Articles by Larry Davies at Heartlight

Clutter

LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com (Larry Davies) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

"I found your office looking on the internet," a relative said when we were visiting my wife's home town."

"Oh really," I answered, wondering why she would be so interested?

"We've never had a chance to visit your church so I decided to check it out online. Your sanctuary is beautiful and the family life center is interesting but have you seen your office?" she pressed on.

"Actually, I haven't. Why do you ask?" Now, I was really curious. What was her point?

"I made a copy for you. Maybe you should take a peek." She said with a mischievous grin.

Preserved in glossy 8 by 11 Technicolor was my office in all it's ... (gulp) glory? Maybe a better word would be extreme clutter or disaster area or "this site should be condemned" or maybe a bomb crater? Papers were strewn all over my desk. You could hardly see my computer for the mess. A lamp shade was tilted at 45 degree angle. In the background were pictures, books and old mementos scattered all about.

I was embarrassed, ashamed and yes humiliated. I knew something needed to be done but it wouldn't be right to eliminate my entire family? Would it? Okay, get serious Larry, but something needed to be done.

Clutter often involves more than just our office. Chuck Swindoll in his book, "So, You Want to Be Like Christ?" writes a chapter on "Simplicity, Uncluttering our Minds." At one point Chuck shares five steps toward achieving a cluttered mind. As I read each statement, I was forced to declare myself: Guilty!

Say yes every time someone asks you to do something.

Don't plan any time for leisure and rejuvenation.

Don't be satisfied with your accomplishments -- keep moving.

Max out your credit cards beyond what you can repay.

Acquire all the latest technology so you can simplify your life.

Yes, I say "Yes!" far too often.

Yes, I plan very little time for leisure and rejuvenation.

Yes, I am seldom satisfied with my accomplishments. I do keep moving.

Yes, I've taken on too much debt this year.

Yes, I've often acquired the latest technology hoping for a simpler life only to find myself maintaining yet another gadget.

Where does it all end? I confess! I am also guilty of a cluttered mind and a cluttered life.

Max Lucado wrote:

We are a nation that believes in having it all. In 1950 American families owned one car and saved for a second. In 2000 nearly 1 in 5 families owned three cars or more ... Americans shell out more for garbage bags than 90 of the world's 210 countries spend for everything. In 1900 the average person living in the US wanted 72 different things and considered 18 of them essential. Today the average person wants 500 things and considers over 100 of them essential. (From "Cure for the Common Life.")

Our prosperity however carries a hefty price tag. Most of us feel the stress of a hectic, cluttered lifestyle.

The apostle Paul wrote:

I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. For I promised you as a pure bride to one husband, Christ. But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent. You seem to believe whatever anyone tells you ... (2 Corinthians 11:2-3 NASB).

When our lives are cluttered we can more easily be led astray.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox wrote a beautiful poem that begins:

One ship drives east and another drives west
With the selfsame winds that blow:
'Tis the set of the sails and not the gales,
Which tells us the way to go.

Two ships driven by the wind, yet one stays on course. Are you sailing where you desire or are you caught in the gales of a cluttered lifestyle? The answer is found in the word: simplify. We must learn to simplify our lives. The reward is a life less complicated, not more entangled. You will have more time, not less. And the fruit is the opportunity to enjoy a long-lasting, satisfying, rewarding, intimate relationship with almighty God.

From Larry's book, "Live the Light".

Larry Davies is a used-car salesman turned preacher. He serves at Timberlake UMC, and is the author of several books and the online devotional site Sowing Seeds of Faith.

Website: Sowing Seeds of Faith

The Little Church That Could

LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com (Larry Davies) — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Do you remember the famous children's book: "The Little Engine that Could"? A train full of toy animals, dolls and every kind of thing boys or girls could want was stranded and could not get over the mountain to the village of children on the other side. What would they do?

A shiny new engine, asked by the dolls and toys to help, replied, "I pull the likes of you? I am a passenger engine. Indeed not!"

A big engine, stopped by the toy clown waving a flag, said, "I am a freight engine. I am a very important engine indeed. I won't pull the likes of you!"

A rusty old engine replied: "I am so tired. I must rest. I can not. I can not. I can not."

A very little engine was asked next by the dolls and toys and saw the tears in their eyes before replying, "I'm not very big, but I think I can. I think I can. I think I can."

"Puff, puff, chug, chug, went the Little Blue Engine. 'I think I can -- I think I can -- I think I can -- I think I can -- I think I can -- I think I can -- I think I can.'"

We all know the ending of the story. "'Hurray, hurray,' cried the funny little clown and all the dolls and toys. 'The good little boys and girls in the city will be happy because you helped us, kind, little blue engine.' And the little blue engine smiled and seemed to say as she puffed steadily down the mountain. 'I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could.'"

There are plenty of churches who behave much as the engines in the story. There are people all around who desperately need to hear the hope only God's church can offer. What would they do?

There is the shiny new church that says to people in need: "I'm too busy paying for my new building! I cannot help you."

There are large mega churches who reply: "I'm too busy with my own ministries. I cannot."

Then, there are far too many established churches caught up in their own struggle to simply pay the bills who say: "I'm too tired and discouraged to help you!"

There was one very little church, however, which had once been vibrant and full of life, but was now struggling. On a typical Sunday morning there would only be ten or twelve people but they prayed about the needs of their community and two from their church joined a year-long intensive Bible study. During one class both people felt the need to open their very little church to an after-school ministry for local school children: "With God's help," they said, "I think I can -- I think I can -- I think I can?"

Within a few weeks, thirty children were being dropped off at the same, very little church where they would be greeted with cookies and begin an hour and a half of fun, music, games and a Bible study. Over the next few months and years, some of those children along with their parents began attending this same little church.

"With God's help: I think I can -- I think I can -- I think I can."

One man in the same community had a heart attack and nearly died. While in the hospital, he made a vow to serve God more faithfully and come to this same very little church. Another man, discouraged with church life brings his whole family looking for a fresh start. Both men become a source of inspiration and motivation for others.

"With God's help: I think I can -- I think I can -- I think I can!"

A new year-long Bible study is started, but this time the very little church now has its own class full of people who are looking for answers and seeking ways to serve God. One woman in the class persuades her whole family into joining the Bible study, while another woman begins teaching youth in the Sunday school. A couple living together repents and asks to be married in the same little church.

"With God's help: I think I can -- I think I can -- I think I can!!"

"Hurray, hurray," cries this preacher and people everywhere as this very little church, now much bigger should be smiling as she puffs steadily on in service of God.

And God replies: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

The little church says: "With God's help, we thought we could -- we thought we could -- we thought we could!!" With God's help, you can too!

Larry Davies is a used-car salesman turned preacher. He serves at Timberlake UMC, and is the author of several books and the online devotional site Sowing Seeds of Faith.

Website: Sowing Seeds of Faith

I'm Just a Businessman

LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com (Larry Davies) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600

I run a profitable business. There are no tax problems, no accusations of fraud. I have nothing to be ashamed of, so why am I so upset and confused? Maybe it's because something has changed.

You see, it all started on a cold, dark night. My little hotel-restaurant was packed with out-of-town customers. The mood of the crowd at first was dark, with talk of rebellion. After all, no one likes being forced to travel just for a census! a head count. Yet time, a few drinks and the opportunity to renew friendships lifted traveler's spirits and the atmosphere soon became more festive.
Business was good -- almost too good. All my rooms were filled, so people were forced to sleep in the streets. With so many people eating, our supplies of food and drink were critically low.

Later that night, two travelers approached my gate: a young man and his obviously pregnant wife astride a donkey. They both looked exhausted. The young man was polite enough. "Please sir, we have come a long way and need a room. Can you please help us?"

I turned away many others without a thought, but the look of panic in the man's eyes and the young girl's condition made me pause. "There must be somewhere I can put them." But sadly, there was not and I was forced to tell them so. "I'm sorry. There is no room in the inn."

But something about the young woman's face made me pause! She looked so calm and serene. "Wait a minute!" I blurted out. "There's a stable around back with an empty stall. I can add a little fresh straw and you will at least have shelter." Why was I so concerned about the welfare of this young couple? After preparing their area, I left without even asking them for money.

"And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn" (Luke 2:6-7).

The frantic banging on the front door began just as I was finally falling asleep. One of the shepherds in a nearby field said, "You must come at once to see the child. She has sent for you."

"It's just a baby." I shouted. "I've seen babies before." But I was so wrong. Only the shepherds and a few animals surrounded Mary and Joseph. "Where did the shepherds come from?" I wondered. Then I noticed the child. He wasn't crying. He was smiling and looking directly at me. His eyes seemed to penetrate right through to my very soul. How could this baby affect me so?

