Are YOU a lifelong learner?

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”  Henry Ford

  An efficiency expert concluded his lecture with a note of caution to his audience. “You don't want to try these techniques at home.” “Why not?” someone asked him. “I watched my wife’s routine at breakfast for years,” the expert explained. “She made lots of trips between the refrigerator, stove, table, and cabinets, often carrying a single item at a time. One day I told her, ‘Hon’, why don’t you try carrying several things at once?’” “Did it save time?” the guy in the audience asked. “Actually, yes,” replied the expert. “It used to take her twenty minutes to make breakfast. Now I do it in seven.”

  There’s some danger in being an expert. We have become a culture of “experts.” Have you noticed, that when someone is being interviewed in the media, they rarely pause or say, “I don’t know,” or ask a question? Wisdom doesn’t come naturally with age. None of us can know everything.

  For some aged saints, gray hair and a good head go hand in hand. Yet, for far too many, length of life merely entrenches stubbornness, irritability and a lack of willingness to have an opinion challenged. One can be an old fool as easily as a young one.

  May God deliver us from ever believing we’ve arrived. For the believer, the stakes are very high for cultivating a holy curiosity and having the mindset of a lifelong learner. Teaching, learning and application of truth are at the very heart of our faith. To be a “disciple” means to be a “learner.” Jesus is the Master Teacher. God designed the local church to be a community of lifelong learners under the guidance of leaders who are committed teachers.

  Christianity is not some limited course of study for the front-end of adulthood. Our mindset isn’t to first do our learning and then spend the rest of our lives drawing from that original deposit of knowledge. Being a healthy Christian is inextricably linked to ongoing learning.

  Schools are back in session. Summer is over and for families, weekday mornings are now a flustered rush to get to the big yellow bus in time, lunch in one hand, homework in the other. Students are off to learn their reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic. At Grace, we utilize the school year to focus on small groups and classes for the learning of eternal truth. It’s an opportunity as a church family to stretch and encourage each other to strive to grow in biblical truth and Christlikeness. God’s will is for each of us to be teachable and lifelong learners, who apply truth in real life.

  A teachable person listens when God speaks and then adjusts their direction accordingly. Probably the most difficult part of being teachable is first admitting that we were wrong. So how teachable are you? If you’re not sure how you rate on the teachability meter, take this five-point quiz:

  1. You know you’re teachable when people give you input. When others feel free to share with you a word of improvement, it’s a good sign that you’re teachable. Most of us hate confrontation and no one wants to risk cleaning up a meltdown if the person can’t receive a difficult word. As in, “Don’t try to tell him he’s not headed in the right direction because he’ll bite your head off.” A fool is always deeply persuaded that what he is doing is right, yet a teachable person willingly receives input.

  2. You know you’re teachable when you see measurable growth and character development in yourself. If you’re growing more Christlike, changing for the better, you’re teachable. If you’re not the same person you were last year at this time, godly instruction has produced results in your life and you have grown because of it.

  3. You know you’re teachable when you don’t have to answer a critic with a defense. It’s so refreshing to sit down with a person who can hear difficult words with an open heart and without defensiveness. Those who are receptive to godly criticism, flourish and grow.

  4. You know you’re teachable when you don’t have to criticize back. The classic symptom of an unteachable person is that they’ll listen to what you say, all the while framing their comeback, “Now let me tell you something…” Are you able to keep your defenses down and your pride in check? Then, you’re probably a teachable person.

  5. You know you’re teachable when you’re learning new ways to grow. If people have been telling you the same things for years, you’re not teachable. If you’ve grown out of those old issues and are on to new lessons, you’re on the right track. Even if you recognize that you’ve been foolish, you don’t have to stay that way. The answer to foolishness is wisdom. It’s available in God’s book, through His Spirit, and often communicated through His people. It’s applicable. It has to do with your life right now. It will help you make decisions, stay the course, and grow in your faith. And it’s very fulfilling! Correcting your course with God’s help is not some awful thing. Proverbs 8:11 tells us, “Wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” 

  Warren Myers was an early missionary with the Navigators. Before his Homegoing at 78, he spent his life studying the Bible. He wasn’t perfect, so when he knew that he’d sinned, he was quick to own it and to ask for forgiveness from the Lord and from anyone else he’d wronged. Even just a few months before his death, while at lunch with a friend, he asked (it was his habit to ask countless questions) what Jesus had recently been teaching his friend. As his young friend began to share, Warren was taking notes for his own personal growth. Here he was at 78, still growing, still learning.

  That’s what God wants for each of us. May we all be like that! Learning to be more and more like Jesus until we finally meet Him face to face. 

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. "

Stop attending church!

“Now the church is not wood and stone, but the company of people who believe in Christ.” Martin Luther

When you think about it, it’s fun yet a bit silly. Whenever I attend a professional ball game, along with everyone else, I’m caught up attempting to guess how many fans are attending. As you know, about halfway through the game, they place up on the scoreboard several options for the attendance. Fans are encouraged to guess how many are there. I’m not a very good guesser, but it’s encouraging to me when it’s a high attendance.

  Do you remember a few years back when there was a concern that professional baseball might die from a lack of popularity? I hope that day never comes. I love baseball. Of course, my first love is the Atlanta Braves. I’m thankful that the Brewers are in the National League so I can see my home town team periodically play when they come to Milwaukee. There’s just something very special about attending a baseball game.

  Many Christians think church is like that. They think church is all about attending. It’s not. If you think about it in our technologically driven world attending church is a bit stupid and lots of people have figured that out. The trend is growing as fewer and fewer people are attending church.

  You may have even asked the question yourself: Why bother? That’s also why if there’s a “competitive” option (family event, ballgame, weary from work, etc.), people skip out on attending church. Yet, we’d rarely skip work or having our children attend school for the same reasons we skip attending church. For example, an entire family will skip church if one family member is sick. Can you imagine that conversation with the school attendance office? “Yes, our children’s baby sister has a cold so our other two won’t be attending either. After I hang up with you, I’m calling work because neither my spouse nor I will be attending today because of our sick one year-old.”

  The reason that doesn’t work is even though we may language it that way, it’s totally unacceptable to just attend school or attend work. And we all know this. If your child merely attended school, you’d soon receive calls from his teacher. “Mr. ______, we have a problem. Johnny is attending but he’s not engaging in class. He won’t bring his books, refuses to interact and won’t do his homework.” If you only attended work but never actually worked, you’d soon find that you didn’t have a work place to attend.

  The commonly accepted model of church in America is an unbiblical one. In fact, it’s a sinful one. The New Testament knows nothing of “attending” church if you’re part of the Church; that is if you’re a believer and know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Today, as there were in the early church, there will be seekers, those who have not yet committed their lives to Christ attending church. But Jesus doesn’t give His followers the option to attend church. Add to that, in today’s culture, attending is kind of silly.

  Think about it. Why get dressed, take the time to drive and use up fuel to attend. Everyone has either a TV or the Internet. Most have a smart phone. It doesn’t make sense to attend church. If you’re attending, in light of the time, expense and convenience, a logical question is: “Why go to church?”

  While our church doesn’t yet stream its services online, you can download last week’s sermon from our web site. And if you want an immediate church experience, millions of churches do and you can access almost any church you want, anywhere, anytime. Free. That all brings us back to the question: Why attend church? Why even bother?

  Let me say this very simply – DON’T. Jesus does not want us to attend church; He calls us to something so much better and greater. We are the church and that must change everything. Merely attending church doesn’t make you much of a church because sitting in a back row consuming church doesn’t make you very good at being the church.

  The New Testament teaches that being the church has everything to do with living your life for Christ, demonstrating God’s love by loving and serving others, and sharing your faith with those who don’t know Him. That’s very different than consuming church sitting in a back row, which you can just as easily do sitting at home in your pajamas.

  The compelling biblical reason that a Christian should go to church each Sunday is that you’ve moved from being a consumer to being a contributor. You don’t go to be served, you go to serve. There’s something deeply biblical about that, so let’s start with the basics.

  First if you’re a Christian, church is not something you attend. It’s something you are. You can’t disassociate from church as a Christian any more than you can disassociate from humanity as a person. You don’t go to church, you are the church. Most of the New Testament is not about the teachings of Jesus, but about the work of the church that Jesus initiated and ordained. Without inundating you with Bible verses that prove my point, you’d have to discard the majority of the New Testament to argue that the church was about filling a seat just attending. Or, that it was a nonessential. 

