National Day of Prayer

Today I was able to participate in our community National Day of prayer in Moundsville. I don't write out my prayers but today I did. I was asked to prayer for our nation. Below is the text of my prayer today.

National Day of Prayer – Moundsville WV, May 7, 2015

 1st Tim. 2:1-4 “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, nd giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Father we thank you for today and the privilege we have to come to this public place
and pray for our nation. We thank you Lord for giving us the great blessing of being
citizens of the greatest country on earth, the United States of America. Lord, we thank
you for the blessings and freedoms we enjoy because of our men and women who serve
in the greatest military in the world. We thank you for our first responders, our law
enforcement officers, our fire fighters and emergency medical personnel. Lord, please
keep our military & first responders safe & encourage them in their work as they have
incredibly hard jobs to do.

Lord, we are gathered in prayer today because we are broken-hearted at what we see
taking place in our beloved country. It seems the very fabric of our society is being
ripped to shreds in front of our very eyes. Mayhem and chaos is too often found in the
streets of our cities. It appears we live in a day like the book of Judges tells us that
“everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” Oh God please forgive us for our
wickedness. Forgive us Lord for the scourge of abortion & the resulting devaluation of
human life at every stage. Lord please forgive us for kicking you out of every public
institution and for our rebellion against your commands. Lord please forgive us as
Christians for not representing you well in front of a lost world that desperately needs
the purpose, peace and hope found in Jesus Christ. Lord forgive us for allowing our
society to become a sex-saturated and filthy society. Lord we need to be cleansed and
purified by your truth. Oh Lord God; we pray that you would guard the institution of
marriage, the first institution you created even before the church and the government
was created. As our Supreme Court is deliberating even now on the issue of so-called
same sex marriage, Lord we affirm here today publicly that your definition of
marriage is still the only correct one that matters. Lord would you please reveal this
truth to the Supreme Court and that marriage between one man & one woman for one
lifetime will prevail?

Now Lord Jesus, I pray that you would encourage all of us gathered here today that
there is always hope regardless of what is happening in our society because you are the
King of Kings and Lord of Lords! You reign over Heaven & earth and no human can
overthrow your plans. We bow before you today Lord Jesus and ask you to be gracious
and merciful to the USA even though we do not deserve it. We pray this in the name
that is above every name, the ame of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Constitutional or Biblical Church...

I love sports, especially football, baseball & golf though not necessarily in that order. Every sport has rules the players have to play by and in all professional sports there are rules officials who make sure the game is played according to the rule-book. Here at Moundsville Baptist Church, we have two rule-books: First & foremost, our rule-book is God’s Holy Word the Bible. We believe the Word of God has complete authority over our lives. We also have a church constitution which spells out some practical guidelines on how we’re organized and how we conduct the business of the church. The constitution is important to help us ensure that we adhere to the admonition from 1^st Cor.14:40 “Let all things be done decently and in order.” I am committed to “playing by the rules” when it comes to our church constitution.

Sometimes however I find myself in a quandary because I believe the Lord has spoken to me through His Word or through the “still small voice” of God’s Holy Spirit to act and obey. The Holy Spirit’s leadership and call to obey always trumps the constitutional requirements set forth by the church. Such an occurrence happened this past Sunday on “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday” so I’d like to tell you what happened.

I had invited Brother Phil Chatting who serves as the Treasurer and is on the Board of Directors for Women’s Choice Pregnancy Resource Center in Charleston to come speak about what God is doing through this crisis pregnancy center. As Phil shared the statistics of the numbers of abortions performed in the 2 abortion clinics in West Virginia and shared about how the Lord used a gift of $10,000 from MBC several years ago to help them purchase a building right next door to one of these abortion clinics; the Lord started speaking to me about giving this center a large gift. Phil shared that the center had been given an ultrasound machine and they were trying to raise money for a medical director and a nurse to operate the machine that would help women see the life of the baby inside them. Studies have repeatedly shown this equipment is highly effective to help people choose life. Then Phil showed the video testimony of a young woman who planned to terminate her pregnancy as a single mom and through the Providence of God, she contacted Women’s Choice and through their ministry she chose life!

As I wrestled with how to go about doing this, I have to tell you I was in great turmoil as your new pastor. I know the constitution requires certain things in terms of calling a business meeting and we have a finance board who oversees our finances. But I clearly sensed the Lord wanted us to give the center another $10,000.00 in response to Phil’s presentation but I hadn’t talked to anyone on the board of finance, the deacons, or any of the staff. In my spirit, I was a bit concerned because of the amount involved and I don’t like to manipulate or back people into a corner. However, the Lord wouldn’t let that figure out of my mind and I remembered Samuel’s challenge to King Saul from 1^st Sam.15:22-23 “…Behold to obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams, for rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…” I have to tell you I thought “Lord I can take care of this by talking to them later and trying push this through”; yet the Lord was prompting me to obey. When we began the invitation, I made an appeal for people to come and pray that we’d create a culture of life. Our Pastor Emeritus, Reverend Tom Steele, came forward and was visibly moved, as I greeted him. The first thing Brother Tom said to me was “I want to give testimony about that $10,000.00 if you’ll give me two minutes.” It was like the Lord was saying “You see Ralph, that figure I gave you is correct and you need to obey me now and ask for it.” So after Brother Tom spoke, I put my arm around him and called the church into a business session and asked if we could give another $10,000.00 to the center. I had two men affirm the motion and by voice vote the congregation said yes unanimously!

Here it is Tuesday and I’m still overwhelmed by that hallelujah moment and thankful for God’s prompting and teaching us a valuable lesson. I believe this past Sunday we had what Dr. Henry Blackaby called a “Crisis of Belief” in his study “Experiencing God.” The principle at work is to see where God is at work and ask to join Him in that work. God is clearly at work through Woman’s Choice and He invited us to be involved in that work in a profound way. The rest of the story is that I went to our finance board as they were counting our morning offering; kind of expecting to be taken to task for my procedural error relating to our constitutional way of doing things. Instead I was met with smiles and gentle encouragement that they would have said yes if I’d have asked ahead of time but they told me they would cover it and would cut a check for me to give to Brother Phil immediately! Oh how they encouraged me! I was half way expecting a “tar & feathering” but received a great blessing in supportive members who want to follow the Lord Jesus in humble submission and obedience to God’s call.

After reflection however, I didn't ask ahead of time because the Lord didn't speak to me ahead of time! He spoke to me in corporate worship and not in my prayer closet. I’m reminded of what God said through the prophet Isaiah in 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” That’s how God works and I’m thankful He works in ways that often don’t make sense from a human point of view but in a way that brings Him the most praise when His people obey Him by faith.

You need to know I’m not in the habit of setting aside our church constitution. But I can also assure you I intend to obey God with my whole heart when I discern He’s calling us to respond. If I have to choose between being a constitutional church or a Biblical church, I will lead us to be a Biblical church. You all encourage me in ways I can’t even express. Your love for Jesus and each other shines through constantly and I am profoundly humbled to serve as your Senior Pastor. God has great plans for a congregation committed to the Lordship & leadership of Jesus Christ so be encouraged by the working of God among us. Oh by the way, Brother Phil was moved to tears and said the board of directors has already committed extra gifts they receive like ours to fund those staff positions to man that ultrasound machine. Our giving will encourage other churches to step up to the old plate and swing for life!

I love you and I rejoice over our commitment to being a Biblical church, from my little corner of the world to yours…

Come into His presence with Thanksgiving…

Psalm 95:1-2 says “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” The psalmist is right target with his call to all of us to thank the Lord for the many blessings God has so graciously given to us.

I hate to admit it but it seems the older I get the faster holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas sneak up on me. I’m kind of in shock that Thanksgiving is next week and Christmas is right on its heels a few weeks later. The retail world and the advertisers want you to focus on Christmas and forget all about Thanksgiving; but I think the admonition of the psalmist is of critical importance for all of us. I hope that at this season of Thanksgiving, you will pause, reflect and truly give thanks to Almighty God for His incredible blessings to you and your family.

I’m thankful for many things this year, not just every year, but every day of the year. When I wake up I thank the Lord for the night’s rest He gave me. I thank him for the blessing of my family, especially my amazing wife Cheryl. If it is blistering cold outside like it was this morning when I awakened from my slumber; I’m thankful for the home He provided me with heat and indoor plumbing! The point is we don’t need to step too far away from where we lay our head at night in the morning to give thanks. When I lay down to sleep, I thank the Lord for guiding me through the day and allowing me to labor for Him. Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians in 1^st Thessalonians 4:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Oh dear friends, would you be vigilant to give God thanks?

I’m thankful for this church family and your outpouring of love, concern and prayers for my family with the promotion of my father to Heaven. I’m thankful for our many friends across the country that have cared for us and prayed for us in these days of sorrow. I’m grateful to God for giving me the opportunity spend a lot of time with Dad over the last year of his life here on earth. As the Psalmist said earlier, the Lord is the Rock of our Salvation. For believers, oh how we can thank God for the assurance of salvation so when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we can rejoice and be glad our loved ones are safe in the arms of God!

The rock of salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ, is why we exist here at Moundsville Baptist Church. I want to encourage you to take careful note of the holiday schedule you’ll find in this newsletter. Begin to plan now to invite a lost family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker or just an acquaintance to church at this season of year. They will come if you invite them particularly to the Christmas Eve service, or the Sundays before or after Christmas. I promise I’ll clearly share the Gospel message and we’ll pray that your invited friend will come to know the Rock of Salvation, Jesus Christ…and that would be something to shout joyfully to the Lord with thanksgiving that because of your invitation, a precious soul trusted Christ!

At this wonderful time of year, don’t miss out on the blessing of giving thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ. I’m coming into His presence with thanksgiving, from my little corner of the world to yours…

A long honeymoon...

On June 8^th 2014, I had the joy of celebrating 29 years of marriage to my beloved bride Cheryl. After 5 children, 5 grandchildren, a lot of joy and the sorrows that life inevitably brings; I can tell you that my relationship with Cheryl is still fresh and exciting and there’s never a dull moment. We’ve always been adventuresome people who love to explore and try new stuff. We have a ball together and quite honestly we hate being away from each other. In many ways, I still feel like I’m on my honeymoon with Cheryl. Oh our honeymoon to Jamaica only lasted 7 days because we didn’t have the money to just stay and we had jobs to get back to in Texas. Our honeymoon didn’t end when our plane touched down in McAllen. Our honeymoon has continued through career changes for me from law enforcement to private business, and then to my being called by God serve Him as a pastor. Our honeymoon has continued through living in Texas, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Texas again, Maryland and now West Virginia. With every move I’ve said I hope my next one is to Heaven but God has had other plans for us. Someone here in West Virginia encouraged me that the Lord may in fact answer that prayer for me because now I’m in “Almost Heaven West Virginia.” Even though the scenery and the people involved have changed dramatically, my honeymoon status hasn’t changed because I’m in love with Cheryl. We love “doing life together” and we are confident God’s plans for our lives are good plans with our best interests and His glory at heart. Of course forging a new life together has come with lots of challenges, adjustments and changes as we’ve walked through the different seasons of life. Quite honestly, it has required a lot of work from both of us to make our relationship what it is today and one that still produces great joy for each of us.

On June 8^th 2014, while celebrating my anniversary with Cheryl; I also began another honeymoon with my first Sunday at Moundsville Baptist Church as the Senior Pastor. We are a local church that is part of the Bride of Christ; and the honeymoon analogy is a solid picture of us “doing life together.” I have enjoyed getting to know you, learning names (which is an ongoing process), settling in and getting oriented over the summer. I have to say I love you and I am so humbled and am amazed the Lord has been so gracious to me to call me to serve Him as your Senior Pastor.

I want to encourage you by way of reminder that just like a successful marriage relationship requires commitment, energy and effort from both parties, our relationship together as a church family requires those same things. Commitment, energy and effort is not a chore to be endured, rather it is a blessing to be enjoyed. Cheryl and I have been serving one another for nearly 30 years and the things we do for each other are rooted in the love we have for each other. Sure there have been times of frustration for each of us as we had expectations that didn't get met; but I have never questioned whether Cheryl loves me or thought she doesn't care about me. We've learned that our relationship is something we each invest in as we live out our roles as husband and wife. Because we have differing roles, we also have differing responsibilities. Our faithful efforts in serving in those differing roles have made our family the joy and blessing it is today. We have worked through problems and challenges because we are committed to each other for a life-time. 

