If I wrote a book on “How Not to Save Money,” I would have plenty of personal stories to share. Here is a recent one.
I just returned from a wedding in Montana. I had the privilege to lead a ceremony for a therapist who was marrying a doctor on the border of West Glacier National Park. It was a heavenly scene.
The sun shined like God was smiling on the outdoor pavilion overlooking the forest. The leaves of thousands of trees were turning gold and yellow like the setting sun. The harpist played as the wedding party took their places. The guests laughed and cried during the ceremony and the reception as they heard stories of this romance. It was a special treat for a hundred friends to share in this celebration.
I had flown into Kalispell on Saturday night. It was an $80 Uber ride to my motel room from the airport. On the drive, I had a great talk with the driver about football, fishing, and the Lord. However, to save money, I decided to ask a few people about catching a ride back to the airport the day after the ceremony.
At brunch that morning, I talked with two people who were on my connecting flight through Denver, before they flew to Chicago and I went on to Phoenix. They had room for me, so we agreed to meet at the restaurant at 12:30 for the 45 minute trip. I put my suitcase in the back of their vehicle and then took off on a hike along the Flathead River.
Looking down from a bridge, I saw a school of large trout feeding in the clear water. I found a trail that followed the river bank. The ground was soft, flowers were blooming, and the sun was mellow. I stared up at massive cedar and fir trees as I hiked through the forest. I hoped to bring our family here for a vacation someday. My only regret was that I had to get back in time to catch my ride.
I saw John and Eric in the car when I walked back to the restaurant, so I jumped in with them. We chatted as we waited for John’s wife to finish shopping. I was eager to get going because we had an hour and 45 minutes before our flight departed and a 45 minute drive ahead of us. John drove at a leisurely pace once we got on the road. The mountains were beautiful and our conversation was interesting.
However, I get anxious when I have to check luggage and go through security at an airport on a tight schedule. It is hard for me to “stay in the moment” and enjoy the drive when I am running late. There was traffic and traffic lights in abundance as we approached Kalispell. I finally saw the sign, “Glacier International Airport” and suggested John change lanes to make the turn. What he said surprised me.
“My GPS says we still have another ten miles to go. That is one of those smaller airports. We should be there in 15 minutes.”
I wondered how many international airports they had in this little city. I looked at my phone. It was 1:30, an hour before our departure. I got quiet. They could tell I was anxious and reassured me if we arrived 45 minutes ahead of our flight, we should be fine.
Every time we stopped at a red light, I felt more stress. As we wound our way through small city streets, something didn’t seem right. We finally arrived at a tiny airport. John said “I don’t think this is it. I must have clicked on the wrong airport when my GPS brought them up on the screen.”
Now we were all uptight. John swung the car around and headed back to the airport we had passed earlier. It looked like we would arrive 20 minutes ahead of our flight at best. If I made the flight, I doubted my bag would make it.
John’s wife prayed out loud for the Lord to make a way for us. She needed to get home to take care of her children. I added a weak, “Yes Lord, please.”
I contemplated my dilemma. When we travel together, my family tells me I need to “chill.” They say I take too much control. I try to follow their advice. I try to chill and let others take the lead. So, I didn’t insist we turn in to International Airport when we drove past it the first time. I was trying to chill.
Sometimes when I chill, things don’t go well. That’s what makes me want to take control. When situations look risky, I prefer my leadership and decision making.
As John stepped on the gas and weaved through traffic, I did the math in my head. If I missed the flight, it could cost $1000 to get a hotel and book a new flight to Phoenix the next day. I’d also miss my men’s group the next day.
Before we got to the airport Eric said to me, “You can go first. I don’t have a lot going on tomorrow and it’s not that big a deal if I miss the flight.” He was giving me permission to grab my bag first and run ahead of him. He was not asking to be reimbursed or putting his needs ahead of us. I was convicted by the Spirit.
I’m preaching this Sunday on a passage which includes Philippians 3:3. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.
I have been preaching and teaching the gospel for fifty years. Yet, under pressure, it can be easier for me to put confidence in the flesh than trust the Lord. I often struggle doing the very thing Eric offered me. Those who put the needs of others first, even when it costs them time and money, are serving God by his Spirit. They are living like Jesus.
We arrived at the airport. I grabbed my suitcase and backpack and ran to the ticket counter. We all made the flight along with our luggage. God’s grace was sufficient in spite of my weakness.
In Eric, I had seen an example of faith that stays with me. If our lifestyle matches our theology, then our lives in Christ can be powerful and not just philosophical.
An Anniversary to Remember
I was in Marin County this month to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Church of the Open Door, the first church that grew out of our Jesus People ministry in the Bay Area. We had people fly and drive in from Tanzania, Baltimore, Texas, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and throughout California. It was a blessing to reconnect with friends, some of whom I had not seen for years.
Our first church began in August 1972 in Mill Valley with Bob Hymers, Mike Riley, Roger Hoffman, and a few others from our Bible studies.
We merged all of our ministries together in 1973 and moved the church to San Rafael. In the 1970s, we established Bible studies, discipleship houses, and Christian General Stores in San Rafael, San Francisco, Novato, Petaluma, and Sonoma. Believers came to our stores to purchase books, Bibles, music, church supplies, and to receive counsel and prayer in times of crisis. The stores never made much money, but they impacted thousands of people.
I grew up in the Lord at Solid Rock, one of our twenty- seven discipleship houses in the Bay Area. We held our money and possessions in common and kept our doors open to minister to hitchhikers, new believers, and anyone who wanted to live in a Christ centered community. The police would also drop people off at Solid Rock when the Community of Mental Health facility was full. Those were wild times.
By the 1980s we had planted churches in San Rafael, Novato, San Francisco, Petaluma, Sonoma, Point Reyes, Phoenix, London, Wales, Manila, and Mexico City. Some of our churches reached hundreds of people, others touched thousands. Some are still going today, others have merged or released their members to neighboring congregations.
Kent Philpott and Frank Worthen started a ministry called “Love in Action” to reach homosexuals with the gospel of Christ. This ministry extended from San Francisco to the Philippines. At one time our San Rafael church had over eighty members who had come out of the gay lifestyle and been transformed by Christ.
Each of our churches sponsored missionaries around the world. Living Streams, our church in Phoenix, has given birth to church plants and raised up leaders in Arizona, Mexico, and Belize. Our San Francisco church sent out missionaries who have established over twenty churches in the Philippines.
A couple of nights before our anniversary meetings I had a dream. I saw a man who had been a spiritual leader to me at Solid Rock back in 1971. We both moved to Phoenix in 1984. We talked about planting a church together, but we had some disagreements that divided us. We never reconciled our relationship before he died several years ago.
In my dream, I saw him in heaven. I went up to him and we immediately hugged each other. The presence of Jesus Christ in heaven was so strong that the awkwardness of our past was not an issue. It was like our disagreements had never happened. The love and forgiveness that Jesus had given us both was all that mattered.
When I woke up, I was comforted by the love I felt. I also wished I had made another attempt to reconcile with my friend before he died. We pray the Lord’s prayer, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” God’s will is for us to have unity in Christ. Nothing can interfere with God’s will being done in heaven. We get blessed to the degree that we cooperate with God’s will being done on earth.
What encouraged me in this gathering was the fruitfulness and maturity of my friends. We were once immature young believers; we are now pastors, leaders, business owners, and grandparents.
I saw an ex-drug dealer who now is a financial manager who owns several companies. I saw Ken, once a heroin user who became a physician. I met David, a kid from my Bible Study who became a pastor. Terry, a girl from that Bible study now has eight grown children. Two others from our Bible study became missionaries in Turkey and the Czech Republic. Kevin, a once demonized young man became an RN. Gay, a lady whose daughter had died became a missionary. Kai, one of our elders, now leads marriage ministries in San Diego. Jack came down from Oregon where he serves a large rescue mission. Five of our pastors are now serving churches in other denominations.
The point of any church or movement is not to contain the people for life. The point is to equip people and release them to serve the Lord wherever he opens doors for them. We are all called to use our gifts to expand God’s kingdom, which is bigger than any local church or denomination. The kingdom of God is destined to fill the earth with his glory.
We had a slide show with our pictures from the ’70s and -’80s, when the ladies were beautiful and the guys were strong. We also had a roll of over 175 names of people from our churches who are now in heaven. Since we will all be joining that list before too long, making good use of our time now is critical.
Any group of people who commit their lives to Jesus and serve him together can see God work in amazing ways over time. It takes commitment and sacrifices to obey the Lord and keep loving one another. However, after over fifty years, I still think following Jesus and helping others become his disciples is the best investment we can make with our lives. A
An Amazing Matriarch
My mother, Roberta Buckley, died at 97 on July 12. I was able to have dinner with her and pray with her several times when I was on a ministry trip to California in June. She had been getting weaker, but she still loved life and enjoyed a constant stream of visitors to her home. A few weeks later, her internal organs began to fail.
I flew in the day before she died. All that day and the next morning her eight children, their spouses, and many of her 35 grandchildren and great grandchildren came into her bedroom to hug and kiss her and thank her for the love she gave them. We cried because it was hard for us to let her go.
My mother went to work full time as a social worker after our dad left her in 1969. The clients she served reminded her of the challenges she faced at home. She retired after 20 years and dedicated the rest of her life to serving, loving, and providing for our family.
She competed at bridge with friends and enjoyed meals and movies, but her biggest joy was giving attention to whoever wanted to talk with her. Her superpower was caring deeply about people. She knew people open their hearts to those who care about them.
In John 15, Jesus said we glorify God when we bear much fruit. He also said, we will all be fruitful if we simply abide in him. My mom had eight children because the Catholic Church taught that it was pleasing to God to skip birth control and have as many children as God provided. As a new Catholic, she obeyed this teaching and one child followed another.
When my dad left her, she felt profound rejection. She didn’t know what she had done wrong. She thought God and the church had let her down. I tried to assure her many times that it was not her fault her husband left. He was searching for meaning, purpose and fun and losing his soul with other women in the process. He left his faithful wife and big family and ended up profoundly depressed.
My mother was forty-five years old, beautiful and intelligent, but she felt like a failure. In her pain, she continued to do the right things. She worked hard as a social worker. She opened her home to our friends as well as hitchhikers we brought by. She cooked, cleaned, and tried to support her children as we navigated through the turbulent times of the 60s and 70s.
Most of her children began to open their lives to Christ starting with me in 1970. Our Father in Heaven began to heal our hearts and help us love and forgive one another. Even our dad accepted Christ before he died in 2003. Our family went from being a mess to being blessed. My mom lived long enough to see God’s grace manifest in the lives of her children. Her later years were full of joy.
Our family has been rocked by death, disease, divorce, and dysfunction at various times. But we have also experienced resurrection grace. In our midst we had a mother who loved and prayed for each of us, no matter how messed up we were at the time. She took the long view. She couldn’t fix us, but she knew her role was to keep loving, serving, and accepting us. She trusted God to do the rest.
I saw her cry many times, but I never heard her swear even once. However, if she drank too much, she might say mean things. Like all Christians, she was saved by the grace of God which comes through Jesus Christ, not her own perfection.
The morning after mom’s death, I woke up early and was very sad as I sat at her kitchen table. My mother had lived in that house for 68 years and now she was gone. I opened my Bible at random to Isaiah 64:1. “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down…” I felt heaven in that moment. I could sense mom’s spirit and the presence of the Lord as I gazed into the open room. For a few seconds, the Holy Spirit pushed away the separation between heaven and earth. I know she is alive with the Lord.
Jesus said, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4).
Don't Take it Personally
Don't Take it Personally
I left a voicemail for someone I love a while ago and didn’t hear back from him. I sent a text and got no reply either. I thought, “Next time he calls me, maybe I won’t answer so he can see how it feels.”
I found out that he and his wife and daughter had all come down with COVID. Several days later, we talked and I found out there were other issues as well. I was reminded that we never fully understand what is happening in other people’s lives, or their motives. We make assumptions and judgements which can be way off.
I get mixed responses when I leave messages for people. Most call or text me back, but there are some who never respond. I get disappointed when I don’t get a response, especially when I love the person I’m trying to connect with.
To help process my frustration and practice forgiveness, I think about the reasons I have not responded to those who reach out to me. I have five email accounts, but only two I use on a regular basis. I use the other accounts when I need to sign up or log in to sites which may not keep my email private. If I get a message on one of those accounts, I may never see it.
I reply to most email quickly, but serious inquiries require longer responses, so I may put an important message off until later. The next day brings a new set of challenges and I may forget to respond to the heartfelt message from the day before.
The same thing happens with voicemail. I have voicemail at our home, my office and on my cell. If a voicemail is left on a day when I have many appointments, or a crisis, I may never listen to it.
I also get messages on WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Facebook, LinkedIn, and our MarkBuckleyMinistries.com web site. I’m not diligent about checking those connection points.
So, I try to give people grace when I leave a message and never hear back from them. That said, the younger generation is less likely to respond to messages unless you happen to reach out to them on their preferred communication platform. A voicemail is not their preferred platform.
When I advise pastors, I tell them the older generation expects a timely response when they leave a message. To ignore their message is poor customer service. Even through members of their congregations are not customers, they should be treated better than a good business treats its customers. After all, don’t they support your ministry and aren’t we supposed to love one another?
In 1969, I invited a couple over for dinner with me and my roommate. I fixed a special meal and had it all ready to eat at 6:00 PM. I was really hungry after a long day. When they didn’t show up by 6:30, I figured they forgot about my invitation, so my roommate and I sat down at the kitchen table and ate the whole meal.
By 7:00 PM, we were just kicking back when there was a knock on our door. I opened the door and saw the couple standing there with flowers. “What happened to you guys? I expected you at 6:00?” I asked.
“What do you mean?” The lady asked, “You told us to come for dinner at 7:00, don’t you remember?”
I invited them in. We made room at the kitchen table and put their flowers on it. As I carried our dirty dishes into the sink, I realized it was my mistake. Now the food was all gone and the kitchen was a mess. Because it was 1969 and I smoked many things, I forget how the evening ended up. But I never forgot the feeling of letting my friends down.
I have done pastoral counseling for the past fifty years. There have a few times over the years that I have been home and received a call from our office that an appointment had arrived and was waiting for me. I would scramble to get dressed, jump in my car and dash to our office. After profusely apologizing for being late, I would promise myself to never do that again.
There was a gifted young worship leader on our church staff who made an appointment with me a few years ago which I completely forgot. She left the office after I never showed up and politely informed me afterwards. I usually put appointments in my phone calendar, but I had not set an alert to remind me.
After I apologized, we rescheduled for the following week. This time, we asked Faith Cummings, our woman’s pastor, to join us as well. When the day came, I forgot our appointment again. When I didn’t show up, they called to find out where I was. I couldn’t believe it. I went from forgetting an appointment once every several years, to forgetting twice in a row with the same person.
I asked for forgiveness when I showed up late, but their conversation was over by then. I honestly said I was very sorry. I was also embarrassed because my actions said, “You don’t matter to me”, which was not true.
Rejection is sometimes real. There are some people who don’t want us involved in their lives. We all have some relationships we would not have chosen and others we wish we were closer. Whether you are a parent, a businessman, a mentor or a friend, you can’t always pick and chose those who will be close to you. Not everyone wants to share their life with us. If people can chose to pursue, or reject a relationship with our loving God, we should expect some folks will keep us at a distance as well.
There is also an evil one who wants to divide us from one another. Satan wants us to take actions or hold resentments which will create walls of hostility and destroy our relationships. The scripture says, “Anyone you forgive, I also forgive…in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (II Cor. 2:10-11).
Every friend and family member will disappoint us. We let each other down because we all fall short in our relationships. At times we feel like others don’t care for us. We get offended and pull away from them to protect our hearts from more disappointment. However, those feelings may be an overreaction.
Since we all offend each other at times, if we act on those feelings we distance ourselves from those who are important in our lives. Practicing love and forgiveness is essential for a servant of Christ. Love and forgiveness are the mortar mix between the building blocks for our families and the house of God.
Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Jesus was the one who initiated relationships. He is the one who reached out first and often. He is the one who loved his disciples by serving, encouraging and forgiving them. He told us to do the same with one another. He said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).
Thankful to be Alive
Our family gathered in Terra Linda to celebrate my mother, Roberta Buckley’s, 97th birthday this month. We stood in a big circle as several of her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren spoke of their love for her. She was smiling as we told stories. My mom loves a good party.
We then prayed together and shared a feast prepared by our sister Susan.
The woman who served us all is now being served. Our mother, the caregiver, now has a caregiver. We all watch over the one who watched over us.
I told a friend about my mom’s 97th birthday and he asked, “What is the secret of her success?”
“She still enjoys life.” I said.
She is thankful to be alive and shows interest in the life of anyone who visits her.
One way we can praise God is to be thankful for our lives. We all have a mixture of pleasure and pain each day. If we obsess about our pain, it takes the pleasure out of life. If we are thankful for our lives, we are showing appreciation for Jesus, who is the author of life.
My granddaughter Ava and I took my mom for a walk down the block and back one afternoon. She walks slowly these days, but she has no complaints.
She has had great pain in her soul over the years. (I caused some of her pain when I was a teenager, and my brothers and sisters added their own issues to our mom’s heartaches.) However, pain does not define her; in the end it only refined her. She has lived long enough to see the lives of her children transformed. We now all bless the woman who has been a blessing to us.
I preached on Easter in San Rafael and the following Sunday in Novato. My mom was at both services, worshiping, laughing, and pondering the sermons. She never wants to miss church when her son is preaching.
In my last message, I included a story about preaching in San Francisco at the Open Door Church in the late 1980’s. At the end of that sermon years ago, I asked those who wanted to give their lives to Christ and receive forgiveness for their sins to raise their hands. Several people raised their hands. I noticed one skinny arm in particular, which brought me great joy.
Cecily Matthews, my 80 year old grandmother, had joined me for the service. As a toddler, I used to repeat Grandma’s swear words. She taught me to play poker as a child. She took me to Reno on a gambling trip when I was ten years old. I went to Europe with her when I was thirteen and we drank Scotch together before going to bed many nights. That Sunday morning in San Francisco, she raised her hand to give her life to Christ. And I never heard her curse again.
Cecily was my mother’s mother. She is in Heaven now. It is never too late to give your life to Christ. It is never too late to be thankful for your life.
I was sitting in the balcony at Living Streams one Sunday. The sanctuary below me was packed with people. A man sitting across from me kept saying “Amen”. I wondered what was up with him.
After the service, I approached him and he told me his story. He was fighting cancer that had spread in his body. He came to Living Streams and two men on our facility crew had prayed with him and gave him a Bible. For the first time in his life he knew he was going to Heaven. He was saying “Amen” because he was so thankful the Lord had forgiven his sins. He was thankful for each day he could still be alive.
We all have prayers that have not yet been answered. We all have pain which has not yet been healed. One day, every tear will be wiped away and all our pain will end in the presence of the Lord. Until then, if we are thankful for each day, we are showing the one who created us our appreciation for the gift of life. Thankfulness is a great way to praise the Lord.
Amen.
A Glimpse of Glory
I was shaking with nervousness as I walked up to the batter’s box with the bases loaded and my teammates screaming encouragement behind me. The pitcher wound up and fired the ball towards the plate. It came so fast I didn’t have time to react. The umpire raised his hand and yelled, “Strike one!”
The other team cheered as my teammates groaned. I was eight years old and it was my first at bat in our opening game in Little League. I didn’t want to strike out in front of all the fans and let my teammates down.
I started to swing as soon as the pitcher let go of the second pitch. It was high and outside, but my bat made solid contact. The ball went over the first baseman’s head and bounced into a bush along the right field foul line. I began to race around the bases in a blur of excitement. The right fielder had trouble getting the ball out of the bush. By the time he recovered it, I was rounding third base. I was mobbed by my teammates as I crossed the plate for a grand slam.
The following week, my name was in the front page article of the Terra Linda News. The circulation of our local community paper was probably about 200, but I had a taste of glory from that article that motivated my athletic career for years to come.
Years later, after our varsity teams won football games at Terra Linda High School, I enjoyed free slices of Shakey’s Pizza in Terra Linda. However, the one game we lost our senior year did more to change my life than winning the championship of our league. Students pulled away from me after our loss. I had stepped out of bounds for a safety on a punt which gave Drake High the margin of victory over TL High. After the game, nobody offered me encouragement or pizza. That night I left Shakey’s determined to find relationships that were deeper than wins and losses.
I was visiting with Ben Burt in San Anselmo a few years ago. Ben let me hold the Oscars he has won for sound effects in Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark. These trophies are the most coveted awards in Hollywood. They represent years of hard work and outstanding innovation. They have opened doors for Ben’s career and enabled him to impact many people. However, Ben has another kind of glory that surpasses the glory of an Oscar. He has the presence of Christ within him. He is a faithful husband, father and grandfather who has eternal life.
I was recently saddened to read about another major Christian leader who had to resign because of moral failure. This man led a movement of churches with thousands of people. He had money, buildings, fame and attention. Yet, these riches were not enough to fulfill him. That should be a warning for all of us. Contentment with God does not come because of the size of your church, your company or your bank accounts. Even though I have never had that kind of success, I understand the drive to try to do more and more for the Lord. I also understand what it is like to lose your health doing too much ministry.
In contrast, I have recently officiated memorial services for Richard Ensminger and Wayne McKellips. Both of these men served the Lord for over thirty years. They were both faithful to their wives for over fifty years, served the church and loved their families deeply. They bore fruit for Christ and impacted those they worked with through their words and deeds.
These men had seen the glory of God and were content to serve Jesus without much public recognition or applause. They finished their lives well and will be rewarded with eternal glory.
A few memories remain, but the trophies I treasured as a boy are long gone. I’m grateful for those experiences, but even more thankful to be able to live for a greater glory.
On earth we are given glimpses of God’s glory through the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we see the glory of Christ in the face of someone who loves him. We also receive visions and dreams inspired by the Spirit. How we pursue God’s glory and fulfill His purposes on earth will determine the reward we experience in heaven. Nobody will be holding money or possessions when we stand before the Lord. We will have a reward for what we have done and what we have given away, but we will receive nothing for our pursuit of pleasure, or what we still possess when our days on earth are over.
There is always a war, crime, or maleficence to be upset about. We all have personal trials as well. However, God is good and He is always at work. He draws people to Himself by revealing His glory. The Lord’s glory is eternal, powerful and full of love. It does not fade with time. One way to experience God’s glory is to apply Psalm 24:7-10:
Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory.
Gathering Storm
I had a dream recently in which a friend and I were watching a powerful storm. We both had tears in our eyes as the storm approach. Just as ship’s captains and airplane pilots need to make course corrections when they encounter storms, so all of us need to make lifestyle adjustments when spiritual storms impact our lives.
The Lord does not show us things to frighten us. He gives us warnings so we can prepare ourselves. Rain is usually a blessing from God. It may spoil a picnic, but it brings water, which is essential for life. Jesus said the rain falls on the just and the unjust. This means that God doesn’t just provide blessings for those who are righteous. God provides for all people because he loves all people.
Jesus also said that a person who puts His words into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on a solid foundation. When storms come, the wise man’s house can stand because it is built to handle the stress of a storm. The man who builds his house on sand is foolish. The foundation of his house cannot stand the stress of the storm, so it washes away.
In this analogy, both the wise and the foolish man have to go through storms. Some Christians think that if you follow Jesus, you will never have to go through major storms in life. I was naïve as a young believer. I didn’t have health insurance, life insurance, or savings because I thought God would protect me from major problems as long as I loved and followed Jesus.
After I almost died from a brain hemorrhage when I was twenty-nine years old, my thinking began to change. After our son Matthew drowned when he was sixteen, my theology changed forever. I realized that you can love the Lord with all your heart and still go through major storms that can break your heart.
The nation of Ukraine is going through a major storm right now. Their citizens and leaders need our prayers for wisdom and grace. Our president and leaders need our prayers as well. Vladimir Putin has declared his desires clearly. He believes it was a big mistake for Russia to give up control of the USSR and the nations they dominated. He wants Russia to regain the status it had prior to the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.
The sanctions the US and the EU are putting on Russia will cause both sides economic pain. Many prices will increase at a time when inflation is already at its highest in the US since the 1980s. The Russians will be tempted to take more territory from their neighbors both to fulfill Putin’s desires and to prop up their economy by confiscating the wealth of those nations.
When WWII ended, Russia helped itself recover from the devastation by pillaging factories and resources from eastern European nations that fell behind their iron curtain. Many Russian cities had been destroyed and over 20,000,000 of their people had died at the hands of the Germans, so they felt justified in exacting revenge.
Nationalism is a powerful force. We like to say that America is the greatest country on earth, but every nation cheers for their own countrymen in Olympic and international competitions, just like we do. Russian nationalism is a powerful force. So is Chinese nationalism. China lost millions of people to the Japanese before and during WWII. Like Russia, China has a plan to dominate its neighbors in the years to come.
In 2020, China took complete control over Hong Kong in spite of a treaty they signed with Great Britain in 1997 that guaranteed Hong Kong’s autonomous status until 2047. China has also made clear its intentions to reclaim Taiwan, which has been an independent nation since 1912.
China may have to fight to conquer Taiwan and it will undoubtedly be sanctioned by the international community if it does. However, the value of the many advanced tech and manufacturing companies in Taiwan make it a prized possession. Taiwan is the headquarters of TSMC, the world’s most advanced micro chip maker. TSMC chips are currently two generations more advanced than Intel chips. They are vital for rockets, satellites, and advanced weapons.
The United States had a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity until 2020. COVID was a big trial and test for our nation and world. We did not get a great grade on that test. It exposed our weaknesses and revealed our strengths. You can say we put a lot of money on our national credit card to minimize the financial disruption of the pandemic. Now the bills are starting to come due and inflation is a sign we are paying a big price.
We have had “bubbles” in the housing and stock markets that made many people feel well off. The air is starting to leak out of those bubbles. There are no simple economic solutions for a nation with a national debt of over $30,000,000,000,000. Ultimately, our country will have to slow our deficit spending and work hard to pay our bills. This reset may cause pain for many people.
When it comes to the ambitions of Russia and China, there are no simple political or military solutions either. It will be expensive and take courage for western nations to resist their imperialist ambitions. However, the Lord does not want believers to live in fear. Jesus said in the last days… You will hear of wars and rumors of war but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come (Matthew 24:6).
There may be no simple solutions for the geopolitical and economic storms we see approaching. However, the scriptures say, “Clouds and thick darkness surround Him” (Psalm 97:2). The Lord said he would dwell in a dark cloud (I Kings 8:12). When we see dark clouds approaching, we should look closely because the Lord may be in their midst.
As you watch these events unfold, pray with an intensity that matches the anxiety you feel. I’m praying. I’m also comforted by this prophecy which has been unfolding over the last two thousand years: The God of heaven will set up a Kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever (Daniel 4:44).
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I’m inspired by those who have the courage to put their lives on the line to resist tyrants. I’m even more impressed by those who give their lives to promote the Kingdom of God, even at a great cost to themselves.
Billy Miller is a young evangelist who grew up in Living Streams. For several years he has been doing ministry and raising his family in Romania. For the last couple of years, Billy has worked with a team of Romanians who have been aiding Ukrainians impacted by the violence in their country.
I have attached Billy’s recent update below because I know some of you will be interested in joining me and others in prayer and support for his ministry. It is beautiful when the Lord gives believers bold faith and puts them in place for such a time as this. Billy can be reached directly at Billy Miller billymiller7983@gmail.com or through his website below.
"Dear friends and family,
"As you know, things are getting pretty out of hand in Ukraine and Romania is right next door. In the past our ministry has helped the war zone in Ukraine to help people with food supplies, shoes for children for the harsh winters and fire wood. Just recently the Russians have bombed Kiev and many innocent people have died. All of the banks are closed, finances are shut down and people don't know what to do. They are out of food and out of gas. All of the men who are under the age of 50 will have to be forced to go to war and we have recently talked to some pastors from there and they said the things are out of control.
"Oana and I were praying and we felt from the Lord to help out the people of Ukraine. Next week I will be going to the border of Ukraine with some missionaries that I know to help mothers and children who fled from Ukraine. We will buy food supplies and clothes for these people and encourage them with the Word of God.
We would kindly ask you for your prayers and support for these people. If the Lord puts it on your heart we would greatly appreciate your financial help to help these families. If you feel led please feel free to donate through PayPal on our ministry website at www.assuredhopeministries.com."
Enrich Your Life
I was privileged to host radio programs for thirty years and TV programs for ten years in California and Arizona. I had guests that included pastors, authors, athletes, business leaders and politicians. Many of them were well known and had engaging personalities. As I think back on those interviews, one of them stands out more than the others.
Gary Bender was a sports broadcaster who did radio and TV play by play for baseball, football and basketball on Fox, CBS, ABC and TNT. Gary is a handsome man who loves the Lord. He grew up on a Kansas farm and made play by play calls for imaginary baseball games while he drove a tractor as a boy.
I had never heard of Gary when he arrived at our radio studio for our program. Jamie Woudenberg, our producer whose persistence brought great guests to our programs, had set up the interview. As we faced each other across the studio desk, Gary began to ask me questions about my background and our church. He was interested in me and our ministry. He continued to ask me questions when we were on the air. In thirty years of interviews, nobody else ever showed interest in me that way.
Gary was used to being on nationwide TV. Our program was on KXEG, a Christian radio station in Phoenix. Gary didn’t need the exposure and he wasn’t promoting anything, but he treated our time together like it was really important. He didn’t make an impression on me because of his insights, eloquence, or stature. Our encounter was significant because he understood the impact caring can have on another person.
Gary reinforced a lesson that my parents taught by their example. The best way to have other people care about you, is for you to care about them. We can make a powerful impression on others when they realize we are genuinely interested in them. The secret sauce of building strong relationships is contained in the command of Jesus, “Love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Jesus loved his disciples before they loved him. He drew them, like he draws us, into a relationship he initiated with his love.
