Articles by Danny Sims at Heartlight

Grace?

dannysims@altamesa.org (Danny Sims) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Some of the favorite things most folks like about Leadership Magazine are the cartoons. One I especially remember shows two guys visiting about church over a table at a restaurant. They're sharing a cup of coffee as they visit. One guy smugly shares the following:

Our church's distinctive is to be a church of grace. If anyone can't adhere to that, we simply ask that person to leave.*

Like the cartoon, when I discovered grace I misunderstood. Truth is, I was pretty legalistic about grace. You had to believe what I believed and had to express it the way I expressed it. I was so full of grace in my head I had not much room for it in my heart!

The test of grace is not only what you believe. It is not just about how you behave. Grace gets to both for sure. But grace gets also to how you belong and an open invitation to other people to be in the right place with God. And before I can share it I really need to accept it.

You've heard things like this before:

Grace does not look the other way at sin, it looks directly to God.

Grace is not exclusive, it is inclusive.

Grace is not for me and mine alone, it is for you and yours and all of us.

Grace is God's Riches At Christ's Expense

Let me add one that seems right for me today:

Grace is not a secret I have discovered, it is God's truth for all ages and He has included even me!

* From "The Best Cartoons from Leadership Journal," Volume 1. This is definitely worth having in your library for those "rainy days" of ministry and life!

Danny Sims is the preaching minister at the Altamesa Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas, and a longtime Heartlight supporter and friend.

Website: Altamesa Church of Christ

Don't Let the Grass Grow Here!

dannysims@altamesa.org (Danny Sims) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Native Americans have an old saying: "Don't let grass grow on the path of friendship."

We ought to spend so much time with people we love that there is plenty of evidence of the relationship. The Native Americans are talking about the many ways to knowing good friends. I like that.

When I was a boy I often walked a path to a couple of sacred spots. My family lived on a farm in southwestern Kentucky and my older brothers built a tree house hidden away in a wooded tract of land. A little deeper in those same woods was a secret pond where the Sims brothers -- and occasionally their sister -- could fish or look for frogs. Don't underestimate the mystique of a tree house and fishing place known only by a few kids!

We knew the way to the tree house and pond because we went there so often. And over time we made a trail. Eventually anyone could follow the well worn way. We would have never stayed away from the tree house and pond long enough for grass to grow on the path.

This can be true of friendship and it can also be true of prayer. Prayer is a trailhead to friendship with God, a pathway to the controlling influence of God's character, the junction where we merge with His mercy. Prayer leads us to God. So we need to be familiar with a time and place for prayer. Prayer is a way to knowing God.

We need to say this: Don't let grass grow on the path of prayer.

If you are not practicing prayer there is always time to begin. Start today. Trust me in this: no one feels 100% satisfied with their prayer life. We all wish we prayed more often and we long to make deeper petitions when we pray. When it comes to the journey of prayer no one has arrived. So begin where you are right now and see where you are in a week, a month, or even a year.

Recently Tricia, a wife and mom of three kids, began to pray daily for the first time in her life. She has joined over 300 other people in our church family in 40 days of walking in prayer together and listening for God's voice. Tricia recently e-mailed me to say:

I am embarrassed and proud to admit that for the first time in my Christian life my prayer life has true meaning. I set aside personal time to work through the days lessons/thoughts and special time for prayer. I find myself praying more than once a day which is something new to me and I have finally found my way to my knees in prayer, something I never fully grasped before now.

I love how she is embarrassed and proud all at the same time. I can relate! Tricia is making a new path to the heart of God.

Some of the early converts to Christianity in Africa were so attentive to their prayer time that they found their own special place to pray in solitude. These sacred spots were away from their village. As they walked to their prayer place they would create their own private footpaths through the brush. When grass began to grow over one of these trails, it was evident that the person to whom it belonged was not praying very often. When a brother or sister noticed an overgrown "prayer path," they would lovingly go to the person and say, "Friend, there's grass on your path!"

Friend, if there is grass on your path or you'd like help in making a new path, let me know! Email me: DannySims@altamesa.org. I would love to help you make a new path for your life.

Danny Sims is the preaching minister at the Altamesa Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas, and a longtime Heartlight supporter and friend.

Website: Altamesa Church of Christ

Marcus Welby, Jesus Christ Superstar, & Bill Parcels

dannysims@altamesa.org (Danny Sims) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Marcus Welby, Jesus Christ Superstar, Bill Parcells and the Dallas Cowboys ... I promise, I'm gonna get around to all of them in this one article!

Some of you may remember the old TV commercial when Robert Young (previously the star of "Marcus Welby, M.D.") famously said, "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on television." I think he was selling aspirin or something.

I got to thinking about that line when I ran across Ted Neely's story. Since the 1970s, Ted Neeley has been playing the part of Jesus in the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar."

He's 64 years old, roughly 30 years older than Jesus was when He went to the cross. But no matter his age, Neely keeps playing Jesus to large audiences. Neeley recently said this:

I'm only playing Jesus. He got it right the first time. I'm still working on it, you see. The key word there is 'playing.' I'm a performer. I'm pretending to be something which I am not.

