Today’s Wednesday News & Views is dedicated to Polycarp. He was a man who lived near the end of the age of the original apostles and may have been mentored by the disciple John. A Christian since childhood, he became the bishop of Smyrna (in modern Turkey). At age 86, the Romans decided to arrest him. While waiting for the soldiers, he received a vision while praying. All he told his friends was that he now knew he was to be burned alive for the faith. During his public interrogation, he was offered freedom if he would simply burn some incense and declare “Caesar is Lord.” Polycarp replied, “Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” Eventually the Roman proconsul became angry and threatened him with a cruel death. Polycarp answered the threats by telling the proconsul that while the Roman fire lasts but a little while, the fires of God’s judgment cannot be quenched. He was then burned alive at a stake. So today’s blog is dedicated to Polycarp, a member of that “cloud of witnesses” the author of Hebrews mentions. His story has always inspired me and I hope it does the same for you

Now to the News & Views:

Sixteen year old Ye Mengyuan of China was fortunate to survive the July 6 crash landing of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 in San Francisco, but she was killed moments later when a rescue vehicle ran over her. Having been thrown from the plane during the crash, her body was apparently covered with firefighting foam being sprayed on and around the burning plane. The coroner has confirmed the cause of death. It doesn’t seem fair, does it? But the Bible makes it clear that “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Since death cannot be escaped and can occur at any moment, being right with the Lord Jesus Christ is the most important thing in our lives.

I have the privilege of visiting other churches when I’m on vacation and I try to worship at larger churches that are growing when possible. Something that jumps out at me in these churches is how focused they are on making Sunday morning the best it can be for their guests (as well as members). The integration and preparation of all that is done from the parking lot to the sermon cannot be overstated and it makes a big difference. Our upcoming RELECTOR WEEKEND is an important step in our efforts to do a better job at integrating every aspect of what happens on Sunday morning at FBC and doing it the best we can. Every usher and greeter needs to attend. Every parking lot and welcome desks volunteer needs to attend. Every person who helps with the TV, sound, projection, and lights needs to attend. Every member of the choir, orchestra, band, and praise team needs to attend. Register now at this link.  Every Sunday needs to be special…not just the “big days.”

There’s a new heir to the throne in England. Maybe it’s because I’m a guy, but I don’t get all the fuss. What does excite me is the Biblical teaching that believers in Jesus are heirs to an incredible future. In August we’re going to study about the hope available in Jesus.

Our daughter and daughter-in-law are in Alaska on a mission trip, our son is in Washington DC for his job, and our son-in-law is deployed to Qatar. Monieca and I appreciate your prayers for them. The modern world is so small, yet much of what we do as churches and denominations is based on an old world view.

Finally, I’m looking forward to being back in the pulpit on August 4. I know David will do a great job preaching this Sunday.

Pastor Steve Hogg