Jeff Adams

This is a neat follow up to yesterday’s post on $4 gasoline and the many fine comments. Even before the higher gas prices, people in our city were beginning to wake up to the need for mass transit in a city our size. A couple of years ago we surprised ourselves by voting in favor of a light rail proposal and this seemed to catch everyone, including the politicians, by surprise. Since then there have been endless talks, many different plans, proposals and all sorts of movement trying to find the right direction to go forward.

Today, several metro mayors and other elected officials from three of Kansas City’s nine county area met with Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser to begin working toward a consensus. Raytown Mayor David Bower moderated. The boundary between Kansas CIty and Raytown runs through the lobby of our church. If you live in this area and were watching the reports on TV you might have noticed that this meeting took place in our auditorium. You can see the coverage in the Kansas City Star here.

If you know me at all, you know that I adamantly refuse to engage in politics in my role as a minister of the Gospel. Hosting a public meeting of this kind is not political but community involvement. Throughout our nation’s history churches have been polling places and community meeting venues. We saw this as a great opportunity to serve the people of our city.

Cheryl and I had an appointment on the other side of the metro early this morning and didn’t arrive at the church until the meeting was in full gear. I was blessed to see how smoothly this event went. All the media were there and a host of politicians, elected officials and public servants. Our staff pulled extra duty to make this happen and did an outstanding job with an even better attitude. We also had some great volunteers who were there to help. I was very proud of all of them. No fewer than half a dozen people stopped me to offer how amazed they were with our staff, volunteers and facilities. Mayor Funkhouser introduced himself to me and make two geat comments: 1) he sensed a different but wonderful spirit in our place, and 2) he liked the coffee we served! Pastor Tim was surprised to be asked to lead in prayer to open the gathering this morning and his prayer was greeted with a smattering of “amens” from those in attendance.

Most of our folks are pleased to be able to serve in this way. Last year we painted a couple of public schools and are getting ready to paint a new middle school next month. We have been involved with the City Union Mission, the Salvation Army, Community LINC and others. On our leadership team, Pastor Alan is president of the board of a charter school, and Pastor Marco is a police chaplain. Pastor Jay is active in Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce, and Pastor Tim is constantly working with community leaders in different capacities. I don’t want to leave anyone out, but these come to mind.

This is not to pat ourselves on the back, but simply to say that we are trying to learn how be salt and light in our community, responsible citizens and good neighbors. Honestly, few people invest more than a few hours to paint a school, minister at the mission or whatever. We are simply seeking ways to do more than we have done before to present a more Christ-like image to our community.

Very occasionally I hear comments that express concern or confusion about such community efforts. Some think it might be a return to what we used call the “social gospel” that some more liberal churches promoted several decades ago. Others just think such efforts are not worth the time and effort involved and that we really don’t stand to gain that much. Those are reasonable concerns and I understand how some folks could have them.

There is a difference between preaching a salvation by works and the building of a social kingdom through human effort that marked some of that old modernistic theology. However, in all fairness, we need to recognize that this was on the other end of the spectrum from fundamentalist theology that created fortress churches that isolated themselves from society and actively attacked it rather that positively influence it. Somewhere in the middle we can usually find solid biblical truth. We should not do these things for what we can get out of them, but simply because they are the right things to do. Seems to me that sounds sort of like some of the sermons I have heard (and preached) on tithing and giving — just do it because it is right, not for what you can get in return.

I find it unfortunate that many churches are viewed as interested only in their own programs, buildings and interests. They seem to outsiders as little kingdoms, often with an elitist and judgmental attitude. Some churches are not known for what they believe, but for what they are against and protest. While we can always comfort ourselves by pointing to others more extreme than we are, I must confess that we have not always offered a positive, biblical face to our community. I want to be known as the church where people are learning to live like Jesus taught us to live.

Preaching against sin and promoting godly righteousness is not a problem. People really do expect that from churches, even people who do not profess to know God. They are free to listen, repent and follow him, or to reject the message. What gets us in trouble is when we continually lambaste society yet refuse to lift a finger to help. We are self-professed experts in criticism, yet novices in service. I think Jesus said something about serving.

I’ve got many more thoughts along this line, but right now it’s late and I am thinking only about the need to get some sleep. More later.

My life right now is very comfortable. I live in a nice house, drive a nice car, eat out whenever I want and can honestly say I lack for nothing. I am able to give generously to the church, several mission projects outside our church and even to some local causes. I have so much for which to be thankful.

Last evening, though, I was watching the news on television report on the economy, the housing market and soaring gasoline prices. Five minutes later I wondered if I would have a paycheck next week and whether or not I should start melting down gold jewelry to sell in order to avoid standing in the soup kitchen line another few weeks. I’m telling you that I could have sworn the news anchor was named Chick N. Little, and his message was basically this: The sky is falling!

Whoa! Let’s bring things into perspective. I don’t like to pay four bucks a gallon any more than the next guy. But, while I’m complaining about the price of gasoline, I’m still plunking down over $3.00 for a cup of designer coffee. I don’t even want to know how much a gallon that figures out to be! Yeah, I know. You don’t have to drive a cup of coffee to work. My point is simply that most of us in this country still have an amazing amount of disposable income that can be diverted in other directions. We slurp down water from plastic bottles we buy at the convenience store at a price per gallon more than we just paid for gasoline at the pump. Recession means we have to buy our bottled water in bulk from the wholesale club. And, remember that Chick N. Little also told us earlier this year that we were already in a recession. Turns out that wasn’t the case. The sky really didn’t fall. While true that things are tightening up, it still may not be the end of the world. Even if it were, I seem to remember something that Jesus said about being with us always, even to the end of the world.

This morning I was still having images of the Second Great Depression dancing in my head when I came across these words of the psalmist Asaph.

Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me; There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god. I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalm 81:8-10

The entire psalm is a contrast between the consistent infidelities of Israel and God’s complete and unfailing faithfulness. Even in the context of Israel’s rebellion, and with the memories of all his great deeds in bringing them out of Egypt, God challenges the nation to open its mouth wide and he will fill it. Not only that, the last verse of the psalm says that he want to fill their mouths with the very best.

He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee. Psalm 81:16

God wants to satisfy our needs and wants with the best. The disconnect is the simple failure to open our mouths wide.

But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. Psalm 81:11

We are no better than Israel. When things get tight, instead of opening our mouths wide so God can fill them, we run off after other gods. There are always plenty of strange gods clamoring for our attention – the god of materialism, the god of consumerism, the god of credit cards and easy loans, the god of instant gratification, the god of pop psychology, the god of dependence on governmental programs and many more. And, if all those were not enough, there is alway the pantheon of Oprah’s gods.

Will we continue to make poor choices about spending money? Will we still avoid saving money like the plague? Will we still think the real problem is needing more money instead of learning to live contently with that which God has provided and adjusting our spending accordingly? Will we still refuse to go to that Dave Ramsey course at church and learn how to get out of debt and apply biblical principles of finance? Or, will we open wide our mouths and trust God to fill them?

Little babies learning to eat open their mouths wide, but sometimes don’t like what Mom stuffs into them. Sometimes it slides down their little faces or messes up their clothes. God sincerely wants to fill our mouth and satisfy our needs. Sometimes that means swallowing some bitter tasting stuff, or having to clean up some goop sliding down our faces. But, the more we grow, the more we learn to make the right decisions and everything tastes much better!

In my devotional book today I found this quote from John Piper. It’s good and I close by passing it on to you.

The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble or triviality we drink in every night. For all the ill that Satan can do, when God describes what keeps us from the banquet table of his love, it is a piece of land, a yoke of oxen, and a wife (Luke 14:18-20). The greatest adversary of love for God is not his enemies but his gifts. And the most deadly appetites are not for the poison of evil, but for the simple pleasures of earth. For when these replace an appetite for God himself, the idolatry is scarcely recognizable, and almost incurable” A Hunger for God, Wheaton: Crossway, 1997, 14.

I just got back from prayer ministry at the Midtown campus. Sam Miles and I have been tag-teaming and going through the prayer passages of the Bible. While I was out on a crazy travel schedule the past few weeks, Sam covered the prayers of the great prophet Elijah. Tonight was my turn to look at the prayer of Elisha. Here’s a brief review and a bit more.

Elijah is one who called down fire from heaven, destroyed the prophets of Baal, prayed that it would not rain and it did not and prayed that it would rain and it did. This is the man who faced down the infamous Jezebel and lived to tell about it. However, despite his amazing deeds in the power of God, the New Testament Book of James (James 5:17) gives us a good perspective by saying that Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are. In other words, he was just a regular Joe who happened to be used of God.

Elijah, though, got a bit prideful, self-centered and worked up a doozy of a depression, even wrestling with suicidal thoughts. God answered his prayer by telling him that his great ministry was over, but that he would first have to find, anoint and train his replacement. This is how Elijah came across this young man named Elisha plowing in his father’s field. For a brief time Elisha would follow Elijah as his apprentice and learn the function of the prophet’s office.

As the curtain goes up on 2Kings 2, Elijah is in his final furry of prophetic activity, knowing that he will shortly go to meet his Maker. Elisha also knows the time of the prophet’s departure is approaching, and he sticks closely to the heels of his master Elijah. Typical of the flamboyance of Elijah’s life, his final miracle is to take his cloak and smack it upon the waters of the River Jordan, causing them to separate and allowing Elijah and his apprentice to cross over on dry land. Right here centuries earlier Joshua and the nation of Israel had witnessed a similar miracle as the waters parted and they passed over to the other side on dry land.

On the desert side of the Jordan, Elijah turns and asks Elisha if he has a final request before he departs for heaven. What would you ask for? Knowing that he has only one request, Elisha doesn’t try to renegotiate with the genie for three wishes. Instead, he asks to be the genie! Elisha says in effect, “Whatever it is that you’ve got, I want a double portion!” History will prove that Elisha’s motives were more sincere than selfish.

Then, in a fitting grand finale, a chariot of fire descends from heaven amidst a swirling whirlwind of dessert dust. What happened next must have been more impressive than the President boarding Air Force One. Elijah boards the chariot of fire and is carried heavenward in the whirlwind. However all this took place and whatever it looked like on the other side of the biblical language that describes it, I’m sure it must have been far different and more marvelous than what we can imagine.

When the dust settled, Elijah’s cloak had fallen on Elisha. And, all this had taken place with an audience of fifty wide-eyes sons of the prophets that watched the entire chain of events. What would Elisha do now? How would you like to have followed this act? No matter what he might have scored on one of our contemporary personality profiles, I think I can guarantee that Elisha must have been scared to death and had that horrible sinking feeling in his stomach.

Give Elisha credit. He immediately steps up to the challenge, grabs the cloak of Elijah, slaps the waters in Elijah-like fashion and shouts out his first “official” prophet’s prayer: Where is the Lord God of Elijah? (2Kings 2:1-14)

He’s done it now. There is no turning back. If the waters don’t split and roll back, his brief career as a prophet is over, his reputation is ruined and he’s back trying to find that team of oxen he was plowing with earlier. If the Lord God of Elijah doesn’t show up, Elisha is burnt toast.

This, I think, is where God likes for us to live – on the edge. This is the position of people of faith. If God doesn’t show up, it’s over. In this way, God gets all the credit and glory. If the spectacular events of life were all the result of our own brilliance, talent and hard work, we would get all the glory. Our lives could be explained in perfectly logical terms, and we would get the credit.

Have you ever stood at the river bank and thought there must be no way to get across to the other side? Have you ever looked over the cliff toward the next plateau to where you must arrive and wondered how in the world you could ever cross that gulf? Have you ever looked into the hard darkness of a brick wall that separates you from success? Where is the Lord God of Israel?

The smile that creased Elisha’s face must have been one of both satisfaction and amazement. The waters parted just as they had for Elijah. Where was the Lord God of Elijah? Right where he always had been – right there and everywhere that right there is. He is God. He takes no coffee breaks. He is always there and always the same. Elisha had just learned a major lesson of life. Everything that God is is always available to the person who is totally available to everything that God is – no matter what your name may be, Elijah, Elisha or Eloise.

Remember the story of John 20 when Jesus suddenly appeared to his disciples in the upper room with the doors closed? He did the same thing a week later when Thomas joined the group. Remember? I’ve heard a lot of speculation about how he did that. Did he pass through the walls? Did he just materialize like Star War’s Scotty had beamed him up? Was he invisible and suddenly became visible? This speculation misses the point. However it unpacks in a scientific manner, Jesus was there because he always was. And, he always will be. He is God, after all. He is the one who concluded the Great Commission by saying, “And, lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). Where is Jesus? Where is the Lord God of Elijah? He’s right here, right where he’s always been. Always has been, always will be.

If you are needing a river split, a wall busted down, or even just a minor miracle, you will find that the God of Elijah is still on duty, still ever-present and waiting for you to step up and proclaim your faith in him so that he can show himself to be mighty in power.

By the way, Elisha did get a double portion, as you might have already heard. Elijah did seven miracles; Elisha did fourteen — exactly twice as many. But, who’s counting? Elijah did exactly as many great deeds as God wanted him to do. The same can be said of Elisha. The issue is not how many great deeds you do, or whether you do more or less than the next person.

Live is a matter of whether or not you can believe in the God who is ever present. Can you? Where is the Lord God of Elijah?

With the price of gasoline hovering around $4 a gallon, you might want to take a different type of trip this Memorial Day weekend. How about a trip down Memory Lane? I’ve got some thoughts I’d like to share about the importance of remembering.

Memorial Day, a holiday unique to the United States, was also called Decoration Day and designed as a time to remember the fallen soldiers from the US Civil War by decorating their graves and keeping their memories alive. By the end of the First World War, Memorial Day had evolved into a time to honor the fallen dead from all wars. Over the following decades the holiday came to include decorating the graves of any family members. I remember going to the local cemetery with my parents and fraternal grandmother to decorate family graves with flowers and clean away a year’s worth of weeds. I also remember playing taps on my trumpet for a civic ceremony at the cemetery on Memorial Day.

Today, Memorial Day has lost much of it original meaning, becoming mostly a three day weekend, a time for cookouts and family gatherings and the unofficial start of summer. I’m not complaining. Things change and nothing stays the same forever except God and his truth. There is, however, amazing power in remembering. Tribal societies often have strong oral traditions and even officially designated storytellers or historians whose duty it is to pass tradition down from generation to generation.

For the past couple of days I have been tracking this theme of remembering as I have been reading through the Psalms. One of the important characteristics of the Psalms of Asaph is this very concept of the importance of remembering God’s great deeds. Here is an example from the psalmist Asaph.

We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. Psalm 78:4-8

Right before the psalms of Asaph is Psalm 71. We don’t really know who wrote this psalm, although it is supposed that David is the author. Whoever it was, we see the same theme of passing on testimony of God’s works from generation to generation.

Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. Psalm 71:18

The reason this is so important appears in the opening verse of Asaph’s Psalm 75.

Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. Psalm 75:1

The idea here is that declaring his wondrous works is how we draw near to his name. His name symbolizes the core of who he is. Reflecting on God’s great deeds in the past is what gives us confidence that he will do the same today and tomorrow.

This morning I saw yet another part of this thread of thought as Asaph recounts a time of great darkness in his life, a time so painful and hopeless he says his soul refused to be comforted.

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. Psalm 77:2

We have no idea what specific situation Asaph refers to or why he was in such anguish. He leaves no doubt, though, about how he dealt with this horrible reality he faced. The answer was to do exactly what he had counseled others. He went back to reflect on all God had done in history. He remembered God’s wonderful works, meditated on them and committed to tell about them to others.

And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. Psalm 77:10-15

So, even if you are sticking around home for Memorial Day, remember your responsibility to remember the past, meditate on it and pass it on to others. Here are some suggestions:

• Start Memorial Day by using a bit of your holiday time early in the morning to remember what God has done in history and in your own life. Use your Bible reading that morning as a course. What do you see in the Bible to remind you of God’s great deeds? What are the five greatest acts of God in your personal life or the life of your family?
• If possible visit some family grave sites and pause to recall those you knew and what you learned from them, either positive or negative.
• If gathering with other family members, you might remember together some of those no longer with you and share some memories.
• If you are in Kansas City follow some of the markers that tell the story of the Battle of Westport during the Civil War and reflect on how life must have been for those who lived through this painful period of American history. What can you learn to apply today? How have others paid the price for you and I to have the freedom to gripe about $4 gasoline? Here’s a suggested tour here.
• Again, if you live in this area visit the fabulous National World War One Museum at the Liberty Memorial and learn about this war that many have all but forgotten. See what you can learn to remember and pass on to others.
• Visit the amazing Steamboat Arabia Museum and mediate on how life must have been for the pioneers who laid the social foundations of the city where you now live.

Have a great holiday weekend and make some memories! If you are in Kansas City, come and join us for either our 9:00am or 10:45 worship service as we remember all God has done here at KCBT since 1943. You’ll hear from all three senior pastors since 1943. After the service, join us for a great afternoon together with a host of activities in Zimmerman Park across the street from the church.

I have written a couple of times lately about the disastrous situation in Myanmar (Burma). On May 7th I wrote about a friend of our church, Dr. Peter Pullman (not his real name for security reasons). Several of you had asked about him and in case you missed my post, you can read it here.

Late this morning I was thrilled and very thankful to see an email from Dr. Pullman appear in my box. Let paraphrase what he told me. First, he was very thankful to have heard from me. I had written him immediately after the cyclone, but a few days ago found another email address I had for him. He responded to this second address. When he had not heard he thought maybe we had forgotten about him.

He reported that he lost friends, relatives, co-laborers, but was praising God that he and his family were spared and also all the children at the orphanage they operate. All the buildings in their ministry lost their roofs and suffered damage from downed trees. His own personal residence was lost. The Children’s home they operate was also heavily damaged by winds and trees. Six children and a teacher are hospitalized and four of the children are in serious condition. His right hand man, a medical doctor and his wife, a nurse, also lost their home. They still have no power or water and the price of available food is rising quickly. He dug a well at the children’s home and is working on another at his own home now.

Dr. Pullman is thankful for our interest and prayers and asks that we continue to lift them up in prayer.