I heard a cassette when I was in college of an old preacher preaching out of the Psalms. I believe it was a spoof and meant to be one but who knows? I've heard some preaching that was not much different. When he got to the word 'psaltery', he did not know how to handle it, so he called it a p-sal tree. He talked about the little p-sals that grow on the tree and how Moses picked them, stewed them up with some ham hocks and made a pod of cornbread. I hope it was a spoof, but regardless it was funny. A psaltery is an ancient stringed instrument in case you are now looking out the window for any p-sals growing on your trees. That's funny to me. To hear the tape it was hilarious. But bad preaching is not hilarious. Preaching that is not sound upsets me. It upsets the Lord too based upon our passages this morning. http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/.
In Amos 8 the Lord talks about a coming famine for the Word of God. Those that seek a Word from God will have a hard time finding it. (Amos 8:11-12) We might be there. Don't misunderstand me. There are plenty of preachers around but it is getting harder to hear those that exegete (dig in and dig out) Scripture the way you can when you put a lot of effort into it to find those hidden wonderful nuggets that are so plentiful in the Spirit-breathed Word of God. The fact is reiterated in Titus 2:1- But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. He then goes on to talk about the grace of God that brings salvation and gives us hope. He then says (v.15)- Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. In other words, just preach the Lord and let it fall where it may.
Dedicate yourselves to the Word. Spending time in it and then living it out. You will be a blessing!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Not At Ease
I was always an above average student. I called myself a 'B' man. Interestingly the higher I got in education, the better. However, I was below average in one class. I was a freshman at a community college that had cheap tuition and a good transfer program. You get surrounded by a lot of different types of people in such a setting. In my first western civilization class I began to look around at my surrounding students instead of listening to some fellow talk about history that was somewhere between Bible times and American times and in a land somewhere between Bible lands and American lands. Who cares? Well, apparently the student taking the class should. It helps your grade. Nobody cared. You could look around the room and tell, so I just climatized myself to the atmosphere. When he should a video, it looked like it was cool to sleep, so I did. Now what I did not know was that that particular professor was not normal. Normally I found that in a college class if you will listen in class and take notes and then learn the notes, you will do fine. I never really studied hard until I got to seminary. However, in West. Civ the test came from the book and, yes, from the videos. Not only was the experience bad but the grade was. Only by the grace of God did I not fail and thankfully it was a two part class. I took the second part with the same professor and was determined to beat him. I did much better at the second class and my senior college averaged the scores together and I got the transfer credits I needed. It also taught me not to be at ease in college classes.
As I studied in the book of Amos this morning http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/ the Lord was rebuking the Israelites for being 'At ease in Zion' - Amos 6:1. Zion is the hill of the Lord. He is rebuking them for being casual in his presence, slothful in their worship, slack in their walk. In other words, sleeping on the job. I wondered as I read this morning 'how many Christians are failing or are at least below average in their walk with God because they do not take it seriously enough?' We have no right to be sleepy in the presence of the Lord. We have no right to be slack in our walks. We have no right to be 'at ease' when we come into the presence of the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Commander in Chief of the Heavenly And Angelic Army.
We have no right to be at ease about our walk with God. So today, let's give God our full attention. Praise the Lord, our Superior Officer is walking through our lives today. Let's honor Him with our lives.
As I studied in the book of Amos this morning http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/ the Lord was rebuking the Israelites for being 'At ease in Zion' - Amos 6:1. Zion is the hill of the Lord. He is rebuking them for being casual in his presence, slothful in their worship, slack in their walk. In other words, sleeping on the job. I wondered as I read this morning 'how many Christians are failing or are at least below average in their walk with God because they do not take it seriously enough?' We have no right to be sleepy in the presence of the Lord. We have no right to be slack in our walks. We have no right to be 'at ease' when we come into the presence of the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Commander in Chief of the Heavenly And Angelic Army.
We have no right to be at ease about our walk with God. So today, let's give God our full attention. Praise the Lord, our Superior Officer is walking through our lives today. Let's honor Him with our lives.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Regional and Seasonal
It is interesting to see the different perspectives and different landscapes from one locale to another. One of the things we must enjoyed on our trip was seeing the different landscapes. New Mexico has beautiful red rock and is pretty all along I-40. I never knew that and would not have believed it. When you cross into Arizona it looks like Texas east of Amarillo on I-40 (dreadful) but then you get into the mountains of Flagstaff and it is gorgeous. After climbing to 7000 ft. you drop to 2000 ft. over an hour and a half as you come into Phoenix. Tall Evergreens turn into twenty feet high cactus. If you go the other way, north of Flagstaff you hit the desert just as quick. I find all that fascinating.
Perspectives are different too. We rode in rain from Birmingham to Greenville, SC last Wednesday. It was a dreadful, white knuckle, road construction, too much traffic, too much water, too much water on the road, kind of experience. When we watched the news that night the breaking news story was "Trees are down." They then stood reporters in front of the roots of about 5 trees that had fallen in people's yards across the county. Yes, that is right. Their top story was trees are down. In the great state of Mississippi we don't even consider it a rain unless some trees go down. I mean if your wife and children are not up walking the halls and looking at the windows to see your three dozen pines shutter in the wind then there has not even been a front come through. Until a tree destroys something you got, you are not considered part of Mississippi. (Pause now....for a moment of silence over the children's trampoline that was tragedically lost the first year I was here but allowed me to be inducted as a citizen of MS.) Trees down don't make the news here. It takes more.
Then I came home to MS and turned on the news and a black bear has wandered into a nearby area. No, I am not talking about the new mascot in Oxford. That is a whole other news breaking story. I speak of a black bear, not much bigger than my dog. that was seen by the road. The media ran out to the area and picked some of Mississippi's finest to say, "I saw it...I did." A black bear has wandered in. Come on! When I lived in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains it was like a petting zoo for some of my northern neighbors. They would go outside at night and shoe the bears away. It did not make the news until some good ole boy shot one and kept his paws. That don't go over too well. That whole story about catching his paw in the screen door and it falling off was not taken very well. My point: there are different perspectives on what makes the news, what is right and wrong, what is normal and what is not normal.
There are various spiritual landscapes in any locale in which God places you. Do you regionalize and seasonalize your message to satisfy what people want to hear? Scripture guides me to not try to change or marginalize the message of God's Word that speaks to any region, to any people, at any time.
http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/ ' Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.'- 2 Timothy 4:2. People won't always like what you say if you stick to the Word. Sometimes they will feel offended, take it personal, or just not like it. My job is not to lick my thumb to get a sense of the spiritual climate so that I can condition my words accordingly. My job is to preach the Word faithfully and with patience and let the Holy Spirit work out the details. Whether its strong winds that tear them out of frame or black bears, they all need the Word. Let's be careful today to give it to them in word and in deed. Have a great day!
Perspectives are different too. We rode in rain from Birmingham to Greenville, SC last Wednesday. It was a dreadful, white knuckle, road construction, too much traffic, too much water, too much water on the road, kind of experience. When we watched the news that night the breaking news story was "Trees are down." They then stood reporters in front of the roots of about 5 trees that had fallen in people's yards across the county. Yes, that is right. Their top story was trees are down. In the great state of Mississippi we don't even consider it a rain unless some trees go down. I mean if your wife and children are not up walking the halls and looking at the windows to see your three dozen pines shutter in the wind then there has not even been a front come through. Until a tree destroys something you got, you are not considered part of Mississippi. (Pause now....for a moment of silence over the children's trampoline that was tragedically lost the first year I was here but allowed me to be inducted as a citizen of MS.) Trees down don't make the news here. It takes more.
Then I came home to MS and turned on the news and a black bear has wandered into a nearby area. No, I am not talking about the new mascot in Oxford. That is a whole other news breaking story. I speak of a black bear, not much bigger than my dog. that was seen by the road. The media ran out to the area and picked some of Mississippi's finest to say, "I saw it...I did." A black bear has wandered in. Come on! When I lived in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains it was like a petting zoo for some of my northern neighbors. They would go outside at night and shoe the bears away. It did not make the news until some good ole boy shot one and kept his paws. That don't go over too well. That whole story about catching his paw in the screen door and it falling off was not taken very well. My point: there are different perspectives on what makes the news, what is right and wrong, what is normal and what is not normal.
There are various spiritual landscapes in any locale in which God places you. Do you regionalize and seasonalize your message to satisfy what people want to hear? Scripture guides me to not try to change or marginalize the message of God's Word that speaks to any region, to any people, at any time.
http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/ ' Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.'- 2 Timothy 4:2. People won't always like what you say if you stick to the Word. Sometimes they will feel offended, take it personal, or just not like it. My job is not to lick my thumb to get a sense of the spiritual climate so that I can condition my words accordingly. My job is to preach the Word faithfully and with patience and let the Holy Spirit work out the details. Whether its strong winds that tear them out of frame or black bears, they all need the Word. Let's be careful today to give it to them in word and in deed. Have a great day!
Monday, June 27, 2011
The Calling
It was wonderful to be back in the pulpit yesterday. God is a gracious God to give me the opportunity to serve Him in such a capacity with such a people. Praise the Lord and Thank You Lord!
I was ordained into the ministry in 1993 shortly after S. 28th Ave. Baptist in Hattiesburg called me as their pastor. The deacons and the pastor of my home church got me in a room and threw me softball questions about my salvation and if I believed Jesus was coming back and had physically resurrected and if I was against gays and Russians (not really but they were thinking it). It was really a sweet affirmation time and a great time of encouragement. Then the ordination service followed. The church was being renovated at the time and they were meeting in the gym (that is my home church where I was ordained). Therefore, the ordination service took place in the gym. I was charged and challenged and then I knelt facing the congregation so that the men could lay hands on me. I had some new preacher shoes and did not want to crease them up, so I slipped them off (real pastorally) and knelt. Then I guess about 50 men came by and prayed or encouraged or whispered something to me. One fellow came by and said- I know your legs are hurting. There is not but about 6 more so just hang in there. That may sound unspiritual but I appreciated it because I was under the strong impression that if I peeked they would call the whole thing off. When it was done, the pastor stood up and told me to come up. That is when I stood...or tried to.
I was not married and I was too big for my Momma to be sitting beside me so I was down there alone. I was trying to stand up on legs I could not feel. They had went to sleep and I was tingling from my toes to nearly my chest. I was trying to look holy as I tried to stand up and wipe the snot off my face at the same time. I dearly loved those men. They had been role models to me and had said some wonderful things. Finally when I stood up I had one more task about me: Get my shoes on. Have you ever tried to stand in front of hundreds of people and put your shoes on when you cannot feel your legs, let alone your feet? The answer is no. I am the only one that ever has. I picked my foot up and threw it back down on top of those new shoes. Then on one side, then on the other. Then I had that shoe horn moment. It was bad but I stood there looking prayerful (''God, please let me feel my legs again so that I don't fall down in front of these people or not be able to put my brand new preacher shoes on.") However, when it was all said and done, I was an ordained, Southern Baptist Pastor in my first church. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
I have loved it ever since. Oh, there has been moments, but not very many and few and far between. On that day I made a commitment that I take very seriously and that I was reminded of this morning in today's reading ( http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/ )- But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. - 2 Timothy 3:14-15 God did not call me so that the world could hear what Daniel has to say. He called me so that I could tell the world what Jesus has to say. It all comes back to the Word. As my grandmother told her pastor ( and he quoted at her funeral)- Just keep telling folks Jesus still saves. Amen! That is what God has called me to do in my capacity. It is also what He has called you to do in your capacity. Just share Jesus where you are and whatever you do today. Have a great day!
I was ordained into the ministry in 1993 shortly after S. 28th Ave. Baptist in Hattiesburg called me as their pastor. The deacons and the pastor of my home church got me in a room and threw me softball questions about my salvation and if I believed Jesus was coming back and had physically resurrected and if I was against gays and Russians (not really but they were thinking it). It was really a sweet affirmation time and a great time of encouragement. Then the ordination service followed. The church was being renovated at the time and they were meeting in the gym (that is my home church where I was ordained). Therefore, the ordination service took place in the gym. I was charged and challenged and then I knelt facing the congregation so that the men could lay hands on me. I had some new preacher shoes and did not want to crease them up, so I slipped them off (real pastorally) and knelt. Then I guess about 50 men came by and prayed or encouraged or whispered something to me. One fellow came by and said- I know your legs are hurting. There is not but about 6 more so just hang in there. That may sound unspiritual but I appreciated it because I was under the strong impression that if I peeked they would call the whole thing off. When it was done, the pastor stood up and told me to come up. That is when I stood...or tried to.
I was not married and I was too big for my Momma to be sitting beside me so I was down there alone. I was trying to stand up on legs I could not feel. They had went to sleep and I was tingling from my toes to nearly my chest. I was trying to look holy as I tried to stand up and wipe the snot off my face at the same time. I dearly loved those men. They had been role models to me and had said some wonderful things. Finally when I stood up I had one more task about me: Get my shoes on. Have you ever tried to stand in front of hundreds of people and put your shoes on when you cannot feel your legs, let alone your feet? The answer is no. I am the only one that ever has. I picked my foot up and threw it back down on top of those new shoes. Then on one side, then on the other. Then I had that shoe horn moment. It was bad but I stood there looking prayerful (''God, please let me feel my legs again so that I don't fall down in front of these people or not be able to put my brand new preacher shoes on.") However, when it was all said and done, I was an ordained, Southern Baptist Pastor in my first church. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
I have loved it ever since. Oh, there has been moments, but not very many and few and far between. On that day I made a commitment that I take very seriously and that I was reminded of this morning in today's reading ( http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/ )- But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. - 2 Timothy 3:14-15 God did not call me so that the world could hear what Daniel has to say. He called me so that I could tell the world what Jesus has to say. It all comes back to the Word. As my grandmother told her pastor ( and he quoted at her funeral)- Just keep telling folks Jesus still saves. Amen! That is what God has called me to do in my capacity. It is also what He has called you to do in your capacity. Just share Jesus where you are and whatever you do today. Have a great day!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
How Many Times?
It is good to be home. I'll be in the pulpit this morning where I belong and I am thankful. I was able to be a part of a great wedding celebration last night. The wedding was beautiful. The reception amazing...what a spread! All went wonderful except the misstep of the preacher (literally!). Thank God I still have my cat-like, athletic instincts. A lesser man would have sprawled!
Reading Jonah this morning http://www.lifejournal.cc/ I love the way God's Will did not change. Jonah ran, tried to walk away from the Will of God, but that did not change His Will. You can try to ignore it but that is not going to change what God would have you to do. It is just going to waste your time and put off His Will. How many times should God have to tell you? Only once. Go with God the first time! Do what He would have you to do when He would have you to do it. He will do amazing things in us and through us (He did through Jonah) whether we realize it on this side of eternity or not.
Hope to see you in Church today!
Reading Jonah this morning http://www.lifejournal.cc/ I love the way God's Will did not change. Jonah ran, tried to walk away from the Will of God, but that did not change His Will. You can try to ignore it but that is not going to change what God would have you to do. It is just going to waste your time and put off His Will. How many times should God have to tell you? Only once. Go with God the first time! Do what He would have you to do when He would have you to do it. He will do amazing things in us and through us (He did through Jonah) whether we realize it on this side of eternity or not.
Hope to see you in Church today!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
A Legacy
What a joy it is to be home! After almost 3 weeks away, it is a joy to be home. A good night's rest in your own bed goes a long way. Thank you to so many for your prayers during our travel and the death of my grandmother. You are a blessing! I look forward tonight to being a part of the Voyles and Uhiren coming together and then preaching my heart out tomorrow. I'm overdue. May God be glorified!
It may be more of the same but how touched I was this morning to read about the legacy of Timothy's grandmother and mother in 2 Timothy 1:5 and how he now knows how to live for Christ. As I have reflected upon and shared in various settings, the example of my grandmother and mother is quite a legacy for me to follow in. For whatever problems I have, I cannot blame it on my heritage or my raising. God blessed me dearly. How has God blessed you through the lives of others? Live out that blessing today!
It may be more of the same but how touched I was this morning to read about the legacy of Timothy's grandmother and mother in 2 Timothy 1:5 and how he now knows how to live for Christ. As I have reflected upon and shared in various settings, the example of my grandmother and mother is quite a legacy for me to follow in. For whatever problems I have, I cannot blame it on my heritage or my raising. God blessed me dearly. How has God blessed you through the lives of others? Live out that blessing today!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Your Spooned Egg
It was an honor and a joy to be a part of my grandmother's homegoing celebration. When one lives for 96 years, has an amazing love for her Savior, and is out of pain and in His Presence, what else could it be but a celebration? It was great to see family that I have not seen in probably 30 years. My mother's cousins (Grandma had 9 siblings) would introduce themselves to me and I would say 'I know you. I have played in your yard when my grandmother and mother came to see you.' I like throwing people off like that. The one thing that always gets me about the visitation and the meal afterwards is that the person who would have enjoyed the fellowship the most is the one in the casket. Isn't it ironic that we make time when they die, but often miss opportunities while they are alive? Thank God, Grandma is in a better fellowship anyway.
My family is headed home today for the Uhiren-Voyles wedding and church on Sunday. I'm pure-T excited!
When I was in elementary school, we had field day. When I was in school there WAS winners and losers. There are still winners and losers but now they just don't tell them in elementary school they are losers. They have to wait until they get a little older and face the rude awakening that they are a loser. But we knew it early in life when I was coming up. I volunteered to help Abby's class with field day a few years ago. It was disheartening. I supervised a race that was not a competition. Everyone was a winner. Gimme a break! But not when I was in school. When we ran the egg in the spoon dash, we did it with all of our heart. The top three got a ribbon that you could drap over your church basketball participant trophy in your room. After three years of church basketball and field day wins, your bedroom was turned into a little hall of fame. It made you eager to get more of it. That is what I thought about this morning when I read in I Timothy 5 that we were not to pursue money, but instead the things of God. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. - I Timothy 5:11 So I ask, why are you running at a rapid pace balancing your egg in life? Is it to get more and more of whatever it is in this world that you want a lot of or is it to run the spiritual race in life for the honor of the Lord and the qualities of His Spirit in your life? Today I encourage you to do right as the Lord would. Trust Him, love Him and let it reflect on your love for others. Do it all day long. And be nice to those He places in your path today.
Oh yeah, and have a great day doing it!
My family is headed home today for the Uhiren-Voyles wedding and church on Sunday. I'm pure-T excited!
When I was in elementary school, we had field day. When I was in school there WAS winners and losers. There are still winners and losers but now they just don't tell them in elementary school they are losers. They have to wait until they get a little older and face the rude awakening that they are a loser. But we knew it early in life when I was coming up. I volunteered to help Abby's class with field day a few years ago. It was disheartening. I supervised a race that was not a competition. Everyone was a winner. Gimme a break! But not when I was in school. When we ran the egg in the spoon dash, we did it with all of our heart. The top three got a ribbon that you could drap over your church basketball participant trophy in your room. After three years of church basketball and field day wins, your bedroom was turned into a little hall of fame. It made you eager to get more of it. That is what I thought about this morning when I read in I Timothy 5 that we were not to pursue money, but instead the things of God. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. - I Timothy 5:11 So I ask, why are you running at a rapid pace balancing your egg in life? Is it to get more and more of whatever it is in this world that you want a lot of or is it to run the spiritual race in life for the honor of the Lord and the qualities of His Spirit in your life? Today I encourage you to do right as the Lord would. Trust Him, love Him and let it reflect on your love for others. Do it all day long. And be nice to those He places in your path today.
Oh yeah, and have a great day doing it!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Cleaning House
We got into SC about 8 pm EST last night. Another long day on the road. This time due to rainy weather. We ate lunch in Birmingham and as we left it began to rain...and rain...and rain. Rained solid all the way in. A lot of traffic and a lot of road construction. I was trying to outrun the storm but it was moving fast. However, we made it and we rode over to view my grandmother. I celebrate for her today. I am glad that she has seen her Savior face to face, but it felt mighty empty looking in her room last night. She moved in with my parents about 4 years ago and had her room, her chair, and her TV. Anytime we came, she would be sitting in her chair. All the family would come together and she would wander on out and sit in the den with us. She'd watch the wild children, the animated conversation of my brothers and me, and when she had enough, she'd use that walking stick to get up and go back to her room. 'Enough of that.' It was fun to watch her. She won't wander in anymore and we will miss that, but I sure am happy for her.
If you read the Bible reading this morning ( http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/), you got in on some killings. Jehu was looking for somebody else to clean out! If it was a movie, one would say, "that's too much killing." However, the bigger message is clear. God does not tolerate sin. That is the message in Kings, Chronicles, and in Timothy today. Do not be hasty in...taking part of the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 1 Timothy 5:22. We better not be flippant about our sin. God sure isn't. Sin causes a barrier that keeps God from doing all that He wants to do in our lives. We have no right to get in the way of God. Who would want to slow the movement of God in their lives? However, that is exactly what we do when we tolerate sin, and are too quick at it or flippant about it. Take sin seriously. Clean out your own spiritual house before the Lord does. Take your sin seriously, because God sure does. Let's honor God with our lives today.
I appreciate your prayers.
If you read the Bible reading this morning ( http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/), you got in on some killings. Jehu was looking for somebody else to clean out! If it was a movie, one would say, "that's too much killing." However, the bigger message is clear. God does not tolerate sin. That is the message in Kings, Chronicles, and in Timothy today. Do not be hasty in...taking part of the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 1 Timothy 5:22. We better not be flippant about our sin. God sure isn't. Sin causes a barrier that keeps God from doing all that He wants to do in our lives. We have no right to get in the way of God. Who would want to slow the movement of God in their lives? However, that is exactly what we do when we tolerate sin, and are too quick at it or flippant about it. Take sin seriously. Clean out your own spiritual house before the Lord does. Take your sin seriously, because God sure does. Let's honor God with our lives today.
I appreciate your prayers.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Seize the Day!
Well, it is mighty good to be home...even if we are leaving again today. Chickasaw never felt so sweet as when we crossed the line (especially after we missed the turn in New Albany and drove to Blue Springs). We unloaded and now we are reloading. It was a joy to be a part of the food ministry distribution last night.
We will be burying my sweet, Godly grandmother tomorrow. I knew this day was coming but the flood of memories that come back to you as you drive across the Arkansas countryside can be pretty amazing. It is an honor to be able to sing Sweet Hour of Prayer and to preach my grandmother's funeral. The time I will miss her the most is when it is time to leave SC, we circle up and pray. On many occasions Mom would ask Grandma to pray. She knew how to pray. She would pray for that hedge of protection, those angels around the car and the sweet Spirit of God leading us. I drove faster knowing my grandma had prayed (just kidding). It was mighty sweet. But, my friend, this ain't all there is. I'll see her again and we will circle up again but this time around the throne of God....blessed be the name of the Lord.
Grandma's obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/greenvilleonline/obituary.aspx?n=j-lucille-caton&pid=152137012&fhid=11935
You could live a life like Grandma's, for the Lord or you could live it like Jehoram did who depart "to no one's regret" ( Chronicles 21:20) even though he was only 40 years old. I had to ask myself today what kind of legacy would I leave? Do I live each day as if it is my last to serve the Lord? My friend, seize the day today for the cause of Christ.
We will be burying my sweet, Godly grandmother tomorrow. I knew this day was coming but the flood of memories that come back to you as you drive across the Arkansas countryside can be pretty amazing. It is an honor to be able to sing Sweet Hour of Prayer and to preach my grandmother's funeral. The time I will miss her the most is when it is time to leave SC, we circle up and pray. On many occasions Mom would ask Grandma to pray. She knew how to pray. She would pray for that hedge of protection, those angels around the car and the sweet Spirit of God leading us. I drove faster knowing my grandma had prayed (just kidding). It was mighty sweet. But, my friend, this ain't all there is. I'll see her again and we will circle up again but this time around the throne of God....blessed be the name of the Lord.
Grandma's obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/greenvilleonline/obituary.aspx?n=j-lucille-caton&pid=152137012&fhid=11935
You could live a life like Grandma's, for the Lord or you could live it like Jehoram did who depart "to no one's regret" ( Chronicles 21:20) even though he was only 40 years old. I had to ask myself today what kind of legacy would I leave? Do I live each day as if it is my last to serve the Lord? My friend, seize the day today for the cause of Christ.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Grandma Caton
My sweet Christian grandma went to be with the Lord this morning about 430 cst. Please be in prayer as we head home to reload and go to SC.
Going Home with Heavy Hearts
Well, we are hoping to be home late this afternoon and I look forward to being a part of the food ministry tonight at church. Words cannot express what the last 2 weeks has meant to me and my family. It has been wonderful. However, as we close out our trip, it looks like my grandmother's life is closing out on this side. I don't grieve for Grandma. She loves Jesus more than she loved anything and would tell you. Her Bible laid open on her table all day. Jesus changed her life and she gave him credit and it showed. However I grieve because she is so special... Every meal at Mom and Dad's, every holiday function... Yesterday the doctor gave her hours to live. Thank you for that opinion, however, I know God is in control and in His time she will make THE transition. All I could think about yesterday driving across Missouri was - Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. I mourn as much for her now as I do for her loss. The morphine, the racing heart, the struggle of life, however, blessed be the name of the Lord this is not all there is. After two weeks I am ready to be home, ready to get after it again, and to share my appreciation for the opportunity to go, but right now I am on pause....we are going home with heavy hearts. I have often said that if the phone rang and you got the wrong call, all of your life would be reprioritized at least for a few days. It is somewhat haunting waiting for that call.
On a much brighter note whatever we face today is not my battle. It is the Lord's, so go ahead and praise Him for the victory that is to come. That is what happened in 2 Chronicles 20 this morning.
You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you...And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord...'Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.' -2 Chronicles 20: 17, 21. Whatever we face today, we do not face alone. As a matter of fact, He fights for us. Give Him Praise. Not after the battle, but now. Thank Him for what He is going to do.
We are leaving Springfield, Missouri, a pleasant surprise, in a little while headed home. Yesterday we drove from Salina, Kansas through Kansas City and on to Springfield. A good day of travel with a few stops: the Eisenhower Presidential Library, the Oz Museum (as in the Wizard of Oz) and some KC BBQ. I had some burnt end chili. They take the burnt ends off the pork and put them in the chili beans. An award winning and wonderful chili. Saw it on TV and had to try it. Mighty good. Looking forward to seeing you Houston folks soon .
On a much brighter note whatever we face today is not my battle. It is the Lord's, so go ahead and praise Him for the victory that is to come. That is what happened in 2 Chronicles 20 this morning.
You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you...And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord...'Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.' -2 Chronicles 20: 17, 21. Whatever we face today, we do not face alone. As a matter of fact, He fights for us. Give Him Praise. Not after the battle, but now. Thank Him for what He is going to do.
We are leaving Springfield, Missouri, a pleasant surprise, in a little while headed home. Yesterday we drove from Salina, Kansas through Kansas City and on to Springfield. A good day of travel with a few stops: the Eisenhower Presidential Library, the Oz Museum (as in the Wizard of Oz) and some KC BBQ. I had some burnt end chili. They take the burnt ends off the pork and put them in the chili beans. An award winning and wonderful chili. Saw it on TV and had to try it. Mighty good. Looking forward to seeing you Houston folks soon .
Monday, June 20, 2011
Please Pray
Well, we were blown away by the Grand Canyon (the kids, almost literally) and then we moved on to Colorado. I had been anticipating the Million Dollar Hwy with fear and trembling and excitement. Words cannot express how beautiful it was. We were more amazed by the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado than we were the Grand Canyon. God is such an artist and His finest handiwork of nature in creation that I have ever seen is between Durango and Colorado Springs, CO. Gorgeous! I had made a plan to go up the legendary hwy 550 good and slow and enjoy and then to hit hwy 50 and hit the road and make up time. Nope, not going to happen. It was almost as winding. Beautiful but a long day to Colorado Springs.
In Colorado Springs the internet was having trouble, so I could not write. On one side of Colorado Springs it is flat; on the other side is Pike's Peak and his friends. An interesting city on the border between beauty and wheat fields. We got a late start on Sunday, then we drove thru the Air Force Academy. If that don't make you proud of your country, you're a terrorist. We then hit the long straight I-70, the main street of Kansas. Honestly, I had been dreading Kansas. At that point our trip would be over and we would just be trying to get home. However, I enjoyed Kansas. It was straight, no mountainous curves. I could use the cruise control all day. Such a day was much needed after 350 miles in the mountains.
Since we have left, Dawn's father has had an overnight stay in the hospital and my 96 year old grandmother had to have emergency gall bladder surgery. Dawn's Dad is doing better and we are thankful. My grandmother, however, has dealt with the kind of complications that you can almost expect when you are her age. An infection and a rapid heart rate has put her in the intensive care unit. Please pray for Grandma Caton. For a few years now my prayer has been for her: Lord, as long as you give her days, please give her good days.
Wouldn't it had been something to see Elisha minister in person!? Wow, God used he and Elijah in some powerful ways. The passage that got me, however, was I Timothy 2:8- I desire that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands, without anger or quarreling. I thought about Godly men and this season of deacon election. My prayer has been for some time that God's Spirit would have a freedom to do whatever He wanted to do in our midst each and every worship hour. How does that happen? Men and women praying and not focused on self but on God and His Kingdom at work in us and through us. May God lead, inspire, and convict the men of God to always seek the face of God so that the Will of God may overwhelm our agenda and lead us in His Plan.
Onto to Springfield, Missouri today and then on to HOUSTON, MS tomorrow. It has been awesome. Now home seems mighty awesome. Can hardly wait to get there!
In Colorado Springs the internet was having trouble, so I could not write. On one side of Colorado Springs it is flat; on the other side is Pike's Peak and his friends. An interesting city on the border between beauty and wheat fields. We got a late start on Sunday, then we drove thru the Air Force Academy. If that don't make you proud of your country, you're a terrorist. We then hit the long straight I-70, the main street of Kansas. Honestly, I had been dreading Kansas. At that point our trip would be over and we would just be trying to get home. However, I enjoyed Kansas. It was straight, no mountainous curves. I could use the cruise control all day. Such a day was much needed after 350 miles in the mountains.
Since we have left, Dawn's father has had an overnight stay in the hospital and my 96 year old grandmother had to have emergency gall bladder surgery. Dawn's Dad is doing better and we are thankful. My grandmother, however, has dealt with the kind of complications that you can almost expect when you are her age. An infection and a rapid heart rate has put her in the intensive care unit. Please pray for Grandma Caton. For a few years now my prayer has been for her: Lord, as long as you give her days, please give her good days.
Wouldn't it had been something to see Elisha minister in person!? Wow, God used he and Elijah in some powerful ways. The passage that got me, however, was I Timothy 2:8- I desire that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands, without anger or quarreling. I thought about Godly men and this season of deacon election. My prayer has been for some time that God's Spirit would have a freedom to do whatever He wanted to do in our midst each and every worship hour. How does that happen? Men and women praying and not focused on self but on God and His Kingdom at work in us and through us. May God lead, inspire, and convict the men of God to always seek the face of God so that the Will of God may overwhelm our agenda and lead us in His Plan.
Onto to Springfield, Missouri today and then on to HOUSTON, MS tomorrow. It has been awesome. Now home seems mighty awesome. Can hardly wait to get there!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
God's Natural Cathedral
Well, I missed writing yesterday due to no internet service in the national park. However, as much as I love this new venture of blogging, I am thankful that I spent the night on the South Rim. At about 5 am I got Dawn out of bed and we walked outside to watch the sun come up over the canyon. Another breathtaking moment. That place is amazing. It is grand and I understand even more now those passages that speak of creation giving praise to God. They will lead us to praise Him. It was magnificent. One told me that the average visit to the Grand Canyon was 4 hours. Another said you need 3-4 days. I don't know, but I know we wore ourselves out trying to take it in Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Dawn has taken hundreds of pictures (thank God they are digital. Can you imagine buying rolls of film?) and at last count about 6 hours of video on this trip. If I forget anything, we will just watch it blow by blow.
We spent the afternoon riding through Monument Valley. The Valley and the outerskirts of the Canyon with the deep zagged canyons running beside us were very enjoyable. Between these areas though, we were just on a two lane road in the desert. A late leave (due to enjoying the canyon too long that morning) makes for a long day. We were not able to see Mesa Verde Park. We had planned to but we got there 30 minutes before they closed and I could not convince the ranger to let me ride through one time without paying the $15 fee. After paying the navajos $9 to see the Four Corners for 10 minutes, I had paid my fee for the day.
Today we will leave Durango, a beautiful ski resort town in the valley in southwest Colorado, to travel the Million Dollar Highway, a cliffhanging 2 lane road that gives remarkable views, and will end the day (hopefully) in Colorado Springs. I have expected Colorado to be beautiful and so far we are not disappointed.
Don't you just love the boldness of Micaiah in today's passage in I Kings 22. They tried to get him to appease the king instead of speaking a word from God and he replied- As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I will speak. And then when he proclaimed that the king would not make it in battle, he said- If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken to me. Isn't it refreshing to hear someone speak boldly for the Lord. In a day of compromise, we must not compromise. We must get a Word from God for our life and stand boldly on it without reservation. May God be praised in all of our lives today as we boldly stand upon His Word!
We spent the afternoon riding through Monument Valley. The Valley and the outerskirts of the Canyon with the deep zagged canyons running beside us were very enjoyable. Between these areas though, we were just on a two lane road in the desert. A late leave (due to enjoying the canyon too long that morning) makes for a long day. We were not able to see Mesa Verde Park. We had planned to but we got there 30 minutes before they closed and I could not convince the ranger to let me ride through one time without paying the $15 fee. After paying the navajos $9 to see the Four Corners for 10 minutes, I had paid my fee for the day.
Today we will leave Durango, a beautiful ski resort town in the valley in southwest Colorado, to travel the Million Dollar Highway, a cliffhanging 2 lane road that gives remarkable views, and will end the day (hopefully) in Colorado Springs. I have expected Colorado to be beautiful and so far we are not disappointed.
Don't you just love the boldness of Micaiah in today's passage in I Kings 22. They tried to get him to appease the king instead of speaking a word from God and he replied- As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I will speak. And then when he proclaimed that the king would not make it in battle, he said- If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken to me. Isn't it refreshing to hear someone speak boldly for the Lord. In a day of compromise, we must not compromise. We must get a Word from God for our life and stand boldly on it without reservation. May God be praised in all of our lives today as we boldly stand upon His Word!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Just a Note
No internet at Grand Canyon. It will be a few days. No pool, sorry girls. No A/C. Going to be 46 overnight. And I am spending more on that room than I have ever. However, it is on the south rim. Check in again Saturday. And thanks for reading.
Some have asked. I believe the advantage to being a follower is that you can put http://www.blogger.com/ in your favorites and when you click, all the blogs you are following will pop up. But I am not sure. I am trying to be a blogger and follow it- just to tell people how to do it- not sure that it looks the same as it would if I were just a follower. Someone has an insight, let me know.
Some have asked. I believe the advantage to being a follower is that you can put http://www.blogger.com/ in your favorites and when you click, all the blogs you are following will pop up. But I am not sure. I am trying to be a blogger and follow it- just to tell people how to do it- not sure that it looks the same as it would if I were just a follower. Someone has an insight, let me know.
Trusting at the House
Well, I haven't watched the news to see what the media was saying but from all I witnessed it was a good convention. At least a very interesting convention. We have converted our convention to a reception for young church start pastors. "You can build it, if you will come." Not that I have a problem with that completely. We better tap into the 30 somethings that are getting it done, but don't put all your eggs in one basket. The vast majority of Southern Baptist churches (and the best givers) are graying churches of less than 500. The majority less than 200. If you ignore that and put all your emphasis on the 3% that are huge and the even less that our new and not committed to the Cooperative Program, you may throw the baby out with the bathwater. These are interesting and trying days. We did get some things right though: the emphasis was on evangelism, planting churches, and stopping the slide in the Cooperative Program. There was a lot of talk about reaching minorities and making sure they are in leadership positions proportionately. And whether good or bad, there is a lot of newness in leadership among our entities- a lot of newness.
The greatest thing about Baptist life is that next week I will go back to First Baptist and preach on the same Lord, we will follow the goals that God has for us (not the convention) and we work until Jesus comes as He leads us (not as we are told by Nashville). It is great to be a Baptist.
Wednesday afternoon we left Phoenix and went to Montezuma Castle, a cool Indian fortress built into a side of a cliff, and then on to the Red Rock of Sedona. Not only is that area beautiful, it is pure-T therapeutic. It is gorgeous. Easy to spend a week there looking at rocks. No kidding. On to the Grand Canyon today.
You have to love Elijah. There are so many lessons in today's passages from I Kings 17-19 that I think we might camp out there soon and just enjoy the truths from his life. Today what hit me more than anything was the widow with the flour and the oil. No matter how much she had, she needed to first give it to the Lord or to His Work (Elijah), then God would provide her every need. And Elijah said to her- Do not fear, go and do as you have said. But first make a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. -I Kings 17:13 What a thought! If we would follow that principle and the trusting, spending, and the giving principles in the Bible then the government would not be writing IOUs for their debts and individuals and families would honor the Lord first and then spend the rest in a way that would be pleasing to Him. Give to the Lord first and He will provide it. As for the Federal Govt, seek the Lord first and His Guidance, His Principles, and the lessons of His Word and watch Him pull America out of such a hole. I read an article this morning about the debt ceiling that has got me stirred. There is only so much we can do about Washington, but there is a lot we can do about trusting God with all we have at the house. Let's keep on trusting Him at the house and if you haven't, let's start trusting Him at the house.
The greatest thing about Baptist life is that next week I will go back to First Baptist and preach on the same Lord, we will follow the goals that God has for us (not the convention) and we work until Jesus comes as He leads us (not as we are told by Nashville). It is great to be a Baptist.
Wednesday afternoon we left Phoenix and went to Montezuma Castle, a cool Indian fortress built into a side of a cliff, and then on to the Red Rock of Sedona. Not only is that area beautiful, it is pure-T therapeutic. It is gorgeous. Easy to spend a week there looking at rocks. No kidding. On to the Grand Canyon today.
You have to love Elijah. There are so many lessons in today's passages from I Kings 17-19 that I think we might camp out there soon and just enjoy the truths from his life. Today what hit me more than anything was the widow with the flour and the oil. No matter how much she had, she needed to first give it to the Lord or to His Work (Elijah), then God would provide her every need. And Elijah said to her- Do not fear, go and do as you have said. But first make a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. -I Kings 17:13 What a thought! If we would follow that principle and the trusting, spending, and the giving principles in the Bible then the government would not be writing IOUs for their debts and individuals and families would honor the Lord first and then spend the rest in a way that would be pleasing to Him. Give to the Lord first and He will provide it. As for the Federal Govt, seek the Lord first and His Guidance, His Principles, and the lessons of His Word and watch Him pull America out of such a hole. I read an article this morning about the debt ceiling that has got me stirred. There is only so much we can do about Washington, but there is a lot we can do about trusting God with all we have at the house. Let's keep on trusting Him at the house and if you haven't, let's start trusting Him at the house.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Living on Hope
Well, a good day at the Convention. Being on the Teller Committee this year, I have committed to not miss a single thing. Seating in my special section with Southern Baptists' finest and their families that feel obligated to be there, I took in all the sights and sounds of all of our Baptist Institutions. There are three emphases that I believe I can narrow it down to: planting churches, becoming more missional, and giving more to the Cooperative Program. The CP is continuing to drop and that continues to effect the size of our entities and institutions. You don't hear about that in the report that they give but you do when you listen to questions from the floor and read the reports. It is interesting and challenging days.
No night session so we went to the Arizona Diamondbacks game last night. They played the SF Giants. Daddy got the girls the cheapest seats in the house. Bleacher seats over the left field wall. They don't make baseball games like they did 20 years ago. There is so much going on and so many different types of food and mid-inning entertainment, even the drunks don't show out anymore. Fun experience. Parra is the left fielder for the Diamondbacks. He always throws the ball that he practices with to the crowd- every inning. Therefore Ab, me, and curly q would go to fence and look like a poor beggar hungry for a baseball but excited about the...ugh...Diamondbacks?...yea...Diamondbacks, yea, the Snakes. Well it did not work until the 8th inning when we turned around dejected and some dude that had already caught one gave it to Millie. Gave a baseball! There are Christians in the stands! We will build the shrine for the baseball when we get home. Some guy gave Abby a t-shirt that some scantly clad girl was throwing. So get this-- my girls went to their first pro baseball game, saw the World Champions (I think the Giants are) and the 2nd place team play down to the wire (but we left in the 8th) and got a thrown t-shirt and a baseball and their hero daddy caught neither. Somewhat miraculous, huh? A fun evening.
Oh, what we have when we have Jesus- it is amazing. Paul talks about the hope of glory to the church in Colosse. What is the hope of glory? It is Christ in you. Mining out the riches of the glory of this mysterious thing-Christ in us- ought to be what marks our life, molds our ministry, and makes our day.
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 Do you know what you have when you have Jesus? Spend the day thinking it out, praying it out and living it out.
No night session so we went to the Arizona Diamondbacks game last night. They played the SF Giants. Daddy got the girls the cheapest seats in the house. Bleacher seats over the left field wall. They don't make baseball games like they did 20 years ago. There is so much going on and so many different types of food and mid-inning entertainment, even the drunks don't show out anymore. Fun experience. Parra is the left fielder for the Diamondbacks. He always throws the ball that he practices with to the crowd- every inning. Therefore Ab, me, and curly q would go to fence and look like a poor beggar hungry for a baseball but excited about the...ugh...Diamondbacks?...yea...Diamondbacks, yea, the Snakes. Well it did not work until the 8th inning when we turned around dejected and some dude that had already caught one gave it to Millie. Gave a baseball! There are Christians in the stands! We will build the shrine for the baseball when we get home. Some guy gave Abby a t-shirt that some scantly clad girl was throwing. So get this-- my girls went to their first pro baseball game, saw the World Champions (I think the Giants are) and the 2nd place team play down to the wire (but we left in the 8th) and got a thrown t-shirt and a baseball and their hero daddy caught neither. Somewhat miraculous, huh? A fun evening.
Oh, what we have when we have Jesus- it is amazing. Paul talks about the hope of glory to the church in Colosse. What is the hope of glory? It is Christ in you. Mining out the riches of the glory of this mysterious thing-Christ in us- ought to be what marks our life, molds our ministry, and makes our day.
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 Do you know what you have when you have Jesus? Spend the day thinking it out, praying it out and living it out.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Peace
On the Monday of Convention week the Pastor's Conference is an all day deal. It is also the first day the Exhibit Hall is open. The Exhibit Hall has booths from all SBC organizations (lifeway, wmu, guidestone insurance, seminaries), some sales booths (individual authors, church furnishings, Bible or church software), and a bunch of Baptist Colleges. They all have candy or drawstring bags or pens or foam balls to hand out. So you look around, see old friends, collect stuff for your kids to enjoy, and then go get your kids and they tear through like the Tasmanian devil and get their own stuff. Then you haul around their stuff and your stuff all day long in those give away bags, go back to the hotel room, and throw it all away. It is a SBC tradition and if you have a family and don't go through the ritual, I don't think they let you come back. Not sure. They also have a Lifeway Bookstore, a big one. They set it up in the display area and run blue light specials all day. This year, for the first time ever, almost everything in there is 40% off. New release books, cds, and a lot of other stuff. Even the books that the authors are signing are marked 40% off. I remember a few years ago Mike Huckabee was signing books so I got two (one for me and one for Dad). By the time I got back home and got ready to send it to Dad, Mike was no longer a candidate, the book was out of date, and I have two Mike Huckabee books (SIGNED) that sit on the bookshelf beside my desk that have never been opened. 40 bucks gone and he never even called me to be a spiritual advisor for him. However, yesterday they were all 40% off. The problem: I didn't want any of the books. I buy ebooks now, unless real books are cheaper or are not available on Kindle or computer. I did buy a book by Steve Farrer and had him sign it. He is a great men's writer that I love to read. This convention is much smaller and different. I waited over an hour to get Huckabee to sign a book but the six authors that I saw sitting for the two hours I was in there probably did not sign two dozen books total. I heard Farrer say to James Merritt, who was sitting beside him, 'This is embarrassing.' It is a different day. Rick Warren signed some later but I wasnt around to see his purpose driven line.
I did attend the pastor's conference as well. It is a law that you cannot sit through the whole day in the sessions. (Lifeway made the rule so that you have to go buy something.) We complied by shopping in the morning. After lunch we heard a pastor from Texas whose parents came over from Iran in the mid 70s. He spoke of the need of us to pray for those persecuted for the faith that we consider our enemies- like Iranians. They showed a moving piece on those that were tortured and imprisoned in the last few years in Iran. Ken Whitten spoke. He is from Florida and always does a good job. John Piper is a hero among a lot of young preachers today. He spoke on 'Hallowed be thy name' but it sounded more like a post graduate physics class to me. Dawn kept asking- 'where is he going with this.' Think tank stuff is great as long as it hits where the rubber meets the road. Louie Giglio spoke after supper and did an excellent job. He is a wonderful speaker and has been hot with college students for 25 years. Rick Warren closed it out and told us all the things that Saddleback is doing. However, the greatest part of the pastor's conference was the Vegas choir- I mean the choir from the church in Las Vegas. A multi-racial, praise-lifting, no holds barred worship experience. The choir was worth the drive!
God spoke to me this morning about peace. Asa's country found peace when he got rid of all the idols and even those coveted high places. The high places are kinda like those closet habit places. Those areas that you really don't want to touch but truly need to. Asa dealt with it and peace came. Then in Philippians 4 Paul talks about peace. He says rest in the Lord...'And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'- Philippians 4:7 I always remember and always say it (sorry) that peace is not an absence of war, it is the power of His Presence in the midst of life's chaos. So place it all on him today and rest in the inner sanctuary that only our blessed Lord can give us.
I did attend the pastor's conference as well. It is a law that you cannot sit through the whole day in the sessions. (Lifeway made the rule so that you have to go buy something.) We complied by shopping in the morning. After lunch we heard a pastor from Texas whose parents came over from Iran in the mid 70s. He spoke of the need of us to pray for those persecuted for the faith that we consider our enemies- like Iranians. They showed a moving piece on those that were tortured and imprisoned in the last few years in Iran. Ken Whitten spoke. He is from Florida and always does a good job. John Piper is a hero among a lot of young preachers today. He spoke on 'Hallowed be thy name' but it sounded more like a post graduate physics class to me. Dawn kept asking- 'where is he going with this.' Think tank stuff is great as long as it hits where the rubber meets the road. Louie Giglio spoke after supper and did an excellent job. He is a wonderful speaker and has been hot with college students for 25 years. Rick Warren closed it out and told us all the things that Saddleback is doing. However, the greatest part of the pastor's conference was the Vegas choir- I mean the choir from the church in Las Vegas. A multi-racial, praise-lifting, no holds barred worship experience. The choir was worth the drive!
God spoke to me this morning about peace. Asa's country found peace when he got rid of all the idols and even those coveted high places. The high places are kinda like those closet habit places. Those areas that you really don't want to touch but truly need to. Asa dealt with it and peace came. Then in Philippians 4 Paul talks about peace. He says rest in the Lord...'And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'- Philippians 4:7 I always remember and always say it (sorry) that peace is not an absence of war, it is the power of His Presence in the midst of life's chaos. So place it all on him today and rest in the inner sanctuary that only our blessed Lord can give us.
Monday, June 13, 2011
The Valley of the Shadow
We are in Phoenix. It looks like I have always imagined those fabulous places in California look minus the Pacific. Out of our hotel you can look against the flat city and see a lot of it and rocky mountains all around us. They call it the valley. It is a pretty place...from afar....but up close....let me explain. There is a light rail train that runs through Phoenix. It is a block away from the hotel so we got on the train to see the city. It looks cool and is cool (we are just looking for spots with A/C in Phoenix). We rode through the middle of the city and with all the stadiums and a brand new convention center it looked nice. So we thought we would stay on. It goes 13 more stops past the convention center until the driver gets out and gets in on the other end and drives it back through where the convention center and our hotel is. So I say, "Come on Family, lets see the city." Well, after stop number 10 (we are at 18 and the convention is at 14) things begin to go south and you don't need a compass to know it. All the airport people (we are close to the airport) and regular folk are gone. We are left with a bunch that are all on drugs, have all served time, and all staring at the touristy, preachery, looking little family with the lady with the chunky jewelry. A man gets mad at a woman for nosing in to his business and I am ready for him to pull out a weapon and lead us to make the news. There is a crazy dude running around from seat to seat. Now a dilemma. If we get off, we will be in this boarded up, chain linked fence, drug feasted street...alone. If we stay on, we are surrrounded by others, but all of them are....others. Don't misunderstand me. I try my best to help the down and out and the people that surround me in my community know that I have a heart for the hurting. However, I have never felt so insecure about the safety of my family in my life. An hour later it was over and we were back in the touristy part of the city and I pledged never to go below number 10 again.
The pastors conference started last night. Vance Pitman from Memphis, TN that now pastors a strong church plant in Las Vegas is the president. He has a black music man that is on fire. Not for the faint at heart. But I love the atmosphere because the choir is so diverse. Folks of every race. That is what God intended, I am convinced. A small touch of heaven in that sense. The first preacher we heard was from Zambia, Africa. Peter Ndhlovu started a church in a Chinese restaurant 10 years ago. Since that time his congregation has started a network of 236 churches in 12 African countries, 92 community schools and serve 13,000 students that otherwise would not have an education. All he preached about was the Gospel. Two presidents among those countries come to his churches...why do they come to his church? The Gospel. Absolutely a Gospel driven preacher. He was followed by Bob Pitman, Vance's father, who pastored at Kirby Woods in Memphis for 20 years. Bob is always solid and he preached on us preaching Jesus (2 Cor. 4:5). Johnny Hunt followed him. Johnny talked about winning people and doing missions.
He gave us a rundown on what Woodstock was doing. They do a lot. Today we will be hearing from John Piper, Louie Giglio,and Rick Warren. Ought to be a great day. No riding the train past 10 either.
I preached on Philippians 3 the other day. You cannot preach on a passage like that and not be stirred by it. Therefore when I read it this morning, the Lord hammered into me the same thing He did a couple of weeks ago. We are not done. Don't act like it. Don't let yesterday's defeats slow you down from doing it today- press on. We haven't got there yet. Keep moving. Forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Phil.3:13-14. Don't be defeated or satisfied with anything in your yesterday. Press on for the cause of Christ. Tell someone of Jesus. Love your family in Jesus. Get busy in the work of the Lord to reach our goals in our tomorrow.
The pastors conference started last night. Vance Pitman from Memphis, TN that now pastors a strong church plant in Las Vegas is the president. He has a black music man that is on fire. Not for the faint at heart. But I love the atmosphere because the choir is so diverse. Folks of every race. That is what God intended, I am convinced. A small touch of heaven in that sense. The first preacher we heard was from Zambia, Africa. Peter Ndhlovu started a church in a Chinese restaurant 10 years ago. Since that time his congregation has started a network of 236 churches in 12 African countries, 92 community schools and serve 13,000 students that otherwise would not have an education. All he preached about was the Gospel. Two presidents among those countries come to his churches...why do they come to his church? The Gospel. Absolutely a Gospel driven preacher. He was followed by Bob Pitman, Vance's father, who pastored at Kirby Woods in Memphis for 20 years. Bob is always solid and he preached on us preaching Jesus (2 Cor. 4:5). Johnny Hunt followed him. Johnny talked about winning people and doing missions.
He gave us a rundown on what Woodstock was doing. They do a lot. Today we will be hearing from John Piper, Louie Giglio,and Rick Warren. Ought to be a great day. No riding the train past 10 either.
I preached on Philippians 3 the other day. You cannot preach on a passage like that and not be stirred by it. Therefore when I read it this morning, the Lord hammered into me the same thing He did a couple of weeks ago. We are not done. Don't act like it. Don't let yesterday's defeats slow you down from doing it today- press on. We haven't got there yet. Keep moving. Forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Phil.3:13-14. Don't be defeated or satisfied with anything in your yesterday. Press on for the cause of Christ. Tell someone of Jesus. Love your family in Jesus. Get busy in the work of the Lord to reach our goals in our tomorrow.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A Contagious Effort
We left Albuquerque and headed toward the Scared Woods and the graffiti-ed sand, I mean the Pertified Forest and the Painted Desert. (Somebody told me before I came that he had been to the Painted Desert twice and he felt like the colors were not as vivid as they once were. I told him I bet he had been there before the desert was even painted. That did not go over well.) The Painted Desert was beautiful and different. I am amazed at how different everything is. My idea of the Pertified Forest and I am ashamed to admit this was riding through the woods with the trees all stoned up. I wondered if they had leaves and stuff. I guess I and a lot of first graders in the world are the only people that wondered such things. However it is the truth. The better name for it is the Pertified firewood. It looks like somebody cut fire wood and then left it for it to turn to stone. It is beautiful and amazing, however. There is a lot I don't understand about it. The biggest shock was what happened when we left the park. They had threatened us with our lives not to take any pertified wood ($325 fine). Bigger than that, it is stealing. We, of course, didn't take any. We then saw a sign for car inspection at the back gate of the park. Dawn had picked up two red rocks at the welcome center and put them in her bag. She had written on them where we got them from and all that. When she saw the sign leaving the park, she started shuffling. What if they thought we had taken them from the park! She looked like a pothead at a traffic stop (not that I know what a...). We got to the station and the girl asked if we had been doing any collecting. I said, "no" and we left. We drove 500 yards out of the gate and there was a store selling the precious, rare, hard to come by, national treasure peritified wood like it was yard art...tons of it. Somebody been sneaking around somewhere. I went and looked at a price... a piece as big as a plate was $150. We left without any. Another shock was the plume of smoke we saw coming over a mountain some distance away. We went back and forth about whether it was 'the fire' or not. Dawn said yes and I said it couldnt be. I asked the car 'inspector' and she said it was the big fire that is raging on the state line....150 miles away. That says two things: the land is very flat and the fire is very big. May God douse the flames that effect so many lives with his waters of blessings and protect and help the firefighters that have come from across the country to help.
We drove on to Flagstaff, AZ absolutely gorgeous. New Mexico was pretty throughout. Arizona not so hot when we got into it but when we got into Flagstaff, we saw evergreen trees. First time since OKC. First time to see them crowd you since Arkansas. Good to have our trees back. We got out for supper at a Route 66 50's joint I saw on TV called the Galaxy Diner. It was fine but your restaurant is only as good as your smart aleck teenage waitress. By the time we got done eating, we had been on the road too long. The 3 hour scared woods trip had taken its toll. We drove down the mountain in Flagstaff and dropped 5000 ft to get in the valley in Phoenix. Speed limit is 75 and if you don't do it, they will knock you into the valley. To me it was like leaving Hendersonville, NC and going to Greenville, SC at about 75 mph for about 4 times as long. We got into the valley (Phoenix) just in time to hit a traffic jam. That delayed us another 20 minutes. Longest 400 mile day I have ever done. We got into the room about 9 PM which is 11 PM in Houston, MS. We felt like it was 11. We went in and went to bed. We'll be exploring Phoenix in over 100 degree weather. Ya'll membr us now.
Oh, what a challenge for today. Philippians 2 will get to the heart of the matter. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus- Phil. 2:4-5 Think about it for a moment. How much will it positively effect your marriage if you are making an effort to look at for your mate's interests first? How much will it effect your parenting if you put your child's interests first? How much will it effect your church if you put others' interest before yours and God's Will and interest first in all things? Not only does Jesus show us how to do that. He has given us the ability to do it as children of God filled with the Spirit of God and the mind of Christ (thinking like Jesus). I think we can all be effected positively by being third behind God and others. And do you know what else? Its contagious. Just try it!
We drove on to Flagstaff, AZ absolutely gorgeous. New Mexico was pretty throughout. Arizona not so hot when we got into it but when we got into Flagstaff, we saw evergreen trees. First time since OKC. First time to see them crowd you since Arkansas. Good to have our trees back. We got out for supper at a Route 66 50's joint I saw on TV called the Galaxy Diner. It was fine but your restaurant is only as good as your smart aleck teenage waitress. By the time we got done eating, we had been on the road too long. The 3 hour scared woods trip had taken its toll. We drove down the mountain in Flagstaff and dropped 5000 ft to get in the valley in Phoenix. Speed limit is 75 and if you don't do it, they will knock you into the valley. To me it was like leaving Hendersonville, NC and going to Greenville, SC at about 75 mph for about 4 times as long. We got into the valley (Phoenix) just in time to hit a traffic jam. That delayed us another 20 minutes. Longest 400 mile day I have ever done. We got into the room about 9 PM which is 11 PM in Houston, MS. We felt like it was 11. We went in and went to bed. We'll be exploring Phoenix in over 100 degree weather. Ya'll membr us now.
Oh, what a challenge for today. Philippians 2 will get to the heart of the matter. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus- Phil. 2:4-5 Think about it for a moment. How much will it positively effect your marriage if you are making an effort to look at for your mate's interests first? How much will it effect your parenting if you put your child's interests first? How much will it effect your church if you put others' interest before yours and God's Will and interest first in all things? Not only does Jesus show us how to do that. He has given us the ability to do it as children of God filled with the Spirit of God and the mind of Christ (thinking like Jesus). I think we can all be effected positively by being third behind God and others. And do you know what else? Its contagious. Just try it!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Voices from the Past
We are leaving Albuquerque this morning to go to Phoenix to attend the SBC. Yesterday, on the advice of a lady at the free hotel breakfast in Amarillo, we went to Santa Fe. Aren't we glad we did! What a fabulous city. The whole city is built in that adobe (or however you spell it), Indian style housing. All of it is painted the same earthtones as the lay of the land. No building is tall. The whole city is camouflaged. What a neat city. So many shops, museums, and artisans selling Indian jewelry and such. Dawn was in her heyday. Met a man from Yazoo City that said he and his wife had been coming to Santa Fe for 20 years. I can understand why. Thank you, Texas lady, for the good word of advice. Today will be our longest day of travel yet, however, we will see some stuff along the way. The girls have been great. They have hung in so well. We are so thankful to the Lord for this opportunity.
I hadn't heard from him in a long time. Every three or four years we would talk. We met in high school. He started coming to the church that I was raised in. His quick wit and slanted look on life made us good friends. He went to a baptist school in SC and I went to one in NC and we lose contact. I have seen him a couple of times since and we seemed to pick up where we left off. Good to have friends like that. When I moved to Houston, I got a call from him. Not from the NC church that I knew he pastored, but from Europe. He shared with me that God had moved him and his family to become IMB missionaries and reach a unique people group there. His work is changing now, however, he is still faithfully serving the Lord in Europe. I hear of friends that have died. I hear of friends on drugs. I hear of friends who have struggled. However, I also hear of friends from the past that are doing well in the Lord and churches that are prospering. I think that is what Paul had in mind when he wrote- Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that... I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the Gospel.- Phil. 1:27 May all that hear of us be blessed and challenged by our faithful stand for the cause of Christ. May God richly bless my friend and his family as they do their part to set Europe on fire for Christ.
I hadn't heard from him in a long time. Every three or four years we would talk. We met in high school. He started coming to the church that I was raised in. His quick wit and slanted look on life made us good friends. He went to a baptist school in SC and I went to one in NC and we lose contact. I have seen him a couple of times since and we seemed to pick up where we left off. Good to have friends like that. When I moved to Houston, I got a call from him. Not from the NC church that I knew he pastored, but from Europe. He shared with me that God had moved him and his family to become IMB missionaries and reach a unique people group there. His work is changing now, however, he is still faithfully serving the Lord in Europe. I hear of friends that have died. I hear of friends on drugs. I hear of friends who have struggled. However, I also hear of friends from the past that are doing well in the Lord and churches that are prospering. I think that is what Paul had in mind when he wrote- Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that... I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the Gospel.- Phil. 1:27 May all that hear of us be blessed and challenged by our faithful stand for the cause of Christ. May God richly bless my friend and his family as they do their part to set Europe on fire for Christ.
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Real Fight
Well, we are in the Southwest. We came out of OKC and crossed into Texas and thought we had fell off the face of the earth. The temperature was 102 and the wind was blowing about 30 mph. I studied Jonah 4 and his little vine years ago. It speaks of the hot wind. My studies revealed this was a sirocco-a hot desert wind that dried out and caused damage. Well, now we have lived through the sirocco. We stopped at a rest area/tornado shelter built up out of the ground. It was so desolate that it was amazing. We then arrived in Amarillo. I don't know if Amarillo is really that nice or if you ride for 130 miles in nothing that anything would be nice. Either way, we enjoyed the city. Ate at the Big Texan Steakhouse, painted some 'Heeringa graffiti' at Cadillac Ranch (its legal), and bought Millie some real Texas boots. We left yesterday morning and drove into New Mexico. It seems things immediately changed. The land is more hilly and even mountainous than we expected. It has rocky, craggy kind of mounts. We were fascinated. Stopped along the way to see some Route 66 stuff and then came on into Albuquerque. The smoke from the southeast Arizona fires are smoky up the place a little but it looks like a good Mississippi haze to us. They tell us that normally you can see for 5 miles and now it is only a couple of miles. Its beautiful regardless. Gonna check out Santa Fe this morning, an adobe style city.
I was bullied in the 9th grade. The boy was in every class with me it seemed, including a very lax Pre-Vocational class. In that class we did things in the greenhouse and in the shop. He was always messing with me. I wish I would have just turned around and clocked him. I probably would have got whipped but it would have probably ended. That is the only time I really remember being bullied and it was by just one boy. I don't remember him ever touching me, but he probably did. Either way I was always worried he would. That is not the biggest battle I ever been in. I am in a battle now. So are you. The war is over, victory has been claimed, but the enemy does not want us to enjoy the victory. So he will try to steal our joy, destroy our zeal. He often works in the comments, actions, and conflicts that we have with others. We think that they are enemy, but they are not. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12 That is your fight. Keep it all in perspective. It is not your boss, not your mate, not your parent, and not your child or acquaintance. The evil one is picking on you. Bust him in the nose by pleading the blood of Christ on Him. Thank God, we are victorious in the Lord! Have a great day.
I was bullied in the 9th grade. The boy was in every class with me it seemed, including a very lax Pre-Vocational class. In that class we did things in the greenhouse and in the shop. He was always messing with me. I wish I would have just turned around and clocked him. I probably would have got whipped but it would have probably ended. That is the only time I really remember being bullied and it was by just one boy. I don't remember him ever touching me, but he probably did. Either way I was always worried he would. That is not the biggest battle I ever been in. I am in a battle now. So are you. The war is over, victory has been claimed, but the enemy does not want us to enjoy the victory. So he will try to steal our joy, destroy our zeal. He often works in the comments, actions, and conflicts that we have with others. We think that they are enemy, but they are not. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12 That is your fight. Keep it all in perspective. It is not your boss, not your mate, not your parent, and not your child or acquaintance. The evil one is picking on you. Bust him in the nose by pleading the blood of Christ on Him. Thank God, we are victorious in the Lord! Have a great day.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Good Talk
Can you do Oklahoma City in a day? We tried our best. Got here about lunchtime and then went to the stockyards and looked around at the Western shops. Dawn found her an $8000 saddle. Now we just need a horse. $8000!!! You better be hanging by your feet off the side of the horse at the Dixie Stampede if you are paying that much. We left there and went the Murrah Building Memorial. Somber and tranquil place...168 lives lost. It will make you think... that is until my children show up. Sometimes children can change the atmosphere. Oh well. On to Cattlemen's for an early supper, a legendary steakhouse and one of the best I have ever eaten. We then went to a retail/commercial complex called Bricktown. You can ride through it in a water taxi. That was fun. We like OKC! On to Route 66 and Amarillo.
If you ever wonder what you sounded like when you said something, let your children say it to you. The most eye opening experience for me is when my children repeat some condescending remark that I pop off and should have just give to the Lord. I'm somewhat a 'tell it like it is' person. However, when my children say it- it sometimes sounds a little different. And it is just the facts- your children are going to repeat what you say to them. Just last night I told Abby- Don't sing at the table!- Same thing my mother said to me. She would add- "you are liable to get chocked". I realized last night at supper that you don't get choked from singing at the table. Mom just wanted me to stop. See! Children repeat what their parents say to them.
That is what I thought about when I read this morning- Let no corrupting talk come outof your mouths but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. -Ephesians 4:29 ESV
So let's watch what we say! If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything. Yes...my mother said that too...
If you ever wonder what you sounded like when you said something, let your children say it to you. The most eye opening experience for me is when my children repeat some condescending remark that I pop off and should have just give to the Lord. I'm somewhat a 'tell it like it is' person. However, when my children say it- it sometimes sounds a little different. And it is just the facts- your children are going to repeat what you say to them. Just last night I told Abby- Don't sing at the table!- Same thing my mother said to me. She would add- "you are liable to get chocked". I realized last night at supper that you don't get choked from singing at the table. Mom just wanted me to stop. See! Children repeat what their parents say to them.
That is what I thought about when I read this morning- Let no corrupting talk come outof your mouths but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. -Ephesians 4:29 ESV
So let's watch what we say! If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything. Yes...my mother said that too...
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Greatest Gift
I am writing tonight from Little Rock, Arkansas, first stop on a long journey. We arrived about 5:30 and ate supper at the Flying Fish, a very casual but very good catfish place. Not MS catfish, of course, but good red beans, well not really red beans, but they called em that and they were good so we were happy. We then strolled down the riverwalk on the banks of the Arkansas River, in the shadow of the Clinton Presidential Library. A nice and well planned area. One of the coolest and most unique play areas for kids. Pretty neat. Quick dip in the pool and now I am trying to quickly get the room dark and quiet as soon as possible. On to Oklahoma City tomorrow.
One of the greatest gift I ever received was something that I did not expect and did not want. I came down the steps when I was 5 or 6 on Christmas morning and was shocked to see something spread out on the floor that I just was not sure what to say and what to ask. It was a combination of 'is that for me?' and 'what is that?' It was, in fact, for me and it was an Alamo set of army men complete with the big gate and some metal buildings that looked like the Alamo, a wall around it, and those army dudes of two different colors of beige. I don't remember asking for it and I did not know what the Alamo was. But it had so many pieces and it took up so much of the floor as Santa had set up a battle scene right there in my living room of chocolate and beige shag carpet. It was amazing! I did not even know what I was getting nor did I really understand what I got once I received it, but it stands out in my mind as one of the greatest gifts I ever received. I don't know how much I played with it after that morning. I don't remember. What I do remember is how taken back I was when I came down the steps and saw that collection sprawled out all over the floor.
There are other gifts that have been greater. That bike with the shock in the middle was mighty cool. Much, much greater was the great gift that God gave me on October 28, 1995. My beautiful bride was gorgeous on that day and she grows more beautiful every day. Thank you Lord! However, by far, the greatest gift I ever received was my salvation in Christ. Like that Alamo set and like my wife, I did not truly understand all that I received when I received Christ in 1974. HE is truly the Gift that keeps on giving! I read about that this morning in one of my favorite passages: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. -Eph. 2:8-9
Spend some time unwrapping that precious gift!
One of the greatest gift I ever received was something that I did not expect and did not want. I came down the steps when I was 5 or 6 on Christmas morning and was shocked to see something spread out on the floor that I just was not sure what to say and what to ask. It was a combination of 'is that for me?' and 'what is that?' It was, in fact, for me and it was an Alamo set of army men complete with the big gate and some metal buildings that looked like the Alamo, a wall around it, and those army dudes of two different colors of beige. I don't remember asking for it and I did not know what the Alamo was. But it had so many pieces and it took up so much of the floor as Santa had set up a battle scene right there in my living room of chocolate and beige shag carpet. It was amazing! I did not even know what I was getting nor did I really understand what I got once I received it, but it stands out in my mind as one of the greatest gifts I ever received. I don't know how much I played with it after that morning. I don't remember. What I do remember is how taken back I was when I came down the steps and saw that collection sprawled out all over the floor.
There are other gifts that have been greater. That bike with the shock in the middle was mighty cool. Much, much greater was the great gift that God gave me on October 28, 1995. My beautiful bride was gorgeous on that day and she grows more beautiful every day. Thank you Lord! However, by far, the greatest gift I ever received was my salvation in Christ. Like that Alamo set and like my wife, I did not truly understand all that I received when I received Christ in 1974. HE is truly the Gift that keeps on giving! I read about that this morning in one of my favorite passages: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. -Eph. 2:8-9
Spend some time unwrapping that precious gift!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Ekklesia
When I began working on my Master's at New Orleans Seminary, I started with a bang. I had been a decent student in college and a religious studies major and that allowed me to start with some advanced placement seminars that could help me finish my degree earlier. They were tough and they made me feel really dumb but it did take some time off getting my degree. I also started out taking summer classes. When you took a summer course, you took a 10 week class and did it in 2 weeks. I took Greek Ephesians. It was horrible! Ephesians is great but don't try to translate it and read everything there is to know about it in 2 weeks and then stand up in class and tell everyone what you learned. Yes, that is what I tried to do. My oral and written presentation was to be on the church in the book of Ephesians. I went back to my room, picked out a few strong preaching points on the people of God and wrote one of the most beautiful sermons that a guy with 5 sermons under his belt, an overrated Greek education, and a bunch of naivety could write. I stood in class and presented it (or preached it.) When I got done, the Gk. professor asked the class if they had any questions. Of course, they didn't. I had answered all of them while stirring their heart at the same time. Right? Well, the professor didn't think so. He then said- I have a question: how many times is ekklesia used in the book of Ephesians- (ekklesia is the Gk. word for church)? Now, at that time, that seemed like an appropriate question considering that is what I was to write on, however, that was not that important when I was writing my sermon/paper. I paused, gave that look of calculation (you know, jabbing the air as if I could see the original text on papyrus photographed in my head and floating in the air in front of me), and said (with all the authority of a seminary student in his first class): "It is used........a lot."
Anytime I open the book of Ephesians, I think of that story. However, even that thought does not take away the beauty and depth of the book. Read what I read this morning: (I pray) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might, that he worked in Christ...- Eph. 1: 17-20a
Even a horrible out of the gate experience in seminary cannot steal the wonder of the message of my hope in Christ. May the eyes of our heart be enlightened to better understand all that we have when we have Christ. Let's live like we know and see it today.
Anytime I open the book of Ephesians, I think of that story. However, even that thought does not take away the beauty and depth of the book. Read what I read this morning: (I pray) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might, that he worked in Christ...- Eph. 1: 17-20a
Even a horrible out of the gate experience in seminary cannot steal the wonder of the message of my hope in Christ. May the eyes of our heart be enlightened to better understand all that we have when we have Christ. Let's live like we know and see it today.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Just Do It!
When I was about 7 or 8 years old, there was a little boy that visited our neighborhood at least a few times. Somebody in his family would be visiting somebody in the neighborhood and we became vaguely acquainted with someone. He was a kid that did not seem impressive at first but then he started talking. The kid could do or had done everything. We were bike jumpers in that day. He could jump higher...although his mom did not bring his bike. He could think faster...at least when it came to the next thing to say. He could do it better and bigger whatever it was...just ask him. He then told us that he had read the Bible all the way through 3 times. What?!!! I was the one that was supposed to be the little holy man in our neighborhood but I could not hold a candle to that. However, I knew that he couldn't either. I thought, "Well he probably don't even know where the book of Hezekiah is or who Eve's mom is?" Then I got my feet back on the ground and said, "Well, whatever your name is, you can read it all the way through but if you don't Jesus its not going to do you any good." I don't remember what he said, although I feel sure that he gave the same kind of 'God and Country' answer that I often get today- "Me and the man upstairs is aw-ite." If you are referring to the King of kings and Lord of lords as if he is an uncle living on the 3rd floor of a cobweb filled, creepy house, you are not alright or 'aw-ite' with Him at all. There has to be some evidence or as Scripture calls it fruit. That is what I thought of when I read Prov. 29:19 this morning- By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond. It is not about merely reading the Word (or claiming to), nor claiming allegiance to it nor merely hearing it. It is about doing it. Don't be hearers alone, be doers. Just Do It! May we do with great faithfulness, responding to His every instruction, and watch our lives be carved out my Potter as we spin through this life on His blessed wheel for us.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Harmony
Last night my family rode to Amory, MS. I needed to make a hospital visit so I did the "drop and roll". I dropped the family at Dirt Cheap and rolled to the hospital. Afterwards I picked them up and since we were so close to Smithville, I told them we would drive down and take a look. Smithville got hit hard by the tornado that went through Tuscaloosa. A short 10 mile drive and we were on Main St. Smithville...but it is not there . The road is still there but the neighborhoods and the businesses look like the pasture land that they were 50 years ago. That tornado must have went down the middle of the street because neither side had a house. Two amazing things: the devastation and the cleanup effort. It is amazing how well they have cleaned up. In many places the only indication that there was a house is the cleaned slab left behind. God bless the dear folks that have been hurt, lost so much, and grieved in Smithville.
After Smithville we headed back to Amory to get some authentic Mexican food at the KFC/Taco Bell. Nothing more American than a chicken leg in one hand and a bean burrito in the other. The kids think of Taco Bell like I do Texas de Brazil so we thought we would treat them because they had been so good. Then we got there and realized why Millie had been so good...she was asleep. Now a sleeping child is normally a blessed thing and a sweet smiling moment. Not with Millie at meal time. She is hanging all over the back seat with her mouth wide open snoring away like an old drunk at the train station. 15 minutes earlier she was begging for Taco Bell which means she has only been asleep about 10 minutes. When that is the case, she don't care if she ever eats but as parents that are always concerned about our children's nutrition we walked her into the KFC/Taco Bell- no apple slices or side salads there. It was ugly for a few minutes and she woke up with a whine, but then she settled in and was her sweet self.
I thought about that ride this morning when I read - May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 15.5-6 There is something to be said about harmony. Like a strong quartet with four point harmony is a people who not only endure but encourage each other along the way. Whether it is a couple, a family, or a church family, there is something to be said about harmony. Why is that so special? Because it has a purpose- with one voice glorify God. So that God can be glorified we deny ourselves, work for the common good, and give God the praise. Oh, that our lives and our fellowships would be marked by such!!!
After Smithville we headed back to Amory to get some authentic Mexican food at the KFC/Taco Bell. Nothing more American than a chicken leg in one hand and a bean burrito in the other. The kids think of Taco Bell like I do Texas de Brazil so we thought we would treat them because they had been so good. Then we got there and realized why Millie had been so good...she was asleep. Now a sleeping child is normally a blessed thing and a sweet smiling moment. Not with Millie at meal time. She is hanging all over the back seat with her mouth wide open snoring away like an old drunk at the train station. 15 minutes earlier she was begging for Taco Bell which means she has only been asleep about 10 minutes. When that is the case, she don't care if she ever eats but as parents that are always concerned about our children's nutrition we walked her into the KFC/Taco Bell- no apple slices or side salads there. It was ugly for a few minutes and she woke up with a whine, but then she settled in and was her sweet self.
I thought about that ride this morning when I read - May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 15.5-6 There is something to be said about harmony. Like a strong quartet with four point harmony is a people who not only endure but encourage each other along the way. Whether it is a couple, a family, or a church family, there is something to be said about harmony. Why is that so special? Because it has a purpose- with one voice glorify God. So that God can be glorified we deny ourselves, work for the common good, and give God the praise. Oh, that our lives and our fellowships would be marked by such!!!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Leading the Children
As we get closer to our trip outwest, people are sharing stories of their travels to the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas. Everybody has another place that we have got to see. Oh, that we would have months to travel! I am going to see all I can. Some of the greatest times that I can remember growing up was traveling in the back of a Buick station wagon with my two mean brothers and our legendary dog. In the 'olden' days the back window would roll down. We were barrelling down the interstate one day with every window down, dog hair flying, and every child safety secured and fighting in the back of that wagon (oh, for the days when kids could roam all over the car without seat belts and such). I am sure I was getting the short end of the stick or my brothers were staring there 'zombie stare' and scaring me to death, when I finally (apparently) had enough. I was about Millie's age and she's not above doing what I did. I grabbed a GI Joe (not a doll but an action figure!) and threw him out the window. Dad stopped and picked him up, threw him back in, and drove a little harder to get there a little faster. That GI Joe now had war wounds and he was always the hero that walked with a limp, missing part of his hair, and with scarring on his face. As Archie Bunker said- Those were the days. My children need some of those days and they are going to get 3500 miles of it, whether they like it or not.
People are not only telling me where I need to go, but they are also reflecting on their own travels. They tell me what they have seen, how they are glad it is me and not them, and then they say 'cant you fly.' Thanks for the encouragement! Last night someone was sharing their Grand Canyon story and said it was beautiful and big and kinda scary. They went close to the rim and saw a couple sitting on the edge reading books. Behind them were two small children running around playing (just a few feet from the edge) while Mom and Dad sat reading their books. Although they said that story is about 40 years old, how much more that scenario is true today. Moms and Dads are busy about their business while young children run undeterred on the brink of disaster. That was my thought when I read Proverbs 22:6 this morning- Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. And v. 15- Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. Don't misunderstand me! I am not on a campaign to beat children. However, I am on a campaign to discipline them. They are not in charge. Their little hearts are full of juvenile foolishness. They need leadership. They need not run wild at the edge of a chasm. They need not run wild at the edge of the day and time in which we live. It seems we live in a day of extremes. Either parents hold their children on such a pedestal that all of life centers around that child, his every want, her every whimper or either those poor children better hang on tight because they are raising themselves. Where does that lead us? That leads to either self-centered wimps or buck wild, non conforming trouble stirrers. What the Lord intended is neither of those options. He intends that each parent guide their children in His Ways and as so revered in Deuteronomy 6. 4-9 also called The Shema (which means to hear). It is a great passage that all Jewish families knew well in the days of Moses. It encourages you to love the Lord with all that we are and to take his words to heart. v.7- You shall teach them (His words) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. It goes on to say that our homes should be marked with His Words.
Oh, that we would take his words to heart, teach them to our children but also guide our children in them. And when on the brink of something beautiful but yet possibly dangerous, take them by the hand and show them the beauty of the Lord and how it is to be dealt with....with humble hearts and careful steps. My God bless our efforts.
People are not only telling me where I need to go, but they are also reflecting on their own travels. They tell me what they have seen, how they are glad it is me and not them, and then they say 'cant you fly.' Thanks for the encouragement! Last night someone was sharing their Grand Canyon story and said it was beautiful and big and kinda scary. They went close to the rim and saw a couple sitting on the edge reading books. Behind them were two small children running around playing (just a few feet from the edge) while Mom and Dad sat reading their books. Although they said that story is about 40 years old, how much more that scenario is true today. Moms and Dads are busy about their business while young children run undeterred on the brink of disaster. That was my thought when I read Proverbs 22:6 this morning- Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. And v. 15- Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. Don't misunderstand me! I am not on a campaign to beat children. However, I am on a campaign to discipline them. They are not in charge. Their little hearts are full of juvenile foolishness. They need leadership. They need not run wild at the edge of a chasm. They need not run wild at the edge of the day and time in which we live. It seems we live in a day of extremes. Either parents hold their children on such a pedestal that all of life centers around that child, his every want, her every whimper or either those poor children better hang on tight because they are raising themselves. Where does that lead us? That leads to either self-centered wimps or buck wild, non conforming trouble stirrers. What the Lord intended is neither of those options. He intends that each parent guide their children in His Ways and as so revered in Deuteronomy 6. 4-9 also called The Shema (which means to hear). It is a great passage that all Jewish families knew well in the days of Moses. It encourages you to love the Lord with all that we are and to take his words to heart. v.7- You shall teach them (His words) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. It goes on to say that our homes should be marked with His Words.
Oh, that we would take his words to heart, teach them to our children but also guide our children in them. And when on the brink of something beautiful but yet possibly dangerous, take them by the hand and show them the beauty of the Lord and how it is to be dealt with....with humble hearts and careful steps. My God bless our efforts.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Weathering the Storm
I have never been an Ohio State fan. I have been a Michigan man. One of my bucket list items is to go to a good ballgame and sit in a good seat at "The Big House" in Ann Arbor and root on the "Big Blue." My fever for the Wolverines comes back to a time when Dad got two tickets to see Michigan play South Carolina. We drove to Columbia to see the game. Before the game we were walking around the outside of the stadium and a bus pulled up. BIG BLUE got off the bus. That is... the biggest of the Big Blue. While we were standing there, the Offensive line got off the bus. At that time the offensive line for Michigan had an average weight that was larger than any NFL team did. They averaged about 320 and were anchored by legendary tackle Jumbo Elliott, who went on to have many successful years in the NFL. They had to come through the bus door sideways to get in. I was overwhelmed. We sat about as high as you can sit in Williams-Brice and even from up there you could see South Carolina get whipped horribly. Like a bully that hits you in the nose first thing and won't let up, Michigan dragged SC up and down the field in a horrible fashion. I am a fan of many schools. Michigan is among my top five. Their archenemy is Ohio State and most of the time OSU beats them painfully on nationwide television. I am not nor have ever been an Ohio State fan.
I am, however, a Jim Tressel fan. I found out a couple of years ago that he is a dedicated Christian and stands strong for the Lord . Therefore my heart grieves about what is happening in the mainstream media these days.
Due to a visit with my in-laws over Memorial Day, I have watched more tv than I normally do. ESPN has spent the last few days having commentators berate Tressel. The tearing down is not so much about what went on under his watch or the role he played in sneaky stuff. The biggest criticism is that he proclaimed to be a man of God. Some called him a horrible hypocrite. Some said he compartmentalized his life and seperated his faith from his recruiting tactics. It has been horrible. SI's article is pretty bad apparently. I wanted to get, my friend and "everything FCA", Ken Smith's thoughts on it in a quick text and he put it well: The cost of boldness.
Due to Tressel's strong faith, he is taking a bigger beating than so many others who have done so much more. What I have not heard is Tressel's response. However, he ended his resignation letter with "We know that God has a plan for us and we will be fine...." That reminds me of a passage I read this morning: Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. - Prov. 19:21
I am curious to hear Tressel's response when the dust settles. I am interested in seeing the Wolverines beat OSU when the infractions come. However, I am more interested to see how God will get the praise in the midst of this storm. Attacks on college football are common and a very popular topic right now. However, be careful to notice how the conversation this time converts from football strategies to an attack on the Body of Christ. It would not be a big deal if he knelt 3 times a day in a mosque or thought we could heal ourselves by being one with nature or even went to Mass every chance he got, however, he took a stand for Christ. He was known for Bible Studies with other coaches. Therefore the attack is on his stand for Christ.
But don't you worry... the ole Ship of Zion will keep on sailing. We've weathered storms before. We will weather them again until one day when the sky clears and the trumpet sounds....
I am, however, a Jim Tressel fan. I found out a couple of years ago that he is a dedicated Christian and stands strong for the Lord . Therefore my heart grieves about what is happening in the mainstream media these days.
Due to a visit with my in-laws over Memorial Day, I have watched more tv than I normally do. ESPN has spent the last few days having commentators berate Tressel. The tearing down is not so much about what went on under his watch or the role he played in sneaky stuff. The biggest criticism is that he proclaimed to be a man of God. Some called him a horrible hypocrite. Some said he compartmentalized his life and seperated his faith from his recruiting tactics. It has been horrible. SI's article is pretty bad apparently. I wanted to get, my friend and "everything FCA", Ken Smith's thoughts on it in a quick text and he put it well: The cost of boldness.
Due to Tressel's strong faith, he is taking a bigger beating than so many others who have done so much more. What I have not heard is Tressel's response. However, he ended his resignation letter with "We know that God has a plan for us and we will be fine...." That reminds me of a passage I read this morning: Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. - Prov. 19:21
I am curious to hear Tressel's response when the dust settles. I am interested in seeing the Wolverines beat OSU when the infractions come. However, I am more interested to see how God will get the praise in the midst of this storm. Attacks on college football are common and a very popular topic right now. However, be careful to notice how the conversation this time converts from football strategies to an attack on the Body of Christ. It would not be a big deal if he knelt 3 times a day in a mosque or thought we could heal ourselves by being one with nature or even went to Mass every chance he got, however, he took a stand for Christ. He was known for Bible Studies with other coaches. Therefore the attack is on his stand for Christ.
But don't you worry... the ole Ship of Zion will keep on sailing. We've weathered storms before. We will weather them again until one day when the sky clears and the trumpet sounds....
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