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?

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?

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?

Christianity in America

God loves everyone! God does not care about our political or racial differences. God does not care about our educational or economic differences. God loves everyone and has no trouble crossing manmade boarders. God loves Americans as much as South Africans. God loves Americans as much as the Japanese. God loves Americans as much as the French. God loves Americans as much as the Brazilians. God loves everyone! I hope that doesn’t upset you, because, according to the recent surveys, up to 64% of Americans believe the United States holds a favored nation status in the eyes of God. Our generation is not the first generation to feel this way.

Americans have always appreciated the Christian faith. It has been that way from the very beginning. Consider these quotes from some of the Founding Fathers. General of the Continental Army and First President George Washington (1732-1799) said in his farewell address, “Do not let anyone claim the tribute of American patriotism if they ever attempt to remove religion from politics.” Chief writer of the Declaration of Independence and third president, Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) once said, “The First Amendment has erected a wall of separation between church and state, but that wall is a one directional wall; it keeps the government from running the church, but it makes sure that Christian principles will always stay in government.” Considered to be the architect of the Constitution and fourth president, James Madison (1751-1836) once said, ‘We have staked the whole future of American civilization not on the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” While each one of these men had a different understanding of God, each one appreciated the Christian faith. On this 250^th anniversary of the birth of the United States we can see that American patriotism and Christianity share common themes.

First, both American patriotism and Christianity require a bold declaration. In declaring our independence, the patriots made that bold declaration. In 1776, Great Britain was the greatest political force in the Western Hemisphere. The thirteen colonies paled in comparison. History tells us the cry for independence was much clearer in the northern colonies than it was in the southern colonies. Only one-third of colonialists supported the idea of independence. Yet, on July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain. It took two days to refine the wording of the Declaration of Independence, but two hundred and fifty years later we can still see that the Declaration of Independence was a bold declaration.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, you made a bold declaration too – that Jesus was your Lord and Savior! Maybe you made that declaration on a youth mission trip or during a church camp. Maybe you made your declaration during a church revival or during a small group study? Maybe you made that declaration when you were young or not so young. Maybe your conversion story includes some questionable behavior or a loving patient Sunday school teacher. The details don’t matter. That only things that matters is that you at some point in your life declared to your world that Jesus is your Lord and Savior. Both American patriotism and Christianity require a bold declaration.

Second, both American patriotism and Christianity require a high price. Did you know fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence? When they signed their names, their lives completely changed. Their conviction resulted in untold sufferings for themselves and their families. Of the 56 men, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army. Another had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the war. Carter Braxton (1736-1797) of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships sunk by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in poverty. At the battle of Yorktown, the British General Charles Cornwallis (1738-1805) had taken over the home of Thomas Nelson (1738-1789). He ordered General George Washington (1732-1799) to open fire on his own home. Nelson died bankrupt. The signers of the Declaration of Independence paid a high price, but so did the colonists who supported the revolution. There is a cruel side to war that cannot be ignored.

True Christian discipleship requires a high price too. On May 23 of this year, Christian missionaries Davy (2003-2026) and Natalie Loyd (2001-2026) were killed in Lizon, Haiti. They were killed by gang members. It was reported, as Davy’s life came to an end, he refused to stop preaching the gospel; he paid the ultimate price. How much are you willing to sacrifice in service to God? Many want the benefits of Christianity without discipleship. How much of your time, natural talent and money are you willing to give up in the name of Jesus? Both American patriotism and Christianity require a high price.

Third, American patriotism and Christianity believe in a great reward. The American Revolution ended nearly two years after the battle at Yorktown. The treaty was signed in Paris in 1783. David Hartley (1732-1813) signed on behalf of Great Britain and King George III (1738-1820). John Adams (1735-1826), Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) and John Jay (1745-1829) signed on behalf of the United States. In the treaty the United States obtained their freedom and land. Great Britain surrendered all the land they held east of the Mississippi River, approximately 1.1 million square miles.

The Christian faith includes a great reward too. On the day you declared Jesus as your Lord and Savior you suddenly had a special relationship with God. You can live at peace in this world because you know that someday you are going to heaven. The Apostle Paul wasn’t wrong. Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Someday we are all going to heaven! Both American patriotism and Christianity include a great reward.

Only a fool would say the Christian faith has had no impact on America over the past 250 years. It provided the foundational moral language for civil equality, drove both monumental reform movements and devastating social oppressions, and inspired the constitutional architecture of religious freedom. The United States we know today would not be recognizable without the influence of the Christian faith. Let us pray Christianity will influence America for another 250 years.

A holy wooden Christian cross laying on a wood background with an American flag.

