What's In A Name?

 

What’s in a name?   Most people either have a nickname or know someone who has a nickname like “Shorty”, “Slim”, or “Goofy”.    While those names might not be the real names for the persons, they acquired them because they say something about the person or their character.    I am told that some Native American tribes in the past had the custom of giving persons a temporary name.  Once the person had lived a few years and the community got sense of the person they were, they gave them a more permanent name that said something about  who they were.

In the book of Acts 4, we read about Joe.  Joseph was his full name.   He was a levite, from the priestly lineage of Aaron, brother to Moses.    But he had another name.  Listen to what Acts 4:36 says about him:

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.  

 I want to be “mo’ like Joe.”    I want to be more encouraging.   In 1963, Morris West wrote a book titled The Shoes of the Fisherman.   The book tells a fictional story about the Pope, head of the Roman Catholic Church.   There is a scene in the book where the Pope escapes the pressures of  the papacy and Vatican City and travels out on the streets of Rome.  In a neighborhood, he comes across a home where a family is dealing with the death of a love one.   The call goes out on the street for a priest, and the disguised Pope rushes to the bedside where he offers  last rites for the deceased before  they take their last breath.   As the Pope lingers in the home beside the bed side with grieving family members, some members of the Papal staff discover him.    As the Pope hestitates a departure, one of his staff tells him:   “Father, come now.   Dying is easy, but it the living that gets us down”.     There is much in the world that can easily get us down:   news reports,  social media attacks,  economic tensions, politics, and much more.    

 I want to be like Joe.   I want to encourage my  grandchildren as they grow up and my children as they maneuver the challenges of parenthood, marriage, and living in this 21^st century.   I want to encourage friends and fellow believers as they face the challenges of these days.  In Acts 11: 22-24, it speaks further about  Joseph better known as Barnabus: 

²² News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³ When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. ²⁴ He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

 Mo’ like Joe.   That is my goal and aim for  myself.   The world surely needs more sons and daughters of encouragement.   How about you?   Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

 

PRAYER     I give you thanks, O God, for the  family, friends, and fellow believers who have encouraged me through the years.  Help me to do the same; through Christ our Lord. Amen.  

Change Happens!

 

Brodie was a businessman in a small town in North Carolina where I  served as a pastor at a local church over 30 years ago.   He worked at a successful business that did  well.   I patronized the business regularly as I have always felt that we should support local businesses.   They are the lifeblood of the economic health of a community.  One day, Brodie and I got to talking about change and he was quite adamant that he did not like change of any kind.  He did not like change in his family, home, or small town.  He wanted everything to always be the same.   I remember what I told Brodie and it was this:   “You may not like change, but it happens.  If  you don’t believe me, go look  in the mirror and see if the person you see in the mirror looks just like the person you saw there 20 years ago”.  

 One of the constants in our lives and communities is change.  As Bob Dylan sang many years ago, “the times they are a changing”.   I was reminded that change is always happening recently when I read the book Who Moved My Cheese?  Pastoral ministry in rural United Methodist Churches has certainly changed since I began my ministry.  While I began my ministry talking on a land line telephone on a party line, today I speak and text with people on a cell phone.  When I started out as a pastor, online is where we hung clothes to dry, but today online  is where I send and receive messages including from members of my congregation and those in our United Methodist connection.    While internet availability is not an issue of concern for me, it is a concern in  many rural areas.

 People of faith in the 21^st century find themselves walking a tightrope if you will on the issue of change.   First, we must always affirm with faith and confidence that we worship a great and glorious God that never changes.   People change.   If you do not believe that people change, do what I encouraged my friend Brodie  to do many years ago.   Go look in the mirror and see if you look the same way you looked 20 years ago.   While people change in their looks and even in their opinions, God does not change.  His love changes not!

 Secondly, while we affirm that God never changes we also as people of faith look eagerly to  discover new ways and opportunities to minister in these days.    As I recall in Methodist history, there was a time when John Wesley and company did  something they had not done before by preaching to the coal miners as they went to and from their jobs.     This pandemic has been the breeding  ground for new ways of ministry for me and perhaps you.   Two years ago,   the notion of doing worship on Facebook live was outside of my comfort zone.   Now, it is something that my congregation and I do  weekly.     What new thing is God calling you and your congregation  to do in these days?   May the changeless God give us open hearts and open spirits to the new paths he is beckoning us to trod.-  Pastor Randy Wall   

 

PRAYER     Thank you that though change happens, your love and faithfulness changes not. Give me a heart that trust more fully in you; through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

Freedom FOR a Cause!

