Have a Healthy Season

As I sit staring at our Christmas tree (that came to fruition by no small amount of effort), I feel compelled to write something that rings with holiday overtones (pun intended). By way of confession: I always gain too much weight over the holidays. (I should probably go to the health club on Monday).

Thanksgiving is now behind us. A few of us are trying to work off the pounds we gained during that festive, extended weekend. Some of us began our workout by doing battle on Black Friday. God bless you folks who find the strength to forfeit sleep, endure the cold and engage ravenous crowds, all for the hope of securing a deeply discounted laptop at Best Buy or Wal-Mart (of which they only have one per store). In more recent years, some retailers have decided to honor the law of truth in advertising and include this in the fine print of the ad (that there is only one of these voraciously desired electronics per store). Nevertheless, this does not deter thousands of people from lining up for it. Ha! I’ll bet many of them gained weight over the holiday (They should probably go to the health club on Monday).

On the other hand, there are those who brave the elements, forfeit the sleep and fight the perpetual crowds, not because they think they will be that one in a million who lays hold on some deeply discounted and coveted prize that will fulfill their lives from here to eternity. They do it for the thrill. Others do it for the fun of being with friends and family. They find value in being out and about in the crowd; shopping, laughing and enjoying one another’s company. Admittedly, even I can see the value in that. Still, whenever I shop I tend to make a pit stop at the sweets shops along the way (I should probably go to the health club on Monday).

As I sit here gazing into twinkling lights, I feel just a tad bit excited about the days ahead. Like a child in anticipation of Christmas Day, I look forward the Christmas musicals, the holiday decorations, festive music and the scintillating aromas of the holiday season. And, as if I hadn’t already had more than my fill of turkey, dressing, eggnog and German chocolate cake, the atmosphere of this time of year causes me to yearn for more. By season’s end, my celebration will leave me exhausted from shopping and many pounds heavier (I should probably go to the health club on Monday).

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I am struck by my own carnality. It is so easy to think of all the sights and sounds of this holiday season and not think as much about the original reason behind the season. There is something more bright than tinsel and twinkling lights. There is something more fulfilling than turkey and dressing. There is something to be sought more passionately than that one deeply discounted item. There is the Savior; the Messiah; the Lord of Hosts, who came from the heavenly realms into a world of gluttons and shoppers so that He might save all who believe. He purchased, for us, salvation for our souls. However, the cost was not by way of a deep discount. The cost was by way of the shedding of his blood and the giving of his life. He also offers truth in advertising (and not in fine print). Prominently displayed in his ad are the words:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

So, as we savor the holiday fare; as we enjoy Christmas musicals; as we shop till we drop and as we enjoy the company of friends and family, let us once again remind ourselves to set our sights on the Savior. Notwithstanding, we should also probably all make it a point to go to the health club on Monday…but we should make it our daily focus to go to the savior. Not only on Monday, but on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday…(you get the idea).

With a belly filled with food; a mind filled with the sights and sounds of the holiday season and a soul satisfied with Jesus, this is from the Heart and Mind of Victor.

Change Is Inevitable

Man! Does life get busy, or what?

Sometimes I find myself so busy with…stuff that I can’t seem to find any down-time. On the other hand, it sure beats being bored. It is interesting that there are some of you out there who probably have the opposite challenge; you are bored stiff and long for something to do. Maybe you should investigate your options. Find something to do. I have always felt that autumn is a great time to incorporate positive change. But for those of us who are already busy, we want change to stop for a minute. Just give us a moment to catch our breath. Nevertheless, over the years I have discovered that, whether you are ready for it or not, change is inevitable.

In autumn, seven years ago, these were the thoughts I wrote in my journal:

Sometimes I think about the things I do—the day to day tasks, the must do’s, the necessary, the the simple and the complex activities of life. When I take a really close look at them, many of them seem so very trivial. Especially when compared to the need for people to know you; know your mercy; your grace; your salvation.

I imagine that even in tropical climates there is something in the air that signals a changing of the seasons. Here, it is time for the changing of leaves, birds flying south, and days growing shorter. I imagine that for people like me, ordinary people, there are still other things that signal change in our lives. Such as our parents growing older, our children growing older, and we are growing older.

Lord, prepare me for the changes that must come in my life. Prepare me for the victories and defeats. Prepare me for the trials, as well as the triumphs. Throughout our journey together you have proven to me, time and time again, that you are a God of mercy, forgiveness and second chances. Now, use me to help others along their life’s journey. Help me to be content with where you have placed me, with what I am doing, and with how you are using me.

But, Lord, if it is time for another change…time for another season in my life, then, let me accept it, embrace it and trust you…all the way to the end. (Signed, your son, Victor)

My dear readers, I don’t know where you are in your life’s journey. You may be contemplating marriage, a veteran of marriage, or a married veteran. You may be seeking a career, changing careers, or retiring from a career. Perhaps you are beginning your spiritual journey as a new believer in Christ, cultivating your current walk with Christ or trying to figure out how you allowed yourself to slip away from a committed walk and into a casual stroll, with only occasional moments of faithfulness (Some changes are not so good).

My advice, reevaluate where you are. If you are off track, get back on track. Embrace positive change or, depending upon your present state, incorporate constructive change into your life. The kind that cultivates a committed walk and promotes spiritual growth. Because, one thing is for certain, no matter where you are in your life right now, it is a guarantee that you will not be there in the future. If only by reason of the seasons, change will come. Yes, change is inevitable.

This is why we need Jesus. Because in a world of change, we still desire (and need) stability, consistency, solidity, firmness, steadiness, reliability and strength. There is only one who can guarantee these for an eternity.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

From the ever changing Heart and Mind of Victor

Faithfulness in Service

During my time as a student at Moody Bible Institute, for a period of time, former president of the institute from 1971 to 1987, Dr. George Sweeting, as Chancellor, was keeping office hours there. He could sometimes be encountered walking through the hallways. Older married students, such as I, used to congregate in the Coffee Cove before, between and after classes. We would gather around a table, share a meal and debate our views on theological issues. More than a 100 times we debated the issues of Calvinism, Armenianism; eternal security, dispensationalism and anything else that allowed us to sharpen our theologically pointy heads. Just the thought of it brings back fond memories. Needless to say, each of us felt that we held the “right” view. The great thing about it is that our differences did not hinder our friendships.

Anyway, as I was saying, Sweeting would happen through the Coffee Cove every once in a while. What a grand old fellow. He was friendly and always seemed to have time to chat with a student. He once said to me that he was so glad to see more people of color having an opportunity to devote themselves to fulltime formal study in the scriptures, in preparation for ministry. He recognized that, due to economic inequities, the number of minority students was not large. Most worked during the day and took one or two classes during the night school. Frankly, that is exactly how I began my time at Moody.

Sweeting was often the speaker during our chapel time at Moody. I always loved to hear him speak. When he spoke of D.L. Moody it was as if he knew him personally and had just spoken to him last week. Dr. Sweeting is still at it and if you ever get the chance to hear him speak, take advantage of it. He is a grand and godly story teller. Recently, I was reading his thoughts on faithfulness in service. Here is an excerpt:
“Once, while Francis of Assisi was hoeing his garden, he was asked what he would do if he were suddenly told he would die that day at sunset. He answered, “I would finish hoeing my garden!” Hoeing his garden was a God-given assignment, and faithfulness in every task God gives is required of all who serve (1 Corinthians 4:2).”

Isn’t that thought provoking? The message is that faithfulness in service is expected of all Jesus-followers. How could Assisi serve even if he knew he were going to die that night. The answer must be because his confidence was in Christ. So should be ours. The apostle Paul once said, “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:6-8).

Serving is more than a word. It is the epitome of what Christ came to do. He came to serve. Thank God that he did. Had he not, we, all of us, would be doomed and hopelessly lost.

So? What’s the point? The point is we too, all of us, are called to be faithful servants. The ramifications of this extend well beyond sitting in a church and listening to a Sunday morning sermon and then getting up and going home. The point is, you are called to serve. Perhaps your talent is to serve as a teacher, nursery worker, usher, singer or musician. Maybe you can volunteer in the homeless shelter and be a witnesses for the Shelter In The Time Of Storm (for you young folks, this is a title that older folks have given to Christ).

The point is, as you deal with the cares of this world; as you navigate the difficulties of life; as you experience the joys of living; as you debate issues in the coffee cove (or Starbucks) of your life; as you do life, don’t let it deter you from serving the Savior. Whatever you do, do it as one who walks by faith and not by sight. Do it well. Even if it’s no more than hoeing the garden, do it to the glory of God. Do it with the confidence of knowing that, if you were to die at sunset, you will be present with the Lord.

“…The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28.

Just some thoughts on serving from the heart and mind of Victor.

Choose Your Attitude

For the month of August we began a series at CBC entitled, “Wisdom, Mixed with Grace and Seasoned with Salt.” It is a study through Paul’s letter to the believers in the city of Colosse. After reading through the letter a few times, in preparation for the series, I was struck by verses 5 through 6 of chapter 4.

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (NKJV)

I believe these verses speak volumes concerning God’s expectations for our Christian conduct and character. They touch on the issue of how we are to carry ourselves before believers and non-believers alike. In my opinion, they also imply that we need to watch our attitude. You’ll have to follow the sermons on-line to see how all this is fleshed out.

