday night. They want to know if they could go with him, and they want to know who was going to stay with them. Jesus recognizes their concerns and tries to comfort them. The Master says this is not the end; it is just a momentary separation. Someday, they are going to be reunited. That will be one great day! They will all be together in heaven. Each one will have their own mansion. They heard what Jesus was saying, but they have some doubts. Two disciples respond in different ways. Thomas admits his ignorance. He does not even know where Jesus is going. Phillip demands proof. In verse eight Phillip says, “Show us the father and that will be enough for us.”

That verse relates back to the story of the transfiguration. It is a pivotal moment in Jesus’s ministry. It is found in Matthew 17, Mark 9, and Luke 9. Peter has just identified Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus takes the inner circle, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, to a mountaintop. According to the story Jesus is transfigured at that location. In other words, Jesus begins to glow. Suddenly, two of the greatest characters of the Old Testament appear, Moses and Elijah. Moses was the great law giver. Elijah was considered the greatest of the prophets. The climax of the story is when God appears. It is important to note that only four of the twelve disciples have that experience. The other eight hear the story secondhand. Philip was one of the eight and felt left out. Philip said, “Show us the father and we will believe.” In other words, Philip said, “Show us God.” He wanted to have a spectacular experience with God too. He is not the only one.

Some look for God in a spectacular way today. That is why people are so preoccupied with miraculous healings and individuals who experience a stigma. That is why people study their toasted cheese sandwiches, looking for the face of Jesus. That is why people find the image of the Virgin Mary in their baked potato. That is why people see the image of the Last Supper in a rusting water tower. I do not want to sound critical, they are hungry for God, so they look for Him in spectacular ways. They want God to do something spectacular because we need proof that God is in control. Have you ever looked for God in the spectacular? Philip said, “Show us God!”

Some look for God in a specific location. In the Christian tradition, we go to the altar because it is at the altar we expect to experience God. We reserve the most sacred moments in our lives for the altar. We pray about our problems at the altar. We get married at the altar. We baptize our young at the altar. We bury our dead at the altar. When you go to the altar you do not just hope to experience God, you expect to experience God! However, it does not just happen at the altar. Other places hold a special place in our hearts because it is where we experienced God in our personal pasts.

Lakeside is located on Ohio’s Marblehead peninsula. For decades, people have gone to Lakeside for family vacations and spiritual renewals. Lakeside is filled with many things, but the one everyone knows about is the chapel in the woods. It is not fancy, but it is sacred. I cannot tell you how many young people have accepted Christ at that location. One man said to me, “Russ, I want to go back to the chapel in the woods to see if God is still waiting there for me.” Do you have a place in your life where God is waiting for you? Do you have a specific location where you expect to experience God? Philip said, “Show us God!”

Some look for God in the perfect. Sometimes it is the perfection of nature. God’s fingerprints are seen at every corner. It is easy to see God when the leaves are full of color during an Ohio autumn. It is easy to see God when the spring flowers bloom after a cold dark winter. It is easy to see God when you are walking on the beach and are swallowed by the sounds of the surf. It is easy to see God when the snow is fresh and undisturbed. It is easy to see God when standing on a mountaintop soaking in the view. It is easy to see God when a falling star shoots across the night sky. It is easy to see God in the perfection of nature.

Sometimes it is the perfect relationship. It would be an empty world without relationships. You know how your spouse feels without saying a word. Your grandchildren light up when you walk in the room. An old friend calls at just the right time and says just the right words. Your parents are proud of the person you have become. The humbling spirit when the whole church is praying for you. Some look for God in the perfect. Philip said, “Show us God!”

Jesus says, if you want to see God, then look at him. John 14:9 says it clearly, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus has a point. Philip, and the rest of the disciples, had experienced so much with Jesus. During a three-year period, they saw how Jesus treated others, offering them forgiveness and patience. They saw how he put the needs of others ahead of his own. He cared for the weak. He practiced unconditional love. He cared for and comforted people who were lonely, weak and in pain. He was humble and treated everyone with respect. He trusted God when life was hard. It should have been obvious, but they missed it. They did not know they had been watching God the whole time. If you want to see God, then look at Jesus. Let me end with this question: has anyone ever seen God while looking at you? It is a fair question. 1 John 2:6 says, “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

Do You Like Apricots?

According to the scriptures, God selected Abram to be the father of a great nation. (Genesis 12:2) His descendants were to be as numerous as the stars in the sky. To underscore this calling, God changed his name from Abram to Abraham. In Hebrew, Abram means “exalted father.” Abraham means “Father of the multitude.” Yet, Abraham only had one child with his wife Sarah – Isaac. Abraham’s blessing was passed on to Isaac.

