Pastor’s Thoughts

“Lord Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah, which you have been angry with these seventy years?” (Zechariah 1:12). It may surprise you, but the Angel of the Lord asks this question, doing so in the Prophet Zechariah’s night vision. Israel had been exiled some 70 years by the Babylonians, shackled and hauled away in disgrace to their oppressor’s land. Jerusalem was in shambles; the wall was full of holes and the temple leveled. Henceforth the question from the angel, a question every Jew wondered to himself: “How long will You withhold mercy…?” Have you ever asked God that question?

The Lord answers the inquiry in the next verse. Zechariah over hears and records it for us: “[T]he Lord spoke kind and comforting words to the angel…” (verse 13). His “kind and comforting words” promised this: “[T]he Lord will again comfort Zion” (verse 17).

I was blessed devotionally a few days ago, when reading from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening:

History shows us that whenever God uses a rod to chasten his servants he always breaks it afterwards, as if he loathed the rod which gave his children pain. He feels the smart far more than his people. ‘Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear him.’ God has not forgotten us because he smites. His blows are no evidences of want of love…You may fear that the Lord has passed you by, but it is not so: he who counts the stars and calls them by their names is in no danger of forgetting his own children. He knows your case thoroughly as if you were the only creature he ever made or the only saint he ever loved. (Morning and Evening, evening devotional for February 24)

None of His children are immune from difficult providence. There is a season for us all; for most there are multiple seasons. In Zechariah, the question “How long, Lord?” is asked—did you note that the question isn’t chastened? God is not offended by the inquiry. In fact, it is His angel who asks. In reply, God offers “kind and comforting” words. We would hear similar if we would ask and listen.

“Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning,” sings the psalmist (Psalm 30:5). The Christian is never told the length of his night; but he is always promised a morning.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

May 3, 2012

Like it or not (and I don’t), Pastor Joel Osteen has become the church’s spokesman. I guess that comes with being pastor of the nation’s largest church. Lakewood Church in Houston has around 50,000 members. Osteen’s books (It’s Your Time, Become a Better You, Your Best Life Now, and Everyday a Friday) have made him millions. Did you pick up on his theological bent here? He’s certainly having his “best life now.” I have seen estimates of his net worth anywhere from 40 million to one billion. His 17,000 sq. ft. home has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and three elevators. He and his wife Victoria pay nearly $300,000 a year in property taxes alone on their multi-million dollar mansion. The guy is financially successful; but he sure can’t give an orthodox response when interviewed.

This past week, while on CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, Osteen was at it again. This time repeating what he has said before regarding Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith: Mitt’s a Christian and that Mormon’s are our brothers in Christ. Rarely does Osteen say anything with a straight face, the smiling pastor went on to say: “I hear Mitt Romney say that he believes that Jesus is the Son of God—that he’s the Christ, raised from the dead, that he’s his Savior—that’s good enough for me.”

But does Osteen even know that Mormonism rejects orthodox Christianity as the very argument for its own existence and that it clearly identifies historic Christianity as a false faith? Does he know that Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, claimed true Christianity did not exist from the time of the Apostles until he restored it in 1830? Does he know that Mormonism teaches that we are now what God once was (a man) and we are becoming what He now is (a God)?

But as a guy who Michael Horton describes core message as being “God is nice, you’re nice, be nice” isn’t likely to stand for truth—because as many have noted over the years, sometimes the truth hurts. It’s why Osteen has stricken the words “sin” and “judgment” from his sermons; one of his 50,000 sheep might not like it.

This blog isn’t about whether a Christian should vote for a Mormon this fall. It’s about whether a pastor should give legitimacy to a sect that is clearly not Christian.

Al Mohler wrote recently: “It is neither slander nor condescension to state clearly that Mormonism is not Christianity. Taking Mormonism on its own terms, one finds a comprehensive set of teachings and doctrines that are self-consciously set against historic Christianity. The larger world may be confused about this, but biblical Christians cannot make this error, for we are certain that the consequences are eternal” (www.albertmohler.com/2011/10/10).

It is especially why the pastor of the nation’s largest church cannot be confused or make this error, either. But maybe Osteen is the pastor of the nation’s largest church precisely because he’s good at saying nothing. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

April 26, 2012

When she came down the stairs for breakfast, I told her she’d kept me up all night. Claire quizzically looked at me. Our 18 year old daughter hadn’t done anything wrong. The home was at peace the night before; it was quiet through the night.

I had risen around 2 a.m. to go to the bathroom (too much information?). But something happened when I walked by her door back to our room; my brain turned my heart on. You see, Claire will be heading for college in about four months. And when she does, it won’t be to a school on the other side of town or to one across the mountains. It will be to a campus 1,500 miles away—I know because MapQuest already told me when I pecked in the address. Cell phones and texting and Skype will help but it won’t do. The smile, the hug, the joke, the talk, the daily “stuff” of family life is about to change. The cheery pink bedroom at the top of the stairs with the radio that’s always on is about to go dark—it’s about to go silent.

I know this is the way things are supposed to be. Children grow up, they become young men and young women. This is the way He made the family and this is the way of His world. But the thought of it still makes my heart sink.

Thirty-two years ago, my parents and I made the trek from Eastern Washington to Tacoma. It was a nice trip, as I remember. We took our time. We had lunch at Ivar’s in downtown Seattle. Then we finished our journey, ending up at Pacific Lutheran University. We checked into the dorm, hauled my bags up the stairs to the room marked “211” on the door. As I recall, my mom asked if she could make my bed. Then it was time for my parents to leave. There was some emotion, there was some hugs, there was some “I love yous” and then the Chevy Suburban pulled out of the lot. I would come to find out later my mom cried all the way home. I may not have understood then, but I understand now.

We are excited for Claire. She is so happy. The Christian school she’ll be attending seems to be a good place. Her world is about to get bigger and her faith is about to be put to the test. We believe she is ready.

It’s just that I’m not sure I am. I like hearing her call me “daddy.” I like taking her to school and later hearing about the “drama” that sometimes is apart of her day. I like her friends. I even like proofing her papers sometimes. I especially like her smile from the pew when I am preaching. But that’s all about to end. It is supposed to, it has to—yet I don’t want it to.

I’m going to ask my mom when she stopped crying.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

April 19, 2012

The mailer started out well: “One death and one resurrection brought us one Savior to rescue us from…” You’ve seen them before. Churches send out oversized postcards to those in their zip code inviting them to a special service or a special seminar. The one I’m quoting from was an invitation to Easter Sunday. But what got my attention (and dander up) was the second half of the sentence: “One death and one resurrection brought us one Savior to rescue us from our fears to a life of peace and meaning.”

Why go side-ways over a statement that is technically true? Because getting married, having children, or even getting a job promotion can calm our fears and provide direction. In other words, Jesus as Savior becomes smaller when a new girlfriend or a college degree can deliver the same result. And not wanting to rumble too far down a different road, in many parts of the world coming to Jesus can actually bring more fears and less peace—ask a Muslim or Hindu convert.

But back to the mailer, the wonder of Jesus as Savior is minimized when we don’t understand what we have been saved from. This statement will sound theologically odd but it is orthodox: Jesus saved us from God. Because God is holy, He hates all sin; and because He hates all sin, His anger burns against the sinner (Psalm 7:11). Yet Jesus rescued us from His coming wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10). No one else or nothing else can do that. We must communicate this. Jesus did: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36).

And not only did Jesus save us from God; He also saved us from sin, Satan, death, and damnation. Those are some pretty big conquests—much bigger than any fear we might have about the economy, the deficit, or where we choose to send our kids to school.

The point is that when we try and make Jesus more appealing to a lost world by using words we think will connect (the goal of the mailer) we actually may be driving people away: “Fears? I’m good. I’ve got me a lady, a job, and 401K. Purpose? I’ve got plenty of that, too. Living life to satisfy me is a full time gig—and I’m actually pretty good at it.” You see, the Gospel becomes ho-hum when it is presented as a means to happiness, success, and even purpose. There are plenty of radio talk shows and self-help books about all that. But satisfying a God who is angry at me every day? Now you’ve got my attention!

Jesus said, “I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him” (Luke 12:5). What if we put that on a mailer instead? I doubt not too many of those have ever gone out. Maybe I should call our printer and get them working on a mailer?

