JediPastor (Ken Hagler)

Luke 14:25-33 NASB Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, (26) "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. (27) "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (28) "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? (29) "Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, (30) saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' (31) "Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? (32) "Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. (33) "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.


A while back Will Willimon, former Dean of the Chapel at Duke University and now Bishop in Alabama, got a call from an upset parent, a VERY upset parent. "I hold you personally responsible for this," he said. "Me?" Will asked.

The father was hot, upset because his graduate school bound daughter had just informed him that she was going to chuck it all ("throw it all away" was the way the father described it) and go do mission work with the Presbyterians in Haiti. "Isn't that absurd!" shouted the father. "A BS degree in mechanical engineering from Duke and she's going to dig ditches in Haiti."

"Well, I doubt that she's received much training in the Engineering Department here for that kind of work, but she's probably a fast learner and will probably get the hang of ditch-digging in a few months," Will said.

"Look," said the father, "this is no laughing matter. You are completely irresponsible to have encouraged her to do this. I hold you personally responsible," he said.

As the conversation went on, Dr. Wilimon pointed out that the well-meaning but obviously unprepared parents were the ones who had started this ball rolling. THEY were the ones who had her baptized, read Bible stories to her, took her to Sunday School, let her go with the Presbyterian Youth Fellowship to ski in Vail. Will said, "You're the one who introduced her to Jesus, not me."

"But all we ever wanted her to be was a Presbyterian," said the father, meekly. Hmm. (1)
I can recall a few of my own students from my youth ministry and their parents who had similar conversations with me.

It is almost a disservice to try and preach on these words of Jesus. It is almost arrogant of me to try and add anything to these words. We can say it is about counting the cost. We can talk about carrying our cross. BUT read between the lines – for I think it is in between the lines that Jesus is saying to us – get ready – you can't do it.

In Matthew's gospel we find the parallel where the words are just a bit different: Mat 10:37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. It is the same meaning – nothing comes between you and Jesus. But the truth is you can't do it.

Jesus isn't asking you to give up the worst things in life either. Revivals have loved to hear about those who gave up drugs or alcohol or promiscuity. But really, look at it, what is Jesus asking us to give up? The best things – the relationships and things that we say make life worth living. Do you understand? You can't do it.

Jesus is making people squirm. He isn't blessing the children right here. He isn't talking about feeding the poor. He isn't a consensus builder or a comforter. Jesus is thinning out the crowd. Follow me? You can't. You can't build the tower. You can't win the war.

When you know you can do it, then you obviously don't need Jesus.

When I began to follow Jesus, I left behind family – I would go where God sent. I left behind the ideas of “having it all.” My dad still worries about me.
What has it cost me to follow? It has cost me friends who are pastors. It has cost me friends who are Christians. It has cost me trust in my own denomination. It has cost me my health. It has cost me hair color for sure. BUT that is the point isn't it? What gets in the way has to go. It would all stop if I said I could do it.

Who is a successful Christian? What defines a successful follower of Jesus? Is it Hakuna Matata? Being in a mega-church? Is it being a pastor of a mega-church? Is it salary? Is it exemption from suffering? The truth of being a successful Christian? You get to die.

So just what is lost? I think in part it is this: Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. In these stories and parables – Jesus is on his way to the place where he will lose his own life for you and for me. He is on his way to do what we cannot do – save ourselves.

He takes fisherman and turns them into disciples
He takes Pharisees and turns them into authors of the Bible
He takes a monk and turns him into a Lutheran
He takes an Anglican and turns him into a Methodist
He take Duke Presbyterians and turns her into a missionary
He takes a youth pastor and turns him into Methodist pastor and then a new church start pastor

None of these changes took place because they could it but precisely because they couldn't or can't do it! As long as we tell God what we are to do then we can do it. If we can do it then we don't need Jesus. Oswald Chambers, author of the devotional “My Utmost for His Highest,” once said, "Abandon to God is of more value than personal holiness.... When we are abandoned to God, He works through us all the time."

What is it you're not abandoning? What is it that God is calling you to do that you are saying, “I can't!” That is the place he is most likely calling you.


(1) (David E. Leininger, Collected Sermons, Adapted from William Willimon, Pulpit Resources, September 10, 1995, p. 45.)

During the last few years I've done my own thing as has been the custom of many other clergy. It has been relatively easy to do so because there are today so many resources available for sermon series directed at "felt needs" in churches.

However, as I began reflecting on sermon planning for the coming year, I felt a particular draw away from that approach. As I have grown to question the motivations of my own heart this past year, I couldn't help but consider how my heart might also be impacting how and what I preach.

This has led me to go 'old school' and return to something called the Lectionary. More specifically, the Revised Common Lectionary. That doesn't mean I'm giving up on series preaching. In fact, from my experience, the Lectionary plan lends itself ideally to series preaching just not felt need preaching.

It is kind of like the signs I've seen one church posting around:

"Church for people who don't do church."

How about we do church for people who want to meet God?

Not the god of my "felt need" but the God of the Universe, the God of mystery who meets us in bread and juice and in the hands of the poor? I realize that there are three fingers pointing back at me as I point fingers here - I don't mind - that is exactly my point.

I'm going old school because I don't trust my heart - I don't trust my mind - I don't trust my instincts. Instead, I'm trusting the mystery of the Body of Christ, the CHURCH, with its flaws and mistakes but also filled with the mystery of tradition, reason, experience but ultimately, the Bible.

Proverbs 9:1-18
Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; (2) She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table; (3) She has sent out her maidens, she calls From the tops of the heights of the city: (4) "Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks understanding she says, (5) "Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed. (6) "Forsake your folly and live, And proceed in the way of understanding." (7) He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. (8) Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you. (9) Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. (10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (11) For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. (12) If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it. (13) The woman of folly is boisterous, She is naive and knows nothing. (14) She sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city, (15) Calling to those who pass by, Who are making their paths straight: (16) "Whoever is naive, let him turn in here," And to him who lacks understanding she says, (17) "Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant." (18) But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.


I began this series by asking what Pastor Andy Stanley calls, “The Best Question Ever,” namely, “What is the wise thing to do?” The book of Proverbs is chocked full of answers to the best question. We're not interested in asking “What do I want to do?” “What is the good thing to do?” or even, “What is the best thing to do?” No, it is about the wise thing.

Pastor Carlyle Fielding passed on a family story that occurred when his dad was a young man. It seems the young man had gotten in to hanging with a group of guys that were not making wise decisions and were getting into trouble. His father cautioned him but the young man continued to ignore him. Finally, the father asked his son to join him in his study to pray for him (how often are you doing this?). After prayer, the father said to him, “I don't want you running with these guys anymore.” “But Dad,” said the boy, “I'm not better than they are.” The father replied, “I'm not saying you are better than they are. I am saying that you have a better opportunity to make something out of your life.” And it was a lesson he never forgot.

There are two voices that cry out – shout out – even scream out to us. Two invitations are given to us. Solomon tells us those two choices boil down to choosing the way of Lady Wisdom or the way of Mistress Folly.

Wisdom has prepared a beautiful home with seven pillars (9:1). This number 7 throughout scripture implies the idea of completeness and perfection. The book of James in the New Testament sharese (Jam_3:17)the wisdom from above is described as (1) pure, (2) peaceable, (3) gentle, (4) willing to yield, (5) full of mercy and good fruits, (6) without partiality and (7) without hypocrisy. She has got a huge tailgate party spread. It has got the best brisquit and barbque, the best drinks available (9:2). No one is going away hungry.

What does Lady Wisdom desire? Wisdom desires a hearing (9:3) and to that end, wisdom doesn't sit idly by. She goes to the high place and sends out the message to those who are simple (9:4-6). Her promise is wisdom and understanding to those who fear and know God (9:10). Long life is found in wisdom (9:12). The way of wisdom is the BEST LIFE POSSIBLE!!!

But the voice of wisdom has a rival louder and more tempting. She has built nothing as is absent from the descriptions of her. She sits in the doorway or sits at the high place in the city. Believer's Bible Commentary describes her as “loudmouthed, empty-headed and brazen faced.” Another translation says of her that she is “loud, seductive and knows nothing. (ESV). God's Word Translation drops the description “folly” and says, “The woman Stupidity is loud, gullible, and ignorant.”

Folly is tempting – it sounds incredibly like what we want to be seen as in our day and age. But there is an interesting piece here in these words you may or may not have noted. You see, Mistress Folly is 'naïve.' Have you heard that before? Of course, she is no different from those she is calling to! Isn't it interesting that the word the world uses to describe people who follow after Jesus Christ - “naive” is the same word used by the Solomon to describe the world?

Did you hear about the controversy this week regarding Ms. Philippians at the Ms. Universe pagent? She grew up in hut with a dirt floor and no electricity. She worked her way through college. When asked about a major mistake in her life she said she hadn't made any. I listened as the guy on the radio, a member of a more “Open-minded” generation dismissed her answer as being a lie. Really? Did you know that same Hebrew word for naïve can also be translated - “Open-minded?”

The naïve, the silly, the simple calls to the simple and promises much! Stolen pleasures that are enjoyed in secret. They are no more than false promises.

I once met in the woods a former sheep dog. We struck up a conversation. Over the course of the conversation he shared with me how he recently became unemployed. It seemed a pack of coyotes lurked near a sheep pasture. But the dogs kept them at a distance and the sheep grazed safely. But the coyotes planned long and hard. From a distance out hearing of the dogs, the coyotes called out, “why is there always this hostility between us? We are wise and we know you are a simple minded and we have wanted to share our knowledge with you. But it is those dogs who are always stirring up trouble! Send them away and we will be good friends.” Well you can imagine where this is going, the dogs pleaded with the sheep not to send them away. The warned them but the sheep insisted. That evening the coyotes had the grandest feast of their lives.

The promise of Mistress Folly is hidden from the simple. In fact as I said, she her self is simple minded. A fairly accurate translation is that her home is a haunted house and it is the way of death. She promises much but the life she delivers is the worst possible.

It is a book seen as simple wisdom but then the best question is the same – what is the wise thing to do? Jesus said Mat 7:24 NASB "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Tell me church, tell me friends – after you have heard the call of the wise and the foolish, which way will you walk?

Pro 1:5-9 NKJV A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, (6) To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. (7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. (8) My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; (9) For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.

There is a mystery here in Atlanta. It may not have run across your mind but there are some who have pondered it through the years. It surrounds manager Bobby Cox, his success in winning but also the impact of breaking the record of being tossed out more than any manager in Major League History. Sports Illustrated did a feature on the Bobby as he approaches retirement. Chipper Jones has certainly fueled a great deal of speculation. The article reveals some of the mysteries surrounding Bobby. I'll admit, I've never been a fan of Bobby Cox but I believe that I have come in part to understand the real mystery. You see, it isn't the impact on games one or lost that is the issue. No, if you want to know the real mystery of why it is this incredible manager has been thrown out so many it is the loyalty it has bred in the players who have played for him through these many years.

I'm fairly certain we each carry with us a list of mysteries that dwell in the back of our minds. For instance the one that has most troubled me, why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways? Yours I'm certain are deeper than mine – I just tend to the simple.

Yet at the beginning of Proverbs, Solomon notes that one of the pieces of concern, one of the central things that the book intends to address is helping those who desire wisdom to understand the riddles of life. Nowhere in Proverbs are riddles more pronounced than in the words of Agur son of Jakeh. His riddles are found in chapter 30 and reflect a totally different style of writing and wisdom than in the previous work.

The word riddle in the Hebrew, reflects the idea of satire. In a sense it is making a mockery – sarcasm possibly. Not surprisingly I think, the writer opens his lists with a work of mockery towards those who do evil.

The Riddle Of Evil Doers: Proverbs 30:11-14
Pro 30:11-14 NKJV There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother. (12) There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. (13) There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. (14) There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men.

As we read those words, I imagine we begin to form pictures of people and situations we've been in ourselves. But we'd me at fault ourselves if we did not ask, “What is the wise the thing to do?” You see the danger in a riddle or an enigma is how quickly it mocks not someone else but the reader. Regarding verse 12 a Rabbi once noted "If there are only two righteous men in the world, I and my son are the two. If only one, I am he."

It is not far from the scenario which played out before Jesus where the Pharisees attempted to carry out the death sentence on a woman caught in adultery. Jesus played in the dirt while they waited. When he spoke, his riddle was this, “He who doesn't have sin, you cast the first stone.” He went back to his drawing and all of the accusers went away. May I ask, what answers do you to these riddles of Agur in your life? (Pause)

The other point that comes through is the role of parables in Proverbs. These tend to often come out in the form of analogy and story. Of all the section which seems most applicable in my mind is Agur's 'Riddle of the Little.' In our world, so focused on big and shiny, Agur contrasts the wisdom of small things...

The Riddle Of Little: Proverbs 30:24-28
Pro 30:24-28 NKJV There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: (25) The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer; (26) The rock badgers are a feeble folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags; (27) The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks; (28) The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings' palaces.

The use of grouping ideas in threes and fours is found in literature throughout the Ancient Near East. It seems to have been beneficial in sharing thoughts and ideas with their students. But it tells of something more, namely, the evidence of God's design in the world around us. In this way, we come back around to Job and the examination of Job by God.

While such knowledge is good and has it's purpose, for us again, we must ask of ourselves, “What is the wise thing to do with these words?” To that I would look at the writer's intent – what wisdom is here for us? When you look at the ants or feel that bite on your foot, remember to be planning ahead. The timid rock badger makes a wise choice to hide where enemies do not find them. The locust, like a massive army, work in unison. And what about the spider who does it's skillful work – do you take note of it?

I have to wonder, as a young man, did Jesus not find this wisdom literature fascinating? The wise thing to note too, is how Jesus brought parables to the forefront of his teaching – alerting and pointing us to reality of God's Kingdom surrounding us, just as Proverbs did. What do I mean?
Mat 13:31-32 NASB He [Jesus] presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; (32) and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES."


“Proverbs is the scrapbook of common grace.” from Charles G. Martin. This is the way of God. Not in the grandiose. Not in vulgar displays. Not in extravagance. Just as the way of wisdom is found in the little, so to the Kingdom of God.Jesus – God of the Common. He was found NOT in palaces & with kings BUT with the poor & kicked around. He didn't speak to his disciples about being leaders BUT being loving. He didn't encourage followers to live a lavish lifestyle BUT to be looking at the Little. Jesus known not for doing BIG things but for doing the HARD things. The riddle is what has Christianity become known for and what is it that Jesus said we should be known for?

I'm in so many ways a son of the South. I have lived most of my life in Mississippi, North Carolina and Georgia with a few stops elsewhere. I have lived and ministered among those who still use the N-word in everyday language and I have counted upon and put my trust in my brothers in Christ who are of African-American descent.

It has long been my desire to visit the King Center here in Atlanta and this summer, our family set our sights on making that happen. I have not read as widely as I'd like on Dr. King though I've read probably more than most. What I am most often struck by in the writings of so many is the absolute lack of recognition of the deep faith and the sermons of Dr. King which speak so forcefully of his trust in Jesus Christ.

So, during our time at the King Center, I looked for copies of sermons, of the messages of Dr. King, those rarely mentioned words inspired by God's Spirit. I managed to find two. I'll admit I was disappointed but I bought them and took them home. They've sit to the side now for a couple of weeks.

Now my own journey has taken me into the time that St. John of the Cross termed, “the dark night of the soul.” I have read his works and others on the role of suffering and pain in the life of the Christian. My own theology of suffering is being shaped in these many months and I've come to a recognition that our understanding of suffering in western Christianity is tragically underdeveloped. It barely hangs on life support, neglected and withered.