Talking about Sin

Our reading is John 8:2-11. According to the text, Jesus is in Jerusalem. Early in the morning, Jesus was in the temple courts teaching those who had assembled. Jesus is suddenly interrupted by his enemies, the teachers of the law. In a show of force, they appear with a woman who had sinned. No one debates her guilt – she is guilty of adultery. Only the woman appeared, her lover is not present. Unlike our generation, morality was important to their generation. They bring the woman to Jesus and remind him of the law. Verse five says they asked Jesus his opinion, “What do you say? “ Truth be told, the teachers of the law are not really interested in Jesus’ opinion. They are only interested in eliminating him. Verse six says it clearly, “They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.” It is hard to see generations later, but it was one of those questions that had no right answer. If Jesus says, “No,” then it looks like he is ignoring the laws of Moses. Deuteronomy 22:22-24 says the woman must be stoned. If Jesus says, “Yes,” then he is breaking Roman law which refused to permit the Jews to take a life. It appears to be the perfect trap, but Jesus seizes that opportunity to teach the crowd about sin. The story brings up three points about sin. This is the first.

It is easy to identify the sins of others. No one in the story is questioning the woman’s guilt. We do not know the details of the story. We do not know if this was her first offense, or if she was a repeat offender. The details really don’t matter. The only thing that really matters is her guilt. Do you know of anyone who is guilty? Do you know of anyone who has done something that will never be forgotten? How easy it is to identify other people’s sins.

When I served the local church, I had a woman who came to the church regularly looking for financial help. Her name was Sarah. She looked like a victim. Unfit and unclean, she smelled like a cigarette which explained her labored beathing. Every time she came, she had a different sad story. Each story ended with her asking for money. I helped her twice. The first time was when I paid for a motel room because she had nowhere to sleep. The second time I gave her a gift certificate for food when she had no food. Let me say this clearly – I never helped her again. This is why. On the day I gave her the gift certificate gift she told me she hadn’t eaten in days. No one should be hungry, even Sarah. I prayed with her, gave her the certificate and walked her to the door. As we stood at the door she thanked me one more time with a tear in her eyes. From the door I watched her walk toward her ancient SUV. I felt good because I had helped someone. Then I looked inside of her vehicle. I was surprised to see other people. One of them threw a fast-food bag out of the window as they drove off with the gift certificate. I picked up the trash and discovered they had been to Taco Bell. They were not hungry. Sarah was not hungry. There were half eaten tacos spread throughout the parking lot. There is no other way to say it, Sarah had lied to me, and I felt like a fool. I never helped her again. Sarah’s story reminds me it is easy to identify the sins of others. How many sinners are there in your life? This is the second point about sin.

It is hard to identify yourself as a sinner. Everyone is standing around the adulterous woman. They are holding a stone and hungry for justice. Verse seven changes everything. It says, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Suddenly everyone drops their rock, because everyone is guilty of some kind of sin. You are a sinner too. Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.“ It is easy to identify other people’s sins. It is hard to identify yourself as a sinner.

On December 8, 1980, British musician John Lennon (1940-1980) was shot by Mark David Chapman (born 1955) in New York City. When the news was announced a crowd assembled on that spot to remember him. Lennon was dead and Chapman was sent to Attica prison, where he is today. Through the years journalists have interviewed him. One of them asked Chapman what he regrets most about the whole event. He responded, “I am saddened that people seem to misunderstand me. I am not a bad person. I only killed one person.” How difficult it is to identify yourself as a sinner. This is the third point about sin.

God treats sinners with mercy and compassion. God does not condone or accept our sinning; God expects us to do better. When the scene ends, only two people remain, Jesus and the woman. Jesus could have stoned her as the law required, but he looked at the woman and had compassion. When he looked at her, he did not see a sinner. He saw a broken, unhappy life, wasting her potential. Jesus cared more about the person then he did the law. God cares more about us then the law. What is more important to you, people or the law?

Years ago, I received an email from a person named Justin. I cannot tell you about him because I never met him. Our relationship was nothing more than a series of emails. He emailed me first because he had a question that was grounded in fear. He was afraid he had committed the unforgiveable sin. Mark 3:29 says, “Whoever blasphemes against The Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of everlasting sin.” I examined the passage to him. It was directed at a certain group at a certain time in history. I told him he wasn’t guilty because I was certain he was going around giving Satan credit for God’s great works. I told him God is more interested in the sinner then he is the law. I told him Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. I told him Jesus died so me could live. I told him to trust Jesus. I asked him if he knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior. His last email was one word, YES! I responded, “I look forward to meeting you in heaven.” Are you like Justin? Are you afraid your sins can’t be forgiven? Or maybe your sin is not accepting the fact that you are a sinner. I hope not. Jesus died as the perfect sacrifice and gives you the opportunity for eternal life. How easy it is to see the sins in others and how hard it is to see our own sins. Thank goodness, Jesus treats sinners like us with mercy and compassion. May we do our best to sin no more!

Some Much to Remember

Our reading is Genesis 8:15-20. The main character is Noah. Everyone knows his story. In his days, the world had grown so wicked that God decided to start over. God sends a great flood to destroy everything. However, God decides to save mankind and selects one righteous man, Noah, to repopulate the world. God has Noah build a great ark. On the day the rain began to fall, Noah entered the ark, along with his family and the animals. According to Genesis 7:12, it rained forty days and forty nights. (Remember, in the Bible the number forty is reserved for a sacred period.) When the rain stopped, the water began to dry up and in time dry ground appeared. The first verse of our reading tells us God directs Noah to exit the ark. Verse twenty says the first thing Noah did was build an altar to the Lord.