Pastor Rich Hamlin

April 12, 2012  

I still remember “liver and onion” night as a child. We probably didn’t eat it that often but it seemed like it showed up at dinner every few weeks. I can still remember the “tub” it came in from the store. I can still remember looking at the reddish-brown “blob” as it was thrown into the pan. I can still remember the smell of the kitchen when it was fried. And no amount of sautéed onions smothered on it could veil the fact that just a few days previous it was an organ in a cow, secreting bile. That sounds gross because it is gross! Note to Mom and Dad: “Dude, what were you thinking?”

Variations of, “Son, I know it doesn’t taste very good, but it’s good for you,” were uttered. That line (“It’s good for you”) was used on the occasion spinach and Brussels sprouts were on the menu, too. Most of the time, I knew my parents to be the wisest people on the planet; but every once in awhile, at dinner—I was tempted to re-evaluate.

In a few days, the church calendar will say “Good Friday.” We will gather as a church that evening. We will read Scripture describing betrayal (John 13:18-27). We will read Scripture foretelling rejection (John 15:18-25). We will read Scripture describing mocking (Matthew 27:27-34). We will read Scripture reporting crucifixion (John 19:17-24). We will read Scripture describing insults (Matthew 27:39-44). We will read Scripture telling of darkness (Matthew 27:45-49). We will read Scripture declaring death (Luke 23:46-49 and John 19:28- 37).

How can betrayal, rejection, mocking, crucifixion, insults, darkness, and death be good? They can only be so if they accomplish something good for you. “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18).

It was good for you that day, my believing friend. But maybe the word “good” shouldn’t be used. It’s much too small. Based on what was accomplished that day, words such as “great,” and “amazing,” and “awesome” are better. I’m going to change my church calendar. 

Pastor Rich Hamlin

March 29, 2012 

Marx, Freud, and Darwin have been dead a long time but their disciples still advance their cause. This past week, our local newspaper (The News Tribune, March 21, 2012) ran an editorial from the Detroit Free Press. It was entitled “Evolving Opinions on Evolution.” They were reacting to a reposting of a Gallup Poll that was taken two years ago on the bicentennial celebration of Darwin’s birthday. The poll showed that only 39% of American’s “believe in the theory of evolution.” The Detroit paper found it “alarming” that so few believe Darwin’s argument presented in his “Origin of Species”—a belief that all life forms descended from a common ancestor. And Darwin’s idea of a “common ancestor” wasn’t Adam—it was some kind of primordial “goo.”

The editorial board was quick to point out that the more educated one was the more likely one is to believe in evolution. The Gallup Poll showed that 24% of those with a high school or lower education thought Darwin was correct; whereas 53% of college graduates and 74% of postgraduate degree-holders did. They also pointed out the opposite correlation among those who attended church regularly; just 24% of those who attended weekly said they believed in evolution compared with 55% of those who said they attended church seldom or never.

The Motor City editorial board showed their pro-evolutionary colors when they said, “Virtually everything biologists have discovered since either confirms or refines his [Darwin’s] theory of natural selection” and that there has been a “scientific consensus that has endured [for] more than a century.” I didn’t know that; and I went to graduate school, too! But I’m also one of those who attend church regularly—I guess that cancels out any “smarts” I may have picked up.

The editorial ended this way: “The good news, according to Darwin, is that nature favors adaptations that enhance a species’ survival…not only is our species’ eyesight improving, but also its capacity to acknowledge what our eyes see.” I guess the problem, according to them, is that we just don’t acknowledge what is readily apparent. Does that mean they believe more college degrees and less church will open our eyes?

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20), wrote the inspired apostle. Therefore, be careful if you go to college; be on your guard if you don’t go to church very often, too. You may be earning a degree in foolishness—one that actually believes great-great-great-great-great grandpa was an ape. And the Detroit Free Press thinks that’s wisdom?

Pastor Rich Hamlin

March 22, 2012

I was so excited to get my first check, after all, I didn’t even own a bed. Rent was $525. When you divide that by the other five (all of us buddies who had just graduated from Pacific Lutheran University) each share was just $87.50 per month. But when you were just starting out, every dollar was significant. Besides, with six guys in one house, we knew we needed to save some money for a housecleaner every once in awhile (we hired a cheerleader once a month; she even brought us cookies—such a deal).

