I NEED TO GROW UP ( AND I AM ALMOST 70) by Bob Russell

I NEED TO GROW UP ( AND I AM ALMOST 70)  by Bob Russell


This past summer, I had two very humbling experiences. Both reminded me of my spiritual immaturity.

The first came from listening to the testimonies of a group of ministers from central India when my ministry hosted over a dozen Christian leaders for a retreat. These men serve under the guidance of the Central India Christian Mission. Unlike the southern section of India, Christians comprise less than one percent of the population in the central area, which is dominated by Hindus and Muslims.

Since they are vastly outnumbered, Christians are often regarded as a fringe group and a threat to centuries of religious tradition. Many unbelievers in India are hostile to the church. One minister related the time bullets riddled his home. Two others told of their cars being pelted with rocks that shattered their windshields as they weaved through a crowd of angry protesters. Another reported a pastor and his two sons being burned to death when protestors blew up their trapped vehicle.

These stories of persecution, told against a backdrop of a spirit of courage and joy, reminded me how spoiled I am as a Christian. I sometimes complain about such “persecution” as a hostile tweet or a negative Facebook comment. In reality I haven’t suffered much for Christ. After being pampered and protected for years, I need to toughen up!

Love story

The second humbling took place during my participation in a funeral service for a woman named Vicki Catinna. Fifty-one years ago Vicki’s husband, Jim, stood in front of a preacher and vowed to be faithful to his wife in sickness and health. At the time he had no idea what that would mean, but he kept that vow as well as anyone I’ve ever seen.

Jim and Vicki had a wonderful marriage for 40 years. However, dementia struck Vicki in her late 50’s. Within a year she didn’t even recognize Jim. Regardless of her unpredictable behavior and a sudden lack of companionship, Jim tenderly and unapologetically cared for Vicki.

For more than a decade, Jim patiently dressed her, fed her, walked her and sang hymns with her. He took Vickie to the zoo scores of times because she loved animals. Yet Jim never complained, commenting instead: “I could never repay Vicki for all the love she’s given to me.”

At the funeral home, when asked, “When was the last time Vicki responded to you?” Jim said, “Four years ago I was changing her diaper and singing her favorite song, ‘Jesus loves me this I know.’ About the fourth or fifth time I sang it, she brightened up and sang a line with me. I’ve treasured that moment for the last four years.”

Uncommon loyalty

Jim’s actions demonstrate genuine love and uncommon loyalty. This is a depth of love that those who are merely infatuated with another person have not yet experienced. This kind of profound mystery provides an encouraging example of God’s faithful love for us.

The more I learned about Jim’s incredible care-giving, the more I felt embarrassed by my lack of it. Last spring my wife, Judy, first experienced some arthritic pain in her knees. It occasionally slows her down. I find myself straining at the bit over the simple act of walking a little slower. Judy’s mind is clear and her devotion to me remains. She is still the same wonderful person. Yet I chafe a little under the meager challenge of slowing down.

God’s Word instructs me to love my wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for it. I’m reminded again of how weak I am in many areas of my Christian life. Almost 70 years old, I should be a lot more mature than I am.

Thanks for the memories

Years ago, we took our two new daughters-in-law along with our sons on an extensive vacation. Kellie and Lisa thrilled me when we drove into our driveway and they blurted out together, “Thanks for spoiling us!” That expression of appreciation was all I needed to hear. It had been my privilege.

I find myself using that expression these days when I pray: “Lord, thanks for spoiling me.” He has! I have been blessed with an influential ministry, a wonderful family and incredibly good health. I am so spoiled! My challenge is to grow up a little and be more grateful and patient. I am thankful for God’s patience and the grace He extends to me.

That is one of the reasons Ephesians 3:20-21 is one of my favorite passages of Scripture: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

We need to be grateful all year round.

WHY ADULTERY IS PLAIN STUPID By Bob Russell

WHY ADULTERY IS PLAIN STUPID  By Bob Russell

As we near the end of 2013, it is worth reflecting on the careers of two prominent political leaders whose careers came to an abrupt conclusion this year. All because they couldn’t discipline their sexual desires.

The mayor of San Diego lost his career, while a former congressman once considered the leading contender for the mayor’s seat in New York sank to the bottom of the polls after new allegations surfaced during the primary race. His political future appears to have little hope.

It might be easy to pass these off as aberrations, had we not seen numerous business, church and other leaders go through similar “flameouts” the past three decades. Someone described idiocy as repeatedly doing the same thing but expecting different results. So all leaders who consider themselves immune to temptation should pay attention to what has happened to others—and Scripture.

A word to the wise.

A good portion of the first section of Proverbs counsels young men to avoid adultery and remain faithful to their wives.

It’s not surprising that King Solomon begins his book of wisdom with this subject because some of the smartest, richest, most influential people in the world have been ruined by illicit affairs. When their adultery is ultimately disclosed the first reaction is not usually, “I have sinned” but, “How could I have been so stupid?”

Solomon suggests several reasons why it’s wise for a young man to avoid sexual impurity.  His wise counsel, sadly gained from first-hand experience, applies to both men and women.

Adultery’s dangers

1. Eventually the adulteress will turn against you. “For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave” (Proverbs 5: 3-5).

2. You waste a lot of energy and money. “Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man’s house.”  (verses 8-10).

3. You risk disease. “At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent” (v. 11).

4. You forfeit your influence with others. “I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly” (v. 14).

5. You miss out on the lasting fulfillment of a committed marriage. “Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.  A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.” (vs. 15-19).

6. You have to face God someday. “For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.”  (v. 21).

7. Pursuing affairs leaves you vulnerable to sexual addiction and lifelong guilt.“The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly” (vs. 22-23).

Worldly warning

Although filmed more than 25 years ago, Fatal Attraction still airs regularly on television. The temptress in the film becomes enraged when the adulterer (played by Michael Douglas) terminates their brief relationship. The spurned woman relentlessly pursues him. Her neurotic obsession eventually results in horrible violence, total disclosure and family disgrace. Even the secular world warns about the potential disasters of adultery.

Underscoring its dangers, in the next chapter Solomon returns to the subject and warns that “the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished” (Proverbs 6:26-29).

A word to the wise should be sufficient: “A man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.” (v. 32).

We could add: The man who remains faithful is judicious and whoever does so saves himself a whole lot of grief. During the coming year, vow to be the kind of leader who embraces moral discipline—and, by doing so, avoids personal disaster.hroughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

We need to be grateful all year round.