 

I believe a rousing chorus of “”Happy Birthday” is appropriate in these days.    It is July 4  week, and  July 4 is considered to be the birthday for this over 200 year old experiment called the United States of America.   One of the core values of our country is freedom.  Perhaps you will remember in the bill of rights that Americans have the  right for freedom of worship, freedom for lawful assembly, freedom of the press.  

The freedoms we know as Americans do not mean that we can do anything and everything that we please.  No, we have freedom for a reason and a cause.    We remembered that did we not on Memorial Day as we paused to remember those brave men and women who died in military service?     The freedoms we have as Americans come with responsibility.

The same is true for all who live under the banner of Christ and call themselves followers of Christ Jesus.  Through the gift of Christ on the cross, each Christian has freedom from sin through God’s forgiveness and grace.    Yet, that freedom we know in Christ comes with responsibility.   In Galatians 5: 13-14,  the apostle Paul speaks about that freedom with responsibility as he writes:

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 Through Christ Jesus, we have been set free from the shackles of sin and given new life through water and the Spirit.  Yet, the freedom we know in Christ calls us to let the love of Christ be known through us.  Happy Independence Day and week!     Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

PRAYER

Thank you, God, for the freedoms  we know as citizens of this country and of the kingdom of God.   We give you thanks for your love known in Christ.   Through your grace and Spirit, let the love of Christ be known through me.   Amen. 

A Living Legacy

 

The month of June is a time of the year when I seem to be more focused on my family than some other times of year.     There are several reasons why that is the case.    First,   several members of  our family have birthdays in June including my wife, Ann, and two of our daughters.   We also have a grandchild that has a birthday in June.    June, of course, is the month when we observe Father’s Day.  During this month, I think of my Dad who was born on June 2.    I  also find myself thinking about what it means to me to be a father and a grandfather.   

In recent days, I have been contemplating the legacy I want to give  my family.   When some folks think of  legacy, their focus turns to the money, investments, or the like that they leave someone in their will.    That is the kind of legacy that you should speak to your attorney or an estate planner about.     I have been thinking lately about a legacy that is a little bit different.    When I think of my legacy to my kids and grandkids, there are two things I want to give them.

First, I want to offer my children and grandchildren the legacy of my example.  I have learned a lot through the years.  Some of what I learned I learned by sitting in a classroom, reading books, or writing papers that led to the completion of a class and the receipt of a diploma.   Most of what I learned is through my trial and error.   Boy, there have been many trials and more errors than I can count.   I hope in my latter years I have taught them through my example about what is good and important.

Secondly, I want to offer my children and grandchildren the legacy of my prayers.    There are several of our children and grandchildren I only get to see every now and then because of the many miles between us.     Since our children are grown, it certainly is not my role to “tell them” what they should do as they face the decisions of ordinary life.  That is why I think it most important that I spend time talking to God about them.    While I certainly do not think that God needs my advice on his work in the lives of  my children and grandchildren, I do think that God appreciates my prayers and supplications  for my family.    I honestly admit that when our children were much younger that my prayers for them were scattered and infrequent;   as I have gotten older, I realize how important it  is and what a privilege it is for me to pray for my children and grandchildren.  You see, my children do not just need a father and a step-father and my grandchildren do not just need a grandfather;  they also need a heavenly father at work in their life in ways that are beyond what they ask or even imagine.     Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

PRAYER

Thank you, God, for my family.    Today, I pray for them as the face the challegens of this day and of this life.   Thank you for your work in their lives.   Protect them from harm;   work in their lives in ways that are greater than we ask or imagine; through Christ our Lord.   Amen.  

Hitting Singles Instead of Home Runs

 

It is baseball season now.  While I never was a great baseball player, I am a fan of the game.   Many of you know the names of some of the mighty hitters in baseball history.   Hitters like Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron are known for the many home runs they hit through the years.   Everyone likes home runs and all hitters like to make home runs, but how about singles?  Most of us do not think it much of a big deal to hit a single.     A single is when the hitter gets only to first base when they hit a ball.   I discovered recently that in the history of baseball that the all time leader in single hits was Pete Rose.  

If we can use baseball as a metaphor for the Christian life, I suppose most of us are envious of a Billy Graham who has preached before thousands or of an apostle Paul who founded many churches.   We would consider them “home run leaders” in the Christian faith and life because of their great efforts and accomplishments.      While most of us will not be a Billy Graham or an apostle Paul, all of us are do something and be something in our walk with Christ.  To put it another way, all of us can “hit a single” every now and then.  

A few months ago, I read a book titled The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson.   One of the things that Jeff Olson says in the book is that all of us can do  something to make our personal development, health and fitness, and the like better by doing small things.     I have been thinking about that truth when it comes to our walk with Christ.    While many of us think it beyond our capacity to read the whole Bible in a year, all of us have the capacity to spend 10 minutes a day reading our Bible.   While few of us have the time to spend one hour a day in prayer, would we not all have a deeper relationship with Christ if we spent ten minutes a day in prayer?   While few in our world will share the gospel with millions like Billy Graham, I wonder whose life would be different if we had the goal to share our faith with one person a week?

While none of us can do everything, all of us can do some thing in our walk as a follower of Christ.     Again, most of us cannot be a “home run leader” in our walk with Christ; however, all of us can “hit a single” by spending a few minutes a day in prayer, scripture reading, or sharing our faith.   Today is not too soon to get started.  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall           

 

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PRAYER

Forgive me, Lord, for excusing my lack of action as a disciple by comparing myself to others.   Give me the courage and motivation to do something to grow in knowing you and serving you;   through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

A Man Praying By the Side of the Road

 

   I see him regularly sitting by the side of the road in one of  those folding chairs that  people often put in their cars to sit  in at a concert or a ball game.  The road  is one of the busy thoroughfares in the city I call home.   Since he is sitting in the parking lot of a local church, I assume that  he is a member of that church and a Christian.    There is something else that is there along the side of the road in that church parking lot:   a sign.   It  is one of the signs like you see in a front yard of a home for sale or selling puppies or kittens.   This sign says this man is not selling anything.   A matter of fact, he is giving something away:   prayers.  You see, the sign says:    Can I pray for you?

Can I pray for you?   I don’t know about you, but I am always grateful for prayers.   However, I have never stopped on that busy road in that church parking lot and asked that man to pray for me.     I wonder if any one else has or  how many people stop in an average week.

I remember a woman who was a member of a congregation I had the honor to serve as pastor.   Her health had deteriorated through the years, and when I became her pastor she spent all her waking hours either in a wheelchair or a bed.    It was not the way she wanted to live her life, and she shared the same with me one day when she lamented:    “What good am I for our church and for the human race in this wheelchair every day?”     God gave me an answer to her question and it was this:    “You can pray for me and for your church.     That is one of the best things you can do.”  

Praying for each other is one of the biggest gifts you can give your family, your friends, your  church, your pastor, your community, and your world.    I do not think that all of us need to sit out in a chair by the side of a busy road with a sign that says “Can I pray for you?”   However, I believe that the world would be a much better place if we spent more time praying for each other.   Have a joy-filled week, and thanks for your prayers for me.-  Pastor Randy Wall       

           

 

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PRAYER

God, thank you for the people through the years who have prayed for me whether I knew it or not.   Lord, I cannot do  everything but I can do something.  Help me to pray for others; through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.  

Who Are You Supposed to Tell Your Story?

 

I have always found  it very meaningful to hear the stories of how people came to Jesus.  It was in hearing those stories over 50 years ago at a church event called lay witness mission that was an important part of my our own salvation story.

A few months ago, I heard a friend share their story.   They were trying to get a ride from California to their hometown in the northeastern U.S. to spend  Thanksgiving with their  family.   She had advertised for a cross-country ride, and Wally answered her ad.   While she was an unbeliever, Wally was a new Christ follower.   When you ride for 4 days across country, you have a lot of time to talk with someone.   Wally talked and told her about Jesus.  When she asked questions, Wally invited her to look at the Bible and some other Christian books in the back seat.    Though she did not make a commitment to Christ on the trip, it was the beginning of her journey to give her life to Christ.   After she made a Christian commitment and was baptized, Wally told her why he offered her a ride across country:   because God told him.  

In Acts 8, we hear the story of a man named Philip.  While God told Wally to offer a ride to a young woman across the country and tell her about Jesus, God simply tells Philip to go to a chariot and tell him about Jesus.   Read these words from Acts 8:

²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” ²⁷ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian^[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸ and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. ²⁹ The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”  ³⁰ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.   ³¹ “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

            If you are a follower of Christ, you have a story to tell of what Christ has done and is doing in your life just like Wally and Philip.   Who does God want you to tell that story to?   Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

           

 

·Previous Book:Go to Job

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·Listen to this passage : Psalm 63

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PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for  what you have done and are doing in my life.   Give me wisdom and courage, Lord, to share that story with others in word and deed;   through Christ our Lord.  Amen.