So when that first check came from the Bethel School District (I was a high school teacher), I scoured over every deduction. “What’s this, union dues? I didn’t join any union.” I would come to find out that every employee was in the union unless you opted out. And to opt out, you had to request a special “opt out form,” fill it out, send it via certified mail, and you could only do so during a one-week window during the summer. And as I recall, I had to snoop out all this information, too—no one provided it. The end result was that it was a really difficult process to get out of the union. The system was set up for you to be in it.

God has given directives to His church and to the believer. There are certain things we are told to do. The church is to preach the Gospel and administrate the sacraments, for example. The believer is to love, serve, forgive, and so on. The Bible is full of such commands. One that’s on the list is to take care of widows and orphans (Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 22:3, James 1:27). Jesus’ parable of the “Sheep and the Goats” (Matthew 25:31-46) with His instruction to take care of the “least of these” probably refers to widows and orphans, too.

Which gets to my point; we don’t need to be told to take care of the orphan—the command has already been given. Sometimes we wait for directives from God. But what if He has already provided it? As Christians, we are to be in the “taking care of orphans business” already. The number not caring for the orphan suggests, however, there’s an “opt out” available somewhere. I’ve never seen that “form.” How would you even fill it out if you secured one? “Memo to God, I’m asking for an exemption on the orphan ‘thing’—I don’t really have the resources. Sorry.” Does any Christian want to send that certified mail to God?

This is not a blog to incite guilt. It is one to take our responsibilities more seriously than we sometimes do. It is also to inform the members of our church that a couple hundred dollars each month of your tithes and offerings goes to the orphan care ministry of Youth for Christ.

But truth be told—we didn’t have a choice.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

March 15, 2012

I enjoy reading our paper’s “Letters to the Editor.” It provides a snapshot of what’s going on out there—a window into society’s soul. But one of this morning’s editorials (TNT, 2-29) provided a window into the soul of a local, mainline church. And I, for one, did not enjoy the view.

The editorial was entitled: “Religion: Not all Presbyterians unhappy.” It was in response to last Sunday’s front page article entitled “Dividing Point” (TNT, 2-26). That article chronicled some of the local Presbyterian Church (USA) and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America church’s response to their denomination’s ordaining of gay and lesbian pastors. The article mainly focused on a handful of congregations in the area who have either left their denominational affiliation or are in the process of doing so.

Which prompted this morning’s editorial from a Presbyterian minister who wanted Tacoma to know that he and the church he pastors feel much differently. He writes, “Several Presbyterian churches in Tacoma, including the one I serve, applaud the change which allows the ordination of GLBTQ folks called by God to ministry.” If you are not up on that acronym, it stands for “Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer.” I don’t recall the apostle Paul, when giving qualifications for an elder (pastor) in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, using that acronym. I do know that he insists in both passages that the pastor is “the husband of but one wife.” The Apostle Peter doesn’t list GLBTQ sexual “options” for a pastor in his list of qualifications (1 Peter 5:2-4), either.

It is an amazing thing to watch churches self-destruct. They are so proud to be inclusive, diverse, and welcoming. The pastor’s editorial ended this way: “[We have] experienced significant numerical growth over the past two years, in part due to our inclusive and welcoming attitude.” I remind the pastor that free beer and topless dancers probably would draw a crowd, too.

I wished to know more about their inclusive and growing “church.” Their website talks about fighting hunger, working for justice, and improving the environment. They say they are a place that “blends spirituality with thoughtful reflection on what tradition and experience mean.” I think that means “we have fun and are at liberty to come up with our own truth”—but I’m not sure. If you detect sarcasm, you are correct.

If anybody over at the “GLBTQ Hunger, Justice, and Environment Church” ever stumbles across this blog, I just want you to know that I’m not homophobic, nor am I a “hater,” or a cross-eyed fundamentalist. I’m just a pastor of a local church who believes the Bible, the Gospel, and loves His church; I’m a sinner who gets things wrong and not for a moment thinks he’s figured everything out.

