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We Could Hear Them Singing

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I love airplanes.  Always have.  I love to fly too.  So much so, that I got a Private Pilot’s license in 1988.  The freedom of flight, the process of planning a flight, the accumulation of understanding gained during a flight, and just watching things below go by are unlike anything else.

People have asked me if I ever get nervous or scared when I fly.  Honestly, I do not.  I’ve been in crazy weather, flown through severe turbulence, navigated narrow mountain passes, had near misses with other planes, but always felt confident and secure.

Except for one time when I was a passenger.

We were on our way to Israel.  The old TWA L-1011 lumbered off the runway at JFK and began its climb eastbound over the North Atlantic. As the flight attendants begin to prepare the serving carts, we all began to settle in for the ten-hour flight. I was in heaven analyzing the various aspects of this enormous aircraft, until a loud bang caught my and everyone else’s attention.  It wasn’t long after that noise that the pilot came on the intercom and said,


We have had a serious malfunction in the number one engine.  We’ve declared an emergency and are returning to JFK.  Flight attendants please prepare for emergency landing.

Within in minutes we were given instructions for the emergency landing procedures.  As it began to occur to me how serious this was, I could feel anxiety building inside me, and I wasn’t the only one.  I could hear people saying that they loved each other.  I could hear people crying, in fact one even of the flight attendants was crying.  I could hear people praying. It was getting tense…

…until I heard them singing.

There was a group of people from an African Methodist Episcopal church who all sitting together in the back of the plane.  They began singing.  I mean singing.  Giving God praise.  They sang,

I will bless the Lord, oh my soul,

And all that is within me, bless His holy name;

For He has done great things, hallelujah,

He has done great things, hallelujah,

He has done great things, bless His holy name.

Almost everyone aboard began singing with them.  God is my witness, the entire plane was filled with a tangible sense of peace.  Even when the pilot announced for us to prepare for landing, that peace remained.

As the plane wobbled its way down onto the runway, we could see dozens of ambulances and fire trucks lining both sides of the runway.  The wheels touched down and it seemed we rolled forever because there was no reverse thrust. But finally that big old jumbo jet turned off the runway and began taxing to back to the gate.

Everyone onboard began to applaud.  But those precious AME folks who had been singing, erupted in praise and thanks to the Lord Jesus.  It wasn’t long that every Christian aboard that plane (and there were a lot of them on their way to Israel), were saying, “Amen! Amen!”  I even heard the flight attendant who had been crying say, “Amen.”  

We later found out that the plane had lost all its generators.  They flew back and landed on battery power alone.  But we also learned that the pilot’s could hear us singing.  One of them commented, “I feel like we had some help from above.”

Yes indeed, we had help from above…and also from the back of the plane.


You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

Eyes of Hope

What he saw captivated his thoughts. It was lush. Fertile. Beautiful. And it was
all theirs! Moses said to the men around
him,


“Now I know what God meant when He said,

‘I’m bringing you into a land flowing with milk and honey.’”

He was getting older, but his strength got a second wind as
he thought about how God was fulfilling the promises made to him back in
Egypt. Hope surged in his heart even
though there appeared to be walled cities and some formidable opponents. Surely
these things could be no greater of a challenge than Pharaoh and his minions.
Moses could hardly wait for the men to get back whom he had sent into the land
for a firsthand look.

“There they are!” someone shouted as the twelve came up a
trail. They didn’t appear to be very
excited as Moses asked for a status report.


“We cannot go! The people are
too big! The cities are too strong. We
would be better off back in Egypt.”

All the people began to moan, but Moses noticed that
Jephunneh’s son and Nun’s son were shaking their heads. “Caleb and Joshua,”
Moses asked, “what did you boys see?”


“Let us go up at once and take possession, for we
are well able to overcome it…Do not fear the people, for the Lord is with us!”
(Numbers 13:30,
14:9)

That answer proved to be a very key moment in the history of
Israel, and in the lessons God deals with his people. It turns out that how we relate to circumstances
is based on how much we really believe God is with us, and that nothing is
impossible for Him. What Caleb and
Joshua saw and felt inwardly affected their hope, which in turn affected their
destiny. This is true today. Let us look
with eyes of faith-filled hope.

What Makes God Great…

After church last Sunday a person was telling me how they had
been out working in their yard, not really thinking about a whole lot, when
something reminded them of a person they knew back in the day. They laughed as
they thought about some of stupid things they had done with this person. But
then their thoughts starting wandering back to things that weren’t so laughable.
The person looked at me and said,


“Most of the people I have had as friends are no longer in my life. I
feel like almost every relationship I’ve had has fallen apart. The truth is, I have made a lot of mistakes. I
know I’ve hurt people. But I’ve been
hurt too. Many of those people have done things to me that were wrong!”

I could see the hurt and brokenness in their face, and at
the same time sense anger and bitterness in their words. I paused for a minute, and then asked if they
had asked God to forgive them for things they had done wrong in those
relationships. They said they had. I asked if they had forgiven those who had
hurt them. Again, they said they
had. But something was missing.

This person, like so many of us, was not living with the
freedom of knowing that their sins were truly forgiven. The various mistakes and sins in the past, or
maybe something recently said or done, or a behavior indulged in repeatedly, makes
it difficult to believe that we can be truly forgiven. Paul evidently felt the same way,

“For the good that I will to
do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do
what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.
For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another
law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into
captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am!
Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:19–24)

When theologians describe God’s greatness they use words
like omniscient or omnipotent. Those are
true descriptions, but Psalms describes God this way,


“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and
abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.” (Ps 86:5)

“As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshiped.”

(Ps 130:4, The Message)

In other words, what makes God great to us who follow Him is
his willingness and power to forgive, no matter what we’ve done or how often
we’ve done it. When the memories come—of
past failures, of past sins, of the fractures we’ve caused, of things that have
been done to us, or even of where we are currently falling short—we can rest
fully in the greatness of our God, who is rich in mercy and always ready to forgive!

Remember this the next time you’re out doing yard work, and
you start reminiscing.

Pioneer Spirit

350 years ago a shipload of travelers landed on the northeast coast of America. In the first year they were there they established a town site. The next year they elected a town government. The third year the town government planned to build a road five miles westward into the wilderness.  In the fourth year the people tried to impeach their town government because they thought it was a waste of public funds to build a road five miles westward into a wilderness.

Here were people who had the vision to see three thousand miles across the ocean and overcome great hardships to get there. But in just a few years they were not able to see five miles outside of town.

They had lost their pioneering vision.

With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great. However without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.

It’s a sad day for any person or church when they become absolutely satisfied with the deeds they are doing, the thoughts they are thinking, the life they are living, until there ceases forever beating on the doors of their souls a desire to do something greater for God.

The truth is, time has a way of taking our passion away. Can you remember a time when your passion and your love for Jesus was more fervent than it is now? Can you remember when you were more interested in sharing your faith with others?  Can you remember a time when you wanted to do something big for God?

Nobody consciously chooses mediocrity.  All of us want to be a part of doing something great for God. But to do something great for God, to be part of something that is bigger than us, requires a fresh vision from God,  

The good news is that God wants to freshen our vision.  He wants to do great things through His people.  He does not want us to remain static, or grow stagnant.  His moving on the hearts of His people has always preceded a new breakthrough, and that’s available to us right now.


“Caleb interrupted, called for silence before Moses and said, ‘Let’s go up and take the land—now. We can do it.…If God is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land.’”
(Numbers 13)

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You’re Not Home Yet

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I remember hearing a story about an elderly missionary who spent his life planting and building up small churches in foreign countries. He worked and sacrificed, and as a result he never had many material possessions.  After many years of serving, old age had finally caught up with him. He had worn himself out in his work for the Lord.  So he began to make his journey back home.

As he traveled home, he reflected: “I’ve served the Lord many years.  I’ve worked hard and invested my life for the gospel. After all these years of service and sacrifice, I wonder if anybody is going be there to meet me and welcome me home?”

The airplane landed, and as the old missionary stepped off he saw some of the other passengers being met by their loved ones, even some being welcomed with signs and banners. But no one was there to greet him. He stood all alone with no one welcoming him home. As he grew discouraged, he felt the assault of the darkness…


“Ha, so this is your reward for all those years of service? You see what’s happened? Nobody appreciates you and nobody really cares about you. Was it really worth it? Nobody’s even here to welcome you home! That’s what you get for all your service!”

It was truly discouraging. But just as the old missionary was about to give in and feel sorry for himself, he heard another voice. This time, it was Holy Spirit saying…


“Don’t be discouraged son. You’re not home yet. You’re not home yet.”

There is something in this story I pray we never forget—when the way seems hard and the rewards seem few, or when we’re tired and discouraged, or when we feel unappreciated by those we love, or when we find ourselves on the verge of giving up—at those seemingly hopeless moments, let us not forget: We’re not home yet; we’re not home yet.

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5–6, KJV)

A Baby Changes Everything

The headline on a popular online news site caught my attention:


Summer 2014 Was the Worst Ever! From Ferguson to Gaza to Iraq, this summer has been hellish. A recap of three months we’d all rather forget.
(The Daily Beast)

Notwithstanding any of the tragedies, but the summer of 2014 was actually the best summer ever for our family!  On June 22, my daughter and son-in-law gave birth to our first grandchild, Poppy Ja’el Pester.

Our lives changed forever.

There’s a Welsh proverb that says, “Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild.”  It’s true.  People have told me that being a grandparent was the ultimate experience.  I have to agree.  Every time I’m with Poppy, or even look at a picture of her, a warmth comes over me that it is indescribable.  One of the most powerful handclasps I’ve ever felt is when she takes hold of my finger.  I believe the idea that no one is perfect is a view most commonly held by people with no grandchildren.

Poppy’s parents took the preparations for her arrival very seriously.  From crib to stroller to car seat, everything is carefully Googled, researched, compared, and discussed.  They left absolutely nothing to chance. (I chuckle a little here because it’s amazing my wife’s and my kids made it at all.  I remember bringing them home from the hospital in my wife’s arms in the front seat!)

This morning my thoughts are about the arrival of Jesus.  What was it like to get that incredible news?  Mary was going to need time.  Time to break the news to Joseph and explain to her parents.  Even though she immediately said yes to God, she needed time to prepare her own heart to become the mother of the Messiah.  And for the people of Israel who had been waiting 500 years for the fulfillment of Isaiah’s promise of a Messiah, what was it like to get the incredible news that their savior was born? 

Their lives changed forever.

But change is not easy.  Doing things differently, thinking differently can be very difficult for people.  Forever the people of Israel came to God through priests who vicariously offered their sacrifices.  God was distant.  Untouchable.  But now He lies in the arms of his mother.  Vulnerable.  Precious.  Human.   And as He grew He showed compassion on everyone.  No one was beyond his reach.  He would eventually say, “If you seen Me, you’ve seen the Father.”

The writer of Hebrews summed things up this way,


He opened for us a new way, a living way…
(Hebrews 10:20, GNB)

Instead of wondering where God is or if He’s even aware of us.  Instead of hoping we’re good enough to be accepted by God.  Instead of doubting God’s existence, God comes to us.  He’s made Himself known.  And He’s still doing that!  Right now His spirit is with us making an ongoing relationship with God possible.

Like I said, a baby changes everything.

The Waiting Room

Kathie’s and my children were all born in modern maternity wards that allowed our families and friends to participate in the process (though Kathie had the rough part).  In fact, the doctor actually let me deliver both of our youngest kids.  I think he figured anyone with four kids ought to know how deliver a baby.

However when I was born things were totally different.  While my mom enjoyed the pampering of nurses fluffing her pillow and meeting her every request (not), my dad had to wait in a smoke-filled room with all the other nervous soon-to-be dads.  Every time the door opened, the pacing would stop, and all eyes looked to see who belonged to the latest little package held in the nurse’s arms. Finally after hours of waiting, my dad heard the door open at 3AM and the nurse say, “Mr. Phillips, congratulations, you’re the father of a boy!”

My dad was in a place called a “waiting room.”  And though they are a thing of the past, there are still plenty of them in existence.  The fact is some of you reading this are in a waiting room. 

You’ve been waiting, pacing, hoping for something, and as of yet there’s been no announcement of it happening.  It just maybe you’re actually in God’s waiting room, and it may encourage you to know that there have been many others throughout history who have also been in this room. 

Like my dad, Abraham had to wait for a son, only instead of waiting for one night he waited 25 years.  Joseph was given a dream, only to watch his youth dwindle away in an Egyptian jail.  Job waited for healing and restoration.  David was anointed to be King of Israel, but had to hide for years in the wilderness running for his life.

What have you been waiting for?  David has some words for you:


“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!”
(Psalms 27:14)

Harold & Wanda Duncan. CFT Christmas party #heroes @thecenterchurch #120514

When it comes to Christmas, Kathie is zealous!

My wife Kathie decorates our house for other seasons (Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving), but those simply serve as a countdown for the Holy Grail of all seasons…Christmas! 

When it comes to Christmas, Kathie is zealous! 

She is always thinking about how to decorate our house, what food she’s going to cook, and what parties she is going to have.  To avoid having people in our neighborhood get their decorations up before us, she has me putting up lights well before Thanksgiving.

A few weeks ago I was outside taking care of the house lights, the placement of the nativity scene, and of course the inflatable Santa.  With my usually Clarke Griswold genius, I figured out the electrical needs using strategically placed photocell timers, as well as refining the correct use of LED lights.  

I went into the house to get Kathie to come out and see my work.  As I entered, I was amazed to see that she had already decorated the tree, and had put up garland, wreaths, lights, candles, and other decorations all over the house.  And there was a fresh baked cookie smell everywhere (not technically impressive, but yummy).

When our RE:gen group came to our house the next night, some of them commented on the outside lights, although nobody seem to notice my strategically placed photocell timers.  But everybody went on and on about the decorations inside our house.  They loved how beautiful the tree and the wreaths and the candles were. And they loved the un-technical smell of fresh baked goodness.

Thinking about Kathie’s passion for Christmas and her approach to decorations reminds me of a conversation the angel Gabriel had with Mary.  When Gabriel had finished telling Mary about how she was going to give birth to the Messiah, we’re told that she was confused and asked, “How can this happen?”  Gabriel answered her with what the prophet Isaiah had said many years earlier:


“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given…The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.“
(Isaiah 9:6-7)

Like Mary, have you ever wondered how certain circumstances in your life will ever work out?  Look at those words, “the zeal of the Lord will perform this.”  In other words, God will arrange, plan, and put things together in your life that seem impossible, but his zeal and passion will see that they happen.  

I pray no matter where you are today, or where you are heading, or whom you are with, that you are overwhelmed with a sense of God’s blessing.