Dave Dishman

True confession—I like to follow politics. As candidates for office emerge, I’m often astounded by the lack of character displayed by political actors. Like I want a person with so little self-control to make decisions on my behalf? But before I add my barbs I need to ask: Am I a person of good character?

Paul lays out a teaching plan for Titus, his pastoral protégée. He gives guidelines for parishioners of all ages: older men, older women, young women and young men. It’s a description of how people of strong character should act.

I pay particular attention to my demographic—older men. Here are Paul’s instructions: Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

His list pulls no punches.

As an older man in the faith I’m to live sober-minded, to think with clarity and not give in to wild schemes or flashy ideas. I’m to walk as a dignified man, one who is kind, sincere, not crass or given to strong drink, trustworthy and appropriate around the opposite sex. Paul reminds me to stay self-controlled, to resist the smorgasbord of sin provided by the world around me. Learn to say no to impulses popping up like whack-a-moles.

Paul adds to stay sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. I’m to study the Scriptures and keep to them. As I seek to love God and love those around me, I’m to realize the inherent value of every single person who crosses my path and respond to them as Jesus would.

Finally, remain steadfast. To strive for loyalty, faith and commitment. Be a man others can count upon. Stick up for what it right and don’t shy from conflict. Make hard decisions. Base this stance on the Lord, the Scriptures and the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is quite a list to apply. I fail regularly, which reminds me of my need for the Lord to empower my life. But I trust God will move me in this direction. Such a life leads to flourishing. The older I get the more I realize that I’d rather be a person of quiet influence and trust, overlooked even, than a politician making scandalous headlines.

Titus 2:2

Photo by Mika Baumeister

What did we do before we went to Siri with our questions, or Google for restaurant reviews, or YouTube for instructional videos? How did we write term papers without AI? (I have to admit, that temptation would have been hard to overcome as a college student). Back in the day we needed a set of encyclopedias and a person with expertise to answer our questions.

The Queen of Sheba needed someone to answer her questions. She loaded up her camels, dragged her court ministers along and set out to find Solomon, reportedly the wisest man in the world. She needed answers and braved a perilous trip through the desert to find them.

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions…And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden from Solomon that he could not explain to her.

Whatever she asked Solomon answered. We get a hint of God working behind the scenes, as the king understood every nuance of each successive inquiry. Enamored with Solomon, the queen drank in his wisdom. Her stay lasted for months, maybe even a couple of years, and as she left for home she blessed Solomon and the Lord his God.

How great to have an answer-man (Solomon would host a killer podcast today). It’s healthy to ask the hard questions of faith and life, to swing into our doubts and worries. I have wise people in my life, but how often to I glean from their wisdom? Not enough, I’m afraid. I should ask questions without the fear of looking dumb or uninformed. Wisdom surrounds us if we know where to look.

Lord, put wise people in my life and help me ask them the right questions.

2 Chronicles 9:1-2

Photo by James

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

These beautiful lines come from a song David wrote for the dedication of the house of the Lord. David recounted the Lord’s rescuing him from a pit of despair. More than once David faced the Lord’s anger and discipline. He laid on his face and wept through the night. He understood anguish and pain.

Yet David encountered the Lord’s joy as well. He experienced God’s favor throughout his years. David, despite his failings, returned to the Lord after every transgression. He followed this pattern his entire life, and his weeping always led to a dawning of grace.

When David cried for mercy the Lord transformed his mourning into dancing. Why would our Father in Heaven not meet us in the same way? Perhaps we need to ask in humility and look for the light to appear.

Favor from the Lord—the best lifetime guarantee you and I will ever receive.

Psalm 30:1-5

Photo by Rafael Peier

I’ve had the privilege of visiting dozens of cathedrals and churches in Europe. As a friend who traveled with me once said, Dave never sees a church he doesn’t want to wander into. It’s true. If the door’s open I’ll look in. Curious, last month my wife and I peeked into the open door of a cathedral in Spain and saw a wedding taking place, the bride resplendent in white and the groom in full military dress. Just think what we’d have missed had we not wandered in.

Many large cathedrals reach their heights thanks to an external support called a flying buttress. This structure consists of an arch bridging the gap between a tall, upper wall and a heavy freestanding base. It keeps the building from collapsing outward due to its weight, and allows for soaring walls and massive stained glass windows. The buttresses maintain the integrity of the cathedral.

In a letter to a young pastor, Paul reminded him of how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

As Paul pointed out, our churches should stand as pillars and buttresses of truth, and he refers to the truth laid out in the Holy Scriptures. To fail to stand for the truth of God’s Word is like bulldozing the buttresses off a cathedral. It might look nice and clean, but after a few storms the walls collapse and the edifice lies in ruin.

In our day many church leaders bulldozed the buttresses of truth in favor of modernist interpretations of Scripture. Today their congregations and denominations face collapse. Their once beautiful buildings slowly drain parishioners, monuments to pride and sexual sin and fear of criticism.

A living church searches for truth and stands upon it. A vibrant church serves as a keeper and purveyor of truth. A godly church proclaims truth. Adherence to God’s truth as found in the Bible maintains the integrity of the church. Anything less leads to crumbling foundations and ruined lives.

1 Timothy 3:15

Photo: Buttresses of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris