I am the youngest of six children - Peggy, Brad, Mark, Bruce and Ross. There is only eleven months separating Ross and I and we pretty much grew up almost like twins. One month out of the year we share the same age which can be fun when we tell someone on October 31 that my brother Ross and I are the same age but not the same birth. He got to go to kindergarten but when he went into First Grade mom decided to "kill two birds with one stone" and put me in grade school with Ross. That was September 1961 and I was 4 years old. Ross was 5 years old and I turned 5 two months later and he turned 6 three months after starting school. So, the mold was set and he and I roamed the halls of education for 12 years. First to Jackson Elementary (six years) then to the old Tomlin (former Plant City High School) for three years before heading off to Plant City High School and the Plant City Planters (don't ask - we were a fierce team). I have all of the class pictures from Jackson Elementary and there is my brother Ross. We had a great time.
After one year in High School they built a new High School and in 1972 we became the first students in the combined schools of Plant City, Turkey Creek and Pinecrest. It was a mess the first year as they tried out some new ideas on us. So much for the bean counters in Tampa and Tallahassee. Ross and I joined the Army JROTC program and we had a great time. He and I did most everything together and we shared in the drill team where I was able to be captain of the drill. It was in February 1974 that Ross and I enlisted in the regular Army on the delayed enlistment program. The Vietnam war was not officially over yet and would not be until April 1975 but for all practical purposes it was only waiting for the ink to dry.
The plan was to enlist on the "Buddy Plan" where he and I would go in the same units and do everything together. And why not? We did everything else together. So the plan was to join the 82nd Airborne as Military Police and rock the world. Fate had a way of changing things. Of all the crazy military intelligence - because I was only 17 I could not be an MP. You had to be 18. Now they send me to boot camp where I was top shot in the unit with an M16; fired M60 machine guns; threw grenades; and I can't wear a 45 cal weapon because I was only 17. So, Ross went on to jump out of perfectly good airplanes with the 82nd Airborne MP's and I went to the Judge Advocate General Corp as a legal beagle (also called a clerk). I was a JAG man.
But the story is not over yet. Ross and I graduate and head off to Jacksonville for induction. He processes through a day earlier than I and flies out (for the first time flying) and I fly out the next day (thinking to myself at 30,000 feet why would I want to join the 82nd and jump???). Arrived at Fort Knox for basic training and was assigned the same Company and same Platoon as Ross. I was Platoon leader and he was one of my squad leaders. So we get to go through Army Basic together - how great is that? Had a great time. But then he goes to Fort Gordon and I go to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis for JAG training. After Indy I am assigned to HQ in Atlanta but they do not have a slot for me so I volunteer to go down to Savannah/Hinesville, Georgia where they are in the process of activating the 24th Infantry Division. I join the JAG office with a great staff. My boss was the Army defense counsel for William Calley (Mi Lai massacre story).
Joined the Army as a E2 - made E5 in two years. With about a year left on my enlistment I decided to do a tour of duty in South Korea and as a going away present the Colonel (and others) pushed my promotion to E5 through and told me to get off base as soon as I could. I found our a few years later they pulled a real job on that one. Had a great tour in Korea. Six months in TDC (abbreviation for a town I cannot spell - north of Seoul) and then transferred to Munson near the DMZ for my final six months serving as NCOIC of the JAG office. I had an 8 - 4:30 job and on Friday afternoon took the bus to Seoul where I spent the weekend with Malcolm Parsley who was a church missionary there. Loved him and his wonderful family and have so many fond memories. Came home in 1977. They snookered me into to signing up for a year of National Guard out of Lakeland which I did. Finally hung up my uniform in 1978 (where it now hangs in my closet - and no I can no longer fit in it.)
Ross got out of the Army in 1977 when I did. I look back sometimes and wonder how much fun it would have been to be 82nd Airborne MP's with my brother Ross. Not sure the world would have been ready for that. Still, Ross is my buddy and my twin (at least for one month of the year). Love you Ross (or as we called him "Horse").
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Mistakes
Blunders we shall make and failures will shame our faces and dampen our eyes. But if we can manage not to remember what we ought to forget and not to forget what we ought to remember, then forgetting the things behind and stirring up our minds by way of remembrance, we shall press on for the prize. (Vance Havner)
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
True Civilization
Lord Moulton said, "True civilization is measured by the extent of obedience to the unenforceable."
Reagan, Ronald (2011-05-10). The Notes: Ronald Reagan's Private Collection of Stories and Wisdom (p. 100). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
Reagan, Ronald (2011-05-10). The Notes: Ronald Reagan's Private Collection of Stories and Wisdom (p. 100). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The valley of Elah
Who can ever tire of the story of David and Goliath? Gathered in the valley of Elah two opposing armies stood in battle array seeking the destruction of the other. The most unlikely hero emerges as the young man David, son of Jesse, steps on the stage of courage and vanquishes the giant. Why would David consider such a battle winnable? As but a ruddy youth he stands before a behemoth of a man trained in the art of warfare. Insulting words of fear spew from the mouth of Goliath but David stands firm and prepares. The Philistine draws near and it is David who runs toward the imposing figure of a monster bent on his destruction. Putting his hand in his bag and taking out a single stone, David slings the missile to the forehead of Goliath and fells him to the ground. Taking the champions own sword David cuts the head of the Philistine off. Victory of a David over a Goliath.
The Philistine giant had longed taunted the Israelite soldiers. No doubt he boasted to his comrades how weak and scared the followers of Jehovah were. They trembled at the sight of this man and cowered in fear when he sounded forth his cries of defiance. Goliath was not conquered by an army but by the heart of courage borne in the life of the son of Jesse. Some wonderful lessons come from the valley of Elah:
The Philistine giant had longed taunted the Israelite soldiers. No doubt he boasted to his comrades how weak and scared the followers of Jehovah were. They trembled at the sight of this man and cowered in fear when he sounded forth his cries of defiance. Goliath was not conquered by an army but by the heart of courage borne in the life of the son of Jesse. Some wonderful lessons come from the valley of Elah:
- We all have our own valley of Elah. There are challenges to our faith that cause us fear and trepidation. Going into the valley is fraught with danger and we may tremble when we see the giants that live in that valley. Their voices send chills of dread through our bones. But they remain in the valley and the only way to defeat them is to face them - on their turf.
- This was not the first time David dealt with adversity. He told King Saul that as a shepherd boy he had learned to trust in the power of God. David said, "when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." (1 Samuel 17:34-36). David cut the giant down to size. We need to face our adversities and cut them down to size.
- David did not rely on the wisdom of man to win the victory. Saul offered his armor but it was not tried and tested. Besides, David understood that Goliath could only be brought down through the power of God. Trusting in God means when the days are difficult we still rely on God to deliver us and not ourselves. We can sometimes love God so much and trust Him so little. The Lord does real good when it comes to forgiveness of sins but for the everyday things of life we don't trust him. No - trusting in the Lord means the quiet days in green pastures and the troubled days in the valley of Elah.
- The truth about fighting Goliath was evident from the beginning. The army of Israel looked upon Goliath as so massive they could not defeat him; David looked at Goliath and thought, "He is so big how can I miss him?" And he didn't.