The times of dark nights are, in my estimation, misunderstood or more tragically, seen as weak faith. To read and hear Dr. King though, I come across one who both lived in times of dark nights and found there, the chance to face what God intends there – the places we need work.

As I rolled out of bed this week, I knocked those CDs off my bedside table. There, on the top, was the sermon, “Judging Others.” That signaled all to clearly a piece of my own soul that myself and others close to me, have found themselves dealing with lately.

Dr. King begins with the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1 saying, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” He goes on to share how Jesus modeled that with the woman caught in adultery, with Peter, the disciple who denied him, and Zacchaeus, the “wee-little man in the sycamore tree.” He added to it his own stories of trying to live out this command of Jesus in the face racism. He also shared of the conflict within the black community regarding the tension over non-violent protest or violent activism.

At the end of the sermon, Dr. King drives home the application points, questions which drive to the heart of the matter. We should ask these of ourselves in any and all situations where we might speak regarding others. Dr. King quotes from Dr. Alexander White, that before we speak we should ask:

1. Is it true?
2. Is it necessary?
3. Is it kind?

“If you can answer these three questions you can go out here and talk about anybody you want to talk about. When you answer these you come to a love of humanity. You don't judge too easily for in the process of judging, you judge yourself. As I come to my conclusion, our job is to be like Jesus.”

No, it isn't Martin Luther King Jr. Day but then wisdom doesn't ever call it in. Neither did Dr. King. Neither should the followers of Jesus.

Proverbs 11:23-31

Did you know that at one time generosity was illegal in Santa Cruz, California? That's right. Pastor Billy Strayhorn noted that about fifteen years ago, it was illegal for someone to put money in other people's parking meters without their permission. The practice called "plugging coins" was considered an illegal act by Santa Cruz municipal code. The fine for a parking violation was $12.00. The penalty "plugging" thirteen dollar.
Mr. Twister whose real name is Cory McDonald, is a professional clown and balloon twister, who has spared many car owners in Santa Cruz, California the misery of that twelve dollar parking ticket by putting quarters in their expired parking meters. After several warnings, Mr. Twister was ticketed for his random acts of illegal kindness. However, he refused to stop doing what he considers "doing to others as he would have them do to him."
But there is justice. In a strange twist, the news media got hold of the story and pretty soon Mr. Twister was being interviewed by CNN and nearly every news organization in the US. Letters from children all over the country began pouring into Santa Cruz City offices. Other clowns got into the act. Bumper stickers were created.
Mr. Twister became a local and national hero.
His acts of kindness prevailed. Declaring the law a "public relationship disaster," the Santa Cruz City Council took emergency action to yank the law from the books immediately. In an effort to show their support and their chagrin, each member of the City Council, along with the mayor, donned red clown noses and beeped their vote of approval.
Rather than see his Benjamins and Bling as something to aquire and protect, Mr. Twister saw it as a blessing and a chance to bless.

I am not a fan of clowns but I am a fan of this one! His story speaks to the heart of Proverbs on being wise with our bling. Yes – Proverbs speaks to gaining wealth and Yes – it speaks on the issues of poverty and Yes – it speaks on dangers of greed. John Wesley neatly sums this up in the sermon on “The Use of Money”. He laid out the foundational understanding that a believer should, “Having first, gained all you can, and, Secondly saved all you can, Then give all you can.”

But if all we dwell on is gaining and saving and avoiding greed – if this is what we take away from God's Word – on Solomon's wisdom then may God have mercy for we are clowns and jesters in the court and are making a mockery of the blessings of God and considering it merely our bling.

The issue at hand is not about giving money to the church – the issue is the condition of your heart. These aren't my words but the words of Solomon. This section begins and ends with a reference to those who are “Righteous.” A person who is righteous is in line with God's character for God is just/righteous as noted in the words of Job: "Shall mortal man be more just [righteous] than God?" (Job_4:1). On our own can we be righteous? The Bible clearly says no but it also makes clear that one of God's deepest desires is for his children to follow in His way. Over and over, the Bible identifies, describes, shows and demonstrates it is the nature of God to be generous. So to with His followers.

There are unfortunately barriers that come to us all – verses 27-29 identify that there are those who go after evil and when they do so they will find the results destructive. When it comes to finances and greed, such desire will damage even a family. Bankruptcy and tax evasion are two that I have seen in ministry that have damaged families, some irreprably.

When that damage occurs in the church, the family of God suffers harm and it calls into question whether the church is trustworthy. I know there are those who come here who carry wounds caused by churches. I know many of your stories related to this so you may think at this moment I am talking directly to you – and I am – but “you” are a whole lot of people.

It is hard not to hold back when we've been hurt in any relationship. But Solomon in his wisdom noted the danger in verse (24) that, “One person spends freely and yet grows richer, while another holds back what he owes and yet grows poorer.” Be it our estate or our soul, when we lack generosity we will know poverty. And so I ask the question, when it comes to generosity, what is the wise thing to do?

But Ken, that poor guy could get a job, why should I give? But Ken, I was in a church that abused my financial gifts? There valid questions – good questions but not the best because the wise question has to do with our souls. And the wise hear that we need not be irresponsible with our bling but turn it into blessing.

In 1731 Wesley began to limit his expenses so that he would have more money to give to the poor. He records that one year his income was 30 pounds and his living expenses 28 pounds, so he had 2 pounds to give away. The next year his income doubled, but he still managed to live on 28 pounds, so he had 32 pounds to give to the poor. In the third year, his income jumped to 90 pounds. When he died in 1791, the only money mentioned in his will was the miscellaneous coins to be found in his pockets and dresser drawers. Most of the 30,000 pounds he had earned in his lifetime he had given away.

Wesley wasn't tithing. Tithing is the Bible's understanding of the minimum we ought to be giving to God. Generosity means we're talking above the 10 percent! Now you may say God has no right to ask that but if you believe God is God, and you are alive and have breath and are here then you are blessed. We all tithe to our mechanic, to our mortgage lender, to the grocery store – they tell us the cost – we give the minimum.

My words are a poor expression of all that I feel toward what God has given me. But the life that I now live following cancer and depression has strengthened my understanding of the generosity of God. If God only gave the minimum to us, we might have an argument. Look at it this way [says Paul in Romans 5:6-10] At the right time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for ungodly people. (7) Finding someone who would die for a godly person is rare. Maybe someone would have the courage to die for a good person. (8) Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God's love for us. (9) Since Christ's blood has now given us God's approval, we are even more certain that Christ will save us from God's anger. (10) If the death of his Son restored our relationship with God while we were still his enemies, we are even more certain that, because of this restored relationship, the life of his Son will save us.

Proverbs 18:24 NASB A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Have you ever heard anyone say, "Birds of a feather flock together"? Have you ever stopped and really asked yourself what it means? Let me tell you a story which will help you to understand.
One spring a great many crows began to pull up a farmer's young corn. The farmer loaded his shotgun and went out to frighten them away. Bang! The farmer fired at the crows, and hurried out into the field to see how many he had hit. To his surprise he found that, besides killing three crows, he had wounded Polly, his pet parrot!
You can imagine how upset his children were when he came home with Polly in his hands.
"O Daddy," they cried, "who was so cruel as to hurt poor Polly! Where was she?"
Before the farmer could explain, Polly began to say, "Bad Company! Bad Company!"
"That is certainly the truth, Polly!" laughed the man. Then he explained to his children that Polly had evidently seen the crows in the field and had left the house (she was allowed out of her cage a great deal of the time) and had gone to join the other birds. She had been among the crows when the farmer fired on them.

Living together on this planet, it is near impossible to get by without being in contact with other human beings. We cannot escape it but if there is a place to ask “what is the wise thing to do?” it is in regards to who we call friends. Who we chose to spend time with will be one of the most influential decisions we make in our lives.

