Randy Wray's Blog

Two notable things happened in our assembly yesterday.

We had a baptism yesterday. A lady, who has been blind since childhood, walked by faith to accept Jesus as Lord. One of our elders stood in the baptistry, assisted by his wife who helped guide the woman in and out of the baptistry. This shepherding couple has been ministering to this woman and her husband through their small group. It was quite moving to see them have a part together in this new birth. When she came up out of the water her face was ablaze with joy. It was a sight I hope I never forget.

Some of our community conscious members organized and conducted a coat drive. Coats were collected from the neighborhood which surrounds the church. The coats will be donated to a local homeless shelter to prepare for the upcoming cold season. We hung coats all around the auditorium and during our welcome time invited people to gather around a coat and pray for the person who would receive the coat. After I prayed for one of the coats I took a moment to look around. People all over the auditorium were gathered around in clumps praying for a particular coat. What really touched me was seeing some children, on their own, praying over a coat. One child in particular, (with whom I am well pleased) placed his hand on a coat and I watched him pray for the person who would receive that coat. It was a sight I hope I never forget.

I hereby withdraw my name for consideration as associate justice for the United States supreme court. Now that a new candidate must be chosen I want to make it clear that I am not interested.

I can’t even get two kids to school on time.

Reese has a test today that he has been studying for all week. How about some prayers for my boy that he will not be nervous and that he will remember what he has studied? I don’t expect him to get straight A’s РI want him to do his best and to be confident in what he knows. The test is a science test but it is in Spanish. Ay, caramba!

Have a good weekend everyone.

We have friends, and you know who you are, who have 4 (or more) children. We salute you. I’ve always joked about the reasons not to have more than two kids. These reasons include college, wedding, college, wedding, college, wedding and a larger vehicle class.

Our Pastor friend and his wife needed to travel to Florida to take care of some family business. They asked us if we would watch two of their kids while they were away. No problem. The girl is a friend of Madison’s, they go to the same school. The boy goes to the same school as Reese and we were hoping they would become friends.

We said yes and poof our family grew from 4 to 6. Having four kids is different than two kids in some ways but not all that different in others. How’s that for explaining the experience? “It’s like it was before only different!” Granted it will only be for 2 and 1/2 days but it is proving to be an interesting dynamic. The boys are with the boys and the girls are with the girls and they meet in the bathroom. I’m realizing that when large families say “we need a bigger house” its actually code for “we need more bathrooms.”

So our brady bunch experience continues through Friday. I’ll be interested to see how this extended sibling slumber party plays out.

It seems the company which believed I was smart enough to buy their truck believes I’m dumb enough to hoist said truck in the air and proudly stand underneath. This would explain their recent commercial which brags about the bolts (six of them) which hold the truck bed to the frame. The benefits of these bolts are outlined as the truck is hoisted in the air in some super garage with some super hoist by one of those super bolts. The television personality confidently walks and stands underneath the suspended truck. In the bottom left corner of the screen this message appears: “Do not try this at home.”

Good thing they told me that. I own this particular model of truck and on a slow weekend, when I’m looking for things to do, I often have thoughts like: “I think I’ll go purchase a ten-thousand dollar lift, hoist my truck up in the air and smugly stand underneath.” Yeah, nothing like renting a crane and raising your ebenezer.

And what about all those commercials that advise: “professional driver on a closed course, do not attempt.” What’s the point of marketing a particular feature if you can’t attempt? Perhaps one of the reasons why video games which involve driving are so popular is we actually get to attempt all those things we see in the commercials that we are told to not attempt.

Anything you’ve seen that you’d just absolutely like to try at home? Personally, I want to rent a car, agree to all the suplemental insurance and drive that thing through a few barricades.

I’m thinking today of refuge, reflecting on those places we go for refuge. This song by Cheri Keaggy has been on my mind this morning:

You, oh Lord, are my refuge
You are holy and just
You are faithful and righteous
You, oh Lord, are my refuge
By Your mercy, You cover me

Under the shadow of Your wings
Lord, in Your presence I’ll remain
You are forevermore the same
You are my refuge, my only refuge

You, oh Lord, are my refuge
In You I find rest
You’re my God and my fortress
You, oh Lord are my refuge
By Your mercy, You cover me

It’s easy to think about such things with so much evidence around us of people fleeing storms. But I’m thinking about the internal struggles and external pressures which are not so evident, which also make us flee.

Difficulties at home which develop into category 5 marital problems or sibling depressions. Difficulties at work which beat against our values, ethics and motivation. Difficulties at school which weaken the foundation of our fragile feelings of self-worth.

Just because we believe in Jesus and try to follow him as best we know how does not exempt us from difficulties. We, too, read the headlines, follow the footage, and are tempted to despair. We need no further confirmation that bad things happen to good people. We need no other reminders that trouble and peril abound in this world.

It’s quite easy to seek and find refuge in many different places. The irony is that these earthly shelters only provide temporary refuge. The roof is bound to come off sooner or later. Either that or at some point the storm will be over and what was your refuge you learn is not your home.

It is the insecurity of this world that should propel us to the security of a relationship with the Father. The enduring blessing of a God at work is seeing Him continue to be in our mess. God certainly has not set us adrift. He has not left us alone in turbulent seas in a flimsy raft.

Psalm 33:18-22 (NCV) But the LORD looks after those who fear him, those who put their hope in his love. He saves them from death and spares their lives in times of hunger. So our hope is in the LORD. He is our help, our shield to protect us. We rejoice in him, because we trust his holy name. LORD, show your love to us as we put our hope in you.

The idea in verse 19 is that God will save our souls from death. It does not mean that as those who fear him we are exempted from physical death. It means that even if circumstances in this world take our life that our souls are secure. Certainly we trust God to spare our life – who else could we trust? Ultimately the relief and security we crave is satiated by accepting that my life is in his hands.

This is why the Psalmist can talk about trouble and distress and in the very same breath find a reason to praise.

Psalm 34:1-4 (NCV) I will praise the LORD at all times; his praise is always on my lips. My whole being praises the LORD. The poor will hear and be glad. Glorify the LORD with me, and let us praise his name together. I asked the LORD for help, and he answered me. He saved me from all that I feared.

I wonder if that might be way James says we should be joyful in the face of trouble? That trials and tribulations provide an opportunity for us to learn more about the goodness of God. That difficulty and despair provide perfect opportunities for God to demonstrate how great He really is.

Yesterday’s quip of the day:

One of our elders was in the baptistry yesterday preparing to baptize his middle child at the beginning of our assembly. He stood before the church and announced he had great news. Reese leaned over and whispered to Beth, “He just saved a bunch of money on his car insurance by switching to GEICO.” The marketing department at GEICO has been quite successful in getting their message across.

What are some other ad slogans that you can remember or have stuck with you? Bonus points will be awarded for those slogans of yore.

My mother-in-law is here visiting so it’s a perfect day to go fishing. Now don’t read anything unkind into that last sentence. The fact that she is here means that Beth, on her day off, can run around with her mother. This frees me, on my day off, to pursue a day of fishing. It is raining but you know what they say:

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you’ll hardly ever see him on the weekend.

Or something like that.

I will be going with one of our church members so technically it could be considered “work.” I know, I know someone has to do it. Today, we will focus on the fishing, lake stories of Jesus. We will cast our ‚Äúnet‚Äù on the whatever side it takes.

I’ll take the Astros to win it all. The Houston franchise, after 44 years in existence, can finally exult to hear those words. Of course those in the Chicago franchise who can remember such bold predictions are probably unable to chew their own food. So, we have two feel good stories in the series. Three actually: The Yankees will be watching the series from the comfort of their own homes.

In other news, I like the measures google has taken to cut down on spam comments. What is your record for typing in the wrong word at the word verification prompt? Can anyone beat three?

What I witnessed last night gives me great encouragement about the youth of today. Some of them anyway!

I’ve mentioned before that Madison is helping a travel softball team as a practice catcher. On Tuesday night we drive over to one of the local high schools and while Madison is at practice Reese and I run around the track. In the next paragraph I will be describing something that happened on the run last night. If you wish to skip this detour and proceed straight to the story in progress simply continue to the next paragraph that is not indented.

I decided last night to push ahead and run an extra mile. Usually we run I mile together (without stopping) and we walk / run a second mile and then do some sprints. On the second mile we walk a lap run a lap. We are working on his conditioning for his soccer season. After we finished the first mile I kept going and told Reese it was up to him if he wanted to keep going or walk a bit. He stopped to get a drink of water. About half way around I heard the patter of little feet and sure enough, Reese had caught me. He thought that was pretty funny and stayed with me until we made it back around. I kept going and he stopped for another drink of water. Repeat actions for each lap. I figured out by the last lap that he was waiting to see how far ahead of him I could get before he could catch me. Catch me he did. Every single lap I would hear the pitter patter of little feet and as he got closer I would hear a giggle. He’s getting stronger and I’m getting slower. Pretty soon I’m going to have to find someone on supplemental oxygen to be my new running partner.

Reese and I finished our run and proceeded to shoot some basket on the basketball court near the area where Madison was practicing. We were on one side of the court and a group of high school girls were on the next court. There were five of them playing (they would rotate 1 person into the game) and they were having a good time. It turns out they were part of the basketball team for the high school. What impressed me about the girls was their language and attitude. Even when a little kid was trying to break into their game they were very polite and offered a second basketball for him to shoot around on the opposite court.

Following the game the girls all sat down of the court around a birthday cake. They put a tiara on one of the girls and sang, rather boisterously, Happy Birthday. They laughed, talked, ate cake and it was obvious they enjoyed being with each other. One of the dads, whose daughter was practicing with Madison, walked by and asked whose birthday it was. They identified the girl in question. He asked how old she was. To which the girl replied, “Today is my 18th birthday!” The girls finished their cake / party. Had a round of hugs and all left about the time we were headed home. It really was a nice sight to see.

Have you seen those adds on television that talk about the activities that kids are less likely to engage in if they participate in sports? I might have seen some evidence of that last night.

I was too tired last night to stay up and watch either of the game. I was sure the Astros had the game under control. Ninth inning, two outs, two runners on with Pujols at bat. Are you kidding me? Do the words “intentional walk” mean anything to anyone?

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Now, more thoughts regarding yesterday‚Äôs post and comments. Here’s the thing. We don’t all have to be, as meowmix put it, “where you guys are at yet.” That’s the genius of relationships bound together by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Relationships bound together by the demands of church practice are doomed to failure. I say this for even in the movement which claims to be “of Christ” there is, and has been throughout the ages, great discord. Someone does not like the idea or opinion of another so another church is formed across town.

On the one hand, I’m glad people can “go somewhere else” to be in a group whose worship practices make them comfortable. On the other hand, imagine what it would be like if we just had to get along with each other and live with each other and worship with each other in love.

I don’t want to make light of a intensely sensitive issue but our movement is a movement which tolerates corporate divorce. God hates divorce (not the divorced person) because divorce is the result of discord and broken relationships. Two parties can no longer live together so they separate. Believers (members of the body of Christ) insist they can no longer worship (live) together so they separate.

Any church that continually seeks to advance the cause of “the movement” in the world is in serious trouble. Any church that continually seeks to advance the cause of Christ in the world is about kingdom business and will flourish. It is a mistake to equate our particular church practices and habits with the cause of Christ in this world. Certainly our doctrines have become dogmas.

We keep reading the instructions given to the 1st century church as the instructions given to the 21st century church. This, in my opinion, is not a faithful reading of the text. It is stretching the epistles and letters to the 1st century Christians in a manner in which the text never intended to stretch. Hold on a second. I’m not talking about moral issues. I’m not talking about tolerance for sinful behavior. Morality, ethics and the pursuit of godliness looks the same regardless of the century. Church practice will be different as has been true of language, vocabulary, style of singing, canon of songs, etc.

The core teaching for living for Christ is found in the teaching and example of Christ. Take a look at John 12:44-48 and determine the standard of judgment. Can you be the Christian or the church you need to be if you only had the words, teaching and example of Christ? Don’t dismiss this question. If we can’t be the person we need to be with only the words, teaching and example of Christ do we really have the courage to say we belong to Christ? If we can’t be the church we need to be if we only had the words, teaching and example of Christ do we really have the gall to say we are the church OF Christ?

One of the peculiar aspects of the living and active Word of God must be it’s ability to speak to the peculiarities of living in this century. Something that is living and active does not remain the same Рit cannot remain the same. Living and active always means forward action. Dying and inactive always means backward action.

Equipped with the teaching and example of Jesus, the early believers were guided to be Jesus in their culture in their current age. This should never have changed. Each generation of believers needs to be asking “How can we live and practice our faith (personal and corporate) based on the example and teachings of Jesus for our current age and culture? To restore New Testament Christianity we would have to first restore the 1st century culture.

Each of us needs to be about presenting the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ that we may serve the purpose of God in our own generation.