As a young believer, I attended Bible studies led by Kent Philpott in a church fellowship hall in San Anselmo. The following scene happened many times. Forty young people would be sitting in a semi-circle facing Kent who was seated on a chair. Someone who had only attended the meeting one other time would walk in late. Kent would stop his message and say, “Hey John, welcome. Good to see you! Have a seat.”
I was always surprised Kent remembered so many people’s names. Instead of being irritated because they were late, he made them feel special, just for showing up. Many young people gave their lives to Jesus in those Bible studies. Some were converted by the teaching, some by the worship, and many because they were known by name and felt loved.
Our friends Brian and Colleen Heslip live on a two-acre parcel in Novato. They have a bed and breakfast and a gift of hospitality. Brian loves to cook special meals and invite friends over for dinner. He barbeques over a mesquite fire, makes a feast and serves quality wine they bottle on their property. When Kristina and I are visiting Marin, Brian often asks, “Can you come to dinner one night and bring your mother?”
My mother will turn 97 this April. Brian invites her over because he has experienced her magic touch. When we brought her to the Heslip’s for the first time, she asked Brian and Colleen all about their family and their vineyard. She was genuinely interested in their lives. That is the way she relates to everyone. She is appreciated because she loves people.
Since I was raised by parents who cared about people and asked them about their lives, I assumed that was the way most people related. I found that is not true. If you are not rich, famous, or exceptionally beautiful, you can sit by most people on an airplane, a golf cart or a church pew and they will rarely ask you about yourself. It’s sad to me that so many people miss the opportunities God puts right next to them.
Each of us has a treasure within us if Christ is in our heart. A wise person will look for treasure in others and for opportunities to share their treasure. Don’t worry about offending people. The Lord calls us to be both treasure hunters, who seek out the gift in others, and spiritual philanthropists, who freely share the treasures Christ gives us.
Be wise my friends, and your life will be enriched as you enrich others.
Smaller Can Be Better
Several years ago, Kristina and I went to McCloud in Northern California for a two week trout fishing vacation. On Sunday morning I attended a little church in town that had about twenty members. The worship was led by an older lady on a keyboard. I wasn’t expecting much, but as we sang and prayed, God gave me a wonderful vision of heavenly glory.
The following Sunday, Ken and Mary Sanders visited us. We drove an hour with them to a megachurch which is known worldwide for their worship songs. It was a nice service, with good worship and a message, but the main thing I remembered was the contrast with the service the week before. For me, the presence of Christ in the little church was more profound.
In the 1970s I went to Berkeley for an evening meeting to hear an evangelist preach. There were around five hundred people in the auditorium when he got up on the stage to speak. The man walked back and forth across the stage in frustration. He was upset that more people had not shown up for the event. I literally wanted to stand up and shout, “Hey man, don’t worry about who isn’t here. I’m here and I’m going to remember what you have to say!”
Unfortunately, all I remember from that night was his disappointment. I asked the Lord to help me remember to be thankful for whoever shows up when I am preaching or leading a meeting. I’ve spoken to many small groups over the years. I remind myself that whoever is present is significant in the eyes of the Lord.
I’ve lived most of my life as a pastor trying to help churches grow. I want to reach more people for Christ. I want them to grow in their faith and accomplish great things for God as they mature spiritually. I used to feel that a larger church reflects God’s blessings on a ministry; however, I was recently asked a question that challenged this paradigm.
During a discussion in our men’s group, I was asked to explain what Jesus meant in Matthew 16 when he warned the disciples to beware of the yeast of the Scribes and Pharisees. As we opened our Bibles and focused on the passage, I realized Jesus was telling his disciples that he can accomplish more with less.
Jesus used two miracles to illustrate this truth. He reminded them that after he fed 5,000 men with five loaves they had twelve baskets left over (Matthew 14). He then fed 4,000 men with seven loaves and they had seven baskets left over (Matthew 15). In other words, Jesus fed more people with fewer loaves and had more leftovers. He accomplished more with less.
What does this have to do with the yeast of the Scribes and Pharisees? Yeast is what gives rise to flour and texture to bread. Spiritually speaking, yeast is what motivates people. It represents their priorities. Their teachings and lifestyle reflect their priorities. The Pharisees loved money (Luke 16:14). People who love money always think they need more money. Money makes them feel important and secure.
The Pharisees felt threatened when people left them and began to follow Jesus. They believed the amount of people who followed them validated them. More people made them feel more secure. Fewer people made them seem less significant.
The truth that God can do more with less is illustrated throughout Scripture.
Abraham only needed one promised child.
Gideon was told to send most of the men in his little army home when God wanted to do a miracle and defeat the Midianites.
Jesus was unconcerned when people reacted to his challenging teachings in John 6 and began to leave him. He didn’t need a crowd to validate him.
When the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, he responded by saying, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to a mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it will obey you” (Luke 17:6). They didn’t need more faith, they needed to recognize the power of the faith they already had.
It is much more common for someone to thank me for what I said to them personally than what I said in a sermon, even though I speak to many more people in sermons than one on one. We don’t need bigger crowds for our lives to have more impact, we need to recognize the significance of the people we already have in our lives. Whatever, or whoever God gives us is enough to accomplish what we need to accomplish.
I want to conclude with a caveat. I recently phoned to encourage two pastors who were each dealing with significant health issues. I left voicemails for both of them. One had been the pastor of a church with many thousands of people. The other was the pastor of a church with about a hundred people. The megachurch pastor called me back later that the day and apologized for the delay in his call. The other pastor never returned my call.
Smaller does not always mean more responsible, more love, or better care. Smaller is not what makes churches, or believers, better. More of Jesus is what makes us better.
The story of Christmas is about a little baby in a manger with poor parents. It is the story of God providing all they needed and all we need through Jesus. He owned nothing but possessed everything necessary to bring salvation to those who believe.
Whatever your situation, remember God is present with you.
Merry Christmas and God bless you.
I love the Church
When I was a boy, my parents took their eight children to church every Sunday, even when we were on vacation. I know parts of the service bored me, because I had to confess my sins to the priest whenever I went to confession. One of the sins I often confessed in those days was “talking in church.”
However, I liked the quiet times of prayer in the mass. My prayers did not spring from confident faith but were simple things I hoped God would do. It felt good to open my timid heart to the Lord. I experienced peace, which later in life I realized was the Holy Spirit. We also celebrated communion each week, which helped me feel connected to Jesus.
This summer I’m preaching in ten different churches in California, Arizona, and Nevada. These churches sing different songs and structure their services uniquely. Only a couple of the pastors know each other and most people in their congregations have never met; however, they all experience similar things.
The Holy Spirit is present in these churches. The same peaceful presence I experienced as a child gives encouragement and inspiration to believers everywhere who worship in Jesus’ name. It doesn’t matter if the songs are old or new, loud or soft. When congregations pray and sing with thankfulness, God responds to bless them.
As an apple seed placed in good soil is destined to become a mature tree; in every church, those who are faithful to Christ are destined to become like him. Regardless of their background, family dynamics, education, or income, as people become mature believers their lives bear good fruit. The testimony of a true church is the transformation of ordinary people into men and women of God.
If believers follow Jesus’ command to love one another, their lives are enriched by the relationships they build. The wealth of wisdom and knowledge in God is revealed to people who follow Jesus. Jesus reveals himself to those who keep his word and obey his commands (John 14:21). When Jesus reveals himself, we realize he is alive and faith displaces our fears.
The churches where I preach believe that the Bible is the Word of God. As a result, their members who apply the Word are faithful in their marriages, responsible parents, hard workers, and good neighbors. They live fruitful lives, free from the ravages of sin. As Jesus said to his disciples, “If you hold to my teachings then you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
Every morning when I study my Bible, I’m comforted by words and stories that teach truth about God. I want to know and build my life on the truth. Jesus’ priority was his love for his Father and his disciples. He told his disciples that in order to follow in his footsteps, we must love God, love one another, forgive one another, serve one another, and give generously.
The local church is the gathering of Jesus’ disciples. It is the fellowship where we build loving relationships. It is the network where we connect with those who want to grow closer to God and serve him effectively. As we build our lives together, we become a temple where God lives. “In him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Eph. 2:22).
God inhabits the temple he is building. He blesses the lives of those who are part of the temple, just like he blessed the house of Obed when the ark of God rested in his yard (2 Samuel 6:11).
I’ve been able to travel the world and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. I’ve eaten in great restaurants, attended big sporting events, and been invited to many resorts and homes. I’ve met political, religious, and business leaders, as well as authors, athletes, and entertainers. I didn’t earn these privileges; I have inherited them. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5).
Jesus lived in obedience to the Father. The Father gave all authority in heaven and on earth to his Son. We who serve the Son of God gain the privilege of enjoying the blessings that Jesus earned. What is not to love about this deal?
The Church is not perfect but it is extremely important to Jesus. Believers have different political positions. We can be greedy instead of generous and mean instead of kind. We make mistakes and we sin at times. We often don’t love the poor or each other very well. Yet Jesus laid down his life for the Church. Jesus is the head of the Church. When we turn our hearts to him, his blood cleanses us. He is preparing the Church to be his bride for eternity.
If the rewards for loving the Church were more obvious, more people would get involved for the wrong reasons. My family is not perfect, but it’s the only family I’ve got. I love my family, even with all our faults. Similarly, the churches I serve are still growing and maturing. Jesus loves his Church and blesses it because the Church is his family on the earth.
Some people say, “I can connect with God without the Church.”
That makes as much sense as saying, “I can connect with my family without showing up for dinner, celebrating family birthdays, or participating in holiday gatherings.” There is more to family and the Church than showing up for special occasions. Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved him. When Peter said, “Yes.” Jesus replied, “Then take care of my lambs. Take care of my sheep. Feed my sheep” (See John 21:15-17).
No one can connect with God in a meaningful way if they ignore the words of Jesus. Those who are committed to the same things Christ is committed to are building their lives on an eternal foundation.
To him be glory in the Church, and in Christ Jesus, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:21).