NEWSPAPER COLUMN Roger Campbell
PALM SUNDAY’S TEARS
The praises and palm branches of Palm Sunday’s crowd when Jesus entered Jerusalem are remembered at this time of the year but most forget the tears He shed over what the citizens of that sacred city would face in the years ahead.
Jerusalem means “city of peace” but the history of that embattled city is a story of war and destruction. Today it is the location of the most volatile political, religious, economic and military problem on the planet…so the tears continue.
A Newsweek reader, living in Israel, once wrote to the editor describing the climate of fear in his homeland at that time: “Fear masters everything,” he wrote: “when you walk down the street you inspect everyone you pass with, as we say in Hebrew, seven eyes.”
No wonder Jesus wept.
Fear is a miserable master and to some degree this enemy stalks us all wherever we live, bringing depression, stifling ability, draining energy, diminishing courage and robbing life of adventure and success.
When fear is in control, we are constantly scanning the landscape in search of anything that might harm us. Familiar sights and sounds become sentinels that continually warn us of possible impending disasters, keeping us ever on high alert. Even a ringing phone can be an alarm signal causing us to dread what unwelcome words may dwell at the bell.
What breaks fear’s bondage?
Faith in Palm Sunday’s weeping one, who said, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
PALM SUNDAY’S TEARS PAGE TWO Roger Campbell
Fear and faith are opposites.
And faith always enlists prayer to summon its faithful protector.
The tears of Jesus on Palm Sunday, as he descended into Jerusalem, revealed His love for those who faced terrible things in their future. Ahead lay his betrayal by Judas, a mock trial by spineless Pilate and the crucifixion. Yet His tears that day were not for himself but for other suffering ones.
In his book, “Dark Threads the Weaver needs” Herbert Lockyer says, “At the head of the procession of the world’s sufferers is a thorn crowned man,” adding the reason most of us don’t measure up to His compassion for others is because we’re too busy looking in a mirror to look out the window.
“In a mirror,” Lockyer writes “you see only yourself, but through a window you do not see yourself but others.”
Our Lord was ever concerned about the pain and suffering of others. His first prayer from the cross was for the forgiveness of his tormentors. And even in that place of humiliation and suffering He took time to minister to a repentant dying thief, assuring him of heaven.
Are you so occupied with your own problems that you lack compassion for others?
Remember Palm Sunday’s tears.
And replace your mirror with a window.
Roger Campbell is an author, broadcaster and columnist who was a pastor for 22 years.
He can be reached at rcministry@ameritech.net
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Light of Day
I arose this morning to see the sun rise.
This to me came as no surprise.
For God put it there to rule over the day.
Tarry not for the mind will stray.
Higher and higher the sun is so bright.
This is so, as it over takes the night.
With warm rays upon my face.
The darkness is gone without a trace.
The sun is out, we have daylight to burn.
Busy, busy about our work, for the darkness will return
Arthur Baxter
Genesis 1:4
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
This to me came as no surprise.
For God put it there to rule over the day.
Tarry not for the mind will stray.
Higher and higher the sun is so bright.
This is so, as it over takes the night.
With warm rays upon my face.
The darkness is gone without a trace.
The sun is out, we have daylight to burn.
Busy, busy about our work, for the darkness will return
Arthur Baxter
Genesis 1:4
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Column by Pastor Roger F Campbell
NEWSPAPER COLUMN Roger Campbell
SWEET SPRING
I’ve been meeting many people who are experiencing winter burnout (or freeze out). Even the south has had a winter to remember, featuring killer storms that have just kept coming. Now it’s time to look past wintry blasts to sweet spring, the season of new life; the gentle time of the year, the season of love, Good Friday and Easter.
Flowers and colorful blossoms are about to break forth in all their splendor, speaking of God’s love of beauty and His provision of these for us all.
But what if this breathtaking display that bursts forth every year during the delightful season called spring went unappreciated because we lacked the ability to take it in? What if our reception of these wonders was only in black and white?
Not a chance!
The Creator’s plan is complete, providing both natural beauty and the human capacity to enjoy and appreciate it. We can also learn from it.
Jesus urged those who were worried about financial problems to consider the beauty given to lilies in spite of their lack of labor (Matthew 6:26-27), teaching them to trust rather than tremble during tough times.
Then there is Solomon’s enduring poetic description of spring: “For, lo, the winter is past, the rain (or snow) is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of the birds is come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in the land” (Song of Solomon 2;11-12).
The first day of spring is always special to me. I start the countdown at the beginning
of each New Year and have generally reported the number of days until spring to my
SWEET SPRING PAGE TWO ROGER CAMPBELL
congregations each week until it arrived. I once received a letter from a family of former members asking how many days remained until spring.
Spring declares death can only win for a season and that life is always waiting in the wings to take the stage, so I keep trying to spread the good news.
“There are only a few more days until spring,” I tell people I meet. And you should see the looks I get.
“That’s only on the calendar,” some say, wondering how I can be so upbeat about the arrival of spring before the weather is spring like.
My reply is simple: when we enjoy the anticipation of spring, we’ll feel the balmy breezes and breathe in the aroma of flowers before they bloom.
Expectation enhances experience.
Dwight L. Moody, the nineteenth century’s most famous evangelist said, “After December 31st, winter’s back is broken.” At the end of every year, this man of faith saw spring hurrying on its way to arrive on time: beautiful, life announcing, spring.
A moving line of composer John W. Peterson’s song “I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES” must have been inspired by his delight in the Designer’s spring extravaganza:
“I’ve seen the lily push its way up through the stubborn sod;
I believe in miracles for I believe in God.”
I do too. How about you?
SWEET SPRING
I’ve been meeting many people who are experiencing winter burnout (or freeze out). Even the south has had a winter to remember, featuring killer storms that have just kept coming. Now it’s time to look past wintry blasts to sweet spring, the season of new life; the gentle time of the year, the season of love, Good Friday and Easter.
Flowers and colorful blossoms are about to break forth in all their splendor, speaking of God’s love of beauty and His provision of these for us all.
But what if this breathtaking display that bursts forth every year during the delightful season called spring went unappreciated because we lacked the ability to take it in? What if our reception of these wonders was only in black and white?
Not a chance!
The Creator’s plan is complete, providing both natural beauty and the human capacity to enjoy and appreciate it. We can also learn from it.
Jesus urged those who were worried about financial problems to consider the beauty given to lilies in spite of their lack of labor (Matthew 6:26-27), teaching them to trust rather than tremble during tough times.
Then there is Solomon’s enduring poetic description of spring: “For, lo, the winter is past, the rain (or snow) is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of the birds is come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in the land” (Song of Solomon 2;11-12).
The first day of spring is always special to me. I start the countdown at the beginning
of each New Year and have generally reported the number of days until spring to my
SWEET SPRING PAGE TWO ROGER CAMPBELL
congregations each week until it arrived. I once received a letter from a family of former members asking how many days remained until spring.
Spring declares death can only win for a season and that life is always waiting in the wings to take the stage, so I keep trying to spread the good news.
“There are only a few more days until spring,” I tell people I meet. And you should see the looks I get.
“That’s only on the calendar,” some say, wondering how I can be so upbeat about the arrival of spring before the weather is spring like.
My reply is simple: when we enjoy the anticipation of spring, we’ll feel the balmy breezes and breathe in the aroma of flowers before they bloom.
Expectation enhances experience.
Dwight L. Moody, the nineteenth century’s most famous evangelist said, “After December 31st, winter’s back is broken.” At the end of every year, this man of faith saw spring hurrying on its way to arrive on time: beautiful, life announcing, spring.
A moving line of composer John W. Peterson’s song “I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES” must have been inspired by his delight in the Designer’s spring extravaganza:
“I’ve seen the lily push its way up through the stubborn sod;
I believe in miracles for I believe in God.”
I do too. How about you?
From our Missionary Family and Friends-The McGrady's
ear Faithful Followers,
We are happy to share our updated web site with news about our missionary ministry. We thank God for how he is using each of you on our Team to make a difference around the world.
This month we tell about a soccer ball and a taxi ride, read all about it at http://straightpaths.org/news.aspx.
Many blessings and thanks for your faithful support and prayers.
Ned, Marlene and Jordan McGrady
Rev. Ned R. McGrady
Global Partners Pastor to Missionaries in Ecuador
Apartado 01.01.338
Cuenca, Ecuador South America
Ecuador Home Phone 593-07-408-2545
Celular: 593-08-049-8723
Email ned@straightpaths.org
Skype ned.mcgrady
Skype Phone (727) 231-4151
www.straightpaths.org
We are happy to share our updated web site with news about our missionary ministry. We thank God for how he is using each of you on our Team to make a difference around the world.
This month we tell about a soccer ball and a taxi ride, read all about it at http://straightpaths.org/news.aspx.
Many blessings and thanks for your faithful support and prayers.
Ned, Marlene and Jordan McGrady
Rev. Ned R. McGrady
Global Partners Pastor to Missionaries in Ecuador
Apartado 01.01.338
Cuenca, Ecuador South America
Ecuador Home Phone 593-07-408-2545
Celular: 593-08-049-8723
Email ned@straightpaths.org
Skype ned.mcgrady
Skype Phone (727) 231-4151
www.straightpaths.org
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Folded Napkin
Received in an email:
Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?
The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.
The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.
Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stopped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.
Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.
Was that important? Absolutely!
Is it really significant? Yes!
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.
The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every
Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.
The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.
Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.
The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm finished."
But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........
The folded napkin meant,
"I'm coming back"
Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?
The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.
The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.
Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stopped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.
Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.
Was that important? Absolutely!
Is it really significant? Yes!
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.
The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every
Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.
The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.
Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.
The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm finished."
But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........
The folded napkin meant,
"I'm coming back"
Friday, January 15, 2010
McGrady's Our Missionary Family
Dear Faithful Friends and Family,
All of our hearts our saddened by the terrible tragedy that has taken place in Haiti this week. Reports are just now coming back of Haitian people that we met when we visited there in November, that have lost loved ones in this disaster. We are asking that you please pray for these precious people and this country. We praise the Lord that all of our Wesleyan Missionaries are safe and accounted for and no one was injured. Our Wesleyan Missionaries need your prayers in a very big way as they are helping in clinics, working to rescue people and assist this country in this time of need.
If you would like to respond finanacially to help with relief efforts in Haiti, please see the info below.
Checks should be made payable to “The Wesleyan Church” as you mail your timely donations to the “Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund”, 13300 Olio Road, Fishers, Indiana, 46037.
For Canadian donors: Relief cheques are to be made payable to "The Wesleyan Church of Canada" and mailed to 1830 Mountain Road, Moncton, NB E1G 1A9.
To make a credit card donation click here or call 800.707.7715. Use fund number “WM07-0005” with the description “Haiti Relief."
Also we ask you to pray for our Kansas District Workteams that are flying to Ecuador today. They will be joining with us over the next month to do a Bible School here in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador as well as many different outreach events and construction projects.
For the latest on our ministry please go to our web site http://straightpaths.org/news.aspx, be sure to check out Jordan's Corner as well as our home page for the latest in our mission ministry updates.
Thank you for praying and supporting our work here in Ecuador as well as our Pastor to Missionary work. You are a blessing.
Sincerely,
Ned, Marlene and Jordan
All of our hearts our saddened by the terrible tragedy that has taken place in Haiti this week. Reports are just now coming back of Haitian people that we met when we visited there in November, that have lost loved ones in this disaster. We are asking that you please pray for these precious people and this country. We praise the Lord that all of our Wesleyan Missionaries are safe and accounted for and no one was injured. Our Wesleyan Missionaries need your prayers in a very big way as they are helping in clinics, working to rescue people and assist this country in this time of need.
If you would like to respond finanacially to help with relief efforts in Haiti, please see the info below.
Checks should be made payable to “The Wesleyan Church” as you mail your timely donations to the “Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund”, 13300 Olio Road, Fishers, Indiana, 46037.
For Canadian donors: Relief cheques are to be made payable to "The Wesleyan Church of Canada" and mailed to 1830 Mountain Road, Moncton, NB E1G 1A9.
To make a credit card donation click here or call 800.707.7715. Use fund number “WM07-0005” with the description “Haiti Relief."
Also we ask you to pray for our Kansas District Workteams that are flying to Ecuador today. They will be joining with us over the next month to do a Bible School here in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador as well as many different outreach events and construction projects.
For the latest on our ministry please go to our web site http://straightpaths.org/news.aspx, be sure to check out Jordan's Corner as well as our home page for the latest in our mission ministry updates.
Thank you for praying and supporting our work here in Ecuador as well as our Pastor to Missionary work. You are a blessing.
Sincerely,
Ned, Marlene and Jordan
Monday, January 4, 2010
Newspaper Column by Pastor Roger Campbell
TAKING FEAR OUT OF THE NEW YEAR
“How long have you had this lump under your arm?” my doctor asked as he worked his way through a “routine” physical. “And what about this black spot on your hand?” he added. I hadn’t noticed either the lump or spot until he pointed them out to me but now they would become front and center in all my waking thoughts.
Within a few days, I was at the office of a skin specialist who was to examine and possibly remove my black worry spot to determine just how serious a threat it posed to my health. This respected specialist finally concluded my black spot was too deep for him to remove so he made an appointment for me with a surgeon.
Finally, the surgeon removed my fear spot and sent it to a laboratory to be studied and analyzed. This would enable him to report to me and my primary physician about what should be the next course of treatment.
Now I was waiting again…and each day of waiting became a study in fighting fear. My work has often placed me with people during serious waiting times but it is one thing to wait with others to encourage them and another to be the one waiting to find out what’s ahead.
Finally my biopsy report arrived and was read to me over the phone: “This black spot was caused by a ball point pen,” the reader of the report said. By this time, the lump under my arm had disappeared, probably having been a swollen lymph node caused by a cold or simply an unknown lump that was removed by the Lord in answer to prayer. Either conclusion is fine with me.
More than twenty years have passed since that freeing phone call arrived about my
TAKING FEAR OUT OF THE NEW YEAR PAGE TWO Roger Campbell
ball point pen panic and I’m still laughing about my worthless worrying. But beneath my laughter a lesson in faith lingers built on two faith building fear fighters in the Bible: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34), and “Be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6).
We shouldn’t fret when we don’t have all the facts.
C.S. Lewis wrote the following in a letter to a friend who was constantly worrying about what might someday happen to her:
“Remember one is given strength to bear what happens to one, but not the 101 things that might happen. The great thing, as you have obviously seen, (both as regards pain and financial worries) is to live from day to day and hour to hour, not adding the past or future to the present.”
In his published sermon, The Sin of Borrowing Trouble,” the eloquent, nineteenth century minister, T. Dewitt Talmadge, said: “the majority of the troubles of life are imaginary, and most of these anticipated never come.”
Fear robs us of the adventure of living, even when these fears are imaginary.
When we excitedly await the future with faith instead of fear, we experience the peace of God in daily living and our example builds the faith of others.
As faith increases, fear decreases. And strong faith in God overcomes fear every time.
“How long have you had this lump under your arm?” my doctor asked as he worked his way through a “routine” physical. “And what about this black spot on your hand?” he added. I hadn’t noticed either the lump or spot until he pointed them out to me but now they would become front and center in all my waking thoughts.
Within a few days, I was at the office of a skin specialist who was to examine and possibly remove my black worry spot to determine just how serious a threat it posed to my health. This respected specialist finally concluded my black spot was too deep for him to remove so he made an appointment for me with a surgeon.
Finally, the surgeon removed my fear spot and sent it to a laboratory to be studied and analyzed. This would enable him to report to me and my primary physician about what should be the next course of treatment.
Now I was waiting again…and each day of waiting became a study in fighting fear. My work has often placed me with people during serious waiting times but it is one thing to wait with others to encourage them and another to be the one waiting to find out what’s ahead.
Finally my biopsy report arrived and was read to me over the phone: “This black spot was caused by a ball point pen,” the reader of the report said. By this time, the lump under my arm had disappeared, probably having been a swollen lymph node caused by a cold or simply an unknown lump that was removed by the Lord in answer to prayer. Either conclusion is fine with me.
More than twenty years have passed since that freeing phone call arrived about my
TAKING FEAR OUT OF THE NEW YEAR PAGE TWO Roger Campbell
ball point pen panic and I’m still laughing about my worthless worrying. But beneath my laughter a lesson in faith lingers built on two faith building fear fighters in the Bible: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34), and “Be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6).
We shouldn’t fret when we don’t have all the facts.
C.S. Lewis wrote the following in a letter to a friend who was constantly worrying about what might someday happen to her:
“Remember one is given strength to bear what happens to one, but not the 101 things that might happen. The great thing, as you have obviously seen, (both as regards pain and financial worries) is to live from day to day and hour to hour, not adding the past or future to the present.”
In his published sermon, The Sin of Borrowing Trouble,” the eloquent, nineteenth century minister, T. Dewitt Talmadge, said: “the majority of the troubles of life are imaginary, and most of these anticipated never come.”
Fear robs us of the adventure of living, even when these fears are imaginary.
When we excitedly await the future with faith instead of fear, we experience the peace of God in daily living and our example builds the faith of others.
As faith increases, fear decreases. And strong faith in God overcomes fear every time.
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