Solomon's words were clear, be careful who you surround yourself with, there are FRIENDS YOU DO NOT WANT...
1. Gossips - Pr 20:19
2. Short-tempered - Pr 22:24-25
3. Those given to drinking and gluttony - Pr 23:20-21
4. Those given to change - Pr 24:21-22
5. Liars, those untrustworthy, and those inconsiderate - Pr 25: 18-20
6. Those given to violence - Pr 1:10-19

If only Solomon's son, Rehoboam had read his father's words it would have helped him greatly. A division had arisen in Israel, a division between the 12 tribes. Solomon had been a bit hard on the tribes other than the tribe of Judah and their leader Jeroboam came and asked for grace and mercy. They said, (4) "Your father made our yoke hard; now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you." Rehoboam consulted the advisors of Solomon who said, “the people are right – listen to them.” Then he consulted those he hung out with all the time – his friends and (10) The young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying, "Thus you shall say to this people who spoke to you, saying, 'Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!' But you shall speak to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's loins! (11) 'Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.'" (1 Kings 12:1-11 NASB) And from there the nation split into civil war and collapsed.

Who you chose to surround yourself with will shape you more than you know. Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20 ESV You may say, “well, Ken, so-so invited me to this party and some friends will be there. Now there is this group that is really into getting drunk BUT I'm not. Is it wrong to go?” That is a good question BUT isn't the best question – WHAT IS THE WISE THING TO DO? It isn't about RIGHT or WRONG but what is the wise thing to do?

So who are we looking for? What does the character of a wise friend look like? Well let's consider that for a minute. When it comes to relationships and character, I want to note 8 things Solomon said in Proverbs and then we'll consider the opposite....

1. At peace with God - cf. Pr 16:7 vs. hate toward God?
2. Be slow to anger - Pr 15:18; vs. being quick to anger?
3. Be slow to respond - Pr 18:13 vs. jumping to conclusions?
4. Avoid quarreling - Pr 20:3 vs. ready to start a fight?
5. Speak gently - Pr 15:1 vs. speaking harshly?
6. Speak briefly - Pr 10:19 vs. going on & on & on & on...
7. Be quick to show love - Pr 10:12 vs. being quick to show hate?
8. Correct rather than flatter - Pr 28:23 vs. flattering before correcting?

So now you tell me – what is the wise thing to do? And don't think for a minute I'm just talking to teenagers here. At our work places or in our neighborhoods, adults, what is the wise thing to do? Who do you flock with? Who we choose to flock with models for younger generations. Networking and business card trading is one thing. The rules of business and getting ahead aren't the way of winning friends and influencing people.

No friend I've ever tried to 'win' ever seemed to be a friend worth having in the end. The wise thing would be start with this defining characteristic, namely, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (Jn 15:13). No greater friend can we have than Jesus Christ. He offers that friendship to you and to me and it remains the defining act of friendship.

Have you taken Jesus up on his offer of friendship? Compare Jesus with Solomon's friendship test? Then add to this – what friend has ever died for you? When it comes to your life right now, this day, let me ask you, chosing Jesus as your friend or not – what is the wise thing to do?

Luke 7:1-9 NASB When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum. (2) And a centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. (3) When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. (4) When they came to Jesus, they earnestly implored Him, saying, "He is worthy for You to grant this to him; (5) for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue." (6) Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof; (7) for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. (8) "For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it." (9) Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith."


You may have heard me share my first day driving in drivers Ed as a high school student. That first day behind the wheel of a car was my first ever. Sitting beside me was the old retired football coach who knew more creative descriptions than I had ever heard in my young life. No doubt he was once a drill sergeant. The most memorable part of the day was the moments following running a stop sign. I recall him yelling at me: “What did that sign say?!?!” “Stop,” I replied. “What did YOU do?!?!” “I drove through it.”


There was no force-field to stop me. There was no wall to run into or any car in my way. Coach had his own brake and could have stopped the car. It was just a piece of metal right? Yes, but it carried with it the weight of the law and coach had the weight of grades which that day was an “F.” Those who walk wisely walk under the truth that there is authority in this world. But we may not realize that how live with this truth can and does have eternal implications.


In our lives we will often be both in authority over others and at times under the authority of someone. How we conduct ourselves in both situation is the concern of Solomon. Throughout his Proverbs he makes note of the truths in leadership. Most often in Proverbs, this issue of authority is spoken of in regards to kings. Yet, the implications are applicable to us all in the places we find ourselves.


Whether one is a king or a president, a teacher or a manager, an elder, or a parent, a team captain or a patrol leader, God expects us to exercise authority with justice. But that isn't determined by our title BUT but by our character. In a leader it starts by taking away evil influences as Solomon says in Proverbs 25:4-5 GNB Take the impurities out of silver and the artist can produce a thing of beauty. (5) Keep evil advisers away from the king and his government will be known for its justice. In Tolkien's Lord of the Rings Trilogy, the imagery is shown in the corruption of King Theoden of Rohan through the advice of Grima Wormtounge. Because a leader is charged with the care of others, Solomon points to the heart of the leader as a key place to start namely that Kings cannot tolerate evil, because justice is what makes a government strong. Proverbs 16:12 GNB


It was King Lemuel who shares the words of his mother regarding the role of leaders. The temptation is always great to grasp for power for its own sake. But it is in the nature of a godly leader to be others centered as Proverbs 31 notes - "Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. (9) Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9 GNB


But I am no person of power or influence! No, maybe we don't serve as the president of the U.S. and I am not a bishop either. We live under authority and regarding being under authority, Solomon challenges us to (21) Have reverence for the LORD, my child, and honor the king. Have nothing to do with people who rebel against them; (22) such people could be ruined in a moment. Do you realize the disaster that God or the king can cause? Proverbs 24:21-22 GNB
But there is more to it than just that. Our own lives should reflect certain qualities in response to those who are in authority over us.
1. Wise conduct, not shameful - Pr 14:35
2. Righteous speech - Pr 16:13
3. Purity of heart and graceful lips - Pr 22:11
4. Excellence in one's work - Pr 22:29
5. Self-control of one's passions and appetites - Pr 23:1-3
6. Humility - Pr 25:6-7
7. Patience and gentleness - Pr 25:15


And are these not the very character traits we want to see in our leaders, in those in authority over us?


It makes significant the incident here between the centurion and Jesus. The centurion saw the character of Jesus, who (7)... of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant. He became like a human being and appeared in human likeness. (8) He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death--- his death on the cross. (Phil. 2). And so, as one who was both UNDER authority and who HAD AUTHORITY, he put himself under Jesus.


And then we catch a glimpse of what faith looks like in the eyes of Jesus, the King of the Jews. Faith is seen when we place ourselves willingly under the authority of God. The centurion had practiced it in his career. When one came worthy of his submission, one whose character was beyond question – this centurion – stepped out and placed himself under the authority of Jesus. And Jesus said – this is what faith looks like.


How silly we have been! How silly I have been! Faith is not out there – something unable to be grasped or claimed! No! But it is our nature to rebel. We see the cost of the rebellion, the results of our fallen nature, our sin – but the answer is simple but not simplistic – it starts with looking at Jesus, the King of Kings.


Kids, we practice it in our homes with our parents and guardians. Youth and adults, we practice it in our work and our world. It is in the simple things. Look at life wisely – if you've not had faith or as I have often done, lost my faith, then today is the day and now is the time to say, place yourself under authority,

I'm really getting excited about this coming Sunday at Crossroads UMC and our service of Celebration of Faith & Freedom. We've never done anything like this before and I think it is going to be a unique and meaningful day! I'm excited about all the pieces coming together with our music (and the addition of Dr. George Tomes on sax!), the help of all our Scouts and the gifts from New Hope UMC, it is going to be an incredible 4th of July!

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:29-32 NASB)


So many books have been written on how to speak that is far past time for a new slate of books to to help people learn to be quiet. There is no place that this applies more than in our current political / social-networked / sound-bite addicted culture. For speeches and conversations to bear fruit they need to be pruned more often.

And yet is more than politicians, professors, and pastors (this one included) who need to be careful with their words. In Proverbs, King Solomon speaks to us from centuries past that watching our words is one of the wise things to do.

I can only imagine as King what all Solomon must have seen regarding the character of those around him! How ironic what President Obama has had to face this week in regards to a General who was not more careful with his words. But neither the general or the president have a monopoly on putting their foot in it! The Wise Thing is always to begin where Wisdom begins – with giving God priority in our lives.

It might seem odd to begin with Ephesians to talk about Proverbs but it seemed right that we consider the example of Jesus' life AND that God does not leave us on our own to work at being wise. When we chose God's way – to follow after Jesus – Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit is sent to us, to live in us and to be part of this journey – to live out the Wise Thing. Paul makes it clear – our words are part of this way of wisdom.

Pastor Mark Copeland notes that in Proverbs, Solomon identifies there is Constructive Speech and Destructive Speech. Proverbs 11:11 GW notes that “With the blessing of decent people a city is raised up, but by the words of wicked people, it is torn down.” When we Walk Wisely, our words make a difference.

It has been said that to teach people the difference between counterfeit bills and the real thing, the Treasury Department doesn't have their people study counterfeits. They study the real thing so intimately that they can spot a counterfeit immediately. This is my approach. While Solomon addresses the Destructive, I want to focus on the Constructive. And it starts with...

GOOD WORDS. Simply put Solomon says, “The mouth of a righteous person is a fountain of life, but the mouths of wicked people conceal violence. (Proverbs 10:11 GW).” To walk wisely, is to be life giving in your words and how you speak. It only reveals an integrity of character which has been OR is being transformed. Proverbs 16:24 describes the words as pleasant - “like a honeycomb” and in Proverbs 12:25 as comforting. This kind of speech reveals the heart of the speaker.

But it doesn't stop there as the wise person uses TIMELY WORDS. It doesn't get more clear than Proverbs 15:23 to make the point that “Giving the right answer at the right time makes everyone feel happy (Proverbs 15:23)” There is truly a time for everything but everything needs to be in the right time. Solomon goes on to note in verse 28 that, “Good people think before they answer, but the wicked speak evil without ever thinking.” (15:28 CEV). You can speak truth at any time and it is still truth but that doesn't mean it is the right time or that it will be heard! At least 1 dating relationship ended from truth at the wrong time,m and I've continued to learned as a husband, a parent and as a person, that TIMELY WORDS are key in walking wisely.

Good words spoken at the right time get us so far and this speech benefits all around but it is CONTROLLED WORDS which set apart our lives.

I'm sure Solomon heard from many in his group of advisers and from numerous lobbying groups. It must have been experience after experience which taught him the importance of Controlling the words we use and how much. In Proverbs 13:2-3 he tells us...
“You will be well rewarded for saying something kind, but all some people think about is how to be cruel and mean. Keep what you know to yourself, and you will be safe; talk too much, and you are done for. (CEV)”

Controlling our words enhances our relationships and protects our soul. It also protects our bodies from violence as this Proverb notes...
A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up. Words of wisdom come from the wise, but fools speak foolishness. (Proverbs 15:1-2 CEV)

And foolish words are most often Destructive Words. Solomon notes 4 above all others. Namely, 1) Lying, 2) Flattery, 3) Gossip and 4) Cursing (or slander). Search out the Proverbs and you'll see these brought out but they all reveal a selfish bent and Solomon notes - “The food you get by cheating may taste delicious, but it turns to gravel. (Proverbs 20:17 CEV)”

In his journals, John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Movement tells of the persecution many early Methodists experienced. Why? Because through the Holy Spirit in the lives of people willing to follow Jesus, people were becoming more like Jesus! On one occasion, Wesley noted that a group of Methodists had been tied up, thrown into a wagon and taken to a judge. The judge asked the mob, “What are the charges?” No one had thought about that before coming! The one man spoke up and said, “Please sir, they converted my wife. Before she went amongst them she had such a tongue! But now she is a quiet as a lamb.” With that, the judge said, “Take them back and let them convert all the scoundrels in the parish!”

This is what it means to become disciples! When a person turns from living in rebellion against God, admits their mistakes and follows Jesus, Something is different! “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. (Colossians 4:6 NASB).” Do you truly understand the importance and wisdom of the right kind of speech? As we seek to walk wisely this week, make note of your words and all they show you about you.

Proverbs 1:1-7

"Son," said the store owner to his new employee, "wisdom and integrity are essential to the retail business. By 'integrity' I mean if you promise a customer something, you have got to keep that promise-even if it means we lose money." "And what," asked the teenager, "is wisdom?" "That," answered the boss, "is not making any stupid promises."

When I was a youth minister, I took a group of students to a youth conference at a church some of you may have heard of called, Northpoint. Andy Stanley was speaking and he asked a question. It was a question that was an awesome question for students but I realized then, it was just as important for adults. Andy apparently thought so too, and later did a sermon series entitled, “The Best Question Ever.”

The best question isn't how far is too far or how much is too much? It isn't should I do this or should I do that? The question is, WHAT IS THE WISE THING TO DO? And it is this question that the Book of Proverbs seems to be designed to help us with. For there is a great need for wisdom in our world today. A lack of asking good questions is destroying young people's lives before they start and making fools of adults as they live. A lack of wisdom destroys marriages, friendships, and churches. At its worst, it dooms our very soul.

Ben Franklin proclaimed, “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of!” He was right but Ben didn't know how to truly finish. Paul writes to the church at Ephesus and the church at Crossroads the words, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17 NASB)” Don't waste time and to not waste it, know the will of God. The Book of Proverbs is the book which puts them together and points the way.

The book identifies Solomon, the son of King David and one who assumed the throne from his father. 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 tells the story of how he was granted wisdom by God. 1 Kings 4:29-34 notes how he became famous and wrote over 3,000 proverbs. And like other books in the Bible, it is a book of compilations. At the end, there is added, “the words of Agur, the son of Jakeh to Ithiel and Ucal (Pr 30:1-33) and of King Lemuel who was taught wisdom from his mother regarding a godly woman in Proverbs 31:1-31.

The purpose of Proverbs is declared in the first six verses, verses 3 poetically makes clear: “To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; (Proverbs 1:3 NASB).”
Solomon identifies 4 people who need wisdom:
1.Simple (or gullible) – Prudence (or insight(GW))
2.Young person - “Knowledge and discretion
3.Wise person - “increased learning”
4.Man of understanding - “wise counsel”
It is ultimately designed to help us all answer the question, “What is the Wise Thing To Do?

There are 31 chapters in Book of Proverbs. Many times, I have done a 30/31 day journey through Proverbs reading 1 chapter a day. That will be something to think about trying this summer. The first 9 books give a breakdown of the value of wisdom. The other 22, get into the specifics. Ultimately, Proverbs identifies that there are two different types of lives that exist in the world.
There is a PROSPEROUS LIFE. Proverbs 3:13-18 outline this life as the life of wisdom. To live the prosperous life, Solomon makes clear, doesn't mean one of wealth of glory, that would be inconsistent with Scripture. Solomon notes in fact... “her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. (Proverbs 3:14-15 NASB)” In other words, knowing the WISE THING is better than the RICH THING.
Of course there is another life, we'll call it the PITFALL LIFE. Growing up in the 80's on Atari, some of you will remember a game called “Pitfall.” Like an Indiana Jones movie, you had to swing over alligator infested ponds and jump over gorges. While Solomon wasn't advocating running into the jungle, Proverbs 3:21-26 explains what a Pitfall life looks like. In his God-given wisdom, Solomon identifies 3 regular pitfalls:
1.Evil companionship (Pr. 1:10-19). Be careful who you are spending your time with!
2.The immoral woman (Pr. 5:1-14). The wise thing would also be to change this to man!
3.Laziness (Pr. 6:6-11). This would almost be a given if it Solomon didn't write it.
Let's play with this for a moment...You get yelled at by your...BOSS / SPOUSE / FRIEND...
Ask WHAT IS THE WISE THING TO DO? You could...
A. Strike back physically (go to jail)
B. Strike back verbally (get fired / verbal abuse)
C. Do nothing
D. React with a peaceful, kind reply (Proverbs 15.1)

The value of Proverbs is that instead of wasting time trying through process of trial and error, and spending more on self help books than necessary, we have a resource that already contains the truth and wisdom we're looking for. After all, it isn't in the facts but the execution that facts become wisdom.

And the first place to start, Solomon says, is the place we just ended up with Job. You see, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” And that fear isn't a terror but a recognition, that our journey of faith starts where our last series ended: God is God and I am not.

Now since summer is upon us and we're all going so many directions, it seemed to me a "wise thing" to give you a challenge. I call it the WISE31 Challenge.


I want to challenge you, that even though we're on the go, you can still grow in wisdom. Read the Book of Proverbs through, one chapter a day for 31 days. Start now and you can get through it twice by the end of August or simply start in July and read 1 chapter a day for the 31 days of the month.

Don't waste time - walk wisely this summer!

Job 42 (NASB on YouVersion)

How many pithy little sayings exist about reading the Bible to discover all the answers to life? I've lost track No car could hold the bumper stickers. It just isn't that clear. We pull out the Bible and discover it is no self-help manual to alleviate all our woes. You'd think here with Job, God would make this incredibly clear but instead we find a story – broken, indirect, meandering...just like life.
If you want answers, you've got to look between the lines – in the gaps. Life isn't prime-time, it is the commercial breaks.

In the encounter with God does Job discover answers? No. Instead, Job is led into the power and wonder of creation. Not an explanation from God, but an overwhelming experience of God that came from a desperate need FOR God.

In his book “Have a little faith”, Mitch Albom talks about meeting an ex drug addict who commits his life to the gospel of Jesus Christ and becomes a true disciple.  He opens a rundown church called “I am my brother’s keeper”  in the middle of downtown Detroit with a hole in the roof, no money, no heat, and parishioners who can offer nothing more giving their broken shattered lives of crime and addiction to Jesus Christ. Mitch starts the book as Jewish skeptic yet as he comes to know the pastor and struggle with his own faith; he reflects on how little this church has and compares it to others he has heard of. Then Mitch writes...
"I thought about how churches and synagogues usually build memberships. Some run schools. Some host social events. Some offer singles nights, lecture series, carnivals and sign-up drives. Annual dues are part of the equation.
At I am My Brother’s keeper, there were no dues, no drives, no single nights. Membership grew the old-fashioned way: with a desperate need for God."

Job's desperate need FOR God brings the experience WITH God and us to our passage, and another “between the lines” moment with translation.
Translation of 42:6:
NRSV: “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
But there are problems with that closing statement.
“I retract. I even take comfort for dust and ashes.”

But the phrase “dust and ashes” is found throughout Scripture and readily understood and associated with our mortality. A more accurate translation is given by Stephen Mitchell ... “Therefore I will be quiet, comforted that I am dust.”

In coming face to face WITH God, what should give us pause, Thomas Long notes, is that Job is not reduced to dust and ash. No, Job discovers the desperate truth that he is not God, something we all need to discover – truly. God is God and we are not. He discovers the answer that theologian Ireanaus later theorized – this world God has made is not a wealth-making world, god-making world, pleasure-satisfying world – it is a soul making world. Fallen though it is, harder than God had designed, yet all things, good and evil – will form our souls.

It is a journey we do together, as Job discovered, even though we maybe lonely in a crowd of friends. God addresses this as well with Job's friends. It is a reminder that we need to be, no we MUST be careful with our words and our rush to speak for God. “What if we DO live by the picture of God these friends of Job have painted?” Even they will be forgiven as we are reminded that God will listen to the prayer of those who seek after Him.

“And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends …”
“and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”
A ridiculous amount of stuff. So much, in fact, that it becomes meaningless. Or maybe again, we should read between the lines...

Contrast with chapter one:
Restless control to peaceful freedom
The friends and Job’s family and friends
A Focus on the sons to …
Mysteriously, the shift is to the daughters whose names mean Dove, Cinnamon, Eye Shadow. The daughters were the most beautiful in all the land and they received an inheritance along with the brothers. Oh yeah, who are the brothers? They go unnamed. Which leads translator and professor Stephen Mitchell to note, “There is something enormously satisfying about this prominence of the feminine at the end of Job. … It is as if, once Job has learned to surrender, his world too gives up the male compulsion to control. The daughters almost have the last word … We can’t quiet figure out why they are so important, but we know that they are.”

The world is turned upside down OR maybe right side up: God’s ways are not our ways. We assume the rules of our culture are God’s rules. But it ain’t necessarily so. God doesn't play by our rules – his are the one's that count, the rules are the rules of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus reminded us, do you remember the story? The wheat and the weeds would grow up together. Rejoice with those who rejoice! BUT weep with those who weep.

I look around now as, I have journied my own road of suffering and this story of Job and I wondered, in this soul making world, how is my soul shaping up? How is yours? God is an enconomist – he wastes nothing – it all matters. I have looked back on my own mission statement and come to realize God intends to make every moment of my life matter. And this is my mission and mantra – to make moments matter. The moments between the lines – the commercial breaks.

So what about you? Will you continue to grasp at prime time opportunities or will you begin to see in your own suffering, that life IS in the commercial breaks? Will you begin to READ and LIVE between the lines? It is there, after all, where you will find God.

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, "Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? "Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? "On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy? "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, So that an abundance of water will cover you? "Can you send forth lightnings that they may go And say to you, 'Here we are'? "Who has put wisdom in the innermost being Or given understanding to the mind? "Who can count the clouds by wisdom, Or tip the water jars of the heavens, When the dust hardens into a mass And the clods stick together? "Can you hunt the prey for the lion, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, When they crouch in their dens And lie in wait in their lair? "Who prepares for the raven its nourishment When its young cry to God And wander about without food? (Job 38:1-7 ; 34-41 NASB)

“He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake!” When you sing it – do you think Santa or do you make the leap of applying that to God? His got his list and he is checking it twice after all!!!

Is he the universal Santa? A slot machine of miracles for the right amount? A confessor in the darkness? Does he even care? Or is there a better question behind our “whys?”

Do you want God or just God's gifts? It is a question at the heart of Larry Crabb's book Shattered Dream. Dr. Crabb speaks from his own experience with both cancer and his career in ministry.

Ask yourself – What are you wanting from God? (A good job? Meaning for life? Wealth? Healing?) Who taught you this? Is it Scriptural? Is it grounded firmly on God's Word?

I have been called a good man. What does that mean? In this world and in this society, what does that mean? What does it count for? My being a “good man” doesn't influence people to change behavior or even make them listen. What does it count with God? He is no score keeper – it will do no good for you to think about God that way.

If God were to be a score keeper, then it would be like the umpire this past week in the Tiger's game. No one will remember how many calls he nailed in his career or how many World Series he served in. He robbed Galaragga of the call. No matter all that God gives, we'll hold it against God – like Job's friends, the accountants – God is tracking the box scores and the tally sheet. BUT Job ain't buying it.

Job says, “God is no where to be found.” BUT he is wrong there. Job, in his suffering and grief, is stuck at Janet Hagberg calls “The Wall” in her theory of spiritual growth. Job cannot go back – the accounting method doesn't work but he is struggling before this huge “Why?” But God is more concerned about Job than he thinks – It was God who pointed Job out in the first place.

