Deciding On And Choosing What Is Important

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:16-17

How we spend our time. What we decide what we will and will not do in our lifetime.  We only have so many minutes, hours, days and years don’t we.  President Dwight D. Eisenhower used a method of categorizing events or demands on his time that we now call the Eisenhower Matrix. Stephen Covey has mentioned the framework, in his book “The 7 habits of highly effective people”, as The Time Management Matrix. My point is that everything we do or don’t do has two factors associated with them, its importance and its urgency. For example you are standing in the road and a semi-truck is rapidly approaching when you receive a text message. Do you get off the road or do you answer the text message first? The text message says it is important.

So where is the Spiritual application? We must first decide what is important and then decide what is urgent – what must be acted upon now – without delay. What is not important can wait. So how do I know what is important? As a Christian – God has made it clear.

“Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’” – Matthew 22:35-40

This is the context for what we put in each of those squares. The framework if you will. That same idea was given to Moses as the 10 commandments – the first 4 have to do with God’s place in our lives and decisions – the last 6 have to do with how we treat others.  Here is another hint about how we are to prioritize what we do – what we give preference to – what influences our choices every day.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”– 1 John 2:15-17

Giving preference to the things in the world is much like wanting to answer the text message. Choosing what seems urgent but is not important. For many people – many Christians – the urgent not important dominates their lives.  They have no perspective to distinguish between the important and not important – that requires spiritual perspective – spiritual awareness – but their spiritual sensitivity has been dulled because of their love for the things of the world and its dominance over their love for the important things.  How about you?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

An Attitude of Gratitude

“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 7:24-25, 8:1-2

The context of these verses is Paul reflecting on his struggle with the old and new nature and the realization that by faith in Jesus he is and we are free from condemnation for our sin. If you are anything like me, you don’t think about that very often if at all. If you are like me, you continue to struggle with temptation – with sin. It is at that very point of struggle that I should be mindful of the fact that I have been saved but grace through faith and not works.  That is not to say that I should therefore be content and not worry about sin – but be thankful that I do not have to face the temptation alone.  That God has made a way to escape – if I will only take it.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

We are supernaturally equipped to live our new lives. Something to be thankful for and to live rightly. With respect to knowing sin when you see it or perhaps feel it approaching – the answer is simple.

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”– James 4:17

How do I know what is good? We have the Word of God and the Spirit of God – our Helper – the Spirit of Truth – in us, to remind us of what is “good” and what is not. For that we should be thankful. Yet, it is up to us yield to His leading.  People have told me that I have wisdom and some seek my advice. The thing is, my advice means nothing if they are not willing to follow it.  I have quoted John Newton a number of times, but it bears repeating. 

“I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I want to be. I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be. And by the grace of God, I am what I am..” – John Newton

That is the understanding that I want to embrace for my life. Thinking about John Newton’s life and, in turn, my own causes me to well up with gratitude and to want to live a life faithful to God’s calling and my salvation.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Rooted and Grounded In Our Faith

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 2:6-7

My wife was given three pieces – cuttings – from a plant some time back. They look like something that you would rake up and throw away after using a weed trimmer.  But she planted them in the ground, just as they were. What happened next was nothing short of miraculous.  Instead of withering to nothing – they grew roots and from the roots began to grow and multiply. That would have never happened had they not been planted in the soil.  So it is with us. We must be planted – rooted in the Word and faith.  There is a supernatural – miraculous transformation that can and will take place. Reading the Word – hearing the Word and living in obedience to what we read and hear is like being planted in rich soil. The result is miraculous. We become something glorious – growing and multiplying – like that plant.

Some Christians are satisfied with “making the team” and then content to sit on the bench. Never getting in the game – just watching from the bench. Making the team was enough for them – but the Lord has intended so much more for those of us who are called by His name.

“Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”– Matthew 13:3-9

I know that you have read or at least heard that parable, perhaps many times.  We are the seed. We need to be careful that we are not content with the stony or thorny ground. Choose the good ground. Making that choice is something we must make every day.

“Blessed is the man [person] who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” – Psalm 1:1-3

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Making An Eternal Difference

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 2:6-7

Have you ever thought of yourself as someone who can make an eternal difference? Most of us tend to live lives managing our sin and don’t look much beyond that. But the way we live – how we behave – treat others – reflect the image of Christ wherever we happen to be and any point in time – it has an eternal consequence.  We were watching a sermon yesterday morning and the preacher was using Colossians for his scriptural reference. He talked about Epaphras.  Epaphras is one of about 3200 people named in the Bible. We don’t know much about him except that he loved the people in the church of Colossae (Co-loss-eye) and sought Paul out to help encourage them in their faith.  Aside from that he is just a name referenced.