- Finally, David did not wait for Goliath to come to him. He ran towards the giant and defeated him. Defense was not the option in fighting something that large. This required facing it head on and on the head. David knew he had the army of God fighting for him and with God's power a great victory was done that day for God's people. Facing our giants takes a great deal of faith but when we overcome our fears victory is given.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Pulpit Pollyannas
"It is not surprising that such a prophet as Amos should encounter the court preacher Amaziah (Amos 7:10-14). This dignified clergyman objected to such plain preaching, saying to Amos, in effect, 'Your rusticity is out of place here in the metropolis; you belong to the backwoods, not to the boulevards. This is the king's chapel and the king's court.' Amos replied, 'I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; ... and the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel' (vv14-15)."
"Amaziah is still with us in the pulpit, Pollyanna's who wear rose-colored glasses, paint the clouds with sunshine, and preach peace when there is no peace. There are many Hananiah's who teach 'rebellion against the Lord' (Jeremiah 28:16b), but few Jeremiahs who will speak only what the Lord says. Of course, Sunday morning bench-warmers cannot endure Amos; they will desert him, sighing, 'This is [a] hard saying; who can hear it?' (John 6:60). Those who cannot stand Amos go down to Memorial Church to hear Dr. Sounding-Brass give book reviews."
(Vance Havner, "Amos, A Modern Message For America"; When God breaks Through, edited and compiled by Dennis J. Hester; page 810)
"Amaziah is still with us in the pulpit, Pollyanna's who wear rose-colored glasses, paint the clouds with sunshine, and preach peace when there is no peace. There are many Hananiah's who teach 'rebellion against the Lord' (Jeremiah 28:16b), but few Jeremiahs who will speak only what the Lord says. Of course, Sunday morning bench-warmers cannot endure Amos; they will desert him, sighing, 'This is [a] hard saying; who can hear it?' (John 6:60). Those who cannot stand Amos go down to Memorial Church to hear Dr. Sounding-Brass give book reviews."
(Vance Havner, "Amos, A Modern Message For America"; When God breaks Through, edited and compiled by Dennis J. Hester; page 810)
Sunday, June 17, 2012
John James Pershing Heaton
My dad. John James Pershing Heaton was not a man of physical stature but from the view of a freckled chubby boy growing up at 1907 N. Maryland Avenue he was a wonderment. I first met my dad at a very young age (okay an attempt at humor). We lived in a Jim Walter home in the Northeast corner of Plant City near I-4. Our home was simple with little fanfare - well there was a lot of fanfare as we had no AC and a box fan in the window was all that kept us cool in the Florida heat. Dad worked at the VC Mobil Chemical Plant where he retired. He worked shift work and my favorite shift for him to work was the morning shift. Mom would rise early (she lived early) and fix his dinner - often fried chicken. You have not lived until you wake up to the smell of mama's fried chicken and biscuits prepared for daddy's lunch. Daddy worked hard. He enjoyed gardening, had a milk cow he kept milked, bought mom chickens and a once upon a time a goat (he was a lot of fun). He planted every fruit tree known to man because mom liked all those kind of trees (fig, grapefruit, grape vine, pomegranate, persimmon, hot peppers and even a small banana tree). He adorned my mother. People may have thought that Mary Heaton ran the home and to some degree that was true but my mom worshipped "John Dear" and he just loved doing things for her.
There are so many memories of daddy. He spent time in the TB hospital in Tampa when they thought he had TB. Don't think he did (Peggy and Brad may have to clear that up). He learned to do some craft things while there including making marble lamps and somewhere in that time period he hand-crafted a number of log cabins. I have treasured those and shared them with my sons and grandsons. One of the fondest memories of childhood was the trip to Iowa in the green Econline Ford van with Aunt Cathryn. The van had the motor between the seats of the driver and passenger and I remember one day when dad was working on the motor it blew up on him and sprayed him with hot steam. On a trip to visit Peggy at FC he lost control of the Falcon as we exited on Hillsbourgh Avenue hitting a light pole. He broke his ankle and I broke my nose. Daddy could always predict weather after that.
Daddy was not a preacher. Someone said he tried to lead a song once and when someone laughed at him he never tried again. He lead prayer, waited on the Lord's table and that was about it. We were always at services 30 minutes before time to begin. I doubt daddy was ever late. He was not a deep thinker with the Bible but he was a faithful man in his own quiet way.
Not being big in stature was interesting for his five sons that towered over him. Brad and Mark got into a fight in the living room once and all daddy had to do was step in between them and the fight was over. Respect. His six children loved and respected their daddy. His word was law and his law was immediate. None of this telling you three times business. He did not put up with a lot stuff cause life was short. I remember a few times he used the belt. More so on my older brothers (smile goes here).
We did not have TV for a long time but who needed it. I remember vividly the trip to Tampa to Sears where daddy bought an electric guitar. He also had a harmonica and he could crank up the music with the guitar and harmonica. He must have been self taught but he enjoyed playing. Don't think he played very much and very long. Too much work to do.
Life on Maryland Avenue was idyllic in many ways. We never had a lot of money and mama worked hard to make the money stretch as far as possible and often there was more stretch than money. Daddy did the best he could. But in my whole life we never went hungry. I knew I had grown up when I could eat sweetened cereal. Rarely - I mean rarely - did we ever eat out. That fond memory is when we all went to the McDonalds across from Busch Gardens (when they had the penguins). To this day if I go to McDonalds and order a regular hamburger, small fry and vanilla shake - I go back to that day.
I miss my dad. He has been away now since 1989. A year earlier mom had been diagnosed with brain cancer and she went through her treatments and it seemed she was doing better. I had never seen daddy cry but one day at Aunt Cathryn's where they were staying as we were working on their new home in Trenton he broke down in front of me. My how he loved her. I guess I never quite understood that as much as that moment. I will always cherish that moment. His brother Floyd had died in Marianna, Florida and Karen and I were living in Perry. The funeral was on Monday. He came over Sunday evening and early Monday morning he and I drove to Marianna for the funeral. As we prepared to leave for the serve he sat in my car complaining about something he ate. He was having a heart attack or a prelim to one sitting in my car. After the funeral we drove home to Perry where he spent the night. Tuesday morning after playing with the children he drove back to Archer. Some time after 11pm that evening he got up from bed complaining (as he did the day before) of something he ate, took a few steps and died. Karen and I rushed to the hospital in Gainesville. There was my daddy lying on a table. Mom was in another room lost and forlorn. The love of her life had left her. She was 58. She would die 355 days later at the age of 59 of a broken heart - at least that is what I believe and it does not matter but what was there to live for in life without her John Dear.
Daddy taught me a lot of things that I did not realize until years later. He was a Army Veteran. One day he took a map and drew his trips on the map - North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Europe. He was in General Patton's Redball Express. I wish my children could have had more time with him. It is probably a good thing he did not know my grandchildren because they are hard enough to live with as I spoil them - I can only imagine how so much more spoiled they would be with Popi John.
Daddy, I love you still and while I miss you I know you are safe in the bosom of Abraham - and that is all that matters. Good night daddy.
