Devotional

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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Devotional

(1/11/16)

            I went to see my upper-octogenarian inlaws and outlaws in Pennsylvania on January 4-8.

            When I got back and sifted through the e-mail, snail mail, post-its, smoke signals, and everything but Facebook and Twitter because I’m not interested in people with potty mouths or when they go potty, I found out that nobody had volunteered for the first chapel service of 2016 preceding the meetings of our deacons and elders.

            Parenthetically, we have worship with the sacrament before our board meetings because, while there are always exceptions among those with their minds on everything/everyone but Jesus, it’s hard to be selfish, worldly, and graceless when you precede decision-making by focusing on Jesus and pledging to filter confession, conduct, and countenance through Him.

            Really, when religions, governments, schools, entertainment, media, families, and even churches that claim Jesus as Lord and Savior hit, hurt, and hate, it means they need more Jesus in ‘em.

            When we’ve got more Jesus in us, we’ve got less hitting, hurting, and hating.

            It’s axiomatic.

            It’s also a big hint why our world, nation, religions, schools, entertainment, media, families, and even churches that should know better because they claim to know Jesus better are so, uh, messed up.

            Anyway, considering the last 11 years and next 15-20 to come, I wondered why somebody didn’t jump at the chance to keep me on the sidelines with all of that salt, light, and leaven that upset Islamofascistnutballs, denominational jingoists, and people who are mad at me for taking the church away from them and giving it back to Jesus.

            Besides, I just got back from Pennsylvania and haven’t really gotten over the passing of Kopper to wherever God has him now; and you can read more about the latter by reading “Kopper” that was posted on 1/7/16 at www.koppdisclosure.com as you watch for “Kopper2” that should be posted before the parousia.

            Overwhelmed by increasing demands seasoned with senseless, selfish, and enabled drama, I didn’t know what to talk about.

            Well, I thought I could talk about Jesus.

            Really.

            I remember B.J. Steinbrook urging me on May 8, 1977 as my vocational journey commenced, “Give ‘em the gospel!  That’ll shock ‘em!”

            I asked God for something about it/Him.

            Here’s what I think He told me to say; and you can be the judge – I know some folks really relish that role! – if it’s an inspiration or indigestion.

            It’s still early in the new year.

            It’s not too late to make a resolution worth, uh, resolving.

            I know some folks don’t like new year’s resolutions; because they say they/we never keep ‘em.

            So?

            Shouldn’t we, at least, try?

            Ergo, I’m hoping we will resolve with Paul, “Since you have been raised to new life with Jesus, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Jesus sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth…Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony…Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (see Colossians 3).

            Nothing more needs to be said.

            After all, this is for women and men of faith called to be deacons, elders, undershepherds, and leaders.

            And while a reminder is helpful every now and then for all of us, if anyone has to explain that to us…

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Blessings and Love!

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