2 Corinthians 12: 8,9

Thought that as I write article that I might as well post them. Hope that somewhere out there, for someone, these are of some encouragement.


8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12: 8,9

Do you ever feel like God just didn't get your email? Doesn't He know that we need to be on our best game if we're going to be any good for the Kingdom? The truth is, sometimes we're weak. Sometimes we get sick, or just plain discouraged. The Apostle Paul struggled with a thorn in his flesh that he just couldn't see his way around, and like God told the Apostle Paul, He often has to remind us as well that, "His grace is sufficient for us, His strength is made perfect in our weakness."
I remember a night a few years back. I was on the road ministering in the Southwest, and I'd been gradually losing my voice over the previous days. I found myself one afternoon in a hotel room sick, miserable and completely voiceless - and I had to play and share in just a couple of hours. Apparently God hadn't heard about the concert! The Pastor of the church and I spoke on the phone and he was gracious enough to offer to cancel the event but, after praying about it, I really felt that God had a plan for the night. I called home and asked people to be praying and headed to the church hoping for the best. I figured that at the very least I could play some chords and let the congregation worship. You know, that night when I was feeling at my weakest, God showed His strength. As I started to sing He gave me my full voice for an hour and a half. The pastor invited people forward for prayer and I sat and played for another hour as person after person came forward. I left that night (voiceless again) knowing that I had seen the undeniable power and presence of God. He had been victorious and I was blessed to be able to tag along. Really, if we think about it, that's always the way it is isn't it?
So, if you're feeling weak, feeling broken, like you have nothing to offer the Lord, take heart. Rejoice! You're exactly the person that God can and will use. Be ready to see His "strength made perfect!"

Glorious things to come,
Buck

8:30 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Another one

Time to put something up. Another slow airport minute. It's about 4:30 AM and I'm waiting on a flight to Kansas City, then on to Iowa for five days of music. Love the playing and the people, hate missing my family.

The following is an article I wrote for my church that I thought I'd post.


"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves that was also in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 2:1-4

George Bernard Shaw, the British playwright, once wrote, "Christianity might be a good thing if anyone ever tried it." How perfectly and sadly true! Wouldn't you like to be God's man or woman that defies that statement?
What an example Jesus lived out for us during His time here on earth. Not coming to be served, but to serve. Not exalting Himself but humbly giving His life as a sacrifice so that you and I might have the opportunity to be set free from this life of sin and self!
What will we do with this incredible gift we've been given? It's one thing to know the blessed assurance of salvation, and another altogether (at least in my life!) to allow the Holy Spirit to manifest His love through me, and to really drop the "selfish ambition" and to practice "lowliness of mind." (Are you trying to tell me that I'm not actually the center of the universe?!) The act of surrendering to God needs to be a day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute reality in our lives.
That person sitting two rows in front of you? The one that always seems to rub you the wrong way? The one with the bad hair and the wrong bible version? You can't even begin to imagine the depths of God's love for that person! See them with His eyes. Serve them with His heart. Love them with His love.
When the world looks through our windows and sees that kind of real, humble, self-sacrificing love (God's love) I believe they'll be lined up down the block to come in and see what this "Jesus" is all about.

It won't be the catchiest Christian T-shirt.
It won't be the great depths of our doctrinal thinking.
It won't even be winning the argument.
But…
"They will know you are My disciples by your love one for another."

Be abandoned to God,
Buck

11:16 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

In case anyone is listening
Category: Music

I'm writing this on an airplane somewhere between Seattle and Dallas. First class no less. The Apostle Paul wrote that he had learned to be content whether he abounded or abased. Whether he had much or he had little. I've had a long day in airport hell, but now I'm abounding in first class, eating salmon and sipping chardonnay. I don't get to do this very often, it's a treat. Thanks Lehrmans. Strange life really. There's a child right now somewhere hungry. They deserve first class. Jesus loves us both although it sometimes seems like He got us mixed up. I wonder, when we get to heaven will we be stunned when we see all those mansions built for the people we've never heard of? The ones who live in mud huts and on streets and under bridges. Kids many of them. I know some of their faces. All the while some preacher on TBN is guilting my grandmother into sending a hundred dollars for his new jet.
Why can't he just fly first class like the rest of us poor slobs?

I'm not moping. I'm grateful. Next week I'll be pounding down some dirt road on a bus in Guatemala. I'll be content there too because I'm saved by grace and I can rest in that. It's a wonderful adventure.

Landing now, Dallas is beautiful at night.

Anyway, some of you have asked me to drop a note on here now and again. I've decided to try. No promises as to the consistency.

Peace in Jesus,
Buck

1:10 AM - 1 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment