Patience and Perserverance

The Lord will refine my patience until the day I die. I have more patience than I had 10 years ago, but I am still far from patient. I want things on my schedule, done in the order I would do them, and have little tolerance for those who don't do it my way. I want people to respond in my time, and fail often to wait on the Lord. But God is gracious, kind and gentle. He hasn't given up on me and continues to teach me this valuable fruit of the spirit daily.

Several weeks ago, I was in the car with my 11 year old son. He had heard me talking with a friend of mine about a drug issue that her daughter was facing. He asked me what "pot" was. I saw this as a golden "teachable moment", and proceeded to tell him what pot was, and probably way more than he wanted to know about drugs. I told him that he would encounter a lot of temptation over the next few years as people his age began to make bad choices and experiment in lots of different things. As I was talking, I noticed he had a very serious face and was deep in thought. I asked him if he had anything on his mind. He said, "Yes." I asked him if he'd like to share it with me or talk to me about it. He said, "Well, I was just thinking...if I were a superhero, which superpower I would want to have. It's a very hard decision." I wanted to throw my hands up in the air. I felt like he hadn't heard a word I had said. My teachable moment had just flown out the window.

Last weekend, we took our youth on choir tour. For Sunday church, they sang between two basketball games. That may sound odd to you, but a Christian coach had a vision and followed it. He was going to church, but couldn't get his boys on his team there because of Sunday basketball games. In the midst of his discouragement, God told him, "Why don't you bring church to the basketball court?" He answered God faithfully, and did. Between tournaments, they have a church service in the lunch room where the boys come to get their snacks. We led in worship, and then sat down to hear the preacher. The preacher preached, and I thought, "Nobody is listening...this is futile." But at the invitation, two of those boys accepted Christ. The man served faithfully, and God penetrated hearts!

Isaiah 55:11 says, "So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."

There are times when we may feel like our words or our testimonies are falling on deaf ears, but I assure you they are not. Back to my son's story, the next time he needs to ask about drugs or has a concern about another issue, he knows that he can come and talk to me. He heard me. I was just too impatient to appreciate his innocence and God's timing. As I've reflected on that, it reminded me to be thankful for that innocent, "little boy" perspective that he still has. This preacher preached his heart out--truth about salvation in God--and two boys gave their lives to Christ. He was patient in his delivery and perservered in his passion for winning those boys to Christ. God was faithful, and answered boldly!

With perserverance and patience, we must keep seeking out God's Word. And then, with patience and perserverence, we must keep proclaiming it. As promised in Isaiah, it will not come back void!

You said, "Ask and you will receive whatever you need." You said, "Pray and I'll hear from heaven, and I'll heal your land." You said Your glory will fill the earth like water the sea. You said, "Lift up your eyes; the harvest is here, the kingdom is near." You said, "Ask and I'll give the nations to You". O God, it's the cry of my heart. Distant shores and the islands will see Your light as it rises on us. O Lord, we ask for the nations. (worship song by Reuben Morgan)

The Generation to Come

Sounds: laughter, diving boards bouncing, chatter, frogs croaking, children's praise

Smells: sunscreen, dirty socks, chlorine, camp food--it all smells the same

Touches: heat on your skin, hugs, breeze on your face, splashes from the pool, the Holy Spirit present


These are just a few things that I experience every year at Children's Camp. This year, we took 299 sponsors and children to Glenrose. It was an amazing time. David, Shawn, Brian, Kim and others work tirelessly to make sure our kids are safe and have an incredible experience. Barry and Dennis lead so wonderfully in worship. Daryl and his crew work tirelessly around the clock to address every media need and capture the memories on video. This year, we had 35 professions of faith and 17 rededications. Their hearts are so tender, and so honest.

One of the lessons I learned (or was reminded of) is that we need to set our expectations high for the future. There is a wonderful generation of kids just waiting to be used. And they need to be trained and made to feel useful.

Our youth band led worship at Children's Camp. This was a group of 5 guys entering 8th grade to entering 11th grade. They took it seriously. Now they were kids...complete with the ghost stories, sleeping in life preservers, camp pranks, etc. But, when I challenged them in leadership, they stepped up. It wasn't about music or performance to them. It was about modeling and leadership. They took seriously their spiritual preparation each day--spending quiet time with God. They took seriously their musical preparation--they would have played all day if I'd have let them. But then, they took seriously the modeling. They spent the afternoons playing with the kids in the pool, or helping Brian by filling water balloons. They were servant leaders. I was proud.

I came back to Brown Blvd on Sunday, where one of our adults was training two of our "children" to do the graphics. She showed them how to do it just before the service, and that 5th and 6th grader ran the entire service on Sunday. I didn't even notice that it wasn't an adult running them. They felt useful, and were helping to lead the entire congregation in worship.

Mark 9:37 says, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me;"

I have been truly blessed by the ministry of these "children". Scripture talks about faith like a child. We often think of that as "simple" faith. This week, I thought of it as willing and fearless. It made me truly excited about the next generation of believers and all that God will do through them.

Lord, thank You for Your provision. Thank You for Your training. Thank You for a church who believes that even our children can serve You powerfully and meaningfully. Help us to teach this next generation, and help us to be willing to pass the baton graciously as that time comes. Thank You for the reminder that You are eternal, and Your work will continue for generations to come!

Journey

Two lessons I've learned over the past several months:

1. You can't expect to get out of people what isn't there. I tend to see people with rose-colored glasses and think I can "fix" them or convince them to do the right thing. Sometimes people are just broken or incapable, and we can't "fix" them. It has been a great lesson and reminder that I can't rely on my own power or strength in these circumstances, but have to ALWAYS depend on God's transforming power and renewal. God can fix or change any heart--in His time.

2 Corinthians 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

2. I am so grateful for this church. I love my church. I'm thankful for the health. I'm thankful for the opportunities. I'm thankful for the leadership. I'm thankful for the vision. I'm thankful for the hardworking, healthy people I get to plow alongside on a daily basis. I'm just thankful!!!

Matthew 16:18 "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

Thank you, Lord for the hard lessons in life. Thank You for the reminder that You are sovereign, and that You alone heal hearts. Thank You for Your presence in my church. Thank You for Your promise about The Church. Thank You for the promise of hope and a future. Thank You for Your victory over sin and death. Thank You for loving us as only You can do.

"In Love"

Ephesians 4:15-16 says, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

This has been a remarkable month. Just in corporate worship, I have experienced seeing a strong class of seniors graduate on to the next stage in life, new babies dedicated into this family of faith, new staff positions and responsibilities, countless people serving selflessly in worship leadership, and powerful preaching. In rehearsals, I've seen 8th graders preparing to lead children in worship at children's camp, 3 year old choirs through senior adult choirs preparing to lead in worship, youth ensembles, adult ensembles, orchestras, rhythm sections, handbells, praise teams, media teams....it's overwhelming the number of people serving faithfully. Then, personally, I've seen Sunday school teachers, choir directors, karate teachers, orchestra teachers, coaches, parents, and so many other wonderful Christian people leading my children by example.

As Curt spoke Sunday, I was struck by the passage both he and Dennis mentioned: Ephesians 4. The part that jumped out at me was the passage above. Twice, Paul mentions that we are to do things "in love"--speak the truth, grow, build each other up. I can honestly say that I would not be the person I am today if I didn't have COUNTLESS Christian examples in my life who spoke the truth to me, instructed me, prayed for me and encouraged me "in love". I am thankful that this church continues to live out that legacy which Paul laid out for us in Holy Scripture.

I am thankful for Margaret Johnson, who was my hero growing up. I always wanted to be like her and admired her so. I was star-struck every time she came home on furlough, because I loved her stories about how God was at work, and I knew she was living her life for Christ. Because of her example, I learned to embrace God's calling in my life, and not to fear it.

I am thankful for faithful Sunday School teachers like Bill Johnson, Sondra Adair, Donna McCown and sound pastors, Dennis Wiles and Charles Wade who taught me, and continue to teach me, the truths in Holy Scripture. I'll never forget my 8th grade Sunday School class--we learned more about the Bible that year than I ever did in any other class. Because of their faithfulness, I learned to crave knowledge and depth in Scripture.

I am thankful for choir directors and musicians placed in my life. But none could compare to Barry Rock, who once asked me the most painful (but revealing) question "in love": "Are you worshiping God or are you worshiping the music?" It was a question that sent me and my husband on an incredible journey as we sought out why God gave us the tools He did in this body, and how He desired for us to use them. And I can't leave the "music" subject without mentioning Jane Ellis. What a remarkable musician, and what an incredibly faithful servant of the Lord! Her knowledge of the Bible and thirst for it as she continually studies and shares with younger women is inspiring. Because of their modeling, I learned that God desires my whole life, not just the musical part, and I learned that the music is just a tool that He has given so that others may be drawn to Him.

I am thankful for our youth and children who continue to challenge me every day. They are reminders that we must continue to grow, because we have a responsibility to shape them, and they are our future! Because of their uninhibited worship, I look forward to worshiping with abandon this week at children's camp.

Well, all in all, I was just overwhelmed with gratitude to God for placing me in a congregation of believers who challenge, grow, question, speak, teach, sing, worship and encourage "in love". I look forward to many more years of growing deeper in Christ with this body of believers.

Lord, thank You for opening the eyes of my heart and allowing the gratitude to spill out. You are good. Thank You for challenging Your people, and allowing us to grow, even through difficult times, "in love". Thank You for the Scripture, and how it leads us and guides us every step of the way in our walk with You. Thank You for being in relationship with us, and filling in the gaps our our limited understanding with Your Spirit. There are many lives still to shape and call forth in You. Help us to do our part. Amen.

Back to the Basics

This week is a big week in the Klophaus family. My son has been training since he was 5 for his black belt. It has taken lots of time and discipline. It hasn't been easy, but it has been very worthwhile. I won't go into all of the reasons why I appreciate the things he has learned through martial arts, but I will say that he has had a Christian instructor who has instilled Christian principles in him, and taught him how to deal with real life conflict in tangible ways.

There are many requirements to fulfill when in the final stages before a black belt test. Of course, he has to know all of the forms, but then he has to write an essay on respect, have written recommendations from others, etc. I was reading through the criteria, and I read this statement: "Here is the dirty little secret about all decent martial arts programs, there is nothing new! The only thing that matters is getting better at the basics."

That was a powerful statement to me. I believe the same is true in our Christian walk. Oftentimes, we get derailed by peripheral things or petty disputes, and oftentimes, we need to explore those things. But nothing should take us away from the basics, or rather, the basics should be strong so that we continue to grow every day. It is our core that defines us. It is what strengthens our faith. It is what we will rely on during times of trial.

I received a call yesterday from a girl who grew up in a church, but is not currently an active member anywhere. She and her husband had come up against a circumstance where they had to discuss their faith. They had never had that discussion before. When it came right down to it, though she is a Christian, she was confused about some of the basic, core beliefs of Christianity. This made it even harder for her to discuss this "faith thing" with her husband, who does not share those core beliefs and certainly doesn't know the "Baptist language". It was a reminder to me that we, as followers of Christ and as Christian educators, should NEVER neglect the basics. We should never assume that people understand the "Christian" language. Sometimes it may be completely foreign to them. I am grateful that she and her husband weren't afraid to ask questions, and begin the journey together now.

Several years ago, a missionary came and spoke to our Bible study class about a tribe he had been working with. It was a tribe that didn't understand the concept of exchanging money for work, or "earning wages". Therefore, the verse, "For the wages of sin is death..." didn't translate. The missionary spent 9 years there without a single convert. He spent that 9 years understanding their language and their way of life so he could share The Gospel with them. He spent 9 years working on translating the basics so that an entire tribe might someday come to know Christ, and be able to read Scripture in their own language.

The basics are so important. I value the time I spent in Bible Drill (learning scripture), Children's Choirs (learning hymnody) and in the Lutheran church (learning the creeds), because those are the core values of my faith. We as Baptists tend to run from creeds, but I am thankful for the Lutheran church teaching me the Nicene Creed, because it helped me memorize those core truths, and more importantly, verbalize them. There is a newer chorus that encompasses these truths in more contemporary verse:

We believe in God the Father. We believe in Christ the Son. We believe in the Holy Spirit. We are the Church and we stand as one. We believe in the Holy Bible. We believe in the virgin birth. We believe in the resurrection, that Christ one day will return to earth. We believe in the blood of Jesus. We believe in eternal life. We believe in the blood that frees us to become the Bride of Christ.

...and the powerful worship chorus (which scripture says one day ALL believers will sing around the throne): Holy, holy, holy is our God. Worthy, worthy, worthy is our King. All glory and honor are His to receive. To Jesus we sing because we believe.

May we never take for granted the core of what we believe as Christians. Let us look for opportunities to grow in the basics--studying the Scripture, worship, prayer, fellowship with believers, discipleship, missions. Like martial arts, we need to constantly strive to get better at the basics!

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Lord, help me not to get sidetracked by the peripheral or the petty, but stand firm on the Solid Rock. Thank You for giving me a sure foundation in Christ. Help me never to be complacent about sharing Your grace and mercy with this lost world. People need to know You! Draw me nearer to You everyday, that I might stay focused on the tasks You have for me to do, and that I might be a reflection of that grace which You bestow upon me daily.

Worth

One of the funniest websites (especially if you’re in a cynical mood) is despair.com. It presents the most bleak outlook on life. It has posters with “demotivational” sayings—posters like:
A picture of the running of the bulls with a saying, “Tradition: Just because you’ve always done it that way doesn’t mean it’s not incredibly stupid.” Or “Meetings: None of us is as dumb as all of us.” Or, “Doubt: In the battle between you and world, bet on the world.” It’s a whole website (meant to be funny) poking fun at motivational sayings. It makes its money on “demotivation”.

As I was looking at it and laughing, I came across one that just made me sad: “Worth: Just because you’re necessary doesn’t mean you’re important.” The reason why this particular one struck me is because I meet people every day who don’t think they make a difference—not just lost people, but Christians. First of all, lost people are just that…lost. And that “lost”ness is often accompanied by worthlessness. There are many Christians who take that first step, but never cultivate a relationship with God. There are many Christians who fall away, and in that detachment feel worthless. But God created us in His own image—a people with a purpose.

Genesis 1:27-28: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it...” and then He calls us “very good.”

I hope that nobody in this ministry EVER feels worthless. We are worth so much that God sent His only Son (what was most valuable to Him) to die for our sins. Therefore, our ministries and our lives on this earth are not worthless. We MEAN something. We make a difference. From the beginning, He desired that we inhabit and care for this earth and everything in it. Then, after “the fall”, after years of separation, and after the renewed hope in Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus tasked us with reaching and discipling every one in every nation. What an incredibly worthy task! Maybe even a little overwhelming.

I love the story about the man on a beach that is full of dying starfish that have washed ashore. This man begins picking them up one by one and throwing them back in the ocean so that they will survive. Another person says to him, “What are you doing? There are so many starfish washed up here, you can’t save them all. This is futile. You’re not making a difference at all….” The man replied to him as he threw in another starfish, “I made a difference to that one.”

That is us, each and every week…touching lives one by one. We are worthy because God made us in His image, and He died for us. They (the "lost") are worthy because He did the same for them. They just need someone to tell them about Him. But most of all, our God is worthy of everything we can give. He has given us a high calling. He has entrusted us with telling this world about Him, and modeling our lives for them to see His love, mercy and grace! “Worth: You are necessary and you are important.” And we have much work yet to do.

Philippians 1:3-6: "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Dear God, Thank You for not giving up on us. Thank You for going to such great efforts to redeem us. Thank You for giving our lives purpose. Help us to make a difference every day in the life of one, so that as we walk daily with You, we can show many Your love. Help us to accomplish all that You have for us to do.

"Good" Enough?

I spent last week adjudicating a competition. It was a lot of fun. I got to hear 5th-8th grade choirs, orchestras and bands from this and surrounding ISDs. I was really amazed at what these young kids were able to do with music, and how fearless they were. It was also interesting to see the psychology of it all--how a group truly took on the personality of its director. But that's all for another blog.

In this contest, we were encouraged to give the best ratings we could to encourage the kids. It wasn't hard...we heard some very good groups. But, I was looking at the ratings system:
I--Superior, II -- Excellent, III -- Good. III was the lowest rating--it was just "good".

This man-made rating system got me to thinking about the word "good", and how we totally misuse it in this society. We feel the need to self-inflate things--we aren't satisfied with being "good". We've always got to find a way to make "good" better. For instance, with graduates, you have Cum Laud, but that's only representative of those who have done "good" (well). So, we add "magna" and "summa" to provide further distinctions. Our ice cream has rim colors to distinguish it--"good" ice creama is brown. "silver" is even better (more expensive) and "gold" is the best (another way to charge us even more money). Even our gas has a ratings system: "regular" (good) isn't good enough for the more elite cars--so we've created "Premium" and "Super" and charged a higher price. Somehow, "good" has become associated with mediocrity or underachievement.

Yet, when our Father speaks "good", it is of the highest rank:

In Genesis 1:27, we are told how God created us in HIS image, and it is followed up in v. 31 with God looking upon EVERYTHING He created and calling it "very good".

In walking the Christian walk, we often talk about how we want to live a life that is worthy of Him, and how we long for the day when we meet Him in Heaven, and desire for Him to say about us as the master did in Matthew 25:21:
"'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

So, I began my search through Scripture on what was "good".

Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than fine perfume
Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good
Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 118 repeatedly says: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

The LORD is Good--I couldn't count the number of times that the LORD Himself is represented in Scripture as "good"--there's nothing mediocre about that!!! His love, and His mercy endure forever. He is Sovereign. He is perfect, all-knowing...the list goes on and on.

So, how do we attain this kind of "good"ness that exceeds any earthly rating? I found at least part of my answer in Titus 3:

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

First of all, I just have to clarify that we are only "good"/justified because of God's grace and mercy--not by anything we've done (as this passage clearly states). Having clarified that, living the life of a Christian follower and being "good" isn't easy. It requires much discipline...consistency, faith, patience, humility...all of those things contrary to earthly success. But I don't want an earthly "superior" rating. I want to be "good"--in the image of my Father in Heaven. That's a much higher prize with a much more difficult road, but I am committed to the challenge. I want to run the race, like Paul said, to receive the highest prize. Or as Jesus said in Matthew, I want my light to shine so that people may see my GOOD deeds, and thus no longer see me, but give praise to my Father in Heaven.

Lord, in this world where everyone is trying to run the rat race of life, help us to run the real race and keep our eyes fixed on the real prize. Help us to set our sights high--living good lives and being good and faithful servants. Help others to see our good deeds and have no choice but to give praise to You. Help us to collectively be "excellent" because each of us was devoted to doing Your good. I love You, Lord.