The other thing that strikes me about the letter is I get the distinct impression that Paul is a great encourager. He must be because, as he writes, he is sitting in chains, a prisoner for preaching the gospel. In spite of this, he has chosen to have an attitude of prayer and thankfulness.

There is a book entitled, “Fish” (by Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul & John Christensen). It is a book about how to boost morale and improve results in the workplace. In it they write:

“By accepting that you choose your attitude you demonstrate a level of personal accountability and proactivity… (the result can be) energizing.”

Paul chose to have an attitude of thankfulness. What a good reminder to us that we also need to recognize the fact that we can choose our attitude. And, frankly, many of us need to take advantage of it. Many of us have bad attitudes about everything from our feelings towards our jobs to our feelings towards one another. We may not like to hear this but, as a Christ-followers, we are called to check our attitude in every situation.

Furthermore, we are called to exercise wisdom and to make good use of our time (which probably means, among other things, we should do a lot less complaining and a lot more praying). As believers we are called to walk a certain way; to talk a certain way and to be prepared to respond to those who ask, “What is it about you that makes your attitude concerning life so unusual?” We need to be ready to tell them that the answer is, “It’s because of our walk with Christ, the giver of life.”

All of this requires having the right attitude. We cannot control every situation or outcome in our lives. Nevertheless, in the midst of whatever challenges we might be facing; in the middle of undesired conclusions; in the center of uncertainty, we are called to have an attitude of prayer and thankfulness. And that’s exactly what Paul encourages believers to do in his letter.

Colossians 4:2 (NLT)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Just some thoughts from the thankful heart and prayerful mind of Victor.

Mirrors

If the truth be told, I was a very strange kid. Just ask my brothers and sisters…on second thought, don’t.

One example of my strangeness was I had a slight fear of looking into a mirror at night. I know it sounds silly but mirrors used to creep me out. I guess I had seen one too many horror films where a blood thirsty monster is standing behind a defenseless young lady, about to pounce upon her. When she looks into the mirror she sees it but when she turns around, she sees nothing. I guess my reasoning was if I don’t see it, it can’t hurt me. Ha! A little kid’s reasoning can be quite askew. On the other hand, so can an adult’s.

The longer I live, the more I realize that a significant number of adults have a fear of mirrors. It is so easy for them to determine what kind of person they are without looking into the mirror. They ascribe to themselves flattering characteristics. They esteem themselves to be the standard by which others should judged. They view themselves as admirable…to a fault. They don’t consciously say these things, but they carry themselves this way. They can’t see that there is a monster called “Pride” that has already pounced upon them.

I’m an alumnus of Moody Bible Institute so I receive their alumni magazine. In their latest issue (Sprg. 09, Vol. 59, No. 2), I ran across a brief statement that reminded me of my childhood fear of mirrors:
“We often take reflections in a mirror, glass, or water for granted. Sometimes even ignoring them all together. Others can’t pass by their reflection without stopping to admire themselves. But our reflections can often let us know that we have a smudge on our face or that our hair is mussed up. They are also used as tools to help us shave or apply makeup. We don’t look at our reflection and not react in some way to check, correct, or enhance our appearance. The word of God can give us spiritual reflections. Do we make the same kind of corrections or enhancements when we see a flaw or a way to make ourselves better, from Scripture? What’s in YOUR reflection?”

It’s tragic that people can’t see the “smudge on their faces.” It's because they fail to stop and take a look at themselves (not a parting glance but a long, honest, lingering look) into the mirror. Earlier this week, Cynthia and I sat and spoke with a man and his wife about Jesus. That man shared his past with us. He shared how he had people, money and power. He shared how he had been raised in the church but that he was now back-slidden. He had forgotten about God and, as a result, his life had spiraled down into the abyss of destruction and despair. Now he was sitting and looking at himself in the mirror and saying, “I’m tired of seeing myself in that reflection, I need to see Jesus.”

As Christ-followers, we are called to no longer behave as children with childhood reasoning. We are called to become mature believers who reflect Jesus. That’s what I want to see. I want to see Jesus when I look into the mirror. It is a life-long pursuit but I am committed to the quest. I pray that you are too.

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 (NKJV)

From the Heart and Mind of Victor.

Fathers

Father’s Day rolls around every June. It is unfortunate that there is not as much fanfare for fathers on Father’s Day as there is for mothers on their annual day of recognition. Sure, I know that there are absentee fathers as well as (tragically) abusive fathers who have tanished the image of fatherhood. This breaks my heart. Nevertheless, fathers are important too. I could not imagine life without my father. Like so many others who have had goodly experiences with their fathers, over the years I have developed my own personal idea of what a true father is like .