I want us as a church to enjoy a long honeymoon together. I want you to know I love you dearly and I am committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I’m committed to helping us carry out the mandate Jesus gave us to “make disciples” and teaching them to obey what God has commanded us. I know very well I am not perfect by any means so I’m going to make mistakes. When I make mistakes I say I’m sorry and I own my mistakes. I hope we’ll all do that and we’ll recognize the need to be patient and forgiving of one another. Cheryl and I have learned to do this and we've also learned how to talk about things in our marriage and work through challenges together. We've trusted the Lord as He’s directed our steps and have embraced the adventure we’re on together.

Just this past Sunday, we celebrated our 113 year history as a church with our Founder’s Day. I am so thankful for the long-tenured church membership we are blessed with here at MBC. Seeing the numbers of people who've been members of this church for over 20 years is astounding. Having a great number of members who've been a part of this church family for 30, 40 and even 50 years is mind-boggling. Having at least 3 members present this past Sunday who've been part of this church for 76, 83 and 90 years respectively is beyond incredible to me. It is a wonderful blessing to have this stability among our church family, but we can never allow our stability to become complacency because there is another generation of people we've been tasked with reaching for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.

Cheryl and I have learned to be flexible in how we do what we do, but our commitment to one another and to the Lord Jesus never wavers. I hope we’ll all be flexible as we make changes in how we go about our disciple making business recognizing we need to change some things but remain committed to one another in love and to the Lord as His children. As we do this and work through whatever comes our way while keeping the Lord Jesus Christ the very center of our relationship, we’ll enjoy a long honeymoon together. I’m so happy we’re on this adventure together, from my little corner of the world to yours…

A tribute to Dad Green on his 75th birthday...

Today my Dad turns 75 and I had this plan to head down to Virginia to hang out with him and take him to lunch for his birthday; but the pending blizzard squelched that. So I thought I’d share 75 things about my dad that may be known or may not be common knowledge in honor of his birthday…

1.     First & foremost, Dad is a Godly man who loves Jesus. Dad has spent his life for the Savior and has taught his kids and granddads to do the same by his amazing example to us.

2.     Dad led me to the Lord at the age of 5 in the front seat of his car. Thanks for making sure I’ll be with you in Heaven Dad.

3.     Dad lost his mom when he was 6 and his dad passed when he was 8. Dad was an orphan and was raised at Boys Home in Covington, VA. This helps explain why family has always been & continues to be so important to Dad.

4.     Dad has been married to my mom for 53 years. He has never loved her more than he does today from my observations.

5.     Dad played football in high school with a leather helmet & he and mom love football to this day. Well they love just about any sport that has a ball involved J.

6.     I can’t recall my dad missing any of my ball games growing up. I know that he must have because he traveled so much across the State of Va. for WOL Clubs; but I don’t remember any. What I do remember was every time I looked off the field at some point in the game, Dad was there cheering me on.

7.     I’ll never forget the day I turned 16 and we got home from the Richmond DMV and I had my new license, we got out of the car to head into the house; dad tossed me the keys to the car and told me to feel free to take her out for a spin! Thanks dad for trusting me that day. That small gesture from my father spoke volumes to me and probably did more for my confidence than anything else my Dad did for me.

8.     My dad is a brave man and I learned that an early age. When I was about 5, dad chased off some burglars who were attempting break into the church he pastored in Ohio. That was a scary night and mom was worried sick. My dad became a hero to me that night and still is.

9.     My dad likes to have fun. His sense of humor is legendary. I've been listening to his jokes for almost 50 years and he still makes me laugh.

10.  Dad taught us how to have fun. I remember as a 5 or 6 year old boy in Ohio, dad pulled me in a snow sled saucer under a full moon for what seemed like a mile or more. I remember he and I slid down that hill under that brilliant moon until we were numb from cold. I will never forget that night.

11.  Dad has an incredible whistle just by pursing his lip and his tongue. I could go anywhere in my neighborhood or the woods behind our house as long as I could still hear dad’s whistle. When I heard that whistle, it was time to beat a path home!

12.  I learned from my dad how to be a Mr. Fixit. I have helped my dad tackle just about any project you can think of. My dad taught me even if you don’t exactly know how to fix something, you shouldn’t be afraid to tackle a project. Pay attention to how it comes apart, figure it out, and ask lots of questions of the guy at the hardware store…prayer always helps when trying to put it back together if it’s not working. I’ve heard dad breathe many a prayer and then watched God come to his aid in fixing stuff.

13.  Speaking of projects, my dad repaired the gap on the roof of my VW bug convertible by taking a piece of pressure treated wood that was bowed just right. I watched dad whittle and chisel that wood to a perfect fit, stretch that canvas back into place and my car was better than new!

14.  I’ve watched dad drop the engine out of a VW bug with one of his buddies and rebuild it, put it back and drive that car till the wheels fell off.

15.  Dad taught me how to drive back when cars had bench seats, he’d let me scoot over close to him and steer the car – of course his hands where there on the wheel to keep control but I used to love driving with dad.

16.  Dad bought my first gun for me because I loved hunting. It was a double barrel shotgun; a real beauty. I killed my first deer with that gun and I still own it today. It will belong to my boys someday.

17.  Dad taught me how to be tough and tender all rolled into one. I learned how to get hurt (working on a project) and not say something I shouldn't – I never heard Dad swear once when he hit his thumb…or when I hit his thumb with a hammer. I’ve also learned its okay for men to cry and share emotions.

18.  I learned how to top a tree and take it down in sections – to this day, I can see Dad with “his gear” and “safety harness” taking off limbs with a chain saw. And yes I can hear him telling me “whatever you do, don’t let go of that rope and pull this away from the house…”. I’m not sure I’ll ever top a tree like dad and I did, but I know howJ.

19.  I learned once you cut down a tree, you better properly cut, split, stack and cover that wood so you’ll have plenty to burn in your wood stove or fireplace on a cold winter night.

20.  I learned with Dad how to build storage sheds…we built lots of storage sheds…

21.  I learned from Dad to measure twice, or three or four times and try to only cut once…

22.  I learned how to talk to people because my dad has never met a stranger. It is flat embarrassing sometimes to go to Walmart or the hardware store with Dad. He will have 3 or 4 employees following him around to find the part he’s looking for. By the time the scavenger hunt is over, he’ll know all of them by at least first name, and most likely will have told them about Jesus.

23.  I’ve learned from Dad that by talking to people, you end up with lots with friends and acquaintances and you can make a huge difference in people’s lives just because you cared enough to speak to them.

24.  I’ve learned from Dad how to witness for Jesus. Always have a gospel tract handy and be ready to share Jesus with everyone you meet. I can’t wait to see all the people in Heaven someday because my Dad told them about Christ and invited them to meet the Savior.

25.  I learned that my when my Dad is with any of my mom’s brothers or brothers in law, there will be all sorts of fun and laughter.

26.  I have learned that Dad is capable of some pretty hysterical practical jokes and that a simple bucket or Saran Wrap have the potential to create gut busting laughter.

27.  I’ve learned that my Dad, my Uncle Jim and the bench front seat of a car are the perfect recipe for scaring my Uncle Jim to death. All you need is for Uncle Jim to be snoozing in the passenger seat, Dad driving up to a stop sign, slamming on the brake while holding the adjustment lever for the seat so it slides forward…Poor Uncle Jim thought he was being launched through the windshield…

28.  I’ve learned that Uncle Jim will make sure to pay Dad back in a hysterically funny wayJ.

29.  I’ve learned that my accidentally hurting Dad by splashing gasoline in his eyes while pouring it into the lawn mower will be fodder for a lifetime. “What have you done to me son?” is a question I hope I never hear again…

30.  I’ve learned a rubber hose for a gas can nozzle is a terrible idea and should have never been invented…It should also never be in the hands of an 8 year old near his father.

31.  I’ve learned that when Dad is standing on a plank over a log and wants you to jump onto the other end to break it in half, Newton’s 3^rd law: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” is sure to mean one of us is going to get hurt. Part of my lip 41 years later is proof of that lesson learnedJ.

32.  I learned from my Dad that a power nap either in the morning or the afternoon as needed is a wonderful blessing. 20 minutes of “resting my eyelids” as Dad calls it will help you have energy that has everyone in awe of your stamina.

33.  I learned from Dad the value of hard work and a strong work ethic. Every Saturday Dad and I worked on something together.

34.  I learned at an early age how to be the man of the house. I remember when Dad travelled; he made sure I knew it was my job to protect Mom and Rhonda.

35.  I learned to love my country and work to make a difference in our society. I learned that Dad is a Patriot and I must be too.

36.  I learned how to memorize Scripture because my Dad helped me memorize it. I learned it is important to help keep you from sin.

37.  I learned to love the Word of God from my Dad.

38.  I learned to love the Church and the importance of Church membership because of my Dad.

39.  I learned to be an involved and a committed, serving member of my church from my Dad.

40.  I learned how to sit still and behave in church. I learned there was severe discipline waiting for me if I miss behaved.

41.  I learned how to respect authority and to honor my father and mother by the way my Dad disciplined me.

42.  I learned that when Dad spanked me, he loved me because he would tell me he loved me. He would always make me pray to God and ask for forgiveness of God for doing something wrong. Dad made sure I knew what it meant to be forgiven and that God never quit loving me no matter what I did. Dad made sure I knew he would never quit loving me too.

43.  I learned to never back talk my mother or father, but especially my mother; and that if I chose to do so, Dad would ensure I would regret it for a long time.

44.  I’ve learned from Dad there are consequences for what you do wrong.

45.  I learned from Dad to take personal responsibility for what you do wrong and there is no one else to blame.

46.  I learned from Dad that the life of faith in God is an exciting adventure and to trust God no matter what He asks of you.

47.  I’ve learned that my Dad is proud of me and takes an interest in my careers and pursuits.

48.  I’ve learned that taking my Dad to work with me is a huge blessing. I remember taking him to the PD when I was police officer and every cop in my department wished their dads would take an interest in them the way my Dad did in me.

49.  I learned to love ice cream with my Dad and that keeping a freezer stocked full of it is a necessity of life. A little dab after dinner as a “chaser” is always special.

50.  I learned to never start a road trip without lots of snacks. Okay I might of gotten that one from my mother, but Dad taught me how to have a hand full of peanuts in one hand and drive with the other and how to consume the snacks in the car helps pass the time keep you awake.

51.  I learned from Dad that when sleepy while driving, rolling the window down and driving with your head out the window in the winter will help keep you awake the last 30 miles.

52.  I learned from Dad to always put stuff back where you found it so you never have to hunt for it when you need it.

53.  I learned from Dad to keep an assorted nut, bolt, screw and nail bin in the shop so you can fix stuff or finish a kit project because they didn’t include all the correct hardware needed.

54.  I learned from Dad the importance of prayer and how to talk to God about anything and everything on your heart.

55.  I learned from Dad that God is a God who answers prayer.

56.  I learned from Dad that gathering with other believers to pray about needs in church is a blessing and that it is important.

57.  I learned from Dad the importance of supporting, encouraging and loving on your pastor. I learned from Dad that Pastors need your support, encouragement, love and prayer.

58.  I learned from Dad that whatever I do with my life and career, I should do my very best to bring glory, honor and praise to God.

59.  I learned from Dad that chivalry is still important and that gentlemen should always open a door for a woman, particularly your wife. This is something Dad does for my mom every time they are getting into or out of a car.

60.  I’ve learned from Dad faithfulness and diligent work will be used greatly by God.

61.  I learned from Dad that good stewardship of the resources God has given you includes giving your tithes and offerings to your church.

62.  I learned from Dad you are never too old to love on, encourage and minister to teenagers.

63.  I learned from Dad that loving on teenagers, encouraging and ministering to teenagers will help keep you young yourself.

64.  I learned from Dad that when you are diagnosed with cancer, to keep trusting the Lord just like you have done all your life.

65.  I learned from Dad that your cancer or whatever life trauma comes your way, God will use you to be a witness for Him if you make yourself available to Him.

66.  I learned from Dad that it is important for us to talk every day on the phone no matter where you live and sometimes multiple times a day just because we can.

67.  I learned from Dad that you are never too old to join a “young marrieds” Sunday School class. It will help keep you young and you have lots of wisdom after 53 years of marriage to share with them.

68.  I’ve learned that when you are diagnosed with cancer, your young marrieds Sunday School class and your many church friends will feed you for a long time.

69.  I’ve learned from Dad that a life-time of investing in others and serving others is a life well spent for Jesus.

70.  I’ve learned that only Dad can get away with patting a stranger on his stomach and asking if he got enough turkey to eat on Thanksgiving Day while walking into Walmart.

