Always leave a room better than you found it

 

“Don’t sit at home and wait for the mango tree to bring mangoes to you wherever you are. It won’t happen. If you are truly hungry for change, got out of your comfort zone  and change the world.”  Israelmore Ayivor

 One of my first ministry experiences was soon after I graduated from high school. Though I’d never attended camp, I was hired by a camp outside New York City (Bear Mountain) to be a camp counselor. Most of the kids were street-smart kids from the NYC region. It was a baptism of fire. Many of them had not been outside of the city and never into the great outdoors. 

  The name of the camp was Camp Robin Hood. It might as well have been built during the time of Robin Hood. None of the cabins had electricity, just screens for light and air. The bathroom facilities were about 100’ feet up a hill. And there was no way that an elementary-age boy away from home for the first time and in the great outdoors for the very first time was going to make that trek alone in the middle of the night to the bathroom. Guess who else had to make the trek up the hill, flashlight in hand? Sometimes it would be several times in one night with different boys. 

  To give these boys a taste of the great outdoors we always scheduled one overnight camping experience. We truly roughed it with no tents, just sleeping under the stars while warding off what seemed like 10,000 mosquitoes. One thing though that I learned from those camping experiences was: “Always leave a campsite better than you found it.” I believe that’s a good motto for every Christ-follower – “Always leave a room better than you found it.”

  There’s a lot wrong with the world and much to wring our hands over and complain about. To be sure, there are times to speak up. Yet, much of what’s considered “speaking up” is really whining. There’s no shortage of gripers or what John Maxwell calls “missionaries of misery.”

  I’m a long way from there in my own spiritual growth but I long to be like those early disciples. I want to be a godly positive influence, to bring joy and hope. Acts 5 records that after they’d been beaten and released, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.” Or, like Paul and Silas at Philippi. After they’d been falsely accused, beaten, and imprisoned overnight with their feet in the stocks, they were praying and singing hymns to God. 

  How do you keep a man like Paul down? He’s falsely accused, on trial for his life, stuck in a Roman jail cell which was probably little more than a pit in the ground, and yet he writes an entire letter that’s known as “the joy letter,” the book of Philippians. At least 16 times in those four short chapters Paul mentions some form of joy or rejoicing.

  Have you ever noticed that when you’re having a tough time at work, that if you know that you soon have an upcoming vacation, you can have an upbeat attitude? Why? You know that relief is coming and vacation is just around the corner. Until then you can be upbeat and endure. 

  As Christ-followers, we have something so much better than a vacation. We have awaiting us a perfect eternal destination. We’re just here for a short time. Everything that this world can dish out, even the worst fiery blasts of the Enemy are only temporary. It’s how Christ-followers through the ages have endured with joy even in difficult times and horrible suffering. We know it will all be over soon and heaven is waiting for us. 

  So until then, we need to advance His Kingdom here. Whether we’re at work or at home, wherever we are those spaces and places ought to be a little better, a little more gracious, a little more positive because we’re there. We’re bringing with us a bit of heaven. We’re Jesus in our world.

  All of us have a choice every day to either be a thermometer or a thermostat. A thermometer merely reflects the environment and culture that it is in. By God’s grace, we can be thermostats and change the environment and culture we are in for good and His glory.

  God has given each of us a tool of positive construction that we always have with us. We wear it right on our faces. It’s called a smile. Have you ever noticed how contagious a smile is? When someone smiles at you, it’s hard not to smile back. Have you ever been in a sour mood and then someone comes along with a huge smile, some laughter or in a really good mood? Perhaps a baby that just looked up at you and smiled? How did this make you feel? When the person you are talking to or the people that surround you are smiling, you won’t be able to help but smile!

  A smile has special powers. You can calm fear, insecurity, hurt, and anxiety not only in yourself but in those that are experiencing those feelings. The next time someone is feeling sad, scared, nervous, whatever it may be, smile at them and see how this makes them feel! When faces show pain or anger, they’ve lost their smile, so share yours. Rap legend, 2Pac, knew the benefits of smiling. In his lyrics to “Power of a Smile” he raps:

The power of a gun can kill, and the power of fire can burn
The power of wind can chill, and the power of mind can learn
The power of anger, can raise inside until it tears you apart
But the power of a smile, especially yours, can heal a frozen heart.

  A smile is infectious. Give one to your world and the world will often give one back to you. You will brighten the days of those around you and make a difference in their lives… with something as simple as smiling! And if anyone has something to smile about it, isn’t it the people of God? 

  One of the Christian heroes of modern times was Billy Graham. He lived out, “Always leave a room better than you found it.” There was a well-known professional golfer playing in a tournament with President Gerald Ford, fellow golf pro-Jack Nicklaus, and Billy Graham. After the round was over, one of the other pros on the tour asked, “Hey, what was it like playing with the President and Billy Graham?” The pro said with disgust, “I don’t need Billy Graham stuffing religion down my throat!” And with that, he headed for the practice tee. His friend followed, and after the golfer had pounded out his fury on a bucket of balls, he asked, “Was Billy that rough on you out there?” The pro sighed and said with embarrassment, “No, he didn't even mention religion.” 

  Billy Graham never had to say a word to share a testimony for Christ. He left a place better than he found it. How about you? How about me? Are those around us longing for us to leave because we’re so negative? Or do they wish that maybe we would stay just a little longer because we’re joy-bringers? I hope and pray that those who intersect with my life see something different and want to meet my Jesus. How about you?

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. 

 

 

 

 

Killing Nike

“Example is not the main thing in influencing others.

It is the only thing.”  Albert Schweitzer

  On Wednesday, August 3^rd, “just do it” became “just ditch it,” at least as far as golf equipment is concerned. Nike Inc., the world’s largest maker of sporting goods, will stop selling golf equipment, striking another blow to a pastime hurt by slowing participation rates in recent years. Nike will shift away from golf clubs, balls and bags, but will continue selling footwear and apparel for the sport. Sales at the Nike Golf division fell 8.2% to $706 million in the recent fiscal year that ended in May, making it the company’s worst performing major category.

  Obviously, there are many contributing factors to this business decision. Some, including professional golfer, Phil Mickelson, have criticized the equipment, describing it as inferior. Golf’s appeal has slumped in recent years, particularly among many millennials. Then, golf ranked as Nike’s smallest category last year, below action sports, women’s training and other segments. Sales of the division have fallen for three straight years.

  Perhaps the greatest single moment in popularizing Nike equipment occurred during the 2005 Masters Tournament. On his way to his fourth green jacket, Tiger Woods chipped in for an impossible birdie on the 16^th hole after watching his ball journey to the bottom of the cup. The shot revealed the iconic Nike swoosh, appearing to stand still for one breathtaking moment, before disappearing into the hole. Nike built its golf business around the stardom of Tiger Woods, who helped draw interest to the sport from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. And many now connect the demise of Nike with the downfall of Tiger Woods.

  In 2009, news leaked out that Tiger Woods’ marriage was unraveling. It was reported he’d committed adultery with more than a dozen women. The next year, he and his wife, Elin Nordegren, divorced. Someone insightfully observed, “First Tiger Woods killed his marriage and then he killed Nike.”

  Isn’t it amazing how much influence one person can have for good or for bad? Much of today’s current cynicism and skepticism of politicians finds its roots in the deception and subsequent downfall of President Richard Nixon. Yet, Billy Graham probably influenced more people for the Gospel during the last century than any other one person. John Donne was right, “No man is an island.” Isn’t influence what Jesus was talking about when He referred to His followers as “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”? All of us want our lives to have significance. Our influence on others is a vital part of that. How can you and I be people of influence?

  We must realize there is power in prayer. Every believer gives lip service to that, yet we quickly dismiss it as some pious platitude. It isn’t. The sad reality is very few are people of prayer. We trust in programs to make a difference. We trust in money to move us forward. We don’t really believe in the power of prayer. Yet, prayer is an indispensable part of the Christian’s and local church’s life. There’s a direct connection between the waning influence of Christianity and a lack of prayer among God’s people.

  We must realize there is power in truth. Do we really believe in the power of the truth of God’s Word? God’s truth is powerful…much more powerful than Satan’s lies. But do we really believe that? When we believe something is true, it alters our behavior. For example, we believe fire can hurt us. Only someone irrational puts their hand on a hot stove. It’s true belief. Most of us say we believe God’s Word has power but when the heat is on, we doubt. We don’t live by faith or really believe God’s Word has power, but it does. When we believe it, when we believe Scripture is powerful and sufficient, it will change our behavior.

  We must realize there is power in example. While truth is powerful when it’s debated or argued, it’s more powerful when it’s demonstrated. It’s hard to exaggerate the potency for good a committed Christian and even more so, a committed Christian family can exert for godliness. The community can see the husband and wife loving and honoring one another, devoted and faithful to one another, finding fulfillment in one another. They see the children growing up in the security of a godly, loving home. They see a family not focused in on itself, but turned outward—loving and caring for others, welcoming and entertaining strangers, keeping an open home, seeking to be involved in the concerns of the community. One committed Christian nurse in a hospital; one committed Christian teacher in a school; one committed Christian in a factory—will always make a difference for the Kingdom. Christians are marked people. A lost world is watching. May they see a difference in us, that they “may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

  We must realize there is power in spiritual family. As believers, we have the power of group solidarity, of a dedicated minority. Sociologist Robert Belair, said, “We should not underestimate the significance of the small group of people who have a vision of a just and gentle world. The quality of a whole culture may be changed when two percent of its people have a new vision.” That was Jesus’ plan. With a small group of just 12 dedicated people, they literally turned their world upside down. Our church can have an enormous influence for godliness, not just here but around the world, if we’ll commit together to wholeheartedly love Jesus.

  In 1848, Dr. John Geddie went to Aneityum, an island in Vanuatu and faithfully served the Lord there for the next 24 years. On the tablet erected to his memory these words are inscribed: “When he landed, in 1848, there were no Christians. When he left, in 1872, there were no heathen.” It’s the power of the influence of one. Will you be that one?  

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 mine in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Great is Thy Faithfulness

“Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.”  Thomas Chisolm

  If you study Church History, you’ll find that many well-known Christians that we so admire today had very difficult lives. Many of our favorite songs we love to sing were written by those who knew very well difficult times and even the “valley of the shadow of death.” In fact, many of the believers that you and I admire, even in this church, have gone through deep waters. If we knew their story and the pain that they’ve endured, it would stagger us. That’s not a testimony of their strength or abilities, it’s a testimony of something so much greater – the faithfulness of God.

  One of my favorite hymns is Great is Thy Faithfulness by Thomas Chisolm. I love it because the words come straight out of God’s Word, Lamentations 3:22-23. That passage was a great blessing and source of continued encouragement for Thomas Chisholm (1866-1960). He had a very difficult life, particularly his adulthood. His health was so fragile that there were great periods of time when he was confined to bed, unable to work. Between bouts of illness he’d have to push himself to put in extra hours at various jobs in order to survive financially.

  He was born in a log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky and trusted Christ when he was twenty-seven. eHe studied and later entered the ministry when he was thirty-six. His ongoing poor health forced him to leave the ministry after only one year. During the rest of his life, Chisholm spent many years living in New Jersey and worked as a life insurance agent. 

  Yet, because of the many difficulties that he dealt with, Chisholm found tremendous comfort in God’s Word. I wonder today if many of our emotional and mental health issues in the Church would be alleviated, if not potentially resolved, if we were people who were consistently immersed in the study and meditation on the Scriptures. Yet, God’s faithfulness and that God was his constant source of strength in his times of illness and provided his needs, was particularly encouraging for him. Lamentations 3:22-23 was medicine for his soul: “It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.”

  On one occasion, while away from home on a mission’s trip, Thomas Chisolm often wrote to one of his good friends, William Runyan, a relatively unknown musician. Several poems were exchanged in these letters. William Runyan found one of Chisholm’s poems so moving that he decided to compose a musical score to accompany the lyrics…and Great is Thy Faithfulness was born. It was published in 1923. For many years, the hymn received very little recognition, until it was discovered by a Moody Bible Institute professor. He loved it so much and requested it be sung so often at chapel services, that it became the unofficial theme song of Moody Bible Institute. Yet, it wasn’t until 1945 when George Beverly Shea, the famed soloist in Billy Graham Crusades began to sing it during the crusades that the hymn was finally heard around the world. 

  Toward the end of his life, Chisholm explained, “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.” Thomas Chisolm died in 1960 at the age of 94. During his lifetime, he’d written more than 1,200 poems and hymns including O To Be Like Thee and Living for Jesus.

  Just think, with each new day, God gives you and I the opportunity to prove His faithfulness. Throughout history, He’s never once been proven wrong, for His mercies are new every morning, no matter what.

  That’s what we are celebrating today – God’s wonderful faithfulness. Sixty years ago a handful of believers had a dream of a Bible believing Baptist Church in Burlington. We are their legacy. In following their footsteps, we truly walk on hallowed ground.

  I feel very blessed that I had the privilege of personally meeting all four of the previous pastors at Grace. Dr. Reuben Kile was one of the godliest, most passionate men that I’ve ever met. Even though I first met him in his later years, I was moved by his love for the Lord and love for people. He came to Burlington as a church planter. He and his wife Sandy, lived on a very limited budget yet left us this great treasure. They were followed by Pastor John Loggans and his wife, Marion. I knew Pastor Loggans when he served in Imlay City, Michigan. I preached for him one time many years ago at a youth conference, never dreaming that I’d one day follow his steps to our church in Burlington. His son, Bob, is one of my closest friends and a continual source of blessing and encouragement to me. Pastor Dewey Godwin was known for great passion for the lost, love for the Lord and a vision for the future that left its mark on our church. Pastor Ron Bergquist and his wife, Mona, were used by God to touch many of the lives of folk who are still at Grace.

  Our Heavenly Father is faithful. If you’re a believer, you’ve been adopted by a Father who will never ever change His mind in regard to you, never write you off, never leave you or forsake you. If you’re a part of God's family by faith alone in Christ alone, you have a Friend who sticks closer than a brother. You can’t talk about the one true God without coming to this truth: How great is the faithfulness of our God!

  When an intimidated Moses needed assurance about the massive assignment that he had been given, He asked for God's credentials. He wanted to know God's name. So God answered with His covenant name, "Yahweh: I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14). What’s the meaning of that name? God took the present tense verb form of "to be" and used it for His name. It’s a name that expresses God's eternality. It also announces that in His nature and perfections, in His knowledge, will, purpose and happiness, God always remains the same. God never changes.

  In another sixty or six hundred years, God will still be faithful. May that be said of us! If Jesus tarries His return for sixty or six hundred years may Grace Church still be faithfully serving the One who is consistently faithful!

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