God has a plan for each of us. Do find that hard to imagine? I have been a part of a number of Christian ventures – even led some of them – been recognized for my contribution – but most often it was not me that actually did what was done. It was other – unnamed – people. People who loved God and loved people.  People who were willing to set their lives aside for the good of others. People who, perhaps, did not understand their eternal contribution in the lives of others. Years ago, a friend said to me, “Charley, I finally figured you out. You get things started and then walk away.” My place has been to lead, to inspire, to organize other Christians for the benefit of those in need and for the glory of God. 

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all ….. one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7,11

We all have a role in God’s plan for mankind.  If you read on in chapter 12 you will see that one roll is not more important than another.  It doesn’t do anything to help people for me to be gifted in the way God has gifted me, if there are not others willing to exercise their gifts in response to the exercising of mine.  And all of us are dependent upon the Spirit of God to accomplish our parts in God’s plan and purposes.  Notoriety is not, or should not be, the goal. Even to get an honorable mention like Paul gave Epaphras. Like the unknown soldiers – serving to the point of sacrificing their lives.  Our sacrifices are for the glory of God and the good of others.  Our lives should not be wasted because we have chosen to hide our light under a bushel basket – to clutch our salvation close to our breasts, unwilling to share it with the world.  We have been saved for much more than spending eternity with God in heaven.  Each of us has a purpose – a role to play – in this life that has eternal consequences for others.  I don’t pretend to understand why God would choose to use us – but He does. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Part 4 - The Rest Of The Story

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;” – Luke 4:18

Our family believes that Chaplain Austin planted an eternal seed in our dad’s heart on that summer day in Korea. The seed that took nearly 20 years to germinate.  The Bible our dad received from Chaplain Austin has held a place of prominence in our family’s home from the day our parents received Christ until today.  Some time after our dad went to be with the Lord, my mom asked if I could find some information about the Chaplain who had signed the Bible. She wanted to thank him for his ministry and to tell him about our family.  Unfortunately our attempts to contact Chaplain Austin or his family have been unsuccessful.  My wife’s uncle, retired Navy, was able to get an excerpt from Chaplain Austin’s service record and two citations Chaplain Austin received for heroism during WWII and Korea. Chaplain Austin received the Navy Commendation Medal with combat “V” for actions on Iwo Jima.  He received the Bronze Star with combat “V” for actions in Korea.  The “V” is for valor or exceptional bravery in battle.  This is an excerpt from his medal citation for service on Iwo Jima.

“Navy Commendation Medal w/ Combat (V), Iwo Jima Chaplain with Marine Amphibious corps landing force Iwo Jima 19 Feb thru 23 March, 1945.Unceasing endeavor to help and comfort wounded and dying men regardless of creed or color.  Constant source of inspiration.  Visited men at their duty stations day and night regardless of the hazards.  Actions in keeping with the highest standards.”

He also received the Bronze Star with combat “V” for actions in Korea. This is an excerpt from his medal citation.

“Bronze Star with Combat (V), 1st MAR Div, Korea. For meritorious achievement with Marine Infantry Battalion in Korea From 10 March 1951 to 4 April 1951 displayed outstanding courage and devotion to duty ministering to the spiritual needs of the men.  Frequently exposing himself to intense mortar, artillery, automatic weapons and small arms fire without regard for his personal safety.  Moved fearlessly. Gave aid and comfort to the wounded and dying.”

His Navy records indicate that he conducted the first Protestant service on Mt Suribachi at Iwo Jima the day the flag was raised, 23 Feb 1945.  Hank Austin was what I call a “warrior priest” willing to put himself, un-armed, in harms’ way in obedience to God’s call on his life and the pursuit of ministry to lay his life down for his calling.   

He served in the Navy for 26 years and retired as a Navy Captain or Full Colonel (Air Force, Army, Marines) As an ordained Baptist minister he had an incredible opportunity to bring comfort and encouragement to men and women who look death in the face every day.

“No greater love has one man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13 

The calling you and I have received from God may not find us on a battlefield but we are in no less of a conflict. We are in a spiritual battle – every day.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” – Ephesians 6:12

As such – we are to “walk the line of life’s foxholes” encouraging the saints and sharing the Gospel with the lost – planting and watering knowing that it is God who will bring the increase.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Part 3 - The Seed Watered And The Increase Brought

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;” – Luke 4:18

Soon after dad and mom decided to seek God together, they started attending a church just down the road from their house.  And one Sunday morning in April 1969, through the prompting of the words of the pastor and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, they prayed to receive Jesus as Lord. They were no longer blind to the Truth.