Isaac and his wife, Rebekah, had twin boys. (Genesis 25:19-26) The boys were not identical twins; the boys were fraternal and they were nothing alike. They even battled in the womb. (Genesis 25:22) The first boy born must have been a handsome lad. He was red and hairy. For that reason, they named him Esau, which means “hairy.” (Genesis 25:25) The second boy had a fighting spirit. He was still wrestling with his brother during his birth, grabbing his brother’s heel. They named him Jacob, which means “seizing the heel.” (Genesis 25:26) In certain ways the boys were like us. We like to think we are independent and choose our own path but, like Esau and Jacob, we are influenced by three great expectations. In this blog, I want to look at those expectations.

The first societal expectations. Our society expects a great deal from us. On May 24, 2012, Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals were hosting the Philadelphia Phillies. The game was competitive and the crowd enjoyed themselves. In the crowd was twenty-two-year-old Collin Grundstrom (born 1990). Just as the seventh inning was about to begin, a beer fueled Grundstrom decided to take his fun to a new level. He slipped into his birthday suit and streaked onto the field. The crowd cheered, but the police were not amused. In time, they caught and body slammed Grundstrom. He was charged with public nudity. One of the things our society expects from us is to keep our clothes on in public.

Every society is filled with countless expectations. Sociologists call them societal norms. Consider these societal norms or expectations. They are in no order.

1. Giving Christmas presents

2. Leaving a tip for a waiter (At least 15%)

3. Saying please and thank you

4. Avoid burping in public

5. Chewing gum with no sound

6. Chewing food with your mouth closed

7. Showering

8. Brushing your teeth

9. Opening the door for a lady

10. Surrendering your seat to an elderly person

You get the point. There are certain things our society expects. It is true of our generation, and it was true of Esau and Jacob’s generation too. From the moment Esau and Jacob were born their society was telling them how to act. From the moment you enter this world our society tells us the proper way to act. We are influenced by societal expectations.

The second is family expectations. Our families expect certain things from us. In 2012, my daughter, Anna, graduated from the University of Mount Union. I graduated from Mount Union in 1979. As a matter of fact, her Major was the same as my major, Business Administration with a minor in Marketing. In several classes we had the same professors over thirty years apart. I was so pleased, I told her several times I loved her and how proud I was of her on her graduation day. The last time I told her, she responded, “Dad, I don’t know why you are so impressed. I thought we were expected to go to college!”

Our families influence us in many ways. They serve as our first blueprint for future relationships, form our identities, and refine our behavior. Families shape our self-identity, provide a support system, encourage healthy behavior, promote or reduce our stigmas, and influence our priorities and opinions. When I ask couples getting married, “Whose relationship do you admire the most?” They never say Travis and Taylor. They tell me – their parents. Like it or not, you are influenced by your family.

Esau and Jacob were influenced by their family too. What did the text say? Their father, Isaac, prayed for his children before they were even conceived. It is not surprising Jacob went on to become one of the greatest spiritual leaders in the history of the world. How are you influencing the spiritual life of the youngest in your family? We are influenced by family expectations.

The third is divine expectations. God expects certain things from us. Someone once asked Jesus the question, “What is the greatest commandment in the law?” (Matthew 22:36) Jesus answered the question, “You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) That means you are to love God completely. In other words, God is to be the top priority in your life. That is what God expects.

There is something called the World Population Review, which wanted to determine the happiest country in the world. They looked at 184 different counties and examined a wide variety of facts. They discovered the happiest country in the world is Finland, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and the Netherlands. The most unhappy country in the world is Afghanistan, followed by Sierra Leone and Lebanon. According to this study, the United States is the twenty-second happiest country in the world. Many were surprised by this low ranking, because many believe money can buy happiness. That simply isn’t true. If that is true, then the United States should be the happiest country in the world, because the United States holds nearly 35% of the world’s wealth. I think we are number twenty-two because we are no longer preoccupied with God. Today, we are preoccupied with money. As a nation we are spiritually out of balance. God is to be our top priority. That is what God expects. Let me end with this question.

Do you like apricots? You did not misread the question. I am asking you about the small yellowish-orange fruit with a single pit. Some love apricots; others hate apricots. What is your answer? Do you like apricots? I read this story years ago.

A young psychology student, serving in the Army, decided to test a theory. Drawing kitchen duty, he was given the job of passing out apricots at the end of the chow line. He asked the first few soldiers that came by, “You don’t want any apricots, do you?” Ninety percent said “No.” Then he tried the positive approach: “You do want apricots, don’t you?” About half answered, “Uh, yeah. I’ll take some.” Then he tried a third test. This time he asked, “One dish of apricots or two?” This time, 40 percent took two dishes and 50 percent took one!

That young psychology student learned quickly about the power of expectations. In America, we celebrate the fact that we are free, but we are not completely independent. We are influenced by three great expectations: society, family and spiritual. I would encourage you to view those expectations as a blessing, not a curse. Perhaps, this is a better question: what do you expect from yourself?