Mile High Rev

REVerie - Rockies Lose and We Were There

Last night, we had an amazing opportunity, thanks to a very generous friend – we went to Game 4 of the World Series! 

I admit that I was praying.  But, to no avail!  This morning’s Denver Post documents the sweep…and here’s a photo to prove we were there.  We’re in the top row of this photo, behind the Rockies dugout.  Jan is obscured by an obnoxious fan in front of her who moved into that seat 10 minutes before this picture was taken.  You will see me to the right our friends Mitch and Michael. (I think I look sad.)  Mitch has his hands on his head and Michael is wearing a white baseball cap.  

It was a perfect evening for baseball!  Sunny and low 70’s in the afternoon, and low 50’s at the end.  The game started with a fly-over by the Blue Angels and a huge flag that filled the outfield, unfurled by scores of policemen and firefighters. Very moving.  In the 7th inning, the group Lonestar sang, “God Bless America” – great tradition!  And yes, we did each have a hot dog!  Mostly an exciting game, except for the disappointment at the end.  A lifetime memory for us.

REVolting - World Series Slipping Away?

After the Red Sox victory tonight, there’s still a chance, but it’s looking bleak.  Like many, I had hoped that returning to Coors Field would help the Rockies to get a game.  But, it was not to be.

GAME 4 is tomorrow night…and thanks to a generous friend, Jan and I will be at the game.  We have great seats, and I’m hoping that this will be the turn-around night for the Rox!  I’m considering violating my “no-prayer” policy.  I really want the boys to win at least one game!

REVered - Oswald Chambers on Prayer

“Prayer is not a question of altering things externally, but of working wonders in a man’s disposition.”

-Oswald Chambers

REVerie - Only One Game!

Red Sox Rough Up Rockies.

Yes, it was painful to watch.  But, it’s only one game, and tonight is going to be a whole “new ballgame!”  13–1 is tough to swallow.  But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.  There is much more baseball to be played. 

As many of you know, I’ve refused to pray for the Rockies since they made the play-offs, because I didn’t pray…and yet, they kept winning.  I must admit, I was tempted to pray last night.  But I didn’t.  If tonight’s game starts down the same path as last night’s I might be tempted to violate my “no-prayer” policy again.  But it worked for 21 of the last 23 games!

More later.

REVrant 30.8 - STRESS MESS IN U.S.

STRESS MESS IN U.S..

Everybody talks about it.  Everybody experiences it.  Everybody dreads more of it.  And many are apparently “stressing” out about it!  What?  “Stress.”  The two main culprits for our stress?  According to the linked article 1) money and 2) work.  Stress about these and other woes is keeping us awake and disrupting our digestion.

How do people deal with their stress?  More and more are over-eating, over-drinking, and over-smoking, according to researchers.  None of these are productive, and often create more stress because of their effects.

Any positive approaches?  Music, reading, exercise, and time with family or friends.  Some people find these helpful ways to process stress.  And interestingly, “more than a third say they PRAY when they are stressed out.”  Now there’s a novel approach!  Turn to God and let Him help you with your stress!

Psalm 42:5 (& 11) – “Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”

I have an idea.  The next 3 times you feel stressed, take 3 minutes to PRAY, and see whether it helps.  I think you may be surprised by the relief you feel.  It worked for me…today!

 

 

REVered - Sanctification Quote from John Piper

One of my “mentors” as I’m preaching through Romans is well-known pastor and author, John Piper.  His insights are powerful and theologically rock solid.  While preparing for last week’s sermon, this one caught my attention:

“Justifying faith does not produce perfection in this age, but it always produces a new direction in this age.”

I strongly reject the teaching of some that we can attain full sanctification – moral perfection – in this age, during our lifetimes.  But, those who are in Christ, are clearly called to head in a new direction.  To act like we are recipients of God’s amazing grace and have been justified freely in Christ.  Sanctification isn’t perfection, and those who suggest that it is, have seriously miscalculated Paul’s teaching through Romans and his entire epistolary body of work in the N.T.

REVrant 30.7 - Oral Roberts Back at ORU As Son Takes Leave of Absence

My Way News - Oral Roberts Says Devil Won't Steal ORU.

Oral Roberts – at 89 years of age - has stepped back in to leadership at ORU to seek to bring a semblance of order in the aftermath of a wave of accusations of impropriety, lavish spending, and poor judgment on the part of his son Richard, and his wife Lindsay.  The three professors who brought the alleged abuses to light have been fired, and have subsequently filed wrongful termination lawsuits.  In short, it’s a mess.

If you’ve ever seen Richard and Lindsay on TV (as I have from time to time), you may have sensed the same thing I did.  The son seems a far cry from the charisma and gravitas displayed for so many years by his father.  You got the idea that he and Lindsay were trying to hold things together, with very little to back them up spiritually.  This was particularly true, when Richard was smitten with the “laughing spirit of revival” that often showed him breaking out in goofy laughter during sermons and public appearances.  It was not only undignified, it was downright scary – this man was the President of an accredited Christian university.  I’m guessing he’s not laughing now.

While the father may want to characterize this as “the devil stealing ORU,” I think he needs to let the facts be revealed before jumping to blame the devil.  Perhaps his son and daughter-in-law have something to do with it?

This is probably a good time to remind you of my favorite quote – “Truth and time walk hand in hand.”

 

 

REVealed - Deadly Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations in Southern California

FOXNews.com - Deadly Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations in Southern California.

655 homes burned, covering an area of 240,000 acres, and fueled by 70 mph winds - the wildfire situation in California is catastrophic!  Over a quarter of a million residents evacuated and more to come.  We need to pray for God’s strength and comfort to those being tested by such a frightening and fiery situation.

This satellite photo reveals the extent of the devastation – smoke plumes visible from space.

REVered - At Calvary

At Calvary.

This hymn has always stirred something deep in my soul.  For some reason, I can play it on the piano…which kind of makes me laugh – I can’t play anything else!  God used it this week to remind me of the life we all lived BEFORE we became Christians – “Years I spent in vanity and pride, caring not my Lord was crucified, knowing not it was for me He died….”

Turn up the sound, and click on this link to appreciate William Newell’s solid hymn of the faith.

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.

Refrain

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary.

By God’s Word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary.

Refrain

Now I’ve given to Jesus everything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary!

Refrain

Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!

Refrain

 

REVrant 30.6 - Church Shopping on the Web

While traveling to Florida for a family wedding this week, I had occasion to pick up a USA Today at the airport and was struck by the following article in the LIFE section – Wednesday, 10/17/07, p. 8D – “Go In Search of A Church by Way of the Web.”  We’ve just gone through a major upgrade of our Web site at FBC.  Reason?  Because I’ve been saying for years that most people who are going to visit our church will visit FIRST on the Web!

I KNOW that a church needs to be “hi-touch” and relational.  That’s what God intended – He wants us to be a community of believers who are connected with one another relationally and who are in one another’s lives…not just “cyber-connected.” 

But, that said, back to my opening point!  Their FIRST VISIT will most likely not be in person.  It will be online - to see who we are, what we believe, the personality we have, and the general flavor of the church.  If this is the case, and I don’t think there’s any way to doubt it that it is, we need to make sure that our website is friendly, accessible, and full of helpful information.  I think those who are resisting the move to have stellar church websites because they think it’s “too hi-tech” and non-relational, are missing the point by light years!

Visit the church sometime – www.4fbc.org