Why did Noah build an altar? In the Bible, man-made altars were created for several reasons. Sometimes man-made altars existed to offer a sacrifice to God. That is why Noah built his altar. However, that is not the only reason. Sometimes man-made altars were constructed to remember divine encounters or to remember divine acts. Some altars were built to seal a covenant or as a place of refuge. I do not want to simplify the topic, but altars were built to remember something significant. That is the same reason we place headstones at graves. On Memorial Day, it is the custom in the United States to decorate graves of fallen soldiers who have died in service to our country. On Memorial Day, it is the custom to decorate the graves of deceased loved ones. Did you know approximately 20% of Americans visit the grave of a loved one regularly? During those visits people do three things. Let me look at each one.

First, when we stand at a grave we remember the past. When Noah stood by his altar he remembered his past. Just think about it for a moment, Noah walked out of the ark with his family. There were eight of them. That was it. Everyone else was gone. Everything he knew in the past was gone. They were not going to be part of his future. Everything and everyone, except his family, was gone!

Have you ever stopped to consider how the world has changed? In 2014, Kathryn and I traveled to Quincy, Massachusetts. It is the home of Peacefield, the home of Founding Father and President John Adams (1735-1826) and his wife Abigail Adams (1744-1818) and home of President John Qunincy Adams (1767-1848) and his wife Louisa Catherine Adams (1775-1852). The oldest selection of the house was built in 1731. The entire property is now part of the Adams National Historic Park. Everything was well preserved, and we enjoyed our visit. It was easy to imagine what life was like during the early days of our country, except for one exception. Across the street from the Adams home was a Dunkin Donuts. I found the contrast between Peacefield and the Dunkin Donuts comical. It reminds us the world has changed a great deal in the past 250 years.

Have you ever stopped to consider how much the world has changed in your lifetime? I was born in 1957. In 1957, the world population was approximately 2.8 billion. Today, it is over 8 billion. Since 1957, there has been an information revolution. In 1957, a new home cost approximately $15,000. A new car cost approximately $2,000. Gas was 24 cents a gallon. A first-class stamp was 3 cents. College tuition for an Ivy League school was $1,000 annually. You get the point; the world has changed a great deal in my lifetime. How much has the world changed in your lifetime? Noah spent time remembering the past. How much time do you spend remembering the past? One of the things we do on Memorial Day is remember the past.

Second, when we stand at a grave, we remember what is important. Verse 20 says Noah built his altar to the Lord. It doesn’t say he built the altar to his wife, his sons or their wives. It says he built the altar to the Lord. He built the altar to the most important thing in his life, God! This is the question you must answer: what is important to you?

Sitting on a table next to my bed is an old, grainy family photograph. I look at it regularly. My Aunt Phyllis tells me it is a photograph of an Adams family reunion about the year 1900. Everyone is sitting in front of a farmhouse. All the men have long beards; all the women are wearing long dresses. The oldest are sitting on chairs in the middle. The youngest are sitting on the ground. There is a young boy sitting in front of the oldest man. That young boy is my grandfather, Roger Adams. He was the only one in that picture I ever met. Everyone in that picture is gone. Yet, that photograph is important to me because they are my ancestors.

I like to think the core values of my ancestors are the same as mine. Not a single person in that photograph is extremely handsome or rich. Not a single Adams ever invented anything or wrote a book. Those things really don’t matter to me. However, Adams means certain things. First, it means you are a good person. Second, it means you are honest. Third, it means you are loyal; loyal to your spouse, children, friends and country. Fourth, it means you are a Christian. Jesus is the most important thing to me. What is important to you? One of the things we do on Memorial Day is remember what is important.

Third, when we stand at a grave we ponder the future. What do you think Noah thought about his future? To answer that question, you must combine Noah’s past experiences and his priorities. His past included a sinful world. His greatest priority was God. When he looked to the future he must have been determined to do better. Through Noah everything started anew. God had given the world another chance and Noah knew they could do better. Have you ever thought about your future? What do you still want to do? What mistakes do you want to correct? What would you like to do better? One of the things we do on Memorial Day is ponder the future.

John Logan (1826-1886) was the National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic during the 1860’s. It was Logan who declared May 30, 1868 a “Memorial Day.” That date was selected because the flowers would be in full bloom in both the north and the south. The observance was held at Arlington National Cemetery. Ulysses (1822-1885) and Julia Grant (1826-1902) presided over the day. Soldiers from the Grand Army of the Republic and orphans from the Soldiers and Sailors orphanage placed flowers on both Union and Confederate graves. The idea was not original. By 1868, communities who had lost men in the Civil War had been decorating the graves of their lost loved ones for several years. There is nothing new about Memorial Day. People have been remembering for a long time. Perhaps, it all began with Noah, who built an altar and remembered. This Memorial Day what will you remember?