Connecting the Gospel Dots
I stood at the back of the church, trying to process what I had just heard. For forty-five minutes, the speaker talked about Noah and the ark, quoting obscure historical facts, detailing ancient shipbuilding techniques, and even providing mathematical calculations for how many animals could fit in each compartment.
What he never mentioned? Sin. Judgment. Salvation. God's mercy. Not once.
The congregation filed out with polite smiles and murmured "good message" comments, but I noticed the confusion in their eyes. They had received information without application, facts without faith direction.
I am continually baffled and frustrated by what passes for preaching these days. It seems many preachers are so afraid of offending others that they dance around the truth and never present the whole gospel.
When Plans Go Pear-Shaped
Have you ever had one of those days where Murphy's Law isn't just a saying but your personal reality? Jason and I experienced that miserable phenomenon this week. It began with my writing. Every task I attempted was met with utter frustration. What should have taken a couple of minutes ended up taking over an hour. It seemed like no matter which way I turned, I encountered a stumbling block or a brick wall. Seriously?
When we finally surrendered to the technological gremlins and decided to take our daily walk with Tess, the Welsh weather joined the conspiracy. The moment we stepped outside, the clouds unleashed what felt like the entire Irish Sea upon our heads. Lovely!
"It's just a light drizzle," Jason said optimistically as we trudged along, our clothes growing heavier with each step. By the time we made it home, we resembled three drowned rats (though Tess, admittedly, looked the most pitiful).
A Tale of Two Mountains
Have you ever noticed how many mountains appear in the Bible? Jason and I have spent many days hiking through the Welsh countryside, puffing up hillsides with our little dog Tess, and I can't help but think about those biblical peaks. Two mountains in particular stand out in Scripture: Sinai and Zion. And they couldn't be more different from each other.
On the whole, Mount Sinai was a place of terror. Smoke billowing into the sky, the ground quaking beneath your feet, and trumpets blasting so loudly that you cover your ears. The Israelites were told not to even touch the mountain lest they die! Moses alone could approach, and even he trembled with fear.
"And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake." (Hebrews 12:21)
The Flush of Perseverance
A couple of weeks ago, our main toilet started acting up. When you pushed down the handle to flush, nothing would happen. Typically, if you tried it again, it would flush. It was a bit annoying, but overall, not a big deal. However, the problem has progressively gotten worse.
Now, if it doesn't flush on the first try, you have to pump the handle until it finally decides to flush. But, when I say you have to pump the handle, take note that it's not quite as simple as it sounds. No, as we've discovered, there is a particular way and speed at which you have to pump it. It will not work if you pump too quickly or too slowly.
Do you have any idea how ridiculous it feels to stand there trying to pump at just the right speed simply to get the toilet to flush?
When Success Looks Like Failure
This week, I read about a man in ministry who dedicated his entire lifetime to his mission field. He did everything God asked of him and preached with passion and conviction. Day after day, year after year, he faithfully delivered God's message.
However, after a lifetime of service, this devoted minister had no converts to show for his efforts. Not one soul saved. Not a single person who repented of their sins and accepted the message he preached.
Many would look at this man and shake their heads in pity or, worse, ridicule. Armchair critics would be quick to make assessments:
"Perhaps he didn't preach hard enough."
"Maybe his heart wasn't right with God."
"He probably used the wrong outreach methods."
"His theology must have been flawed."
After all, if he had been doing things correctly, surely someone would have responded!