Pr Tim Throckmorton is the pastor of Plymouth Heights Church of the Nazarene in Ohio. I've met him in Brazil when he was visiting my home church there and I had the privilege to interpret his preaching a couple of times back in 2004. He writes weekly articles which are very good and interesting. I enjoy them a lot. I'm copying one of his recent articles which I thought was food for thought.
This is the link for the website of his church in OH, in case you want to check it out.
http://www.plymouthheightsnaz.org/phmain.html
WHAT MAYCEE SEE’S IN ME…..
One of the precious flowers in this garden we call a congregation here at the Plymouth Heights church is a darling little girl by the name of Maycee Burnside. The love and adoration of her parents, Brad & Heather is eclipsed only by the love of her Grandparent’s, Poppy & Nanna Moore. “They do have regular names by the way” Now Miss Maycee is the picture of innocence and simplicity. From time to time when her Pastor forgets to hug her on Sunday mornings she will take Poppy by the hand and scour the Sanctuary, marching to the platform if need be to retrieve a hug from her Pastor. “That would be me!” she sees life through the eyes of a child, a view which most of us have long since forgotten but should be reminded of from time to time. One of Maycee’s recent observations hit me pretty hard and has since challenged me to be more aware of what others see in me.
It was during a Sunday Morning service and we had a special musical guest joining us at the church. After making the proper introductions and bringing them to the stage I spotted my sweet wife Terri sitting in the back row and so I made my way to where she was and sat down next to her. Maycee and her grandparents were sitting across the aisle from us and I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Maycee was looking our way all the while whispering something to them. Later after the service Poppy, “not his real name” shared with me that Maycee was excited to learn that Terri and I were husband and wife. Stop the presses! You mean, She didn’t know that already? We had been a part of her life since she was born and she didn’t know we were married? She has seen us each week here at the church and she didn’t even know we were hitched? I was astounded, shocked even! How could this be? Then I began to think. Though she had seen us together we never sat together. One of the hazards of pastoring I’m afraid. I’m always on the platform and Terri’s always in her seat. I’m always talking to members and visitors and Terri is talking to others as well. Maycee only saw us in the setting of a church service and so she just assumed we knew each other, but not as a married couple. Terri and I have since chuckled about this, although I do try to stay closer to her before and after services! This entire episode got me to thinking. If that was what Maycee saw in me and my relationship to my wife, then what does the world see in me in my relationship to my Lord?
In the New Testament book of Ephesians the Apostle Paul encourages Christ followers to be aware of what others see in them. In chapter 5 he begins… “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in Love as Christ also hath loved us, and ha given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not once be named among you, as becometh saints; not in filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.” I am well aware that some of the above scripture would be an affront to anyone today of a politically correct mindset. That’s a debate for another column, but what struck me about Paul’s words was the phrase “as becometh saints”. There should be he seems to imply, something about us that should portray to those who can see us, a life of intimate communion with God and not the world around us. There is an old children’s Sunday School song that says, “If you’re saved and you know it, clap your hands, if you’re saved and you know it stomp your feet, if you’re saved and you know it turn around.” Then each verse would end with the line “if your saved and you know it, then you’re life will surely show it!” So the obvious question is, what does our life remind others of?
During one of his political campaigns, a delegation called on Theodore Roosevelt at his home in Oyster Bay, Long Island. The President met them with his coat off and his sleeves rolled up. "Ah, gentlemen," he said, "come down to the barn and we will talk while I do some work." At the barn, Roosevelt picked up a pitchfork and looked around for the hay. Then he called out, "John, where's all the hay?" "Sorry, sir," John called down from the hayloft. "I ain't have time to toss it back down again after you pitched it up while the Iowa folks were here." I don’t want to just appear to others to have my sleeves rolled up and working for the Kingdom, but I want to be found pitching hay when no one is looking. I’ve heard it said that a mule dressed in a tuxedo is still a mule. And I am sure there are a lot of dressed up mules out there proclaiming themselves to be something they are not. But I am convinced that a true Christ follower can be recognized making a real difference in the world we live in today. All the while displaying a genuine relationship with a real and living Savior. Thank you Maycee for helping me to consider what others see in my life.
Pastor Tim Throckmorton
This is the link for the website of his church in OH, in case you want to check it out.
http://www.plymouthheightsnaz.org/phmain.html
WHAT MAYCEE SEE’S IN ME…..
One of the precious flowers in this garden we call a congregation here at the Plymouth Heights church is a darling little girl by the name of Maycee Burnside. The love and adoration of her parents, Brad & Heather is eclipsed only by the love of her Grandparent’s, Poppy & Nanna Moore. “They do have regular names by the way” Now Miss Maycee is the picture of innocence and simplicity. From time to time when her Pastor forgets to hug her on Sunday mornings she will take Poppy by the hand and scour the Sanctuary, marching to the platform if need be to retrieve a hug from her Pastor. “That would be me!” she sees life through the eyes of a child, a view which most of us have long since forgotten but should be reminded of from time to time. One of Maycee’s recent observations hit me pretty hard and has since challenged me to be more aware of what others see in me.
It was during a Sunday Morning service and we had a special musical guest joining us at the church. After making the proper introductions and bringing them to the stage I spotted my sweet wife Terri sitting in the back row and so I made my way to where she was and sat down next to her. Maycee and her grandparents were sitting across the aisle from us and I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Maycee was looking our way all the while whispering something to them. Later after the service Poppy, “not his real name” shared with me that Maycee was excited to learn that Terri and I were husband and wife. Stop the presses! You mean, She didn’t know that already? We had been a part of her life since she was born and she didn’t know we were married? She has seen us each week here at the church and she didn’t even know we were hitched? I was astounded, shocked even! How could this be? Then I began to think. Though she had seen us together we never sat together. One of the hazards of pastoring I’m afraid. I’m always on the platform and Terri’s always in her seat. I’m always talking to members and visitors and Terri is talking to others as well. Maycee only saw us in the setting of a church service and so she just assumed we knew each other, but not as a married couple. Terri and I have since chuckled about this, although I do try to stay closer to her before and after services! This entire episode got me to thinking. If that was what Maycee saw in me and my relationship to my wife, then what does the world see in me in my relationship to my Lord?
In the New Testament book of Ephesians the Apostle Paul encourages Christ followers to be aware of what others see in them. In chapter 5 he begins… “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in Love as Christ also hath loved us, and ha given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not once be named among you, as becometh saints; not in filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.” I am well aware that some of the above scripture would be an affront to anyone today of a politically correct mindset. That’s a debate for another column, but what struck me about Paul’s words was the phrase “as becometh saints”. There should be he seems to imply, something about us that should portray to those who can see us, a life of intimate communion with God and not the world around us. There is an old children’s Sunday School song that says, “If you’re saved and you know it, clap your hands, if you’re saved and you know it stomp your feet, if you’re saved and you know it turn around.” Then each verse would end with the line “if your saved and you know it, then you’re life will surely show it!” So the obvious question is, what does our life remind others of?
During one of his political campaigns, a delegation called on Theodore Roosevelt at his home in Oyster Bay, Long Island. The President met them with his coat off and his sleeves rolled up. "Ah, gentlemen," he said, "come down to the barn and we will talk while I do some work." At the barn, Roosevelt picked up a pitchfork and looked around for the hay. Then he called out, "John, where's all the hay?" "Sorry, sir," John called down from the hayloft. "I ain't have time to toss it back down again after you pitched it up while the Iowa folks were here." I don’t want to just appear to others to have my sleeves rolled up and working for the Kingdom, but I want to be found pitching hay when no one is looking. I’ve heard it said that a mule dressed in a tuxedo is still a mule. And I am sure there are a lot of dressed up mules out there proclaiming themselves to be something they are not. But I am convinced that a true Christ follower can be recognized making a real difference in the world we live in today. All the while displaying a genuine relationship with a real and living Savior. Thank you Maycee for helping me to consider what others see in my life.
Pastor Tim Throckmorton
