Who's coming to your funeral?

“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.”

Helen Keller

  Who’s coming to your funeral? Maybe you’re thinking, “That’s a morbid thought…” Yet, it’s a real one. As relatives are planning out a funeral, one of the big questions is: How many do we expect to attend?

  The answer – probably not as many as you’d think. It depends a lot on the age and circumstances of the loved one’s death. A young or tragic death will have a much larger funeral. An older, “normal” death usually means a smaller one. Add long age to that and the number drops more.

  Why? Because as we age, our circle of friends shrinks, but it doesn’t have to. Friendships, like a beautiful garden, demand constant cultivation.

  In our young adult years, friendships are relatively easy. We have many commonalities which open up doors for friendships: marriage, babies, children. We continually interact with the same people at school and sporting events. Often our children are in the same school or swim class. During those times of sitting on the sidelines for a game, we talk and make friends. At work, there are individuals that we have a closer affinity to.

  As we become empty nesters, those common events dwindle and friendships often wane. The same is true with work or neighborhood friendships. Switch jobs, retire, move – and those friendships begin to grow cold. Some try to compensate by joining a group of other empty nesters that have a common link; music, a sport or some other mutual interest. Yet, because there are less commonalities, the friendships are usually weaker.

  Most find that those with the same status: age, marital situation, economic level, geographical location, political values, religious affiliation, sports team, etc., are easiest to befriend. When one or more of those things change – for example, a divorce, loss of a spouse or the loss of a job – the friendship changes or even dies.

  A local church is to be unique when it comes to relationships. Our common bond is Christ and He never changes (Hebrews 13:8). Church friendships should be the opposite of our other friendships, in that they’re built on diversity, not sameness. And relationships are stronger in diversity.

  While we’re attracted to those like us, those relationships frequently result in spiritual atrophy. For most, the only ones in our social circle different from us are relatives. Family relationships are a place to learn overlook annoyances that come with those differences. Yet, often a conversation ensues when “they” are absent about, “Why are they so different?” 

  Mark it down! You limit your spiritual growth and moving forward in your sanctification as God desires for you, if you primarily surround yourself with those “just” like you. Spiritual growth comes through friction.

  Do you want to grow healthy friendships? Please look for those who are different from you in age, values, history or economic situation, spiritual walk. Look for what you can give, not what you can get; what you can learn, not what you can teach. Jim Rohn wisely observes that, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” If you primarily spend time with those like you, then you only become more like you. But that’s not God’s plan. He wants us to become more like Jesus Christ. 

  Foundational to Christian friendship is the fact that “only Jesus can bring satisfaction to your soul.” A friend can help carry your burdens or share your joy. They can never meet our need for soul satisfaction.

  Here are some friends that I believe that every Christian needs.

  You need a friend who is more spiritually mature than you. We all lack godliness and need growth in certain aspects of our lives. We have spiritual weaknesses or sins that easily throw us. Thus, we need to develop friendships with those who have a deeper walk with the Lord, who have strengths where we have weaknesses. As we surround ourselves with spiritually-minded friends, it encourages us to be more spiritually minded.

  You need a friend who is less spiritually mature than you. That’s what Jesus did. The disciples were a work in progress. The Apostles learned from Jesus and did the same. Peter poured his life into John Mark. Barnabus poured his life into Paul. Paul poured his life into Timothy and Titus. It’s unbiblical and selfish to only look for friends that we can “get” something from. No matter where you are spiritually, there is someone that you can help grow in their spiritual walk. 

  You need a friend who doesn’t know Jesus. Jesus was “the friend of sinners” (Matthew 11:19). Most Christians are hardly acquaintances with those outside the Church and who don’t know the Lord. There’s a fear of being overly influenced. While we need to be wise and cautious. Too often we forget the power of the Spirit and that “truth does not fear scrutiny.”

  We need those who challenge our beliefs and values. If what we believe is true, it will hold up like a rock. If it crumbles, it wasn’t true. As our world becomes more secular, the number of those who share our convictions, or are even open to listening and having a dialogue will continue to dwindle.

  While we do not need social acceptance, how can we win a lost world if we are not first their friends? God loves the world and we’re to love them, too. One qualification for a spiritual leader is that you “must be well thought of by outsiders” (1 Timothy 3:7). Our mission is that we want to be part of seeing outsiders becoming insiders. We represent Jesus to a lost world. We’re here to serve, not be pampered. To love, not be applauded.

  Jesus is our model of being a friend. He reached out to those that others ignored or even considered pariah. Though He was denied and forsaken by those closest to Him, He never wrote them off and ultimately restored them. He shows us that friendship first means being sacrificial. 

  Who’s coming to your funeral? How are your friendships? If you’re like most of us, your friendships and limited circles, are something you need to give attention to. Do you want friends? Be more and more like Jesus! 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Sweeping webs or killing spiders!