  Second, the metaphors in the New Testament for the church indicate commitment, unity and participation. Terms like army, temple, body...to name a few, demand commitment and unity. The Bible compares us to a family. Because Jesus loves us so much, we are to love each other. Because He’s so committed to us, we’re to be committed to each other. Family gatherings aren’t optional, they’re anticipated. The family also has idiosyncrasies and sins. Because we’re family, we love, forgive and help each other grow past them. When there’s a problem, we don’t go down the street looking for a new family. Each member contributes and participates. We look forward to welcoming new family members. In fact, we get very excited about them. We encourage each other and sacrifice for each other.

  So to be a little blunt, if you’re looking for a church to attend, this isn’t it. That’s a ball game. At Grace, we’re committed to what Scripture teaches – that we’re family. Because Jesus loves us and we love Him, we love each other. Just as He is committed to us, by His grace we are committed to Him and our brothers and sisters in Christ. That’s the church!

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. "

Reflections on nearly 30 years of ministry

“In life there are milestones each rare and so sweet, sharing with loved ones makes them complete.”

  Recently, I’ve been doing some reminiscing. Remembering Ben’s brain surgery and celebrating his being seizure free for ten years brought back a flood of memories. Then, on our recent vacation, Jane and I re-connected with Don Widener. I baptized Don when he was growing up in our church. It was Don’s father, Ted Widener, who first contacted me in 1988 regarding the potential of being the pastor of Grace Church.  

  This weekend begins my 30^th year as pastor at Grace. Wow! Thirty years? When I was a kid, I thought 30 was ancient. I wasn’t sure I’d ever live to be 30 and was part of the generation taught to not trust anyone over 30.

  Do you want to hear God laugh? Tell Him your plans. When we moved to Burlington from Detroit in 1988, I was on the 5 year plan – we’d be in Wisconsin for 5 years and then off to another ministry, hopefully, in an urban area as I’m a city boy…but God had a much better plan. Grace is not just where I’m the pastor, it’s my family and our community has become an extended family. There’s just something refreshing about shopping in a local store to quickly pick up a few items, and an hour later realizing that you’ve talked to two or three friends and probably should head home.

  Our church is on the brink of a new chapter in our history, yet, we don’t want to forget our past. Many who came before us gave of themselves for the Lord in our church. One of the heavy burdens of long pastorates is that eventually you have to bury your friends. Heaven is all the sweeter for me because I have many “family members” from Grace waiting for me. Sometimes I catch myself starting to share a wonderful story about an old friend, “Do you remember?” and then realize the person I’m talking to wasn’t at our church then. Can I take a moment and tell you about just a few of my friends from Grace who are already Home?

  Bess Norum. If you met Bess, you never forgot her. She was already in her nineties when I first met her, a short little spitfire. She’d sung in the choir for one of Billy Sunday’s crusades. Even at ninety, Bess was passionate about her friends that they might not know Jesus. Our church didn’t have air conditioning back then and it was a chunk of change to add it. When Bess learned how much it was going to cost, she quipped, “You can buy a lot of lemonade for that amount.” Yet, Bess gave faithfully and sacrificially from her limited and fixed income so that we soon were able to install air conditioning. Her funeral was my first, yet it really wasn’t a funeral. It was a celebration of a sparrow who’d been set free.

  Ted Widener. Ted was chairman of our body of Deacons for many years. He was also one of my dearest friends. After meetings he and I’d talk until one of us finally noticed the time and realized we needed to head home. There wasn’t much Ted couldn’t or wouldn’t do when it came to serving the Lord. He was one of the first with a vision for building and expanding our ministry. Though Ted didn’t like change, if the change made us more effective for the gospel, he’d support it, even if it made him uncomfortable. He knew that I had three left hands when it came to repairing things, yet Ted never made me feel stupid or embarrassed. One weekend Jane was away at a ladies’ retreat and Ben began having seizures again. Ted rushed to Whitewater to pick up Jane because I couldn’t leave Ben. I’ll never forget shortly before the Lord called him Home, Ted had been nominated again to be a Deacon. Though he loved our church, he turned it down, sharing with me that there were some things he needed to work on in his life. I loved him for his humility and transparency.

  Connie Thompson. Thinking of her brings both a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. For her, I was never Pastor or Scott, I was “Yo Rev!” She never met a stranger and loved to make others feel welcome. She had a unique gift for making you feel at ease. I think we clicked because our family history was similar. I’ll never forget hugging her when her Dad died. I thought her heart was going to break, she was so distraught. She was one of those rare folk that if she didn’t like something, she didn’t play games – she didn’t know how. Her candor was refreshing. She loved Jesus and loved to sing about Him. The Lord had blessed her with a beautiful voice. She also had a huge heart and it weighed on her to see others hurting. Once when our church was going through a dark period, I came in on Sunday and it was written all over my face, but Connie let me know in no uncertain terms that looking like God had died wasn’t going to fly.  

  Bob Cannon. Bob reminded me that even when I give up, God never does. When I first came in 1988, I’d visit Bob and invite him to church. I lost track of how many times. Finally, I gave up, but God didn’t. Back then, Bob would tell me that he knew the Lord. But just a few years ago, Bob really came to Christ. What a change! It’s what’s supposed to happen when someone comes to Christ. When there’s new life, the Bible teaches there will be fruit. Bob, who’d wanted little to do with Christianity before began digging into his Bible, faithfully worshipped with his brothers and sisters in Christ, and began serving – he loved working with Jr Hi kids. He became a giver. Even when he couldn’t make it to church, his offering did. And Bob became a missionary. His primary field was from his hospital bed as his health deteriorated. He’d share the love of Jesus with the doctors and nurses who cared for his heart, that Jesus had given him a new heart, and how they could have one too.

  That’s only a few who’ve so wonderfully been a part of our church. There are many others. We’re truly, “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.” We’re so blessed that as believers, we never say “Good-bye,” just “Good night, we’ll see you in the morning, that great resurrection morning.” 

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. "

Are YOU a bigot?

“Are you a bigot?”

 Terms like bigotry, racism, hate groups, Alt-right, KKK, Nazis, BLM, and Antifa bombard us in the media and on social media. So where does biblical Christianity fit? What should the Church’s response be? What should our church’s response be? What should a Christian’s response be?

  Scripture teaches that the solution always begins with suspicion. I must be suspicious of the sinner that I know best – ME. Prejudice and pride are nearly synonymous. Pride is the first sin recorded and is at the root of all bigotry. It’s the sin most enticing and most subtle. Pride convinces me that I’m better than someone else. It focuses on differences, rather than similarities. It focuses on supposed superiority, rather than mutual weakness. It was pride that made angels into devils.

  I was raised in a very arrogant and bigoted home. Some of it was ethnic, yet most of it was economic and academic. Terms like “white trash,” “no good,” or “lazy” were common ones. We looked down on others for their lack of money, career choice or academic weakness.

  It’s very tempting when racism is pariah to self-righteously pat ourselves on our backs that we’re not bigoted. Yet, bigotry is much more than just ethnic. That’s why the first person’s heart that I must judge for the sin of bigotry is my own, 1 Corinthians 11:31. Please be assured that it will be a lifelong battle to combat pride and prejudice, one in which we will continually need to rely on God’s grace.

  While the Bible teaches there are various ethnic or people groups, I don’t believe the Bible teaches the concept of “races.” There is only one race, the human one. Language, skin color, facial shape differences are part of ethnic diversity, not racial distinction. The fact that there is only one race is the reason that blood transfusion and organ donation are possible.

  Our world will continue to attempt to bring about a “united nations.” It will never happen. The only place there can ever truly be unity in the midst of diversity is in the Church, local and universal. It begins with humility and honesty. I’m a mess. We’re all a big mess. We’re all depraved.

  Romans 3 unpacks for us that none of us are good. We’re not even nice. We don’t seek God, He seeks us. Because of that, we’re not better than anyone else. In fact, everything that we have has been given to us from our ethnic group, heritage or abilities, whether they’re academic, economic, athletic or artistic. They can also be taken away. It’s only because of God’s grace and providence that we have anything that others do not.

  All of us struggle with the cancer of prejudice. Our evil hearts tend to look down on those different from us. Listen carefully to yourself and how often you speak so easily and disparagingly of those who are different, whether it’s ethnic, religious, economic or chronological. It might even be related to an unhealthy habit. For example, non-smokers often look askew at smokers. Prejudice and pride are noxiously alive in our hearts.

  And if we’re not vigilant, bitterness and hate can take root in our hearts toward those that we perceive as hateful. As hateful as the hateful may be, the Bible never allows us to hate the hateful. We forget that Jesus died for the hateful, too. What we are naïve of is that in hating the hateful, we quickly become the hateful. I know that I do.

  For example, one of the greatest cultural atrocities today is abortion. At one time I found that I despised abortionists, until I finally met someone who’d had one. Then, God wonderfully changed my evil heart. I realized that in God’s sight to despise someone made me just as culpable before God as a murderer. Jesus died for murderers like me as well as those who take a baby’s life, and His grace knows no limits. One of the most exciting stories in recent church history is that of Norma McCorvey, the original “Jane Doe” of Roe v. Wade. She was gloriously converted because one Christian demonstrated love when so many other “believers” showed hate.

  As we walk through the pages of Scripture, one of the cruelest and most hateful individuals was Saul, before he met Jesus. Then, God gave him a new heart and he became the Apostle Paul. One of Church History’s biggest bigots became the defender of the very ones that he’d previously despised. Amazingly, because Paul believed that God loved all people groups, his own countrymen wanted to kill him. Yet, through God’s grace Paul loved the hated and the hateful. And that’s what God has called us to as well. We must repent and confess the sins of pride and prejudice, allowing the Spirit to do surgery, removing this cancer in our own souls. It’s not a once for all procedure, but one that must happen nearly daily. Then, as we’re loved by God, we’re to love others.

  Our strongest love and unity will always be with those who’ve also humbly acknowledged the evil in their own hearts and realize that it is all of grace. That’s because Christ’s love breaks down every barrier: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

  The local church should be the greatest model of love and unity, one that astounds a tribally divided world fragmented over ethnic, economic and political differences. Though we naturally are attracted to those who are like us, God has called us to something better by His supernatural grace.

  Do you want to demonstrate God’s gracious power in your life? Reach out to and build relationships with those who are unlike you? If you’re old, reach out to the young. If you’re young, reach out to the old. If you don’t have kids, reach out to those who do. If you’re married, reach out to the single. If you’re blue collar reach out to the white collar. If you’re Caucasian, reach out to someone from who is Hispanic. If you're Asian, reach out to someone who is African-American. Share a meal. Share your story. Listen to theirs. 
  The strongest testimony to a hateful world is God’s love and the unifying power of the Cross. Do others see Christ’s transforming power in your life?  

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. "

There is no "I" in worship

“Real, meaningful worship with God's people is not optional. It's not a suggestion. It's not a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. Worship on the Lord's Day should be the crowning joy of our week.”

 John MacArthur

  Be honest. Is worship with God’s people one of the biggest joys of your week? Do you anticipate worshipping with your church family? Is it a highlight of your week…or is it obligational? If you find that worship for you fits in the sphere of “duty” for you, why is that?

  It is true that worship should be a “holy habit” for the believer, yet if we are coming to worship God with our brothers and sisters in Christ, shouldn’t there be a sense of excitement? Shouldn’t missing worshipping with our church family bother us and not instead fill us with a sense of “freedom,” like we played hooky from school and got away with it.

  Currently, Jane and I are on vacation. We’ve been anticipating this time away for months. During the last few days before we left, I frequently found myself distracted with thoughts of warm, sandy beaches and times of rejuvenation. Can you imagine how frustrating our vacation would be if we hadn’t prepared? Hadn’t planned ahead? Think of all the other things we plan ahead for, from work to school, even going to see a game.

  Have you ever had a family reunion and everyone is given details of what to bring – but there’s seemingly that one relative who never comes through. They come for what’s in it for them. They may even complain about something that they don’t like, yet they came unprepared, expecting everyone else to provide for and give them a satisfying experience.

  Mark it down! The number one reason a Christian leaves a worship service dissatisfied has little to do with the service, music, preaching or the congregation. The problem is that they came unprepared.

  When we come to worship as consumers rather than humble worshippers, the result is that we end up judging, criticizing or merely going through the motions. We’ve not prepared our hearts. We’ve not come spiritually hungry. We haven’t prayed for God to do a work in us through the worship. If we don’t have a song in our heart as we walk in, we won’t have one in our mouths during the service or leave with a full heart.

  Much of the contemporary church teaches that worship is for spectators, not participators. One feels as if they’re attending a professional concert or show. To sing with a “normal” voice is nearly gauche. If you look around, you’ll often find that while everyone is standing, no one, other than those on the platform are actually singing. Yet, Scripture says that we’re to “make a joyful noise to the Lord.” God is more concerned with our hearts than our talent. Worship means you’re actually “worshipping. While we want to do things well and with excellence, God isn’t impressed with a Grammy quality performance. We’re singing to our Heavenly Father, we’re singing with and to each other. Disengaged worship isn’t worship. If we’re disengaged from the very focus of our gathering and the Person we’ve come to honor, we might as well not even be present. Showing up physically is not a substitute for being spiritually or mentally absent.

  It’s because of this that we’re concerned about the acoustics in our new building, and not just the sound quality coming from of the platform. We want to make sure that we can hear our brothers and sisters worshipping alongside us. It’s why we believe that the right lighting is important. We participate in singing when we can hear and see each other. If the lighting for the congregation is low, but is bright on the platform, we’re subtly communicating that a performance is taking place. We fail to communicate that the worship by singing should include everyone present.

  Our church must sing because our regenerated hearts can’t help but echo the Word that God has given us new life in Christ. Whether those songs were written hundreds of years ago or last week, they should echo Scripture. If there’s any place where Scripture should literally reverberate, it must be in our church’s songs. God’s Word alone gives life. We sing with together because it helps us see that our hearts’ praises, confessions, and commitment are shared – that we’re not alone. Sometimes we need to pause and just listen, thanking God for the voices around us!

  God gave us emotions. Sometimes tears stream down my cheeks as I sing with my spiritual siblings. Singing is how we engage together our emotions and affections with God’s Word. As we sing, it’s hard to remain emotionally disengaged. As the sense of smell can evoke strong associations and memories, the sound of music evokes and provokes the heart’s joys, griefs, longings, hopes, and sorrows. Singing is the way that we grab hold of God’s Word and align our emotions and affections to His.

  Singing in worship is an act of obedience. We gather and sing because we’re commanded to (Eph. 5:19). Like telling the truth, loving our spouse and children, or loving our neighbor as ourselves. These may seem like bold statements, singing though is a tangible expression of loving the Lord with our whole hearts and selves, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. 

  And singing is a privilege. It’s a foretaste of heaven. One day (I hope soon!) every tribe, language and people will sing as one family before the throne of the Lamb. Until then, we’re a microcosm of that day in the unimpressive form of congregational worship. As we anticipate the matchless glories of heaven with Jesus, there’s immeasurable value in our singing together now on this temporary earth. When we sing together, we witness that we’re loved, forgiven and accepted by God. For those who don’t know Jesus who visit our churches, or our own children who’ve yet to believe, as we sing together of God’s grace, it’s a powerful witness.

  So please open your mouth and sing. Make a joyful noise. Sing from your heart to our awesome God because the most beautiful instrument in a worship service is the sound of God’s forever family singing together! 

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. "

Can we please talk?

“Conversation is food for the soul.”

  One of my favorite meals is prime rib but finding a restaurant that serves really good prime rib seems to be more difficult to find. It might be too that I don’t want to drop the equivalent of a house payment for a quality prime rib dinner. You don’t rush through prime rib. You take your time. You dine rather than eat, salivating and enjoying each and every bite.

  Good conversation is like that. Yet, quality conversation is becoming a lost art. Did you know that communicating is something that distinguishes us as image-bearers of God? In the Garden God came each day and conversed with our first parents. Conversation is a gift from God. Think about it, God could have sent an angel yet He came to converse with Adam and Eve. He modeled for them what they needed for a healthy relationship.

  A top complaint of a problematic marriage is “we don’t communicate.” But it’s not just in marriage, it’s in all our relationships. It’s why we have difficulty with friendships. Often we substitute activity for conversation, like a movie or athletic event, because we’re uncomfortable conversing. We rarely go much deeper than the weather, sports or politics and then we wonder why we feel so empty.

  God designed us for deep, meaningful conversation. God didn’t tweet as He walked with Adam and Eve. Social media is dissatisfying and often fraught with argument because it lacks true conversation. Because we’re so naïve of how to have a conversation, we substitute short texts for a long talk. Sometimes we do that out of fear of vulnerability and transparency. Yet, the best conversations take place face to face. You can look at folk and often tell if they’re having a healthy conversation. Unbeknownst to them, nearly subconsciously they mirror each other’s body language, because they are so engaged in the conversation with each other.

  Jesus was a great conversationalist. As His followers, He’s called us to be great conversationalists. The foundation for being a great conversationalist is to first have a selfless, servant’s heart. Being able to talk is not vital to being a great conversationalist; it’s having the ability to listen. If you’re a good listener, you’ll never lack for conversation opportunities.

  It helps to have some conversation starters. One cynic was correct, “It’s a good thing that the weather changes often, because if it didn’t 90% of people would have nothing to talk about.” God gifted us with intelligence. Part of stewardship is using and developing it. As we do, we’ll not lack for things to converse about which are varied, interesting, and worthwhile.

  Jesus could talk about anything to anyone. We should be able to do the same. It means moving out of our comfort zones and not sounding like a broken record where we continually revert to one or two key subjects that we’re comfortable talking about. It helps us be better conversationalists if we take the time to read books or magazines. As we learn about a wide range of subjects, it increases our vocabulary and general knowledge.

  Pay attention to local, national and world news. Experience something new or attempt a new activity. Go out of your way to talk with others from different generations, occupations, marital situations and economic systems. You’ll find the exposure to what for you is new opens up many interesting stories and valuable lessons. Those simple things will give you many interesting things to talk about—all of which are infinitely more interesting than talking about the weather! Having meaningful conversations is something which must be learned. God promises us the wisdom (James 1:5) that we need. Yet, we must focus and practice at conversing to become more skilled at it. Here are some suggestions…

  Make it about the person you are talking to. We’ve all had that experience with someone who talks endlessly about something you have no interest in. It feels like they’re having a conversation with themselves and you just happen to be there. Great conversations begin with showing an interest in the other person, their world and what they’re interested in. Most people love to talk about themselves. Ask them an open-ended question about something that you notice about them. If you can give a sincere compliment or positive feedback, you’ve made a great start. Great conversationalists have a sincere interest in others, notice things about them, and use those things to start and fuel conversations.

  Be an active listener. Too often we’re thinking about what we want to say next while someone else is speaking. As you find your mind going to a response, discipline yourself to listen. Practice by spending time with your spouse or a friend, and repeating back to them what they just said. It helps create awareness of the amount of time we truly spend listening to others.

  Take the conversation to a deeper level. Think of a friend you’re willing to open up to. What is it about them that makes you comfortable sharing things you might not normally share? Do they make eye contact? Do you feel like you’ve got their full attention? Do you hear the tone of their voice? Do their faces light up when you share something you’re excited about but become sober if you share bad news? Probably. You sense they truly care and are focused on what you’re telling them.

  Ask thoughtful questions. Others will share if we show real interest and ask open-ended questions to move deeper into the conversation. Good questions include asking someone how they think or feel about something that they’re talking about. If they brought up something on their own, it’s usually of interest and importance to them.

  Be willing to invest the time. Don’t begin a conversation unless you have the time to hear the other person out. Good conversations require a slow, relaxed pace. They need a pressure-free atmosphere free of distractions.

  Finally, read the Gospels. Look at Jesus’ conversations. He didn’t believe in accidents. Each one was a divine appointment. He has “appointments” waiting for us too to give to others the gift of conversation. 

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. "

When Government is a Monster!

“A truth our society must not lose sight of and that is the sanctity of every human life and the dignity of every individual.” Frank Peretti

  What would you do to save the life of your child? How far would you go? If you learned that your child had a deadly disease, is there anything…any price too high to save the life of your precious child? What if your child only had a 10% chance of surviving? Of living just a little longer?

  One of the rallying cries of those in the Pro-abortion movement is that a woman should have the “right to choose” what happens to her own body? Since the criteria is choice – shouldn’t parents have the right to choose to save the life of their child? Since the child can’t advocate for himself, shouldn’t parents have the right to advocate for him?

  What if someone, even a governmental authority took the control of a child from his parents? What if that governmental authority prevented the parents from using an experimental medical procedure that might save their child’s life, or at least extend their child’s life? If it wasn’t a government sanctioned authority, it would be criminal, and it’s still immoral.  

  All of this unfolds in the horrifying case of Charlie Gard, an 11-month-old British infant who, a month after he was born, was diagnosed with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDDS), a genetic disease so rare it’s believed to have been diagnosed in only 16 children in the world. It causes brain damage with a progressive weakening of the muscles. In addition, Charlie was deaf with severe epilepsy, severe progressive muscle weakness and couldn’t move his arms or legs or even breathe unaided.

  There are many ethical issues in this case, far too many to consider in the space that we have. One issue is paramount, the British government and the hospital have violated the rights of the parents by taking control of the life of Charlie. The courts stole the rights of his parents and gave them to the doctors and the hospital.

  Tragically, this is not an isolated incident in the “brave new world” of government controlled healthcare. There is horrible case after horrible case of situations like Charlie Gard’s where a tyrannical government has violated the God-given rights of parents. Sometimes the justification for not making Herculean efforts to save a life is financial. A procedure is deemed too costly, but that wasn’t the case with Charlie. Money was not an issue. His parents raised $1.5 million from sympathetic donors, so it would have cost the government nothing to have acceded to their wishes.

  So why wouldn’t they set Charlie free? The answer is tragic. Government controlled medicine isn’t about healthcare, it’s about power. It’s about control. Government bureaucrats see resourceful individualism represented by Charlie’s parents as an existential threat.

  The doctors involved believed Charlie’s condition was irreversible and the current treatments (e.g., ventilation, suction) were capable of causing him pain. His parents agreed that if their son’s brain function couldn’t be improved, he shouldn’t be subjected to further life-sustaining treatment. But they disputed that he had irreversible brain damage. The main issue is the scope of parental rights and who should be allowed to decide what is in the “best interests” of the child in regard to additional treatment.

  “The time has come for your baby to die,” a doctor told the grieving parents of a catastrophically ill baby. No, this wasn’t Charlie Gard. That blunt declaration was uttered in 1994 in Spokane, by a doctor to the parents of Ryan Nguyen, who—born at just 23 weeks gestation—was on kidney dialysis and struggling for his life. Like Charlie Gard, doctors declared that further life-sustaining treatment of the child was “futile” and only prolong his suffering. Like Charlie Gard, desperate parents sought court relief against their son being pushed into the grave sooner rather than later. But unlike Charlie Gard, it was the U.S.A. A court in Ryan’s case temporarily blocked the removal of treatment, pending trial. In Ryan’s case the court never decided who had the ultimate say, parents or medical professionals. His treatment was transferred to a different doctor who didn’t view his case as futile. Ryan was soon weaned off dialysis and survived for more than four years, a time in which he was a generally happy, if sickly, child who liked to give “high fives.” If the government or his original doctors had had the power to impose their worldview on their patient and his parents, Ryan would have died before he’d truly had a chance to live.

  Charlie Gard’s case breaks new and frightening authoritarian ground. Not only did the court force Charlie off life-support; they also declared that their ethics rule over his life, even if the parents find and fund alternative care. As far as I know, this is unprecedented in futile-care controversies.

  The bottom line is that a judge told coherent parents they must let their child die. Charlie didn’t just die of a rare disease, he died at the hands of a nefarious political agenda. When individual rights are sacrificed on the altar of bureaucracy, government abuses the very ones they are to protect.

  Do you want to know how barbaric government controlled medicine can be? Charlie died in a London hospice, where he was transferred after the British High Court ruled against his parents’ wishes and would not even allow him to die at home. 

  Frank Peretti was right: “There is a vital lesson to be learned here, a truth our society must not lose sight of, and that is the sanctity of every human life and the dignity of every individual. Increasingly, in a world that seeks to establish its own knowledge and values without God, we find our concept of humanity falling through the cracks. If, as our children are so often taught, we are nothing but a cosmic accident that arose for no reason out of primordial slime, and that the stronger among us are necessarily the better among us, then where does love fit in, or kindness to those in need, or simply going out of our way to lend a hand to a fellow human being?” 

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. "