Each of his friends, has their own account and Elihu, this friend of Job, places God WAYYYYYY!! up there from us all. He says, “The Almighty, whom we can't reach, is great in power and judgment, has more than enough righteousness, and does not oppress. That is why people should fear him. He does not respect those who think they're wise." (Job 37:23-24 GW)

AND THEN GOD SHOWED UP
Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. "Who is this that belittles my advice with words that do not show any knowledge about it? Brace yourself like a man! I will ask you, and you will teach me. "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have such insight.
(Job 38:1-4 GW)

God doesn't come in answering but asking. Is that right? It is a bit dismissive and God pulls no punches on Job's three friends either. But asking good questions is part of teaching. Socrates used it. Rabbis were great. But another was the master....
The pharisees asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” In reply Jesus asked them, “What did Moses command you?”
A rich young man asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good.”

BUT what could God say to answer the question “Why?”
How could he explain the loss of 10 children and all that he had?
Sin? No – it doesn't fit the crime.
God's will? Then what kind of God is this? (CS LEWIS)
God shares with Job images of the mystery of creation – an intimate look at God's involvement in the details of life itself. The images show the wildness and still untamed and uncontrollable power of nature. And if a picture is worth a thousand words God said it all, “I am God and you are not.”

God is beyond our control – He is beyond our debating and definitions, our boxes and boisterous natures. The prophecy Isaiah noted God's words, “My ways are not your ways.”

But we're still only looking here at part, we're not done with Job's story and neither is God. The verses which follow move the story forward and move the questions to a better resolution of God's design. After all, God is no score keeper – God seeks something more – a depth of relationship – God didn't give Job answers – God gave himself.

And God has never stopped giving himself. In our anguish, our grief, our pain, our confusion, our betrayals, our sin – God walked among us, human like us, on the cross, he faced death like us and says, “ Here I am. Come follow me.”

join in as we share His Word!

My apologies for the delay in posting, I got sick this week and fell behind. I'm up and around again, getting ready for the weekend. I hope you all like the new design of the blog too!

Today's text:
Job 23:1-9, 16-17

When last we met, a conversation had begun between God and Satan in heaven. It would be the first of two such conversations. The results ended with Job losing all of his children, his possessions and his home. Then it progressed to where he suffered from a painful skin disease. We find Job here, with three friends coming to comfort him:
When they saw him from a distance, they didn't even recognize him. They cried out loud and wept, and each of them tore his own clothes in grief. They threw dust on their heads. Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him because they saw that he was in such great pain. (Job 2:12-13 GW)

Job is alone and isolated… though it is three of his friends who sit around them. Thankfully they have enough sense to keep their mouth's shut. They make it seven days before Job finally breaks the silence. But Job's words are harsh. They are challenging and in the minds of his friends, borderline blasphemous.

A reason must exist! It has to exist! Pastor Mark Westmoreland notes “the real struggle here, the one we all fear and dread: If there is no reason, suffering is random, and no one is safe. And everything they believe is at risk.” DROWN IT! SHOUT IT DOWN! REASON IT! CONDEMN IT!A back and forth conversation begins between Job and his three friends. It is one that probes deeply into the problem of pain and suffering and where God is in the midst of it all.

In his book, A Brief History of Time, Stephen Hawking tells the story of A scientist who “once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the center of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy. At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: "What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise." The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, "What is the tortoise standing on?" "You're very clever, young man, very clever", said the old lady. "But it's turtles all the way down!"

His friends see that Job is trying to knock over their stack of turtles but the truth is Job is simply dealing with the question of “WHY?” It isn't their turtles he cares about, Job's turtles are the ones in a mess. And too often, when others are in the midst of the low lands, we try to explain the suffering of others. We find ourselves on holy, sacred ground, and for the guest, fragile ground.

I read the story of a chaplain at Scottish Rite. It is a story most of us as pastors could tell, except for the end. The chaplain was sitting with a woman who had recently experienced the death of her daughter. A friend came in to visit and tried to say something helpful: “God never gives us more than we can handle.” The mother responded, “Does that mean that if I were a weaker person my daughter would still be alive?”

When you've got it all going for you; when you're living “the dream,” there are answers that “pop-Christianity” can hand you and it will taste fine. But don't bring that stuff to the table of the one suffering or you'll likely to have a food fight.

Then Eliphaz from Teman replied to Job, "Can a human be of any use to God when even a wise person is only useful to himself? Is the Almighty pleased when you are righteous? Does he gain anything when you follow the path of integrity? Does God correct you and bring you into a court of law because you fear him? "Aren't you really very wicked? Is there no end to your wrongdoing? (Job 22:1-5 GW)

Admit it Job – You are a sinner, you've done something to deserve it! And Job in essence says, “Maybe I am, but God went a bit overboard don't you think?!?!”

Job is alone in the crowd. Alone in his suffering. Have you ever felt that? Hear the words again of Walter Wangerin who said, “The one for whom Why has no answer is even further isolated by those for whom Why has no interest.”

You can talk about it, explain it, reason it out but you can't MAKE anyone take interest in asking why. I can't do that today but I can tell you I have asked why and because I have talked with you, and I have lived life long enough, I know that many of you, if you aren't now, have asked why? And the answer/answers or lack of anyone who cared left you hollow – like Job – alone in the crowd.

But not alone.

Following Jesus' teaching, John tells us in 6:66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. Mark gives us this simple statement to remind us that at Jesus' arrest: “...they all left Him and fled. (Mark 14:50 NASB)” That meant Peter - “The Rock” and John, “the disciple Jesus loved.”

Throw your pity party all day long but you need to know, there will always be a guest in the corner. I love the way Author, Anne Lamott, described her coming to faith in Jesus as something like a stray cat following her home. Finally, she opened the door and said in essence, “Fine, you can come in.” Will you let him?

In times of suffering we often hear Paul's words saying, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NASB)” They ring hollow until we remember that those words were written by a beaten, bloody man alone in a prison cell.

It doesn't mean it is fun or something to look forward to but it does mean NO SUFFERING goes on that God cannot redeem. By faith, Job stands his ground asking for meaning to his “Why?” The question is will you?

There are different options folks take when it comes to hunting turkeys. It is one of the many things that gets me so excited about the nearly two months of turkey hunting we get in Georgia. If you "run and gun" in the turkey woods, you basically get to take a nice stroll in the woods, and stop and set-up from time to time if you want. On the other side, you can go all out - covering ground in yards more than steps.

I prefer the later.

I enjoy the challenge of chasing turkeys on their turf regardless of the weather and conditions. I usually wear my backpacking boots when I know I am going to be taking the steep inclines of power lines or some of the hills we face around Georgia. I have friends who I have taken hunting who later have been stunned by the pace I set. I train and work out with the idea of being able to get to where ever the the birds are hanging out.

Unfortunately, my spiritual life sometimes does not get the same focus. Even as a pastor, I take for granted the need for a single-mindedness to go after God. One person I have gained inspiration from is Joshua. He followed the example of Moses and sought to live every minute for God. He stood before God's people and challenged them, saying,

"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15 NASB)

We are called to live a "marathon" life. Most often we live in "sprints" - going from a spiritual high to a "low" and then looking to get back "up" again. We need to learn from Joshua's example and commitment to place God at the front and live everyday going after His Kingdom.

TIP: Consider developing a year round health plan to be in shape for your hunting season as well as your spiritual life. Set time 4-5 times a week for a 30 minute work-out even if it is simply walking. Either before or after, read from the Bible and a devotion. This way you can stay fit physically and spiritually for every hill or valley you face.

This past week, one of our local restaurants here in northeast Paulding closed. These guys worked like crazy to make their business go. All small business owners do. It is in their nature. So many of us are either feeling it happen to us and around us. But it doesn't stop there. It seems like there is a snowball effect as more couples are struggling in their marriages and far too many throwing in the towel.

This doesn't even touch on those families and individuals struggling with the day to day of special needs complications, depression and other mental illnesses, medical conditions that have become physically and emotionally unbearable. I could go on.

As one who has dealt with cancer and depression in my own life alongside chronic headaches, I have known suffering too. I have faced rejection and failure in my calling – Yes, even pastors know it, its just few mention it or name it outside of hanging out with other clergy. The reason I hear most? No one wants to hear that pastors suffer.

So let me ask you, do people not want to hear that Jesus suffered? Catches you off guard doesn't it? In our western culture, I'm not sure churches likes to hear that truth either. Still we can't escape the reality...”we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:9-10 NASB)”

As the next few weeks unfold at Crossroads UMC with our series, “When Days End In Why?” I thought I'd share some of the books that have spoken to me and helped me on my journey.

Shattered Dreams Larry Crabb
Mourning Into Dancing Walter Wangerin
A Spirituality of Imperfection Ernest Kurtz & Katherine Ketchem
Man's Search For Meaning Victor Frankl
The Glory of a Wasted Life Christ John Otto
The Critical Journey Janet O. Hagberg


MAY I ASK? What has been your greatest struggle with suffering in your life?

MAY I SUGGEST? Find ways to connect with the suffering in your community. Whether through a food pantry, clothing center, women's shelter, children's home, hospital; plan this month to associate with suffering. Come back and share what you learned here.

1.People are scared to connect.
Frown. Put up your hand. Keep asking how much it is. All of those were responses to our FREE Coke and a Smile Saturday.
Following from that though is the observation that people are simply scared to connect. Because I wear a name tag everyday, I find connecting to be fairly easy and straight forward. Having my name out there helps others lower their guard even if just a little. How do you enable others to connect?

2.People don't believe free.
Bait and switch. Too many "Free Car Washes" have tainted people I guess (Donations accepted!) When Crossroads says free we mean FREE! We had some money get thrown at us when we wouldn't take it even! We still gave away probably 400 Cokes, Diet Cokes and water. How did we sell FREE? Persistence and a smile. How about you?


3.Once the first in line takes a risk, others follow suit.
As soon as the first person sitting in line at the stop light would take a soda or water, it was amazing how quickly others would follow suit. Early adopters set the the trend. What trends are you setting?

4.Generosity freaks people out.
Does it ever! I've lost track of how many times I have been rejected. Being a new church start pastor imparts more opportunities than just about anything else to experience what it is like – especially from Christians. Now add to that the idea of helping people - “RETHINK CHURCH” by being generous. Scott came saying all morning - “This is so freaking people out!” What are you doing to freak people out?

MAY I ASK? When was the last time you RISKED yourself for the sake of the Kingdom? What was it like? What did you learn?

MAY I SUGGEST? Find some way to be creative and get out there and FREAK people out. My parents were here visiting and THEY got out and had a blast!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Protestant pastor who was imprisoned and eventually executed by the Nazis during World War II. From his bleak prison cell, Bonhoeffer wrote letters full of faith and hope. This is a quote from one letter to his sister: "I think that God is nearer to suffering than to happiness, and to find God in this way gives peace and rest and a strong and courageous heart."

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually. (Job 1:1-5 NASB)

The first cry of a baby is in a sense, “why! Why do I have to leave this comfortable place where all my needs are met!” It is only the beginning of such days. To live life – either with or without faith – we ultimately will ask “why” on more than one day. Just look at Rob's (our bass player) post on Facebook: "Note to self when you're super-tired: Putting ice cream in the pantry just doesn't work."

There is a word for the problem of evil and suffering and God – it is called theodicy. There are those who wrestle with this issue and those who dismiss it altogether. For some, it becomes the reason they leave faith behind and for others, it propels them to walk closer and more deeply with God than ever before.

I can tell you that more than one book of the Bible wrestles with the issue of theodicy. Read the book of Ruth, and you will find suffering face to face. Read Ecclesiastes and again, the theodicy will be faced. If pastors back away from addressing the reality of suffering it isn't because we lack material. The Bible deals head on with evil and suffering – sometimes more pointedly than we'd like.

Will faith protect me from evil? If I do right will I also do well? Is there a cause and effect between faith and success in our world?

Enter Job. A man from the Land of Uz – a place unknown even to the Israelites. Job. Is the name an invocation of God or a name meaning the “persecuted one?” Was he real or a story? What we know is once, long ago in a land far away lived Job.

BLAMELESS – UPRIGHT – FEARED GOD – LOVED HIS FAMILY. What could be wrong? Seven sons and three daughters both represented numbers that meant “Perfection”. His animals too, represented complete numbers. All the important holidays were times to party!! By all accounts in faith, family and finance – he was successful.

VERSE 5 (sanctifying the children). Pastor Mark Westmoreland asks - “Is that fear – is it faithfulness? Is it a little of both?” Can we protect ourselves in ritual and doing good from evil? For a long time it has been thought so. I have yet to see evidence as of yet that this belief has disappeared. In fact, the writer of Job takes us to a seen before God's throne where this interesting conversation takes place...

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it." The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil." Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? "Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. (Job 1:6-10 NASB)

We are so quick to ask God “Why?” But it is Satan who asks an even better question - “Why do we worship God to start with? What is OUR motivation? Is there some level of selfishness we can never escape?” In looking at the life of Mother Teresa, behavorist Edward O. Wilson noted that her service to Jesus was linked to the promise of eternal life and thus had a selfish basis.

I think there is something missing from our faith if, along the way of our life, we are not asking 'why?' Why follow if the journey is marked by suffering and not prosperity? Indeed. Shall we follow theT lives of the disciples, Peter and Paul, Matthew and Andrew, except for John, all knew incredible suffering and struggle. The centuries that have gone by have recorded others. Foxes' Book of Martyrs notes many. More recently, The Voice of The Martyrs has highlighted the abuse and suffering of Christians around the globe during this past century.

Philip Yancey notes, “The most aggressively Christian continent on earth, Africa, is also the hungriest, while the most aggressively non-Christian region, around the Arabian Sea, is the wealthiest.” Why? Walter Wangerin has been one of my favorite authors through the years. In 2006, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and is preparing for his own death by writing. But in his book, Mourning Into Dancing, written in 1992, he records these words, “The one for whom Why has no answer is even further isolated by those for whom Why has no interest (107).” If you are asking why – you will find friends here at Crossroads and alongside Job as well.

“What does it profit us to gain the whole world and lose one's soul?” Jesus asked good questions and tended to leave the answers to be discovered. Paul tended to answer his own questions: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. These and the words that follow, are recorded by many of the missionaries who have gone where Jesus sent them. Barclay Buxton, Amy Carmichael, E. Stanley Jones, Jim and Elisabeth Eliot and countless others found a peace in the words of Paul in their suffering and questions of “Why?”

But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. (Philippians 1:21-24 NASB)

I can speak of the suffering of cancer and the stigma of depression. But I can also tell you of the isolation and despair that come with following Jesus where he says to go. Faith, if I have learned anything, is not safe. It leads to questions more often than it leads to answers.

What do you want to hear from me? Do you want to hear that faith in Jesus will assure that you will blessed and your life overflowing with joy? Or that faith in Jesus could cost you everything you dreamed and worked to achieve? The answer to both is "Yes." But to find those willing to ask the questions? Now that is a place of grace and place that Crossroads desires to become.


(NOTE: Special thanks to Pastor Mark Westmoreland who provided the outline for this series.)

What happens when a community comes together? In this case, we're piling up soles! With such an incredible out pouring by the families of northeast Paulding, it only seemed right to extend our Soles4Souls campaign through to June 6th - "Barefoot Sunday."

So you still have time to drop off your gently used or new shoes at Crossroads UMC (meeting at Shelton Elementary on Sunday mornings) or Shelton during the week as well as TEAM Chiropractic on Hwy 92 next to Vito's Cafe.

Click here to learn more about Soles4Souls!