  Currently, Jane and I are vacationing at a cabin in Muddy Pond, Tennessee (and no, I’m not making that name up). It’s one of our favorite vacation spots and will be our 4^th time there. It’s nestled in the mountains and we even have our own lake. Our nearest neighbors are bullfrogs and perhaps an errant cow. It’s in the middle of a Mennonite Community, folk who have become friends and whose simpler lifestyle is a wonderful retreat to encourage deep soul rest. It’s a large, one room cabin with a bedroom, living room, kitchen and even a jacuzzi. The only separate room is the bathroom. Our view though of that “bathroom” totally changed after our last visit a couple of years ago. That bathroom is NOT a safe place. 

  We were about to go to bed. I believe I was reading, dozing between somewhat intelligent thought and la-la land, when Jane cried out for me with a very serious tone, “Scott, there’s an enormous spider in the shower!” Since Jane is known for her dread of spiders, I must confess that it wasn’t a “Husband of the Year” moment and I didn’t take it all that seriously. So, I ambled out of bed and peeked. It wasn’t “enormous.” Gargantuan would be a more accurate description! It was the Godzilla of spiders. No doubt it had illegally immigrated from some South American country or escaped from a local zoo. It was terrifying! My greatest fear was that I might miss when I sought to execute it. Then, neither of us would sleep all night for fear that we’d be dragged out of bed and have all of our internal organs sucked out and fed to its offspring.

  Fortunately, I was able to terminate it with one quick, hard shot from a broom. But every night this vacation, like someone who has watched Psycho one too many times, I’ll be peeking behind the shower curtain.

  Wouldn’t it be foolish to clean up spider webs and never kill the spider? Ours is a culture though that cleans up webs, even wrings its hands over them, yet fails to acknowledge even the existence of spiders.

  Nearly every day there is news of another sex crime. A teacher or minister molests a child. Someone is arrested for child pornography. Another victim in the #MeToo movement comes forward and names some person of power or fame as their abuser. Those are all spider webs.

  The Godzilla Spider no one seems to want to acknowledge that is behind the curtain is pornography. Imagine this scenario – America has a problem with obesity. As a result, there’s a needed emphasis on healthier food.

  Can you imagine though how much worse it would be if every time you turned on your computer, a dozen donuts popped out? Or, when you googled something on your smart phone, Skittles appeared? As you channel surf, Big Macs pour out of the remote? Obesity would become a gargantuan problem. Yet, that’s exactly what happens with porn. It’s ubiquitous. It used to only be found in the back of the magazine rack of sleazy stores. Or, it could be found in “Adults Only” stores where creepy men, shuffled in late at night. But that’s not the case today.   

  It was horrible when porn came in on our computers via the Internet, now it’s invaded our smart phones. A device invented for communication is the entry point of unlimited moral debauchery.   

  Here are some spider statistics you may be unaware of. Porn sites receive more regular traffic than Netflix, Amazon, & Twitter combined each month. Those who admit to having extramarital affairs were over 300% more likely to admit consuming porn than those who’ve never committed adultery. 30% of all data transferred across the internet is porn-related. The most common female role in porn is of women in their 20’s portraying a teen. Recorded child sexual exploitation (child porn) is one of the fastest-growing online businesses. Porn is a global, estimated $97 billion industry, with about $12 billion coming from the U.S. In 2016 alone, more than 4,599,000,000 hours of porn were consumed on the world’s largest porn site. 64% of young people, ages 13–24, actively seek out porn weekly. A study of 14 to 19-year-olds found that females who consumed pornographic videos were at a significantly greater likelihood of being victims of sexual harassment or sexual assault. A study of 18-year-old males found that frequent users of pornography were significantly more likely to have sold and bought sex than other boys of the same age. A 2015 meta-analysis of 22 studies from seven countries found that internationally the consumption of porn was associated with increases in verbal and physical aggression, among both males and females.

  What does all this mean? As long as porn is so pervasive, sex crimes will continue to escalate. Or, they will be decriminalized. As porn desensitizes, self-control becomes more difficult. Eroticism becomes an insatiable raging inferno. As culture becomes desensitized, perversion like child porn will be “normalized.” The Guardian recently featured an article with a disturbing claim that there’s “not even a full academic consensus on whether consensual pedophilic relations necessarily cause harm.”

  Personally, I think the #Metoo movement has a short shelf life. Illicit sex is a cash cow. The lust for money will ultimately muzzle the movement.

  What should a Christian do? By God’s grace, live out biblical purity. If you have a problem with porn, confess it as sin and repent. Often, it helps to have an accountability partner. Then, if you wouldn’t hand the keys to the car to a child, why hand a smart phone to a teen? Limit their screen time. Know what they’re watching.

  Be careful what you rationalize as “entertainment.” Soft porn slipped into popular shows erodes our souls. We begin to see image-bearers of God as commodities and less than human.  

