It couldn’t be as bad as everyone made it out to be. Kids would sit on the hot seat, the camp leader would push a little button switch, and Zap! The kid would be jumping and screaming, flying off the hot seat, while everyone else would be laughing and enjoying the fun. It was a simple stool, with a six-volt battery attached under the seat. Wires went up to a metal screen on top of the seat, covered by a pretty piece of fabric. Seemed harmless to me. So why the shock, the screams, the writhing pain? Come to find out the six-volt battery was attached to a Model-T voltage booster.
I got the bright idea that one of us should give it a try. Those of us who worked on the camp staff seldom got to join in the fun and the activities. We watched from a distance when we had opportunity. But this hot seat really caught our attention. We all dared each other to sit on the seat after lunch one day, after everyone had left the dining hall. No one was willing. So I decided to be brave and try it. I really thought it couldn’t be all that bad. Everyone was just playing along with the gag, I concluded, to thrill the crowd. But just in case, I decided that I would push the button, not one of my buddies. That way I could make it short and sweet. I wasn’t going to let them fry my back side.
We took a break from washing dishes to test my bravado. I sat on the seat, held the button in my hand, and everyone counted down. Three! Two! One! Zaaaaaappppppp! I couldn’t let go of the button. I was soaking wet from doing dishes, and the button had a short in it which had been mini-zapping the leader. The current went through me in a continuous circuit. My hand was frozen stiff and I couldn’t let go of the button. I couldn’t even scream. I just sat there and winced in pain. And fried! And all my buddies stood there laughing and screaming in delight. They didn’t know I was in trouble.
I figured the only thing I could do was lean over and fall off the stool. I don’t know how I had the presence of mind to figure that out, but it worked. Thud. I landed on the stage floor, probably looking white as a ghost. Then they all came running to see if was electrocuted. After they figured out what had happened they started laughing again, even harder.
I felt pretty foolish. Worse than a guinea pig. Duped and hoodwinked. Yes I had agreed to do it, but I had let myself get talked into it.
That’s how it is when we get deceived. Duped and hoodwinked by our adversary, Satan, and all his minions. If we didn’t have enough evil to contend with, standing against our own fleshly desires and the world’s influence upon us. But we have yet another deceptive, crafty voice trying to get us to trip up, step over the edge, push the button. And without realizing it, we take the bait, and we put ourselves in grave danger. Pain, disgrace, embarrassment, and shame.
We must beware of the darts of the evil one. Darts that he shoots into our mind. Flaming darts. We must extinguish them, taking every though captive to the obedience of Christ. We must put on the whole armor of God. And pray in the Spirit. Then stand firm. Stand strong. (See Ephesians 6)
Oh, and one more thing. Get some buddies around you that you can trust to keep you off the hot seat.
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” ( II Corinthians 10:4-5)
February 20, 2010
February 15, 2010
That's My Boy
He was hired to lead the worship band, but his brief testimony touched my heart almost as much as any of the other four keynote speakers. Dave paused between a couple songs near the end of the Men’s Conference, in front of 1200 men, and told his story.
He met the girl of his dreams when he was eighteen. She was a cheerleader for the hockey team. Yes, hockey. I guess in North Dakota hockey teams have cheerleaders. His dream was to become a big-time musician in a big-time rock band. She made plans to go overseas for a short-term service. Before she could leave, though, she got pregnant. Both their plans were derailed. They got married, the right thing to do. But six months into marriage it was over. Almost. Several counselors tried to help, but to no avail. They visited with a pastor, who patiently and carefully let them air their complaints. He told them that their marriage had no hope. “Only one out of two marriages survive, and that’s when they have something going for them. Yours has no hope”, he said. Then he got up and went to Dave, knelt in front of him, pointed his finger in his face and said, “unless you, young man, determine to hope.”
Hope rekindled helped them to grow, and to mend. Their marriage healed and began to thrive. Four kids later they wanted to celebrate their tenth anniversary with a second wedding, a renewing of their vows. They staged it on a beach, at sunset. As the ceremony progressed Dave was overwhelmed with God’s grace that had flowed into his life, his marriage, his family. Grace that had rescued, grace that had forgiven and healed, grace that had salvaged and recommissioned a broken life. He felt God looking down on them and saying from heaven above, “that’s my boy. Yes sir, that’s my boy!”