Dad passed in November 1999.  The very nature of his memorial service was a testimony to his faithfulness in his walk with the Lord.  Jesus was praised and God was glorified.  More than two hundred people came to honor him and more importantly his ministry that had made a permanent mark on their lives.  He and mom led Bible studies for teenagers in their home and in church. They shared the Gospel with anyone who would listen.  They showed great compassion for others - even strangers. Don Pierson, the Marine and man of God was laid to rest with full military honors.  As the rifle volleys echoed across the field and the lonely sound of TAPs was played by the Marine bugler, our family was reminded of his service and dedication to his country and to his Lord.  All seven of Don and Arlene’s children and five of their children’s spouses have accepted Christ as a direct result of their conversion and ministry. Rick, the youngest son, has been a pastor in Chicago area for about 40 years.  He received his Master in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and received his Doctorate from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.  Rick’s oldest son is also a pastor in the Chicago area and had served as a missionary in Venezuela. Don’s middle son, Don Jr., served as director of Child Evangelism Fellowship in Peoria for a number of years and is now, after retiring as a vice-president of  an major orthotics company is serving as a church administrator.  Don’s wife is a Christian counselor. The oldest son, Charley, attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, served as a Promise Keepers State Manager for Alabama and Mississippi in the mid 1990’s. He is an ordained as a minister of the Gospel. He and wife his founded a disaster relief ministry (Pathfinder Mission)– serving in Mississippi, Haiti, and Texas since 2005.  Charley’s wife is a Bible Study Fellowship group leader.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” – John 1:12

To be continued – tomorrow – Part 4: The Rest of the Story

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Part 2 - The Sower Casts The Seed

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase..” – 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

Chaplain Austin moved from one fox hole to another fox hole. Crouching as he moved to keep a low profile.  He spoke words of encouragement to the battle weary men. As he looked into the weary eyes of these young Marines, he thought, “they are too young to have seen so much death.”  His mind took him back to a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean called Iwo Jima,  remembering that he had seen that same look in the eyes of other young Marines as they had fought their way across that island.  This was not Hank’s first rodeo! Then, as now, Hank knew most of the men would be having thoughts about God and wondering about heaven (something called foxhole religion when death is all around you) and perhaps wishing for home.  As he approached the next foxhole on the line, I can imagine that the words of the Apostle Paul were on his mind.  Like Paul, he was planting seeds and watering where the seed had already been sown in the hearts of some of these young men.  He knew that for some, this might be the last dawn they would ever see and the last chance they would ever have.

The young Marine had just finished cleaning and re-assembling his M-1 rifle.  I imagine the conversation went something like this. Hank asked, “What’s your name son?”  “PFC Pierson, Chaplain.”  “Where you from?” “Peoria, IL, Chaplain.  Ever been there?”  Hank was from Philadelphia, PA, although the Navy had taken him all over the world, but Peoria was a place where he had never been and didn’t think it was likely he would ever go there.  Hank and PFC Pierson chatted for a few more minutes about the chow, about news from home, and about the past few days they had spent on that mountain.  Looking intently into the young Marine’s eyes, Hank asked him if he had thought much about heaven and if he were to die on this mountain, did he think he would be going there.  PFC Pierson stared at the bottom of his fox hole for what seemed like minutes, then he looked up at the Chaplain and said, “I hope so.”  Hank reached into his ruck sack and pulled out a small Bible, opened it up to the Gospel of John, 1st Chapter.  Showing the words to the PFC, he read verse 12 (But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.)  He said, “There is a way you can know for sure, son. That’s by placing your faith in Jesus Christ.”

Taking his pen, Hank wrote an inscription in the front of the Bible and handed it to him.  Hank said, “Keep this Bible with you.  I encourage you to read it.  I will be praying for you.”  And with that, Hank moved on to the next fox hole. As he walked away, he prayed, “Lord your word does not return to you void, let it do its work in that Marine.”  Dad watched the Chaplain move off, he read the inscription in the Bible and put it in the left pocket of his blouse (a Marine’s shirt).  Perhaps he thought, “Maybe this will bring me some luck.”  What Dad didn’t know was that his encounter with Hank Austin would bring him more than luck. More than all his other experiences in Korea combined it would shape his life, the lives of his children and of those in future generations for eternity.

Dad carried the Bible in his left breast pocket, right under the Marine Corps Globe and Anchor, for the rest of the time he was in Korea.  Then the day finally came – the fighting was done and dad was going home. He carefully packed his gear in his sea bag, placing the Bible under the top flap.  As he placed the Bible in his sea bag, his mind went back to that day at the Hwach’on Reservoir and Chaplain Hank Austin.  He read the inscription in the front flap, secured the clasp on his sea bag and left Korea. Arriving in California, he was released from active duty and returned to Peoria to get on with his life. Not too long after he met my mom.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” – John 1:12

To be continued – tomorrow – Part 3: The Seed Watered

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone