It is 2:51 a.m. and I cannot sleep. There is a heavy sorrow deep inside me like you experience when someone close to you dies. Only this time the grief is not due to the death of someone but due to the sinful condition of the United States of America.
This nation has gone adrift in a sewage sea of sin that breaks my heart. Sinful deeds once done in hiding are now openly flaunted. This is not the America I grew up in. With each passing year of my near fifty years on this planet I have seen changes taking us further and further away from God and His laws. .
My fifth grade teacher used to ask us a question each Monday morning after standing to say the pledge of allegiance. She always wrote "boys" on one side of the chalk board and "girls" on the other side.We all knew what she was about to ask. "Boys and girls, how many of you went to church yesterday?" There would be a show of hands and she tallied the votes making a little contest out of it. I remember how proud I was and how pleased she looked when I raised my hand on rare occasions. In hindsight, I can see Mrs. Mckinney served Jesus and no doubt prayed for our class. I never had a more encouraging teacher than her. I credit her encouragement, to this day, partly for the reason I love to write.
Could she get away with asking that question in a classroom today without repercussions. How many parents would pounce on her for introducing religion to their child. She would be reprimanded by school administrators or even fired such actions today. This thought grieves my heart.
I was not raised in church. We went occasionally. I cannot recall ever having attended a VBS as a child. I do remember the few times I want to church hearing the pastor preach from the Bible and thunder against sin. A far cry from much of church today.
I played ball with my friends in the neighborhood. Nobody heard of playing organized youth sports on a Sunday. Most stores were not even open on Sunday. I did not grow up in church but somehow I knew Sunday was different. I am amazed at how youth sports has become an idol in many Christian homes. Sunday is no longer considered a holy day, a sacred day set apart for worship and rest. It is a day to travel to the next tournament, play the next game, and hopefully win the next trophy. What message are parents sending to kids at this point. Baseball, softball, basketball, and volleyball are more important than God.
While visiting with a young lady at camp last week she told she was caught up in that life once. She never had time to go to church because she was always playing on a select team. She finally got tired of it all and walked away from playing sports all together. Today she and her husband are very active in ministry. What are the spiritual implications for this addiction to sports. One day confessed to me his regrets for allowing his child to play on Sundays. His exact words to me, "That destroyed her spiritually." Is the trophy worth that? This child wandered from the faith in later years before eventually returning to the Lord.
When I grew up select teams were when your best friends chose you to be on their team when you were choosing sides. We played whatever sport was in season in somebody's yard. Most of my childhood friends went to church on Sundays. They did come out play much on Sundays. I knew Sunday was different.
Today Sunday is just like any other day of the week. When I pulled into the neighborhood yesterday after church, I saw several Senior Adult men driving their golf carts loaded down with golf clubs after getting in a quick 18 holes before lunch. That is their life. They wake up everyday to play golf. They give no thought to matters of eternity. Many of them made it rich in their professional career and are enjoying their retirement years playing golf everyday. God and salvation do not mean anything to them. They think they will get to heaven based on the fact they are good old boys. Good old boys go to hell without Jesus.
When I cross the bridge over Lake Bridgeport on my way home from church each week this time of year, the lake is littered with boats filled with people fishing, skiing, tubing, and jet skiing. Many of them say they do not have to go to church to worship. They worship beside ice chests filled with cold beer. In the fall these people will worship at the shrine of the Dallas Cowboys or their local high school football team. In the summer they swear their allegiance to the Texas Rangers baseball team. Do they fear the Lord who will judge their souls at the end of life. How few consider that it is appointed unto man once to die and then comes judgment.
I grew up watching things on television like Batman, Mighty Mouse, The Justice League, Scooby Doo, and the Six Million Dollar man. We did not live in front of the television. We did not have a cartoon network Cartoons were a special treat on Saturday mornings. We played outside. We did not see being made to go outside to play as punishment . We hated being cooped up inside the house and dreaded rainy days. Today children sit in front of televisions or video games multiple hours a day. Subtly culture rubs off on them as they are conformed to the pattern of this world.
This is not the America I grew up in. I got odd jobs as a child to earn money for the things I wanted. I worked seven weeks to purchase a record player I had my eye on. See weeks I labored for that record player and I valued it because I did so. Everything was not handed to me. I bought a bicycle after weeks of recycling paper. I moved yards, helped with paper routes, and raked leaves. My family taught me the value of hard work. I see so many children and students who are given everything. These children grow up entitled , spoiled and lazy.How will they function as working adults.
I grew up around black people. Some of my closest friends in high school were black teammates. We got along. We hd each other's backs. When our high school football team played towns known for racism some of black friends were fearful to get off the bus. I told them to walk behind me and I would fight for them if need be. They were my friends. We did not see everything as black vs white. I was honored when several of them asked me to be in a picture at our Senior prom. I was the only white guy in it. I still count that as an honor.
Today the media is quick to sir up racial tensions by what they air on the news and the way they cover a news story. There are some very disturbing things going like the shootings at the Bible study a short time ago racially motivated. At times it feels we are taking steps backward in race relations. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. The color of a person's skin does not matter there. The love of Jesus ran red at the cross as He shed his blood to forgive us all of sin. Why not focus on that color.
