Memorial Day Reflection

 As we observe this Memorial Day holiday, my mind and heart turn towards all the Gold Star Families I know, love, and have had the honor of serving as pastor and/or friend.

I think about my dear friend who lost his dad in the early years of Vietnam, and then later volunteered to enter the same war himself.

I think of the sister who lost not only one, but two brothers in combat theatre, one killed by the enemy and the other who died by suicide amidst all the grief, and terror, and sadness.

I think of another sister whose younger brother was shot down in a plane over the Atlantic in 1943. He was a kind and tender soul who read his Bible everyday and wanted to enter the ministry when the war was over. Seventy years later she still teared up when she spoke of him.

I think of the father, who after he had lost his son in Afghanistan, said something I will never forget. Between halting breaths and still-wet tears he said, "I prayed to the God of the universe that he would live; and the answer was no."

We should remember the dead today. And we remember their families also. The wound heals, hopefully. But the scars remain. And the salt in the tears can still be tasted -- long after the flag is folded.

Peace to you who have paid such a high peace. Peace to you in the consolation that God also knows.

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Daily Lesson for May 28, 2021

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Luke chapter 16 verse 10:

"Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much."

It's not just the Big Lie, it's all the little lies that matter.

Stacked one on top of the other, it mounts like a ton of mud-made bricks. What's one more? What's the difference between our party and theirs? What do you expect? What is truth?

We've tolerated it for years. We've loved it ourselves. Our itching ears loved to hear false promises, wild conspiracies, and ugly innuendos.

It padded campaign coffers. And the ad men said it's what you have to do to win the election.

But pretty soon all the little lies add up. The mountain rises. And there is really no telling who will sit on top next.

But one thing is for sure, the bigger it gets the worse will be its fall.

And woe unto us when the whole thing falls -- which it will, eventually.

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Daily Office for May 27, 2021

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Luke 16 verses 1 through 8:

Then Jesus* said to the disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2So he summoned him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Give me an account of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.” 3Then the manager said to himself, “What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.” 5So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, “How much do you owe my master?” 6He answered, “A hundred jugs of olive oil.” He said to him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.” 7Then he asked another, “And how much do you owe?” He replied, “A hundred containers of wheat.” He said to him, “Take your bill and make it eighty.” 8And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.

Now, another story:

I have a friend who was trying to fly home from DC out of Dulles Airport. He had to catch an airport shuttle first, and when he arrived the shuttle was there waiting on him. He stepped on to pay his fair, but the bus driver told him he had to have exact change. There was a change machine just off the bus, the driver told him. So, my friend got off to make change and as he did, the bus drove away behind him. He made change and sat done for the next bus that was due to arrive in 15 minutes.

Fifteen minutes passed and there was no bus. Then 30 minutes passed and the terminal was filling up with passengers, all with suitcases. After 45 minutes the terminal was full, and my friend wondered how in the world he was going to be able to make his flight if all these people had to count out exact change before boarding. He was mad as a hornet, and so was the rest of the crowd of travelers, all expecting to be late by now.

Finally, 50 minutes later the bus rolled up, the doors swung open, and the bus driver shouted, "Everybody on. You're all riding free, and we need to ride fast." My friend made his flight, and he thinks everybody else did too.

And I wonder if there isn't a little bit of the kingdom of God in that story too.

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Daily Lesson for May 26, 2021

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Luke chapter 15 verse 11:

"Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons . . ."

Maybe he overdid it.

The robe, and ring, and the fatted calf, and the whole banquet were a bit extravagant for a son who had been such a punk for so long. Sure, he was contrite now, and he looked pretty ragged; but a party just seemed so much.

And maybe the father realized that. Standing out there in the yard, with the other son maybe he could see something about his own self reflected in the eyes of the older son. Maybe the other was the favorite. Or maybe it was just that he reminded him so much of himself. Or, maybe it that the grief of their mother's loss just hurt so much that today this homecoming was like a resurrection of not only the younger son but also the loving mother.

Whatever it was, he could see it there in the yard, the sound of music coming out the door, the younger son alive but still half dead, still numb and traumatized, and now the older, bitter and presumptuous, but not all wrong.

What do they do, standing out there in the yard?

What do you do when you realize love is never fair?

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Daily Lesson for May 25, 2021

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 12:

12 Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world with frankness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God—and all the more towards you.

Many years ago I wanted to go into politics and landed an UNPAID internship in a Congressional office in Washington. My job was to answer the phone, and I was told that if anyone wanted to speak with the Congressman I was to tell them he was on the floor of the House voting -- even when he wasn't. It was a little lie that happens not only in Congressional offices but everywhere else also, but it didn't sit well with me. Neither did the sleight of hand public support of bills, which had almost all Congressional leaders' public endorsement, yet kept dying in Committee because at least half of Congress didn't really support them at all.

These were little lies, but they didn't sit well with me. Now there's a Big Lie out there, made possible by years and years of little lies that form its foundation.

This morning's Lesson is about a frankness and sincerity, and a clean conscience before God and neighbor. Jesus taught us to let our "Yes" be yes, and our "No" be no. No equivocation. No sleight of hand. No pretense. No little "white" lies. (Why are they called "white"?)

Our "Yes" should be yes, and our "No" should be no. And if you are working anywhere that tells you you need to lie on the job, then know that I pray for you. That is tough spot; and I do pray wisdom, guidance, and protection for you as you seek to find a way out of what is an abusive workplace where truth is only the first victim.

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Daily Lesson for May 24, 2021

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verses 3 through 5:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, 4who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.

Several years ago I was at a visitation for the family of a young person who died when another family who had also lost a young person walked through the door. The two families embraced in a lengthy and silent hug. There were no words, but the tears and touch shared said everything. They were together their in a kinship of tears.

Our afflictions may be heavy, too much even. But the consolations of God somehow see us through. We share the consolations with others. Together we shed our tears, and find a way to go on -- day by day, and tear by tear.

And the pain is made bearable by the company of others who also know, including God.

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Daily Lesson for May 21, 2021

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Acts chapter 16:13-15:

On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us.

Lydia was a small to medium-size business owner. She was an entrepreneur. At one time I was told she was a widow, but that was somebody's patriarchal interpretation because there is no mention of her ever having a husband. Nor is there any mention of her father. All that the Bible says is that she was a business owner. And she must have been a good one, because she owned a house large enough for the disciples to stay in and also use as a gathering place.

Today is Lydia's Feast Day, and a good reminder that not all women need a man to make a living, nor to make a difference.

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Daily Lesson for May 20, 2021

 Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Luke chapter 10 verses 30 through 34:

30Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii,* gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.”

The danger of a well-known story like this is we can end up continuing to miss certain small details. 

The detail I don’t think I ever noticed in this story before I heard them preached by the late, great Gardner Taylor come from the lips of the Good Samaritan:

“Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.”

Gardner Taylor put these words not only in the mouth of the Good Samaritan, but in the mouth of Jesus to us.

“Take care of the stranger. Take care of the abused. Take care of your brother. Take care of each other.

“And when I come back, I will repay you . . .”

When He comes back, we will be repaid for all we’ve done for others.  He tells us to put it on His tab — and promises to settle up with us when He comes this way again. 

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Daily Lesson for May 19, 2021

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Luke chapter 10 verses 17 through 20:

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ 18He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’

Jesus sent the disciples out as lambs in the midst of wolves. They lived to tell about it. Even more, many wolves were converted. The disciples rejoiced.

But Jesus told them to rejoice not in their success, but in their salvation. For they were not to take pride in their success, but to take heart in their faithfulness.

We plant, and we water; but God causes the increase. Some saints flourish. Others are felled. Who is to say which was more faithful?