There are so many memories of daddy. He spent time in the TB hospital in Tampa when they thought he had TB. Don't think he did (Peggy and Brad may have to clear that up). He learned to do some craft things while there including making marble lamps and somewhere in that time period he hand-crafted a number of log cabins. I have treasured those and shared them with my sons and grandsons. One of the fondest memories of childhood was the trip to Iowa in the green Econline Ford van with Aunt Cathryn. The van had the motor between the seats of the driver and passenger and I remember one day when dad was working on the motor it blew up on him and sprayed him with hot steam. On a trip to visit Peggy at FC he lost control of the Falcon as we exited on Hillsbourgh Avenue hitting a light pole. He broke his ankle and I broke my nose. Daddy could always predict weather after that.
Daddy was not a preacher. Someone said he tried to lead a song once and when someone laughed at him he never tried again. He lead prayer, waited on the Lord's table and that was about it. We were always at services 30 minutes before time to begin. I doubt daddy was ever late. He was not a deep thinker with the Bible but he was a faithful man in his own quiet way.
Not being big in stature was interesting for his five sons that towered over him. Brad and Mark got into a fight in the living room once and all daddy had to do was step in between them and the fight was over. Respect. His six children loved and respected their daddy. His word was law and his law was immediate. None of this telling you three times business. He did not put up with a lot stuff cause life was short. I remember a few times he used the belt. More so on my older brothers (smile goes here).
We did not have TV for a long time but who needed it. I remember vividly the trip to Tampa to Sears where daddy bought an electric guitar. He also had a harmonica and he could crank up the music with the guitar and harmonica. He must have been self taught but he enjoyed playing. Don't think he played very much and very long. Too much work to do.
Life on Maryland Avenue was idyllic in many ways. We never had a lot of money and mama worked hard to make the money stretch as far as possible and often there was more stretch than money. Daddy did the best he could. But in my whole life we never went hungry. I knew I had grown up when I could eat sweetened cereal. Rarely - I mean rarely - did we ever eat out. That fond memory is when we all went to the McDonalds across from Busch Gardens (when they had the penguins). To this day if I go to McDonalds and order a regular hamburger, small fry and vanilla shake - I go back to that day.
I miss my dad. He has been away now since 1989. A year earlier mom had been diagnosed with brain cancer and she went through her treatments and it seemed she was doing better. I had never seen daddy cry but one day at Aunt Cathryn's where they were staying as we were working on their new home in Trenton he broke down in front of me. My how he loved her. I guess I never quite understood that as much as that moment. I will always cherish that moment. His brother Floyd had died in Marianna, Florida and Karen and I were living in Perry. The funeral was on Monday. He came over Sunday evening and early Monday morning he and I drove to Marianna for the funeral. As we prepared to leave for the serve he sat in my car complaining about something he ate. He was having a heart attack or a prelim to one sitting in my car. After the funeral we drove home to Perry where he spent the night. Tuesday morning after playing with the children he drove back to Archer. Some time after 11pm that evening he got up from bed complaining (as he did the day before) of something he ate, took a few steps and died. Karen and I rushed to the hospital in Gainesville. There was my daddy lying on a table. Mom was in another room lost and forlorn. The love of her life had left her. She was 58. She would die 355 days later at the age of 59 of a broken heart - at least that is what I believe and it does not matter but what was there to live for in life without her John Dear.
Daddy taught me a lot of things that I did not realize until years later. He was a Army Veteran. One day he took a map and drew his trips on the map - North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Europe. He was in General Patton's Redball Express. I wish my children could have had more time with him. It is probably a good thing he did not know my grandchildren because they are hard enough to live with as I spoil them - I can only imagine how so much more spoiled they would be with Popi John.
Daddy, I love you still and while I miss you I know you are safe in the bosom of Abraham - and that is all that matters. Good night daddy.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Saturday Men's Lecture
The Trenton church had a great Saturday Men's Lecture today (June 16). Guest speakers included Bobby Schrimsher (Lakeland, FL), Dan Chaney (Perry, FL), Tommy Peeler (Tampa, FL) and Mark Beans (High Springs, FL). Our theme this year was Characteistics of a Godly Man.
Bobby talked about "Humility" as the attitude of being worthless without God yet we are made in the image of God. In the words of John the Baptist, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). Jesus is the perfect example of humilty. I like how Bobby said: "Jesus left Heaven to wash the dirty feet of His disciples" (John 13). When we learn to be humble then we will become like Christ.
Dan Chaney gave a stirring lesson on courage. He called for men to be courageous as men, and as husbands and fathers to lead the family as Joshua did. Appealing to Joshua's call to lead the people after the death of Moses (Joshua 1) and then seeing the fullfillment of his courage in Joshua 24. This man of God made a decision to follow the Lord, announced his decision, impacted others by his announcement and then commited his whole family to the task. We can do no less as men of God.
Tommy Peeler challenged the men to rise about the circumstances of anger that plague our lives. Based upon the appeal of James to "be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger" (James 1:19) Tommy showed through Proverbs how often God exhorted men to learn the folly of uncontrolled anger. I thought a great point was that whenever "slow to anger" is found outside of Proverbs it referred to God; showing that when we learn to be slow to anger we are being like God. Another great quote: "Silence cannot be misquoted!" Great lesson.
Mark Beans presented a lesson on "Gentleness." His approach was very unique and at first I was unsure how he was going to bring his point home - he did though. Our text was 1 Kings 19 when Elijah fled from Ahab & Jezebel. The prophet finds himself in a cave and the Lord comes to Elijah and asked him why he was there. After offering his excuse, the Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper." (1 Kings 19:11-12). Mark then showed how the Lord dealt with Elijah the spirit of gentleness and the lesson was great.
It was a great series and I look forward to the next one in 2013. The audio of these lessons will be available on the web site (www.trentonchurchofchrist.com) and if you would like a CD of the lectures just send an email (kerux@bellsouth.net) and we will send them to you.
Thank you Bobby, Dan, Tommy and Mark. And thanks to those men who came (three men travelled three hours). Everritt - you did good son in putting this together (just remember we start with a prayer next time :-).
Bobby talked about "Humility" as the attitude of being worthless without God yet we are made in the image of God. In the words of John the Baptist, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). Jesus is the perfect example of humilty. I like how Bobby said: "Jesus left Heaven to wash the dirty feet of His disciples" (John 13). When we learn to be humble then we will become like Christ.
Dan Chaney gave a stirring lesson on courage. He called for men to be courageous as men, and as husbands and fathers to lead the family as Joshua did. Appealing to Joshua's call to lead the people after the death of Moses (Joshua 1) and then seeing the fullfillment of his courage in Joshua 24. This man of God made a decision to follow the Lord, announced his decision, impacted others by his announcement and then commited his whole family to the task. We can do no less as men of God.
Tommy Peeler challenged the men to rise about the circumstances of anger that plague our lives. Based upon the appeal of James to "be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger" (James 1:19) Tommy showed through Proverbs how often God exhorted men to learn the folly of uncontrolled anger. I thought a great point was that whenever "slow to anger" is found outside of Proverbs it referred to God; showing that when we learn to be slow to anger we are being like God. Another great quote: "Silence cannot be misquoted!" Great lesson.
Mark Beans presented a lesson on "Gentleness." His approach was very unique and at first I was unsure how he was going to bring his point home - he did though. Our text was 1 Kings 19 when Elijah fled from Ahab & Jezebel. The prophet finds himself in a cave and the Lord comes to Elijah and asked him why he was there. After offering his excuse, the Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper." (1 Kings 19:11-12). Mark then showed how the Lord dealt with Elijah the spirit of gentleness and the lesson was great.
It was a great series and I look forward to the next one in 2013. The audio of these lessons will be available on the web site (www.trentonchurchofchrist.com) and if you would like a CD of the lectures just send an email (kerux@bellsouth.net) and we will send them to you.
Thank you Bobby, Dan, Tommy and Mark. And thanks to those men who came (three men travelled three hours). Everritt - you did good son in putting this together (just remember we start with a prayer next time :-).
Understanding death
The reality of death is as clear as the evidence of life. As all men share in common the miracle of birth so all men face the fear of death which makes no distinction of wealth, power, race or age. Save the coming of the Lord death will be the unwelcome guest in every home. Yet the character of Christ's coming will be as sudden and without warning as death. It is in that instant moment of transition that life fades to a place of mystery and trepidation. Knowledge gives freedom as we seek to find the answers to life. The science of man has unraveled many mysteries of our universe, our bodies and the world about us. So many corners of our world remain hidden from sight as new discoveries are made each year. Death will always remain an illusive mystery that we can only understand through the thin veil of what God has told us. No man has returned from death to describe the nature of its feel, the wonder, the senses bursting with memories of the experience of death. Only the Son of God has experienced death and lives now in the resurrection but the revelation of the Lord to man was not about the experience of death but rather to hope of what death will bring. What of the experience of death? How are we to view that moment in the vapor of life that blows away as morning mist?
Jesus told the family of Lazarus "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him." (John 11:11). The apostle Paul refers to death as a "sleep" (1 Thessalonians 4:14-15; 5:10). How can we think of death as sleeping when we fear it so much and find it so hard to talk about? We do not have the same view of sleep as we do death. Sleep is welcome and necessary. Death is welcome and necessary for the child of God to awaken to see the Father. As people of hope we live with the reality of death tempered by the blessing of what death will bring.
The reason death is feared is because we care more for this world than the promise of a new world. We do not want to let go of what we have here in this world - our families, our friends, our lives - these are all important and wonderful things. Consider for a moment the absolute nature of death. If we were created to live forever on earth then we should embrace our world in every way. Yet in the garden of Eden the Lord created man to die. The other tree in the garden was the tree of life and our expulsion from paradise (in part) was so that man could not put forth his hand and eat of the tree of life and live forever on earth (Genesis 3:22). We are made to live with God and the only way to live with God eternally is to live in eternity. Death is the door to our home. It is not to be feared. Life is about dying and that is a good thing. Whatever joys we share in this life will not compare with the promise of eternal life. That is where the real meaning of life is found.
Picture for a moment the experience of death. You are in a crowded lobby filled with people talking, laughing, busy with this and that and the hustle and bustle of life. Your eyes take in all the senses of life with its smells, sounds and feel. Yet death is coming and you begin to move to to the back of the lobby where a single elevator stands. You draw near the door as you look at life all about you. Most people do not take notice of where you are; a few stand with you and their faces show concern, fear, sadness and tears. You move without control towards the elevator door which begins to open slowly. Quietly you enter the small room darkly lit and the door begins to close. Those on the other side of the door reach out to touch you but cannot. The noise of life begins to dim and in an instant the door closes and the silence is deafening. You die. Your body feels different now. The pains of life have disappeared and everything seems clear. Before you appears a place of great wonderment. There are no questions because you feel the wisp of angels wings carrying you to a place of eternal beauty. On the horizon of the eternal mist appears a figure that you know immediately is Abraham as you enter the bosom of the father of the faithful. The warmth of God's love and the light of His Son fill your expanse as your eyes behold the wonder of eternal life. There is the Holy Spirit rejoicing with the angels of Heaven. You are home.
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
That is understanding death. Wow.
Jesus told the family of Lazarus "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him." (John 11:11). The apostle Paul refers to death as a "sleep" (1 Thessalonians 4:14-15; 5:10). How can we think of death as sleeping when we fear it so much and find it so hard to talk about? We do not have the same view of sleep as we do death. Sleep is welcome and necessary. Death is welcome and necessary for the child of God to awaken to see the Father. As people of hope we live with the reality of death tempered by the blessing of what death will bring.
The reason death is feared is because we care more for this world than the promise of a new world. We do not want to let go of what we have here in this world - our families, our friends, our lives - these are all important and wonderful things. Consider for a moment the absolute nature of death. If we were created to live forever on earth then we should embrace our world in every way. Yet in the garden of Eden the Lord created man to die. The other tree in the garden was the tree of life and our expulsion from paradise (in part) was so that man could not put forth his hand and eat of the tree of life and live forever on earth (Genesis 3:22). We are made to live with God and the only way to live with God eternally is to live in eternity. Death is the door to our home. It is not to be feared. Life is about dying and that is a good thing. Whatever joys we share in this life will not compare with the promise of eternal life. That is where the real meaning of life is found.
Picture for a moment the experience of death. You are in a crowded lobby filled with people talking, laughing, busy with this and that and the hustle and bustle of life. Your eyes take in all the senses of life with its smells, sounds and feel. Yet death is coming and you begin to move to to the back of the lobby where a single elevator stands. You draw near the door as you look at life all about you. Most people do not take notice of where you are; a few stand with you and their faces show concern, fear, sadness and tears. You move without control towards the elevator door which begins to open slowly. Quietly you enter the small room darkly lit and the door begins to close. Those on the other side of the door reach out to touch you but cannot. The noise of life begins to dim and in an instant the door closes and the silence is deafening. You die. Your body feels different now. The pains of life have disappeared and everything seems clear. Before you appears a place of great wonderment. There are no questions because you feel the wisp of angels wings carrying you to a place of eternal beauty. On the horizon of the eternal mist appears a figure that you know immediately is Abraham as you enter the bosom of the father of the faithful. The warmth of God's love and the light of His Son fill your expanse as your eyes behold the wonder of eternal life. There is the Holy Spirit rejoicing with the angels of Heaven. You are home.
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
That is understanding death. Wow.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Good Morning Early Morning
The early morning is a time of reflection before the heat of the day begins to bear down upon us. Life is filled with the progress of industry as we go to our jobs, get kids ready for school or summer activities, vacations, recreation and daily chores of another day. Seldom do we have time during the day to reflect upon the world about us and take in the grandeur of God's incredible beauty. This is how life is made and we need a time to pause and reflect. I remember James Dobson telling the story of his dad waking him in the early morning before dawn and driving some distance to a place in the woods. They trekked along a trail until coming to a log where his dad stopped and waited with his son telling him, "I want to show you something." And then in the magic of morning the sun rose over the horizon bursting through the clouds in the tapestry of God's hand upon creation. The point Dobson's father wanted to make to his son is there is a time to remember who we are and whom our Creator is. As I sit in my back patio with the early morning sounds of nature singing and life beginning to stir it reminds me that life is not so much about the hurried pace of where my feet can travel today but where my heart will find itself at the end of the day. God is in the morning and God needs to be in my day. He has created our world in a finite manner of order and beauty. The rain comes by his hand and the sun rises and sets by His law. We are only a small part of this rock that revolves through the heavens around the sun. In ancient day men thought the earth was the center of the universe and contrary to science proving otherwise; we still think we are the center of the universe.
I like what Elihu said:
Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, 'You have done wrong'? "Remember to extol his work, of which men have sung. All mankind has looked on it; man beholds it from afar. Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable. For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain, which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly. Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? Behold, he scatters his lightning about him and covers the roots of the sea. For by these he judges peoples; he gives food in abundance. He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. Its crashing declares his presence; the cattle also declare that he rises. (Job 36:22-33)
"Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge, you whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind? Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a cast metal mirror? Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness. Shall it be told him that I would speak? Did a man ever wish that he would be swallowed up? "And now no one looks on the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them. Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. The Almighty--we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit." (Job 37:14-24).
It is important we take time to spend with God whether it be early morning, a quiet repose during the day, the brillance of a setting sun or the blanket of night to remove our own conceit and acknowledge how great and awesome the Creator of this world is. Good morning world. Thank you Father.
I like what Elihu said:
Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, 'You have done wrong'? "Remember to extol his work, of which men have sung. All mankind has looked on it; man beholds it from afar. Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable. For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain, which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly. Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? Behold, he scatters his lightning about him and covers the roots of the sea. For by these he judges peoples; he gives food in abundance. He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. Its crashing declares his presence; the cattle also declare that he rises. (Job 36:22-33)
"Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge, you whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind? Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a cast metal mirror? Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness. Shall it be told him that I would speak? Did a man ever wish that he would be swallowed up? "And now no one looks on the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them. Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. The Almighty--we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit." (Job 37:14-24).
It is important we take time to spend with God whether it be early morning, a quiet repose during the day, the brillance of a setting sun or the blanket of night to remove our own conceit and acknowledge how great and awesome the Creator of this world is. Good morning world. Thank you Father.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Dick Van Dyke
We don't have much TV at our house. CBS, Fox and about three PBS stations and that is all there is on the sad antenna at my house. Of course considering CBS and Fox the only thing fit to watch is the snow pattern. So that brings us to Netflix and the Dick Van Dyke show. That is one funny show. My family enjoys watching the shows on a daily basis. We all laugh out loud and often at the plots. The team of Rob, Laura, Sally, Buddy, Mel and Alan Brady give a lot of funny material consistently. So here is the question: what has happened to America and why can't they write scrips like that anymore? Two reasons to start with (there are many more):
One - Hollywood is Horriblewood - they have filled themselves with so much ungodliness that the only scrips written these days are filth. Shows like "Two-And-A-Half Men" and the "Simpsons" are the systemic problems of what writers think is funny. Garbage in; garbage out; nuttin but garbage. The mind set of the entertainment business is swimming in the sewage of homosexuality, multiple sexual encounters with multiple couples, profanity, immorality and violence at levels of a hydrogen bomb. There used to be half-naked women running around all over TV but now there are 80% naked women running all over shows and commercials (that number may be low). Talk about a waste of good, hard earned money - subscribing to cable or sat programming is like throwing your money in a vat of pig manure and thinking you are going to get apple pie in return. Television has done more to destroy the minds of good people than any other invention of man. And yet we see the blue glow in every home in America and often that blue glow is multiplied by more than two televsions. In the Old Testament the people bowed down to Baal; today we bow down to our own altar - TV.
Two - the funny bone of America is governed by the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye and the pride of life. What is funny to people these days is stupid. "For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are 'wise'--in doing evil! But how to do good they know not" (Jeremiah 4:22 - ESV). Imagine laughing at pig manure and yet that is the mindset of our society. Watching Andy Griffith or Dick Van Dyke is for squares but let me tell you how strong a square is: a lot more stable that the jello minds of the trash on TV today. Laughter does not require filthy language, filthy jokes, naked bodies and animal based desires to succeed. Yet our world thrives on it. We are the product of our own self-worth and television is the barometric gauge of where we are in the moral temperature of history.
Television is an invention that permits you to be entertained in your living room by people you would not have in your home. (David Frost)
One - Hollywood is Horriblewood - they have filled themselves with so much ungodliness that the only scrips written these days are filth. Shows like "Two-And-A-Half Men" and the "Simpsons" are the systemic problems of what writers think is funny. Garbage in; garbage out; nuttin but garbage. The mind set of the entertainment business is swimming in the sewage of homosexuality, multiple sexual encounters with multiple couples, profanity, immorality and violence at levels of a hydrogen bomb. There used to be half-naked women running around all over TV but now there are 80% naked women running all over shows and commercials (that number may be low). Talk about a waste of good, hard earned money - subscribing to cable or sat programming is like throwing your money in a vat of pig manure and thinking you are going to get apple pie in return. Television has done more to destroy the minds of good people than any other invention of man. And yet we see the blue glow in every home in America and often that blue glow is multiplied by more than two televsions. In the Old Testament the people bowed down to Baal; today we bow down to our own altar - TV.
Two - the funny bone of America is governed by the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye and the pride of life. What is funny to people these days is stupid. "For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are 'wise'--in doing evil! But how to do good they know not" (Jeremiah 4:22 - ESV). Imagine laughing at pig manure and yet that is the mindset of our society. Watching Andy Griffith or Dick Van Dyke is for squares but let me tell you how strong a square is: a lot more stable that the jello minds of the trash on TV today. Laughter does not require filthy language, filthy jokes, naked bodies and animal based desires to succeed. Yet our world thrives on it. We are the product of our own self-worth and television is the barometric gauge of where we are in the moral temperature of history.
Television is an invention that permits you to be entertained in your living room by people you would not have in your home. (David Frost)
Right And Wrong
"Right will always be right even if nobody does it, and wrong will always be wrong even if everybody does it, because God does not change. The Scripture cannot be broken." (Ben Haden)
Monday, June 11, 2012
Salvation Is Free But It's Not Cheap
I like reading after Vance Havner (1901-1986) who was a revivalist among the Baptist church. I suspect that if he were still living that modern day Baptist and many in the religious world would be very uncomfortable with his message. Remarkably, he wrote the following: "The Bible says, take up your cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). You can come to Jesus and still not be saved. Do you know that? Because He said, 'If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple' (Luke 14:26). I preach a lot about the other side of the coin. All money has two sides. You never saw a one-sided quarter in your life. And every truth in the Word of God has two faces: the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man; faith, works; Jesus, son of God, Jesus, son of man. All the way through, it's both sides. And we need to see both sides of this picture." (Vance Havner, "When God Breaks Through", Sermons on revival edited and compiled by Dennis J. Hester, pg 34).
Then he writes, "When I was a boy, my dad took me to an old water-powered mill. I liked to see the stream-fed channel of water pour over the big waterwheel. The turning waterwheel powered gears that turned the massive millstone to grind the grain. Suppose one day there wasn't enough water to turn the wheel. The millwright would look silly if he jumped on the wheel to try to make it go round. He could go up the creek and deepen the channel. If that was the problem, the water would once again flow over the wheel and he'd be back in business. I travel all over the country to all kinds of evangelistic conferences with preachers and educators, musicians, and Sunday school superintendents. They are trying to make the wheels go around in the church, and the wheels are not turning much. One trouble is that we fail to remember that all the wonderful things you read about in the Acts of the Apostles were simply the outflow and overflow of the inflow of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, drink of this living water and from within such a person will flow rivers of living water (see John 7:37-38). The church these days needs to go up the creek and get sin out of the way in our lives. Then the Spirit will flow. There isn't any other way. So I say to people, 'You say you want a revival here in the church. Are you willing to pay the price of revival?' God is not running a fire sale and a bargain counter. A revival costs something. It costs a lot. I'm not wearing myself out to go all over the country preaching a cheap Christianity. Salvation is free, but it's not cheap. Let's get that straight. It cost God the Son His life, and it'll cost you every blessed thing you've got to be a New Testament Christian. We've got a strange doctrine today that I can take Jesus as my Savior and won't go to hell, but I'm not going to be out and out for Jesus. If you're not going all out, you might as well stay out, because Jesus Christ said discipleship is all-out, total, absolute commitment. (ibid, pg 36-37).
He makes a good point. Something to ponder.
Then he writes, "When I was a boy, my dad took me to an old water-powered mill. I liked to see the stream-fed channel of water pour over the big waterwheel. The turning waterwheel powered gears that turned the massive millstone to grind the grain. Suppose one day there wasn't enough water to turn the wheel. The millwright would look silly if he jumped on the wheel to try to make it go round. He could go up the creek and deepen the channel. If that was the problem, the water would once again flow over the wheel and he'd be back in business. I travel all over the country to all kinds of evangelistic conferences with preachers and educators, musicians, and Sunday school superintendents. They are trying to make the wheels go around in the church, and the wheels are not turning much. One trouble is that we fail to remember that all the wonderful things you read about in the Acts of the Apostles were simply the outflow and overflow of the inflow of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, drink of this living water and from within such a person will flow rivers of living water (see John 7:37-38). The church these days needs to go up the creek and get sin out of the way in our lives. Then the Spirit will flow. There isn't any other way. So I say to people, 'You say you want a revival here in the church. Are you willing to pay the price of revival?' God is not running a fire sale and a bargain counter. A revival costs something. It costs a lot. I'm not wearing myself out to go all over the country preaching a cheap Christianity. Salvation is free, but it's not cheap. Let's get that straight. It cost God the Son His life, and it'll cost you every blessed thing you've got to be a New Testament Christian. We've got a strange doctrine today that I can take Jesus as my Savior and won't go to hell, but I'm not going to be out and out for Jesus. If you're not going all out, you might as well stay out, because Jesus Christ said discipleship is all-out, total, absolute commitment. (ibid, pg 36-37).
He makes a good point. Something to ponder.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
The Gospel Of Daniel
The first four books of the New Testament are called "The gospel of ..." indicating the authorship as each writer tells the story of Jesus Christ. Each writer was not concerned of themselves (John would write in the third person) but rather telling the story of Jesus. Today I learned of the "Gospel of Daniel." The "gospel" is the "God's spell", i. e. word of God, or rather, according to others, "good spell", i.e., good news. It is the rendering of the Greek evangelion, i.e., "good message." It denotes the welcome intelligence of salvation to man as preached by our Lord and his followers [Easton's Bible Dictionary]. This morning I shared with a large host of people gathered in Trilachochee, Florida the story of Daniel Gates, son of Chuck & Pat Gates. Daniel died at the age of 33 this week (Tuesday). He was born with a heart defect that would challenge him his whole life as well as his devoted father, mother and older brother. This was truly a memorial service and to Daniel's wishes was not so much about him as it was about the one he loved more than anyone else - Jesus Christ. However, woven within the threads of each man's talk on the manner of Daniel's impact on their lives, everyone gained a deep sense of Daniel's deep and abiding love for his Lord.
The gospel of Daniel is the oft told story of the life of a saint - who facing hardship with every waking day - lives with the hope of promise of a land where there is no pain nor sorrow. He gained his wish this week when he slipped the bonds of this mortal life for the caress of angels wings unto the bosom of Abraham. For 33 years he loved life and lived it to the fullest portion granted him by a merciful Father. His parents spent endless and untold hours in hospitals, doctor offices, clinics, medical facilities of every known kind giving their boy life. Nathan, his older brother, gave his life in devotion to be with his brother. Yet each person that came to know Daniel found that while his life was fleeting he was giving life to everyone else. As spoken today, he exemplified Paul's admonition in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Daniel did not blame God but thanked God for the mercy, grace and love given to him each day. Daniel did not look at life through the cruel eyes of despair but through the tender eyes of a Savior who suffered Himself. Daniel love life even when life was not kind to him. Daniel loved God.
I learned so much today that I will spend many hours reading the gospel of Daniel. His brother Nathan read an impassioned and moving story of his brother. In the next few weeks it is hoped Nathan's thoughts will be posted on his mother's website http://www.ourhopeonline.com and you can share in the gospel of Daniel. You will be challenged by what you read. The message is one of the most powerful stories you will read - not because it is about Daniel - but because it is about a young man who loved God with all his heart, his soul, his mind and remarkably his strength.
Daniel was more of an evangelist than I. Through his story I have learned the true worth of life is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world. I am ashamed of my feeble and lacking efforts. In his affliction he shared the soothing ointment of God's love to those he came in contact with. The good news of his gospel is the gospel of good news he wanted so desperately to share with others.
To Chuck, thank you for showing me how to be a husband, father, Christian and a holy man who loves God. To Pat, your courage is beyond the bounds of understanding as you face your own trials and yet you seek the welfare of others. You are far above rubies as a wife, mother, Christian and a holy woman who loves God. To Nathan, as said today, "a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17). No brother has ever shown the meaning of brotherly love as you have towards Daniel. Thank you for your example of faith as a man - a man of God in every way.
We can only imagine what Daniel is looking at right now. Wow. Praise God!
The gospel of Daniel is the oft told story of the life of a saint - who facing hardship with every waking day - lives with the hope of promise of a land where there is no pain nor sorrow. He gained his wish this week when he slipped the bonds of this mortal life for the caress of angels wings unto the bosom of Abraham. For 33 years he loved life and lived it to the fullest portion granted him by a merciful Father. His parents spent endless and untold hours in hospitals, doctor offices, clinics, medical facilities of every known kind giving their boy life. Nathan, his older brother, gave his life in devotion to be with his brother. Yet each person that came to know Daniel found that while his life was fleeting he was giving life to everyone else. As spoken today, he exemplified Paul's admonition in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Daniel did not blame God but thanked God for the mercy, grace and love given to him each day. Daniel did not look at life through the cruel eyes of despair but through the tender eyes of a Savior who suffered Himself. Daniel love life even when life was not kind to him. Daniel loved God.
I learned so much today that I will spend many hours reading the gospel of Daniel. His brother Nathan read an impassioned and moving story of his brother. In the next few weeks it is hoped Nathan's thoughts will be posted on his mother's website http://www.ourhopeonline.com and you can share in the gospel of Daniel. You will be challenged by what you read. The message is one of the most powerful stories you will read - not because it is about Daniel - but because it is about a young man who loved God with all his heart, his soul, his mind and remarkably his strength.
Daniel was more of an evangelist than I. Through his story I have learned the true worth of life is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world. I am ashamed of my feeble and lacking efforts. In his affliction he shared the soothing ointment of God's love to those he came in contact with. The good news of his gospel is the gospel of good news he wanted so desperately to share with others.
To Chuck, thank you for showing me how to be a husband, father, Christian and a holy man who loves God. To Pat, your courage is beyond the bounds of understanding as you face your own trials and yet you seek the welfare of others. You are far above rubies as a wife, mother, Christian and a holy woman who loves God. To Nathan, as said today, "a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17). No brother has ever shown the meaning of brotherly love as you have towards Daniel. Thank you for your example of faith as a man - a man of God in every way.
We can only imagine what Daniel is looking at right now. Wow. Praise God!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Lollipops
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). We miss the import of Jesus' teaching here for righteousness. Hunger is a passionate feeling as well as thirst. This is not a diet program. The kind of desire here is a longing and need for righteousness. Imagine eating real food and drinking as often as we seek righteousness - we might all be dead in a week. I like how Vance Havner said it. "To hunger and thirst after righteousness is a lost experience with most professing Christians - who are too shallow and superficial, or else too fed-up with the lollipops of earth, really to crave deeper blessing. A deep spiritual feast must emanate from a deep hunger and a big appetite" (Reflections on the Gospels, page 23). Lay aside the "lollipops" and seek the meat of the word and the spirit of God. Remember what the Lord told the Samaritan woman - "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:13-14). Are you hungry? Let's start drinking!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
A Day Of Rain
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psalms 147:7-11)
Rain is a soothing experience when it washes over the earth. The smell, the feel and the sound of rain softens the hardness of the world reminding us of the presence of God. We live in protected environments that shield us from "getting wet" and while this is a blessing I have discovered (to my dismay) that I don't melt in rain. Minus that lightening stuff the rain is something to walk in and open our arms to receive the bounty of God's blessings upon us. Rain reminds us of how small we are in the scheme of things. We don't turn on the fountains above and we don't bring the rain to an end. God is in control and we can only watch and be filled with wonder. It may inconveniece our lives but does it really do that much to disturb us or are we just spoiled and selfish? Rain can bring danger but so often it is merely the exercise of God's creative hand reminding man who REIGNS in heaven. Thank you Father for the rain. Thank you for Your Blessings. I love rain.
Rain is a soothing experience when it washes over the earth. The smell, the feel and the sound of rain softens the hardness of the world reminding us of the presence of God. We live in protected environments that shield us from "getting wet" and while this is a blessing I have discovered (to my dismay) that I don't melt in rain. Minus that lightening stuff the rain is something to walk in and open our arms to receive the bounty of God's blessings upon us. Rain reminds us of how small we are in the scheme of things. We don't turn on the fountains above and we don't bring the rain to an end. God is in control and we can only watch and be filled with wonder. It may inconveniece our lives but does it really do that much to disturb us or are we just spoiled and selfish? Rain can bring danger but so often it is merely the exercise of God's creative hand reminding man who REIGNS in heaven. Thank you Father for the rain. Thank you for Your Blessings. I love rain.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
I Would Rather Be Happy
I have had some strange messages left on the message machine but not as unusual as Monday when I came into the office and played a message on the machine. It was not actually a message but apparently someone called the office and let a song play that said, "I would rather be happy than right." It played a few more chords that were mostly garbled but it was the first part that could be heard clearly. The motive for the call could have been a prank, a mistake or someone really wanted to make a statement. However, the message is the foundation of what our world thrives on and lives for. The pursuit of happiness is one of the wonderful "rights" we have in our country. We have the right to be happy and whatever we desire to make us happy we can pursue. The framers of the constitution had in mind the happiness of the people based upon individual freedoms not shared in most of the world. Indeed how great it is to be part of a country where one can enjoy the right to seek happiness. Now this plea for happiness is dismissing the reality of right and wrong and even if someone is wrong but happy then they are right to expect everyone to conform to their "lifestyle" because they are happy. We demand our rights, expect our rights, fight for our rights - and so often fail to stop and ask the question, "Is it right?" Should we base our happiness on what I want regardless of whether it is right or not? Then again, as Pilate said so long ago, "What is truth?" (John 18:38).
When a man refuses to leave his wife with whom he has no right to be married (Matthew 14:4) and proclaims that God does not expect him to be unhappy he is seeking his own physical desires over the eternal truth of God's word (Matthew 19:1-9). The reason the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:17-22) refused to follow Jesus was because he would rather 'be happy than right' - and you have to wonder how that turned out for the young man. The church is constantly dealing with members who refuse to bow to the will of God because they want to be happy. The truth of the matter is very stark and very clear: God never promised happiness here. Our true happiness is not in this life but the life to come. I am not suggesting we should go about saddened, broken hearted and filled with mournful spirits. There is great joy in being a child of God. The sense of happiness that I speak is that when we look at life it is filled with disappointments, discouragements and heartache. Doing the right thing will not always bring about a joyful day. Paul wrote, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). So happiness can be fleeting. Often what turns the hearts of God's people away from Him is the desire to be happy no matter the cost. Life is spent as the younger son in Luke 15 who left home to "be happy" and found himself finally "unhappy." He realized (thankfully) that true happiness was being in a right relationship with his father and returned home and desired to be nothing more than a hired servant (not a lot of happiness there). We must learn from stories like the younger son that life is not about seeking our own pleasures, wants and designs.
Seeking for all the happiness on this earth will take away our desire for happiness in heaven. John promised in the Revelation that eternal life will be where "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). A lot of people are trying to find that here and now. Life is filled with happiness, laugher, joy, running from pain and living life to its gusto so why go to heaven? Yet living a life of godliness will bring its measure of sorrow and the more we experience the true nature of life serving God the more we long for the eternal day when tears will be taken away. You see, most of the world is seeking heaven on earth; people of God are leaving earth for heaven.
So the song said, "I would rather be happy than right." How sad. The theme song to this generation and to the next generation is remove all barriers and have fun - whether it is right or not. Jesus Christ said to Pilate, "For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice" (John 18:37). Happiness is found in the one truth (John 14:6).
When a man refuses to leave his wife with whom he has no right to be married (Matthew 14:4) and proclaims that God does not expect him to be unhappy he is seeking his own physical desires over the eternal truth of God's word (Matthew 19:1-9). The reason the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:17-22) refused to follow Jesus was because he would rather 'be happy than right' - and you have to wonder how that turned out for the young man. The church is constantly dealing with members who refuse to bow to the will of God because they want to be happy. The truth of the matter is very stark and very clear: God never promised happiness here. Our true happiness is not in this life but the life to come. I am not suggesting we should go about saddened, broken hearted and filled with mournful spirits. There is great joy in being a child of God. The sense of happiness that I speak is that when we look at life it is filled with disappointments, discouragements and heartache. Doing the right thing will not always bring about a joyful day. Paul wrote, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). So happiness can be fleeting. Often what turns the hearts of God's people away from Him is the desire to be happy no matter the cost. Life is spent as the younger son in Luke 15 who left home to "be happy" and found himself finally "unhappy." He realized (thankfully) that true happiness was being in a right relationship with his father and returned home and desired to be nothing more than a hired servant (not a lot of happiness there). We must learn from stories like the younger son that life is not about seeking our own pleasures, wants and designs.
Seeking for all the happiness on this earth will take away our desire for happiness in heaven. John promised in the Revelation that eternal life will be where "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). A lot of people are trying to find that here and now. Life is filled with happiness, laugher, joy, running from pain and living life to its gusto so why go to heaven? Yet living a life of godliness will bring its measure of sorrow and the more we experience the true nature of life serving God the more we long for the eternal day when tears will be taken away. You see, most of the world is seeking heaven on earth; people of God are leaving earth for heaven.
