We’re celebrating Christmas on the farm this year. It’s the farm where I grew up. We lived for many years in the suburbs. Now we’ve lived the last 4 years right in the bigger city. We love the buzz of urban life: the busy downtown, the great shops and restaurants, the constant people-watching.
But being here on the farm at Christmas brings me back. The pace is slower. The people are friendly. Neighbors plow snow for neighbors. You see the stars at night in all their brilliance. You see the glow of the moon on the snow covered fields.
The men gather in town for coffee in the morning. The weekly newspaper contains stories like Mrs. Gustafson had coffee with Mrs. Johnson last Wednesday.
Christians gather on Sunday in the small country church to sing hymns, listen to a simple message from the preacher and make small talk in the church entry before getting into their cars and pickups to go home.
Sure, the culture has come to the country. They have satellite TV. They use cell phones. Some have bought Harleys.
But life is good. Relationships are important. Values are strong.
Jesus was born in a small town. Bethlehem was a distant afterthought a few miles outside Jerusalem. At Christmas we sing about this little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. Jesus was raised in a small town. Though Nazareth was on a trade route, not much happened there. Even one of Jesus potential disciples questioned whether anything good could come out of there.
Jesus did the customary pilgrimages to the big city: Jerusalem. But normally he kept to the out of the way places around the Galilee region. He often went out of his way off the beaten path into Transjordan, into the barren wilderness.
Yet even in the dark streets of Bethlehem God shined His everlasting light. In my small rural community, I found Christ. Our little country church made sure young people had opportunity to know Christ personally and grow into a deeper relationship with Him.
In this small rural community, there was a revival. I received my call to ministry at that time. Others of my friends were awakened to give their lives to Christ. In that quiet farmscape, God’s love and grace were very real. We didn’t have Christian TV, a Christian bookstore or maga-churches. Just godly pastors, loving and nurturing parents, great Christian kids to strengthen our faith.
So with all the rush of living in the city, I’m unusually content this Christmas to be in a quiet, slow, simple place, population 833, much like where Jesus grew up.
As the writer of Proverbs noted that we’re not to despise small beginnings, we too need to realize that greatness comes out of the most unexpected places. God has not chosen the rich or the wise or the important. “God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 1.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Sunday, December 09, 2007
A New Kind of Leader
Our country is desperately looking for a leader. A recent TIME survey revealed Americans’ expectations of their presidential candidates.
For example: 25% of voters rate “Strong leader” as the most important quality in their candidate.
Interesting 39% of Republicans and 12% of Democrats view “strong moral character” as most important.
42% of Republicans and 22% of Democrats say they must be comfortable with a candidate’s character. That’s compared with 52% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats that feel sharing views on the issues is most important.
Hilary Clinton rates high as a strong leader, but short on sincerity.
Barack Obama is rated lower as a strong leader, but high on moral character.
On the Republican side, Rudy Giuliani rates high as a strong leader, but suffers a low evaluation of character.
Not surprisingly, Governor Mike Huckabee does best on the moral character issue with 95% of voters giving him high marks, though he comes in lower on strong leadership.
800 years before Christ was born, Israel was looking for a strong leader to take them out of their political oppression. The prophet Isaiah delivered a prophesy to his generation. But that prophesy had a much longer view and more eternal significance.
“Unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given. And His name shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government there shall be no end.”
Though their pagan neighbors were quick to ascribe divinity to their kings, the Jews were very careful to reserve such godly language only for Yahweh. Isaiah was clearly talking about a very different kind of leader than the oppressed Israelites were crying for.
800 years later, Israel was again under the political and military oppression, this time under Rome. The Jews were praying, expecting, crying for a messiah that would throw off the Roman rule and restore freedom and sovereignty to the nation of Israel once again.
Their Messiah came. It was the Messiah prophesied by Isaiah 800 years earlier. And just as the ancient Israelites missed the double meaning of the prophesy, the people at Jesus time were expecting a much different Messiah than Jesus represented.
Though He repeatedly said His mission was to seek and to save the lost. Though he repeatedly said His kingdom was not of this world, most would-be followers couldn’t let go of the expectation that their messiah was a strong political leader.
His spiritual mission to give spiritual life and freedom was rejected by the worldly expectation of Israel’s citizens. So “He came to His own, but His own did not recognize Him.”
American is looking for a strong leader with solid moral character who will fix the political mess we’re in.
Well, we need a strong leader with moral character. But the solution is not in what Old Israel expected and American political pundits expect today. They answer for America this Christmas is to recognize the true mission of our Leader, Jesus Christ. He came to reconcile God and man. He came that man with man might be reconciled as well.
So this Christmas, though He’s not running for office, I cast my vote for Jesus.
For example: 25% of voters rate “Strong leader” as the most important quality in their candidate.
Interesting 39% of Republicans and 12% of Democrats view “strong moral character” as most important.
42% of Republicans and 22% of Democrats say they must be comfortable with a candidate’s character. That’s compared with 52% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats that feel sharing views on the issues is most important.
Hilary Clinton rates high as a strong leader, but short on sincerity.
Barack Obama is rated lower as a strong leader, but high on moral character.
On the Republican side, Rudy Giuliani rates high as a strong leader, but suffers a low evaluation of character.
Not surprisingly, Governor Mike Huckabee does best on the moral character issue with 95% of voters giving him high marks, though he comes in lower on strong leadership.
800 years before Christ was born, Israel was looking for a strong leader to take them out of their political oppression. The prophet Isaiah delivered a prophesy to his generation. But that prophesy had a much longer view and more eternal significance.
“Unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given. And His name shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government there shall be no end.”
Though their pagan neighbors were quick to ascribe divinity to their kings, the Jews were very careful to reserve such godly language only for Yahweh. Isaiah was clearly talking about a very different kind of leader than the oppressed Israelites were crying for.
800 years later, Israel was again under the political and military oppression, this time under Rome. The Jews were praying, expecting, crying for a messiah that would throw off the Roman rule and restore freedom and sovereignty to the nation of Israel once again.
Their Messiah came. It was the Messiah prophesied by Isaiah 800 years earlier. And just as the ancient Israelites missed the double meaning of the prophesy, the people at Jesus time were expecting a much different Messiah than Jesus represented.
Though He repeatedly said His mission was to seek and to save the lost. Though he repeatedly said His kingdom was not of this world, most would-be followers couldn’t let go of the expectation that their messiah was a strong political leader.
His spiritual mission to give spiritual life and freedom was rejected by the worldly expectation of Israel’s citizens. So “He came to His own, but His own did not recognize Him.”
American is looking for a strong leader with solid moral character who will fix the political mess we’re in.
Well, we need a strong leader with moral character. But the solution is not in what Old Israel expected and American political pundits expect today. They answer for America this Christmas is to recognize the true mission of our Leader, Jesus Christ. He came to reconcile God and man. He came that man with man might be reconciled as well.
So this Christmas, though He’s not running for office, I cast my vote for Jesus.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Chicago Marathon
The Marathon
I ran the Chicago Marathon Sunday. I’ve always said I’d like to run a marathon someday, but never thought I’d want to invest the effort the time and the pain.
I actually started running while growing up on the farm. I’d occasionally run to the highway and back—about a mile. After Norma and I got married, I’d run the length of the park close to our apartment—about 2 miles. That was in ‘68, long before running was popular. People who saw you running would stop and offer you a ride.
I began running seriously in 1974. I’ve normally run 4 miles every other day. Dr. Ken Cooper and Mayo Clinic both say optimal lifetime running is about 15 miles per week. At that point, you reach a level of conditioning. More than that, injuries begin to kick in. I’ve been blessed that in those 30+ years and miles of running, I’ve had very little knee or hip problems. Let’s hear it for moderation!
Some of my favorite memories are running in Minneapolis with my daughters riding their bikes along side. I remember my daughter struggling uphill, complaining, “Daddy, I wish there were no such things as uphill.” I responded saying the joy of coasting downhill meant hard peddling up hill. I added: “Life is like that.”
This year, a group from WMBI decided to run the Chicago Marathon in behalf of World Vision. So about 10 staff and 80 listeners joined the WMBI/World Vision Marathon team. This was my chance for a marathon. I joined too. Norma asked what on earth caused me to sign up. “Peer pressure,” I said.
My running program was from an article I cut out of Runners Magazine years ago. It recommends two 4 mile runs each week and a long run on the weekend. Then, over the 3 month training, gradually increasing the length of the weekend runs. So my weekly routine was: 4 miles, 4 miles, 8 miles. Then, 4 miles, 4 miles, 10 miles. Then 4, 4, and 8. Next 4, 4, 12. And so on until two weeks before the race, you run the longest weekend run of 22 miles. In the final two weeks you taper off to let your body recover for the big event.
My worst run (if you call it running) was the 18 miler. It was 86 degrees and humid. I ran/walked the last 5 miles. My legs burned. I felt like throwing up. My muscles had expended every ounce of strength. Every fiber of my body screamed “Stop this!” When I got home, my legs burned for a couple hours. At that point I was thinking I’m not gonna be able to do this. But by now I’d invested so much time and effort in this, and I didn’t want to be a quitter. Besides, my friends and family knew I was doing this. Surprisingly, by the next day, I was fine!
Two weeks later, the 20 miler was tough. At the 9 mile mark I was spent. I just knew I couldn’t do 20. I had visions of explaining to everyone why I dropped out. But at about mile 12, I broke through. Maybe it was the electrolytes I was ingesting. Something clicked in and I finished the 20.
The final 23 miler was uneventful. Basically just gutting it out. But I did it!
Fortunately, living in Chicago provides one of the most beautiful training routes possible. All my runs are along Lakeshore Drive. Hundreds of runners use the path, which makes great people watching. Plus there are tennis courts, volleyball games, golf courses, boat harbors, sandy beaches and of course, beautiful Lake Michigan.
The last week before the Marathon, I was traveling all week. Plus, on the trip, I got a horrible cold and felt miserable. Zero running that week!
Well, it’s Sunday night. The race is over. Today was the hottest October 7 in Chicago history—88 degrees and very humid. Of 45,000 registered runners, 10,000 didn’t show up because of the heat. 1 person died. 312 taken to the hospital. I was at mile 22 when Chicago Police began announcing the Marathon was officially closed. We were told to stop running and walk to the finish line. Runners further back in the race were forbidden to continue. My friend tried to continue past mile 16, but was told to get off the street or be arrested.
At mile 22, with 4 miles remaining, I was determined to finish. So a bunch of us at that point in the race ran/walked to the finish line. I finished at 4:49. My goal was to finish in 4 ½ hours. I didn’t win. But I finished! It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t glamorous. Just keep running the next mile.
I have a poster at home picturing a runner going down a long straight road downhill with the road continuing straight ahead going uphill far in the distance. The caption on the poster reads: “The race is not to the swift, but to those who keep on running.” Just run the next mile. And the next.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This week, October 11, I complete 40 years in Christian radio. As I reflect on this, my ministry career parallels my lifetime of running.