Politicians cannot save America. No matter how slick they are or how outlandish their campaign promises are they will never be able to restore America to what she used to be. Only God can do that. Only God can bring people to conviction and move them to repentance. Only God can turn hearts away from idolatry, pleasure seeking, bigotry, greed, strife, immorality of every shape, and arrogance. Only God can usher in a wave of revival and spiritual awakening that restores this nation to our roots. Only God can reorient our priorities to Him. Only God can heal and save this nation from self destruction.
I still love America. I would not want to live anywhere else. I would be a liar, though, if I did not call out the sin of our nation and pretended all was well to keep the peace.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Has America Passed The Point Of No Return?
Since the pilgrims landed on this soil God has been good to America. When the colonies strayed away fromGod and Bible truth, the Lord sent George Whitfield to America to usher in the First Great Awakening. In subsequent years God also called men like Dwight Moody, Charles Finney, Billy Sunday, and Billy Graham to preach the gospel and turn the masses back to Christ. The Lord has been merciful in His dealings with the United States of America.
The United Sates of America is blessed with abundant resources. Our nation rose to become a super power under God's provision and protection. His blessings have been evident. Millions have been saved under the protection of religious freedom and gospel preaching.
This has not been enough to keep this nation on the right path. America has turned in large part from her Creator and Sustainer. The currency may read, "In God We Trust," but the truth is
this nation arrogantly has turned away from God and His ways. America bows at the idols of man made religions, empty philosophies, and morality of her own choosing.
Fewer and fewer people outside and inside the church still hold to the infallibility and inerrancy of God's word. Young preachers are taught principles of higher criticism in essence undermining the authority of God's word. Certain passages are called into question such as the virgin birth of Christ, the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea, whether Noah and the ark really happened, and whether there is only one way to salvation through Jesus or multiple ways to salvation. People in the pews have mixed cultural beliefs with Bible doctrine giving more credibility to culture.
On top of this, pagan culture denies absolute truth. Some teach that truth is relative. If there is no absolute truth the Bible is no longer valued as an authoritative book. The ten commandments become the ten suggestions. In addition, many preachers have gotten away from preaching Bible truth. They no longer give sermons but present "talks." Small fragments of Bible passages are taught mixed with common sense and pop psychological ideas of cultural icons like Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Ellen, and Oprah.
When individuals, educational institutions, churches, and culture at large devalue the authority of God's word, the end result is a society where anything goes. There is no longer a standard for right and wrong. Boundaries can be redefined. Truth becomes relative to what people choose to believe for themselves.
Sin is no longer classified as sin. The boundaries have been redrawn. The Bible is seen as an antiquated book by many. Fornication is just having sex. Adultery has become an affair. Homosexuality is an alternative lifestyle. Deceit, greed, and coveting are now just getting ahead. Malice is just politics, and rebellion is labeled as people thinking for themselves.
Many times America has been lead astray from God. Numerous times God has graciously intervened and brought the nation to repentance and spiritual awakening. We need it again but have we drifted too far away this time. Have we crossed the point from which there is no return.
In 1962 the Supreme Court decided that institutions like public schools could not force people to pray. A devout Atheist pushed this case and won. Today the masses readily accept that you cannot pray in school. In 1973 the Supreme Court ruled that abortions would be legalized. On June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court ruled to legalize Homosexual marriages.
Society wants to soften this by calling them same sex marriages. The Bible calls this sin homosexuality. [Lev 20:13] [Rom 1:24-28] [I Cor 6:9-11] [I Tim 1:8-11]
I have a job to do. As defined in [II Tim 4:1-2]] my job is to preach the word. I am not at liberty to preach my opinions. I am not at liberty to preach only what people want to hear. I have an obligation to preach truth from the Bible even if it is politically incorrect. The popularity of the message has no bearing on the topic. I am still one of the old fashioned preachers who believes in the inerrancy and infallibility of God's word. His word is God breathed or God inspired. [II Tim 3:16-17] I have heard all the arguments against this view. On this hill I choose to stand and die. God's word holds authority for me, for the family, for the local church, the community, and every country. It is my job to teach and preach this unadulterated word.
The United Sates of America has in large part rejected the authority of God's word and no longer complies with God's law. This is a slippery slope. Sin is still sin and there is only one Supreme Court Justice that matters and His eternal justice and judgments do not fail. Nobody escapes unscathed if they reject Jesus and Bible truth.
In our society the vocal minority have won the day. They succeeded in changing the mindsets of the media, academia, judiciaries, and politicians. THEY DID NOT CHANGE GOD OR HIS STANDARDS! THEY NEVER WILL!
Take a long look at what God calls sin. Wickedness, greed, evil, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobey parents, unloving, untrustworthy, unrighteous, fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, theft, coveting, drunkenness, swindling, immorality, kidnapping, lying, perjury, love of self, love of money, lovers of pleasure, ungrateful, unholy, and without self control. You can read these lists for yourself in [Rom 1:24-28] [I Cor 6:9-11] [I Tim 1:8-11] [II Tim 3:1-5] Each and every listed action is counted a sin by God. Each and every person will be called into account for such things. Each and eery one of these sins are just as offensive to God as the others.