If this quote were applied to our faith, there is something I can relate to as a follower of Jesus. But, there is also something here that bothers me.

In the "relate to" category, disciples are surely not Jesus. And I like the humility of saying "I'm still working on it." That's good stuff.

As for what troubles me, genuine disciples are not "pretending to be" anything. We understand faith is not a role to be performed. Faith is a life transformed. Heroes of faith are not great actors on stage. They are ordinary men and women who have taken the words of Jesus seriously when He says "lay your life down" (John 15:13) or "take up your cross" (Luke 9:23).

This is what you might call "Bill Parcels theology." You know how he is fond of saying, "You are what you are." That applies.

I was thinking about this recently, watching the Dallas Cowboys get blasted by the Philadelphia Eagles and lose out on the playoffs. "You are what you are ..." Well, they are not so good. Which brings me full circle, back to Marcus Welby and that aspirin ...

Danny Sims is the preaching minister at the Altamesa Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas, and a longtime Heartlight supporter and friend.

Website: Altamesa Church of Christ

Baby. God.

dannysims@altamesa.org (Danny Sims) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Many people loved this piece when I first posted it on my blog a few years ago. For some reason it also drew some strong negative reaction. To each his own? I like writing this style of narrative, but perhaps reading it is a little bit of work. I. Hope. You. Enjoy.

Donkey. Dirty. Weary. Night. Nervous. Hopeful. Bethlehem? Census. Trip. Long. Baby. Today? Tomorrow? When? Anxious. Angel. Prophecy. Hope. Israel. Silent. Secret. Months. Nine. Why? How? Who? Me? Me. Virgin. Pure. Joseph. Good. Understand. Thankfully. Tears. Joy. Sorrow. Joy.

Room? No? No. Again? Where? Stable? Animals? Baby? Tired. Hay. Loud? Quiet. Cold. Fire. Warm. Joseph. Care. Bread. Water. Blanket. Sleep. Sleep.

Joseph! Baby! Labor. Pain. Contraction. Please. God?! Hours. Push. Breath. Sweat. Cold. Hot. Push. Work. Baby? Almost. Push. Scared. Excited. Tired. Hope. Brave. Remember. Gabriel. Now. Drink. Again. Push. Mother? Nurse? Anyone? Joseph! Yes! Now!

Boy! Cry! Blood. Clean. Hold. Kiss. Sweet. God. Wipe. Cheek. Hands. Tiny. God. Cry. Mother. Father. God. Shhhh. Comfort. Kiss. Tears. Joy. Morning. Sunlight. Baby. Beautiful. Jesus. Suckle. Quiet. Eyes. Open. Hair. Dark. Soft. Cloths. Wrap. First. Again. Second. Almost. Again. Wrapped. Tighter. Finally. Perfect.

Infant. God. Boy. Diapers. Breast. Sleep. Wake. Cry. Days. Week. Baby. Healthy. Temple. Proud. Go. Law. Sacrifice. Circumcise. Beautiful. Gate. Tall. Dove. Offering.

Man. Old. Watching. Coming. Eyes. Wide. Hands. Trembling. Baby. Wants. Hold. Yes. Nice. Shouts. Wonder. Sings. Praise! God! Promised. Now. Salvation. Everyone. Light. Jew. Gentile. Glory. Israel. Crowd. Whispers. Talk. People. Simeon? Looks. Mary. Child. Man. Thoughts. Revealed. Soul. Pierced. His. Yours. Ours.

Woman. Interrupts. Old. Prophetess. Anna? Kind. Prayer. Eyes. Wide. Hands. Trembling. Shouts. Praise! God! Redemption. Jerusalem. People. Talking. Looking. Baby. Sleeping. Wonder.

Amazed. Family. Mary. Joseph. Jesus. Family. Tired. Home. Good. Baby. God.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him (Luke 2:39-30 NIV).

Danny Sims is the preaching minister at the Altamesa Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas, and a longtime Heartlight supporter and friend.

Website: Altamesa Church of Christ

Things Jesus Might Say!

dannysims@altamesa.org (Danny Sims) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500

What would Jesus say when the Dow swings nearly 1,000 points in one day? I'm not sure, but this is my take on it.

"You know I love you. Your value has not changed one bit, no matter what's happened to your market accounts.

"The downturn in the market can remind you of something I have often said: 'This world is not your home.' Not long ago people would store up their treasures in barns where moth and rust could destroy. Your investments are a little more high-tech, but not so much different in some ways. You're not worried about moths or rust, you're worried about uncertainty and sudden downswings you cannot control. Like the scriptures say, cast all your anxieties on me because I love you. Maybe that means something more to you today than ever before. If so, that's a good thing!

"As the market goes up and down, always know that my love for you never changes. In other words, let my love be the most important factor in your mindset and attitude, not what Fox News or CNN is reporting. My love will bring comfort to your soul. I know you're stressed-out. Faithful people have faced terrible circumstances many times over the years. Just keep your eyes focused on me and my Father's will.