Growing up on the farm, I always wanted to be in radio. I played radio in my room as a kid. I produced hundreds of hours of radio on the seat of a tractor. I loved visiting our hometown radio station.
While at the University, I began taking broadcasting courses, just for fun. About the same time, I started working at KTIS AM/FM in Minneapolis. That childhood dream, that part-time college job became a life work. Like my running became more intentional, I became more passionate about radio.
Occasionally, in long runs, I’ve been bored. But the sights and experience along the way made this road incredibly interesting. The sometimes long hours of hard work in 24/7 radio are sustained by a passion for what God calls you to do.
And there have been times of pain. Disagreements over music. Scolding from angry listeners. The threat of being fired. Actually being fired in a public and painful way. And the inherent temptations of media: notoriety, pride, ambition, and pleasure.
There’ve been many times I’ve been tempted to quit—to do something else. But the conviction that God called me to this ministry has kept me on track.
And there are even times when the heat is on and the atmosphere is oppressive. Many don’t even show up for those difficult days. And circumstances cause many to drop out. But with God’s strength, we’re able to keep moving forward and finishing the job.
Far more prominent are the joys: Building a music format that connects with listeners. Creating a phone center where thousands call to receive Christ. Working with a network of gifted and dedicated professionals who make serving Christ a real joy. Interviewing great men and women of God. Providing content the draws people to Jesus and changes lives.
Yes, I wish there were no such thing as uphill. Life has a lot of uphills. But there’s strength for the journey, there’s thrill at the momentum and a great view at the top of the hill!
I haven’t set any speed records. There are people in Christian broadcasting faster, smarter, more gifted than I. But, I did it! With God’s leading, strength, direction, and protection, I did it. This was my calling. And until He makes it plain otherwise, this is what I do. Just do the next thing.
Life is not to the fastest, the smartest, the most talented. Life is to those who are faithful to God’s calling, consistently, intently serving God through the level places, the uphills and the mountain peaks. And it’s helpful to remember that life is a marathon, not a sprint.
Will I do another marathon? I hope not. But I will keep running: 4, 4, and long.
“But those who serve the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” Galatians 6:9
I ran the Chicago Marathon Sunday. I’ve always said I’d like to run a marathon someday, but never thought I’d want to invest the effort the time and the pain.
I actually started running while growing up on the farm. I’d occasionally run to the highway and back—about a mile. After Norma and I got married, I’d run the length of the park close to our apartment—about 2 miles. That was in ‘68, long before running was popular. People who saw you running would stop and offer you a ride.
I began running seriously in 1974. I’ve normally run 4 miles every other day. Dr. Ken Cooper and Mayo Clinic both say optimal lifetime running is about 15 miles per week. At that point, you reach a level of conditioning. More than that, injuries begin to kick in. I’ve been blessed that in those 30+ years and miles of running, I’ve had very little knee or hip problems. Let’s hear it for moderation!
Some of my favorite memories are running in Minneapolis with my daughters riding their bikes along side. I remember my daughter struggling uphill, complaining, “Daddy, I wish there were no such things as uphill.” I responded saying the joy of coasting downhill meant hard peddling up hill. I added: “Life is like that.”
This year, a group from WMBI decided to run the Chicago Marathon in behalf of World Vision. So about 10 staff and 80 listeners joined the WMBI/World Vision Marathon team. This was my chance for a marathon. I joined too. Norma asked what on earth caused me to sign up. “Peer pressure,” I said.
My running program was from an article I cut out of Runners Magazine years ago. It recommends two 4 mile runs each week and a long run on the weekend. Then, over the 3 month training, gradually increasing the length of the weekend runs. So my weekly routine was: 4 miles, 4 miles, 8 miles. Then, 4 miles, 4 miles, 10 miles. Then 4, 4, and 8. Next 4, 4, 12. And so on until two weeks before the race, you run the longest weekend run of 22 miles. In the final two weeks you taper off to let your body recover for the big event.
My worst run (if you call it running) was the 18 miler. It was 86 degrees and humid. I ran/walked the last 5 miles. My legs burned. I felt like throwing up. My muscles had expended every ounce of strength. Every fiber of my body screamed “Stop this!” When I got home, my legs burned for a couple hours. At that point I was thinking I’m not gonna be able to do this. But by now I’d invested so much time and effort in this, and I didn’t want to be a quitter. Besides, my friends and family knew I was doing this. Surprisingly, by the next day, I was fine!
Two weeks later, the 20 miler was tough. At the 9 mile mark I was spent. I just knew I couldn’t do 20. I had visions of explaining to everyone why I dropped out. But at about mile 12, I broke through. Maybe it was the electrolytes I was ingesting. Something clicked in and I finished the 20.
The final 23 miler was uneventful. Basically just gutting it out. But I did it!
Fortunately, living in Chicago provides one of the most beautiful training routes possible. All my runs are along Lakeshore Drive. Hundreds of runners use the path, which makes great people watching. Plus there are tennis courts, volleyball games, golf courses, boat harbors, sandy beaches and of course, beautiful Lake Michigan.
The last week before the Marathon, I was traveling all week. Plus, on the trip, I got a horrible cold and felt miserable. Zero running that week!
Well, it’s Sunday night. The race is over. Today was the hottest October 7 in Chicago history—88 degrees and very humid. Of 45,000 registered runners, 10,000 didn’t show up because of the heat. 1 person died. 312 taken to the hospital. I was at mile 22 when Chicago Police began announcing the Marathon was officially closed. We were told to stop running and walk to the finish line. Runners further back in the race were forbidden to continue. My friend tried to continue past mile 16, but was told to get off the street or be arrested.
