I WANT TO SERVE YOU

Part 1 of Series: Journey to Kenya
by Dr. Steve Dunn

January 15th of this year, my wife Dianne and I joined seven others on a journey to Kenya. We went as tourists and also as teachers to provide some training for pastors. It was a trip of a lifetime and a life-changing one at all. Both Dianne and I had traveled to Haiti but neither of us had ever been to any place in Africa. You can only imagine Kenya and your imagination will be inadequate. You have to be on the ground to even begin to grasp life in Kenya.

The reason is that only on the ground will you meet the people. The Kenyan people share many similarities to those of in the States but the culture in which they live, their closeness Islamic terrorist hot spots like Somalia, their history, and their economic state are nothing like we encounter in the US. Kenya is a place of great poverty, some of underneath the gleaming towers of cities like Nairobi.

The city we were located in had no gleaming skyscrapers. It had many poor people and some you would classify as middle class. We found no beggars, just hardworking people. The staff at the hotel where we stayed was just such people. They worked long hours–at least 12 hours a day-often not finishing until nine in the evening. And then there were the overnight people, who we sometimes found were daytime people. They worked diligently, accommodating our requests, and also with a smile. As Christians, we tried to treat them with respect.

One morning, I arrived for breakfast quite early. My body never managed to get used to living in a time zone eight hours ahead of mine back in Pennsylvania.

Breakfast was a buffet, something unusual for up country Kenya. Normally they served us every single dish but the necessities of our conference and the number of participants arriving for a meal at the same time, required some adjustments. I had let a waiter serve me coffee, but after ordering my eggs, I headed to the buffet to pick up my breakfast fruit plate. Matthew, one of the waiters stopped me after I had barely taken a step.

“Please sit down, I want to serve you.”

My journey to the buffet would have taken barely ten steps but I sat down and said, “Thank you.” Quickly, a smiling Matthew placed a plate of that wondrous Kenyan fresh fruit in front me. Of course, I like being waited on but I have no trouble serving myself. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the rest of my breakfast with Matthew serving me every step of the way.

Later, one of my traveling companions when hearing my story, said. “Given the context of what happened, that was a significant act of service. You see, he works from 9 to 9 but he arrived more than three hours early to serve you and the rest of us.”

Sacrificial servanthood is a disappearing value in our culture and even in the church. We have become a nation of takers, not givers, We think too highly of ourselves to inconvenience ourselves in serving. Sadly, Jesus clear words to us are sliding from our spiritual DNA.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10.45

Paul reinforced this core value in his letter to the Galatians:

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. – Galatians 5.13

It’s a lesson we need to learn again. Thankful that Matthew has.

© 2019 by Stephen L. Dunn. You have permission to reprint this provided it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for sale, and a link is provided to this site or to http://www.drstevedunn.com. For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com

HEARTS OCCUPIED BY JESUS

BY STEVE DUNN

My devotions this morning were from John, chapter 1. It is sometimes referred to as John’s “Nativity Story.” In that chapter speaking of Jesus’ arrival in the flesh, John writes:
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1.4-5 ESV

Sadly this Advent and Christmas I have found myself reflecting too often on the dark times in which we live. Our economy is not in good shape, the homelessness problem unabated,, the worship of guns and the random or terroristic violence in our streets has grown.

The government is now in a shut-down. The President has dismissed or chased away any advisors who disagree with him or would offer a counter way of looking at the world. The political atmosphere in our country is beginning to resemble the Watergate days of my college years. Both major parties seem more intent in cultivating the ideological extremes on both ends of the spectrum rather than find a middle way that is best for all.

Russia and other powers that have long been the enemies of democracy are once again ascending in influence and power. People are fleeing the crime-ridden nations in which they live but are being rejected and feared by a nation that fears they will impact the places where they seek asylum.

Oxycodone and other drugs have invaded the homes of the Middle Class. The Church is viewed with increasing suspicion because of the child abuse coverups in a portion of the churches in our land. Trade wars being fought in the name of our workers are hurting the workers in many industries and on farms. Secularity has taken deep root in the worldview of our culture while evangelicalism has been badly diluted by the so-called “self-identified evangelicals” so pursued by the politicians and media.

It is a depressing list. Yet I could name anecdotally hundreds of stories of ordinary people and local church communities and neighborhoods rallying in their small way to combat the darkness that has descended upon their individual communities

But I know that they alone will not be enough.

What the world needs is the One who is “the light of men. The light that shines in the darkness” The Light which the darkness CANNOT overcome. More than keeping Christ in Christmas, we need to
keep Christ in our hearts transforming into people of light. We need this to be going on daily. And we need to be inviting and assisting people to let this light into their hearts,

It will not be enough for our politicians and leaders and schools and government and communities and churches to become more “enlightened.” The growing belief that there is “fake news” allows us to hold onto darkness and that darkness will always find a welcome home in a heart that is not occupied by Jesus.

Now, more than ever, the world needs Jesus.

© 2018 by Stephen L. Dunn. You have permission to reprint this provided it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for sale, and a link is provided to this site or to http://www.drstevedunn.com. For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com

WE WENT A LITTLE BIT CRAZY THIS YEAR

BY STEVE DUNN

I confess. Dianne and I went a little crazy this Christmas. Our adult children and their families live in four different cities in the Midwest and we live in Pennsylvania. The combination of work, small and school age children, busy lives, and now two adult grandchildren made it impossible for us to gather together for Christmas. (Most years we can only get two of those families together anyway). Since I have just finished a transition interim pastorate, we actually had the freedom to take two weeks and visit them all in their homes.

We also had a little more money than usual at this time and the thought of watching them open their presents, Kohl’s availability and bonus bucks, and my wife’s newfound love of on-line shopping meant that we had a completely full trunk when we headed west–full of presents. (We actually had to stack our suitcases on the back seat). The scene on this post is just some of the aftermath of what will actually be four ” Christmases” by the time we are finished December 26th.

But part of it was also a commitment I made to the Lord to be a person who practiced generosity. So much of the time, our sometimes tight finances had caused to hold back when God was prompting me to go the second mile. And also to understand how little people experience generosity that those
“unexpected” acts of generosity often are an incredible encouragement to people who feel unnoticed, unappreciated, and uncared for.

Waitpersons have had tips above the 20% (why quibble about the 50 cents that rounds the tip to the next dollar?) Generosity has led me to listen to what people need at this time and understanding that I am part of the provision.

“You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.” – 2 Corinthians 9:11″ This is a promise that has reinforced what God was speaking into my heart. In our generosity, God produces thanksgiving in its recipients. Hopefully, that thanksgiving will remind them that God cares because one of God’s people care. Generosity is rooted in God’s blessing to us and that generosity allows us–no encourages us to be the blessing we are blessed to be

IS IT WORTH IT?

BY STEVE DUNN

Sitting in my warm office on a very cold Monday afternoon. My office is located in a very large church but in an area which during the weekdays sees little traffic. So it’s also very quiet. I arrived at work around seven this morning. Except for a brief lunch of tomato soup and an Ann Hillerman mystery, I have been working non-stop. Working so diligently and productively that most of my “to do” list is done.

Until recently, not many of my days reached this point. Like so many other Americans and religious professionals, I always seem to be working on something. And when you reach the end of the day’s work, there is sometimes a difficult existential moment when you wonder whether or not you should go in search of more work to do. You certainly don’t want to be guilty of becoming “lazy.”

I have met a lot of undisciplined people, but not a ton of lazy ones. I meet a whole lot of driven people, pursuing agendas that will never be accomplished, seeking to possess more and more things which will be obsolete or reduced to clutter far too quickly. Often we use this driven spirit to avoid reflecting on what really matters or “pursuing” it.

What’s the “it?” A relationship with the Living God, a connection with the One who sees us as more valuable than we see ourselves. The One who says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” The One for whom the holiday we are about to celebrate gets it its name – Jesus Christ.

He’s the One who warns us, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”

Is your life too busy or are you too driven to cultivate that relationship? For your sake and the sake of those who you influence or provide for, I hope that’s not true.

© 2018 by Stephen L. Dunn. You have permission to reprint this provided it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for sale, and a link is provided to this site or to http://www.drstevedunn.com. For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com

I LOVE YOU

Reflecting on the last words of George Herbert Walker Bush

BY DR. STEVE DUNN

A man I had come to greatly respect, former President George H. W. Bush passed away Friday, November 30, 2018 at age 94. In his eulogy of his father, son George W. Bush, also a former president, reported that in his final conversation with his father, he told him that he had been a “wonderful dad” and that he loved him.

The elder Bush responded, “I love you, too.” Those were his last words.

Dan Rockwell noted in his blog, “I notice that the younger Bush didn’t say, “You were a wonderful President.”

Clearly his son and many of us considered the elder Bush to be a great president; in fact, what may be the last of a breed of men in that office whose strong faith was reflected clearly and consistently in his love of his wife, his family, his friends, his nation—and the world beyond the boundaries of his country.

The elder Bush’s pastor spoke on the essential expressions of the Christian faith, “Love of God and love of neighbor.” For those of us who genuinely follow Jesus Christ, they are not words to be idly spoken and they are words for which Almighty God will one day call us to accountability.

Paul told us that without love, none of our actions, no matter how popular or even beneficial, mean nothing. Political agendas, economic goals, pursuit of national security, preservation of “our” way of life will mean nothing when we stand before the Judge of All the Universe. Maybe it’s time—no, IT IS TIME for our nation to return to living by those two great LOVE commandments.

When my former President and brother in the faith, stood before God last Friday, I have no doubt that the Lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Welcome into you reward.”

An act of love that embodied the man

© 2018 by Stephen L. Dunn. You have permission to reprint this provided it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for sale, and a link is provided to this site or to http://www.drstevedunn.com. For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com

A PRAYER FOR THE ELECTION

BY DR. STEVE DUNN

This has been a tough couple of years for persons who are political moderates. Our nation is so deeply divided between two extremes that increasingly becoming more extreme, that moderates are considered to be opponents from both sides of the aisle, to battered into silence or simply considered to be so naïve as to be ignored.

I am a Christian who lives by a biblical world view and honestly believes that biblical values are the only realistic and healthy way to live. I am an evangelical Christian in the classical understanding of the descriptor rather than the self-identified evangelical that the media seems zeroed in on. A classical evangelical believes that we are an active, worshiping part of a church, live by the Bible as our rule of faith and life, the necessity of persons to become disciples of Jesus Christ, and understand that we are first and foremost citizens of the Kingdom of God.

We do not equate this last observation with a single nation–even if we love that nation. We do not believe that good people go to heaven–but people who have accepted the forgiveness provided by Jesus Christ and to let the Lord be our leader. We abhor the idea that political philosophies, party positions, and cultural preferences trump the clear commands of Scripture–particularly the teaching of Jesus Christ. We do not believe we can be faithful Christians and attend church irregularly; because we are connected to a community of faith that is a community–not a group of loosely connected religious consumers. And we know without regular acknowledgement of God is above all things we drift into what is at best a cultural religion–without authenticity and power.

As an evangelical, I am deeply troubled by politicians who claim to be Christians but whose lives, words, and actions do not reflect the values of Jesus Christ. I saddened that so many evangelicals have bought into the culture of hate and anger, neighbor-despising, and rationalizing away the lack of integrity in our leadership because they are advancing the one or two issues that we consider to be the litmus test of “true Christians.” That buy-in is driving Christ’s love from the public arena as surely as the secularist trying to scrub God from our walls, laws, and documents.

My election prayer is that Almighty God, Who I believe is indeed sovereign, will rise up against this culture of fear and anger–giving all people (but especially evangelicals) the wisdom to vote with the mind of Christ and defeat all candidates and parties that have embraced the tactics of fear and hatred–to bring true repentance to our national leadership on all sides of the aisle, and help America find its greatness by acknowledging the words of the prophet Micah, a forerunner of Jesus Christ.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

MONDAY MORNING REFLECTIONS – NEW BABIES

BY STEVE DUNN

Today, if all goes well, one of the young couples in the church in which I serve will become first-time parents.   The doctors are going to induce labor and if everything goes smoothly and quickly, they may even be parents by the time that you read this post.  We had special prayer for them and their new daughter in church yesterday and they are at the top of my prayer list today.

Dianne and I have been parents four times and in November will become grandparents for the eighth time.  I can think few greater joys than the birth of a new baby.  They are indeed gifts of God to us who have the privilege of being parents. It is my firm belief that they had been people since the day of their conception.  The Psalmist David declares,

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be. – Psalm 139.13-16 NIV

The life of a baby, as with all human life, is sacred.  No laws of any land, nor preferences of a mother or father, can change that reality.  The act of conception is not merely a sexual act, it is partnership with our Creator.  Even if our intention is not so noble does not make it simply a choice.  And even if that life will be a special needs life does not diminish that it is human life and therefore sacred indeed.

I pray that my young couple will indeed treat the life of their daughter as sacred and see their role in parenting is a sacred partnership with God.  If so, their daughter will be blessed beyond measure.