So called Christian people fornicate just like pagans. Church members gossip just like the lost people. Deacons are greedy just like deceptive CEO's. Pastors swindle just like corrupt business owners. It is all sin. ALL OF IT. It does not matter what the President says, how Congress votes, or how the Supreme Court rules. Sin is still sin in God's eyes and there will be a day of reckoning and accounting.
Homosexual pastors and homosexual churches fool themselves. Homosexual people may flock to liberal churches and open minded preachers to get married but they fool themselves. God will never recognize and approve of what He has already called sinful. Homosexuals are loved by God and not beyond His grace. They can be forgiven, saved, and delivered by the power and blood of Jesus Christ. It is a total fabrication to think God approves of homosexuality.
God has blessed this nation and warned this nation but have we listened? Have we repented? Have we humbled ourselves before Him and turned our hearts back to Him? I think we all know the answers to those questions.
At what point does America push God too far? At what point does God say enough is enough. At what point will America defy and rebel against God so belligerently that God sends judgment. We call sin a right of free choice, we legalize what God has declared illegal and unlawful, we approve of what God disapproves, and we embrace what God shuns as offensive. AMERICA WILL REAP WHAT WE SOW. WE HAVE REAPED TO THE FLIESH AND WILL ONE DAY REAP CORRUPTION AND DESTRUCTION.
While churches gather preachers to tickle the ears the storm clouds of God's impending judgement are brewing. His wrath will not be held back from this nation forever. My admonition is to warn the nation to repent and return to God with great urgency. I know it is not a popular message. Neither was Noah's message of impending judgment. Nobody listened until the flood waters ascended drowning everyone. God's prophets each met with rejection for peaching an unpopular message of repentance. In some cases nobody listened. God's judgement came and even the righteous remnant were caught in it. Neither do I expect this message to gain great approval and I certainly did not deliver it to become popular or for promotion.
Most of you reading this claim to be followers of Jesus. You may say you have not committed those sins previously listed. You may convince yourself you are not guilty. I say for every Bible believing Bible preaching church who did not have corporate prayer meetings to plead for revival and for this nation to repent, the blood of the nation is on all our hands.
While the vocal minority won the day spreading their message, too many in the church remained tight lipped about the gospel of Jesus Christ. The blood of this nation is on our hands. Church members who openly accepted compromise in their homes are now reaping rebellious children who are turning away from the church. Their blood is on the parent's hands. For every divided congregation quibbling over a few dollars and power to control the church you are guilty of majoring on minor things and turning many away from the faith. Their blood is on your hands.
Has America passed the point of no return? Only God knows the answer to that. The hour is dark and the sinful condition of this nation and the church is critical. May church houses become war houses of intercession for America. May sanctuaries become battle grounds of prayer and petitions. May God have mercy on this nation one more time sending a tidal wave revival of repentance and spiritual awakening. Turn America before we pass the point of no return.
The United Sates of America is blessed with abundant resources. Our nation rose to become a super power under God's provision and protection. His blessings have been evident. Millions have been saved under the protection of religious freedom and gospel preaching.
This has not been enough to keep this nation on the right path. America has turned in large part from her Creator and Sustainer. The currency may read, "In God We Trust," but the truth is
this nation arrogantly has turned away from God and His ways. America bows at the idols of man made religions, empty philosophies, and morality of her own choosing.
Fewer and fewer people outside and inside the church still hold to the infallibility and inerrancy of God's word. Young preachers are taught principles of higher criticism in essence undermining the authority of God's word. Certain passages are called into question such as the virgin birth of Christ, the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea, whether Noah and the ark really happened, and whether there is only one way to salvation through Jesus or multiple ways to salvation. People in the pews have mixed cultural beliefs with Bible doctrine giving more credibility to culture.
On top of this, pagan culture denies absolute truth. Some teach that truth is relative. If there is no absolute truth the Bible is no longer valued as an authoritative book. The ten commandments become the ten suggestions. In addition, many preachers have gotten away from preaching Bible truth. They no longer give sermons but present "talks." Small fragments of Bible passages are taught mixed with common sense and pop psychological ideas of cultural icons like Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Ellen, and Oprah.
When individuals, educational institutions, churches, and culture at large devalue the authority of God's word, the end result is a society where anything goes. There is no longer a standard for right and wrong. Boundaries can be redefined. Truth becomes relative to what people choose to believe for themselves.
Sin is no longer classified as sin. The boundaries have been redrawn. The Bible is seen as an antiquated book by many. Fornication is just having sex. Adultery has become an affair. Homosexuality is an alternative lifestyle. Deceit, greed, and coveting are now just getting ahead. Malice is just politics, and rebellion is labeled as people thinking for themselves.
Many times America has been lead astray from God. Numerous times God has graciously intervened and brought the nation to repentance and spiritual awakening. We need it again but have we drifted too far away this time. Have we crossed the point from which there is no return.
In 1962 the Supreme Court decided that institutions like public schools could not force people to pray. A devout Atheist pushed this case and won. Today the masses readily accept that you cannot pray in school. In 1973 the Supreme Court ruled that abortions would be legalized. On June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court ruled to legalize Homosexual marriages.
Society wants to soften this by calling them same sex marriages. The Bible calls this sin homosexuality. [Lev 20:13] [Rom 1:24-28] [I Cor 6:9-11] [I Tim 1:8-11]
I have a job to do. As defined in [II Tim 4:1-2]] my job is to preach the word. I am not at liberty to preach my opinions. I am not at liberty to preach only what people want to hear. I have an obligation to preach truth from the Bible even if it is politically incorrect. The popularity of the message has no bearing on the topic. I am still one of the old fashioned preachers who believes in the inerrancy and infallibility of God's word. His word is God breathed or God inspired. [II Tim 3:16-17] I have heard all the arguments against this view. On this hill I choose to stand and die. God's word holds authority for me, for the family, for the local church, the community, and every country. It is my job to teach and preach this unadulterated word.
The United Sates of America has in large part rejected the authority of God's word and no longer complies with God's law. This is a slippery slope. Sin is still sin and there is only one Supreme Court Justice that matters and His eternal justice and judgments do not fail. Nobody escapes unscathed if they reject Jesus and Bible truth.
In our society the vocal minority have won the day. They succeeded in changing the mindsets of the media, academia, judiciaries, and politicians. THEY DID NOT CHANGE GOD OR HIS STANDARDS! THEY NEVER WILL!
Take a long look at what God calls sin. Wickedness, greed, evil, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobey parents, unloving, untrustworthy, unrighteous, fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, theft, coveting, drunkenness, swindling, immorality, kidnapping, lying, perjury, love of self, love of money, lovers of pleasure, ungrateful, unholy, and without self control. You can read these lists for yourself in [Rom 1:24-28] [I Cor 6:9-11] [I Tim 1:8-11] [II Tim 3:1-5] Each and every listed action is counted a sin by God. Each and every person will be called into account for such things. Each and eery one of these sins are just as offensive to God as the others.
So called Christian people fornicate just like pagans. Church members gossip just like the lost people. Deacons are greedy just like deceptive CEO's. Pastors swindle just like corrupt business owners. It is all sin. ALL OF IT. It does not matter what the President says, how Congress votes, or how the Supreme Court rules. Sin is still sin in God's eyes and there will be a day of reckoning and accounting.
Homosexual pastors and homosexual churches fool themselves. Homosexual people may flock to liberal churches and open minded preachers to get married but they fool themselves. God will never recognize and approve of what He has already called sinful. Homosexuals are loved by God and not beyond His grace. They can be forgiven, saved, and delivered by the power and blood of Jesus Christ. It is a total fabrication to think God approves of homosexuality.
God has blessed this nation and warned this nation but have we listened? Have we repented? Have we humbled ourselves before Him and turned our hearts back to Him? I think we all know the answers to those questions.
At what point does America push God too far? At what point does God say enough is enough. At what point will America defy and rebel against God so belligerently that God sends judgment. We call sin a right of free choice, we legalize what God has declared illegal and unlawful, we approve of what God disapproves, and we embrace what God shuns as offensive. AMERICA WILL REAP WHAT WE SOW. WE HAVE REAPED TO THE FLIESH AND WILL ONE DAY REAP CORRUPTION AND DESTRUCTION.
While churches gather preachers to tickle the ears the storm clouds of God's impending judgement are brewing. His wrath will not be held back from this nation forever. My admonition is to warn the nation to repent and return to God with great urgency. I know it is not a popular message. Neither was Noah's message of impending judgment. Nobody listened until the flood waters ascended drowning everyone. God's prophets each met with rejection for peaching an unpopular message of repentance. In some cases nobody listened. God's judgement came and even the righteous remnant were caught in it. Neither do I expect this message to gain great approval and I certainly did not deliver it to become popular or for promotion.
Most of you reading this claim to be followers of Jesus. You may say you have not committed those sins previously listed. You may convince yourself you are not guilty. I say for every Bible believing Bible preaching church who did not have corporate prayer meetings to plead for revival and for this nation to repent, the blood of the nation is on all our hands.
While the vocal minority won the day spreading their message, too many in the church remained tight lipped about the gospel of Jesus Christ. The blood of this nation is on our hands. Church members who openly accepted compromise in their homes are now reaping rebellious children who are turning away from the church. Their blood is on the parent's hands. For every divided congregation quibbling over a few dollars and power to control the church you are guilty of majoring on minor things and turning many away from the faith. Their blood is on your hands.
Has America passed the point of no return? Only God knows the answer to that. The hour is dark and the sinful condition of this nation and the church is critical. May church houses become war houses of intercession for America. May sanctuaries become battle grounds of prayer and petitions. May God have mercy on this nation one more time sending a tidal wave revival of repentance and spiritual awakening. Turn America before we pass the point of no return.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
The Library
I spent some time today in one of my favorite places. I took Turner to the library to get more books for his summer reading program and Tucker tagged along to read for his summer reading assignment for school this fall. I perused the shelves while the boys did their thing and found a biography that interested me. We all nestled down for the better part of an hour and did one of my all time favorite activities in the world; read.
It amazes me how many people do not like to read. This possibly could indicate why so many people struggle to read the Bible. Part of understanding the Bible and learning more of God includes reading, reflecting, and comprehension. If people hate to read it stands to reason they will not want to read the scripture. This is a tragedy in churches all over the land.
I know we all had assignments in school that did not foster a love for reading. We were forced to read what some people called great literature. I remember being bored out of my mind and daydreaming through many of those reading assignments. I also remember being introduced to some great novels that captured my imagination. There is bad literature out there to be sure. There is also great literature as well. Nothing compares to sacred literature found in the Bible. It is the only book ever written that was God breathed.
I love most all genres of literature except science fiction. Biographies and autobiographies are definitely my favorites. I also enjoy fiction. Once I start a novel I get addicted and forego almost everything in lieu of finishing the book. By far my favorite book is the Bible. No matter how many times I read it through I always learn more and see things I did not see before in the Bible.
One of the sad realities I face is knowing I will not be able to read all the book or the Bible as I would like to. That does not mean I cannot make the most of the time I do have.
I have stated this before but I owe my great love for reading to my maternal grandmother who always had a book with her. She cooked with a book in her hand or on the counter. She did not watch television but read veraciously. What a gift she gave me in instilling a love for books.
It was my grandmother who took me to the Kurth Memorial Library in Lufkin, TX to get my first library card. Walking in that mammoth building filled with books excited me. I still remember the thrill of tat day and the books I checked out. Over four decades later I got that same thrill when I walked Tucker and Turner into the Bridgeport library today. Now it is time to nestle here in my home office for some much longed for reading on this rainy afternoon.
It amazes me how many people do not like to read. This possibly could indicate why so many people struggle to read the Bible. Part of understanding the Bible and learning more of God includes reading, reflecting, and comprehension. If people hate to read it stands to reason they will not want to read the scripture. This is a tragedy in churches all over the land.
I know we all had assignments in school that did not foster a love for reading. We were forced to read what some people called great literature. I remember being bored out of my mind and daydreaming through many of those reading assignments. I also remember being introduced to some great novels that captured my imagination. There is bad literature out there to be sure. There is also great literature as well. Nothing compares to sacred literature found in the Bible. It is the only book ever written that was God breathed.
I love most all genres of literature except science fiction. Biographies and autobiographies are definitely my favorites. I also enjoy fiction. Once I start a novel I get addicted and forego almost everything in lieu of finishing the book. By far my favorite book is the Bible. No matter how many times I read it through I always learn more and see things I did not see before in the Bible.
One of the sad realities I face is knowing I will not be able to read all the book or the Bible as I would like to. That does not mean I cannot make the most of the time I do have.
I have stated this before but I owe my great love for reading to my maternal grandmother who always had a book with her. She cooked with a book in her hand or on the counter. She did not watch television but read veraciously. What a gift she gave me in instilling a love for books.
It was my grandmother who took me to the Kurth Memorial Library in Lufkin, TX to get my first library card. Walking in that mammoth building filled with books excited me. I still remember the thrill of tat day and the books I checked out. Over four decades later I got that same thrill when I walked Tucker and Turner into the Bridgeport library today. Now it is time to nestle here in my home office for some much longed for reading on this rainy afternoon.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Showing Up
There is something to be said for people who keep showing up and faithfully laboring even when they do not feel like it.They understand commitment. They value consistency and persistency.
These are the people who go into the prayer closet day after day, month after month, and year after year though some of those answers have not come yet. These are the people who keep showing up to work for decades even when they are tired, stressed, and do not feel well. These are the people who are faithful to their local church even when pastors come and go, when dissension in the church body arises, when other members leave for greener pastures, when the attendance lags, and when the morale is low. These are people who keep showing up at home even when their service is not appreciated. These are the people who keep showing up to do the dirty chores nobody else wants to do or even notices.
There are people who show up as dads and moms even when their kids rebel and act like tyrants demanding their own way. These are the parents who keep showing up with loving but firm discipline. These are the parents who faithfully pray for their children through all phases of growing up.
I think of the farmers who keep showing up on their tractors to plow and plant no matter how many years of droughts, hale storms, floods, and poor market prices they have endured in years past.
I think of teaches who show up every fall to new classes of students and give their best efforts for the next mine months for minimal pay, little appreciation, many complaints by parents, and administrators. Thank you for still showing up because you love students.
I think about those faithful servants of Christ who keep showing up even after being knocked off their feet by adversity time and time again. They do not stay down. They do not crawl into the fetal position and give up. They arise to their knees and pray for the strength and endurance to keep serving. Thank you for showing up and inspiring all of us to keep pressing on.
I think about faithful volunteers in churches who do what they say will do. They show up on their rotation to serve in the nursery. They show up to teach classes year after year. They work in VBS. They take care of the church lawn without fanfare decade after decade. These people are the backbone of the church. Thank you for your diligent service.
I think of church musicians who show up Sunday after Sunday even though they do not get paid. They practice and serve because they love the Lord and love their local congregation. Thank you for playing beautiful music to enhance worship. Thank you for practicing so many hours so your music will be played with excellence. God uses you.
I think about those faithful employees who show up for unappreciative bosses and give their best efforts on the job year after year. Thank you for your dedication to doing your job to the glory of God.
I think about those athletes who show up daily to put in the work to get better and help their team get better. They push the weights, run the laps, do the drills, and perspire profusely because they have bought in to something bigger than their personal comfort. They keep showing up for their coaches, team, and community. Thank you for the example you set for all of us to strive to keep getting better.
We take it for granted people keep showing up. I salute the pastor who keeps showing up to preach and teach no matter the size of the crowds. He prays and studies behind the scenes to feed the flock. He has no control over the size of the crowds. He diligently labors in love to help mature souls entrusted to his care.
I salute the caregivers who keep showing up even when exhausted physically and emotionally but keep giving care. I applaud those who keep going to the gym to exercise even though your best years have passed you by. I affirm those who use their free time to serve others continually even when it is inconvenient and sacrificial.
Thank you for showing up and doing what you do for God, family, and others. Thank you for showing up even when nobody notices your efforts or rewarded your labors. Our society needs to be reminded of the value of commitment. God, thank you for those people who faithfully show up and do what they are supposed to do.
These are the people who go into the prayer closet day after day, month after month, and year after year though some of those answers have not come yet. These are the people who keep showing up to work for decades even when they are tired, stressed, and do not feel well. These are the people who are faithful to their local church even when pastors come and go, when dissension in the church body arises, when other members leave for greener pastures, when the attendance lags, and when the morale is low. These are people who keep showing up at home even when their service is not appreciated. These are the people who keep showing up to do the dirty chores nobody else wants to do or even notices.
There are people who show up as dads and moms even when their kids rebel and act like tyrants demanding their own way. These are the parents who keep showing up with loving but firm discipline. These are the parents who faithfully pray for their children through all phases of growing up.
I think of the farmers who keep showing up on their tractors to plow and plant no matter how many years of droughts, hale storms, floods, and poor market prices they have endured in years past.
I think of teaches who show up every fall to new classes of students and give their best efforts for the next mine months for minimal pay, little appreciation, many complaints by parents, and administrators. Thank you for still showing up because you love students.
I think about those faithful servants of Christ who keep showing up even after being knocked off their feet by adversity time and time again. They do not stay down. They do not crawl into the fetal position and give up. They arise to their knees and pray for the strength and endurance to keep serving. Thank you for showing up and inspiring all of us to keep pressing on.
I think about faithful volunteers in churches who do what they say will do. They show up on their rotation to serve in the nursery. They show up to teach classes year after year. They work in VBS. They take care of the church lawn without fanfare decade after decade. These people are the backbone of the church. Thank you for your diligent service.
I think of church musicians who show up Sunday after Sunday even though they do not get paid. They practice and serve because they love the Lord and love their local congregation. Thank you for playing beautiful music to enhance worship. Thank you for practicing so many hours so your music will be played with excellence. God uses you.
I think about those faithful employees who show up for unappreciative bosses and give their best efforts on the job year after year. Thank you for your dedication to doing your job to the glory of God.
I think about those athletes who show up daily to put in the work to get better and help their team get better. They push the weights, run the laps, do the drills, and perspire profusely because they have bought in to something bigger than their personal comfort. They keep showing up for their coaches, team, and community. Thank you for the example you set for all of us to strive to keep getting better.
We take it for granted people keep showing up. I salute the pastor who keeps showing up to preach and teach no matter the size of the crowds. He prays and studies behind the scenes to feed the flock. He has no control over the size of the crowds. He diligently labors in love to help mature souls entrusted to his care.
I salute the caregivers who keep showing up even when exhausted physically and emotionally but keep giving care. I applaud those who keep going to the gym to exercise even though your best years have passed you by. I affirm those who use their free time to serve others continually even when it is inconvenient and sacrificial.
Thank you for showing up and doing what you do for God, family, and others. Thank you for showing up even when nobody notices your efforts or rewarded your labors. Our society needs to be reminded of the value of commitment. God, thank you for those people who faithfully show up and do what they are supposed to do.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Exiting The Merry Go Round
I loved merry go rounds when I was a child. The faster the better. I prided myself on running at full speed, hanging on tight and jumping on at the last minute. I loved handing over the rails backwards for an added thrill.
As an adult I cannot say I always enjoy the merry go round of life. I especially don't enjoy it when life it spins faster and faster and I feel more and more out of control. Life flies by. Where does the time go. When younger older people would warn about how fast time passes. I can't say I believed them. Now I know what they meant.
One day you look in the mirror and the hair is turning grey. hair grows out of your ears and nose, and muscles sag and joints ache with age. Brenda and I are in that in-between stage o life. We have one son in college, the second will be a senior this year, the third a sophomore, and the youngest is in junior high. The merry go round of life is traveling at warp speed it seems.
Birthdays come faster. School years fly by. Christmas comes around quicker it seems. There is a place where time seems to slow down and even stand still. It is a place where pressures, deadlines, demands, and appointments are put on the back burner, if only for a little while. The place I am referring to is the prayer closet.
Jesus kept a busy schedule. He traveled. He taught. He haled people. He built relationships with His closest companions and an extended circle of friends. He made Himself available to people. Yet, when I read about Him, it does not appear He was ever in a hurry. He did not live life on merry go round.
I love Mark 1:35. "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there." No matter how busy life and ministry were Jesus sought to part company with people to keep company with God in private. He intentionally walked away from the crowds, the noise, the and hustle and bustle to be alone with God.
How many today are spinning so fast life is dizzying? Is today the day you simply need to step off and step away from the crowds in favor of seclusion and solitude with the Father. It is when we are still in His presence and reminded of who He is that our troubled minds discover peace and we breathe in new life.
I don't know where life went. One day I played high school football for the mighty Lufkin Panthers. Next I donned the navy and gold at Howard Payne playing for the Yellow Jackets. The next thing I know Brenda and I got married and started having a bundle of little boys. Now I am classified as middle aged.
When I step away from my family and friends to find deserted spots to seek God; time seems to slow down. My peace increases. Challenges do not look so daunting. I must dwell in the secret places with God. We must all devote ourselves to those secret and sacred encounters with the Lord.
Let the world spin faster and wildly out of control. I prefer a slower pace and if I am to keep step with God it will mean I often exit the merry go round to be alone with Him. My heart is filled in those times.
As an adult I cannot say I always enjoy the merry go round of life. I especially don't enjoy it when life it spins faster and faster and I feel more and more out of control. Life flies by. Where does the time go. When younger older people would warn about how fast time passes. I can't say I believed them. Now I know what they meant.
One day you look in the mirror and the hair is turning grey. hair grows out of your ears and nose, and muscles sag and joints ache with age. Brenda and I are in that in-between stage o life. We have one son in college, the second will be a senior this year, the third a sophomore, and the youngest is in junior high. The merry go round of life is traveling at warp speed it seems.
Birthdays come faster. School years fly by. Christmas comes around quicker it seems. There is a place where time seems to slow down and even stand still. It is a place where pressures, deadlines, demands, and appointments are put on the back burner, if only for a little while. The place I am referring to is the prayer closet.
Jesus kept a busy schedule. He traveled. He taught. He haled people. He built relationships with His closest companions and an extended circle of friends. He made Himself available to people. Yet, when I read about Him, it does not appear He was ever in a hurry. He did not live life on merry go round.
I love Mark 1:35. "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there." No matter how busy life and ministry were Jesus sought to part company with people to keep company with God in private. He intentionally walked away from the crowds, the noise, the and hustle and bustle to be alone with God.
How many today are spinning so fast life is dizzying? Is today the day you simply need to step off and step away from the crowds in favor of seclusion and solitude with the Father. It is when we are still in His presence and reminded of who He is that our troubled minds discover peace and we breathe in new life.
I don't know where life went. One day I played high school football for the mighty Lufkin Panthers. Next I donned the navy and gold at Howard Payne playing for the Yellow Jackets. The next thing I know Brenda and I got married and started having a bundle of little boys. Now I am classified as middle aged.
When I step away from my family and friends to find deserted spots to seek God; time seems to slow down. My peace increases. Challenges do not look so daunting. I must dwell in the secret places with God. We must all devote ourselves to those secret and sacred encounters with the Lord.
Let the world spin faster and wildly out of control. I prefer a slower pace and if I am to keep step with God it will mean I often exit the merry go round to be alone with Him. My heart is filled in those times.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Construction Work
I have never been good with tools. Yet during my college career I did a couple stints with construction crews. They learned early tusing hammers, saws, and screw guns were not my expertise. I usually got relegated to the shovel, the jack hammer, or wheel barrel cleaning up.
God had other plans. He put me in a different kind of construction work. The kind of work constructing and building lives. Instead of power tools God outfitted me with words. He gave me things like dictionaries, pens, paper, and computers. He gave me a passion for books and reading to learn how to use words for noble purposes.
Along the way God used others to build my life. Their words inspired me to keep going when quitting looked like a better solution. When I felt like a failure they spoke words of comfort and endurance in me. They taught me the value of edification. Timely words built my life. When I doubted my ability God used friends to speak words that constructed my life. Before I ever wrote a book people encouraged me to keep writing.
I have seen that same kind of encouragement take place this week at camp. Students have spoken and written words of encouragement to their peers. Brothers spoke words of affirmation to one another moved to tears. Father's spoke loving words to sons and daughters. Friends built up friends. Students who doubted themselves were built up by sponsors. Lives were constructed. The whole scene deeply moved me.
This begs the question. Ate you more like a wrecking ball demolishing lives in your path or in the business of constructing lives. It is easy to cut people with words, to tear people down, and to wound them deeply. [Eph 4:29] exhorts us to not let unwholesome words come from our mouths but words that edify and are filled with grace. Why is it so easy to use words to tear people apart and bring them down instead but so difficult to speak words building them up?
I am a product of many words of encouragement. I think of a host of people like my Uncle Buddy, Aunt Nan, Coach Carter, Brother Charles Roberts, Eli Bernard, my fifth grade teachers Mrs. McKinney, my eighth grade teacher Mrs. Anderson, and college professors Dr. Robert Smith and Dr. Frankie Rainey. God used each of these people to build my life. Then He added friends to keep constructing my life. I am forever indebted.
I am thankful that this week I get to help construct young lives. I tried to do that as a student minister. NowI try to do that as a pastor. I've tried to do that with my boys. I want to build up my wife. While I will never apologize for preaching hard truth, those whom I have served and taken the time to come to Wednesday night Bible studies over the years have been constructed by the powerful words of scripture. God's word is the greatest construction material for building lives. May we live to construct lives not demolish them.
