Preston Gillham

This generations’ most famous atheist is dead today. Christopher Hitchens passed yesterday at age 62.

He gambled to the end that he was right about there being no God. Now he knows for sure, something he asserted vehemently that was not knowable in this life.

Joel Siegel of ABC News writes of Hitchens:

“Hitchens became the public face of atheism. Critics assumed his cancer diagnosis, in 2010, would lead Hitchens to relent and embrace God. But he remained a proud non-believer to the very end, as he made clear in an early October 2011 speech at the annual Atheist Alliance of America convention in Houston, as he accepted the Freethinker of the Year Award. His body gaunt from the ravages of cancer, Hitchens said, ‘We have the same job we always had: to say that there are no final solutions; there is no absolute truth; there is no supreme leader; there is no totalitarian solution that says if you would just give up your freedom of inquiry, if you would just give up, if you would simply abandon your critical faculties, the world of idiotic bliss can be yours.’”

Lots of humanity in that quote, huh? Lots of misconceptions about what becoming a Believer means. Lots of hostility. Lots of strong words—too strong.

Strong words can belie doubt. Not always, of course. But I’m just saying: the superlatives in Hitchens’ acceptance speech caught my attention.

Lots of Christianity’s brightest minds debated Hitchens, ostensibly believing that by intellectual argument they could convince heartfelt assent. Apologetics are for Believers. Unbelief isn’t about belief at all. Unbelief is a conflict of wills—the divine in tension with the human.

Life and death are a wager. Pascal said in essence, if I believe in God, and govern my life according to that belief, only to die and discover I was mistaken—i.e., there is no God—then what have I lost? On the other hand, if I live a life of unbelief, and die to discover I was wrong, then I have lost all eternity.

I can’t help but wonder this morning: Does Christopher Hitchens live today only in his legacy or somewhere more profound?

It is now twenty-nine days since Dad/Bill died of complications due to Parkinson’s disease. In these intervening days hundreds of you have written to express your grief, joy, reminiscences, condolence to my brothers and me, and your affection for Dad, Mom, and our family. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of us all.

In your notes you have also spoken about transformation—transformation of life, marriage, outlook—that has occurred while living alongside the ministry of Dad and Mom. I’m happy for you, thrilled that through knowing Dad and Mom you have more fully grasped the height, and depth, and breadth of Jesus Christ who is your life and love.

It is true that Dad has departed this life and joined those who went before him, including of course, Mom seven months ago. It is also true, as Larry Norman sang, all of us are “only visiting this planet.” Sooner than we might think, we too will depart this temporal to fully apprehend our eternal.

In the meantime, Dad and Mom left a legacy. Now it is your turn—our turn, those of us who remain—to leave a legacy.

One of the things we worked very hard to manage at Lifetime Guarantee, the ministry Dad, and Mom, and I founded many years ago, was the personalization of the ministry. It is very hard to be personal with a large mailing list, but based upon your notes, we were successful. Many of you posted on the Lifetime memorial page about letters you received, dinners enjoyed, and even serendipitous meetings with Mom or Dad. You spoke of notes written on pages of books, cell phone numbers exchanged, hugs in lieu of handshakes, and so forth. You wrote about radio broadcasts heard in the middle of the night that were “just for you.” The archives at Lifetime are filled with hundreds more such notes received over the last thirty-five years.

Mom and Dad and I each had visible presences on the platform of Lifetime Guarantee, but Mom and Dad were the more visible face of Lifetime, I more the one pulling levers behind the curtain of the organization. As we positioned ourselves to launch into ministry via radio, we convened a strategic meeting in which we determined to not use any illustrations, or make any references, to current events while on the air. Our hope was to create a legacy of ministry material that was timeless. Twenty years later I run into folks who ask if Bill and Anabel record each day or each week.

When we assembled ourselves in Houston to partner with Mars Hill Productions to create “The Life” video, each person in the audience, especially the ladies, was coiffed to eliminate “high style” and any other physical feature that would cause the video to age prematurely. We carefully chose Mom and Dad’s attire, worked on Mom’s hair, Dad’s glasses and lapels, and the decoration in the room to create a classic style that would stand the test of time. Many, many of you have written to say that you continue to use “The Life” long after similar products have gone out of style.

As technology changed, so did Lifetime—in order to foster a legacy of ministry. All of the audio materials created through Lifetime were converted to digital formats. Today, the audio ministry of Bill and Anabel and me reaches a potential listening audience many, many times greater than our radio broadcasts did at their zenith. Every product—audio, video, and written—was digitized against decay and for dissemination across multiple platforms.

