Beauty at the Lake

            It’s a beautiful day in Central New York.  It’s one of those perfect fall days.  It’s sunny, warm and calm.  It’s been a very busy week.  Kathy and I began the week by worshiping and serving at Northside, and thank God for all He is doing there.  Then we headed to Buffalo area for the Baptist Convention of New York annual meeting being reminded again that even churches are better together.

            Upon our return home, my mind quickly turned to the message I would preach this weekend.  It was a process for sure as I agonized and prayed over the direction and the message.  This morning, I came to the office early.  Then I headed to the gym for a workout.  Following that, I returned to the office to continue work and sermon preparation.  After hours of contemplation, prayer, study, and preparation, the outline came together.  I was ready for a break. 

            I texted my wife and asked if she would like to go for a picnic at the park by the lake with me.  She was all for that and it was perfect timing for both of us.  We both grabbed a book – she was reading one by Kelly Minter, and I’m reading the new ‘All In’ by Mark Batterson.  Lunch was great at a picnic table by Onondaga Lake – where from Willow Bay you can see the city of Syracuse on the horizon. 

            We ventured out on the rocks and sat by the marker that is by the channel leading to the river.  We talked.  We laughed.  We heard the sounds of a fish that was doing some jumping out of the water.  We read.  We were challenged by the Lord there today and refreshed by the one who is the redeemer of our souls. 

            I brought a second booklet with me, and after finishing a section of ‘All In’, I proceeded to work through the Matthew Manual for tonight’s training session for ‘My Hope with Billy Graham’.  It’s all about bringing people to Jesus.  God is amazing in so many ways and one of those ways is His timing.  Just before we left a boat came up near us, stopped, turned on the trolling motor, and two men began to fish within a few yards of us. 

            They both caught fish!  I’m reminded of Jesus telling Peter – you will no longer catch fish – but people.  God is in the people business.  I was also struck by the fact that two fishermen caught more than one alone.  My prayer is that every believer sees the urgency of bringing people to Jesus and reaches out with the love of Jesus constantly.  That would be a beautiful thing.

            I made some important decisions by that water today.  I was touched in my heart by my beautiful Savior.  It was beauty at the lake today.  The beauty of the day for me was the beauty sitting next to me, my wife of 31 years.  She makes me stronger.  She shares my dreams.  She loves me and encourages me.  I love you, Kathy.  We really are better together.  Yes, today was beauty at the lake.  I pray for many more days just like that.  Until the next one, I’m going fishing and I’m going to teach some people to fish . . . for souls.  

A Night to Remember

Somehow I knew this day would come.  The truth is, it has come quicker than I thought it would.  18 years ago, our family began to vacation on a beautiful island on the coast of North Carolina.  Ocean Isle Beach, became like a second home to us.  It was and is a place of rest, rejuvenation, and revival. 

            Our kids were 10, 7 and 4 that first trip here.  Today they are 28, 25, 22, and since then we were wonderfully blessed with another who is 13.  As the years have gone by, they have all been here many times but in recent years, life, jobs, family, and timing didn’t always allow us to be here together.

            Through the years Kathy and I would watch as families would come to various rental properties and we realized that there would come a day when we too would rent a larger place and invite our family to join us and bring their families. 

In recent years we began talking and anticipating that moment more and more.  This summer begins that new season.  In the words of Richard Blackaby – that’s not a winter – but another spring – in the seasons of life!

            Kathy sent out the email to our kids weeks ago and we set the date and secured the property.  Our oldest daughter and her family, our son, and our youngest daughter are all here with us.  # 3 and her husband are missing due to a recent move and job/school transitions.  We miss them a lot but are hopeful for next year!

            Tonight, I asked our oldest granddaughter if she would like to go to the ocean.  That eighteen month old beauty seemed interested and soon we had an entourage.  Her mommy, her uncle, and her young aunt and grandpa were headed a few yards to the beach access and the biggest sandbox this girl has ever played in. 

            Emily (our youngest) was carrying my granddaughter, and we lagged behind our oldest two a bit.  I watched as #1, and #2 child – now 28, and 25 and all grown up, walked together to the beach.  It’s a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.  I thought of how little they see each other, but how much they love each other, and how glad they were to be together again. 

            As we approached the ocean, I watched three of my kids make their way into the ocean and swim together and I cherished the thought that they were renewing and strengthening their already strong relationships.  My son-in-law was on a fishing trek on the other end of the island, that I’m sure was a wonderful experience for him and for that I was also grateful.  My wife was being grandma and cherishing time with the youngest grandbaby back at the rental house. 

            And me?  I was playing in the sand with our oldest granddaughter.  I could have stayed there forever.  Life moves quickly but God is so good.  Cherish the moments, and make new memories.  

The Blessing of a Godly Wife

As I'm approaching Father's Day, I'm grateful for a lot of things and many people.  I'm thinking of my father, and my father-in-law and will have more to say about them in another post.  This afternoon, on the eve of Father's Day, I'm reminded of the many reasons I love my wife.  I want to list sixteen of them.  They are in no particular order.  

1.  She is hard working.

2.  She is pretty.

3.  She loves Jesus.

4.  She loves her family.

5.  She loves me.

6.  She is very giving.

7.  She loves the Word of God.

8.  She has mercy and grace.

9.  She lives free.

10.  She is loyal.

11.  She seeks God first.

12.  She is easily content.

13.  She loves her parents.

14.  She loves my family.

15.  She loves life.

16.  She loves the local church and ministry.

For all these reasons, and a million more, I would marry her a thousands times again without a second thought.  I love you, Kathy Aubrey.

Seize the Moment/Enjoy the Day!

I'm sitting in the Cleveland airport on my way to visit my daughter and her family.  One more flight and I'm there.  I will join my wife who has been there for nearly a week.  We are anticipating the arrival of our second grandchild!  These are blessed days.  I can hardly wait to give my oldest daughter a huge hug and let her know how proud I am of her and encourage her, and her dear family.  I've long felt that to keep my fire burning, I need faith, family and friends.  I am blessed to have all three.

FAITH - Last night, and this morning, I joined with others to worship the Lord.  From the opening moments of the service last night - I knew how much I needed that time with the Lord.  It's true I preached, but before I ever spoke a word, I found myself longing for the Lord and grateful for the time to be with Him and His people in worship.  My heart is still burning from this morning's services.  I'm grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit in every life.  

FAMILY - I'm blessed to have an amazing wife.  She's been away for the last few days, but I know she is right where she needs to be.  I'm proud of her for so many reasons.  I love the way she loves Jesus most of all.  I love how she has stood with me and loved me for these 30+ years of life together as husband and wife.  I love how she loves our children.  They respect her so much.  And as a grandma?  Well, she's the best.  We call her the grand ole' Aubrey!!!  (No - she's not old!!! - but she is grand!!!)  I love my kids.  I love my two son-in-laws and I love our grandchildren.  I'm hoping to meet number 2 very soon.  We are so looking forward to her arrival.

FRIENDS - Over the years, God has blessed me with amazing friends.  At every station of ministry and every season of life I have been blessed.  Growing up it was Peter Kriff - my wonderful Jewish friend - who to this day stays connected and encourages me.  In seminary it was our president - Dr. Gray Allison - with whom I spoke just the other night by phone.  He's up in his late 80's now but still so strong in life and in the Lord.  At each church where I have served, I've been blessed with strong friends, and Northside is no exception.  They help keep the fire burning.

If your faith is floundering, read the word of God and seek the Lord.  If your family is struggling, wrap your arms around them and ask God to fill your hearts with His love.  If your friends are few - be one!!!  Never take them for granted.  Encourage one another.  One of the lessons my friends have taught me is seize the day.  So - when Kathy said - buy a one way and get out here and drive back with me - it was an easy decision.  It's a privilege to invest in and spend time with family.  You will never regret that.  Neither will I.  Don't live a life of regrets.  Rejoice in the blessings God has sent your way.  Enjoy the day!  

Everybody Needs a Pastor

I am a pastor.  It's my calling.  It's a privilege.  My son is a pastor.  My son-in-law is a pastor.  Josh and I meet on Monday nights for an hour to talk ministry - Paul/Timothy style.  I was Josh's pastor for nearly ten years before he was my son-in-law.  In a few short months he and my daughter are headed to seminary.  We are enjoying these weekly meetings to talk ministry before the next transition stage in Josh's life.  The last two weeks as part of our hour we have taken a few minutes to call a pastor who has impacted my life and whom I hold in high regard.  Last week it was Pastor George Jackman from New Hampshire.  Tonight it was my pastor - Frank Wood.  He's from Georgia, and is serving there now.  I have more pastors on my list and we will have rich conversations with them in the weeks to come.  

Pastor Wood did not know we were going to call, but when he answered and we had him on speaker phone we were in for an amazing blessing for the next twenty minutes.  As I listened to Frank speak into Josh's life my eyes filled with tears.  I realized how deeply I was impacted by a man who was my pastor for about four years.  Frank spent four years in New York, but everyone who has ever heard me preach or been impacted for good by the Lord through my life has seen Frank's life.  His love for Jesus, his own family, the church he served as pastor, and the community where he served were a model for me to this day.  

Pastor Frank baptized me, licensed me to the ministry, ordained me and married Kathy and me.  When I moved to seminary just a year after my father died, he followed in a few days and brought my Mom with him and his family to be a part of the opening days of the seminary called Founder's Days.  He connected me with a pastor in Tennessee who invited me to serve with him and I served that church for seven years.  As we closed our conversation tonight, I asked him to pray for Josh.  As I listened to my pastor from years ago pray for my son-in-law and pray for me, I was deeply touched.  I was reminded that everybody needs a pastor - someone who serves as a shepherd to the Lord's flock.  

I'm not the perfect pastor - far from it.  But I'm not sure I've ever been more grateful for the privilege to serve the Lord and His people in this way than I am tonight.  If you are a pastor and are reading this, I want you to know that what you do matters.  You are making a difference in some young man today who may call you in thirty years and thank you for your ministry in his life.  This world is in a mess.  Jesus is the answer.  Press on pastor.  It's a privilege.  Everybody needs a pastor.  I have been blessed with some great ones to this very day.  Frank Wood, there will never be a better one.  I am grateful for you.  Your footprint is on my heart.  To God be the glory - and to Northside - the flock I serve with now - thank you for the privilege.  It's an honor.  

A Wedding, A Church, and a Trip Home

When I was young in ministry, I dreaded doing wedding ceremonies.  There was always a lot of anxiety, many people wanting certain things this way or that way.  At times I had deep concerns about the couple getting married and whether or not they were ready to get married.  Also, weddings can have a lot of drama with them.  At times, they bring out the worst in people.  To be honest - funerals were almost easier.  Don't get me wrong - and believe me I don't like funerals - but in that hour people are just grateful for comfort and your presence, and I was grateful to be a messenger of hope.

Now, it's the opposite.  I dread funerals.  I've seen enough pain in my life.  I've witnessed enough suffering.  I've watched hundreds of people weep in hospitals, funeral homes, churches and gravesides in my 35 years of ministry.  I'm still grateful for the opportunity to minister comfort and encouragement to those who are hurting and to be a reminder to them of the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ.  However, I long for that land where there is no more pain, no more tears, and no more suffering.

Weddings have taken on a new meaning to me.  Having been married now for more than 30 years, and being blessed to share those years with an amazing wife, I'm pretty stoked about marriage.  You make memories that are amazing.  You go through tough times and happy times but you go through them together and come out stronger.  You raise a family and then have grandchildren!  You watch your kids struggle at times but more often then not thrive in ways beyond your own abilities or expecations.  It's amazing.

Saturday night at 4pm, I stood outside in the beautiful New York spring with the sun shining with the bride and groom, their attendants and maybe 125 guests to join a man and woman in marriage.  I have a lot of hope for them.  I'm excited about their future.  They have GREAT days ahead of them.  To be the one to lead them in that moment was an honor and a privilege.

Sunday, we drove home, but decided to go through Albany so we could attend the church of a young pastor we hold in high regard.  Pastor Roscoe Lilly has been a friend for the last five years.  We've learned from each other, and he has spoken at Keep the Fire Burning (our pastors/leaders conference), as well as the weekend services at Northside.  To visit Northstar Church in Clifton Park and see the work that God is doing through Roscoe, his wife Maryanna and that fellowship was a wonderful blessing.

The gospel still works.  It works in the hearts of individuals, in marriages, and in families.  It also works in any community where His word is preached and His heart is expressed through His body - the church.  I saw it again this weekend and it made a difference in my life.  I pray He can use me to make a difference this week.  All for His glory!!!

West Point, Day 2 - More Soldiers

We visited West Point for the second day on Saturday of this week.  We were to meet up with the young captain who would be marrying his bride later that day.  His face was full of smiles, and his heart seemed full of joy.  I love to watch the Lord bring together a godly man and a godly woman and join their lives together.  Two are better than one and a three fold cord is not easily broken.  A husband, wife and Jesus is a three fold cord not easily broken.

There was a surprise to our day.  For Kathy and I, it was a God moment.  We had learned from a Northside Mom, that one of her three grown sons was now a freshman at West Point and wanted to connect with us while we were there.  I gave her my contact information and I soon got a call from him.  I told him we were headed to the campus and he said he would meet us there.  Within fifteen minutes we shared a happy reunion with this young soldier.  Having taken 'the windshield tour' the night before, we walked the campus with a 25 year old Captain who had graduated in '09, and a 'plebe' in his freshman year.

It was remarkable.  One was filled with excitement, knowledge and anticipation.  He's already a good soldier, and I have every confidence will be a great soldier.  The other is a graduate, an army ranger, has served for a year deployed to difficult areas, and just made Captain.  In fact, just over three weeks after his wedding day, he will be deployed for a second time, and his wife will be deployed later this summer.  Pray for them both please.  This soldier's mood was somber but also strong and deliberate.  He, too, is a great soldier.

We strolled the campus.  We saw the parade field, classroom buildings, dorm buildings, and numerous statues that serve as reminders of strong leaders in our nation's history.  We saw Washington on his horse, then there was Douglas MacArthur, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and General George S. Patton.  We found powerful quotes etched in stone, and witnessed the combination of amazing history and a hopeful present.

I have never served in the United States military, but have always had the deep respect for those who have and do.  When three soldiers walked in Northside almost three years ago, I had no idea they would all become life long friends.  They had driven almost an hour and a half to church that day - one way - and continued to do that.  I've learned a lot from them.  The day I met them, the Lord whispered to my heart - you need to be more like a soldier.  Paul wrote to Timothy about that in the New Testament.

What I learned about that this weekend is that there have been many soldiers in the battles in the past, there are some with great seasoning today.  Others are established but earlier in their careers, and then there is the vibrancy, intellect and enthusiasm of a first year student at West Point that gives me hope for the future of my country.

Lord - make us all faithful soldiers!!!