Pastor John’s Blog

In the spring of 2001, in a remote part of the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas, six-year-old Haley Zega was on a hike with her grandparents when they became separated at a fork in the trail. The grandparents searched frantically for her but quickly realized they were going to need help. Soon dozens (and eventually hundreds) of law enforcement professionals, first responders, and volunteers descended upon the area to aid in what became the largest search and rescue effort in Arkansas history. This is a rugged and mountainous area with steep cliffs standing over the Buffalo National River wilderness area. It’s a place where people go to get away from the world when they don’t want to be found, no easy area to search for a little girl.

Reading and praying through the Psalms regularly is one way we can find instruction and the path to life. It’s no coincidence that Psalm 1 sets the tone for this when it calls us to delight in God’s law and meditate on it day and night. Tim Keller, in his book on prayer, finds the emphasis on meditation to be especially meaningful. He says meditation is more than learning, it’s like taking liquid into oneself… “like tree roots taking in water. That means not merely knowing a truth but taking it inside and making it part of yourself.” He also reflects on how Psalm 1 helps us understand what meditating on Scripture means. “The one who meditates is like a tree. Trees don’t grow overnight. Meditation is a sustained process like a tree growing its roots down toward the water source. The effects are cumulative. You must stick with it.”

We spent the last two Sundays studying the Holy Spirit and how to be filled with the Spirit. One key to walking by faith is to walk by the Spirit, instead of in your own strength. Scripture often speaks to the ways we should walk. The book of Ephesians in chapter five lists at least three ways: 

Walk in Wisdom “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” vs15-16
Walk in Light “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” v8 
Walk in Love “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us” vs1-2

Later that year I had an opportunity to rent an e-bike. I was riding trails with a group of friends who all had e-bikes. At one point we had taken a lunch break. When we started again, I felt so sluggish. I was trying to keep up with the guys but they were all leaving me behind. Yes I had a lot of pizza, but I shouldn’t have been struggling this much. No matter how hard I peddled, I couldn’t keep up. And then it hit me, I hadn’t turned the battery back on!

They say the only things certain in life are death and taxes. We lump those two together because neither is pleasant. Although sometimes taxes happen to align with a good event. When my Mom was expecting with my twin brothers, they knew the delivery date was mid-April, also near my Dad’s birthday. The story goes that my Mom’s water broke on April 15th, tax day. As Dad was scurrying to pack Mom in the car to take her to the hospital, his Mother (who was staying home with me) said to him, “John, wait! Before you go, did you file your taxes?” Fortunately Dad had, but if he hadn’t, it wouldn’t have mattered. When a baby (or two babies) is ready to come, they aren’t going to wait for you to file paperwork!

So although tax day is a downer for many, in our family it’s also a day of celebrating birthdays. We can see the same day from two opposite perspectives. I tend to think of the Psalms that way. I’ve been praying through the Psalms this month.

When people ask “Who are you?” How do you normally respond? It probably depends on your context. When we lived in the South Pacific, we usually first responded, “I am an American” (they always thought we were from Australia or New Zealand). Probably, for most of us, we respond “I am…” followed by our name, our occupation, where we live, details of our family, and where we went to high school if you’re from Louisville.

It’s what follows the “I am” that describes who you are, or at least, how you view yourself.

I remember having a boss, years ago, and you might relate to this, he was the kind of guy that only talked to me when he wanted to point out something wrong. I get it. I was young and had much that needed correcting, but after a while I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say. I’d see him coming down the aisle and do my best to try to disappear in place. It never worked.

I apply this idea to reading – sneaking in a page or paragraph here and there – whenever I find an opportunity. The idea of opportunity is relevant for our entire church: when you have an opportunity to do something important, even if it doesn’t seem like much or enough, try to make the most of it. This is true of Bible study and prayer, as a little Bible and prayer is better than no Bible or prayer. It also applies to telling others about the hope we have in Christ. Sometimes we might feel like we can never do enough, so why try. But I think the enemy wants to keep us feeling weighed down and ineffective. But sharing something is better than nothing. A Navy Seal probably never has enough sleep, but some sleep is better than no sleep! 

According to Design There’s a water filter station in the church office with a cold and hot spigot. For years the hot side did not …

Some have said it another way, that half the battle is just showing up. Sunday I called us to take a stand and commit to being in God’s Word every day in the month of March. At the bare minimum, commit to following the church Bible reading plan, which is about a chapter a day, and praying for 5 minutes a day. Find an accountability partner, and check in with them every day. Also TRACK both of these things. Pull out a sheet of notebook paper and track each of these each day in March. You’ll be amazed how you attend to the things you track and talk with others about.