The Name on the Offering Envelope

 

I remember a time many years ago when our church financial secretary was trying to make out the name on an offering envelope as she recorded the weekly contributions.  A young child in our congregation had done their best to print their first name on the envelope.

            It makes no difference how much that child put in that envelope.  Those monies in that offering envelope say something about that child and what they believe.   That child had learned through his parents and others that those who love Jesus and follow Jesus give their gifts to the Lord through His Church and that his gifts (though small) were important.   That child could have taken that money and used it to buy ice cream or bubble gum.  However, he chose to use that money to give to the Lord because that was important to Him.   That child might not be able to stand before the congregation and preach a sermon or even read the scripture lesson, but he could participate in the life and worship of the church by giving his offerings.

            In Psalm 116:12, we read the Psalmist ask, “What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?”   What a good question most anytime.     A young child knew what he could do.  He could give his gifts to the Lord as he was able.  Let us go and do likewise. – Pastor Randy Wall

 

 

·Previous Book:Go to Job

·Previous Chapter : Go to Psalm 62

·Expand: show the entire chapter ofPsalm 63

·Next Chapter : Go to Psalm 64

·Next Book:Go to Proverbs

·Listen to this passage : Psalm 63

·View commentary related to this passage

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for all that you have done for me.  Help me, Lord, to show you my gratitude and thanksgiving for all your blessings by offering the gift of myself and my monies to you;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

Remembering the Saints

 

            In Hebrews 11, we find a long litany of names of  people from the Old Testament.   Some of the names are well known like Abraham and some of the names are lesser known like Rahab.    In the aftermath of Pastor Appreciation  Month in October and All Saints Day on November 1,  I have been thinking of some of the pastors who have been special in my own life and journey.  In the letters of Paul, we find several  occasions where he refers to the people in the churches as “saints”.     Today, some see a saint as a person who lived a life that was perfect without sin and/or lived a life where they performed miracles.     Paul, however, has a different way of looking at saints for he sees them not so much as perfect people without blemish as people who live in the holiness of God.   

            I want to share with you a list of “saintly” pastors who have been special in my own life.   Some of them you may know or have heard of, and others may be unknown to you.  Some ar living and some have gone on to glory.    Like myself, each of them were sinners in need of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.   Like Hebrews 11, they are heroes to me and in my hall of fame.    I list them not  in rank of importance and as they come to mind:

Wayne Fouts, my pastor when I was a boy, who taught me one day at Vacation Bible School when he broke up a fight that sometimes  pastor have the difficult job of being peace-makers.

Wayne Wegwart, my pastor when I was a youth, who baptized me and told me that Jesus loved me and died for me. 

Lawrence Bridges, my pastor when I was in college, that showed me by his example that pastors always need to be learning and growing.

Lorenzo Plyler, United Methodist pastor and college professor, who taught me as a college student how to think for myself.

H. Langill Watson, pastor and District Superintendent, who taught me through his example of the priestly function of pastors.

Paul Leeland, pastor and United Methodist Bishop, who taught me through his example of the importance of being a pastor to the people in the pew.

Richard C. Vaughan, pastor and my friend, who has taught me through the years in his example of  a passion to be a pastor. 

These are the name of 7 pastors whose saintly life has  and continues to inspire  me.   I give thanks to God for them, and encourage you to make your own list.   Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

PRAYER

            O God,  I give thanks this day for the pastors and laity who are a part of the communion of saints and whose life has inspired me.   Help me to do the same for others; through Christ our Lord.   Amen.   give me eyes to see the strangers among us.  Give me the courage to go beyond my comfort zone and offer hospitality to them;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

Right There on the Frozen Food Aisle

 

It happened on the frozen food aisle as I was trying to scurry through the  grocery store and pick up a few things before I hurried on to the rest of the day.  It started with a chance encounter with a lady I did  not know.   She stopped me and asked for my attention, and then she told me her story.   She told about children at home and a husband that was not there anymore… a divorce that  was near and needs that were great.   “I have enough to get these groceries in my shopping cart, and really need a few more things.   Can you help me get food for my family?”, she asked.  I paused and thought and prayed.   “God, I was not expecting this today and not on the frozen food aisle”, I thought and prayed. 

There are some places where you expect that service to Christ will be asked  of you--  as the offering plate passes by… as the pastor speaks with you about a need at the church….as the call goes out for someone to work  with the children or youth.  But in the grocery store?   That is not where you expect to encounter a mission moment.   Where-ever we are is not only the loving and living God, but the possibility and probability of serving God.   Do you see it?  Will you open your heart to it?  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

 

PRAYER

            Loving God, around us are chances for us to be your hands, your feet, and your voice.  Give us eyes and hearts to see those chances  and to respond as your vessels;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

Into Your Hands...

 

 

            Last month, at many places across our country we remembered  the terrorist attacks 20 years ago on September 11, 2001.  People gathered  at “Ground Zero” in New York City, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and in the Pennsylvania countryside to remember those who died there.  This anniversary brings back my memories of working in the Fall, 2001 at a “listening station” just blocks from the “twin towers” in New York City and at the “Ground Zero” morgue.  I spent my day hours of that week  in New York City listening to and praying with persons who spoke about the how the events of that day effected their lives.   I spent my evenings at “Ground Zero” at the morgue where I listened to the construction workers, NYPD officers, and FDNY officers tell their stories and I prayed over the bodies or body parts that were found.   I remember one evening when they brought in from the rubble a human hand that was found.  After it was examined by the medical examiner and a NYPD detective, I offered a prayer.  As I prayed, tears filled my eyes and emotion filled my voice as I thought about hand that perhaps had exchanged wedding vows at a church altar or held their child close.  I thought about the person that had used their hand to write a love letter or to  embrace a friend in a time of sorrow. 

            Psalms was the prayer book for the Israelite people.  Whatever may be your human experience, you will find it echoed in the Book of Psalms.   There are over 120 places in the Psalms where you will find the word “hand”.    Psalm 31:5 declares, “Into your hands I commit my spirit:  redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.”    As Jesus was dying on the cross, he remembered these words that were part of a prayer taught to Israelite children.   May the mighty hands of God hold close all who feel grief and sorrow about the events of this day.  May each of us seek to so place ourselves in God’s hands that a day like September 11, 2001 might never happen again in this country and in this world.  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

 

PRAYER

            Loving God, reach your everlasting arms around those who know loss and sadness.   We pray especially for those who lost their lives not just on September 11, but in these days.  Help us to join our hands and hearts to work for peace and justice in this world;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

She's Got a Job!

 

One of the blessing of being older is grandchildren.   Ann and I are blessed to have 8 children from 15 year old Lillian to 4 month old Emi.   In recent months, I have started sending and receiving text messages with our 15 year old grandchild, Lillian.   While I am not a common one to send text messages, I am grateful that it gives me a great way to communicate with Lillian.   A few months ago, she sent me a text message to tell me that she had a job taking care of the pets of people that live near her.   On a regular basis, she walks dogs for her neighbors or takes care of their cat while they are out of town.  Lillian loves animals and has even thought of becoming a veterinarian assistant in a few years. 

I share a little bit about Lillian not just because I am an unabashed doting grandparent, but because  of the fact that we celebrated Labor Day a few weeks ago.  The first Monday in September is an official federal holiday called Labor Day.   While many folks see it as the unofficial end of summer or a “long weekend” away from work, Labor Day is a day to recognize the American worker and how they contribute to the betterment of our community and to our way of life.  

I am at a point in life when I know I have more working days in my past than  in my future.  While I continue to work part- time, I certainly do not work as much as I have in the past.  Many of my peers have retired;  some still work part time and others do not work at all.  If you are among those who think you do not have a job, I have news for you:  GOD HAS A JOB FOR YOU!    That job is being a worker in His Kingdom.   I Corinthians 3:9 put it this way:

⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

God’s work is needed by young and old, and can be done wherever we are.  Lillian has a job, and so do you and I.  Now, lets get to work.   While the pay God offers may not be good for your bank account, the benefeits are out of this world!   Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

 

PRAYER

            O God, we rejoice that you are working still in our world today.  Work in us and through us through the power of your Holy Spirit;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen. 

Can You Loan Me $550.00?

 

My recent  50th high school reunion has prompted me to remember things in my past that I have long forgotten.   Among them is this story of 50 years ago:  I was the first one in my family to graduate from college.   My Dad attended Elon, but dropped out soon after my Mom and Dad were married.  My Mom finished high school through a GED, and none of my grandparents even attended college.   

