Pet Peeve From the Bunker Day 47

 We all have pet peeves. They are little things that drive us crazy and can turn into big deals if we let them. One of my pet peeves, and I have several of them, is Twizzlers. Don’t get me wrong, Twizzlers is a fine product, but because of their product people have gotten the wrong idea about the nature licorice. You’ve heard people ask, “do you want, red, brown, or black licorice.” (And don’t get me started about Southerners who ask for white, orange or brown Coke). That just drives me nuts. There is only one kind of licorice. The description Liquorice or licorice is the common name of Glycyrrhiza  glabra, a flowering plant of the bean family Fabaceae, from the root of which a sweet, aromatic flavoring can be extracted. The liquorice plant is a herbaceous perennial legume native to the Western Asia and Southern Europe.

People will try and fool you by saying that “red licorice” is a confection made of special herbs and spices. I’m telling you, if it’s not from the Galbraith flower and isn’t black it’s just plane candy. So the next time you are sitting with some friends and they offer you “red licorice,” please set them straight.

One pet peeve as a pastor is when the worship service fills up 10 minutes after the service starts. I am sure there are a lot of reasons for people’s tardiness. Sometimes Sunday school doesn’t get out on time, or people forget to turn the clock back, or forward. Other times the spouse, or children, have made you late and getting in at 10 minutes after is a miracle in and of itself. I get it, it happens. It happens to me too. There have been times I am rushing through the building because I spent too much time talking (I see you laughing). There was a time I showed up to preach an hour late. It happens.

But are there so many people who have legitimate reasons every week? If you are chronically late each week ask your self these questions:

1.     Am I late like this for work?

2.     Is it because I’d don’t like to sing?

3.     Is it disrespectful to all the people who have work hard to make the service meaningful.

4.      Luke I find a better seat if I got there early?

To all those who are never late, or seldom late, thank you. To those who are chronically late; I love you. Is there anything I can do to help? Then again, I can’t wait to be back at church where you can be late. I’m just saying..

Pet Peeve From The Bunker Day 47

Comfy Cozy From the Bunker Day 46

Kicking back and sucking the BBQ sauce off my fingers. Smoked, tender, and tasty was my birthday dinner. I was comfortably content. It’s almost nap time, and then I read an email.

I was just reading an email from someone who talked about her recommitment to Jesus. What led her back to Christ was an epiphany of the difference between comfortable and contentment. She had lived a comfortable life and thought she was content. When the comfortable life disappeared so did her contentment. It wasn’t until she was able to find her contentment in Jesus, apart from being comfortable, that her soul was satisfied. She said that this is a problem with the present generation. This is actually a problem for every generation.

What does it mean to be comfortable? Is it having a place to live, three meals a day, clothes that you wear and others that you don’t? Is being comfortable having a job, an income greater than expenses, places to go and the means to get there? Am I comfortable because I have family and friends who love me, encourage me, and have my back when things aren’t going well? Is comfort knowing I have purpose, a plan that leads me ahead, or passions that drive me each day? Then, I guess, I am comfortable.

Contentment is knowing that if all the things that make me comfortable are stripped away I will be safe in my Father’s loving hands. Jesus said, “seek first the kingdom and all the things that make you comfortable will be added unto you (my paraphrase).” Matt. 6:33.  But he also said, “in this world you will have trouble, and the things that make you comfortable will be stripped away, but don’t worry I have overcome the world (my paraphrase).” John 16:33.

Contentment is knowing that in Christ I have meaning and purpose, and the daily bread he supplies is enough for me. “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8.

It’s not wrong to be comfortable. I believe it is a taste of heaven. But if being comfortable becomes the end and we elevate it above being content in Christ, God will bring the idol crashing down. It takes a lot of weeding for God to clear our garden of comfort so that we can see the flower of contentment. 

My prayer for you today is that if you have confused comfortableness with contentment, that God will do whatever it takes for you to trust in Him and find contentment in His plan and provision. I’m just saying…

From the bunker Day 46

I’m Still At Home from the bunker day 45

May 1^st is coming soon and the order has been given that we are to remain in our homes. Never have so many done so little in order to save the world. I have to say that it troubles me when I hear rumblings that orders will be given that we must wear masks in public, and those unwilling to do so will be prosecuted. It troubles me when men of good will can disagree on a course of action, but it is one man with power who decides what is best for all. I am not a doctor, scientist, or medical professional and don’t wish to be the cause of anyone’s death. Yet, I am a son of liberty. There are two extremes, and we are in danger of swinging to one or the other.

The first is liberty without conscience. I have the right to live as I determine is best for me and my family. I belong to a community that has a right to work and engage in commerce as it sees fit. But should our liberty be without conscience, then I am willing to see my neighbor die for my freedom. But conscience asks, “what am I willing to lose for the sake of my brother?”

The second is power for the sake of the common good. I am sure that there is great pressure on government officials to wage a war against a virus for the health of a country, a state, and a community. I am sure that they believe that the measures they have taken are for the welfare of all when in fact it is for the few who have the greatest risk. “The liberties that we lose are temporary,” they say, “and the freedoms that we will lose are for us all.” It is called the new normal where graduates have virtual commencements, weddings are celebrations of the few, and going to church may be a thing of the past. Thank God the government will take care of us!

Maybe we just need to scrub a little harder. From the benign to the ridiculous. “Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house and shut up the house seven days. And the priest shall come again on the seventh day, and look. If the disease has spread in the walls of the house, then the priest shall command that they take out the stones in which is the disease and throw them into an unclean place outside the city.  And he shall have the inside of the house scraped all around, and the plaster that they scrape off they shall pour out in an unclean place outside the city. Then they shall take other stones and put them in the place of those stones, and he shall take other plaster and plaster the house.” Lev. 14:38-42. If only we could scrape COVID-19 off the walls. 

Special days come and go, and if not for the kindness of brothers and sisters in Christ we could shrivel up and die alone in our homes. There is a day coming, however, where the walls of our homes will be burnished like gold. Where the streets welcome you to walk outside, and the cool breeze smells sweet with a hint of the honeysuckle. The sun shines down warm and your neighbor isn’t afraid to greet you with a hug, and children fear not to wrestle again. The only cough you will hear comes from behind as a long lost friend begs your attention. He smiles and sticks out his hand but you draw him in with a warm embrace and a kiss. No one stares and gasps with the audacity of it all. In fact they join the revelry. 

For now I will stare at the flicker on the screen and greet those I love from afar. But the next time we meet, if ever so discreet, watch out I might draw you in for a hug. I’m just saying.

Still at Home! From the Bunker Day 45

What’s in a word from the bunker Day 44

In the ABF yesterday we were asked what the word “imprecate” means. It’s one of those 50 cent words that is good to throw out at parties, like the word onomatopoeia (a word that sounds like its meaning, i.e. honk). I like those kind of words. I thought I would write a short paragraph to see if you can figure out its meaning. 

I hope to tell the story well, lest it not be a eucatastrophe for sure. But to pass my time I could spanghew or colporteur but these words only appeal to the apple-knocker. Of which the golden delicious is my favorite, but I divigate and come close to futz. Until it is done I will continue to operose.

Words are the way we communicate, and our ability to communicate complex thought is what makes us higher than the animals. Language is power. That and an opposable thumb. As intelligent as humans are it must be difficult for God to communicate with us. His ways are higher than ours, and His thoughts far deeper.

Think about how God used words. 

Ø  God spoke and heavens came into being.

Ø  God spoke and gave names to his first children.

Ø  God spoke to Job in both thunder and whispers.

Ø  God spoke and Gave Moses the Law.

Ø  God spoke and warned Israel of the consequences of their sin.

Ø  God spoke and gave hope to those in captivity.

Ø  God spoke and the Word became flesh.

Ø  God spoke ,”This is my Son.”

Ø  God spoke and prophesied the death of Jesus.

Ø  And then there was silence.

Ø  God spoke and the earth trembled.

Ø  God spoke and the stone rolled away.

Ø  God spoke and with power declared Jesus to be the son of God.

Ø  God spoke and Jesus will return to take us home. Jesus will burst through the clouds riding on a white horse, and the scriptures say, “From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:15,16.

God declares his love, proclaims his power, and pronounces his judgement. One thing is sure, He uses words that we can understand. “Psalms 18:30, “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” Now those are 50 cent words you can bank on. I’m just saying.

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From the Bunker Day 44

It’s Sunday! From the Bunker Day 43

I got up this morning and thought, “I’ve got two hours until church.” Then it hit me, I wouldn’t be going to 15988 Road 4 today. I downloaded the worship service and joined an ABF on ZOOM. Two hours later I shut down my iPad  and it was just Rebecca and I (and Porthos). I am very thankful for technology and the ability to worship through music (thank you Jason) and deliver the word of God to your home. Zoom and Skype have been wonderful opportunities for us to gather together during the week. BUT…..

I feel like the Apostle Paul, “But since we were torn away from you (by Covid19 and the stay at home order), brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face.” 1 Thessalonians 2:17. 

I pray for the church daily and ask the Lord to put an end to this madness, and He will in His timing. But until then, “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.” 1 Thess. 2:19,20.

When the Lord returns I pray that he will find me faithful to the ministry he has given me, that I have handled the word correctly, and that I have not let any He has entrusted into my care fall away. Until then, we will meet when we can, encourage one another often, and challenge each other to love and good works.

Most of you belong to an ABF. Since it is Sunday, and you would have taken a couple hours out of your day anyway, pick up the phone and call someone in your group. Remind them that they are a child of God, that He loves them and so do you. Let them know you are available to help in any way possible. 

Some who are reading this don’t even come to St. John. Call someone and encourage them. We are the church and it is Sunday, and like Jesus said, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 2:23,24. 

Today, as we have for the past few weeks, we are worshiping at home, in Spirit and truth. What the evil one has tried to squelch, God has turned into good. Let’s get this party started! IT’S SUNDAY!! I’m just saying…

It’s Sunday from the Bunker Day 43

Such A Small Name From the Bunker Day 42

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet.”*

Why did you chose the name of your children? Was it a characteristic you saw in them? Possibly it was a family name. Could it have been that it rolled off the tongue as you spoke it with your last name? Maybe it started with the same letter as all the rest of your children. We all have different reasons for choosing our children’s names. Rebecca and I tried to chose names that were noble and strong biblical names. Rebecca’s name means noose or snare. Mine? Well it means small.

I don’t know why my parents picked my name. Was my size less robust compared to my brothers or the other children in the nursery? There are no family members that bear the name, and as far as I can tell there isn’t any continuity in my siblings name. John (my oldest brother) bears the name of my uncle and grandfather. Brian (just a year older) doesn’t seem to follow the family dynamic, isn’t biblical, or popular. Then there is my name —Paul.

There are famous and infamous people named Paul. Paul Revere, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Paul Newman, Paul Castellano (criminal), Paul Stanley (KISS), Paul Goebbels (Nazi Chancellor ) and of course, the Apostle Paul. When I think of all these personalities (except for Revere and the Apostle) they were over compensators. Could it be they were performers, criminals, Nazi monsters because they felt so inadequate and small? Did they feel that way because of their name, or was their name prescient? 

The Apostle Paul wasn’t always Paul. His birth name was Saul. It is a Hebrew name meaning “asked for, or inquired of God.” His parents had probably entreated God for a child, and when the baby was born they named him Saul in honor of God’s answer. But all of a sudden in the book of Acts there is a shift where Saul is forever going forward as Paul. No one knows for sure why the change, but it makes sense for two reasons. Paul is a Greek or Gentile name. Taking on the mantle of Paul would have been logical since Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Paul was also given a thorn in the flesh to humble him. Paul even considered himself the least of the Apostles. The monicker, Paul, would be an appropriate reminder of his mission and his attitude before God. He was to be small in the same way that John the Baptist said he must decrease and Jesus increase. 

I think it is important to have reminders of who we are in the great scheme of things. When tragedy strikes, when persecution arises, when we don’t get our own way it is easy to start complaining and blaming God as if He has directed the universe against us. In those moments it is good to remember what the Psalmist asked, “who are we, oh God, that you should be mindful of us?” It is in the contrast of our true nature that our exaltation in Christ is all the more glorious!

Who I am now is a result of the name of Jesus. In Christ I am made new, redeemed, adopted, blessed, filled with the Spirit, transferred from dark to light, and made alive! One day God will hand us a white stone, and written on it will be a name known only to the receiver (Rev.2:17). I wonder what my new name will be? Don’t peek, you’ll get one too, and it will be glorious! I’m just saying…

From the Bunker Day 42

*if you know where the line of this poem came from without googling, let me know. 

Hacked and Hacked Off From the Bunker Day 41

Lately it seems that when I watch a movie or a television show it revolves around epidemics or computer hacking. Interestingly, these aren’t new shows. Epidemics and hackers are both the result of the fall, but hackers are worse. Epidemics we can’t control. A fallen world is bound to unleash diseases that ply the second law of thermodynamics and keeps the world in bondage to death. All we can do is react and try to come up with a solution. But hackers….oh, hackers are just plain mean. They have a choice and they volitionally try and ruin people’s lives and reputations.

The following are the top ten hacks. Click here for a definition of each.

1.     Denial-of-service (DoS) and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks

2.     Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack

3.     Phishing and spear phishing attacks

4.     Drive-by attack

5.     Password attack

6.     SQL injection attack

7.     Cross-site scripting (XSS) attack

8.     Eavesdropping attack

9.     Birthday attack

10.  Malware attack

What seems to be the most common and annoying is the email hack, and yes it happened to me this morning. Everyone gets an email from me that says I need a response, and I don’t know what happens when they respond. Does the hacker get more email addresses, and what does he do with them? There is either money involved or the person is just pure evil. I get the money angle, but to do it for sport disrupts people’s lives for no reason, or at least one I can’t fathom. It means we have to be diligent or we will be led astray. I have to be diligent, but the receiver even more so. The hacker today missed how I sign my name. If you know me I never sign my name “Pastor Dr.” or “Dr. Pastor”. Those are dead give aways. If you slightly know me and how I have joked about my doctorate you might wonder if it is from me. If you don’t know me at all you will wonder what I need and try and contact me. In a world of hackers we have to be hyper vigilant or else we will get sucked into their scams.

It’s the same in our spiritual lives. Satan is constantly trying to hack or hijack our faith. That’s why Peter wrote this.

2 Peter 1:10,11. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The closer we are to Jesus, the less likely we are to be spiritually hacked. By developing our relationship with Him through prayer, study of the word, and the communion of the saints we fortify our spiritual lives like firewalls on our computer. It takes diligence… daily diligence. Satan doesn’t let his guard down. He is constantly looking for inroads into our lives; cracks that he can expand.

2 Peter 1:5-8. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Don’t let the hacker hack you, because you’ll just be hacked off. Be diligent. I’m just saying.

From the Bunker Day 41

A.I. In the Bunker Day 40

I have fallen prey to my smart house. I no longer just use Alexa to automate parts of my house, I have begun speaking to her. It started by asking simple questions like, “what’s the forecast?” and “how much time is left on the timer?” Now I tell her “good morning” and ask “how is your day?” I know it’s crazy, and I know what you are thinking, “why not just talk to Rebecca?” I do,  but during the day she’s working. I could talk to Porthos, but he doesn’t talk back.

Don’t get me wrong I know Alexa isn’t real, but she never has a cross word to say to me. Although she has contradicted me on occasion. I also thought I heard her sigh with impatience the other day. I have always been fascinated with artificial intelligence. I love sci-fi and yes, I am a Trekkie. I get excited over robot vacuum cleaners and voice activated doors. If I could sneak it past Rebecca I would install Alexa friendly kitchen appliances. I think they are helpful, but she thinks they’re annoying.

Artificial Intelligence is an expression of man’s creativity. Just like God created His image in Adam, man is creating intelligent machinery in his own image. Just writing that down sounds creepy. But I believe it is an imitation of God’s creativity at a high level. We are a long way from developing true intelligent life, and then again maybe that is a good thing.

It is one thing to imitate God’s creativity, but it is another thing to create an image of God. The first is admirable, but the second is idolatry. As much as I enjoy the thought of A.I., there is a better way to imitate God.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1,2.

We are called to imitate our heavenly Father, and though I think creativity is one way of imitation, the greater form of imitation is how we treat others. What God enjoys more than anything else is the beautiful aroma of a sacrifice of love. It’s easy to love those who love us, but to love those who desire our demise is a fragrant aroma to God.

As you go about your day think of ways you can imitate Jesus. If you can’t think of anything give me a call. I’m just saying…

From the Bunker Day 40

Absolutely worthless From the Bunker Day 39

Absolutely worthless. My dog has no value as a watch dog, unless you count the fact that he watches everything and everybody go by. He will start barking at night when you can’t see three feet ahead of you. I think he is clearing the way so he can go the bathroom in private.  

My dog has no value as a retriever. I tried teaching him to fetch. He will run after the ball but once he has, it he thinks it’s my turn to chase him. I’ve read all the books and watched the videos, and right about now, I think a swift kick is what he needs (hyperbole).

My dog has no value as a seeing eye dog. His depth perception is off, and he keeps hitting his head or smacking his nose when he turns and runs through the house. Maybe it’s because he’s 75lbs and shouldn’t be running through the house anyway.

My dog has no value as a garbage disposal. He has a discriminating taste. I will throw him some food and where a normal dog will at least try and catch it, he watches it hit the floor and thinks about whether he will eat it or not.

But my dog has two redeeming qualities. One, he is loyal to a fault. I can’t go anywhere where he isn’t underfoot. A couple of times I have had to catch myself from falling while trying not to trip over him. When I come home he greets me at the door as if to say, “where have you been and why didn’t you take me?” 

The other quality that he has is love. I know people will say that dogs don’t have real emotions, but you haven’t sat in my home and been loved by my dog. He will make you feel at home and part of the family as soon as you sit down. Imperceptibly he will inch toward you until he is sitting at your feet (or on them) and when you least expect it he will lay his head in your lap. His eyes longingly look into yours and he wants nothing more than to have you scratch his head.

When you think about it, what value do we have to God? The psalmist put it this way, “What is man that you are mindful of him or the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:4). Although God has created us in in His image we are but dust in the wind. Our sin separated us from Him and if not for His love we wouldn’t have the opportunity to be redeemed.

Jesus said that God has counted our days and our hair. He knows our future well before we have had time to think about it. He fashioned us in the womb, and has sent angels to protect us from evil. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing, and expects us to bless others. We can love only because He first loved us. Our value is not in what we can do to please God, for we can neither please any more than He is pleased by us already, nor can we do anything to turn His love away. Bottom line, God doesn’t need us, but He does want us. I would rather be wanted than needed any day. 

“Porthos, get off my foot.” Sigh. I do love him after all.  I’m just saying…

From the Bunker Day 39