Today I had lunch with one of the members of our church. At the end of the conversation I heard something that any pastor would love to hear. No matter your job or station in life, I bet you’d love to hear it, too. It’s an open-ended question that deserves an honest response.

The words I heard were in the form of a question: 

Is there anything I, or my wife, can do to help you or our church?

The key to this question is that it was said in all sincerity. It was not flippant. The question was not asked hoping that there would be no response. It was asked in expectation that there would be some kind of request or answer.

Although I shouldn’t have been, I was taken a bit aback by the question. I didn’t have a ready response. I said that I would let him know if there ever is anything. And I will.

I will because I know from history that the person who asked the question is ready, willing, and able to help. The key here is history. When someone backs up their words with actions in the past it’s a pretty good indicator that it will happen again in the future.

I can’t tell you how much easier my daily work would be if I had more people asking this question more often. I myself often think the question, and ponder how I can help others. But I don’t ask it nearly as often as I should. In other words, it helps to speak it out loud to people.

If I appreciate it, I know others must appreciate it as well. 

Here are my lessons from this little question at lunch today:

1. Be ready with an answer when someone asks you what they can do for you.
2. Make a commitment to ask this question more often: “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

How can you help someone today?

A great many things happen in the name of celebrating. It isn’t too difficult to find most any excuse to have a celebration — even a minor one. The end of a work week is enough reason to go out to dinner or have drinks with friends. But there is one thing in life to celebrate, perhaps, more than any other.

This weekend I got to perform one of my very favorite tasks as a pastor. On Sunday I did baptisms for a pair of cousins. Although it’s a seemingly simple thing to do and quite uneventful to the naked eye (pouring a little tap water on a child’s head and speaking God’s Word), it is one of life’s most significant events. As St. Paul said:

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

The entire theology of baptism can be left to other posts and other writers. The point here is that baptism delivers forgiveness. It brings new life. It is God’s own delivery mode for salvation.

If that isn’t something to celebrate, I don’t know what is.

The families of those two cousins did it right. After church they invited everyone at the baptism to remain for lunch, eat some cake, and do some celebrating. It reminded me of all the celebrations our family has had over the years after a baptism. Family and friends gather to eat, pass around the baby, and celebrate.

Far too often I see families in church for a baptism then rarely, if ever, see them again. They are forgetting that Jesus said disciples are made when we both baptize and teach (Matthew 28:18-20). Baptism isn’t just some magic incantation. It delivers forgiveness of sins, brings life, and delivers faith and salvation. But that can all be snuffed out without regular connection to the Word of God.

It seems to me that the families who “get” baptism are the ones who celebrate. And they’re the ones I most often see in church again the next Sunday.

If there’s one reason for celebrating this is most certainly it. So here’s to celebrating baptisms more often and then turning around and going to church again the next week. And the week after that. And the week after that.

It’s all preparation for the greatest Celebration of all.

How do you celebrate life’s most significant events?

As serendipity would have it I ended up at the Chicago stop of the 2016 Coldplay tour. Thanks to our son who had two extra tickets, my wife and I were able to tag along. It was a storm-tossed night, but in the end Coldplay entered Soldier Field and put on a phenomenal show. The set was cut short by a torrential downpour. But we got to see fireworks, colorful magic bands beating to the music, and a throng totally engaged with each song.

I love lead singer Chris Martin. I really do. But there was one thing he said during the concert that disappointed me a bit. He was introducing a song that he wanted to dedicate it to all the victims of violence around the world. So he implored the crowd to join together in “community consciousness” and send “good vibes” to Nice, France, Baton Rouge, and Orlando.

I don’t expect Martin to completely get it. He was doing his best with what he knew how to do. But “community consciousness” and “good vibes” are going to have about as much affect on our world situation as a wet noodle.

With all due respect to Mr. Martin, here are some better alternatives to bring positive change to our world:

1. God’s Law. God’s Law is meant to afflict those who are comfortable in their sin. Though it may not seem like love, it is love of the highest kind. When people are on a path to destruction they need to be reminded of the terror and eternal consequences of sin. Without it they will do what they have always done: remain comfortable in their sin.
2. God’s Gospel. When people are afflicted and completely uncomfortable with their sin and its punishment, they need comfort. The only real comfort comes from the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus Christ paid the price for all sins. It is given completely as a gift of grace. It comes through faith in Him. It is delivered into lives by the Word of God in all of its forms.
3. Jesus Christ, the God-Man. Jesus is the only One who can bring about real and lasting change in this world of violence. Until everyone recognizes Him as Savior and Lord there will be the problem of evil. That’s why we work to introduce Jesus to anyone and everyone. There will be no complete end to evil and suffering as long as this world lasts. So we pray, “Thy kingdom come.”

Until it does, we bring love to any and every situation in one of the above three ways. It would be wonderful for Chris Martin to start proclaiming this at Coldplay concerts. But even if he doesn’t, hundreds of people who attend those concerts can certainly do far more than come together in “collective consciousness” or send “good vibes.”

Jesus is the real and only solution.

Would you add anything else to a list of things to bring positive change to the world?

Driving north on I-94 I got my first glimpse of Milwaukee’s skyline. A wave of homesickness washed over me. I said to my wife, Tammy, “This is the city that really knows me.” When you live the majority of a lifetime in a place you take on its characteristics and identify with its traits. That’s why you feel homesick if you’ve been away for a while and then come back.

I was born and raised in Milwaukee. All but my post-graduate education was pursued there. I performed in college and community theatre. My youth was even sometimes occupied by being lead singer in various bands. Milwaukee saw me on stage, heard me speak at graduation ceremonies, and watched me play football. I can remember buying my first car there and securing our first apartment as a married couple.

We left for a while. When we came back to Milwaukee I served a church in the heart of the city for fifteen years. I taught at Concordia University – Wisconsin. For thirteen years I coached baseball. Our kids grew up in the city. I was privileged to be a part of a community organizing group called Common Ground. No matter where I went in town I was likely to bump into someone I knew. It was home.

There were connections I had. I knew upon whom I could call for certain projects. When I wanted to form a creativity club I knew the people that would jump at the chance. If I needed an actor, or a stop sign put on a certain corner, or a prof to answer a question, those people were a phone call away and very willing to help out. I guess I’m sometimes homesick as much for the people as I am for the city.

But now we live in Orlando, Florida. It’s a wonderful place with beaches, palm trees, and Disney. Only in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined I would live in such a warm and exotic place. I tell Tammy nearly every day: “I love living in Florida!” Our daughter, son-in-law, and soon to be grandchild also live there. We’ve made many wonderful friends and great connections during our relatively short time in Florida. But that doesn’t mean I can’t get homesick when I occasionally go “home.”

Orlando is now my “home.” But Milwaukee will always be home. It will take time, but I’m certain Orlando will one day know me in similar ways as does Milwaukee. In the mean time it’s up to me to get to know my new “home” and its wonderful people.

What causes you to be homesick?

The so-called “Greatest Generation” is losing members every day. Those wonderfully brave men and women were the ones who quickly and quietly went away (or stayed at home) to fight World War II. They are now a rare breed. It is my joy to get to know members of the Greatest Generation. I love hearing their stories. I respect them more than words can say. But they aren’t the only great ones. There are other great generations, too.

Long before World War II this country fought other wars. One of them was the Civil War, or the War Between the States. It was ugly. It was deadly. It separated families. It tore apart our country. And it was waged on the backs of another great generation. Both sides sent men to war who hadn’t yet reached twenty years of age.

One such young man came from my wife’s lineage. Her father’s great uncle was David Wallace Proudfit. He was 19-years-old when he volunteered for the 40^th Illinois Infantry. David was killed in the Civil War battle of Shiloh on April 6^th, 1862.

It happened like this: He was shot through one arm, one shoulder and through the bowels in the afternoon of that day. Proudfit crawled a short distance to a little stream. He filled his canteen. Then he crawled back with water for his Captain, Bright Shirley, who was shot through the knee.

After he took the water to his captain, Proudfit took off one boot. He put it under his head for a pillow. He died right there in that spot before sundown. When Captain Shirley was carried off of the field, Proudfit was still alive. But when men came back for him he was dead.

Captain Shirley, while recruiting, visited the Proudfit home to relate details of the sad story. He was incredibly appreciative for the thoughtfulness provided him by a dying young man.

What I can’t get out of my mind was that he was nineteen-years-old. At that young age he gave his life in our nation’s ugly civil war.

Young people have always contributed significantly to our nation’s freedom and our nation’s greatness. Sometimes they don’t even have to give their lives. I am so very thankful for all those who so willingly serve us to support and defend our freedom.

I am also thankful for all the great young people who contribute to our nation in other ways. They are the ones who:

• Start businesses
• Labor in our factories
• Serve us in hotels and restaurants
• Excel in school
• Make great art
• Inspire us with thoughtful writing

I guess what I’m trying to say is that one need not be past the age of thirty to significantly contribute to society. I, for one, appreciate the younger generations. Over the course of our nation’s history some have given their young lives; others have used their lives to serve us in other ways.

I appreciate them so much that I wrote a book featuring their stories. This book called Fully and Creatively Alive: How to Live a More Joyfully Fulfilling Life, is in the final stages of design. I can’t wait for you to read how young people continue to make our nation great. I’m looking forward to them showing us how they can become another “greatest generation.”

How excellent would it be if wouldn’t have to sacrifice one more young life in the throes of war?

What great things have you seen young people do?

The first time we went to the place on the lake was before we were married. Tammy’s family made the trek to the primitive cottages from their Illinois home many times before. In fact, her dad visited the very same place as a boy. Now I was introduced into the family and thus had to be initiated into Eagle River lake life.

The family rented a couple of cottages. The walls were paper thin with just enough insulation to keep out the chilly northern evening air. It was a magical place for a getaway. In those days you got there following directions like, “Turn left at the rock…turn right at the tree stump.” The roads were dirt and the little lake was filled with fish. Walk up to the owner’s house, get your fishing license, and you’re ready for the week. My Nikon camera was filled with film and ready to go.

It may have just been that I was in love, but that place and that lake immediately captured my fancy. The scent of pines, the clear water, the sound of the loons…I knew it was a place I would want to visit again and again.

And I have.

Since that visit in the early 1980’s, Tammy and I got married, had two children, and have lived in five different cities. But a return to the place on the lake is a reminder of God’s gift of grace. So we have returned many times. But even with the passage of time it seems that, like God himself, the lake never changes.

Sure, there are now asphalt roads and more commercialism in the little town of Eagle River. The rented cottages have been replaced with a gorgeous, year-round home on the other side of the lake. It was built by Tammy’s mom and dad the year our daughter, Ashlyn, was born. It has a wrap-around deck, a stone fireplace, and a wall of windows overlooking the lake.

But the lake itself has changed very little. There’s still the island in the middle. The bay on the far side still has nesting loons. The stars at night are still brighter than any you will ever see.

That same lake has welcomed members of my side of the family. It’s gentle waves have said hello to close friends. We’ve been there alone with only our family. I have spent time there with just one other friend. We’ve been there with maybe just a few too many of our kids high school friends. We’ve been there in the summer and the winter.

It has now been far too many years since either of our kids have been to the place on the lake. But that’s about to change when we meet Tammy’s mom and dad this summer at that beautiful place. We will soon drive down that driveway with a lake view, this time with Ashlyn’s husband and Ben’s fiancé, who have never seen the place.

They are about to know just what I mean when I say that the lake is a reminder of God’s gift of grace. Though things in life change, the passage of time is lightning fast, and asphalt roads replace the dirt, the lake welcomes our family and draws us together. It’s peace covers us like a warm blanket. It’s a gift that has been giving for generations and won’t stop even after we’re gone.

What place reminds you of the gift of God’s grace?

Earlier this year I asked my readers to respond to a survey so that I could better serve you. One of the things you said you want is motivation to accomplish the things you’d like to do in life. Some of you even said so with a daring degree of desperation. It’s a fair request and something we all need from time to time. So now that we’re six months into the year, it’s time for some renewed motivation and encouragement to keep on keeping on. Read on for your mid-year motivation:

I’m going to be brutally honest with you. At the beginning of the year I went through a goal setting process. The outcome became the nine goals that I set to accomplish by the end of 2016. For the first half of this year I looked at them frequently. I made progress on some. I have worked on all of them. But here’s the embarrassing part: I have not yet reached one of the goals I set. That’s right, not one of my nine goals has been accomplished.

The deadlines that I set for five of them have already passed. Does that mean I should abandon them? In no way! I am still motivated to work toward them. Those goals made me do things and make progress that I would not have made had I not set my goals.

Here’s an example: One of my goals was to release my book, Fully and Creatively Alive: How to Live a More Joyfully Fulfilling Life, by April 30th. Needless to say, that date has come and gone. But the whole process has helped me learn. I found two designers to help me with the design of the book cover and the design of the interior of the book. I now know things about the whole process of design that I did not know before. I’m learning about CreateSpace, a division of Amazon that helps writers publish books. It’s one lesson after another. My new goal is to release the book by September 1st.

So here are three ways to renew your motivation at mid-year:

1. Revisit your goals. If you wrote some goals at the beginning of the year and haven’t looked at them for a while, dig them out again. You still have six months to go! If you haven’t written any this year, there’s no time like the present to write some down. You still have six months to go!
2. Check on your progress. Take a look back to the beginning of the year and see how far you’ve come. The only comparison you need to make is to compare yourself to you yesterday. If you haven’t come as far as you’d like, use it as motivation to fire up the afterburners for the remainder of this year.
3. Lean on others. Ask someone close to you to be your cheerleader and your accountability partner. My wife, Tammy, has done a fantastic job encouraging me when I need it, and yet gently reminding me that I need to keep going…even if I haven’t yet accomplished one of my goals.

Finally, don’t forget to reward yourself. Maybe now’s the time, mid-year, to take a bit of a break. Catch your breath. Rest for a day or two…or a week or two. While you do so, get yourself in the mindset to push hard and accomplish your goals by December 31st. You still have six months to go!

When you do accomplish a goal, make sure to celebrate. 

How do you motivate yourself mid-year to accomplish your goals?