71.  I’ve learned from Dad that when you get up in the wee hours of the morning, you can have incredible quality time with God but also this necessitates the need for a power nap (see #32 above).

72.  I’ve learned from Dad that if your kids and grandkids live in Texas or Korea and you live in Virginia, you are as close as a phone call and investing in plane tickets is always a good idea.

73.  I’ve learned when Dad is coming for a visit, have lots of coffee on hand and never throw out old coffee because Dad will microwave it and enjoy it.

74.  I’ve learned to have a list of several projects in mind for Dad when he comes for a visit. If you do not, he will dream up one.

75.  I’ve learned that my Dad is the most wonderful, awesome and amazing man I know. I’ve learned that I have been blessed far more than I deserve to have my father as my Dad. A man named Ralph Wilfred Green II. Happy Birthday Dad!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

I love Thanksgiving!  From my earliest memories of my childhood and now that I’m a grandpa with adult children and nearly adult children the Thanksgiving holiday has always been a special time in the Green household. My parents always made Thanksgiving so special whether they hosted it at our home or we traveled to one of my many aunts’ and uncles’ homes. Cheryl and I have continued that tradition with our kids and I trust they will always guard Thanksgiving for their families as well. I use the term guard purposely because if we allowed it to happen, the retailers and advertisers would just trample over Thanksgiving to get to “Black Friday” and steamroll us flat to a very materialized and hollow Christmas devoid of meaning and significance.

I was taught that Thanksgiving is a specific time to reflect on and thank the Lord for His tremendous blessings. The greatest of which of course is the Lord Jesus Christ who came specifically to die for our sins so we could be forgiven and have a home in Heaven when we die. The older I get, the more Thanksgiving means to me because the Lord has been so faithful through the many twists, turns, drama, trauma, joy, blessings, prosperity and drought life has laid in front of me. Last Sunday while visiting a church in Texas with my family there, we sang one of my favorite hymns written by a guy named Thomas Obediah Chisholm. Some might instantly recognize his name, my guess however is most do not at first glance. You may not know his name, but I’ll bet you know his hymn – “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. 

Thomas Chisholm was born in a crude log cabin in Franklin Kentucky in 1866. Just before his death in 1960 at the ripe old age of 94, he wrote: “My income has never been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. But I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care which have filled me with astonishing gratefulness.”  Mr. Chisholm’s experience of God’s great faithfulness was an each and every day kind of experience. That is why the chorus of this great hymn says: “Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided – Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me.” Mr. Chisholm was ordained a Methodist minister and over the course of his life wrote more than 1200 sacred poems, many of which have become prominent hymn texts. (“Amazing Grace 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions – Kenneth Osbeck)

As I stood in worship last Sunday and I heard the familiar notes begin to play and I reflected on the Lord’s faithfulness to a preacher named Ralph Green, my eyes started leaking profusely…okay, I’m not ashamed of it, I was crying! Tears just flowed and there was nothing I could do about it. A flood of gratitude welled up in my heart and overflowed down my checks and I stood there and worshipped the Lord with a full heart of gratitude and Thanksgiving.

Oh dear Christian friend, I hope that you will keep a tender and thankful heart to our Lord Jesus Christ particularly at Thanksgiving and guard this sacred holiday feast in your home with your family. Pass on that tradition to generation after generation. I’d also challenge you like Mr. Chisholm found and many believers like him have discovered that God’s faithfulness occurs “morning by morning new mercies I see”…if we take time to look for them! Will you reflect on “the pardon for sin and a peace that endureth?” Reflect on God’s “own dear presence to cheer and to guide.” Be thankful for His provision of “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow” and the “blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.”  When we reflect on that, how can we not belt out great is thy faithfulness? I have seen it many times in church through the years where people barely sing or mumble the words to that song which is profoundly sad to me but I can’t do anything about that. What I can do however is worship the Lord with a thankful heart not just at Thanksgiving, but every day I have breath.

Dear friends, God is ever faithful. His faithfulness knows no limits or boundaries. There is nothing going on in your life, in your church, your nation or the world in general where God’s great faithfulness is not found. Truly Thomas Chisholm hit the bulls-eye when out of him flowed “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” Wishing you and your family a tremendous time of Thanksgiving, joy and blessing; but most importantly worship of an ever faithful God, from my little corner of the world to yours…

Better than life...

This past Monday, I had a great time with the Lord in my personal quiet time. I was reading Psalm 61:1-3 and the Lord showed me 3 lessons in that little text that were of great encouragement to me and I pray they will be for you as well. The context of Ps.63 is given in the title of the Psalm: “A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah”. One needs to look to 1^st Samuel 22 to learn that David was the number one guy on King Saul’s wanted terrorist list. Of course David was not a terrorist but insecure Saul knew David had been anointed King of Israel and was determined to kill him. The Bible tells us Saul was infuriated that the priests in a village out in the wilderness had helped David so Saul sent troops to that village and murdered those priests! So David is hiding in the wilderness in fear of his life and writes the words to this marvelous Psalm.

   

In verse one David affirms his love, devotion and thirst for God in the wilderness he found himself in. The first lesson from this is that David was occupied with God, not his circumstances. I know many of you are in hard circumstances, maybe because of health, maybe because you’ve been furloughed from the government shutdown. Maybe you’re in a wilderness time of depression or emotional distress. Maybe some important relationships in your life are a wilderness that is a “dry and thirsty land where there is no water (Ps.63:1).” Whatever your wilderness, we can see from David’s example from being hunted down like a dog by the most powerful man on earth at that moment; that we need to occupy ourselves like David did with God and not our circumstances.

Lesson 2 comes from verse. 2: “So I have looked for you in the sanctuary, to see your power and glory.” David was nowhere near the sanctuary/tabernacle in the capital where Saul ruled. He couldn’t go there because he’d be killed immediately and we’ve already been told David is in the desert. The lesson we learn is that just like David, in the midst of a wilderness of whatever size, shape or proportion we find ourselves in, we can find sanctuary with Almighty God and we can choose to look for God’s power and glory on display. When our back is to the wall like David’s was and everything has spiraled out of control and there is nothing we can do, that is prime time God time! That old Christian saying God doesn’t give us more than we can handle is false! God constantly gives us more than we can handle so we must depend on Him and Him alone and not on our resources or ingenuity. In your wilderness, find sanctuary in your Heavenly Father’s arms (Ps.91:1-2), and then watch for God’s power and glory to be displayed.

Lesson 3 comes of course from verse 3: “Because your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.” Really David? God’s loving-kindness is better to you than your very life that King Saul is bent on snuffing out like a cheap candle? I keyed in on that word “loving-kindness” and began to study it. It is the Hebrew word “Chesed” and it is translated in various English words including “steadfast love”, “faithfulness”, “favor”, “loyalty”, “mercy”, “kindness and even “merciful kindness.” In the Old Testament, that word shows up in these forms some 245 times!

For example, this was the terminology the Lord used in giving Moses the 10 Commandments in Ex. 20:4-6 explaining why we cannot worship idols as He is a jealous God “but showing mercy (chesed) to thousands, to those who love Me and keep my commandments.”

It was the preferred term used to describe God’s “steadfast love” or covenant love for Israel as in Jeremiah 31:3 where God said He loved them “with an everlasting love and with loving-kindness (chesed) He drew them out”. It was on the basis of God’s loving-kindness, the Prophets appealed to God’s people to repent as in Joel 2:13 “So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness (chesed); and He relents from doing harm.”

Finally, I found it was this word David used to close Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy (chesed) shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

By the time I finished my quiet time, there were tears streaming down my cheeks as sat in my living room in the wee hours Monday morning in the warm glow of my Heavenly Father’s “chesed” – His steadfast love or loving-kindness for an old sinner named Ralph Green. The lesson is simple – God’s loving-kindness, His chesed is in fact better than life so like David in vs. 3 “my lips shall praise you.”

When we try to fill in the blank where the word “life” is there in verse three with anything other than God and His loving kindness, it does not work. “Your loving-kindness is better than ___” – my wife, my kids, my job, my resources, my toys, my passions and pleasures – none of those things we tend to build our lives upon work and provide for us what God does with His presence and essence of character. When we find ourselves in the wilderness, let us remember and be encouraged like David; “Your loving-kindness is better than life!”  Three lessons of encouragement, from my little corner of the wilderness to yours…