I usually do not type in a recap of my sermons, but yesterday generated some good discussion so I thought I would give the highlights from my sermon “Make Wise Choices.” [It is important to know that I usually preach from one piece of scripture but yesterday I was far more topical.]

I stated there are 5 huge questions I ask of every major decision in life:

1. Does the Bible address this situation?
– Deuteronomy 10:12-13

2. Have I prayed about this situation
– James 1:5

3. What is the wise thing for me to do in this situation?
– Ephesians 5:15

4. What do mature Christian people suggest I do in this situation
– Proverbs 15:22; 12:15; 19:20

5. Can you live with the consequences of this decision?
– Proverbs 22:3

The chances are if you are a Christian that most of these questions we ask all the time. There is also a great possibility that we neglect one of these questions and it affects our decisions for the worse. My prayer is that these are a simple grid people will use to help themselves make great and Godly decisions.

I don’t know when or how I cam across the first episode I watched of American Pickers, but as soon as I watched that first episode I was hooked. Have you have seen the show on the history channel with Mike and Frank? I think it is the treasure hunter in me that is attracted to the show as they search out “rusty gold.”

I could spend hours and hours talking about the show and some of the finds. Lately I have noticed some things in the show that have me thinking about how we share our faith. If you have seen the show you know that one of their favorite things to do is go “free styling.” That means they have no plan of who they going to buy from rather they just drive around and stop at any house that looks like it might be loaded with items they would want to buy. Now, I am sure the show is edited for TV and sometimes they get rejected, but many times they do not. Some person will come to the door with their arms crossed or saying “we don’t want to buy any.” Over the next few minutes they work to breakdown barriers and unfold people’s arms. As I watched this week I thought about how we are often required to so the same thing when we share our faith.

So here are some lessons I see from watching Mike and Frank on American Pickers.

1. Show respect to people Right up front they tell them they are their to buy items. They hand them a flyer of the items they purchase. They acknowledge their ownership and are clear about their purpose. It is always best to avoid a “Bait and Switch.”

2. Ask them about themselves and let them share their story. Once they state their purpose they ask the people about all of their stuff. How long have you lived here? What is the family history? They rarely begin by talking about items. With their purpose in mind they try and get those arms uncrossed and the mouth moving.

3. Show interest in the person and their things. If a person is into something particular they focus the conversation on that item. Some people collect toys, others collect bikes, some collect signs, and other collect everything. When someone is interested in an item they will talk about it for hours. This breaks down the final barriers and opens the door to ask about prices. People want to talk about themselves and the things they enjoy long before they get any kind of sales pitch.

4. If you hit an emotional nerve, its okay to back away. Sometimes they will come across a piece given to the owner by a relative or friend. Seeing they hit an emotional nerve, they simply move on to another item. Everyone has areas they are sensitive about, we need to be keenly aware of it.

5. Not every encounter will be a big score. Sometimes Mike and Frank find a huge item and buy it cheap and make a huge profit. Often they buy smalls and make just a few bucks, but if you have watched the show long enough, they often return to the same place in the future and pick again. Honestly, I rarely share the gospel in its complete form. I usually say a line here and a line there until the day they are ready for that big talk. One positive impression for Christ is better than none.

If you watch the show, pay close attention to the people skills that Mike and Frank have developed when they talk to strangers. It might help you to improve your skills in sharing Jesus with anyone.

I recently read an article that one set of men’s lesson material is getting an update. It is material directed specifically at men, their needs and their style. Their new video format has three teachers in a “man cave” drinking coffee and sharing their thoughts on God. It is a welcome change for many, but I fear it is not for everyone.

Lately I have come to the very clear realization that there are numerous types of men. The programs that a Church offers need to remember this each week. There are men who are senior citizens, there are business professionals, there are suburban landscapers, there are coffee shop men and there are rednecks. Just look around and you will see it everywhere you go. In fact, I don’t know of anyone who denies this simple truth.

The problem is when the Church thinks that it is going to reach and connect with all men the same way. A men’s prayer breakfast is great for some. A coffee-house setting will work with others. A father son event may work for others. And something else may work for another group. Honestly, I think that is the appeal of Duck Dynasty. It is not a group of coffee sipping yuppies, but rednecks who enjoy life like “good old boys,” and for some men that has enormous appeal.

I say all of this because I want to see men who come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I want men’s lives to be transformed by he gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit. I want to see men changed by God and for God. The problem is that I connect and lead people best who are like me. While searching for my new job I had the opportunity to do 9 interviews. I told one Church that I am more of a “redneck” than a tie wearing pastor. They seemed perplexed and confused by that statement and asked me to clarify. I told them I would rather hunt and fish with men in the Church than sip a cappuccino and listen to their problems. While I am not sure they understood, they knew they didn’t want to offer me the job. I am okay with that. This is who I am. One of the biggest compliments I have had since I announced that I was leaving was from a man who said he enjoyed coming to church because I was a “real man.” I know what he meant, I am just an ordinary guy like him who loves the Lord.

So – Men. What kind of man are you? Find other men like you who can be a good role model. Also find some younger man with similar interests and pour your life into them.

And Ladies – What kind of man is your husband? Your son? Do not worry if some groups do not appeal to your husband or your son. Try to find one that does. A Duck Dynasty event may appeal more than a coffee-house for them, but maybe the opposite is true.

The Church is a collection of very different people and we need to be careful not to lump all the men together. It has the potential to do more harm than good.

I believe that God uses many small things to direct our lives. I also believe the opposite to be true. Neglecting the small stuff in our lives can lead us away from God.

When I talk to people who have drifted away from God or at least from the Church I often find similarities. The biggest thing that I hear is that a series of small steps started them on their journey. First they quit reading the Bible regularly, next they quit praying, soon their Church attendance was irregular and finally they haven’t thought about God for a long time.

I hear the same things in many relationships that fail. They quit doing the little things for each other. The husband stopped opening the door, the wife stopped speaking nicely about her husband and they both quit going out on dates. Day by day, small decision by small decision the couple drifts apart. The friendship grows distant and their lives separate.

You can apply this thinking to numerous areas of life. If you begin neglecting the seemingly small things soon you will begin neglecting the big things. That little white lie might be a slippery slope. That little flirt might be a step down a dark path. That little event may be the first part of a big move in the wrong direction. Once again I do not think we will see this truth until we look back on our lives.

If this is true we need to refocus on all those little decisions that make us who we are today. We need to do the right thing in the moment no matter how small it seems. We need to develop strong boundaries. Say the words that need said. Tell the truth. Don’t skip that time. Flee temptation. Live for God even in the smallest details and the big issues might never come your way.

There are dozens of variables that make up the big decisions of our lives. You have to be in the right place at the right time and have the right door open up. Then you have to see it and seize it.

I am often so amazed when I hear the stories of people’s lives. I hear stories like: “And then this job opened up” and “I met the most amazing person” and “I stumbled across this website.” Do you have a story like that? If you were to tell a non-Christian they would say: “you always were lucky.” They often refer to it as luck or fate or destiny. Well, I do not believe in any of those things. I believe in a God who often puts together the variables in my life.

Some people are looking for God to bring a miracle into their lives. They want some type of huge, dynamic event to alter their lives and reaffirm their faith. Lately I am looking more at the smaller details of my life. Often the events and circumstances of my life are altered by seemingly minor incidents that I didn’t even notice at the time. Now I look back and see God’s hand putting together a series of small events to help me move the right direction.

Maybe this is only me? As I talk to Christians I am more and more convinced that God’s work is done in small ways that I might not even notice. Quite possibly, neither have you?

Yesterday I announced to the Church I lead here in Homer Alaska that I am resigning and moving to Missouri. I have accepted the opportunity to preach in another Church and plan on moving out of Alaska near the end of June.

The last month has been a time of investigation, prayer and self-searching. (That is why I haven’t been able to blog very consistently lately.) I deeply appreciate the opportunities God has brought me in Alaska and look forward to this next chapter of my life.

Words shape worlds. Words mold lives. Words are powerful.

Words like: hello, love, thanks, forgiven, sorry, free.

These words can brighten days, touch hearts and change our thinking.

These words are only effective when they are said out loud. Say them today. You may do more good than you can imagine.

When I visited my parents a couple of weeks ago I had them drive me around my home town. I grew up in the little town of New Ross and we drove around there. I also had them drive me around the local town of Crawfordsville. That is where we went to Church, where my mother worked and where we usually went shopping. I was back there once a couple of years ago but I really did not look around. It has been around 10 years since I really drove around and looked at the city completely.

One thing was very clear as we drove around – Nothing stayed the same. Nothing! Some of the old building were torn down and new ones replaced them. Other buildings had been left alone and over time they have become run down. What was once the thriving heart of the city is now the quiet, run down side of town. What once was a field is now the hub of shopping and life.

Change is a constant in life. We may want things to stay the same, but it just does not happen. This is a lesson the Church needs to continually be reminded of. Our message is essentially the same, but that is the only constant. Our buildings change, our bulletins change, our songs change, everything changes. If it doesn’t we slowly slip into oblivion until our buildings are torn down to build the new Wal-mart.

Change is happening for the better or for the worse. We get to choose which direction with every decision we make. Choose wisely.

I have listened to the song “Some Nights” by FUN numerous times. It is not a “Christian song” but it has a few powerful lines. Yesterday I was caught by this part of the song again:

My heart is breaking for my sister and the con that she called “love”
When I look into my nephew’s eyes…
Man, you wouldn’t believe the most amazing things that can come from…
Some terrible nights… ah…

I was reminded again that God can use some poor decisions and some ugly nights for good.
Thanks to God for that truth.

While traveling I heard a radio commercial about something I had never heard of before. It is called “Non 24.” I do not know if you have heard the commercial, but the ad caught my attention for some reason. The issue is a sleep disorder where people’s lives get out of rhythm because of their abnormal sleep patterns. The problem is found most among people who are blind. Apparently without the daily routines of light and dark their lives get out of rhythm with the rest of the world and it causes numerous problems.

I had never heard of this problem before and honestly I had never even thought of the possibility of such a thing existing. But living in Alaska I can see how it happens. Where I live, we have 19+ hours of sunlight in the summer. I have literally been outside and mowing my yard after 11:00 pm at night. I know it is worse the farther north you get in the state where they can have 24 hours of sunlight.

What catches my attention about this issue is not just where I live but the overall concept. All of us need something to orient our lives around. If not, we will have problems.

As a Christian pastor I spend my life trying to get people to orient their lives around God first and then their spouse and their children. I am trying to get them to move from a selfish orientation to a Godly one.

The problem I see in other people’s lives is that they have oriented themselves on a failure or problem. They have built the patterns and rhythms of their lives on some dark and ungodly issue that they cannot get over. They have built their lives on abuse, divorce, failure, shame, guilt, dependence, bad self-image and on and on. This ugly issue causes them to see themselves and others through a different lens than God wants them to. They are suffering from “Non-Christian.”

What are you centering your life on? Are you living a life built on truth and grace? If not, you may need to reorient yourself with God’s truth.