James Bond 007 and I have some things in common. He is James; I am James. He is from the UK; I am from the UK (I was born in Scotland). He is in her Majesty’s secret service; I am in His Majesty’s sacred service. He has a license to kill; I have a license to preach. He is handsome; I am . . . well, the comparison had to end somewhere!
Let’s get back to the license to preach. The Associated Gospel Churches of Canada issued it to me November 6, 1958, but I preached my first sermon in November 1954 at a rescue mission on N. Clark Street in Chicago, Illinois, when I was a freshman student at Moody Bible Institute. I was ordained to the gospel ministry in October 1960, at Williamson, New York.
The license to preach rests in the top drawer of my desk. I see it whenever I open the drawer to retrieve a pen, a paper clip, a stamp, or a Post-it® note. Although nearly fifty years and thousands of sermons have passed since I received that license, I have never lost the wonder that God called me to teach His Word.
Back in 1962, while pastoring a church in Williamson, New York, I started dabbling in writing. Pulpit, a magazine for ministers published ten of my sermon outlines. It later accepted articles. Soon, the experience of writing for publication became a regular occurrence, as I authored curriculum courses and interactive Bible studies for Baptist Publications, later renamed Accent Publications. I joined the editorial staff of Baptist Publications in Denver, Colorado, in 1971; and then, until 2000 I was involved full time in the development of Christian education literature for Accent, Regular Baptist Press, and Scripture Press. I retired in 2000 from Cook Communications Ministries, the parent company of Accent and Scripture Press. Now, I do freelance writing, and I mentor about 135 students for the Jerry Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. Some of my students live in foreign countries: Canada, Chile, England, Scotland, France, South Africa, India, Australia, and China, to name a few.
Since becoming a pastor in 1958, I have always been involved in pastoral ministry. Even my three decades of full-time editorial work included pastoral ministry: sometimes part-time, sometimes interim, and occasionally pulpit supply. Now, closing in on age 72, I still preach almost every Sunday wherever I am invited. I feel privileged to be allowed to declare the good news that God gives eternal life to all who believe on Jesus as Savior, and I also feel privileged to be able to help believers grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Like me, my license to preach is showing signs of aging, but God’s call to preach is as fresh now as it was 50 years ago. And I wouldn’t trade that high calling for all James Bond’s fancy cars, super-high-tech gadgets, and good looks.
“Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16b).
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Religion or Jesus?
A prominent news TV commentator asked a well-known Christian clergyman if he believed Muslims and Jews would go to heaven. The clergyman replied, “Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ So, unless an individual trusts in Jesus Christ, he cannot enter heaven.”
“I don’t believe that,” the commentator retorted. “Jesus preached tolerance and acceptance. So I believe anyone who sincerely follows his religion and lives a good life will end up in heaven. I expect to see a lot of Muslims and Jews there.”
Who was right, the clergyman or the commentator? Perhaps we should ask who was right, the commentator or Jesus? Don’t you agree that Jesus, who never sinned and always spoke the truth, is the reliable authority? The fact is, only those who trust in Jesus as Savior will live forever in heaven. Neither religious affiliation nor religious fervor issues passports to heaven. Only believers in Jesus enter that beautiful and eternal home.
You have heard that all roads lead to Rome, but don’t try to get there by following Route 66 or I-70 or I-80 or I-90 or some other U.S. highway. Similarly, don’t try to get to heaven by any way that bypasses Jesus. Read John 14:6 and Acts 4:12.
“I don’t believe that,” the commentator retorted. “Jesus preached tolerance and acceptance. So I believe anyone who sincerely follows his religion and lives a good life will end up in heaven. I expect to see a lot of Muslims and Jews there.”
Who was right, the clergyman or the commentator? Perhaps we should ask who was right, the commentator or Jesus? Don’t you agree that Jesus, who never sinned and always spoke the truth, is the reliable authority? The fact is, only those who trust in Jesus as Savior will live forever in heaven. Neither religious affiliation nor religious fervor issues passports to heaven. Only believers in Jesus enter that beautiful and eternal home.
You have heard that all roads lead to Rome, but don’t try to get there by following Route 66 or I-70 or I-80 or I-90 or some other U.S. highway. Similarly, don’t try to get to heaven by any way that bypasses Jesus. Read John 14:6 and Acts 4:12.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Jesus Values Seniors
“So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them” (Mark 1:31).
The senior population is booming in the United States. According to a prediction quoted in Senior Journal, by mid-century, people age 65 and older will account for about 15 percent of the world’s population.
Clearly, adults are living longer, but are our senior citizens respected and allowed to contribute their wisdom and skills to society? Do corporations and even churches accept seniors as they should and let them work and serve as long as they can? These are questions for Human Resource managers and pastors, but Jesus left no doubt that He valued seniors. Trace His steps through the Gospels and see how He ministered to older people.
For example, upon entering the home of Simon and Andrew, Jesus learned Simon’s mother-in-law was gravely ill and confined to bed. He showed He cared about her by taking her by the hand and lifting her up. Immediately, the fever that had racked her body left her.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Simon’s mother-in-law rolled out the hospitality mat and “began to wait” on Jesus and His disciples (Mark 1:31).
Consider what Jesus has done for you, and serve Him today. No one is too young or too old to do so.
—From The Anchor, "Jesus Cares," written by Jim Dyet and published by Haven Ministries. Used by permission. copyright 2007.
The senior population is booming in the United States. According to a prediction quoted in Senior Journal, by mid-century, people age 65 and older will account for about 15 percent of the world’s population.
Clearly, adults are living longer, but are our senior citizens respected and allowed to contribute their wisdom and skills to society? Do corporations and even churches accept seniors as they should and let them work and serve as long as they can? These are questions for Human Resource managers and pastors, but Jesus left no doubt that He valued seniors. Trace His steps through the Gospels and see how He ministered to older people.
For example, upon entering the home of Simon and Andrew, Jesus learned Simon’s mother-in-law was gravely ill and confined to bed. He showed He cared about her by taking her by the hand and lifting her up. Immediately, the fever that had racked her body left her.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Simon’s mother-in-law rolled out the hospitality mat and “began to wait” on Jesus and His disciples (Mark 1:31).
Consider what Jesus has done for you, and serve Him today. No one is too young or too old to do so.
—From The Anchor, "Jesus Cares," written by Jim Dyet and published by Haven Ministries. Used by permission. copyright 2007.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Did Shakespeare Leave His Mark on the Bible?
Scholars differ about Shakespeare’s contribution to the translation of the King James Version of the Bible. Some believe he was a contributing writer. Others insist he was just one of King James’ closest friends. It is interesting, however, to conjecture whether the KJV translators or the bard himself slipped Shakespeare’s name into Psalm 46.
William was 46 when the King James Version of the Bible was translated. If you examine Psalm 46 in the KJV and count forward to the 46th word, you come to the word “shake,” and if you count 46 words from the end of Psalm 46, you come to the word “spear.”
It is interesting to conjecture whether Shakespeare left his mark on the Bible, but in the final analysis the matter lacks eternal significance. What is eternally significant is whether the Bible leaves its mark on us. After all, God gave the Bible to show us how to enter into a peaceful, eternal relationship with Him (2 Timothy 3:15). He also gave the Bible to instruct us in righteousness and to equip us for a spiritually productive life (verses 16, 17).
You and I may be the only Bibles some people read. Let’s live in such a way that they read a clear message about our Savior.
“But his delight in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:2, 3).
P.S. Fly the flag today! Let’s show the world we are proud to be “one nation under God” and determined to “let freedom ring.”
copyright 2007 James Dyet
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
William was 46 when the King James Version of the Bible was translated. If you examine Psalm 46 in the KJV and count forward to the 46th word, you come to the word “shake,” and if you count 46 words from the end of Psalm 46, you come to the word “spear.”
It is interesting to conjecture whether Shakespeare left his mark on the Bible, but in the final analysis the matter lacks eternal significance. What is eternally significant is whether the Bible leaves its mark on us. After all, God gave the Bible to show us how to enter into a peaceful, eternal relationship with Him (2 Timothy 3:15). He also gave the Bible to instruct us in righteousness and to equip us for a spiritually productive life (verses 16, 17).
You and I may be the only Bibles some people read. Let’s live in such a way that they read a clear message about our Savior.
“But his delight in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:2, 3).