At mile 22, with 4 miles remaining, I was determined to finish. So a bunch of us at that point in the race ran/walked to the finish line. I finished at 4:49. My goal was to finish in 4 ½ hours. I didn’t win. But I finished! It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t glamorous. Just keep running the next mile.
I have a poster at home picturing a runner going down a long straight road downhill with the road continuing straight ahead going uphill far in the distance. The caption on the poster reads: “The race is not to the swift, but to those who keep on running.” Just run the next mile. And the next.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This week, October 11, I complete 40 years in Christian radio. As I reflect on this, my ministry career parallels my lifetime of running.
Growing up on the farm, I always wanted to be in radio. I played radio in my room as a kid. I produced hundreds of hours of radio on the seat of a tractor. I loved visiting our hometown radio station.
While at the University, I began taking broadcasting courses, just for fun. About the same time, I started working at KTIS AM/FM in Minneapolis. That childhood dream, that part-time college job became a life work. Like my running became more intentional, I became more passionate about radio.
Occasionally, in long runs, I’ve been bored. But the sights and experience along the way made this road incredibly interesting. The sometimes long hours of hard work in 24/7 radio are sustained by a passion for what God calls you to do.
And there have been times of pain. Disagreements over music. Scolding from angry listeners. The threat of being fired. Actually being fired in a public and painful way. And the inherent temptations of media: notoriety, pride, ambition, and pleasure.
There’ve been many times I’ve been tempted to quit—to do something else. But the conviction that God called me to this ministry has kept me on track.
And there are even times when the heat is on and the atmosphere is oppressive. Many don’t even show up for those difficult days. And circumstances cause many to drop out. But with God’s strength, we’re able to keep moving forward and finishing the job.
Far more prominent are the joys: Building a music format that connects with listeners. Creating a phone center where thousands call to receive Christ. Working with a network of gifted and dedicated professionals who make serving Christ a real joy. Interviewing great men and women of God. Providing content the draws people to Jesus and changes lives.
Yes, I wish there were no such thing as uphill. Life has a lot of uphills. But there’s strength for the journey, there’s thrill at the momentum and a great view at the top of the hill!
I haven’t set any speed records. There are people in Christian broadcasting faster, smarter, more gifted than I. But, I did it! With God’s leading, strength, direction, and protection, I did it. This was my calling. And until He makes it plain otherwise, this is what I do. Just do the next thing.
Life is not to the fastest, the smartest, the most talented. Life is to those who are faithful to God’s calling, consistently, intently serving God through the level places, the uphills and the mountain peaks. And it’s helpful to remember that life is a marathon, not a sprint.
Will I do another marathon? I hope not. But I will keep running: 4, 4, and long.
“But those who serve the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” Galatians 6:9
Monday, October 01, 2007
Imperfections
A Damaged Instrument
While on vacation in late August, Norma’s cell phone died. We went to the Sprint store to replace her old phone with a beautiful, shiny new flip phone. While we were there, Norma suggested I look at the new Treo.
I’d had my current model of Treo for 3 years. I know that’s a millennium in the world of technology, but it was working just fine. But there were things this new phone could do that my old one couldn’t. So I made the plunge, pulled out my American Express card and bought the new phone.
I really like it. It’s cool looking and I can do all kinds of neat things with it, including listen to all the Moody stations. I play with it every odd moment I can and really enjoy the look and feel of this cool new phone.
Yesterday, I went running. (Yes, I carry my phone on my long runs!) Unexplainably, my brand new phone jumped out of my belt pack and bounced on the sidewalk. I was horrified. I walked cautiously to the phone, picked it up and hesitantly examined the damage. My brand new phone had a little nick in the corner.
I called Norma and told her the news: my beloved new phone was no longer perfect. Her response was philosophical. “Well, then it’s just like life. Not perfect.”
Her casual response really struck home with me. In my perfectionist expectations, I want everything to be perfect. But life just isn’t like that.
It’s like the first dent in your new car. You might as well get past that first ding, because it’s not going to remain showroom forever—especially driving in Chicago.
Or it’s like the first time you realize the person you’ve chosen as your life mate has issues. And you have to decide to live with your choice and learn the unconditional love that she learned for you a long time ago.
Remember when you learned that your pastor, or the hero you looked up to or your spiritual mentor was less than perfect. You had to do a reality check and realize that people are human. Only God is perfect.
While on vacation in late August, Norma’s cell phone died. We went to the Sprint store to replace her old phone with a beautiful, shiny new flip phone. While we were there, Norma suggested I look at the new Treo.
I’d had my current model of Treo for 3 years. I know that’s a millennium in the world of technology, but it was working just fine. But there were things this new phone could do that my old one couldn’t. So I made the plunge, pulled out my American Express card and bought the new phone.
I really like it. It’s cool looking and I can do all kinds of neat things with it, including listen to all the Moody stations. I play with it every odd moment I can and really enjoy the look and feel of this cool new phone.
Yesterday, I went running. (Yes, I carry my phone on my long runs!) Unexplainably, my brand new phone jumped out of my belt pack and bounced on the sidewalk. I was horrified. I walked cautiously to the phone, picked it up and hesitantly examined the damage. My brand new phone had a little nick in the corner.
I called Norma and told her the news: my beloved new phone was no longer perfect. Her response was philosophical. “Well, then it’s just like life. Not perfect.”
Her casual response really struck home with me. In my perfectionist expectations, I want everything to be perfect. But life just isn’t like that.
It’s like the first dent in your new car. You might as well get past that first ding, because it’s not going to remain showroom forever—especially driving in Chicago.
Or it’s like the first time you realize the person you’ve chosen as your life mate has issues. And you have to decide to live with your choice and learn the unconditional love that she learned for you a long time ago.
Remember when you learned that your pastor, or the hero you looked up to or your spiritual mentor was less than perfect. You had to do a reality check and realize that people are human. Only God is perfect.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Childhood Flashback
When I was a young teen, our Sunday School did a program in our little country church one Sunday. I was in the little group of Sunday School kids up front singing the Gospel hymn, “I Love to Tell the Story”. When we got to the words, “I love to tell the story for some have never heard the message of salvation”, I unexplainably broke into tears. I don’t know why I was particularly touched by the song at that moment, but there in front of the church, in front of my friends, that song got to me in ways I still don’t understand.
That experience came back to me Saturday night as I listened to the 130 voices of the National Christian Choir sing “I Love to Tell the Story”. There sitting in the front row of Moody Church, I once again felt the tears come as I realized the words of that song sung many years earlier were strangely prophetic of my life work.
I DO love using radio to tell the story of Jesus and His love. It’s not about dogma or being perfect. I love to tell the story because I know it’s a TRUE story about what Jesus did for us and for what He does for us when we follow Him.
And I love to tell the story because it satisfies my longings like nothing else can. My life verse which I selected in my late teen years is Psalm 16:11. “In your presence there is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
The saddest portion of the song that gets me every time is: “For some have never heard the message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.” That’s the part that’s the driving force for me in ministry. Sure there are people living in parts of the world that have never heard the name of Jesus. And my passion is to help reach people everywhere with that message. That’s why I support partnerships with world-wide radio evangelism.
However, there are religious people in this country who have never REALLY heard. I run into people all the time who say, “I went to church all my life, but the message never really clicked with me until…” A few years after tearfully singing that song in my country church, God called me to ministry, specifically to help good religious people find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
There’s one other part of that song that connects with me. The part that says, “I love to tell the story for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.” Christian radio helps those who desire a relationship with Christ to grow in their walk with God. Wherever we are in our walk with God, we can develop and grow and experience more of Christ in our daily lives. A part of our ministry is to help Christ-followers have a greater hunger and thirst for the things of God.
One of the joys of getting older is seeing the beginning from the end. By that I mean, things that happened years ago connect with where we are now. We begin to see the patterns. We see God’s leading from beginning to end. We see how God uses little things in our lives to generate life-long results to help us better tell the story of Jesus and His love.
Wayne Pederson
That experience came back to me Saturday night as I listened to the 130 voices of the National Christian Choir sing “I Love to Tell the Story”. There sitting in the front row of Moody Church, I once again felt the tears come as I realized the words of that song sung many years earlier were strangely prophetic of my life work.
I DO love using radio to tell the story of Jesus and His love. It’s not about dogma or being perfect. I love to tell the story because I know it’s a TRUE story about what Jesus did for us and for what He does for us when we follow Him.
And I love to tell the story because it satisfies my longings like nothing else can. My life verse which I selected in my late teen years is Psalm 16:11. “In your presence there is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
The saddest portion of the song that gets me every time is: “For some have never heard the message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.” That’s the part that’s the driving force for me in ministry. Sure there are people living in parts of the world that have never heard the name of Jesus. And my passion is to help reach people everywhere with that message. That’s why I support partnerships with world-wide radio evangelism.
However, there are religious people in this country who have never REALLY heard. I run into people all the time who say, “I went to church all my life, but the message never really clicked with me until…” A few years after tearfully singing that song in my country church, God called me to ministry, specifically to help good religious people find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
There’s one other part of that song that connects with me. The part that says, “I love to tell the story for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.” Christian radio helps those who desire a relationship with Christ to grow in their walk with God. Wherever we are in our walk with God, we can develop and grow and experience more of Christ in our daily lives. A part of our ministry is to help Christ-followers have a greater hunger and thirst for the things of God.
One of the joys of getting older is seeing the beginning from the end. By that I mean, things that happened years ago connect with where we are now. We begin to see the patterns. We see God’s leading from beginning to end. We see how God uses little things in our lives to generate life-long results to help us better tell the story of Jesus and His love.
Wayne Pederson
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Lessons for Leaders
It’s easy to become so work focused, so fixed on accomplishing our agenda, that we forget about others, or even forget about God.
DeitrickBonhoeffer wrote:
“We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. We must not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God.”
Think about that a minute. Are you so busy, you don’t even allow God to interrupt you? What a mistake it is to become so engrossed in tasks, or strategies, or time efficiency that we miss the opportunities God brings before us.
I’ve adopted this philosophy that in management our job IS interruptions. As leaders, we need to be available for people who need direction, encouragement or friendship. And we can learn a lot from our team members who come up with great ideas.
And let’s not put God out of the picture. A friend in ministry talked about one of the great events in his ministry leadership when God interrupted their agenda and revolutionized their direction.
There are times, as the Psalmist says, that we’re to stop striving and know the HE is God.
DeitrickBonhoeffer wrote:
“We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. We must not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God.”
Think about that a minute. Are you so busy, you don’t even allow God to interrupt you? What a mistake it is to become so engrossed in tasks, or strategies, or time efficiency that we miss the opportunities God brings before us.
I’ve adopted this philosophy that in management our job IS interruptions. As leaders, we need to be available for people who need direction, encouragement or friendship. And we can learn a lot from our team members who come up with great ideas.
