Thursday, August 30

Nights at the Grove

My home church does something they call the "Nights at the Grove" summer concert series. We've had some awesome artists this year, Shawn McDonald and the last one of this summer, Starfield. The Starfield band has their website at www.starfieldonline.com
It's hard to believe that I'm that old......I wasn't jumping up and down like the lead singer told us we had to, but then he couldn't see me because of all the youngsters jumping around. Even my boy was pretty energetic during the concert.
I didn't know that this band played some of the awesome songs that I love to listen to on a regular basis. It always strikes me at how different the Christian bands are compared to their secular counterparts. Starfield has had a 12,000 strong concert over in the UK (if I read the website right) and yet.....some of the nicest young men I had the opportunity to meet.
It made for a wonderful night.

Maybe next summer I'll get to listen to Barlow Girl.

(Hey, it could happen)

Still waiting on the Fire Department.

In Christ,
Jim

Wednesday, August 29

Do not fear

Wow, what a week this has been so far. Side by Side, a recovery ministry I help with at my home church had their session last night. It is amazing to me to see the growth of this ministry after a year of service.
Lamentations 3:57 says "You came near when I called You and You said, 'Do not fear.'" I know that God walked in my life a few days ago on Sunday when I faced the greatest challenge I've allowed myself in a long time. You know, if you don't try it you won't fail, kinda thing.
But God is prepping me for something, something that is going to require me to step out in total and heartwrenching fear, so that He can wrap me in His grace to succeed in the purpose He's called me to.
It could be in the Chaplain ministry, or in the Men's ministry, or something totally different that I'm blind to right now. But just as Gill states in his commentary;

"When a person draws nigh to God in the way of duty, and particulary in prayer, calling upon His name, God responds in kind, drawing nigh by grace and mercy---manifesting Himself to them."

The book of Lamentations is supposed to be an awesome support for those who suffer depression and I looked up this verse (through God's guidance) almost a year ago today. My friend Mark Gotberg had passed on and I was dealing with a particularly harsh episode of depression. I was dealing with the rejection of the leadership of my church in my petition to go to Chaplaincy school, endorsed by the church......

"The opinion of the leadership may be that I am not adequate to the task I'm called to, that I am too eager to go here, do this, or be that without specialization. And that I am too 'young' in my faith, too unstable in my finances, marriage, and future. They are right, if that is what they believe."

But as the song, "Awesome God" states:
But my God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above. In wisdom, power, and love......"
And my statement (a year ago August 30th) states it all too clear:

"But my God is none of those things. And, if I go about my Father's business under a flag of total surrender ---all things are possible."

Wow......what a year it has been!

In Christ,
Jim

Tuesday, August 28

Articles I've written on Faithwriters

Article Archives

08/20/07 America, You have forgotten the face of YOUR FATHER
08/13/07 You've got to be kidding
08/03/07 The Star
08/01/07 A Modern day Psalm 102
07/30/07 Where is God?
07/24/07 Still a sinful man, and proud of it
07/24/07 Who are you?
06/29/07 A politics of Misdirection
06/26/07 Silence on the airwaves
06/20/07 To label me a prodigal would be only scratching at the surface of who I used to be
06/13/07 The community we are called to be
06/07/07 A tribute to Rhonda Hart, WMUZ 1035
06/07/07 So what, I am a follower of Christ and have no excuse
05/31/07 Love your enemies
05/16/07 Rev Jerry Falwell, not my buddy but a great warrior
05/03/07 Are you inspection ready???
04/26/07 I'm a MAD Christian
04/23/07 Stormy weather
04/18/07 Where was God that Virginian morning when evil walked the world?
04/13/07 Haven't we learned?
04/10/07 An Resurrection day to beat all others
03/28/07 We have less than a week to live
03/21/07 We live in a STATE OF WAR
03/16/07 Woe to not doing your purpose
03/15/07 Are you afraid of boo boos?
03/13/07 Have you realized the power?
03/08/07 The truth is distorted
03/01/07 Are you burning???
02/19/07 Laws to live by
02/14/07 All we need is LOVE
08/07/07 I was death's angry victim
08/01/07 Man's creation
07/18/07 I just wanna be happy
05/01/07 Develop a spiritual callous
02/06/07 Career Day
01/26/07 The dream of the map
01/12/07 Where to begin?
01/09/07 A Father's cake
12/12/06 Unsung on earth, Hailed in Heaven

Words on a sign

I always get a kick out of the marquee signs outside of businesses and to a lesser degree anymore, churches. I've come across this churches marquee sign before in the course of my work, but never really saw anything that struck me as the message did today.
"An apology is a good way to get the last word!" Wow, that is so true, no matter your denomination or position in your walk with Christ. Simple, direct, and to the point........ This reminds me of the admonishment Christ gives in Matthew's account....

"But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council and whoever says 'Fool' will be sent to a fiery hell. So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your gift." Matthew 5:22-24(NET)

There are many proverbs too that I could throw up here in support of that statement on the marquee....."A kind word turns away wrath", foolishness seems to be tied into harsh words and mean comments throughout the Proverbs and the bible itself.

How many times have you left your brother or sister standing in the midst and offered up to God a less than perfect sacrifice? I know I'm chief sinner amongst those for this. But in today's church, having something in disagreement with members of the body seems to be hushed quickly and frowned upon. Get along to go along............

With user-friendly churches popping up all over the landscape, this seems to be a principle that is going by the wayside. Instead of apologizing for a mistake, a comment used in error, or other 'foolishness', we go out of our way to offend no one.........

And end up offending the very object of our praise and worship: GOD.

My thoughts,
Jim

Monday, August 27

The agility test for the Fire Department......

After dragging an 120 pound dummy 50ft, pounding on a log to simulate forced entry with a sledge hammer, walking up a flight of stairs to pull a 35lbs weight one story, climbing a ladder and descending, walking two 50 ft hoses 100ft and connecting them to a hydrant connection, grabbing a length of 20ft rolled hose and entry gear and climbing four stories, and then simulating ceiling aeration by lifting the tool 15 times, I finished the agility test for the Fire Department. Of course, they didn't tell me if I had finished in 10minutes or not.
But I felt the prayers, because the Devil was certainly working on me as I stood there with six YOUNG guys and one older, much with academy training already. I knew, was convinced, that this was all a waste of my time because I was so out of shape. But I bowed my head and prayed, hoping to overcome this fear that made me refuse to raise my hand to do the testing. I was waiting on the last guy before I would have to go or signal that I was quitting
A peace descended and God said, "Would you do this for Me? Even if you know you are going to fail?" What could I say but "Yes, send me and I will go" "Will you trust Me?" Again, what could I say but "Yes". "Will you do this, not for your glory but Mine? Will you go forward on My word? Will you stand in fear or go in confidence?" Hmmmmmm, by the time the second to last guy was done......I was still fearful I would fail....but not that I would fail. Make sense?
As I put on the firefighting jacket, the airtank, the helmet, and gloves, I said another quick prayer; that I would not bring anything but glory and honor to the King of Kings and that I would feel the strength of the saint's prayers, as I stepped out in my testing. And I did honor, the Sargent said, "I don't know what you were praying but it worked. You did well..(how did he know?)...." for a "gasping, sweating buckets, and aching all over to the point where the last station was a painful experience" candidate………..
The affirmation came from my son, Casey, as I showed him the structure where I did the testing. He asked me if I was afraid, and I said yes. He asked me then if I had prayed and I said yes. He said, "Then God gave you the strength to do it!". Darn, but I do love that kid!
Where I go from here is in God's design.....but I know where I have gone with His blessings and the prayers of the saints......

Tuesday, August 21

It's not my fault

"A man's folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord." Proverbs 19:3(NIV).

How many times, as a child or even as an adult, have we been guilty of this against someone else? 'It's not my fault I spent that money, the store was open!' or 'I didn't want to get mad, but my wife can be so trying sometimes, its her fault I'm angry.'

As Christians, we can also have anomosity against our fellow brethren in the church, you know...the ones that fly by your beater in the parking lot at church in their new BMWs or the ones that seem to go on one outing or another while it is the season of lean in your financial year.

God tells us that our actions and sins prior to our acceptance of His son's grace on the cross are gone, but the consequences we have to deal with are not. But He gives us the grace of the Holy Spirit to see us through so that we can learn like the Apostle Paul, "to be content in all circumstances."

Boy did I need to hear that today. Consequences are still being cleared from my life before the Lord.
AMEN

Monday, August 20

A letter from Your Father.....OneFather.com

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad.
Almighty God.....

We have forgotten the face of our Father

(This is a submission of "Why I have hope for America" contest with Citizen Magazine. It wasn't chosen for publication)

"You have forgotten the face of your father." is a warning that the main character, Gunslinger Roland of Gilead, gives in the Stephen King series "The Dark Tower."
America is ill. America is in danger of dishonoring her mighty past and bright future. America, the beautiful, is struggling with a cosmetic allergy from the adornment of makeup that she has placed upon her body. The skin deep cosmetics of intolerable tolerance, political incorrectness, misdirection, minority rule over the majority, misspoken truth, and outright liberal lies have caused a cancerous growth to overshadow her natural beauty. Are there medical personnel in the country that can affect treatment and rescue the beautiful health of America? Is there a DOCTOR in the house? Or is it Stage 4 cancer, without hope?
America has forgotten the face of her earthly fathers; those brave and religious figures that stood against the tyranny of the mother country and dared to dream of a republic. We need to "Read up on what happened before you were born; dig into the past, understand your roots. Ask your parents what it was like before you were born; ask the old-ones, they'll tell you a thing or two." Deuteronomy 32:7 (MSG). She has forgotten, too, the face of her Heavenly Father.
But therein lies my reason I stand upon the shore of this country, with my fist raised in American pride. Because I and others have not forgotten the face of My Father. Because we have sought out the old, the reliable paths as the LORD spoke to His people, the Israelites in Jeremiah 6:16 (NET) to do, "Ask where the old, reliable paths are. Ask where the path is that leads to blessing and follow it. Then you will find rest for your souls."
Throughout Israel's history, the people have corporately and nationalistically turned their backs upon the Father of their ancestor Abraham, the God of the faithful. They turned to the Pharisitical religion of works and assumed that as their God. And the God of Love, the God of Abraham, sometimes with wrath and sometimes with grace, instructed and called back His wayward children.
I have faith that this country can once again rise as a beacon in the darkness of despair and shine with the powerful light of the Holy Spirit. Because there is historical proof that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had the power and grace to deliver another nation time and time again if its people looked to Him.
But the ultimate grace that gives me hope that America will once again find her way and seek the God of her ancestors, are the words of Katharine Lee Bates, "O beautiful for pilgrims feet, whose stem impassioned stress a thoroughfare for freedom beat across the wilderness. America! America! God shed His grace on thee till paths be wrought through wilds of thought by pilgrim foot and knee."

Tuesday, August 14

Psalm 102

Here is a prayer I posted on Faithwriter's today where I tried to bring my own flavor and style to a favorite Psalm of mine, 102. So far, I have gotten an email saying I've missed the most important parts of 102.I've noticed a lot less reading of the blog here, but still hope to get some idea of what you guys think:A Modern day Psalm 102by Jim Hutson 08/01/07Free to Share Author requests article critique Mighty Creator, ABBA Father,I lie prostrate on the ground, with only the firm reality of Your creation keeping my body from sinking lower into the depths. Your child cries out in desperation and despair, can You hear the anguish that has become my daily companion? Listen, Father, Your son needs the direct and full attention of Your mercy and grace upon my pleas. Affect in my life a drastic and impactful change, removing my trials. I am standing on sinking sand; send Your angels to rescue me!I stagger under the weight of my despair that has seized my mind,As if there is no future, no condolence in the struggle.Death awaits the stilling of my faith's heartbeat,Weariness weighs my arms and legs and fatigue haunts my strength.Enemies of my past haunt my future and surround me in the depths of my despair,As the True King has turned His gaze from me and removed all blessings.I am but a shadow-----Of the man You created me to be.But You are as You have always been, Holy and Pure.Your creation still echoes Your Glory and the Heavens shine with the brightness of Your Sovereignty.Your Name has withstood the changing of the generations,Your Power and Might are undiminished from the beginning of Time.All I see, touch, taste, and hear owe its creation to Your Desire and Will.Your mercy gazes upon the ruin of creation and affects change.Your promises restore and renew those whom Your servant loves and cherishes.You have laid waste to my strength, and devastated my path,Bringing me into a position of servititude before Your throne, prostrate upon the dirty ground.Though You have removed Your hand from my life and mercy from my cup,I beg You to give Your servant hope, so that I may release my hold upon this world.Bless Your servant's wife and children, and those he loves.Demonstrate Your mercy and grace powerfully in ways that they can understand and see.Stand with them in their struggles, few as they will be in Your mighty hands, and bask them in Your love as they spend their days in glorious service to You.Be with them each day so that they will not know an hour without Your love,Covering them as if with new clothes each and every day.

Jean Smith has passed on to her reward.....

To all,
I want to express my heartfelt thanks for all the prayers that were offered by the faithful over Jean Smith, who was dying, a member of my congregation at Meadowbrook Chapel in the Manor of Novi facility. It has been a hard experience as a Chaplain to watch a member of the the chapel suffer through the last part of this physical life. Dennis, her son, called to inform me today that she has passed to her reward last night.
It was a experience to witness to her son and to give him solace in knowing his mother was being lifted by so many. There is going to be a memorial service for her at Chapel on Sunday and an service in her denomination will be given on September 15th in a church she was a founding member in, St. Martin's in Detroit.
But most of all, please keep her sons, and daughter, grandchildren, greatgrand children, and the spouses of each in your prayers. Jean was a strong woman and her energy and love will be missed by all who knew her. Pray for peace, understanding, and a realization of her witness to each of the family, so that they would work to realize their own salvation need and the only way to obtain it. So that they would be reunited upon that day that the Lord brings those who have passed and those yet on the earth together again.
"The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first. Then we, the still living who remain on the earth, shall simultaneously be caught up (with the resurrected dead) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always --through the eternity of eternities-- we shall be with the Lord! Therefore comfort one another with these words!" 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (AMP)
In Christ,
Jim Hutson

Psalm for the times

I opened my bible when I arrived at work early, as if by design. It has been hard lately to settle down in the morning to give devotional time to my soul and my God. But, God has His way of bringing attention to the need at any hour.
Psalm 20 (NIV) is supposed to be a liturgy of prayer for a King just before he goes out into battle against a threatening foe. But I see it much more basic. It is the prayer of the faithful for those in the battle's front lines, the Pastors, Elders, Chaplains, and Lay people.

"May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May He send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May He remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. Now I know that the LORD saves His annointed; He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call!"

This should be the rally prayer of all the faithful who drop to their knees in supplication to God the Father in regards to battles raging across the world between the faithful warriors of God's army and the Satanic forces.

Do not think that I'm just waxing philosphical here, there is a battle raging for the hearts and souls of those who aren't saved. If we do nothing, we condemn them to die both a physical and spiritual death.

We should be standing shoulder to shoulder, supporting those called into the battlefield and healing the wounded that return. We should stop hiding behind our walls of churchy protection and boldly proclaim the coming of the Lord.

Why don't we?

Monday, August 13

You've got to be kidding

Just when life gives me a bit of breathing room and I'm humming along with the peaceful tunes of doing the Lord's purpose for me, the road either gets some potholes that jar the teeth into the eyeballs or.....well, you get the picture.

Joshua 1:1-18 was the target read for the sermon this week at Meadowbrook Chapel, and it was written several weeks before. I've been chopping the entire sermon on Fear into bite size bits for the congregation because we've been singing alot more than usual. But, this was dead on to what God wanted us as a congregation and me as the Chaplain to hear.

One of the congregation is dying, and although its something I'm going to come across repeatedly in the extended care facility, it doesn't make it any easier for me to take. Many of our congregatants have aches and pains, illness and infirmities.......and their Chaplain isn't any different. But I've never been in a position where I haven't been able to "pass it on" to higher authorities. With my member dying, I was all on my own in ministrying to her needs, and her family. As I told God and my wife, "Please don't let me screw this up. For her sake, for her family's sake and for God's sake."

But as Joshua finds out in the first chapter, he is only required to be "strong and courageous" and the Lord will do the rest. And He does in reflection to Joshua's faith.

We, as the body of Christ, have it good. If God is for us, then who would even dare stand against us? As the tribes told Joshua, "Whoever rebels against your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death!"