  May Christians join with a teenage Joseph, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”? (Genesis 39:10). We must honor and celebrate marriage and biblically healthy sexuality (Proverbs 5:15-19). It’s time to stop sweeping webs and start killing spiders.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Jesus loves children...and so do we!

“If I could relive my life, 

I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God!”  D. L. Moody

    When I was in middle school. I came to Christ. While there were some dark valleys during my teen years, that anchor of coming to Christ as a teen held firm and changed the trajectory of my life. My wife, Jane, came to Christ, when she was in 2^nd grade. Coming to Christ at early ages gave us a tenderness to the Lord, steering us  in a direction upward with a biblical worldview and eternity in our hearts.

  It’s been called the 4-14 window. Many of our biblical and Christian history heroes and heroines had a heart for the Lord at early ages: Joseph, Samuel, David, Esther, Timothy, Amy Carmichael, Corrie ten Boom, Charles Spurgeon – to name a few. Researcher, George Barna, stresses the importance of children’s ministry and reaching children between the ages of 4 and 14. He writes, “What you believe at age 13 is pretty much what you're going to die believing.” Research compiled by his Barna Group shows that children between the ages of 5 and 13 have a 32% probability of accepting Christ as their Savior. But that likelihood drops to 4% for teens between the ages of 14 and 18, and rises to just 6% for adults older than 18.

  As Child Evangelism Fellowship’s (CEF) President, Reese Kauffman, who himself trusted Christ as his Savior at age eight insightfully stated, “Even if we get the church to pay proper attention to children, there are still 80% who don't walk into a church every week. We need to be concerned about the children outside the church, [too].”

  In a culture that placed little value on children, Jesus went against the current of His day: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14). Jesus wasn’t commenting on what adults need to do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven or giving insight into what the Kingdom of Heaven is all about. No, He was telling us something fundamental about childhood. Yet, what is happening in many churches, what is happening in children’s outreach for those between ages 4 and 14 is often terribly under supported and invisible to the rest of the church family in the typical evangelical church.

  At Grace, we’re committed to reaching the next generation with the gospel. We have three important ministries where we seek to reach children and where YOU can get involved and touch lives for eternity. 

  This fall we’re launching Amped.  Amped is a 1 day a week, 2 hour after school program meeting on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.

  If we want to make a difference in our community for the gospel, it begins with the youngest members. Many children are “latch key,” in that they come home and spend an hour or more alone after school. In 46% of homes both parents work full time. Grandparents, relatives, or even a neighbor will sometimes watch those children. Women tend to have primary custody and head up single parent homes with 53% of them working full time.

  There is a gap in child care and parents are looking for help. Juggling work, home and parenting is a major hurdle and yet an opportunity for our church to minister, be a blessing and share the gospel.

  At Grace, we’re committed to small yet solid successes. We like to try something, see if it works, then as we have resources – grow the ministry forward from that point. That’s how we’re starting Amped.  

  God has blessed us with the facilities! There is a great need though and no lack of area children. We’re just missing one part. We need committed workers. We need those who will give a few hours a week to partner with us to make a difference in the lives of area children – those who are good at crafts, games, snacks or can teach children. Most of all, they must love Jesus and love children. It’s a two hour commitment just one day a week that’s an eternal investment. If this is something you’re interested in, please sign up on your Connection Card so we can get you more information.  

  We believe that each child is a door to a family and every family is a gateway to a community. By reaching a child, we can make a difference in his or her family. Every family is a gateway to other relatives, friends and neighbors. It’s the ripple effect. And parents appreciate those who care about their children. When you reach children, you reach parents. This isn’t babysitting or childcare. It’s a ministry at a vital time in a young person’s life. Those early years are crucial. Will you help?

  Grace Groups for children and adults start September 9^th! 1000 hours! The average child spends between 900 to 1000 hours in school, usually a public one, each year. While school helps a child make a living, it won’t teach them how to live. Sunday Grace Groups are designed to help both children and adults grow spiritually. Other than your home, they’re one of the few places your child is taught a biblical worldview. We only have a mere 40 hours in an entire year to support what you’re teaching in your home about God and the Bible. Please make it a priority! Sunday Grace Groups meet every Sunday during the school year from 10:45 to 11:30 am.

  Grace Kids isn’t school. Every Sunday we dismiss children 3 years-old to 3^rd Grade prior to the sermon. We want them to sit with their families and experience worship together, yet know biblical teaching that’s appropriate for adults and older children is difficult for younger children. It’s why we have Grace Kids. We seek to be biblical, purposeful and fun at Grace.

  Be sure and read the insert in today’s bulletin explaining why we do what we do in Grace Kids. This is another place where you can get involved and make a difference in a child’s life. If you’d like more information, please sign up on your Connection Card this Sunday.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Russian Hacking??? What about Russian Persecution and Nigerian Genocide?

“The worst persecutions are not the tortures and beatings of Christians, but not giving any opportunity to non-Christians to eternal life.”

Nik Ripken

Does anyone believe that Russia is the only one who meddles with our elections? Would we be surprised to learn that China or other countries seek to influence them? Personally, I find the media ranting to be a bit disingenuous. It’s a well-known fact our own government meddles with elections in other countries. Just one example, in 1996, we worked to make certain that Boris Yeltsin won the upcoming Russian election, even though polls showed Russians favoring hardline Communist, Gennadi Zyuganov. Yeltsin’s popularity was in the single digits. That didn’t stop President Bill Clinton, Britain’s John Major and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl from determining that their man win Russia’s first “free and fair” election in the post-Soviet era. As The New York Times reports (02-17-18), we’ve meddled with other nation’s elections since the birth of the C.I.A. in 1947. Personally, I find this latest revelation barely newsworthy and it’s certainly not worthy of all of the hype it’s been given since the 2016 election.

  A greater concern for the Church isn’t government meddling, but Kingdom persecution. The Russian government continues to be an enemy of the gospel. There’s been increased persecution of Christians since Russia’s Anti-Proselytizing Law went into effect two years ago. Vladimir Putin signed a law outlawing evangelism and cracked down on house churches. This new law forbids evangelism outside of churches and other religious sites. It even includes singing Christmas carols in public.

  Yet, Russian believers bravely disobey the anti-proselytizing law. During the recent World Cup, 400 churches partnered together for an evangelism outreach, sponsoring screening parties and handing out more than 500,000 tracts, World Cup editions of the Gospel of John, and New Testaments.

  Recently, two Christian radio stations lost their licenses to broadcast after 25 years of religious freedom in Russia and both are silent. They now deliver radio programs all across Russia via cellphone, streaming services, and social media apps. God is sovereign over human government and they have more listeners than they did before the radio stations were shut down.

  While our brothers and sisters in Russia are being persecuted, what’s taking place in Nigeria is genocide. Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. Two years ago, the Obama administration called what ISIS was doing to Iraqi Christians “genocide” yet sadly, little is said about the extermination of Christians in Nigeria.

  The population of Nigeria is almost evenly divided between Muslims and Christians. Not surprisingly, what makes Nigeria so dangerous for Christians originates in the Islamic north. Christians have been on the receiving end of a campaign that’s “religious cleansing,” in a diabolical attempt to eradicate Christianity from the region. Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, is responsible for killing thousands of Christians and displacing countless more in northern Nigeria. Yet, Boko Haram isn’t the only group targeting our brothers and sisters there. Over 6,000, mostly children, women and the elderly have been maimed or killed in night raids by armed Fulani herdsmen. Nigerian Christians report the continuous abduction of underaged Christian girls by Muslims who are forcefully converted to Islam and ordered into Muslim marriages.

  Whatever one’s view of immigration, there’s no rationale for the Trump Administrations tragic limiting of the escape of persecuted Christians from hostile countries. 14,000 fewer Christian refugees will arrive in the U.S. this year. This Administration’s policies have led to the fewest resettlements of persecuted believers in a decade. This is in spite of promises by Vice President Mike Pence, that Christians wouldn’t be sacrificed around the globe with the U.S. doing nothing. So, far it’s not been much more than words while brothers and sisters suffer persecution.   

  Thankfully our government has sought to intervene on behalf of American Pastor Andrew Brunson. For over two years Pastor Brunson has been imprisoned in Turkey over false charges of ties to terrorist organizations. He’s been detained since a 2016 coup attempt against Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and has been a pawn in the hands of that demagogue. Pastor Brunson and his wife, Norine, helped run the Izmir Resurrection Church in Izmir and did other missionary work. It’s unbelievable that an American citizen is being held as a political hostage, but not in Syria or Iran, but Turkey, one of our NATO allies. Pray for his soon release.

  So, what does this all mean for us as believers? Our first concern must never be politics. These are Kingdom issues. This is about our Family, our eternal Family.

  What can we do about all this? First, we must pray for our brothers and sisters in Russia, Nigeria, the Brunsons and other parts of the world. Second, say something! While our elected officials often seem tone deaf to the cries of persecuted Christians worldwide, they’re very attentive to the voices of voters. Call Congressman Ryan. Call your U.S. Senators. Call the White House. Write a handwritten letter because that often carries much more weight than an e-mail. Keep it simple. Just say, “Please do something about the Genocide of Christians in Nigeria and the Brunsons.”
  If the Church doesn’t speak out for its own, who will? The Church that lives in religious freedom must cry out for those who are oppressed and can’t speak for themselves. How can we be silent when the blood of our brothers and sisters cries out to God for His intervention? (Rev. 6:10).

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.