Jesus, Beautiful Redeemer

Jesus, Beautiful Redeemer
By Lonnie C. Crowe

Jesus, beautiful Redeemer, 
You who bore the agony of Calvary,
Pierced by the thorns,
Scourged,
Wounded,
Forsaken,
Reviled.

Your passion paid sin’s price.
Your death opened the veil.
Your tomb is the key to freedom
From death and the grave.
Your resurrection sealed our covenant
with the Father.

Your return will be the culmination of creation,
The restoration of Eden,
The doorway to eternity.
You are the way, the truth and the life.

Contending Earnestly for the Faith

Contending Earnestly for the Faith

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Jude 1:1-2 (NKJV):  “Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.”

Jude was living in a time much like our own time, a time much like every other time.  He brings a message of hope to all those who have answered the call of God, have accepted sanctification and know that they are secure in the covenant sealed by Jesus on Calvary. 

Jude 1:3-4 (NKJV) “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.  For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

As it was in the first century, so it is in the twenty-first.  Wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing have crept into the Church bringing humanistic doctrines that seek to obfuscate the purity of the gospel with humanistic philosophies and secular psychologies that place man as the supreme authority over himself and that declare the Word of God as out of date and out of step.

Continuing in Jude:  Jude 1:8 (NKJV) “Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.”   Jude could have come the same conclusion while watching all the political falderal on a television news show, any television news show.

Furthermore: Jude 1:16-19 (NKJV) “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.”

Therefore, we must contend for the faith without walking in condemnation. Jude 1:20-23 (MSG) “But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven. “ 

 Christians must repent of individual sin and then for the sins of the previous generations in their families.  American cannot be healed until individuals are healed.  Healing will come as more  people trust Jesus as Savior and Lord.

It seems to me that  time and again when we confess our sins, we confess only the behaviors associated with the sin.  We are not aware that sin is rooted in our mindsets and our attitudes.  We must ask God to reveal to us the sinful root of our behaviors.  Many times that root is fear.  Fear leads to doubt and doubt to mistrusting the guidance of the Lord and settling for the guidance of the secular world.

Unfortunately, many times only questionable people are willing to run for office.  We should vote even when we don’t like any of the candidates.  We must ask the Lord for guidance and vote for those who are most likely to stand for Christian values. Moreover, we need born again, Bible believing Christians in every level of government. 

 

It is the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit that will lead believers into repentance and  then into actions that will deliver the fruit of the spirit into our culture.  The first fruit of spirit is love that transcends our situation.

 Jude 1:24-25 (NKJV) “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.” 

Dancing in the Rain

Dancing in the Rain

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Someone posted the following on Facebook, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass.  It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” 

In the midst of the deepest storms of our lives, often the most comfort and peace arise from the joy that emerges in remembering the good times, the times of building relationships, of filling our arms and our hearts with new life, of recognizing the artistry of our Creator in the sunrise, the gathering clouds, and the changing of the seasons.  The rain of sorrow is lessened in the moments of sunshine that peep through.  In those moments, even though our hearts are breaking, our spirits dance in the rhythm with the joy of our Lord.

He is Lord in the valleys as well as on the mountain tops.  He dances with us in the slow, intimate waltz that comforts and heals.  It is in the “slow dance” that we fall in love.  It is in the “fast dance” that we celebrate that love. 

We are the Bride of Christ.  In our dance with him, the Bridegroom leads and we, the Bride, must learn to follow His every movement.   As we dance, our intimacy grows and our broken hearts find His healing and His joy.  In His joy, we find our strength to continue. (Nehemiah 8:10)

The Bible speaks much about dancing in celebration of our Lord:  Psalm 149:2-3 (NKJV)

“²  Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. ³  Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.”

Psalm 150:4 (NKJV):  “⁴  Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!”

Because of the vicissitudes of life, we experience all the times Solomon beautifully described in Ecclesiastes 3.  When we allow Him to, God brings us through those seasons of life.  While we experience seasons of weeping, we are to experience also seasons of laughter.  When we follow our Lord in the dance, a time of mourning will lead into times of dancing, both the dance of intimacy and the dance of celebration.

From my play Dancing in the Cosmos:

“CHORUS ONE: Truth Seeker took the hand of Eternal Hope and moved with Him to the music of the worshipers.  The sensation in her heart found fulfillment in the dance of her Beloved. She moved with Him across the valleys and above the mountain tops. 

CHORUS TWO:  The music became the music of the galaxies.  The stars sang with them as they danced within the Milky Way, out beyond the evening star, beyond the Pleiades and the might hunter, Orion.

TRUTH SEEKER:    Eternal Hope, are there pathways and journeys beyond this one? Will there be other rivers to cross? Others to whom I will be vessel of Your love?  Will there be other dances?