And let’s not put God out of the picture. A friend in ministry talked about one of the great events in his ministry leadership when God interrupted their agenda and revolutionized their direction.
There are times, as the Psalmist says, that we’re to stop striving and know the HE is God.
Friday, July 27, 2007
iPhone
I have a friend who just bought a cell phone. Now there’s nothing headline making about buying a cell phone. Oh, but this was no ordinary cell phone. It was a “smart phone”. This phone can do a lot more than let you talk to friends while you’re on the go. It can play music, surf the web, receive and send email, store contact information, keep your calendar, take pictures, make coffee.
Well, no. It can’t make coffee, but it’s a wonder of modern technology. But not quite wonderful enough. There’s a new phone: the iPhone, which allows you to watch movies, watch TV, has a huge touch screen, and make coffee. Well, no. It still can’t make coffee.
My friend has agonized over his cell phone decision about as much as we used to ponder and debate the purchase of a house or a car. There are so many options. The technology of the latest device is obsolete as soon as you’re driving home from the store…AND your stuck with this lemon of a device for the two years of the contract. Two years is an eternity in the technology business!
I’ve long been a fan of gadgets. But it’s just not fun anymore. It’s agonizing to try to decide between the plethora of device options and vendors. It’s heart-breaking to show off your new Blackberry, only to be upstaged by the cool factor of an iPhone.
Then there’s the cost of these hi-tech devices. A cell phone can easily cost more than I paid for my first car. And the monthly service plans more than my mortgage payment on my first house!
Then, the thrill of anticipation, the ecstasy of purchase is followed by the stark letdown of the reality of owning, learning and serving the new gadget. The downloading of necessary software. The memorization of the owners manual, now the thickness of a Dicken’s novel is enough to overwhelm the meek and challenge the strong. Plan to take a week off of work to learn the new technology.
Then comes the change in lifestyle which the new device demands of us. In the midst of a meeting, come a creative ringtone causing the person to leave the room. Or in the middle of a nice conversation over coffee comes a vibration signaling a text message requiring instant response. Or the constant access to the web draws individuals away from “being with the one you’re with” to a fascinating voyage into the rhelms of the Internet. Another friend just subscribed (for an extra $40 a month) to a service that notifies you through the device on your belt whenever you get a new email. Unfortunately, I get 180 emails a day. So in 18 waking hours, that’s an email jolt every 6 minutes. (Unless I keep my device on next to my bed all night.)
The device that guarantees constant access and communication with the world pulls us away from spouse, colleagues, grandkids, and…well, human beings.
So the very technology that’s designed to make our lives more fulfilling, more connected, more organized is just one more step into technological claustrophobia. Emails started out being a great time saver and a great way to keep in touch. Now almost everything is spam, forwarded, CC’d, reply all cyber-clutter.
Some companies have declared one day a week, no email days, encouraging staff to actually get up and talk to the person.
I’m striving to keep email turned off from Friday night to Monday morning. I have a personal email account for connecting with friends and family on weekends. I creatively use the “ignore” button on my cell phone when I don’t care to be interrupted. And I’ve stubbornly refused to upgrade my ancient, 3 year old cell phone for the coolest and smartest thing on the market.
And I’m desparatelly trying in this technology interrupted world to learn as God says: “Be still…and know that I am God.”
Well, no. It can’t make coffee, but it’s a wonder of modern technology. But not quite wonderful enough. There’s a new phone: the iPhone, which allows you to watch movies, watch TV, has a huge touch screen, and make coffee. Well, no. It still can’t make coffee.
My friend has agonized over his cell phone decision about as much as we used to ponder and debate the purchase of a house or a car. There are so many options. The technology of the latest device is obsolete as soon as you’re driving home from the store…AND your stuck with this lemon of a device for the two years of the contract. Two years is an eternity in the technology business!
I’ve long been a fan of gadgets. But it’s just not fun anymore. It’s agonizing to try to decide between the plethora of device options and vendors. It’s heart-breaking to show off your new Blackberry, only to be upstaged by the cool factor of an iPhone.
Then there’s the cost of these hi-tech devices. A cell phone can easily cost more than I paid for my first car. And the monthly service plans more than my mortgage payment on my first house!
Then, the thrill of anticipation, the ecstasy of purchase is followed by the stark letdown of the reality of owning, learning and serving the new gadget. The downloading of necessary software. The memorization of the owners manual, now the thickness of a Dicken’s novel is enough to overwhelm the meek and challenge the strong. Plan to take a week off of work to learn the new technology.
Then comes the change in lifestyle which the new device demands of us. In the midst of a meeting, come a creative ringtone causing the person to leave the room. Or in the middle of a nice conversation over coffee comes a vibration signaling a text message requiring instant response. Or the constant access to the web draws individuals away from “being with the one you’re with” to a fascinating voyage into the rhelms of the Internet. Another friend just subscribed (for an extra $40 a month) to a service that notifies you through the device on your belt whenever you get a new email. Unfortunately, I get 180 emails a day. So in 18 waking hours, that’s an email jolt every 6 minutes. (Unless I keep my device on next to my bed all night.)
The device that guarantees constant access and communication with the world pulls us away from spouse, colleagues, grandkids, and…well, human beings.
So the very technology that’s designed to make our lives more fulfilling, more connected, more organized is just one more step into technological claustrophobia. Emails started out being a great time saver and a great way to keep in touch. Now almost everything is spam, forwarded, CC’d, reply all cyber-clutter.
Some companies have declared one day a week, no email days, encouraging staff to actually get up and talk to the person.
I’m striving to keep email turned off from Friday night to Monday morning. I have a personal email account for connecting with friends and family on weekends. I creatively use the “ignore” button on my cell phone when I don’t care to be interrupted. And I’ve stubbornly refused to upgrade my ancient, 3 year old cell phone for the coolest and smartest thing on the market.
And I’m desparatelly trying in this technology interrupted world to learn as God says: “Be still…and know that I am God.”
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Rediscovering Psalm 23
How many times have I read Psalm 23? Hundreds!
But this time, it took me a week to get through the first two verses:
The Lord is my Shepherd. I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED.
I was done. If God is leading and supplying my life, 'I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED.'
A few days later, exhausted, discouraged, beaten-down, I took up verse two (without the antecedents):
"He lets me rest...."
"He leads..."
"He renews..."
"He guides..."
Forget about everything else.
I have everything I need because He lets me rest, He leads, He renews, He guides>
But this time, it took me a week to get through the first two verses:
The Lord is my Shepherd. I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED.
I was done. If God is leading and supplying my life, 'I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED.'
A few days later, exhausted, discouraged, beaten-down, I took up verse two (without the antecedents):
"He lets me rest...."
"He leads..."
"He renews..."
"He guides..."
Forget about everything else.
I have everything I need because He lets me rest, He leads, He renews, He guides>
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Psalm 25
From God’s Word
I love it when I have time for extended time in God’s Word. Like last Saturday, I was reading in the Psalms and stumbled on a gem: Psalm 25. It was just what I needed because I’m desperately seeking God’s direction for Moody Radio and for my own leadership role. Here are the phrases in Psalm 25 that leaped from the page into my mind and heart:
I trust in you, Lord. (v. 2)
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced. (v.3)
Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord. (v. 4)
Lead me by your truth and teach me. (v. 5)
All day long I put my hope in you. (v. 5)
He shows the proper path to those who go astray (v. 8)
He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them His way. (v. 9)
The Lord leads with his unfailing love and faithfulness. (v. 10)
He will show them the path they should chose. (v. 12)
They will live in prosperity. (v. 13)
My eyes are always looking to the Lord for help. (v. 15)
May integrity and honesty protect me. (v. 21)
Each week a group of us gather to Stand Up and Pray. Our chief purpose in praying together is to seek God’s direction and guidance for ourselves and for our ministy. Psalm 25 assures me we’re on the right path when we ask His direction in this way. And may your life and ministry prosper as you trust God for His direction in all you do.
I love it when I have time for extended time in God’s Word. Like last Saturday, I was reading in the Psalms and stumbled on a gem: Psalm 25. It was just what I needed because I’m desperately seeking God’s direction for Moody Radio and for my own leadership role. Here are the phrases in Psalm 25 that leaped from the page into my mind and heart:
I trust in you, Lord. (v. 2)
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced. (v.3)
Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord. (v. 4)
Lead me by your truth and teach me. (v. 5)
All day long I put my hope in you. (v. 5)
He shows the proper path to those who go astray (v. 8)
He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them His way. (v. 9)
The Lord leads with his unfailing love and faithfulness. (v. 10)
He will show them the path they should chose. (v. 12)
They will live in prosperity. (v. 13)
My eyes are always looking to the Lord for help. (v. 15)
May integrity and honesty protect me. (v. 21)
Each week a group of us gather to Stand Up and Pray. Our chief purpose in praying together is to seek God’s direction and guidance for ourselves and for our ministy. Psalm 25 assures me we’re on the right path when we ask His direction in this way. And may your life and ministry prosper as you trust God for His direction in all you do.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Writing my Prayers to God
I have to admit it: I struggle with the traditional personal prayer format. I find that when I get on my knees and begin talking to God, my mind wanders, or I end up saying the same stuff over and over--the inane, christian-eze prayers like "and I pray that you would be glorified...". I would think God must get awfully bored or even insulted.
However I've found that my best praying is when I take out my journal and fountain pen and write my prayers. It's fresh, it's specific, it's really me. So, at some risk, I'm going to share what I wrote to God today:
God
That He'd be honored and obeyed as Savior and Lord of my life. That He'd be real and present in all my life.
Wayne
That God would be honored in all I do and say. To experience God's presence in my prayers and personal life; to know God's leading in how and where to serve Him in these last 10 years of active opportunity. To keep my heart passionate for God.
Ministry
To be effectively used by God to connect people to Jesus and to teach people to lead God-centered lives. To focus on the MOST important issues; To not be institutionalized into ineffectiveness; for direction and unity in the cause and in our calling.
Family
To love and serve Norma selflessly, passionately and joyfully; To encourage our daughters with their godly womanhood and motherhood and their important role in shaping young lives; To be a mentor and model in manhood and Christ-following to our sons-in-law; And to love with job the grandkids and to model and teach what it means to follow Jesus. That they would come to a personal, living relationship to Jesus.
Friends
To be proactive and intentional to the colleagues God has brought into my life; To learn from them and share truths I have discovered to help them as they serve Christ.
Mankind
To relate to human need and love unconditionally the unloved and unlovable; To build bridged to those without Christ.
God, I love you with all my heart. May my life demonstrate that love in a thousand different ways this week. May I not get so occupied serving You that I forget about loving You.
However I've found that my best praying is when I take out my journal and fountain pen and write my prayers. It's fresh, it's specific, it's really me. So, at some risk, I'm going to share what I wrote to God today:
God
That He'd be honored and obeyed as Savior and Lord of my life. That He'd be real and present in all my life.
Wayne
That God would be honored in all I do and say. To experience God's presence in my prayers and personal life; to know God's leading in how and where to serve Him in these last 10 years of active opportunity. To keep my heart passionate for God.
Ministry
To be effectively used by God to connect people to Jesus and to teach people to lead God-centered lives. To focus on the MOST important issues; To not be institutionalized into ineffectiveness; for direction and unity in the cause and in our calling.
Family
To love and serve Norma selflessly, passionately and joyfully; To encourage our daughters with their godly womanhood and motherhood and their important role in shaping young lives; To be a mentor and model in manhood and Christ-following to our sons-in-law; And to love with job the grandkids and to model and teach what it means to follow Jesus. That they would come to a personal, living relationship to Jesus.
Friends
To be proactive and intentional to the colleagues God has brought into my life; To learn from them and share truths I have discovered to help them as they serve Christ.
Mankind
To relate to human need and love unconditionally the unloved and unlovable; To build bridged to those without Christ.
God, I love you with all my heart. May my life demonstrate that love in a thousand different ways this week. May I not get so occupied serving You that I forget about loving You.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Prayer for 2007
Lest I be mixed in with beauty pageant contestants universal desire for world peace, let me share my hopes, desires and prayers for the coming year. I’m going into the year with a ton of prayers to the ruler of the universe and the king of Kings about life on this planet
I pray that the leaders of the Church will move us forward with vision, courage, faith and conviction so that Christ and His word might be the outstanding, notable feature of the Church.
I pray that our culture may recognize the importance of Biblical truth and will consider the impact of moral absolutes and values in our schools, government, business and family.
I pray that the values of family: marriage, children, grandchildren, love, respect, nurture would be valued in church and culture.
I pray for our national leadership—that in the halls of Congress, the rooms of the White House, the courts of the Judiciary would be places of wisdom, reverence, unity and strength.
I hope for an honorable peace in Iraq that would establish a strong, national government and allow our courageous men and women in our military to come home with honor.
I pray we would talk with our enemies who threaten our peace and security—so that we could explore ways to live together in harmony and mutual respect. Especially in the Middle East, I pray that those neighbors Jesus referred to would find ways to share the land and its resources.
I have hope that media and entertainment would accept their role as trend-setters and influencers and use that power responsibly to promote high values of respect for life, for woman and children, and for the poor.
I would wish that the leaders of the AIDS awareness would be successful in uniting the Church around the concerted effort to demonstrate Christ’s love world-wide in addressing the problems of AIDS, as well as human trafficking, poverty and hunger.
I pray that the world-wide evangelistic ministries of Christianity would be effective in reaching the 1/3 of the world with only nominal awareness of Jesus and the 1/3 of the world that has never heard the name of Jesus.
I pray that the formerly most evangelized part of the world that has become to most impervious to the Gospel, namely North America and Western Europe would experience a spiritual revival that would turn the church and the culture right side up.
I pray that our youth might be guided by godly principles and trained in righteous living so that the next generation would be better than this one in responsible living.
I know that things appear to be getting worse. And prophetically, it seems things will go downhill in the end times. But prophesy also teaches that the dedicated ones will be ever stronger in their faithfulness to their spiritual calling to live Christianly in our world.
I pray that I myself might be faithful to the calling of God on my life, and that I might live a life worthy of that calling—not distracted by meaningless discussions or pointless pursuits, but focused instead on doing the will of God and following His teachings about living as His ambassador in our world.
That is my prayer for 2007.
And what’s yours?
I pray that the leaders of the Church will move us forward with vision, courage, faith and conviction so that Christ and His word might be the outstanding, notable feature of the Church.
I pray that our culture may recognize the importance of Biblical truth and will consider the impact of moral absolutes and values in our schools, government, business and family.
I pray that the values of family: marriage, children, grandchildren, love, respect, nurture would be valued in church and culture.
I pray for our national leadership—that in the halls of Congress, the rooms of the White House, the courts of the Judiciary would be places of wisdom, reverence, unity and strength.
I hope for an honorable peace in Iraq that would establish a strong, national government and allow our courageous men and women in our military to come home with honor.
I pray we would talk with our enemies who threaten our peace and security—so that we could explore ways to live together in harmony and mutual respect. Especially in the Middle East, I pray that those neighbors Jesus referred to would find ways to share the land and its resources.
I have hope that media and entertainment would accept their role as trend-setters and influencers and use that power responsibly to promote high values of respect for life, for woman and children, and for the poor.
I would wish that the leaders of the AIDS awareness would be successful in uniting the Church around the concerted effort to demonstrate Christ’s love world-wide in addressing the problems of AIDS, as well as human trafficking, poverty and hunger.
I pray that the world-wide evangelistic ministries of Christianity would be effective in reaching the 1/3 of the world with only nominal awareness of Jesus and the 1/3 of the world that has never heard the name of Jesus.
I pray that the formerly most evangelized part of the world that has become to most impervious to the Gospel, namely North America and Western Europe would experience a spiritual revival that would turn the church and the culture right side up.
I pray that our youth might be guided by godly principles and trained in righteous living so that the next generation would be better than this one in responsible living.
I know that things appear to be getting worse. And prophetically, it seems things will go downhill in the end times. But prophesy also teaches that the dedicated ones will be ever stronger in their faithfulness to their spiritual calling to live Christianly in our world.
I pray that I myself might be faithful to the calling of God on my life, and that I might live a life worthy of that calling—not distracted by meaningless discussions or pointless pursuits, but focused instead on doing the will of God and following His teachings about living as His ambassador in our world.
That is my prayer for 2007.
And what’s yours?
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