© 2018 by Stephen L. Dunn. You have permission to reprint this provided it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for sale, and a link is provided to this site or to www.drstevedunn.com. For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com

CELEBRATING OUR FREEDOM

by Steve Dunn

Today is July 4^th, the day we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence separating us from the rule of England and its mad King George.  Never mind that John Adams that July 2^nd would be Independence Day and that declaration was not actually signed until July xx.  July 4^th was the Day we formally declared our independence.

Never mind the historical proof-texting because far more important is the principle. The Declaration reads:

In Congress, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

This was a momentous action—and its core values—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have shaped our people and inspired other peoples and nations.  We have sometimes had trouble defining those three words and have certainly made mistakes along the ways—but the end product is so powerful that for more than two centuries people have immigrated to our shores seeking to find those truths to be a reality in their lives.

Compared to so much of the rest of the world, we have rich and meaningful lives, paralleled freedom, and countless opportunities to choose happiness.  Today is a day to get past the debates over walls and immigration, athletes who stand or kneel, trade agreements and foreign influence in our politics.  For just today, can we pause, reflect our blessings, celebrate our freedom, and give thanks to our Maker.

© 2018  by Stephen L. Dunn.  You have permission to reprint this provided it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for sale, and a link is provided to this site or to www.drstevedunn.com. For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com 

 

TURNING OVER THE TABLES

BY STEVE DUNN

We live in a time of cultural warfare. The radical left often seems bent on eradicating Christian witness from the public square and detaching the nation from biblical values. The “church” is perceived as the enemy of politically correct definition of tolerance. Many in the church, especially the fundamentalist right, are vehemently attacking those efforts-and at times demonizing those who choose to even be moderates or to voice the idea that there is some element of truth outside the Christian faith. Both extremes tragically are not serving our nation, simply throwing gasoline on a fire that further damages the well-being of the American people.

I cannot speak for the radical left—nor would even consider doing so. The contempt for even basic Judaeo-Christian values and the worship of every man’s right to do what their heart desires without accountability for its impact are antithetical to my faith and values.

But I can speak to my fellow Christians. The political rhetoric, the judgmental intransigence over every issue facing us as a free people defy the words of the Lord through Isaiah—words not spoken to society in general but to the people of God:

Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. – Isaiah 1.16-18

We need to take the plank out of our own eyes. We need to remember the words and example of Jesus.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Matthew 5:44-48

We have become very adept at turning over the tables. But I wonder greatly if tactics that so much resemble the world’s way of doing things don’t deaden us to the vital truth that the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ must guide our opinions and actions towards others—especially those who we perceive or who declare themselves to be enemies.

The New Testament records only ONE incident of Jesus overturning the tables—and countless examples of the love and graciousness and forgiveness of Jesus.

Please think about this—prayerfully, honestly and apolitically.

© 2018 by Stephen L. Dunn. You have permission to reprint this provided it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for sale, and a link is provided to this site or to http://www.drstevedunn.com. For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com

MONDAY MORNING REFLECTIONS – DYING IN THE DARKNESS

BY STEVE DUNN

       In America today there is much furor, debate, and suspicion of press coverage–especially coverage by the mainstream media of the President of the United States.  Mr. Trump is constantly rebutting what is said about him with the with the dismissive of “fake news.”  And many others in America dismiss the news outlets supporting the President as creating “fake news.”  We now know there is even a growing industry that proudly claims that it creates fake news (the reason for which defies me).  Many people simply embrace the concept that the best news is negative news and others embrace the idea that unless the news is positive about their side–it should not be reported at all.

The Washington Post carries this banner “Democracy Dies in Darkness” which I understand goes back to the days when Woodward and Bernstein exposed the darkside of President Nixon.  I know my quoting this banner will cause some to dismiss what I say declaring that I have a bias.

I do have a bias. I have a bias–it is a bias towards the light.  In a democracy, especially the democracy that makes me thankful to be an American and causes me to pray God’s blessing on this nation; darkness–hiddenness–secrets–manipulation of the truth–outright lies are the enemies of democracy.  And whoever would want to hide the truth from the American people, especially for their own political purposes undermines our democracy.

My bias, however, does not come from a political position. It comes from my faith and from the Word of God.  Let me quote just a few verses that inform my bias:

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. – John 3.19
 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” –  John 8.12

“You are the light of the world (meaning Jesus’ disciples). A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  – Matthew 5.14-16

May we always embrace the light and drive back the darkness.

© 2018 by Stephen L. Dunn. You have permission to reprint this provided it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for sale, and a link is provided to this site or to www.drstevedunn.com. For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com