Something happened that night. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a businessman, not a preacher, but seeing that child changed me, forever. Over the last few weeks I've done a lot of thinking and praying about where my life is going. With God's help, this is what I will do:

Become more generous in my giving and look for opportunities to help others.

Treat my employees with more respect and pay what they earn, not what I can get by with.

Maintain a stricter accounting of my ledger books and with my customer bills.

Spend more time at home with my wife and children.

Go back to church and look for ways that I can become involved in their ministry.

Spend more time in prayer for my family, for business, for others and for those in ministry.

What about you? How will seeing the Christ-child affect you this year? Peter said: "As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!" (2 Peter 1:3).

Seeing the Christ-child in a manger surrounded by animals and shepherds changed this innkeeper forever. How will seeing Christ change you? I pray that in 2007 you will see the Christ-child and be transformed! May God richly bless your journey of faith. Merry Christmas!

Larry Davies is a used-car salesman turned preacher. He serves at Timberlake UMC, and is the author of several books and the online devotional site Sowing Seeds of Faith.

Website: Sowing Seeds of Faith

Is This On Your List?

LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com (Larry Davies) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Let's see if I've got my Christmas to-do list done?

√ Put up the Christmas tree -- check.

√ Bought Christmas presents -- check.

√ Hung stockings with care -- check.

√ Children visited Santa -- Oops! too old!

√ Watched Miracle on 34th St 4 times -- check.

√ Heard, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" 400 times -- Ecch! check.

√ Confessed and repented of my sins! What?

"Confess and repent?" What a depressing way to think about Christmas. Larry, don't you know those old-fashioned terms are out? Codependency, dysfunctional, fetish, psychosis, neurosis and other excuses are the new terms for the 21st century. Why go back in time? Yet every year during Christmas and Easter, church leaders and pastors usually read from the Bible about a prophet named John the Baptist and his emphasis on confession and repentance. Why?

This is probably not the Christmas message you want to hear. Am I right? Don't lose hope; there is an uplifting ending, so stay with me.

In each of the four Gospels, you can almost hear the shrill voice of John the Baptist, the animal skin clad, bug-eating prophet who proclaimed himself as "A voice shouting in the wilderness; 'Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming! Make a straight road for Him!'" (Luke 3:4).

His next statement, however, should get your attention: "You ungrateful pile of snakes! Don't just talk about being a follower of God, do something about it!" That's pretty strong language. Wait! There is more! "Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire" (Luke 3:7-9).

You ungrateful pile of snakes!

Don't just talk, do something!

God's judgment is poised like an ax!

Every tree not producing fruit will be chopped down and burned!

Ouch! No wonder John the Baptist was beheaded. But he is right. We need to hear the voice in the wilderness crying out to "Prepare a pathway!" which describes three basic tenets of our faith:

Sin is anything that separates us from God. We all do it. We all must face it.

Confession is the courage of admitting we are flawed human beings in need of help.

Repentance is our willingness to ask for and accept God's power to change us.

A recent Gallup poll showed that Americans believe in Christ, but few translate that belief into action. Studies show as much dishonesty and unethical behavior within those claiming to be church members as among those who do not. Divorce rates are as high within the church as out. When surveyed, people described religion as a balm for overcoming depression rather than a call for serious change. Yet the voice of John the Baptist rings loud and clear: "Don't just talk; do something!"

The crowd responded to John the Baptist by asking, "What do we do?" (Luke 3:10-14). He said:

Share: Not just with your family but anyone in need. Give some of your blessings away. Learning to give is not just putting more money in the offering plate; it's a foundation of your faith.

Play Fair: Be honest in your relationship with others! Employers -- treat workers with genuine respect! Employees -- earn your pay! Take a stand for what is right but with an attitude of love.

Be Content: We all want to be successful but God often has different ideas on what success really means. It may be time to ask: "Am I where God wants me to be?"

This kind of preparation applies to all, from preachers to pew-sitters to sleep-in-and-forget-about-it believers. "Making a straight path" may be the most important Christmas preparation we attempt.

What about you? Does your Christmas list include an old-fashioned straight talk with God about your sinful behavior? God promises to listen with compassion, offer total forgiveness, enable you to change and continue loving you. Isn't that great? The "Good News" is about listening to John the Baptist now so you will really appreciate what happens on Christmas Day. "Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming!"

Larry Davies is a used-car salesman turned preacher. He serves at Timberlake UMC, and is the author of several books and the online devotional site Sowing Seeds of Faith.

