HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA

           “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
  This statement from the Declaration of Independence is considered by some as part of one of the most well crafted, influential sentences in the history of the English language.  Its sentiment has been the goal of this nation ever since.  And to a large extent that goal has been achieved.  Our forefathers have crafted a democracy wherein greater and greater numbers of people have realized these “unalienable rights.”
Because of this our nation is recognized as the “Land of Opportunity.”  People from all over the world seek to become citizens.  At first came Europeans who then brought African slaves.  Greater and greater waves came from Europe fleeing famine and wars.  Latinos are now a political issue as were the Irish and Italians before them.  It is interesting that Orientals coming into the country now outnumber Latinos who are doing so.  How the nation deals with waves of immigrants is up to the politicians we elect.   We, however, are responsible for how we deal with them. May we Christians not neglect the word of God to the Hebrews, “And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him.  The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Leviticus 19:34-35) 
As we celebrate the Fourth of July we need to thank God, as I often do, for being born in the USA through no fault of my own.  We can claim no special merit for where we were born. We give God the glory for our good fortune.  We can understand why others want to share in our good fortune.


Grace and peace.

FIFTY THREE

            Tuesday (June 19^th) Liz and I celebrated our 53^rd anniversary.  Wow, how time flies.

            In our day and time half of people who marry divorce.  Some of the loudest voices in the “Defense of Marriage” debate have themselves messed up multiple marriages.  I sympathize with those who have had bad experiences and have been through the necessity of divorce, and I rejoice with those who, like us, have successfully negotiated multiple decades.

            How do two people stay together as long as we have?  I’ve always joked that you must learn real quickly to say, “Yes dear, you were right and I was wrong.” (Or, “If a man says something in a forest and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?”)

            The truth of the matter of longevity in marriage is you must make a careful choice of a partner to begin with and you must add a sincere commitment to that person and to marriage itself.  Also it helps to follow some advice from the apostle Paul, not given solely for the married, but yet most pertinent.

            “Put up with a lot of stuff!  Empathize with the other’s feelings!  Want the best for the other!  Don’t be a show off! Don’t think too much of yourself!  Behave gentlemanly or lady like!  Don’t be overly concerned about material things! Stay cool!  Give the benefit of the doubt! Practice and commend moral living!  Keep on keeping on no matter what!” 

             You, of course, recognize this as an interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. 

            God gave Paul great wisdom.  I pray He will give the same wisdom to us, and the spirit to follow it. If that happens, we can add the words of verse 8, “Love never fails.”

            And that, friends, is how to stay married 53 years or more.

TRAVEL

            This week we welcomed our daughter, son-in-law and grandsons back from a two week trip to Europe.  Our oldest grandson, Graham, now 14, has traveled to Japan with the Birmingham Boys Choir, spent a month in Africa with his dad on a mission trip, and now has been to London, Paris and Brussels.   The younger grandson, Deason (9) made the trip to Europe and will spend a month in Africa with this dad on a mission trip in January.  Both have been all over the U.S.  I am grateful my daughter and son-in- law have the means to enable the boys to travel

            How things have changed.  I was 26 years old and married before I ever saw the ocean.  Liz and I had gone from Louisville to Fort Worth for me to finalize pursuing doctoral studies at Southwestern Seminary.  Driving back to Birmingham we veered down to Gulf Shores.  She had been there with her family, but that was the first time I saw the ocean.  It was more than two decades later before we went overseas on a mission trip.

            The most meaningful travel I have done has been on mission trips. I’ve led churches on a dozen in the U.S all the way from Florida to Arizona to Montana to Pennsylvania to the Virginia coast. I’ve also been to Switzerland, Romania and Uganda.  More and more Christians are making these trips. 

            Some question the value of such short term missions.  Wouldn’t it be better to serve somewhere locally and send the money you would otherwise spend traveling to the mission for its use?  The value of short term mission trips to those on the field might be questioned.  However, I have been reassured by those to whom we have gone that others coming to help for a week or two are encouraging to them, and a powerful witness to the local people.  But the value of such trips to the individuals who go is not in doubt.  By exposing Christians to other cultures, other people and the hands on work of missionaries, they are transformed.  Missions become personal for them.  Their awareness is sharpened and their support for missions is enhanced.

            People are going to spend their money to travel anyway.  Why not go on a mission trip?  There are thousands of mission trips originating in U.S. churches and denominational organizations each year. I encourage you to go on one of these trips if you have the opportunity. 

Grace and peace.

OLD AGE

             Last month I passed my 77^th birthday.  The problem is, in my mind I still see myself as a 29 year old.  This is true in spite of some physical changes.  One sure cure for such thinking is to attend a high school class reunion, which Liz and I did the day before my birthday.  There was no one there but old people.  So I had to admit that “I are one.”  In reality, at my age I now think of old age as someone in their late 80s or 90s.  When and if I get to those ages I am sure I will think of  old age as someone past 100.

            The innocence of children will also remind us of our advancing years.  Seven years ago, when my oldest grandson was seven years old, he was over at our house. I had been working outside and was sweaty and dirty.  I came inside to clean up for dinner and I put on a clean golf shirt.  Graham looked at me over the table and said,  “Grandy, you look good!...except for the wrinkles all around your face!”  I was not offended, just reminded, and amused.

            I consider old age a gift from God.  Many of my contemporaries are already gone.  Some of them departed this life at a relatively young age.  I have now well exceeded the threescore and ten mentioned by the Psalmist. (Psalm 90:10)  These I count as bonus years.  I welcome them as further opportunity to serve my Lord.  Some ask me when I will fully retire.  My answer is, “I may slow down a bit, but I will never fully retire”.  The call to ministry has no time limit.  As long as God leads a church to desire my service, and as long as He gives me strength and mental sharpness to do so, I will be a pastor or interim pastor.

            But this is also true of all Christians.  God has called us into His service.  We serve Him in manifold ways.  And there is no expiration date on that call.  As long as He gives us life, and in spite of declining health or declining ability, we continue to serve Him in this world as best we can.  One day we shall all join the “heavenly chorus” and continue to worship and serve Him throughout eternity.

Grace and peace.