But I’m pretty confident about this one. You might be happy about the direction of your “church”–but God isn’t.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

February 29, 2012  

On one end the psalmist says, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Ps. 122:1). On the other end were the people of Malachi’s day who had a different thought about going to God’s house, “What a weariness this is” (Mal. 1:13). On one end is the psalmist, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere” (Ps. 84:10). On the other end were the people of Amos’ day who inquired instead “[When will] the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?” (Amos 8:5). The psalmist delighted at the thought of worshiping God; the people of Malachi and Amos’ day loathed it and couldn’t wait till it was over.

With this as our “worship continuum,” where do you graph on the line? I suspect somewhere in between. But are you comfortable with your position?

Most parents have to deal with the tired teenager who wants to sleep in on Sunday after being out late on Saturday. Sometimes there is an estranged relationship at church that you want the week off from having to deal with. Maybe you convince yourself you’re up for missing because you haven’t for a while. Or it’s that favorite NFL or NBA team on television that starts at 10 a.m. Or maybe it’s the thought of a quiet house while everyone else is at church that is just too tempting of a scenario.

Let’s call the examples above “worship skirmishes”—skirmishes with self or with others in your family. Do they reveal something about you or a family member’s passion and joy of worshiping? Is what is revealed move you further away from the psalmist’s end?

The psalmist really liked worshiping God, “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple” (Ps. 27:4). If we find ourselves asking instead for “two more hours of sleep,” or for a “break from church,” isolated requests may be no big deal. But if they start piling up, we’re sounding far too much like the people of Malachi and Amos’ day—and that’s the end of the “worship continuum” we don’t want to be.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

February 23, 2012

Times were difficult in the days of Daniel. Judah had been overrun by Babylon. Much of the nation had been deported—Daniel included. Babylon was quite proud she had destroyed Jerusalem and raided the temple of God. The people of God were defeated and discouraged. Was Marduk (the chief god of Babylon) stronger than God?

In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar (the king of Babylon) has a troubling dream; he wants to know what it means. He orders his cabinet, “Tell me its meaning.” But he also throws them a curve ball: “Tell me my dream before you give me its meaning.” When they protest and say that’s impossible, he orders them killed. Daniel finds out about the king’s decree when they come for him. That night, God gives Daniel the dream and the interpretation. The next day, he reveals it to the king.

In short, the dream was this: Nebuchadnezzar saw an enormous, dazzling statue with a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, and legs of iron with feet a mixture of iron and clay. Then a rock not cut by human hands smashes and levels the statue. Like chaff, the wind blows the broken pieces away. The rock, however, becomes a huge mountain and fills the whole earth (Daniel 2:31-35). It is understandable the king was troubled; the dream too much for his Tylenol PM.

After faithfully regurgitating the dream, Daniel tells the king the interpretation given him by God. The dream was about four great pagan kingdoms. Babylon was the golden head, now reigning. Three successive empires (Media/Persia, Greece, and Rome) would follow. All would enjoy their time until the “rock” appears smashing all subordinate kingdoms and reigning forever. That “rock” was Jesus (1 Peter 2:8), who comes six centuries later. He now sits upon the throne of God’s worldwide empire.

At the time of the dream, God’s people were in exile. Things were not looking so good. For six centuries, pagan empires were enormous—they looked dazzling. The Medes, who succeeded the Babylonians, let Israel go home. But shortly after their return, the Greek’s ascended to power and then the Romans began their ruthless reign. God’s voice was silent in Israel. For over six hundred years, it looked as if God, his people, and his Kingdom had lost. And then, the silence was shattered, when the “Word became flesh” (John 1:14)—the “rock” had arrived. The Kingdom of God was established and the mountain still grows.

I gave you a little from Daniel and a little from history to tell you this: it is easy to get discouraged by what we read, see, and hear. Culture sours and smells. Politicians play God. Even the church seems to be blowing in the wind, uncomfortable in its skin and seeking to redefine itself once again.

In times such as these, we must remember Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Daniel concluded the interpretation this way: “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed… It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever” (Daniel 2:44).

Where is Babylon, where are the Medes and the Persians and the Greeks and the Romans? They are no more. As it was then; so shall it be again. Those who seem to wield the power only do so for a time. But they don’t even wield it at all. Nebuchadnezzar would learn this personally two chapters later, rightly declaring, “His dominion is an eternal dominion; His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:34-35).

The Rock won. The Rock always does.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

January 26, 2012