If Necessary, Use Words

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a
dinner where one of my good friends, Mike Hendryx,
a good friend of mine, was recently recognized
as "Citizen of the Year" for Yreka, CA. He is one of those humble servants of God who loves to serve, but not be put in the spotlight for people to say, "See what Mike has done." He serves God using his gifts and talents in ways that benefit those in his family, church, and community. Mike is a curator of the local museum, but that sometimes feels like his side job as he has tremendous gifts in art, design, and music, that are used in many arenas, including the museum. It would take pages (a list of two pages were read at his dinner) to describe the many things he has done. Speech after speech recognized him for not only his commitment and resolve in his work, but how he inspired others because of his character and his love for God and others. His daughter, Emily, wrote a very touching letter that spoke of how she had become and was becoming who she was because of her dad's influence. She is studying music at the Master's College because of her dad, and to her, the more important thing was that her dad's character and spiritual example. There was hardly a dry eye in the audience. The power of Mike's life and love in her life was a testimony to what God has done through my friend. I wondered what my own daughters would say about me if someone asked them how I had influenced them. One phrase that caught my attention was, "I feel fortunate to have Mike call me his friend." I think all of us who know Mike feel that way. He is such a dear friend and is so encouraging to those around him. His passion for serving Christ is evident to all of us. The power of his testimony, his witness, has changed us.

"Preach the Gospel always and if necessary use words." Saint Francis of Assisi

How many sermons have you preached without even knowing it? We are called, as Christians, to bring the love and peace of Christ into the world not only with our lips, but also in our lives.

A story of St. Francis of Assisi...

One day Francis said to one of the young monks, “Let us go down into the town and preach!” They passed through the main streets, turned down many of the byways and alleys, made their way into the suburbs, and at great length, returned by a circuitous route to the monastery gate. As they approached the gate, the younger monk reminded Francis of his original intention.

“You have forgotten, Father, that we went to the town to preach!”

“My son,” Francis replied, “we have preached. We were preaching while we were walking. We have been seen by many; our behavior has been closely watched; it was thus that we have preached our morning sermon. It is of no use to walk anywhere to preach unless we preach everywhere as we walk.”

Read the verses below, and it is evident that Jesus revealed God to us not only through His words (which we often put the emphasis on), but through the power of His life. What people saw in Jesus's life was powerful and drew them to what He had to say. May that be true for us, as well. May people say, "What I have seen in your life has shown me God. Tell me more." Amen.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

"In him was life, and that life was the light of men." John 1:4

"The true light that gives light to every man
was coming into the world." John 1:9

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling
among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

"Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" John 14:9

"...and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:44, 45

A Cloud of Witnesses

Lois recently came across an old college friend, Joanne Huddleson, from Biola University, and learned of a great work God is doing in her family's life. It's not what you expect to hear the first time you come in contact with an old friend, that her husband, who had been healthy all his life, suddenly discovered that he had pancreatic cancer, and that it had aggressively taken over a once strong body and that his days are numbered. It's not what you envision sharing when you want to catch up with an old friend. And yet, there it is - the reality of life and the suffering that accompanies it. What they've shared with us is a powerful encouragement of not only God's love for us (direct), but the gift of each other that he has given us (indirect).

We are all inextricably connected through the bonds of Christian family. And the fact is, we really do need each other. Those of us who belong to each other should be ready to give love to each other, "they shall know we are Christians by our love." It's our identity. God has given us gifts for the benefit of each other (see Romans 12:10-16). Scripture also calls it being part of the "great cloud of witnesses." (Hebrews 12:1-3):

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.


We spend much of our lives believing at some level that we can do life on our own. Our pride makes it hard to admit we need each other. But then life's experiences quickly put us in a position where God gives us the opportunity to receive from others, if we're willing. We somehow don't realize we're missing out on the blessing God has for us through others.

Heb. 12:1 provides a picture from the first century we can relate to. Picture several contestants running a race in a stadium (Ex. Olympics). They're surrounded by thousands cheering for them as they run hard and strain for the finish line. Those in the race are not running for themselves, they're running to bring glory to someone else. Their desire is to run well, to finish the race having given their best. They run the race, straining for the finish line because they want to do what they were created for and trained for. We, too, run the race of life with our eyes fixed on the finish line - and glorify the One we run for.

Hebrews 12:1-3 reminds us of the encouragement that is available to us from our brothers and sisters in Christ. We're reminded that we're not in this race alone - the "cloud of witnesses" is with us. There is love and strength available to us as we run. Mark Schultz, Christian song writer/performer, has written a song, "Cloud of Witnesses," that is a touching portrayal of the committed love we should be giving and receiving as members of God's family. Read it and then listen to to a short testimony (7 minutes) by Scott Huddleson that will help you to see more clearly what God wants to do for us and through us as we run the race and as we are part of the "cloud of witnesses." May God use this to increase our love for each other and to develop interdependent relationships as members of the Body of Christ.

Scott's Testimony - The Cloud of Witnesses