P.S. Fly the flag today! Let’s show the world we are proud to be “one nation under God” and determined to “let freedom ring.”
copyright 2007 James Dyet
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Playing Golf at Fort Carson's Cheyenne Shadows
When asked where I play golf in Colorado Springs, I respond, “Cheyenne Shadows.” Actually, I play wherever I am invited to play, but Cheyenne Shadows seems to top the invitation list.
Located on the Fort Carson Army Post, near the base of Cheyenne Mountain, Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course is accessible only to those who pass through security at Gate 5. Presenting my driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance is a required procedure, as is the ritual of popping the hood of my car, opening the doors, and lifting trunk lid.
After clearing security, I pay a modest green fee at the clubhouse, meet my buddy, and together we load our clubs onto a golf cart and fall into a line at the first tee, where we are often paired with young soldiers. Before long, we tee off, and the adventure begins. Although Cheyenne Shadows is a military course, we don’t hit our golf balls left, right, left, right, left, right—at least we try not to.
The other day, two young soldiers—one from Pennsylvania and the other from West Virginia—joined my buddy and me. They had recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq and will return to Iraq in six months. Neither soldier complained about having to serve in Iraq, and neither soldier said he wished for an easier life.
Just a gentle reminder—Christians are soldiers—soldiers of the cross—yet many of us want to serve God only as advisers. A far-too-prevalent attitude seems to be, “I’m not available for any ministry that involves personal hardship or takes too much of my time or runs the risk of being unappreciated and unrewarded.” Such soldiers are what C. T. Studd called, “chocolate soldiers.” They melt when the heat rises.
One soldier’s golf game fell apart at the fifth hole, and he became so frustrated and discouraged he retreated to his golf cart and pouted. Only the tactful encouragement of his soldier buddy persuaded him to resume play at the eighth hole. I’m happy to report the despondent soldier played well once again.
Another gentle reminder—soldiers of the cross can become frustrated and discouraged. Some may become so discouraged they drop out of Christian service. However, we can encourage them to “get back into the game.” A pat on the back works far better than a callous rebuke.
“Let us encourage one another,” Hebrews 10:25 admonishes. Let’s spread encouragement around wherever we Christians interact with one another. As soldiers of the cross, we need to buddy up in our constant conflict with evil.
copyright 2007 James Dyet
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Located on the Fort Carson Army Post, near the base of Cheyenne Mountain, Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course is accessible only to those who pass through security at Gate 5. Presenting my driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance is a required procedure, as is the ritual of popping the hood of my car, opening the doors, and lifting trunk lid.
After clearing security, I pay a modest green fee at the clubhouse, meet my buddy, and together we load our clubs onto a golf cart and fall into a line at the first tee, where we are often paired with young soldiers. Before long, we tee off, and the adventure begins. Although Cheyenne Shadows is a military course, we don’t hit our golf balls left, right, left, right, left, right—at least we try not to.
The other day, two young soldiers—one from Pennsylvania and the other from West Virginia—joined my buddy and me. They had recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq and will return to Iraq in six months. Neither soldier complained about having to serve in Iraq, and neither soldier said he wished for an easier life.
Just a gentle reminder—Christians are soldiers—soldiers of the cross—yet many of us want to serve God only as advisers. A far-too-prevalent attitude seems to be, “I’m not available for any ministry that involves personal hardship or takes too much of my time or runs the risk of being unappreciated and unrewarded.” Such soldiers are what C. T. Studd called, “chocolate soldiers.” They melt when the heat rises.
One soldier’s golf game fell apart at the fifth hole, and he became so frustrated and discouraged he retreated to his golf cart and pouted. Only the tactful encouragement of his soldier buddy persuaded him to resume play at the eighth hole. I’m happy to report the despondent soldier played well once again.
Another gentle reminder—soldiers of the cross can become frustrated and discouraged. Some may become so discouraged they drop out of Christian service. However, we can encourage them to “get back into the game.” A pat on the back works far better than a callous rebuke.
“Let us encourage one another,” Hebrews 10:25 admonishes. Let’s spread encouragement around wherever we Christians interact with one another. As soldiers of the cross, we need to buddy up in our constant conflict with evil.
copyright 2007 James Dyet
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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