A father is a person characterized by strength, wisdom, and hard work. My father was a blue collar man. He worked in a factory for over 30 years. He seemed to always own a pickup truck so pickup trucks reminds me of fathers. He knew how to work on cars so whenever I see a guy under the hood of a car it reminds me of dads. I almost never remember him without his prominent and ever expanding bald spot, which later played a major part in his decision to simply shave his head; so bald heads remind me of dads. He likes fishing and took us out for our fair share of it during our childhood; so fishing reminds me of dads.

My father seemed to always be in the habit of helping other people and that has rubbed off on me, to a fault. One time I gave away all our family room furniture to a needy family. My children came home from school and thought we had been robbed. I blame my father for that. He was just too nice of a guy…except when he had to discipline us.

There were times when our misbehavior made him so angry his eye-balls turned red and protruded about 3 inches from their sockets. That’s why, to this very day, bulging eye-balls reminds me of fathers. Nevertheless, by the time Sunday rolled around he was in a good enough mood to take us on a family drive that often ended at the Dairy Isle, a local ice cream shop; so small corner ice cream shops remind me of my father too.

You know, having a father who disciplines is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it is a godly thing. A father who loves his children should discipline them. And, according to the writer of Hebrews, God the Father is no exception:

Hebrews 12:7-9 (NIV) 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!

Like everybody else on the face of the planet, my earthly father is not perfect. Furthermore, the images that remind me of my father could be far and away from the images that remind you of yours. Still, we can agree that the discipline and correction of a good father has made us better, stronger and wiser. In fact, the combination of an imperfect father and an imperfect mother make the perfect combination for raising godly children.

My final thoughts: we can find commonality in the fact that our fathers are ours, and in my mind that makes all the difference in the world. Even though we may not share the experience of having the same earthly father, for those of us who have committed our souls to the savior, we do share the privilege of having the same heavenly father. He is ours and, by the way, he IS perfect.

Words and thoughts. Sincerely, from the heart and mind of Victor.

Rainy Days and Mondays

I looked back at one of my journal entries today.

I’m in a melancholy mood. The words to an old song by a group, The Carpenters, keep floating through my head. The song, written by Paul Williams & Roger Nichols, is called “Rainy Days and Mondays.” The song has a refrain that goes, “Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.” Well, it’s not raining today so it must be the fact that it is a Monday that has affected my frame of mind.

As I said at the beginning, I was looking at a journal entry in which I wrote the following words, “Walls make you feel safe. Windows enable you to see through the walls, while remaining safe on the inside.” Throughout that journal entry I noted that walls pop up everywhere in our lives. There are walls that affect our careers, our ambitions, our relationships. Everything. The thing about walls is they allow us to remain safely tucked behind them, looking through the window, but never venturing out to face the challenges on the other side. This can be unhealthy.

In that journal entry I also noted that I was praying for God to move me from behind my wall of safety to a place where I could make a greater impact in my world for Christ. I actually wrote that I would be willing to pastor a church and lead a flock into uninhibited worship and dedicated service for the cause of Christ. Furthermore, I wrote that, at that time, I felt stifled in my service and smothered by my passivity. That was years ago (four, to be exact). What in the world did I pray that for? Now look at me! I’m a senior pastor.

Here are some words of wisdom for you: Watch what you pray for. You just might get it. Ha!

So, the words to this old song had been floating through my mind. The neat thing is, Ive found they provide a “spiritual vitamin” for a melancholy Monday:

Talkin' to myself and feelin' old
Sometimes I'd like to quit
Nothing ever seems to fit
Hangin' around
Nothing to do but frown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.

What I've got they used to call the blues
Nothin' is really wrong
Feelin' like I don't belong
Walkin' around
Some kind of lonely clown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.

Funny but it seems I always wind up here with you
Nice to know somebody loves me
Funny but it seems that it's the only thing to do
Run and find the one who loves me.

There! Did you catch it!? That last verse. It’s in these melancholy moments that “I always wind up here with you.” That would be “with Christ.” “Nice to know somebody loves me.” That would be God. “Run and find the one who loves me.” That would be Jesus. At least, this is the way I processed the words on a melancholy Monday.

So what’s the point? The first point is: dare to pray for God to move you beyond the walls that inhibit your life. If the walls are never torn down between you and your ambitions, you will never advance in your career. If the walls are never torn down between you and your relationships, you will never have good friends. If the walls are not torn down between you and your inhibitions, you will never step out in faith so that God can use you to make an impact within your spheres of influence.

The second point is, don’t waste rainy days and melancholy Mondays. Allow them to drive you to the savior. It is in these moments that we are apt to drop our guard and allow God to comfort us. It’s in these moments that we do some of our most passionate praying. It is in the quite reflection of these moments that our minds and hearts are receptive to the Lord’s leading. So let him tear down the walls and lead you along life's way. Amen? Amen.

Just some melancholy thoughts, on a rainless Monday, from the heart and mind of Victor