Website: Sowing Seeds of Faith

Thanksgiving and Walking the Boundaries

LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com (Larry Davies) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

There is an annual custom in Switzerland called "walking the bound." Everyone in the village takes a ceremonial walk around the boundaries so they can check the markers. Afterward there is a celebration to express gratitude for the blessings handed down to their community.

What a great way to enjoy Thanksgiving! Check your boundaries, line up the markers and celebrate.

What are the boundaries of your church? How do you practice your faith? If someone were to walk inside your church doors, what would they discover? Does your church practice what it proclaims?

One study of successful churches discovered five ingredients common to all of them:

The central focus is on prayer.

A strong emphasis upon Bible study.

Consistent lay testimony and involvement.

There is concern for the needs of others.

All of the members are in ministry.

Paul once gave this advice to a young preacher named Timothy:

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true, and everyone should accept it (1 Timothy 4:7-9 NLT).

According to Paul, every church should emphasize "training for spiritual fitness." How is your church doing? Obviously, I don't know the answer but I can give you a few examples.

Emphasize spiritual growth:
There are many Christians looking for answers or looking for a Bible study, a support group or prayer group. Offer a wide variety of opportunities to strengthen people's faith whether they are just beginning their Christian journey or well along the way.

Seek to be in ministry:
Are you involved in a ministry or serving on a committee? Replace your many committees with teams, each with an emphasis on ministry: Here are four examples -- see also the lists of spiritual gifts in the New Testament for other ideas (Romans 12:3-8 for example).

Congregational Care includes prayer, health concerns, and visitation.

Nurture includes Sunday school, Bible studies and age-level ministries.

Ministry and Missions includes your ministry in the community and around the world.

Administration keeps your church building, staff and finances running smoothly.

Promote spiritual leadership:
Voting usually means somebody wins and somebody loses. Spiritual leadership means helping everyone listen to the voice of God. Experiment with basing decisions on consensus so that everyone has the opportunity to contribute and everyone listens.

Offer continual encouragement:
Good churches welcome new ideas wherever they appear. Great churches create a contagious enthusiasm of involvement and encouragement. Foster an atmosphere of "spiritual boldness" believing if you are doing God's will, anything is possible.

Specialize in comfort:
Ships lost in stormy seas seek light from a lighthouse to guide them to the safety of the harbor. When visiting our church, you may notice lighthouses everywhere to reflect our mission statement: "A Light to Guide You Safely Home." We pray you will find comfort here.

Include fun and fellowship:
How often does your church offer a meal? Are there celebrations being planned? Do you know how to have fun? Is joy a regular part of your time together?

A church should pursue spiritual growth, ministry and leadership while offering an atmosphere of encouragement, comfort, fun and fellowship. Well, we've walked the boundaries and checked our borders and hopefully discovered a lot to improve and much to be thankful for. Now, let's celebrate!

Larry Davies is a used-car salesman turned preacher. He serves at Timberlake UMC, and is the author of several books and the online devotional site Sowing Seeds of Faith.

Website: Sowing Seeds of Faith

Igniting People's Passion

LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com (Larry Davies) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Fall seems to be the season when we begin to think seriously about new beginnings. After all, a new school year started. Church programs and small groups are beginning.

Yet to many people, churches seem intimidating and self-sustaining. "They don't need me. What could I do to really help?"

You could not be more wrong. There is a tremendous need for you. Jesus called you!

I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20 NLT).

I hear four important commands and a potent promise.

Here are the four commands!

I've been given complete authority: A command to trust.

Go and make disciples: A command to reach out.

Baptize them: A command to include them in our church family.

Teach the new disciples to obey: A command to pass on what we learned.

This is the potent promise:

I will be with you always, even to the end of the age: The promise of eternal hope.

George Barna in "Growing True Disciples" says it another way: "Ignite and nurture people's passion for God."

What if we as the church were to focus on the four out of every ten adults and one out of every three teenagers who have already become Christians and do everything we can to help them grow to be productive disciples -- help them live out the four commands?

In other words: "Ignite people's passion for God and then simply get out of their way."

George Barna gives many examples of how as a church we could "Ignite people's passion --"

We worship not just on Sunday but every day of the week.

Constant efforts to convert knowledge of faith into personal application.

Complete submission to the Holy Spirit and hearts sensitive to sin.

Joyfully share our resources -- time, money, skills, information, etc.

Deep commitment to building a life-changing community.

Spontaneous demonstrations of selfless compassion toward those in need.