Stories of God’s grace, his powerful grace, stir my heart and bring tears to my eyes. I’m not sure everyone felt the same. I’m sure that for many men the spiritual how-to advice was much more significant. But another comment, made by Don Miller, helped to bring context to my feelings. “Apart from failure and pain,” he said, “apart from adversity, or sorrow, or temptation, we would not have an appetite for the grace of God.” And in God’s redemptive plan, whenever there is hunger He will satisfy. Whenever there is an appetite for his grace he will fill it abundantly.
Many may agree that adversity or sorrow should direct us to God’s grace. But failure? Failure is grounds for disqualification, not grace, some would say. But for God, failure is an opportunity for the first step, or a renewed step, on the "narrow path" of grace, an opportunity for his powerful grace to love, to forgive, to repent. To redeem and to restore. An opportunity, once grace has done a marvelous work, for a proud Father to say, “That’s my boy!”
“Now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death, to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:22)
He met the girl of his dreams when he was eighteen. She was a cheerleader for the hockey team. Yes, hockey. I guess in North Dakota hockey teams have cheerleaders. His dream was to become a big-time musician in a big-time rock band. She made plans to go overseas for a short-term service. Before she could leave, though, she got pregnant. Both their plans were derailed. They got married, the right thing to do. But six months into marriage it was over. Almost. Several counselors tried to help, but to no avail. They visited with a pastor, who patiently and carefully let them air their complaints. He told them that their marriage had no hope. “Only one out of two marriages survive, and that’s when they have something going for them. Yours has no hope”, he said. Then he got up and went to Dave, knelt in front of him, pointed his finger in his face and said, “unless you, young man, determine to hope.”
Hope rekindled helped them to grow, and to mend. Their marriage healed and began to thrive. Four kids later they wanted to celebrate their tenth anniversary with a second wedding, a renewing of their vows. They staged it on a beach, at sunset. As the ceremony progressed Dave was overwhelmed with God’s grace that had flowed into his life, his marriage, his family. Grace that had rescued, grace that had forgiven and healed, grace that had salvaged and recommissioned a broken life. He felt God looking down on them and saying from heaven above, “that’s my boy. Yes sir, that’s my boy!”
Stories of God’s grace, his powerful grace, stir my heart and bring tears to my eyes. I’m not sure everyone felt the same. I’m sure that for many men the spiritual how-to advice was much more significant. But another comment, made by Don Miller, helped to bring context to my feelings. “Apart from failure and pain,” he said, “apart from adversity, or sorrow, or temptation, we would not have an appetite for the grace of God.” And in God’s redemptive plan, whenever there is hunger He will satisfy. Whenever there is an appetite for his grace he will fill it abundantly.
Many may agree that adversity or sorrow should direct us to God’s grace. But failure? Failure is grounds for disqualification, not grace, some would say. But for God, failure is an opportunity for the first step, or a renewed step, on the "narrow path" of grace, an opportunity for his powerful grace to love, to forgive, to repent. To redeem and to restore. An opportunity, once grace has done a marvelous work, for a proud Father to say, “That’s my boy!”
“Now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death, to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:22)
February 12, 2010
Heresy Trial
They came back with a verdict in twenty minutes. I thought it would take hours. After all, I gave them thirty pages of testimony, or more, and an extensive, humble, and heartfelt explanation. How could I have been so naïve? So blind and gullible, not to have even seen it coming? But then, maybe there’s not much difference between naivety and innocent faith?
Never, in my wildest dreams, would I ever have thought I would be the center of a heresy trial, and be kicked out of a church. They called it a Prudence Committee. The denomination called in five or six men from around the state to hear the evidence, weigh it, and give a recommendation. I really was naïve not to understand how seldom a committee like this is ever called. And when it does occur it is to fire the pastor, not to weigh testimony.
I had been helping a girl in the youth group to be set free from demon possession. It had gone on for many months. All along the way I felt, in good faith, that we were on the right track, not misguided. I kept the pastor and a few board members informed. But there was not a lot of support, except from two board members, alone. An associate pastor ridiculed the entire effort. The senior pastor died of cancer in the process, adding to the confusion. The fear and oppression upon the remainder of the board was incredulous, but of course never understood.
At the heresy trial my poor wife, Carol, sat up in the balcony by herself, dreading the process and the verdict, and ashamed of the flood of accusations and confusion. After the verdict she came to talk to me, in tears, and only could say, “They used against you your most favorite scripture in all of the Bible.”
I was told to pack up all my books and ministry belongings and be out of the office in 24 hours. That’s when it hit me, it really is over. All over. I am out of ministry, out of a job. It was in 1984, and the economy was in shambles. We lost our house and years of savings and equity. No biggie, though. I prayed, “Lord, you called me to ministry. But my reputation is smeared irreparably, now. Will I ever again be in ministry?” To my surprise he answered me, “within six months, by April 1”. Like Mary, I kept that hope, that secret, hidden in my heart.
Out of the pain, the disgrace, the lowest point in my personal and professional life, there arose one of the most beautiful and blessed opportunities. A group of three men took me under their wings, supported us through the lean time, and began to pray with me for God’s leading. One of them had been kicked out of the church along with me, and the other two left out of sympathy. No spite, just matter of fact, “God we did what you asked, and here we are in the fiery furnace. What do we do now?” God led us to begin planning to start a new church. He led us in so many incredible and specific ways. We decided to start getting together on Friday evenings for home meetings while we waited upon God for leading. The very first home meeting was on March 30.
My favorite Scripture, found in Philippians 2, was probably an early church hymn. It encourages humility, submission, and yielding personal rights: “Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name… Jesus…. To the glory of God the Father.”
Never, in my wildest dreams, would I ever have thought I would be the center of a heresy trial, and be kicked out of a church. They called it a Prudence Committee. The denomination called in five or six men from around the state to hear the evidence, weigh it, and give a recommendation. I really was naïve not to understand how seldom a committee like this is ever called. And when it does occur it is to fire the pastor, not to weigh testimony.
I had been helping a girl in the youth group to be set free from demon possession. It had gone on for many months. All along the way I felt, in good faith, that we were on the right track, not misguided. I kept the pastor and a few board members informed. But there was not a lot of support, except from two board members, alone. An associate pastor ridiculed the entire effort. The senior pastor died of cancer in the process, adding to the confusion. The fear and oppression upon the remainder of the board was incredulous, but of course never understood.
At the heresy trial my poor wife, Carol, sat up in the balcony by herself, dreading the process and the verdict, and ashamed of the flood of accusations and confusion. After the verdict she came to talk to me, in tears, and only could say, “They used against you your most favorite scripture in all of the Bible.”
I was told to pack up all my books and ministry belongings and be out of the office in 24 hours. That’s when it hit me, it really is over. All over. I am out of ministry, out of a job. It was in 1984, and the economy was in shambles. We lost our house and years of savings and equity. No biggie, though. I prayed, “Lord, you called me to ministry. But my reputation is smeared irreparably, now. Will I ever again be in ministry?” To my surprise he answered me, “within six months, by April 1”. Like Mary, I kept that hope, that secret, hidden in my heart.
Out of the pain, the disgrace, the lowest point in my personal and professional life, there arose one of the most beautiful and blessed opportunities. A group of three men took me under their wings, supported us through the lean time, and began to pray with me for God’s leading. One of them had been kicked out of the church along with me, and the other two left out of sympathy. No spite, just matter of fact, “God we did what you asked, and here we are in the fiery furnace. What do we do now?” God led us to begin planning to start a new church. He led us in so many incredible and specific ways. We decided to start getting together on Friday evenings for home meetings while we waited upon God for leading. The very first home meeting was on March 30.
My favorite Scripture, found in Philippians 2, was probably an early church hymn. It encourages humility, submission, and yielding personal rights: “Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name… Jesus…. To the glory of God the Father.”
February 9, 2010
The Most Important Thing
Oh, what a night. Dinner in a beautiful restaurant overlooking the beach, right next to the turnaround in Seaside. We were celebrating our anniversary, Carol and me. A holiday at the beach, right after the new year, and less than a week late for our actual anniversary. But at least we got away, together, and alone.
In the restaurant there were only two couples having dinner, and one of them was us. We overheard the waiter talking to the other couple, and heard that they were celebrating their anniversary also. We called our daughter while waiting for dinner to tell her how we were celebrating, and where. She was excited for us.
After dinner we got up from the table and walked over to the other couple to greet them and congratulate them for their anniversary. They said that it was their 47th anniversary, only three shy of their golden anniversary. They asked us what anniversary we were celebrating. They must have heard us on the phone. We told them it was our 37th. We chatted, and compared dates, and talked about where we lived. But as we were about to leave the best part of the conversation happened.
Carol thoughtfully asked the other lady, “So what is your secret to a long and happy marriage?” She answered quickly, and with conviction, “Always make sure that he is the most important thing in your life!” Carol smiled and said, “Oh, he’ll like that.” Then she turned to me and said, “And she’s the most important thing in your life.” We all want to be the single most important person in the whole wide world to someone. We all have a deep desire to be totally accepted, wholly affirmed, and utterly precious to someone. That’s the longing of every heart – unconditional love. True love.
Your spouse is not just the most important person, but the most important thing, above all else. Not just the best person, but the only one. “The most important thing.” It was a great reminder. Great wisdom.
“Each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33)
In the restaurant there were only two couples having dinner, and one of them was us. We overheard the waiter talking to the other couple, and heard that they were celebrating their anniversary also. We called our daughter while waiting for dinner to tell her how we were celebrating, and where. She was excited for us.
After dinner we got up from the table and walked over to the other couple to greet them and congratulate them for their anniversary. They said that it was their 47th anniversary, only three shy of their golden anniversary. They asked us what anniversary we were celebrating. They must have heard us on the phone. We told them it was our 37th. We chatted, and compared dates, and talked about where we lived. But as we were about to leave the best part of the conversation happened.
Carol thoughtfully asked the other lady, “So what is your secret to a long and happy marriage?” She answered quickly, and with conviction, “Always make sure that he is the most important thing in your life!” Carol smiled and said, “Oh, he’ll like that.” Then she turned to me and said, “And she’s the most important thing in your life.” We all want to be the single most important person in the whole wide world to someone. We all have a deep desire to be totally accepted, wholly affirmed, and utterly precious to someone. That’s the longing of every heart – unconditional love. True love.
Your spouse is not just the most important person, but the most important thing, above all else. Not just the best person, but the only one. “The most important thing.” It was a great reminder. Great wisdom.
“Each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33)
February 3, 2010
Son Of Thunder
Our fifth child was born with a full code hospital alarm. That should have been a signal to us that there would be more to come. Much, much more. Carol says that life turned into a storm that day in March, 1989, and has not slowed since. Behold, our son of thunder.
He slipped through the rail of his upper bunk, hanging by his neck (age 8).
He got hit in the head with a golf club, not once, but twice -- multiple stitches, same eye.
He lost his hair in splotches (age 10) – Doctor said it was due to stress. His stress or Mom’s?
He had a case of the shingles (age 15) -- Doctor said it was unheard of so young.
One afternoon I was riding ATVs at the camp with Michael. We came racing down a hill, around a curve. As I slowed down a bit, to wait up, his ATV came driving past me, without a rider. I looked back to see him laying in the gravel. He had rolled it on the curve, got thrown off, and away went the ATV. That was one of several ATV accidents. One rolled over him, backward, and required stitches. Another time he rolled it in a drainage creek up at Goldendale. It landed on him and pinned him underneath. Had there been more water he may have drowned.
What was I thinking? I let him get a driver’s license and drive a car. Two days after his sixteenth birthday he totaled his Mom’s car. The first time. She got a phone call, “Can you tell Dad to come pick me up, the car got in an accident and is dented bad enough that I can’t drive it home.” A neighbor picked up Carol, then picked me up where I was working, and we drove to the accident. Our hearts almost stopped. Fire trucks, ambulances, and sheriff cars galore. I didn’t know they had that many emergency vehicles in Estacada. He had turned left from behind a slow moving panel truck, directly into the path of an oncoming SUV. His car was so mangled it didn’t seem he could have survived. The fire chief said that if it weren’t for airbags in both vehicles they would have both been dead, or on Life Flight.
Then there were the many calls from the sheriff, asking us to come get our son. Bone-headed, risk-taking, stupid stunts. I sometimes joke that I got on a first name basis with a few local deputies. But we all survived a few humbling court appearances, some big lawyer bills, and some gut-wrenching lessons learned.
Several men told us how proud they were of Michael’s testimony when he got baptized in 2006. He admitted to his failures, but rejoiced in the grace of God. There would be more ups and downs, after that, but faith grows slowly with some. Especially a son of thunder. But like the first sons of thunder, the two disciples of Jesus (Mark 3:17), our hope is that God spared his life so many times because He wants to draw him close to His heart, for the glory of His incredible grace.
After the storm comes the sunshine. And with the sun, comes the rainbow -- the promise of God.
“There are two kinds of people -- those who say to God, "Thy will be done”, and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way.” - C.S. Lewis
“Above all else, guard your heart (i.e., the way you think and feel), for it is the wellspring of life.” “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 4:23; 3:5,6)
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