"Most financial analysts are exactly right when they say 'focus on the long term.' This is a principle my Father's Word has been teaching for generations. Much tragedy occurs when people make rash decisions, when they get carried away with 'short-term crisis.' I've seen people take harsh measures and make terrible decisions because they could only see the moment. Focus on all the promises for eternity. That will make a huge difference today! Let the current market crisis help you reframe your thinking with respect to the future. My Father wants us to look past the short term and focus on a more distant horizon. And that horizon depends wholly on His will. The future depends on the Father's love and plans, not on the Dow Jones. No matter what happens today or tomorrow, His plans are to give you a hope and a future of calling on His name and finding Him.

"There are so many things I could say, many things I have already said in The Word. Go there and spend more time with me. What if the biggest gain you make in the midst of all these market losses is a new walk with me and my Father? That would be wonderful, huh?! Just think of how much better off you'll be, no matter what happens with your portfolio. But let me say this: I think you'll be fine. I hope your financial security makes a rebound. Over the years much good has been done in this world by prospered people who have gotten their priorities in order. Perhaps my father is preparing you for the greatest opportunities of your life. I hope so.

"In the meantime, don't ever forget this: I love you no matter what. And no matter what occurs today or tomorrow, your value will never change."

Danny Sims is the preaching minister at the Altamesa Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas, and a longtime Heartlight supporter and friend.

Website: Altamesa Church of Christ

God's Surprising Grace

dannysims@altamesa.org (Danny Sims) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

I'm reading Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler and I absolutely love it. Just as the title suggests it is a walk in the scriptures, a wonderful hike with God through the land of the first five books of Moses.

I've been spending quite a bit of my time in the Old Testament recently. It occurs to me that while archaeologists would love to find genuine remnants of either ark -- Noah's Ark, where Feiler begins his book, as well as the Ark of the Covenant -- our souls yearn for the discovery of grace. And, believe it or not, grace is all through the Old Testament, just waiting to be discovered!

There's grace in both of those arks. A family is saved from the flood in one and the seat between the cherubim on the other is called the "mercy seat."

And speaking of arks, as an infant, Moses floated in the Nile in a tiny ark of grace. When he returned to Egypt as a redeemer, Moses put his faith in the Passover sacrifice of the lamb. That was, and remains, a monumental statement of grace: We are saved by blood.

In the Greek version of the Old Testament we often read "grace." One such example is when the young woman who saves the Hebrews is said to have found "grace and favor in the eyes of the king" (Esther 2:17). Esther stands as an example for all who want to find "grace and favor" before the King of kings.

Even some of the beautiful poetry of the Psalms can be translated to read "grace" where we might be more familiar with "mercy." Some scholars suggest one of our favorite psalm passages can be translated this way: "Surely goodness and grace will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23:6).

The reason grace is embedded in the stories, prayers, poetry, and even law of the Old Testament is because grace is who God is. He didn't make grace up on the fly when Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us. Just as Jesus has been since the creation, so has been God's grace.

Sure, the Old Testament challenges us with the full picture of God's justice, even just war. Grace must always be understood in balance with all the character of God, as must His justice. As the walls of Jericho fall and one of those Old Testament wars ensues, guess what you find? A woman -- a prostitute no less -- named Rahab who receives the grace of God and becomes part of the lineage of Jesus!

Still not persuaded? Maybe you still think the idea of grace is hidden in the Old Testament. If so, it's hidden in plain sight! Just consider the well known benediction God gave the priests to place the name of their God on the people:

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

My encouragement to you today is this: Spend time in the Old Testament. You will encounter God and you will find His grace.

Danny Sims is the preaching minister at the Altamesa Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas, and a longtime Heartlight supporter and friend.

Website: Altamesa Church of Christ

So What's the Point of the Bible?

dannysims@altamesa.org (Danny Sims) — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0500

So what is the point?

I'd say the point of the Bible is to know God. The scriptures tell God's story and introduce us to Him. Knowing Him is the whole point of life.

By "knowing Him," I do not mean to say the Bible is just information (like you would know your college history text) or casual (like you know the guy three cubicles down and read the e-mails he forwards to you). Really "knowing" the God of the Bible means He will shape your very soul.

I'm grieved by the church culture that's developed where knowing the Bible is about being right, passing judgement, defending a position, memorizing data, supporting a political party, or one of many other imposter functions.

I recall seeing a national newscast where a guy stood in a line of protestors at an abortion clinic. He was yelling while holding a sign with a huge Bible on it along with the words, "You're going to HELL, the Bible tells me so."

"Know the Scriptures in order to know God and He will bless you!" would have been a much better pro-life message. John says his message was "... written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31 NRS)

Jesus says, "You search the Scriptures, because you think you will find eternal life in them. The Scriptures tell about me, but you refuse to come to me for eternal life." (John 5:39-40)

Micah says the LORD requires us to "See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God." (Micah 6:8 CEV)

If knowing the Bible doesn't help you do that, what's it for?

It [Scripture] is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. (2 Timothy 3:17 NLT)

Danny Sims is the preaching minister at the Altamesa Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas, and a longtime Heartlight supporter and friend.

Website: Altamesa Church of Christ