CHANGES IN THE WAY WE DO THINGS

God bless the teachers in the United States. As I have watched the teaching profession evolve while being a part of that endeavor, and as president of a board of education, I am glad I do not have to put up with all the nonsense that spews out of mouths that reside in Washington and in state capitals. Boards of Education are responsible for many problems in education because it appears that some members are more interested in seeing their names in print and their image on television than making sure young people are given a good education. There was, of course, a time in education that the teacher knew more than the student, and parents were very supportive of the teacher. Sadly, that day is long gone and everyone knows more about teaching than the teacher. I have said for several years that the two greatest assets a school district has are its students and its teachers. We can have school without a board, superintendent and principal, but we cannot have school without a teacher and a student. In spite of this, many districts treat teachers in a negative way rather than assist them in making their task easier.

As I look at the church and see the great diversity in styles of worship, dress, music, and preaching styles, I wonder where we are going. The Muslim world appears to be more united in what they believe and have no toleration for disrespect to their god. Do you ever wonder if modern day Christianity has the intestinal fortitude to stand face to face with the fanatics of this terrorist threat? I marvel that many of our missionaries put their lives on the line on a daily basis. Am I willing to do that? Little by little, we see the opportunities we once had taken away in the name of political correctness. When I was in elementary school, we had a Christmas program in which all students wore white. My earliest remembrance of "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful" was not from singing it in church, but as the students marched into the gym for that program at school. In high school, at Christmas time, we used to roll the piano out into the hall, sit on the steps and sing Christmas Carols. At the time I thought nothing about one of my really good friends being subject to those special times for me since he was Jewish. He never said a word about it one way or the other. I was certainly insensitive to his needs and beliefs.

We do need boards of education, superintendents, and principals. They certainly have a lot on their plates; however, they need to do everything they can to make teaching more enjoyable and let the teachers know they are doing everything they can to be supportive. That would be a great change. We also need to be more caring in regard to the religious beliefs of friends who do not believe like we believe.

In the 21st century church, the way we worship doesn't have to be the way we used to do it. Mordern day music in the church is certainly drawing people; people do not dress up to go to chruch, it is casual. Many folks like that. Praise and worship is not new. The church has been doing that for centuries. It is just different from days gone by. What is important in church? The important aspect of worship is that "Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever." We may change the way we worship, but God forbid that we ever attempt to change that eternal truth. May we never be afraid of change if it is necessary, but let us resolve that God's Word is eternal. As the song writer once penned: "He Never changes."

DREAMS OFTEN TAKE DIFFERENT ROADS

Throughout my life I have had personal dreams as well as dreams for the institutions with which I have had interest. As a teenager, I used to dream of singing and playing the piano with a gospel quartet. I loved the Sensational Statesmen and the world famous Blackwood Brothers. On the athletic side, I used to dream of playing baseball and basketball with some of the great players. Although I played high school football, I knew there was no possibility of even having a dream to play in college. At Baylor University, I was the voice of the Baylor Bears' baseball team. I knew I was the Harry Caray or Jack Buck of the Southwest Conference. In elementary school into high school and even into college, I dreamed of being the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals and broadcasting their games on the 50,000 watts of clear channel radio. WOW!

Life hasn't exactly turned out like I had dreamed, but it has taken turns that brought some of the early dreams into a different reality. Although never singing or playing the piano regularly for a major quartet, I have had the privilege of appearing with those groups on stage as a member of One Accord. I have never had the experience of playing baseball and basketball with the great players, but I have had the privilege of knowing Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Ricky Horton, and Albert Pujols. I have not had the privilege of broadcasting the games of the Cardinals, but I have met the present announcers, Mike Shannon and John Rooney.

For serveral years, Sue and I talked about developing a workshop to assist people who had the dream to be a Christian song writer and help them develop. In reality, Write About Jesus has been more than that. Not only do registrants have the opportunity to learn a great deal about the craft, they get to interact with fellow registrants and the great Christian writers who make up the WAJ faculty. Many times registrants talk about the clinicians who "open their lives for others to see." Is WAJ what we dreamed? NO, it is much better. Isn't that just like God. You have dreams and He makes them better than you dreamed. I would not change the way things have turned out even though they are not what I envisioned.

Today, I have the opportunity to dream for the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA). This organization has been and continues to be a blessing for many folks. As Chairman of the Board, I have the privilege of dreaming of a direction no one has yet dared to go. It will be interesting to see how God directs this. After all, He is the one who put me here.

The End of the Beginning

All my life I have anticipated the future and wondered what God had for me in the days ahead. Educationally, I have endured several institutions, most of which have contributed something to my life. When I was drafted into the United States Army, I was confused about what God wanted. Little did I realize that this would be a tremendous experience that would reshape my focus and direction. I have stated many times that graduating from college has opened more doors, but the time spent in service for our country did more for me personally.
The first Sunday, I went to chapel and Chaplain John H. Brown spoke to a chapel full of individuals who had just entered the army. A great message from a man of God was not anticipated, but was experienced. I did not realize that this was the beginning of a special friendship that would redirect my life. This man, Chaplain Brown, preached the Word of God to countless numbers of soldiers and brought inspiration to many who thought their lives were at a standstill. For me, it was the road to Baylor and the good things that awaited me there.
The years following have been interesting, rewarding, and more numerous than I can believe. A divorce moved me across the state of Missouri and the beginning of the One Accord ministry. Who would have guessed that this would become a ministry that would take me all across America and other countries. Who would have guessed that I would have a blind date with Sue that would lead to blending our families. Soon after our marriage, we sang to 2600 single adults at Ridgecrest, NC and in order to hopefully encourage many of those who were "single again," we shared our testimony. Not only did Sue and I share, each of our children told how much they wanted this marriage to happen.
I will always remember encouraging Sue to quit her teaching job and give her full attention to writing about Jesus (Sounds like a good name for a workshop). Observing how hard she has worked and the many great things she has accomplished continues to be incredibly inspirational.
Becoming the administrator of Living Word Christian School and having the opportunity to grow that institution was a challenge to move that little know school from near obscurity to a place of respect. We grew from 230 students to more than 700 in four years, built a new high school and began a second elementary school.
Now, although I feel God still has some good things there for me, I am beginning to think about the end of this life. Not very many years left for me. How do I prepare for passing from this life? How much money should I spend on my teeth? Is this the last car I will buy? What about the need to leave instructions regarding my funeral? What things can I say to my children and grandchildren that will help them? Make sure Sue knows about the various things I have taken care of that she takes for granted and may not know when and how to do them. Make sure I have more assets than liabilities. Will I get to see my grandchildren grow to adulthood? Will my health hold out?
I could go on with this kind of thinking; however, I have made certain of the most important thing. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal saviour and I know He will take care of the beginning that follows the end. Is that not great assurance! I know that "Jesus Paid it all and all to Him I Owe." That knowledge allows me to not understand the future, but believe it and accept it. The end of the beginning is not that bad.

Quotes from Ann Graham Lotz

... from Just Give Me Jesus
“When we face an impossible situation, all self-reliance and self-confidence must melt away; we must be totally dependent on Him (Jesus) for the resources.”
“Like Moses, do you respond basically, ‘Here I am , Lord, send Aaron!?’”
“Jesus has given me ample resources to meet the spiritual needs of others because He has given me Himself and He has give me His Word. But in order to meet the spiritual needs of the multitude, I have to spend hours alone with Him in the prayerful meditation of His Word so that my spiritual needs are met.”
“Don’t concentrate on what you lack, concentrate on what you have. Then give all of it to Jesus for His use.”
“It is very humbling to admit that all I have to offer Jesus is ‘five loaves and two fish.”
“Remember the servants at the wedding in Cana? They had the thrill of knowing firsthand that water went into the pitcher, but wine came out.”
“There are times I have been afraid to step out and offer Jesus the little bit that I have, because everyone would know I only have a little bit!”
“No one would have even known a miracle had taken place, except that Jesus had lifted up five loaves and two fish in front of everyone when He asked His Father’s blessing.”
“How had He accomplished the miracle? The formula is really quite simple. The disciples gave it all. Jesus took it all. God blessed it all.”
“The wonder is that when I gave it all to Jesus, He accepted it!”
“Twelve baskets of leftovers!....There could be no coincidence or mistake in the fact that there was obviously one basket of bread for each of the twelve disciples.”
“In the end, the disciples had more than they had in the beginning!”
“The same God who performed a miracle at the wedding in Cana is our God today. But we have to give Him absolute authority and freedom to act.”
The book entitled “Just Give Me Jesus,” by Ann Graham Lotz is terrific. I believe it will help you in your Christian journey. Give it a try.