I had looked forward to college.     It had always been a goal of mine.   I remember I started a college fund at First Federal Savings and Loan when I was around 12 years old though I never saved a lot of money.     Since I was beginning to believe that God was calling me toome a pastor,   I decided to go  to Methodist College in Fayetteville, NC.   It is now known as Methodist University.    

 College applications and college finances were a new venture not only for me, but also for my family. I completed the college applications and financial aid package.   I applied for some scholarships but with little good fortune.    A couple of weeks before I was  to head to college as an entering freshman,   we got the bill in the mail for college.   That bill brought sticker shock to my family.   My Mom had thought the tutition and fees were for a whole school year when it was actually for just one semester.  The bottom line was that the money was not there for me to  afford college.   I remember Mom crying as we sat at the dinner table one evening as she broke  the news.

At the time, I had only been a Christian for a matter of months.   I had started reading the Bible and praying.   I remember praying about college and my financial need.   I believed if God wanted me to be a pastor he would make a way.    I was working a summer job at the Burlington Industries pioneer plant and discovered that Burlington Industries had a college loan program.    The bad news is that the deadline to apply had passed.  I talked to my supervisor about it, and he encouraged me to still  apply.   In a few days,   I got  news that I had received the loan and was presented with the $550 I needed for college.   When college graduation came around, I happily went to Burlington Industries and paid that loan back with no interest because I was no glad that they had believed in me.   God does provide.   Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

 

PRAYER

            O God, thank you that provide for all we need.  Thank you, God our Father;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

My High School Secret!

This year of 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of my graduation from high school.   The Walter M. Williams class of 1971 gathered for a reunion in August.   It was a time of hugs, laughter, and memories from high school years.    I have a secret from my high school days that I have been keeping, and I want to share it through this medium for myself, my family, and my classmates and it is this:  much of my high school days were difficult.  

 I did not apply myself scholastically very much in high school.   I could blame that fact on my teachers or the fact that I worked a part time job, but that was not the full reason.   I just did not try that hard and my grades showed it.   My grades in college and graduate school were much better that they were in high school.   The main reason why my grades were not very good was because of this secret.

 It was not my teachers or my classmates fault that my high school experience was difficult.   It was difficult for them for other reasons.   We were growing up and learning to discover who we were and who we wanted to be.   We were breaking free from our parents, and developing our own sense of autonomy.   We were also maneuvering issues like civil rights and school integration.   Have you ever seen the movie "Remember the Titans"?    That will give you some idea about what my high school classmates and I dealt with (black and white) as my high school was the first predominately white high school in the south with a black football coach, Jerome Evans.     While I was immersed in those challenges, my secret made my high school experience even more difficult. 

What was my secret that few knew and that I did not talk about?    The secret was that my father was an alcoholic and that impacted so much of my world.   Alcoholism led to my Dad losing a good job... a marital  separation... and a marital divorce.     Since my Dad did not pay child support,   I worked part time after school to help provide money instead of participating in high school clubs and athletic teams. Eventually, my Mom re-married and I did not adjust very well to having to a step-parent in my life.    I wish I had reached out to my classmates and to my teachers to share this and get support, but I did not know how at the time.   I share this not for your pity or sympathy, but so you might understand me and learn.  

In the Fall 1970, I discovered some good news that had been a secret to me:  that Jesus Christ loved me and gave His life that I might be whole and be holy.     While humans can let you down,   he has never let me down.  As I discovered the grace of God in Christ, a change begin to happen in me that most of my high school classmates never saw.   As I discovered the love and forgiveness in Christ,  I also began a journey on how to love and forgive my father and to love myself.  

 To any of my high school classmates reading this:   I wish I had had a better high school experience and I am sorry I that I could not and or would not share my secret with some of you.  I just did not know how.     Though you might not have changed my circumstance, your care and compassion would have changed my perspective.

 To any of you that work with children in school, church, and athletic teams:    let me encourage you to pay attention to those kids who simply need encouragement and a listening ear about something unrelated to reading, math, or the team.   Most of us never really know what someone in our office, our class, or  our neighborhood is  dealing with.   Have a joy-filled week.-   Pastor Randy Wall

 

PRAYER

            O God, there are so many people hurting around  me that I do not know about.  Give me your Spirit to reach out to them and let them know of my care and your care;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.