50 YEARS AGO TODAY

50 years ago today, June 26, 1968, I reported to the Naval Academy for my plebe year.  Among my classmates there has been a flurry of reminiscing on social media, noting the significant impact of our time together there.

I join with them with one huge event in mind for me:  I committed my life to Christ during my second year there as a midshipman.

Life at the Academy  was conducive to my growth in Christ.  The Academy's emphasis on personal responsibility, submission to authority, integrity, sacrifice and teamwork were a real asset during those early years for me.

I am thankful that God drew me to Himself while I was there.

(For a post on my facebook page on the anniversary of the day I gave my life to Christ, you can click here.  If you don't have facebook, a photo of my facebook page can be seen here.)

"You follow Me."

Remarkable.

The last recorded words Jesus spoke personally to Peter: remarkable.

Several conversations between Peter and Jesus are recorded in John 21.  Much attention, and justifiably so, is given to Jesus' previous interaction with Peter.  "Do you love Me?" Jesus asks him several times. (John 21:13-17)

They walk down the beach, and John (the disciple whom Jesus loved) is following at a distance.  Peter takes note.

Here we have Peter, the man upon whom Jesus will build His church and advance His Kingdom, the man specially chosen to head up the band of men and women upon whom the success of the future rests, whose ministries will determine the eternal destiny of millions.  I would think that His final words to Peter would be some stirring visionary exhortation full of guidance, hope and promise. Yet He finishes with Peter where they started.

Several years earlier, Jesus had invited Peter and his fishing buddies, "Follow Me..." (see Matthew 4:19 and Mark 1:19).

And here at the end, after the crucifixion and resurrection, as Peter asks about John, Jesus says simply, "Don't be concerned about him. You have one concern: follow Me."  (John 21:22)

40 YEARS WITH THE NAVIGATORS

This year marks the 40th year for me as a Navigator. Fresh off Navy active duty back in 1977, and having been helped significantly in my own walk with God through the local Nav ministry, I was invited to serve full time as the Nav Rep at the Norfolk naval base.  I accepted the position and have been at it ever since.  The first seven years I was single (and the photos reflect that in my choice of clothes); then Tina and I married in 1984 while in Newport, RI.

I have collected some photos from over the years ~ you can see them through the links below. Please take a look; you may find someone you know, or even yourself, in one of these!  :)

A KEY OBSERVATION
As I was reviewing our photos, I was struck by how much we did together beyond Bible study discussions and ministry oriented meetings: sports, work projects, meals together, trips, and having them join our family in our home. And we have entered into their lives: graduations, promotions, wingings, weddings, birthdays. We have sought to employ the "with him" principle from Mark 3:14,

"And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him..." 

We have done our best to follow Jesus' example by including people in our daily activities and priorities, in the normal flow of life. There they can see faith modeled and lived out in the flesh ~ both the good and the bad, trusting God to do His transforming work through us. Jesus is always our focus and our example.

Links to photos:

1977 - 1983   Norfolk (Navy) and Ft Eustis (Army)

1983 - 1993    Newport, RI/New Bedford, MA (Navy/Coast Guard)

1993 - 2003    Pensacola (military flight training)

2003 - 2017    Pennsylvania (community)


AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PART OVER THE YEARS
We are grateful to God, and to those of you who have prayed for and financially invested in what we have trusted God to do over the decades. As you look over the photos you will see people whose lives have been impacted by your involvement with us. We value you as partners with us in our ministry.

NOTE: If you are interested in our current financial status and supporting our ministry, please click here.

"But God, don't you need my five loaves and two fish EVERY day?"

Taking a day off once a week is a good deal.  I have the good fortune to work for a boss  (Jesus :) who wants me to have one day off a week!  The amazing thing is that He covers for me both when I am working and when I am not.

So why do I feel compelled to keep working every day?  Do I think that by working more I will be more productive? Is it so that I can be viewed by others (other workaholics) as a responsible worker?  Is there a twinge of guilt over not giving it my best on the other days of the week?

It is a step of faith to trust God with what He established in my best interest.  I like the way the New Living Translation puts it, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people,” Jesus said, “and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27 NLT)

Productivity doesn't depend upon me, it depends on Him. He wants to do things through us that we would never have the capacity or ability to do. My five loaves and two fish would feed my family for a day or so, but He wants to do much greater things than that.

I also find that when I force myself not to work one day a week, I am more motivated and focused to apply myself on the other six days. It has taken me awhile to adjust to a day off each week. I am finally able to rest and relax on most of those days. And I usually feel refreshed and rejuvenated once the new week begins.

Please pray with us as we apply ourselves to the opportunities God places before us, and to trust Him to do the things only He will do.  Thanks.

NO AGENDA...

"Hi John...  So, what's your agenda?"

"I don't have an agenda."

"John, you always have an agenda."

He was right!  The young Navy flight student I was meeting with for discipleship nailed me! Thankful to God for someone half my age willing to call me out on that. And this was okay, because he wanted to grow in His walk with God, and that's why we were meeting regularly.

That was years ago in Pensacola, Florida, where we were ministering to the Navy community there.  Since then I have had to acknowledge that I do have an agenda, in everything I do. 

The question I now ask myself is, "God, what's Your agenda, for me?"

For me the answer is found in Deuteronomy 6:5, my life goal, "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." (NASB)  As a young believer I committed myself to this goal, and try to keep it at the forefront of my thinking and activities daily.

My life goal leads back to my relationship with my young friend, and another question:  "What should be my agenda for others?"  Having recently engaged in dialogue about connecting with people in our community and hearing what others are doing to make relational connections, I am uncomfortable with some of the things I have heard. Their approach lacks authenticity and borders on manipulation.

I think this second question needs to be re-phrased. It must not be my agenda, but God's. I have always wanted my plans to be His plans, yet sometimes my bright ideas have gotten in the way.

Jesus told us how we should engage with others - the second greatest commandment, He said, "The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’" (Matthew 22:39 NASB)

What does that look like?  On the one hand, people do need to learn of the good news of Jesus, and yet Jesus wants me simply to love them for who they are, without requiring them to do what I want them to do.  No agenda.  Even if they never respond to the gospel, I still want to love the people God has brought across my path.