Category Archives: Personal Growth

Memorial Day

Cultural Issues, Holiday, Personal Growth
May 24, 2015

THE ORIGINS OF MEMORIAL DAY

FROM THE HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC

General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868

The 30th day of May 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance.

If our eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us. Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time.

By order of JOHN A. LOGAN, Commander-in-Chief

As Christians we are called to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us. We call that remembering time the Lord’s Supper. As we share the Lord’s Supper, we remember what Jesus has done for us.

As Americans, we are also called to remember those who have purchased our freedom by their personal sacrifice and dedication. We call that time of remembering, Memorial Day. Memorial Day is more than a break from school or a vacation day from work. Memorial Day is a call to remember that freedom is NOT free. It is often very costly and that cost was paid by those who themselves did not benefit from its purchase.

Today we give honor and appreciation to those who have gone before us and who paid, often with their lives, for our freedom as Americans. We also appreciate and thank those who even today are taking up that same cause. Those who are willing to stand in “harm’s way” for the freedoms we hold dear.

Finally, I want to challenge us as believers to be the ones to purchase spiritual freedom for others. By sacrificial giving, by sharing our faith, by going to unreached people, by dedicated prayer, we can help purchase spiritual freedom for those who need it most. What a privilege!

National Day of Prayer

Cultural Issues, Ministry, Personal Growth
May 3, 2015

Since 1952, every American President has been commissioned to set a National Day of Prayer “on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.” In 1988 the law was amended so that the National Day of Prayer would be held on the first Thursday of May with the stated intentions that it would be a day when adherents of all great religions could unite in prayer and that it may one day bring renewed respect for God to all the peoples of the world.

On a more personal level, for a few years, I was a member of the group that organized and promoted our local National Day of Prayer event. Several of those events were held at Island Park Gazebo and involved leaders from many church groups in our metro area. This year, the local National Day of Prayer event will be held at the Holiday Inn (6:30 PM) and a special guest will be Lisa Crump, Senior Director Prayer Mobilization on the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

I can remember when I was helping to put together National Day of Prayer events, I promised myself that I would attend them, even when I was not a leader. But I must admit that I have often been absent from those local observances. Sometimes the day would come and go and I would not even remember it was the National Day of Prayer.

This year I intend to be different. I am planning to attend, would you like to attend with me? I am not going to listen to a good speaker (although I expect Lisa Crump will be a good speaker). I am not going to support local leaders (I do not even know who they are). I am not going to network with local Christians (although I expect I will see some people there who I know). I am not going because I feel guilty (although I must admit to a bit of guilt because of my past absences from this annual event). I am going because I want to join with others and pray for our country.

I have found that praying with other believers who come together for the purpose of praying is a great blessing and uplift in my life. To let them put into words what my heart feels, is enriching to me. To put my faith to work renews my trust in God. To stand with other believers generates hope for our nation and its future. To know that even if there are many in our country who have no time for prayer, there are also many who will make prayer a special priority.

The theme verse for 2015 is “Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” (I Kings 8:28) God has promised that He would hear our prayer, the question is, will we pray?

New Horizons Ministry

Ministry, Personal Growth, Worship
April 19, 2015

Since it was first occupied in 1973, New Horizons Manor has been almost next door to our church building. Designed to accommodate residents with disabilities, New Horizons Manor is managed and maintained by the Fargo Housing & Redevelopment Authority.

Through the years our church has had various levels of connection with New Horizons and its residents. We have often had attenders who lived there, our long time Ladies prayer group met there for a period of time, we have had personal ministry with some residents and in more recent years, we have lead Sunday worship services there. For a period of several years, Pastor Pablo preached there every Sunday afternoon. Currently we have a monthly worship service lead by Pastor Dude and supported by Wanda, Margaret, Harriett, and Milton (who plays the guitar for group singing).

We are not the only church who has had ministry at New Horizons. Through the years other churches have come to New Horizons with service, Bible study, ministry and worship. However, at present, as far as we know, our church is the only one offering regular worship opportunities. Even weekday Bible studies have dissolved.

Last Sunday as we arrived for afternoon worship, for the very first time, no residents came. So, those from our church who were there discussed options to consider for further ministry at New Horizons. One thing seemed apparent; few people living at New Horizons feel the need to gather monthly for a Sunday afternoon worship time. So, we should probably consider a different kind of ministry. Another observation is that Phyllis, the lady at New Horizons who is in charge of serving food at social events, very much needs and appreciates our help with serving. We could do better at helping Phyllis.

One other opportunity that came up in our conversation was the party held each month to celebrate resident’s birthdays. This might be one area where we could help Phyllis and also get to know and serve the other residents of New Horizons.

In the end, our touch with New Horizons depends on folks in our church who have Jesus’ kind of love for the people who live there. We really do not need to develop a program for New Horizons, we simply need people who love the residents there and who want to find a way to share that love. We do not need everyone in our church to do this, but we do need some in our church who feel called by God to put love into action for the residents of New Horizons. Might you be one of those people? If so, let me know and we will discover together how the Lord can use us there.

Your Pastor,

Dude Garrett

Ministry to Ron

Grief, Ministry, Personal Growth
April 12, 2015

It was an honor to serve JoAnn and Ron’s family at his memorial service yesterday. It was a bit unusual to have a memorial service 3 months after someone’s death, but that was the way Ron wanted it to be. He knew that winter weather in our region can make travel difficult and even dangerous, so when his death was imminent he asked JoAnn to have the service later in the spring when weather was less threatening. The weather was wonderful yesterday, just as Ron wanted.

As we finished the service yesterday and waited for the lunch, Katie and Linda told me privately that they did not remember meeting Ron. That made me realize that many in our church probably did not know Ron. When Ron and JoAnn first started coming, Ron was taking strong chemo treatments and did not feel well. Later, it was dangerous for him to be in large groups because his immune system was very weak. As I think back on it, most of the time Ron was here, it was our adult Bible study class (Sunday School) that got to know Ron. Those who were not in my Bible study class probably did not know Ron if at all. Worship services are not designed for sharing and personal interaction in the same way the Bible study and other small groups are. It was not a fault of Katie or Linda, rather it was the nature of church activities that isolated Ron and limited his acquaintance with others in our church family.

This observation from yesterday’s memorial service leads me to two challenges. First of all, remember that the ministry of our church, yes, even our small church, is much bigger than most of us realize. More people are touched by our church than we know. There are people who participate in limited ways who are touched by what we do. The Lord knows EVERY individual, He loves them, and He has brought them into contact with us so we could influence their lives and show them God’s love. None of us, including me, know the full extent of how the Lord uses our church. If we will live our lives, obediently, faithfully, and lovingly, God will use us in the work of His Kingdom. What a calling!

Second, be involved when and where you can. You never know when the Lord might bless you through the life of someone you meet. That is why we do small groups. Not just to learn, but to have opportunities to know each other. Those who could be in my Sunday School class when Ron was there were blessed by his humor, his faith and his testimony. Also, when you attend, you can bless others who are there. You can share your life, and in sharing, you can find the fellowship that we all need. The Lord will use others to bless us, if we will give Him that opportunity. Often, all we need to do is simply show up. So, don’t miss out, be a part of what happens here.

Your Pastor,

Dude Garrett

Were You There?

Bible Ideas, Jesus, Personal Growth, The Good News, Worship
April 5, 2015

A popular Easter song is the old Negro spiritual, “Were You There?” Have you ever wondered about its meaning?

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Were you there when He rose up from the grave?

In answer to that question, one could say, “It all happened a long time ago, how could I have been there?” But, there is good – biblical – logic in saying, “Yes, I was there.”