Sharing our faith in natural and unforced ways based on relationships.

We live different from the norm because of our faith.

Your church projects an image of love, care and compassion.

Would you like something more specific? Here are a few things you could do right now:

Host a small group in your home: teaching is often provided by video.

Donate a few Saturdays to help churches fix up houses for the needy.

Participate with a church that is feeding meals to the needy.

Help the Salvation Army by ringing their bell during the holiday season.

Be a New Member Mentor -- Help new people feel welcome and find their niche.

Become a Children or Youth Volunteer -- During Sunday school or at other times.

Building and Grounds -- Help your church or volunteer agencies look their best.

Meals on Wheels -- Bring a hot meal to those who need it most.

Christmas Child -- Provide Christmas for a needy child chosen by our local schools.

You will find no greater joy than to trust in the authority of Jesus and reach out to others, help them feel included, and teach them to pass on what they've seen and experienced through knowing you. Are you nervous? So am I, but I take great comfort in Jesus words just before ascending to heaven: "I will be with you always, even to the end of the age."

I pray this will be part of igniting your passion for serving God and then may we all have the wisdom and courage to "simply get out of your way!"

Larry Davies is a used-car salesman turned preacher. He serves at Timberlake UMC, and is the author of several books and the online devotional site Sowing Seeds of Faith.

Website: Sowing Seeds of Faith

When Tragedy Strikes

LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com (Larry Davies) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500

The shrill wail of the fire engine sirens pierced the early morning air on Election Day years ago as I stood outside a voting area to help a church member running for office. As the ambulance and two fire engines sped by they were heading for a neighborhood where many church members lived, so I followed the rescue vehicles only to find a catastrophe too horrible to ever forget.

The flames were still leaping from the windows of the small house as firemen and police officers scurried in every direction. A young couple with three small children lived inside. Two firemen ran out of the house towards the waiting ambulance clutching one of the children. Another child was already inside the vehicle along with his mother. The third child, a baby was still inside the house.

As the ambulance sped away with sirens blaring toward the nearby hospital, I followed knowing my place needed to be with the family. I found the young mother by herself in the waiting room and sat with her while helping contact her husband who had gone to work earlier that morning. During that time, a doctor entered and solemnly informed her of the loss of their baby who died at the scene. Thirty minutes later a nurse came to break the news her next youngest son also died.

In just a few short moments this poor young woman lost two of her three precious children.

She asked to visit her child. What could they say? We walked down the hall into bay three of the emergency room. The curtain was drawn to give us privacy. The mother tenderly picked up her little boy who merely looked asleep and soothingly cradled him in her arms as she began to sing his favorite lullaby. The nurse, overcome, ran out of the room crying but the mother seemed oblivious as she gently combed her child's hair with her fingers and continued quietly singing.

Years later, I still vividly remember the scene.

When tragedy occurs we ask: Where is God? There is no easy answer but I found comfort in Isaiah's words from God:

"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you." (Isaiah 43:1)

"I will be with you."

God was there as people in the community gathered to pray, offer comfort and provide temporary shelter for the family:

"When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown!" (Isaiah 43:2)

God was there as our church helped provide clothing, appliances, furniture and even money toward a scholarship fund for the surviving son:

"When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." (Isaiah 43:2)

God was even there as I went back to the charred ruins of their house looking for mementos that might have survived the fire. Everything was destroyed, or so I thought. But, on the coffee table in the living room amidst a smoldering pile of ashes lay a family Bible. Other than a few burn marks on the cover, the Bible was in nearly perfect condition. A fireman came by, whistled softly in amazement, and said, "Larry, nothing should have survived this."

Isaiah continues:

"For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:3)

God was there several weeks later as mother and son attended our Sunday church service to thank us for the many kindnesses extended to her. During worship, she became flustered trying to read an unfamiliar bulletin while holding her hyperactive son. I cringed for her, but could think of no way to stop the service and help her. But, a kind older woman near the back of the sanctuary stood and quietly moved forward to sit and help the distraught mother and child.

Is this a perfect ending?

Of course not, but real life seldom supplies perfect endings -- which is why instead of answers, we discover comfort in the midst of tragedy.

"When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."

When tragedy strikes, remember this: God will always, always, always be there!

Larry Davies is a used-car salesman turned preacher. He serves at Timberlake UMC, and is the author of several books and the online devotional site Sowing Seeds of Faith.

Website: Sowing Seeds of Faith