So the song said, "I would rather be happy than right." How sad. The theme song to this generation and to the next generation is remove all barriers and have fun - whether it is right or not. Jesus Christ said to Pilate, "For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice" (John 18:37). Happiness is found in the one truth (John 14:6).
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Chuckle For The Day
A little girl asked her mom, "How did the human race start?" The mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children, and so
all mankind was made."
Two days later the girl asked her dad the same question.
The father answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys from which the
human race evolved."
The confused girl returned to her mother and said,
"Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by
God, and dad said they developed from monkeys?"
The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father
told you about his."
Monday, June 4, 2012
America The Great by Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster has a great quote: "I sought for the greatness of America in her commodious harbors & her ample rivers & it was not there. In her fertile fields & boundless prairies & it was not there. In her rich mines & her vast world commerce & it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America & heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and her power. America is great because she is good & if America ever ceases to be good America will cease to be great."
Reagan, Ronald (2011-05-10). The Notes: Ronald Reagan's Private Collection of Stories and Wisdom (pp. 78-79). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
Reagan, Ronald (2011-05-10). The Notes: Ronald Reagan's Private Collection of Stories and Wisdom (pp. 78-79). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Young Couple
Enjoyed an evening meal with a young couple from a neighboring congregation. The church is struggling - only had 10 in attendance tonight. At one time nearly one hundred. The years have been difficult on the church there. But this young couple was refreshing. They could be worshipping in a much larger group but choose to help out this small nest of God's people to encourage them. Expecting their first child in November. Married a few years. Much in love and happy with one another. Invited Karen and I out for a meal this evening. We picked up the check because we are "old and have insurance" and I suspect they probably did not have a lot of nickels to rub together. But they invited us out anyway. What a great example. Had a lovely time talking with this young couple. Laughed and shared stories. Most pleasant evening. Our young couples are not the church of the future but the church of now. We need more young people to give their lives in service to the cause of Christ. Thankful for those we do have and who try in their own way to encourage others and show care for others. In larger congregations it is easy to take so many things for granted and fail to appreciate how others struggle. They plod along and try to make a difference. We should build these people up as they help us. It should remind us of what is really important in life: relationships. I remember growing up how often we would go to homes and play games and just enjoy some time together eating whatever could be found. No great fanfare or expense. Peanut-butter and Jelly if necessary. But the laughter, stories, friendship was an important bond. Taking children to homes for the fellowship and learning how to behave in the homes of other people. Mixing older folk with young folk. Sitting and talking to someone over 80 years old and learning about the living history before us. Learned a lot from W. O. Brown. But the key was enjoying spending time with one another. Taking the time to enjoy taking time with one another. Slowing life down a little and making memories that will last a lifetime. Not being in such a hurry all the time. Enjoyed the evening at a slower pace with a beautiful couple of God's children. Nice.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Removal Of My Trash
I know from the start this post will be somewhat odd. However, my brain seems to think at the moment there is some validity to the process. It has become my job since the boys left home to gather the garbage together and place in the big green city owned garbage container. Each time I put trash in and bag it up, I think to myself how nice it is to gather all that garbage up and put it in a container. Then, twice a week, this "big garbage truck" (as my grandson Kendon calls it) comes by and takes all that garbage away. And here is the deal: I never see it again; never deal with it again; never really knows what happens with it - it just goes far, far away. What a great feeling every time I hear that truck roll up and minutes later drive away. I like that. Well, it a very strange sense when I think of what God does with my sins, He removes them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12) and they go out of sight. It should be a wonderful feeling to receive forgiveness and to know that our loving Father takes away the garbage in our lives and leaves us pure and whole. Thank you Father. Looking forward to a wonderful Lord's day tomorrow. Preaching on "The Drawing Power Of The Cross"; preaching at Morriston, FL Sunday evening. That was my second work following Trenton. Spent a year there.
Friday, June 1, 2012
George Washington & Benedict Arnold
Reading "Being George Washington" by Glenn Beck. Good book. An interesting thought Beck develops in the book is the contrast between George Washington and Benedict Arnold. Now immediately our minds go to "TRAITOR" when Arnold's name is mentioned. However, Arnold was a valiant soldier and admired by Washington; prior to almost losing West Point to the British. The point Beck makes is a great lesson:
"To me, the story of Benedict Arnold is about more than just betrayal. It's about choices. It's about how great challenges can test the character and strength of even the bravest of men. Some men pass, others don't. Benedict Arnold turned his back on the revolution to enrich himself. George Washington embraced the revolution, and all of the sacrifice it required, without regard to his own circumstances. Before Arnold's name became synonymous with TRAITOR, he and Washington were two of the revolutionary era's greatest heroes. Both men respected and relied on each other. Both were admired throughout the colonies. Both had made immeasurable sacrifices for their cause. Like Washington, Arnold's path to glory had not been easy. He had faced a great deal of challenges when he was younger: his brother passed away; his once very successful father descended into alcoholism; and his mother died. Instead of going to Yale, which he was scheduled to attend, he instead became a druggist's apprentice" (page 103).
There were many victories for Arnold but he was slighted by Major General Horatio Gates and by the Congress and passed over for promotion and other challenges that he faced became too much. "By 1779, Arnold had decided to change sides and opened secret negotiations with the British" (page 107). The rest is history. Beck goes on to say of Washington and Arnold, "Two men, two choices, two destinies, and one invaluable lesson for today: always be on guard. It's easy to let seemingly mundane annoyances pile up until they boil over. It's easy to make the right decision ninety-nine straight times before greed finally gets the best of you. It's easy to let selfishness cloud your judgment or to surround yourself with people who have ulterior motives. Always be on guard. George Washington was; Benedict Arnold was not. One is now a national hero; one is now a national disgrace (page 107).
"To me, the story of Benedict Arnold is about more than just betrayal. It's about choices. It's about how great challenges can test the character and strength of even the bravest of men. Some men pass, others don't. Benedict Arnold turned his back on the revolution to enrich himself. George Washington embraced the revolution, and all of the sacrifice it required, without regard to his own circumstances. Before Arnold's name became synonymous with TRAITOR, he and Washington were two of the revolutionary era's greatest heroes. Both men respected and relied on each other. Both were admired throughout the colonies. Both had made immeasurable sacrifices for their cause. Like Washington, Arnold's path to glory had not been easy. He had faced a great deal of challenges when he was younger: his brother passed away; his once very successful father descended into alcoholism; and his mother died. Instead of going to Yale, which he was scheduled to attend, he instead became a druggist's apprentice" (page 103).
There were many victories for Arnold but he was slighted by Major General Horatio Gates and by the Congress and passed over for promotion and other challenges that he faced became too much. "By 1779, Arnold had decided to change sides and opened secret negotiations with the British" (page 107). The rest is history. Beck goes on to say of Washington and Arnold, "Two men, two choices, two destinies, and one invaluable lesson for today: always be on guard. It's easy to let seemingly mundane annoyances pile up until they boil over. It's easy to make the right decision ninety-nine straight times before greed finally gets the best of you. It's easy to let selfishness cloud your judgment or to surround yourself with people who have ulterior motives. Always be on guard. George Washington was; Benedict Arnold was not. One is now a national hero; one is now a national disgrace (page 107).
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