Another standard at Lifetime, one of our stated core competencies, was simplicity and practicality through personal transparency. Our belief was that we could best encourage you, and guide you on life’s path, through not only teaching but also showing. There are lots of diagrams and illustrations, but there are many life-stories. We all need information, but in the end, we all need an example.

Mom is gone, dead on November 7, 2010. And Dad is gone, dead on June 23, 2011. I transitioned Lifetime, the Board of Directors, and myself on August 31, 2008 to the next generation of leadership. The ministry of Lifetime continues, but more to my point in this note is that there remains a legacy of ministry, a legacy rooted in simplicity, personal transparency, ageless relevance, practicality, and the message of Jesus Christ’s transformational power.

Yes, Mom and Dad are gone, but they left you—all of us—many tools standardized to the key element for successful living: Christ in you and through you the hope of glory.

Yes, there is a mailing list of significant size at Lifetime, but our Heavenly Father doesn’t measure success by the size of a mailing list. You know that. Dad taught you this with his egg illustration. Remember? Size isn’t what’s most important, not even results. What is most important is methodology.

My point? You know the methodology of ministry. Dad taught it to you, we demonstrated it for you, and Lifetime diligently created resources to equip you for ministry. The legacy you celebrate as you recall Bill and Anabel is a legacy that you can—that you must—access and possess and share with others, just as you have been taught, and have seen, and have witnessed in us.

My brothers and I, our families, and the ministry of Lifetime are deeply grateful for your attention to our loss and a grief that will never be assuaged in this life. But life proceeds. We are transients, just visiting this planet. Our highest calling is first to trust in Him who is life, grace, truth, mercy, and wisdom from God. Our greatest privilege is to transfer our calling to others, and in so doing, create a legacy rooted in Life.

There are many hundreds of audio messages at Lifetime.org. You can listen and learn for the rest of your days. There are hundreds of pages of written resources, a daily devotional, and many hundreds of articles on an array of subjects that are all indexed. All of this is part of the legacy created at Lifetime Ministries for you to draw upon as you grow, and live, and transfer yourself to others.

Although I have transitioned myself from Lifetime and into a new phase of professional life, I post thoughts and writings at my website, PrestonGillham.com. I publish books and materials here as well. In fact, my latest book, “No Mercy,” is a work of fiction designed to demonstrate the battle that rages between the flesh and the spirit. But the story of “No Mercy” doesn’t end there. This adventure of a King and his two sons demonstrates the victory that is ours in Christ Jesus. In the main character, Hank, there is an example to follow.

Dad and Mom and I, and the ministry of Lifetime, would be heartbroken if we ever had any inkling that you ran aground, lost your way, or turned away because our lives on Earth have progressed toward change and death. Seize the day! Our remaining time is short. It was only “yesterday” that Dad and I signed the formation papers for Lifetime Guarantee. Immerse yourself in the open legacy available to you and join those whose feet are upon the road to greater revelations of victory.

Thank you again for writing in memory of my Dad. He finished well midst very difficult circumstances. I miss him terribly, but I wouldn’t return him to this place for anything. Instead, I will go to him—we shall go to him, as well as those who come after us.

I was privileged to team teach with Willy Torresin de Oliveir on how to have victory over the flesh–i.e., those besetting habit patterns we all fight to overcome. Here is the presentation, translated by Willy into Portuguese, and filmed in Fort Worth, TX.

Jake wrote to say, “GREAT book [“No Mercy”]. Read it twice already.”

Would you like to expose the enemy of your soul? Like to uncover how he entices you to do his bidding? Then do something about that?!

Good for you! Me too! This is what “No Mercy” is about.

The book is now available electronically—and has a NEW section of questions for reading groups.

Seth Godin talks about getting through the dip—the perseverance necessary to overcome resistance and impediment—that thwarts life and living. The Bible calls this quality, steadfast endurance.

In “No Mercy,” Hank Henderson’s life displays how movement through the dips and dark places in life is realized and enjoyed. Moving, changing, overcoming, and succeeding are sometimes best demonstrated rather than talked about.

“No Mercy”—now available for Kindle, iPad, and Nook—shows how to change and be transformed.

Bill wrote recently, “I’m ¾ of the way through ‘No Mercy!’ Wow Wow Wow!!! What a powerful read.”

My book, “No Mercy,” is now available for all the e-readers: Kindle, iPad, Nook, and Sony. You can order here from the various stores.

Why is this an important book for you to read?

Because it helps you move and grow and change and transform in your quest to know your Heavenly Father better. It guides you in the process, offers a mentor to follow, and ushers you into the grand adventure of spiritual formation.

Bruce said on the “No Mercy” Facebook page, “The greatest treasure of all is His grace in real life. ‘No Mercy’ points the way uniquely.”

From here you can access the various online stores.

It is difficult to find a solitary place when you are the guest on a television program.

A few weeks ago I was in Canada and appeared on “100 Huntley Street” to discuss my book, “No Mercy.” As is my custom, after they had applied my makeup and guided me to the Green Room to await the start of the program, I slipped out to find a solitary place to discuss things with Father.

Television is a heady media. Unlike radio, it is visual and about appearance. Walking down the halls of Crossroads Television Network with makeup all over me is a dead giveaway that I’m “a personality.”

I was polite and I smiled and I greeted people, but I needed a quiet place to consult with my Father.

The more I walked, the more my morning coffee guided me. At first I viewed my necessary pit stop as an interruption in my quest, but when I entered the Men’s Room I remembered: Bathrooms in television studios are abnormal. Unlike the airport or a restaurant, the bathrooms in a television studio contain dressing rooms and showers. I had found my quiet place.

I sat down in the chair between the sink and the commode, rested my elbow on the sink to my right and my arm on the grab bar to my left, and as is my custom I asked Father while enveloped in solitude if He had any guidance for me before I “went live.”

I discovered some years ago to seize the isolation of my hotel room, my truck, and my house to my advantage. The cue that reminds me to capture my last moments of quiet is the door knob/handle.

Before I touch the handle to leave, in this case, the Men’s Room, I ask, “Father, do you have any final words for me before I leave this solitary place?” And then, I wait until He has had time to reply or is finished speaking to my heart and mind.

Once our conversation is complete, I check my fly one last time—that is a critically important step if you are on stage or platform—grab the door knob, and step out to face whatever comes my way.

Inside the labyrinthine hallways of Crossroads Television, buried down a half-hall from an unused makeup room, behind the door marked “Men,” and shielded behind a swinging door affording the privacy of a loo, I consulted with Father in my makeshift prayer closet before going on stage. Then I checked my fly—and then, and only then, did I touch the handle to the door.

But whether speaking on camera to what they told me was an audience of a million, or getting out of the truck to visit my Dad in the care facility, a door knob/handle/latch is my reminder to pause in the quiet and follow the lead of my Older Brother who leveraged solitude to His advantage. In fact, He frequently retreated to secluded places to visit with His Father.

As Paul Harvey used to say, “Now, you know, the rest of the story.”

So, as you watch this clip of the interview, and consider the headiness of being “on camera,” consider where my morning started.

The fundamental, life-skill of solitude is essential to our wellbeing. For Hank, the main character in “No Mercy,” it starts with his morning stretches.

For me, it starts with a door knob.

A few days ago I put a copy of “No Mercy” in the mail to my good friend, Fred. He emailed yesterday to say my package had arrived, but without the book. Someone along the way neatly cut the mailer open, removed the book, and resealed the envelope. An empty envelope from Bonefish Publication arrived in his box on Wednesday.

Fred, who lives in Vermont, said he had the same thing happen on another occasion. He packaged up a container of maple syrup and mailed it. When it arrived, the recipient said the top of the box had been neatly opened, the syrup removed, the box resealed, and the empty container delivered otherwise unscathed. This is bad news for whoever ordered the syrup but good news for the value of “No Mercy.”

Items get lost, damaged, and delivered wrong all the time. There are whole departments at the USPO that manage these inevitabilities. But tampering with the mail—I think that is a federal crime that can land you a pair of orange coveralls and shower shoes.

Here is what I find interesting: Thousands of books are mailed, probably every day. I don’t have a clue how many of these packages are tampered with, but I find it remarkable that no more copies of “No Mercy” than there were in the mail on this given day (probably just that one), Fred’s was methodically, carefully opened, the book removed—and kept!—and the package resealed and delivered.

There is some probability that this event is coincidental. There is also a probability that this event is spiritual. Personally, given the content of “No Mercy,” what I’ve been observing of Father’s work through the book, and what I know of spiritual warfare I think the spiritual probability is statistically much greater than the coincidental option. Indeed. Much greater!

Since there are two, great forces in the world, this leaves two perspectives to consider: First, Fred is without his book. So, Satan prevents Fred from whatever benefit he will ultimately derive from reading “No Mercy.” Knowing Fred as I do, I think he’ll make it until the replacement arrives. Satan’s thwarting also costs me money and the anticipated endorsement from Fred once he is done reading. But seeing as how the “No Mercy” project and related business is Father’s, I’m not sure there is anything to be consternated over.

Second, the person who opened this innocuous package containing “No Mercy” (why didn’t they open the box containing the Magic Bullet blender?), and kept what they opened, is now in the hands of Father God. That’s pretty interesting to contemplate.

As we have seen time and again, Father will go to any measure to engage a man who is seeking Him. I like this option and consideration, although I’m not certain how a just God gets around mail tampering in His quest to engage this person’s heart. He’ll most likely get this figured out though.

Satan’s pettiness is easily remedied: a new book is en route to Fred via the US Mule. He’ll have it by spring.

But the man or woman with the stolen copy of “No Mercy:” Now this is something different.

I have two, big thoughts as I write: Pray for this person. You’ve read the book, and if you haven’t, this is a pretty good indicator you might closely consider doing so. It seems quite probable that Father is on this person’s trail—the “Hound of Heaven,” as Francis Thompson called Him, is chasing him. Intercede for this person! Pray that their encounter will be life-altering.

Second: Father is distributing “No Mercy” via unconventional means. I cannot honestly say my marketing plan included mail tampering. Clearly, it should have. Chalk it up to a small vision on my part!

What is an integral part of the marketing plan is for “No Mercy” to spread and circulate because you talk about it. That Father would smuggle a book to an unknown person between Texas and Vermont indicates He is using the message and story of “No Mercy” in remarkable ways. He is targeting souls, hunting them down, and engaging them. (Can you envision the person with the stolen copy of “No Mercy,” the book crying out to him from the kitchen counter or wherever it rests now that he has tampered it into his possession?)

I don’t know about you, but when I see Father head down an unmarked trail like this, I want to join Him.

So, please pray for this unknown soul. Please pray for yourself in light of this post, and if you need a copy of “No Mercy,” or need to send a copy to someone, here’s how to get it done. And, your discount increases as you order more copies. While you are praying, pray for Fred too. He’s a great man doing fabulous work.

I met Dave a month ago on his seventh birthday—seventh month, that is. He couldn’t really do much other than roll over, and he couldn’t speak a word, although the potential was there judging by his lung capacity at feeding time.

As babies usually are, he was cute as a bug with monstrous blue eyes accented by eye lashes that any woman would envy. Much like me, his hair hadn’t all come in yet so his head was covered with blond fuzz that begged to have my cheek against it. And when rubbed, the skin on his head wrinkled up in silky waves.

Dave held my finger and chewed on it with his two bottom teeth, ignored all the fancy toys his parents had carted to the house, and was totally infatuated with our dog, Honey, who was equally interested in Dave. She couldn’t quite figure if this was competition or simply a moving ornament. It was clear from the start that Dave’s hands were always wet and therefore pulled her hair when he patted her. After the initial introduction, Dave and Honey judged one another from across the room.

Have you ever noticed, or do you remember, how proud parents are? It makes no difference if they were hoping for a girl and were blessed with a boy, if their little bundle is crying, laughing, sleeping, or simply holding the infant seat down on the table. They are justifiably enthralled with their progeny. In addition to being called Dave, this little guy was referred to as sweet, precious, cute, loving, good, a great baby, smart (I’m not sure how this was determined, and I didn’t ask), just like his mother, just like his father, just like his grandfather, and the best. Since we were invited for dinner, and it hadn’t been served yet, I agreed. Besides, if I hadn’t, not only would I have missed dinner, I would have been in trouble when I got home.

As I think back on a wonderful evening with Dave and his family, I don’t recall anyone suggesting that the government would rest on his shoulders one day. Nor do I remember anyone calling him Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, or Prince of Peace. But there was a baby who was called all of these names and upon whose shoulders the government did rest (ref. Isaiah 9:6).

Such were the names attributed to Jesus, the Christ, upon his earthly debut. In fact, as a one-month old, before He was even close to Dave’s age, old-man Simeon held Jesus in his arms and said, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed—and a sword will pierce even your own soul” (Luke 2:34-35). Have you ever thought about Mary and Joseph’s discussion on the way home from meeting with Simeon? Mothers aren’t usually too keen on the idea of swords piercing their souls, especially regarding their children. But history confirms it, rise and fall many did with the advent of Christ.

While Christ was a completely human baby, with all the challenges and joys that babies bring, He was set apart from every other baby that has ever been born—or that ever will be born—by the names attributed to Him. In the Scripture who is the Wonderful Counselor? None other than the Holy Spirit. Who is the Eternal Father? God Himself. Who is the Prince of Peace? The Son of God. Holy Spirit, God the Father, and the Son. I’m sure Jesus was called all of the things baby Dave was called, but with the prophetic name declared by Isaiah, it is clear that Baby Jesus was the Godhead incarnate.

Old Simeon knew of Isaiah’s prophecy. In fact, he had been waiting for Christ all of his life and recognized him immediately. Eyes that had seen many sunrises and sunsets looked into the face of Mary’s new-born and acknowledged Him as God’s anointed. He confirmed Isaiah’s prophecy: The government of all mankind rested on this baby’s tiny shoulders.

Baby Jesus grew to be a fine man and accomplished all that His Father planned. He then ascended to heaven and now sits at the right hand of God. He is called King of kings and Lord of lords.

With the cusp of the New Year before you, who will govern your life?

That which gets measured, gets done. I’ve said this, coached others based upon it, and managed organizations using measurements.

I didn’t come up with the succinct wording—“That which gets measured, gets done.” Peter Drucker did. He’s the father of modern management. And, he’s right.

But while true, is it absolutely true?

The implication is that we can measure, and that by measuring, determine if we are making progress. Progress leads to success. Reward success, starve un-success, and you get more progress and more success. People love success. People have money and want to invest in success. Simple enough, and now you’ve got a sustainable business.

Religious organizations—churches, nonprofits, and mission agencies—relay reports from the field that are amazing: miracles, conversion rates, baptisms, membership, outreaches, and dollars all of which can be budgeted, compiled on spreadsheets, and presented via PowerPoint. The success is impressive. The reports to the donors are tangible and the energy palpable. God is at work—here, here, and here.

Therefore, it makes measurable sense to reallocate personnel and financial resources to invest more heavily in growing markets of ministry. My financial planner does the same thing with my retirement portfolio. It’s a wise strategy. Invest in success.

So, how does this play out practically?

Ministries in Brazil are reporting remarkable increases in conversions while ministries in Vietnam are not. Ministry numbers in much of Africa are up while they are down in Asia. More troublesome is that ministry in China cannot be measured. No one knows if Christianity has deep roots in North Korea or not. Formal ministry in Yemen has gone underground and cannot be traced.

Based upon the truism—“That which gets measured, gets done”—the nonprofits and donors are correct to follow the numbers. Clearly, God is hard at work—and successfully—in Brazil and Africa and at the mega church in the suburbs. He is not at work, at least as successfully, in Myanmar, Iran, and the inner cities of America and Europe.

More challenging is that at a human level there are people laboring in ministry to those who live in these unsuccessful arenas. Are these ministers wasting their time? Has God moved on to more lucrative fields of ministry and left these ministers and human fields to waste away with abandoned neglect?

What should be done? When the numbers are not positive, should we conclude God is not active and reassign personnel and reallocate funds?

God can be measured and invested in, like a commodity, is the conclusion. Spiritual activity can be charted, rewarded, invested in, and propagated with funding. Therefore, we should evaluate where God is observably active and join Him there.

Are you buying this line of thinking?

Good. I was hoping you were skeptical by this point. There is nothing wrong with numbers and evaluation, but they must be used carefully lest we lapse into believing we can put God in a box and get Him to stay there.

God cannot be measured! He will not be measured, at least not in the moment. Later on, the historians might be able to report on what God did, but He is not static. Just because we figure out what He did and measure that does not imply that we know what He will do tomorrow.

Ministry is very tricky to measure and more difficult to plan. Don’t misunderstand. We should set goals, detail objectives, and we fail to pay attention to numbers at our peril. There is no reason to be a fool about evaluation, but there is no excuse to be foolish enough to think we can measure God.

You can define success—provided you use the correct metric. God considers dependence upon Him, through faith and trust, the ultimate success.

Walking in the Spirit, irrespective of measureable or evaluative success, is always the way God defines success. Walking independently of God, irrespective of measurable or evaluative success, is always the way God defines failure.

God traffics in the good news of Christ, the regenerate heart, eternal relationship, internal transformation, spiritual renewal, and eternal gain. These are broad fields of ministry that cannot be consistently measured.

The marketing blogger, Seth Godin, says there are two things you should never do. First, you should never try to measure that which is un-measurable. The reason is simple: You’ll get it wrong and have no way of knowing until much later. Second, when working in areas that cannot be measured, you must not compromise your investment in them. Either go all in—everything you have for the long haul—or stay home.

God gave all, an infinite value, to make a purchase of no worth—me and you. In His economy He then declared us priceless and worthy of life. As the recipients of His valuation and life, He invites us to do the same for others as He did for us via ministry outreach.

Can you measure that?