ATTENTION: Wedding in ICU

As a pastor, I am not a stranger to hospitals.  I find myself going there from time to time to visit the sick hoping that as I come near that people might be reminded of the nearness of the Great Physician.  A few weeks ago,  I found myself on the ICU unit at our local hospital.   When you are on the ICU unit today, you are seriously ill.   As I was there,  I thought about another time when I was on that same ICU unit for a happy occasion.  The happy occasion was to officiate at the wedding of a young man who had a brain tumor and his fiancée.  As I recall, the prognosis for the young man was bleak.  As he prepared for surgery,  the young man and his fiancée wanted to get married whether the future brought them “sickness or health”.  The ICU staff was very accommodating even providing a small wedding cake for the occasion.  In a place often filled with the sound of  beeping life-monitoring equipment, there was the sound of wedding bells that day. In a hospital unit where people sometimes hold on for their life, a young man and a young woman started a new life. 

I think of that story during this Holy Week.  There is much about the story of the final days of Jesus’s life that seems so dark- a betrayal, an arrest, beatings, a trial, a cross,and a death.   And then, there comes the first day of the week and a visit to a cemetery.   Like ICU units, cemeteries are not the kind of place that often make us feel giddy and happy.    A visit to a cemetery can be mournful and painful.     Yet, a visit to the grave was different that day for Mary, Peter, and all the rest because the tomb was empty.    New life began in an ICU unit years ago as a man and a woman made vows to one another, and new life began in that cemetery on that first Easter day because Christ Jesus was alive and not dead.     Easter is the story of the truth that sometimes the best of life can come in the worst of times and places.   Easter is the story of life indeed that we know in Christ.  Whatever you face in these days,  may you discover hope and joy not because your life is so good, but because God is good and Christ lives.   Have a joy-filled Easter.-  Pastor Randy Wall

 

Prayer:    O God,  I  give thanks that you show up in the darkest of times and places.  I give thanks for Easter and that Christ Jesus lives.  May the resurrection truth be true for me; through the living Christ I pray.  Amen. 

The Clover

St. Patricks Day was only a few days ago.  Though I do not party on St. Patricks Day like some do,  it is a day this 10^th generation son of Ireland enjoys.   I am proud of my Irish heritage.   I had the priviledge to visit Ireland over 30 years ago… to walk the streets of towns like Galway, Waterford, and Dublin… and to visit sites like Blarney Castle and St. Patricks Cathedral.  St. Patrick is considered the patron saint of Ireland.   While he is highly respected in Ireland,  he was not a native of Ireland but came there as a missionary from what is now known as England.    One of the ways that St. Patrick shared his faith was by taking a clover and using it as a teaching tool.   St. Patrick taught the people that as the clover has three leaves, so God is known as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Through the clover,  St. Patrick helped the people of the Emerald Isle understand the concept of the Holy Trinity.

As the leaves of the clover were a reminder to St. Patrick of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit,  so it occurs to me that there are reminders of God around us all the time. Sometimes, God speaks loudly but more times than not God speaks in the daily course of  life in gentle whispers.   In the blooming flower and bush in these early days of Spring… in the loving smile of a friend or a loved one… in the laughter or frolic of a child… and in millions of other ways,  God speaks and whispers his message.   John 5:17 declares,  “In his defense Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at work to this very day, and I too am working.’”   Oh, for eyes to see Him and for a heart to hear Him this day and everyday.   Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,  I  thank you for St.  Patrick and all those who have shared the gospel in the past and present.  Give me a heart that looks for you in the world around me;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

A Story About Billy Graham

I have mourned with a legion of people in recent weeks over the death of Billy Graham.   While I never met Rev. Graham,  I have met many people that were connected  to him in some way. For example,  my daughter, Heather, was in high school with his grandson, Will Graham, who is an evangelist now.  My wife, Ann, is a 4^th or 5^th cousin to Billy Graham.    Back in 1999,  I had the priviledge to meet Cliff Barrows at the Billy Graham School of Evangelism in St. Louis.    Leighton Ford, brother in law of Billy Graham, was the evangelist speaking in my hometown of Burlington who planted the seed that led to my own commitment to Christ back in 1970.  I was grateful when over 10 years ago that I connected with Rev. Ford and had a chance to thank him  for his impact on my life.  

There is much that I could say about Billy Graham, but I will not use this forum to share all that could be said about his impact on my life and on our world.   I will simply share a story that his second daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, shares.   When Anne was getting ready to graduate from high school many years ago,   she asked her parents if she could drive the family car to the graduation ceremonies.  She had to be there early, and her family would come later.  On the way down the winding road from their home to her high school,  Anne hit a tree beside the road.  After inspecting the damage on the passenger side of the car,  she went on her way to the  ceremonies never telling her parents about the mishap.   Getting home late that night, she encountered her father, Billy Graham,as he was  getting a glass of water in the kitchen.  She told her father something like this:  “Daddy,  I had an accident on the way to school tonight.  I messed up the side of the car.   I am sorry I did not tell you until now.    Her father responded:   “Anne, I knew about it right after it happened because of the neighbors called me.   I did not say anything about it at school tonight.  I was just waiting for you tell me.”   

There are so many of us that have made a wreck of not our car, but of our lives. There are things we have done and not done that have made a wreck of our world or ourselves.   Whether we have been President of the United States or an average Joe or Jan, through the decades there has been a spiritual father nearby, Rev. Dr. Billy Graham, waiting for us to not only to tell him  about it but waiting to lead us and point us to Christ.     Billy Graham has gone now for a joyous reunion with his  heavenly Father.  That same Father still waits for one and all to speak to him and come to him.   Have a joy-filled week.-   Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,  I  thank you for the life of Billy Graham and for all those who showed and shared Christ among us.   Grant that through your Spirit, I might do likewise. Amen.   

Waiting for THE Woman

Sittin' on a bench at West Town Mall
He sat down in his overalls and asked me
You waitin' on a woman
I nodded yeah and said how 'bout you
He said son since nineteen fifty-two I've been
Waitin' on a woman

When I picked her up for our first date
I told her I'd be there at eight
And she came down the stairs at eight-thirty
She said I'm sorry that I took so long
Didn't like a thing that I tried on
But let me tell you son she sure looked pretty
Yeah she'll take her time but I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

He said the wedding took a year to plan
You talk about an anxious man, I was nervous
Waitin' on a woman
And then he nudged my arm like old men do
And said, I'll say this about the honeymoon, it was worth it
Waitin' on a woman-   Brad Paisley

A few years ago, singer/songwriter Brad Paisley wrote the above song.   I was pleased and surprised when I saw the music video for the song that featured North Carolina’s own, Andy Griffith.  The song talks  about a man waiting on a woman.   That song comes to mind this day because tomorrow will be  my 20^th wedding anniversary to my lovely wife,  Ann Blackley Wall.    I can relate to that song in my relationship with Ann.  There have been many times when I have waited for her as she shopped… got ready to go out to dinner or to some event… and the like.  I asked her to marry me on February 8, 1997 and wanted to get married  quickly.  For several reasons,  she wanted to wait and so I waited for over 12 months. 

There is a story in the book of Genesis about Jacob.   He wanted a wife.  Read a portion of this story as found in Genesis 29: 14-20:

After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, ¹⁵ Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”  ¹⁶ Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. ¹⁷ Leah had weak^[a] eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. ¹⁸ Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”  ¹⁹ Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” ²⁰ So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

Jacob was waiting on a woman named Rachel.  He waited not while she shopped or got ready, but because her Dad said so.   He waited for years.  As Ann and I prepare for  a milestone wedding anniversary,  I realize that while  I  have waited minutes for Ann to get ready and months for our wedding day, I really waited my whole life for her to come into my life.  And you know what?   I can confidently and joyfully say that it was worth waiting for that wonderful woman.  I give thanks for the gift and joy of being married to Ann Blackley Wall.  Happy anniversary, Darling.  I wonder who you have waited for in your life?  Have  joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,  I  thank you for the gift of marriage.  I pray for marriages that are new, marriages that celebrate milestones,  and marriages that are only good memories.   Thank you, Lord;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

It Is Over Too Soon

Today is February 28, the last day of the month.    As all of you know,  February is the shortest month of the year.    For those of you who have faced trial and trouble this month,  perhaps you see the end of February with gratitude and relief.   For those facing business goals that must be met by the end of the month and others of you facing deadlines with a target date of March 1,  perhaps this month of February ends way too soon.      

The shortness of the month of February reminds me of the shortness of life.   As Februray is short, so life is so brief.     While children can hardly wait till special occasions like Christmas and their birthday,  life is too short.   The year of 2018 has already reminded me well of the brevity of life through too many trips to the funeral home.  I am reminded of these words of Psalm 90 where we read:

¹⁰ Our days may come to seventy years,
    or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
    for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
¹¹ If only we knew the power of your anger!
    Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
¹² Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

February is almost over, but if you are reading this your life is not.  Live this day and life well knowing not one of us comes stamped with a specific  expiration code on us.    Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,  I  thank you for the gift of my life and of this day.  Forgive me for the times I take the wonder of my life so lightly.   Help me to live this day fully and gratefully;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Giving Up, and Giving In

There are many ways that followers of Christ Jesus observe this season of Lent.   While Lent is the season before Easter, it is intended to be much more than that.    Some people make it a tradition to attend special worship services and Bible studies during Lent.     Remembering how Christ Jesus “gave up” His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, followers of Christ Jesus through the ages during Lent  have also  given up eaten certain foods or even eating for portion of a 24 hour period

During this season of Lent,  I want to suggest you consider “giving up” something else in these Lenten days.    Considering giving up one or more of the following:

·         Why not “give up”  a judgmental attitude toward others?   Most of us never know the full story about another person and their story.  And you know what?    We are not the judge on eternal things anyway.    

·         Why not “give up”  some of the ways you are spending your time.   Stop in your tracks for a bit to enjoy a sunrise or sunset… to share a conversation with a loved one… and to share time with a child.   Perhaps the things that appear so urgent are not so important in the grand scheme of things. 

·         Why not “give up” some habits that are getting you nowhere.   Give up talking before listening.   Give up feeling you always  have  to be right even when you are wrong. 

I am told that it takes three weeks of doing a new thing for it to become a part of your way of life.   While it is good for our health  to give up desserts and such for Lent, perhaps we would be more Christlike and the world around us would be a better place if we would give up some behaviors  during Lent.   I think that if I would “give up” some of these behaviors, I would be giving in to the ways of Christ.      Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,  I confess that I am not the person you have called me to be.  There have been times I have looked like a Christian on the outside, but not been a Christian fully on the inside.   Create a new and clean heart in me, O God.    Help me to surrender myself more fully to you;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.   

A Day of Love and...

Many of you will remember the 1939 movie classic, “The Wizard of Oz.”    Near the end of the movie,  there is a scene where Dorothy and company finally arrive at their goal of seeing the Wizard of Oz.   You may recall that the Tin man was in search of a heart.  As he encounters the mighty  Wizard, he discovers that a heart is to love and to be loved.     Today is a special  day for many people.  Flowers, candy, cards, special dinners, and the like will be shared on this day we call Valentine’s Day.  For those who are followers of Christ Jesus, today is a special day for another reason, and that reason is that today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent.   Lent is the season of preparation for Easter.  It lasts for 40 days as we remember the 40 days Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness. 

It is wonderful to love and to be loved.  It is a blessing to give and receive Valentine gifts with someone on this day.    I am sure that are some reading this who feel a veil of sadness over them knowing they do not have a sweetheart this Valentines Day for all sorts of reasons.   I am so grateful to share this Valentine’s Day with my wife, Ann, who is such a blessing to me. 

Yet, let us also remember that today is not only Valentines Day, but also  Ash Wednesday.  As we begin the journey toward the cross and the empty tomb, let us remember another love:  the love of God.  While human love might only last till “death we do part”,  God’s love is eternal and perfect.    Each of us as human beings sometimes take others for granted, and fail to love others in the way that God intends.  Yet, God’s love is perfect. 

As you live this day even if you do not feel very loved by those in your world,  find hope is the fact that God loves you.  Why, His love is out of this world.   Ash Wednesday is a reminder of that.     Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,  I give you thanks for your love that never lets us go.  During this season of Lent, help me not  only to remember your love, but help me to show it and share it with others;  through Christ our Lord.   Amen..