ETERNAL HOPE:  Yes, My seeker of truth, there will be other journeys and other rivers.  Each one you overcome will bring you higher and deeper into Me.  Your destiny, and the destiny of all others, is to climb higher and higher, to cross over and over, to find greater and greater Joy, to come to know Me even as I know you.

TRUTH SEEKER:    How many journeys?  How many conquests?  For how long?

ETERNAL HOPE:  As many as will fit into eternity.  Are you willing still to journey with Me?”

We receive comfort and healing in the knowledge that as the storm continues, so does the dance. In spite of our tears, we can choose to dance in the rain.

Celebrating Mike

Celebrating Mike

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Psalm 90 
¹  LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
²  Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

⁴  For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night.
¹⁰  The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
¹²  So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
¹⁴  Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
¹⁶  Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children.
¹⁷  And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.

Mike died Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 at Community Hospital in Torrington. A memorial scattering of his and his brother’s ashes will take place at a later date. His brother Bob passed away on January 22.  

Mike was born May 30, 1938 in Casper in the back bedroom of his grandparents’ home, the son of James Harvey Sr. and Hollis (Swallow) Crowe. He grew up in Wheatland and Buffalo and graduated Buffalo High School in 1956. He attended and played basketball for Casper College for two years before entering the U.S. Army for two years. After his discharge he returned to Wheatland. He married Lonnie Corn in 1962 in Wheatland. They moved to Casper to live for a time before living in Washington State for a year. They moved to Goshen County where they lived in several places before settling in Torrington. He worked as a realtor for many years.

People in Wheatland often remarked about how the Corns, Crowes and Swallows were all related.

Mike enjoyed fishing, bowling, golf, and playing pool with the good ole’ boys.  They played golf on a snooker table for about 20 years.

Mike is survived by his wife, Lonnie of Torrington; two sons, Doug Crowe of Wray, Colo. and Don Crowe and his wife, Kathy of Torrington; a brother, James Harvey Crowe Jr of Buffalo; an aunt, Winnie Allan of Casper; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Bob Crowe.

Although Mike did not attend church, he loved the Lord and loved to minister.  He supported Lonnie in every phase of her ministries.  He was her executive assistant when she served on the area team for Aglow International.  He answered the phone when she was working.  He prayed for people, counseled and encouraged.  He watched the road reports and kept the team safely on the roads during the winter months.  He was an attentive host when Aglow people stayed in their home.  He adopted Angie, Elaine and Joann as his special daughters.

He was proud of Lonnie’s ordination.  He often referred to her as “Pastor Prime.”

A couple of weeks before his first surgery, he insisted that Lonnie travel to Dallas for a leadership meeting for Generals International.

He was one of the maintenance men for Rhema Fellowship Church.

After Lonnie and Mike returned by ambulance last week from North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, his concern was putting things in order.  He wanted a fly rod to go to Jeremy and blue rock to Troy.  He asked about his great grandson David.  Then he told Lonnie, "we need to get someone to take care of the church."

Psalm 116:15 (NKJV)
¹⁵  Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints. 

To Apologize or Not to Apologize

To Apologize or Not to Apologize

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

When it comes to apologies, we live in a confused and often confusing world.  We are puzzled about when to apologize, when not to apologize and how to apologize.  Scripture instructs us on the importance of the reconciliation that can stem from an apology:  Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV):  “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” 

When it is necessary, we must apologize.  However:

When, after a feverish day of work, it is not necessary for a shop owner to apologize for locking the doors  in order to relax, to rest and to recuperate.  The gesture seems polite, but lacks sincerity.  I love those notices that instead of offering an apology simply say, “Closed.” 

I enjoy my supermarket that offers no apology.  Instead the posted notice says, “We will be closed so that our employees can enjoy the holidays.”

When a local fast-food store apologized for no longer accepting checks, I told the manager, “You don’t have to apologize for having the wisdom to protect your business from check fraud.”

Also, we do not need to apologize for things over which we have no control.  One thing over which we have no control is the behavior of others.  If my child acts out in school, it doesn’t help if I tell the teacher that I am sorry of the child’s behavior.  It is much more helpful to work with the teacher in guiding the child into wiser choices.  One step in that guidance is for the child to understand that he or she is responsible for the behavior and needs to apologize.

Early in my teaching career, during the turbulent times in the 1970’s, students in the high school where I taught held a rather innocuous sit-in during the lunch hour and missed the first class of the afternoon.  The principal administered an appropriate reprimand and punishment.  I don’t know how other parents handled the situation, but one mother understood the importance of apology.  She came with her daughter after school, visited each of the daughter’s teachers and the school administrators, and stood in the back of the room while her daughter apologized to each of us for the disruption and promised not to become involved again. 

Furthermore, I cannot apologize for the intolerable beliefs and behaviors of my ancestors.  I am not responsible for their actions.  My responsibility lies in not embracing those objectionable attitudes and actions.

We do need to apologize when we have behaved unwisely.  But a flippant “I’m sorry” is not an apology.  In addition, we should follow the advice of Benjamin Franklin who said, “Never ruin an apology with an excuse.”  In fact, an apology accompanied by an excuse is not an apology.  It is poor behavior looking for an opportunity to reoccur.  Neither the devil, circumstances nor other people cause our bad behavior.

An apology requires that we take ownership, understand that we have erred and, as much as is possible, make restitution.  

A sincere apology will include repentance.  Repentance requires a change in our thinking.  Romans 12:2 (NKJV): “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

When we realize that our unwise attitudes, words and behaviors are hurtful and offensive, we must shift gears, offer no excuses and make an effort to change.

Romans 12:18 (NKJV):  “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” However, I do not need to give up Christian principles and truth nor apologize for them in order to keep the peace.

Walking in the Kingdom

Walking in the Kingdom

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Luke 17:20-21 (NKJV)
²⁰  Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation;
²¹  nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

The Kingdom, so often referred to in the teachings of Jesus, is neither the future Millennial Kingdom nor eternity.  It is the ruling presence of God within the heart of every believer.  While the Holy Spirit indwells each believer, we walk in the Kingdom to the extent that we follow the rule of the Holy Spirit Who is our Guide, our Teacher and our Comforter.

While many deny the free will of believers, that free will was established in the beginning.  The Lord spoke through the prophet Jeremiah admonishing believers in his day, and in our own, to return to those paths the Lord had established.

Jeremiah 6:16a (NKJV): “¹⁶Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.”

Where do we find those ancient paths?  In the beginning when God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 2:8-9 (NKJV):  “⁸ The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. ⁹ And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

“Knowledge of good and evil” can be translated as “determination or declaration of good and evil.” Eating of that tree is a metaphor for mankind, with our limited knowledge, determining what is good and what is evil.  It is an “if it feels good, do it” philosophy.  It places man above God and eventually sees man as god. It is the foundation of all paganism and worldly philosophies such as humanism and existentialism.

Culturally, the two trees in the Garden are manifested in the Biblical path and the worldly path.The Biblical path is one of blessing and hope. It is the Kingdom of God. The worldly mindset is one of cursing and despair. One wit described worldly philosophy as “life is one damned thing after another, and then you die.”  

That “doomsday” mindset is seen in many Christians.  One day I visited with another pastor who said, “If the Lord doesn’t return soon, it will be too late.” TOO LATE FOR WHAT?

Walking in the Kingdom requires that we believe in the promises of God, rest in His assurances and occupy until He comes.  We are comforted when we know our God is an overcomer.  John 16:33 (NKJV) “³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Martha thought the Lord was too late when He approached the grave of Lazarus, but He was right on time. 

We can either walk in the kingdom by resting in the promises of God or fret ourselves with despair.  Those are the choices represented by the two trees in Eden  Remember Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV): ^“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Paul eloquently outlined the “old paths”, the Kingdom, when he wrote to the church at Thessalonica: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (NKJV) “⁹ But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; ¹⁰  and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; ¹¹ that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, ¹² that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” 

In the Kingdom, “He walks with me and talks with me and tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” (Charles A. Miles)

Let’s Communicate

Let’s Communicate

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

            While this is the season for texting shorthand, it is not always the time to use this form of communication.  Certainly, while it is expedient for the dexterous, its use can often thwart communication.  It is especially detrimental when the use of texting shorthand, mostly confined to abbreviations and acronyms, crops up in both our formal written documents and in our speech. 

            God has empowered us with speech, with words that have meaning and force.  The Lord spoke the universe into existence with precise phrasing.  He did not say, “Lgt ASAP.’’.   

We have been called to impact this world.  Mark 16:14-15 (NKJV): “Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”. As ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven, the more people who hear and understand what we have to say, the more impact we will have in this world.

            Psalm 45 eloquently expresses this admonition: Psalm 45:1 (NKJV):  “My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” Out of love for our King, we must learn to express our testimonies and teaching clearly and powerfully.

Let’s strive to be communicative. OMG does not have the same impact as “Oh, Lord most high” or “Abba, Father”.  IMHO our words are powerful.  Let’s not dilute them in an effort to be trendy.  You must decide to DIY.  This is not a situation that should cause us to lol.  Instead of “PTL”, all of God’s should say, “Praise the Lord.”