The bittersweet passing of a faithful servant

A few days ago, I heard the news that Charlie VanderMeer (better known to many as “Uncle Charlie”) passed away at the age of 84.  Keys for Kids Ministries gave this press release: “It is with deep sadness, but great hopefulness, that Keys for Kids Ministries…announces the passing of Charlie VanderMeer (a.k.a. Uncle Charlie).  He passed away quietly at his home on Friday, February 22, 2019, following a recent fall” (cbn.com/cbnnews/uncle-charlie-dead-at-84).  

I confess that, upon hearing this news, I was hit hard emotionally.  It felt like I had lost a kind uncle.  I instantly recalled, with fondness, all the time I spent with him via his radio ministry as “Uncle Charlie”.  Time and time again, he shared the truth of the Word of God with faithfulness.  His influence made a profound impact on me.

The link went on to state Charlie’s amazing last words.  In his final breaths on Earth, he said, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.  I trust Him today just like I did when I was 6 years old.  Knowing Jesus as your personal Savior is the most important thing.”  I’m reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4; they seem very fitting for Uncle Charlie as well.  He fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.  There is now laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord will give to him.

I want to express my condolences to his family.  Evidently, he is survived by his wife Bette, 3 daughters, and a son.  I know the grief, heartache, and pain they are feeling.  But I also know the Bible states that we can actually grieve with hope (1 Thessalonians 4); because of Charlie’s relationship with Jesus, to be absent from the body is to actually be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5).  Everyone who was touched by Charlie’s life - and I’m certainly on that list - grieve that is he is gone, but also rejoice that he is with the Lord in Heaven!  Furthermore, I truly believe that he heard these marvelous words of commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

Kevin

One year anniversary

It seems unbelievable to me that yesterday, February the 21st, marked the one year anniversary of Billy Graham’s passing.  I looked back at what I said when I reacted to this news on this blog.  Among other things, I wrote, “I was overcome with tears when I heard the news because I’m so grateful for this man.  I am who I am today because he shared the truth of the gospel – God’s good news – with me.  His influence is a part of my spiritual heritage.  Millions of other people can say the same thing.”

In honor of Dr. Graham, I spent some time listening to some of his words on you tube.  I came across a sermon he preached back in 1983 on the power of the blood of Christ.  He spoke with his usual boldness, clarity, and power that day.  There is so much relevant material I wish I could quote in that message, but I was particularly impacted when he said these words:

"There’s another word associated with the blood and that’s justification… The dictionary defines justification, ‘to be free from blame; to be proven to be innocent.’  We cannot do it ourselves.  It’s impossible.  You can work all your life and do good works, and pay money to the church, but that won’t justify you.  The only thing that will justify you...is the blood of Jesus Christ."

Dr. Graham continued, "‘Being justified freely by His grace’ [Romans 3:24]; notice [the words] ‘His grace.’  Grace is unmerited favor, something I don’t deserve.  I don’t deserve my sins forgiven.  I don’t deserve to go to Heaven.  I’ll be honest with you: I don’t deserve it…but I receive forgiveness, and justification, and my name written in the Book of Life.  I’m going to receive Heaven forever, because the blood was shed."  (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=cyZhxf94dCc)  An amen belongs here!  I feel the same way for myself and my own entrance to Heaven one day.

Let me conclude with this.  Back in 2002, Pastor Rick Ferguson had his surprise departure to Heaven, at the age of 46.  At his Memorial service, someone mentioned William Carey, the man known as the father of modern missions.  This person told the story of how when Carey was on his deathbed, he said to a friend, “Speak less of Dr. Carey, speak more of Dr. Carey’s Savior.”  He said this is the sentiment that captures what Pastor Rick would want people to say about him.  I agree.  And it certainly captures what I think Billy Graham would want people to say of him.  We should speak more of Billy Graham’s Savior, Jesus Christ.

Kevin

"For God so loved the world"

I miss my father.  There’s an opening sentence you never expected to read in a Valentine’s Day blog!  But I do miss him.  I miss his leadership, support, and humor.  I miss watching Denver Broncos games with him.  Yet he is no longer with us.  He passed away unexpectedly three and a half years ago; although I must admit sometimes it feels like it’s been three and a half months, not years.

My dad knows what it’s like to lose a father to the icy grip of death, just as I do.  In 2008, his dad – my grandpa – Cecil Bauer, passed away at the age of 79.  I know the tears my dad cried about this fact.  In a poignant composition that I recently came across, Dad wrote some words that I wanted to share with you today.  I’m not going to quote the whole thing, of course, but a portion of it is some noteworthy memories he had of spending time with his father.  Then at one point, he stated this:

“I love my dad.  I know that he’s waiting in Heaven for me.  He left a clear testimony with me that he was ready to meet God 8 months before he left Planet Earth.  Was he a perfect man?  No, what man is?  He, like all of humanity, was in need of a pardon.  That pardon was given when Christ died on the cross.  That pardon he accepted as a free gift from Christ, and entered God’s Heaven when he died.  He realized that he was bankrupt before God.  He could not get into Heaven without accepting that pardon from Christ.  I expect to meet Daddy there, when God calls me home.”

Probably the most famous verse in the Bible begins with these words: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16).  It’s good to focus on the connections we have with friends, romantic relationships, and family members, but let’s not forget about the immense love God has for you and me.  Why does God love us?  It’s not because we are lovable.  We all can be nasty, crabby, and unpleasant.  Adrian Rogers once said, “God does not love us because we are valuable; we are valuable because God loves us.”

Kevin

"O God, thank You for loving me"

With Valentine’s Day in the air, it’s important to remember that all of us (whether married or single) are deeply, passionately, and extravagantly loved by the God of the universe.  Romans 5 puts it so well: “When we were unable to help ourselves, at the right time, Christ died for us, although we were living against God.  Very few people will die to save the life of someone else.  Although perhaps for a good person someone might possible die.  But God shows His great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners.  So through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger because we have been right with God by the blood of Christ’s death” (verses 6-9; NCV).

I think I have heard Christian singer/songwriter Tommy Nelson’s marvelous song Thank You for Loving Me (https://lyrics.az/tommy-walker/make-it-glorious/thank-you-for-loving-me.html) well over one hundred times.  This song has a way of bringing tears to my eyes.  Check out these words:

“What love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called His sons and daughters, precious in His sight; greater love this world has never seen when He hung on that tree, O why would He do such a thing for dirty sinners like you and me?  [Chorus] O God, thank You for loving me, when on the cross You made history; Lord You died for me, forever my praise will go to Thee.  O God, thank for choosing me to be Your child and bear Your name; O Jesus I will never cease to sing Your praise.  Your love is patient, and humble, and kind, it’s greater than all my sin…It’s Your love that lifted me up from the depths, set my feet on a solid rock, with a firm place to stand, Lord I always will trust in Your loving hand.”

I wonder if you’ve never stopped to contemplate the amazing love God has for you.  Or maybe you’ve heard it but you haven’t believed it, to this point.  You thought God was out to get you.  You looked at the circumstances of your life and you became angry and bitter at God, because of the painful developments that happened to you.  I am not unfeeling to you or the pain you’ve experienced.  I know life can hurt very deeply; trust me, if anyone gets that, I get it.  But God has proven His deep love for you.  As we read earlier, Jesus Christ - God in human flesh - died for you, even when you were against Him.  He didn’t have to do that.  But He chose to do so.   

Kevin

Super Bowl 53 prediction

The Super Bowl match-up this year is an intriguing one; it is the Los Angeles Rams versus the New England Patriots.  Before I give my pick, let me say that I think this game is going to be just as exciting as the championship games.  Both the NFC and AFC Championship went to overtime; while I don’t necessarily think the overtime aspect will happen in the Super Bowl, the last team that has the ball is probably the team that will win.

Even though the annual Madden simulation video game had the Rams winning, I just can’t bring myself to agree with that prediction.  I think the Patriots will find a way to win.  New England surprised me this postseason.  They thoroughly whipped a talented Chargers team (the Chargers tried to make a comeback, but the Patriots were up 35-7 at halftime).  And then New England defeated the Kansas City Chiefs.  It was my opinion for most of the year that Kansas City was the best team in the AFC.  I thought the Chiefs were going to show that they were the better, hungrier team.  The Patriots proved me wrong.  While the Chiefs did stand toe to toe with the Patriots, New England ultimately delivered the knock-out blow.

I think the Rams are a good, exciting team, but I just don’t see them defeating the Patriots.  Last year, the Philadelphia Eagles pulled off the upset over the Patriots in the Super Bowl.  It seems as if New England has since been on a mission to get back to the big game and celebrate a victory; I suspect they will do just that.

Kevin

My take on the Rams-Saints game

I’m planning to give my annual Super Bowl prediction in a future blog (even though I confess I do so reluctantly as I have been terrible in my predictions for the past several years).  Before I do that however, I want to address the controversy associated with the NFC championship game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints. 

I have heard some say that the Rams don’t deserve to be in the Super Bowl because there was a missed pass interference call late in the 4th quarter against the Rams that would have essentially cemented the win for the Saints.  Right off the bat let me state that I like both the Rams and the Saints; there is no personal bias on my part.  I am an impartial observer.  Secondly, I agree that this was a missed pass interference call.  The replay makes this clear.  But I do not believe for a second that this blown pass interference play cost the Saints the game.  Let me elaborate.

The setting of this controversial play is as follows: the game was tied 20-20.  The Saints were driving.  The Saints player was interfered with, but it wasn’t called (which, by the way, is something that happens in every NFL game), so the Saints had to settle for a field goal.  The score was 23-20 New Orleans.  The Rams began their ensuing possession at their own 25 yard line with about a minute and a half to go in the game.  All New Orleans had to do was stop Los Angeles from scoring to ensure the win.  Instead the Rams marched down the field and ultimately kicked a game tying field goal.  That’s not on the referees missing a pass interference, that’s on the Saints defense not making a play to preserve the lead.

Furthermore, in overtime, the Saints were the first team to possess the ball.  All they had to do was score a touchdown and they would have represented the NFC in Super Bowl 53.  That’s exactly what happened in the AFC championship game.  The game went to overtime; the Patriots scored a touchdown before the Chiefs ever had the chance to touch the ball.  But what happened in the NFC championship?  Drew Brees threw an interception, thanks to being pressured by the defense, and an athletic play by John Johnson.  The Rams subsequently kicked a 57 yard field goal to earn their place in the Super Bowl.  Don’t blame all that on the referees.  It looks to me like New Orleans failed to make the plays on offense, defense, and special teams.

Drew Brees, classy as usual, has said that the Saints loss wasn’t because of the controversial non-call; it was because they didn’t take advantage of their opportunities.  He’s right.  In the 1st quarter, Los Angeles had trouble even getting a first down, let alone scoring points.  The Saints, meanwhile, were in the red zone twice in that quarter and they settled for field goals.  Being behind 6-0 is a lot different than being behind 14-0 (which would have been 21-0 as the Saints did get a touchdown soon after).  Therefore, it is beyond me how anyone can state the Los Angeles Rams don’t deserve to be in the Super Bowl.  They made the plays.  They found a way to win.

Kevin

"Who can satisfy my soul?"

It was 8 years ago when I first began this blog; January of 2011.  As I contemplated what I would do to celebrate this, I decided that I want to present a very special blog installment to you that I originally wrote back in April, 2015.  If God told me that He wanted me to write one last blog, but no more after that, I would probably submit the words I composed in 2015 as my parting words.  So here we go:

“This [inherent emptiness] he tries in vain to fill with everything around him…though none [of the things he turns to] can help, since this infinite abyss can only be filled with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God Himself.”  (https://itsjustme.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/the-correct-quote-of-blaise-pascal/ )

Writer and philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote this way back in the 1600’s, but it is as relevant today as the day he first penned it.  He said that mankind has an inner emptiness in their soul and they don’t know what will alleviate it.  So they turn to anything and everything under the sun: money, power, food, entertainment, recognition; here’s a particularly relevant one: do you think anyone has turned to sex today?  The answer, of course, is yes.  It just amazes me how this culture is completely fixated and obsessed with the topic of sex.  The culture proclaims that living a life of unrestrained sexual expression is not only the normal existence for every human being, but that this road leads you to fulfillment, satisfaction, and bliss.  But this is a lie.

The truth of the matter is, none of these things ultimately have the capacity to fill the emptiness of their soul.  Why not?  Because as Pascal put it, “this infinite abyss can only be filled with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God Himself.”  The Bible says that God “satisfies the longing soul” (Psalm 107:9; ESV).

You say, “This sounds great!  But what you are talking about is so new to me.  Will you flesh this out for me a little bit more?  What do I have to do to experience this?”  In short, you need to commence a relationship with God; you can’t experience fulfillment with someone you don’t know.  Got questions.org has a great article on this.  I’m not citing the whole thing, but I will quote a couple of paragraphs.

“The only way any of us can have a relationship with a holy God is to admit that we are sinners, turn away from that sin, and accept the sacrifice that Jesus made to pay for sin.  We connect with God through prayer.  We pray in faith, believing that God hears us and will answer.  Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  We confess our sin, thanking Jesus for making a way for us to be forgiven, and invite Him to take control of our lives.

Coming to God through faith in Jesus Christ means we transfer ownership of our lives to God.  We make Him the Boss, the Lord, of our lives.  We trade our old self-worshiping hearts for the perfection of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Romans 12:1 gives us a visual description of what takes place: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice.”  Picture an altar dedicated to the only true God.  Then imagine crawling onto it, lying down, and saying, “Here I am, God.  I’m a sinner but you love me anyway.  Thank you for dying for me and rising from the dead so my sin could be forgiven.  Cleanse me, forgive me, and make me your child.  Take me.  All of me.  I want to live for you from now on.”” (http://www.gotquestions.org/give-life-to-God.html)

To clarify, it’s not the words that you say; it’s the attitude of your heart.  A reciting of words doesn’t save you; faith in Jesus Christ saves you.  “Come, everyone who thirsts,” Isaiah implores, “Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come buy and eat!  Come buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Why do spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:1-2)

Let me conclude with this: as I was going over this material again, I was reminded of a powerful Dennis Jernigan song that I first heard over two decades ago in church.  “Who can satisfy my soul like You?  Who on Earth could comfort me, and love me, like You do?  Who could ever be more faithful, true?  I will trust in You; I will trust in You, my God.  There is a fountain who is a King; victorious warrior, and Lord of everything… Who could ever be more faithful, true?  Lord Jesus, none but You.”  Amen!

Kevin