First we were all there, because the reason for Jesus’ death was our sin. Not just the sins of the “world” (some unknown quantity of unknown people), but MY SINS. MY SINS put Jesus on the cross. MY SINS caused His suffering. MY SINS required a payment – a propitiation – before God. The death of Jesus was all about MY SIN. Yes, I was there.

Secondly, we should say we were there because we have eye witness accounts of the events. In the Bible we can read exactly what happened and know what took place. In fact, because we have them recorded in God’s Word, we know more about Jesus’ death and resurrection than those living in Jerusalem during those days. Out of the tens of thousands of people in Jerusalem during that Passover, only a small number actually saw what happened with their own eyes. Only a few took part. Most people were totally oblivious to Jesus’ death even though it occurred just a few miles away. Today, we have a better and more complete picture of those events than even the disciples with Jesus (after all, they were hiding away in fear). Yes, we were there, God’s Word takes us there and gives us a front row seat to all that happened.

Were you there? The biblical answer is “YES.” You were there, but you can choose not to believe it. You can turn your back on what Jesus did and pretend it is all fiction. But, if you do that, you will miss out on life’s greatest gift and the reason for His suffering will be lost in your unbelief.

These last four Sundays I have challenged us to take a “front row seat” to the Easter events. We would feel the disciples intimidation and danger. We would watch the religious leaders try to hold on to their power and their nation (even though they eventually lost it all). We would see Pilot discover that the Father is actually the One in control and because of that Jesus lays down His life. Yes, we were there. Easter is not just about the past, it is about us today! Let it change our lives just like it changed the lives of those first witnesses.

Disappointments

Ministry, Personal Growth
March 22, 2015

I have learned after 60 years of living that there are times when life is especially good, and times when life is especially difficult. Those cycles come and go, sometimes because of my actions, sometimes because of the actions of others and sometimes because of situations that only God controls.

Lately, I have felt the sting of disappointment more acutely than normal. My disappointments would fall into all of the categories mentioned above. Although in closer examination, most of them fall into the category of being my fault. In short, I have lately been disappointed in myself.

I could go into more detail about some of those disappointments, but space and propriety wisely say, “don’t go there.” Instead I could quote Paul’s words in Romans 7. “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.”

In me is that same battle. I want to do good. I want to talk with someone and know that it helps them know the Lord better and see His hand in their life. I want them to grow, change, mature and form new and godly patterns. But in the end, they walk away from me and don’t come back. They smile and say thanks, but I see no change or maturity in their life. They come to me for help, but they do not find what they are looking for. I know what would help them, I try to point them to it, but it seems to be of little value.

Again, Paul’s words express my feelings. “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible…to the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (I Cor 9:19-23) Yet, I see few who are rescued from their sin and distress.

Again, Paul’s words in Romans 7 ring true to me. “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Am I just stuck in disappointment? Paul goes on, “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord…There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”

In the end, it is Jesus who is the Rescuer – the Savior – not me. My life is in His hands. It is not my own efforts that secure my place in God’s Kingdom, it is His. I may not be what others need. I may not be able to help them. But, I rest in the Hands of my Heavenly Father. I may fail at everything I do, but in the end, HE will welcome me into His presence and I will find the peace and satisfaction I long to find. Yes, Jesus is enough and He is my LORD. If I take my eyes off of myself, put them back on Jesus, my disappointments fade away and I am at peace. All, thanks to HIM!

Friendship or Fellowship

Bible Ideas, Cultural Issues, Family Life, Ministry, Personal Growth
March 15, 2015

Lately, I have been thinking about the difference between friendship and fellowship. In many ways, I suspect we often think of them as the same. I am not so sure that is a good connection to make.