Today may bring us success many times more than we could have imagined. We may triumph. Or, today may kick us, square heeled, right in the teeth. We have to be prepared for either one, and not presume there's something so special about us that only success can find us.

I told a younger minister a while back, there was nothing like failure to help me see I really didn't believe in success anyways.

"For the race is not to the swift,

Nor the battle to the strong,

Nor riches to men of understanding,

For time and chance happen to them all."

Success may come. Failure may come. We can build a great cathedral, or be given our walking papers. Either way, we rejoice in the one and only thing that really: our names are written in the Book of Life.

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Daily Lesson for May 18, 2021

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Luke chapter 10 verses 5 and 6:

5Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” 6And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.

Your peace is a precious thing. It is a gift of God, and your gift to God's world. Your peace is God's gift to you, and you may give it and share it as freely as you wish. It is a gift to give and to receive. Five thousand people can be fed with just one loaf of peace.

But you should never let anyone take your peace from you. Your peace belongs to you. When you share it, you still have it. But taking is different from sharing. When somebody takes your peace from you, it evaporates. It's neither yours nor theirs. Like the stolen fruit in the Garden, it spoils when stolen.

So for your own sake and everybody else's, when somebody tries to take your peace away from you, don't let them have it. Your peace belongs to you. Share it with whom you wish; but don't let anybody steal it from you.

Your peace does belong to you; and when you decide that you need to take it back, and can take it back, you will discover that it will come back -- completely.

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Daily Lesson for May 17, 2021

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Hebrews chapter 6 verses 10 and 11:

10For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. 11And we want each one of you to show the same diligence, so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end.

This morning I will drive to the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery to officiate the burial service for Dr. Jack Coldiron, a 94-year-old man who died last week after a lifetime of service to the church. He was a church singer, minister of music, and university and seminary professor for generations of students. He was also a Deacon Emeritus of Broadway Baptist Church.

It is unfortunate that because we are not yet singing in church, we will have to wait on a service of memorial to take place in the sanctuary. Like so many others who have passed amidst the pandemic, he awaits a more proper recognition.

Yet even if these were not to come, we are promised this morning that God has not overlooked Jack's service and the service of all these others saints of now blessed memory.

What they have done has mattered. And whether properly recognized or not at the end, we trust that God sees and God remembers, and God honors.

God does not overlook our work. So, we stay steady at the plow. We plant, and we water, and in Jack's case, we sing and teach others to do likewise. And we trust that God enjoys the music.

It lives on.

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Daily Lesson for May 14, 2021

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Hebrews chapter verses 14 through 16 and chapter 5 verses 1 and 2:

14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested* as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

5Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness.

On Sunday we sang an old hymn titled "There's a Wideness in God's Mercy". It is a powerful hymn to me personally, and one my own dear pastor and mentor Hardy Clemons used to quote while officiating particularly difficult funerals and graveside services including, especially, services for those who died by suicide.

In one particularly straightforward and meaningful verse, the hymn has these words:

We make God’s love too narrow

by false limits of our own,

and we magnify its strictness

with a zeal God will not own.

We humans have a tendency to be more judgmental than God. That's especially the case when it comes to our own selves. We make the perfect the enemy of the good; and we struggle mightily in the shadow cast between the two.

But the Gospel calls us to be more gentle -- more gentle with others, and especially more gentle with ourselves. For when we are gentle and kind with ourselves, we become more gentle and kind with others.

The Bible says, God did not send Jesus to condemn the world. We've done enough condemning ourselves. What we need is saving.

God sent Jesus for the sake of salvation. God sent Jesus for the sake of kindness and gentleness. God sent Jesus for the sake of grace. And in the end, grace abounds -- more than we expected, and even more than we would have hoped. But that's what's necessary.

When the woman was caught in adultery Jesus got everyone to drop their rocks, and then said to her, "Has not one condemned you? Neither do I. Now go and sin no more." One rock still remained -- the woman's invisible, self-condemning, rock of shame. She herself had to let go of that one.

We all do.

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.