When I think of my friendships I think of the people I met and enjoyed their company at pivotal times in my life. As a young boy I had friends. Some of them are still my friends today. When I started graduate school in Denver, Karon and I developed friendships with a few other couples in similar stages of life and with similar responsibilities. In our first pastorate in Devils Lake, with new babies added to our family, once again Karon and I found friends in similar stages of life. It seems like friendship is a combination of personal connections, common life situations, and shared experiences. I am not sure that friendship can be created. It can be discovered, it can be cultivated and it certainly can be lost, but I do not think we can be commanded to make a friend of a certain person. In fact, the more I think about it, the more good friendships are like gifts from God. They are more rare than we might like and very precious when we have them.   Since we are on the subject, is there a friendship that you need to cultivate, appreciate, and encourage in your life right now?

How about fellowship?

When I think of fellowship my first thought is the meaning of the Greek word we usually translate as fellowship. That word might more accurately be translated as partnership. In fact, in Philippians 1:5 the NIV does use partnership as its English translation.

When we read the New Testament we see that fellowship is a reality of life in the church. Fellowship with the Spirit brings us into fellowship with each other (see Acts 2:42; Philippians 2; I John 1:3, 7). It is not optional nor situational. We who believe are partners because of our common bond in Jesus. Being connected to Jesus means I am connected to others who are connected to Jesus.

If I contrast partnership and friendship I notice right away that fellowship is much broader and less personal. We can have fellowship, without friendship. The demands of friendship are more personal, the demands of fellowship are more godly. Fellowship will not happen without godly love, forgiveness, grace and compassion. Yes, those are part of friendship too, but they tend to happen more naturally and with less discipline. Fellowship requires choice, commitment, selflessness, and respect. All of these we give because of JESUS, not because our partner deserves it. Fellowship is a choice we make, friendship is a gift we receive.

These are my thoughts…what do you think about friendship and fellowship?

Be Careful With Problems

Family Life, Ministry, Personal Growth
February 22, 2015

During lunch with someone from our church this week, I was reminded of the dangers (and the benefits) of talking about problems. Our conversation was on the subject of church problems, but I think what I have to say would address personal problems, work problems and many other settings.

First it is important to note that running away from problems or ignoring them is not going to help. Doing that usually makes problems worse and more difficult to address. We do ourselves no favors when we hide from our problems, pretending that things are fine when in fact, they are not.

But on balance, we should remember that life ALWAYS has problems. The presence of problems is not a sign of my failure. Rather, it is evidence of man’s greatest problem, the problem of sin. Sometimes my problems come from my own sin, sometimes from the sins of others, and sometimes from the cloud of sin that hangs over this world. Usually, problems come from all of those places at once. We will never be free of problems.  

When properly understood, our problems will drive us to our Father. We simply cannot make our lives work without God. It is our pride that pushes us away from God and tempts us to try to fix things on our own. Anger, embarrassment, hurt, avoidance, defensiveness and revenge are sure tip offs that our pride is strongly at work. If we will combat that pride with humility, then our Heavenly Father can step in and bring changes with Him.

And one final observation, if all I can see are the problems, then I have my focus in the wrong place. God is at work in the life of EVERY believer. Yes, He certainly can use our problems for His glory, but even more than that, He is at work, blessing our lives and creating in us what we need so that we can do good things for Him and His kingdom (see Ephesians 2:10).   We must never miss seeing His work because we are too focused on our problems.

Paul told the Philippian Christians, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). If my focus is on problems, all too often I miss seeing the good work of God in and around me. I miss the joy that comes by simply knowing I am His child. I miss His presence in the small, private moments. I do not feel His love or His peace in the storm of my problems. And worst of all, I do not see how He wants to use me to bless and love people He brings into my life.

We need not be afraid of our problems. Our Heavenly Father loves us and will turn them into blessings if we let Him. In fact, He is doing that already. Please do not miss His fingerprints and focus too much on the problems. Instead, look for His work, His blessings, His peace, His presence, His power, and His love. It has been there all along!

Your pastor,

Dude Garrett

Asking For Money

Bible Ideas, Cultural Issues, Ministry, Personal Growth, Worship
February 15, 2015

A few years ago there was a frequent and popular criticism of the church, namely, that the church was always asking for money. In response to that criticism, some churches scaled back the offering. They decided not to pass the offering plate during worship services, but instead, to put an offering box of some kind in the church building and encourage only members and regular attenders to give. I can understand that response to criticism.

Here at TBC, we did it differently. We decided long ago (about 15 years ago) that we will ground our offering in the teaching from the Bible. Each Sunday, before the offering, we would read a passage in the Bible that teaches the importance of giving. In fact, we would emphasize that giving is a very important part of worship. We did this, not to get more money, but because it was the biblical thing to do.

Our informal theme verse for this is II Corinthians 9:6-8. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Cheerful, faithful, generous, sacrificial giving is very good for us and very honoring to God. It is one of the ways we put our faith into action and discover that God really does give us what we need to abound in every good work (the good works He wants us to do). Giving is NOT a way to get something from our Heavenly Father, but it is a way to say, “we LOVE You.” It is a way to say, “we TRUST You.” It is a way to say, “We want Your Kingdom to come, Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

It is my observation from I Corinthians that this attitude about giving has been a part of the church since its very beginning. We give, not so that others will see and praise us, but so that we can put our love for God into action. We give because the Father first loved us. We give because we love one another. We give because we are challenged to “lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven.” We give because the Father gave us His Son to be our Savior.

As we think about giving today, can you see how giving has grown in your life? No, do not compare with others. Do not think about the amount of your giving. Instead look into your heart. Do you see cheerful, generous giving there? Can you look back on your life and notice how God has taught you about giving? What is the next step for you in this important part of your spiritual life? What needs is God calling you to meet? Where can you be more generous?

Your pastor,

Dude Garrett

Wedding Today

Cultural Issues, Family Life, Marriage/Weddings, Ministry, Personal Growth
February 8, 2015

A few weeks ago a young Chinese couple came to see me and asked if I would do their wedding. As NDSU students, they knew that I had married other Chinese couples and asked me to do their wedding, planned to be in just two weeks. Although I was complimented by their request I cringed a bit inside. Back in 1977, I made a personal rule that I would not marry anyone unless they did some kind of marriage preparation. There have been a few exceptions to that rule and as I talked to them, I felt that this was one of those times.

First of all, Dalu and Cuiyuan had no way of knowing about things like marriage preparation. They have friends at the F-M Chinese Christian church, but they do not regularly attend.

Secondly, Cuiyuan’s parents were going to be here (coming from China) on the weekend planned for their wedding. Those kinds of plans are not easy to change.

Third, they were willing to do marriage “preparation” with me after their wedding. Not the best plan since the motivation to work hard at marriage preparation is much less after the wedding, but I have done that before.

In the end as I talked to them, I decided to say yes to officiating their wedding.

Their original plan was to have their wedding at Dalu’s NDSU apartment. But, as they invited their friends to come, they discovered that the apartment would be too small. In the end, I offered them the use of our church building and they decided to use the fellowship hall. So today Dalu and Cuiyuan will set up our fellowship hall for their wedding at 2:00. They will probably be setting things up as our worship service ends this morning.

As we gather today and as you think about this wedding, please pray for Dalu and Cuiyuan and their family and friends as they come. Pray that they will find Jesus and one day put their lives in His hands. Pray that as I share some of the meaning of marriage from the Bible, that it will touch their hearts and have the ring of authority that can come only from biblical truth. Pray also that as we do marriage preparation, after their wedding, that it will equip them for a healthier marriage and give us an opportunity to talk more about the important spiritual side of life.

Throughout my ministry God has used me as I have helped couples with their wedding and their marriage. It is a special opportunity for ministry that few can have. It is my prayer that I will be sensitive to the Lord’s leading and the needs of Dalu and Cuiyuan as we share this special time in their lives.

Your pastor,

Dude Garrett