God had other plans. He put me in a different kind of construction work. The kind of work constructing and building lives. Instead of power tools God outfitted me with words. He gave me things like dictionaries, pens, paper, and computers. He gave me a passion for books and reading to learn how to use words for noble purposes.
Along the way God used others to build my life. Their words inspired me to keep going when quitting looked like a better solution. When I felt like a failure they spoke words of comfort and endurance in me. They taught me the value of edification. Timely words built my life. When I doubted my ability God used friends to speak words that constructed my life. Before I ever wrote a book people encouraged me to keep writing.
I have seen that same kind of encouragement take place this week at camp. Students have spoken and written words of encouragement to their peers. Brothers spoke words of affirmation to one another moved to tears. Father's spoke loving words to sons and daughters. Friends built up friends. Students who doubted themselves were built up by sponsors. Lives were constructed. The whole scene deeply moved me.
This begs the question. Ate you more like a wrecking ball demolishing lives in your path or in the business of constructing lives. It is easy to cut people with words, to tear people down, and to wound them deeply. [Eph 4:29] exhorts us to not let unwholesome words come from our mouths but words that edify and are filled with grace. Why is it so easy to use words to tear people apart and bring them down instead but so difficult to speak words building them up?
I am a product of many words of encouragement. I think of a host of people like my Uncle Buddy, Aunt Nan, Coach Carter, Brother Charles Roberts, Eli Bernard, my fifth grade teachers Mrs. McKinney, my eighth grade teacher Mrs. Anderson, and college professors Dr. Robert Smith and Dr. Frankie Rainey. God used each of these people to build my life. Then He added friends to keep constructing my life. I am forever indebted.
I am thankful that this week I get to help construct young lives. I tried to do that as a student minister. NowI try to do that as a pastor. I've tried to do that with my boys. I want to build up my wife. While I will never apologize for preaching hard truth, those whom I have served and taken the time to come to Wednesday night Bible studies over the years have been constructed by the powerful words of scripture. God's word is the greatest construction material for building lives. May we live to construct lives not demolish them.
Monday, June 1, 2015
This Is The Day
This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. [Ps 118:24]
As I awake to another Monday, I do so to birds chirping outside my window. For the first time in weeks the forecast calls for sunny skies. Many people dread Mondays.
Mondays mean going back to work or school, the start of another busy week and the end of the weekend. Even as I write this many are turning off alarms clocks and hitting the snooze button for a little more sleep.
I awake with this thought. This day is a gift from God. This is a day He made. I don't know what lies in store for today. I know this day is a gift from God. I can enjoy it, use it to seek God, and to serve His purposes. On the other hand, I could squander this day with slothful living.
I fully realize that the dawning of a new day means different things for different people. This day for some people means another day of drudgery at work. The homemaker will fill her day with household chores that never seen to end no matter how many loads of laundry she does nor how often she washes the dishes. For the mother of young children this day will mean changing diapers, feeding bottles, and trying to entertain children on very little sleep.
Some will wake up today to the sad truth that they will soon be empty nesters. Their babies have grown up and graduated or soon will. This excitement is tempered by the grief of those babies soon leaving home. The memories will linger.
There are still others who awake today with a huge hole in their heart of grief over losing a husband, a wife, a child, or a sibling. The grief is crushing. Time has not healed the wound. For these today is another day to endure, to put one step in front of the other, to survive, and go through the motions.
I also think of those awaking today to chronic pain. Today is another day of suffering. The agony is constant. There are few moments of relief. For these it is hard to see this day as a gift.
For all of these people and all the rest this is the day the Lord has made. June, 1, 2015. There has never been a day like this one. On this day there will be multiple joys, deep sorrows, trials, triumphs, and everything in between. No matter the circumstances the truth of this Psalm is that this is the day the Lord has made. Our response is supposed to be to rejoice and be glad in it.
If you are suffering or watching those suffer around you on this day what is there to rejoice and be glad about? Many things. There is the chance to relate to God. This is a gift. Each day a chance to encounter the living God. To talk to Him, hear from Him, unload burdens on Him, to walk with Him, to be still before Him, to worship Him, and to serve Him. This is a day to get to know God better no mater what you are going through.
Whether you are heading off to work, turning the new chapter of retirement, giving care to those ailing, or living out your last days on planet earth; God is the reason to rejoice and be glad.
We can also rejoice and be glad because, this day for the child of God ,means we are one day closer to Heaven where every tear will be wiped away. That is the finish line we strive for.
Today is a day to rejoice and be glad because His mercies are new every day. Even today on a Monday morning.
In a few hours I will take our students to camp. This makes about 25th year to either go to youth camp as a student, sponsor, youth pastor, pastor, or a camp preacher. This is a day for students' lives to be transformed by the God of the universe.
I rejoice because today I read His word and His word sets my mind right. I rejoice because the love of my life is in the next room getting ready for work. I am glad I got to enjoy another day with her yesterday filled laughter surrounded by our boys.
I am glad Taylor is home from college. He and I have already shared a lot of one on one time. I am glad that my other three boys will be with me at camp this week. I am glad that soon I will eat breakfast. I am glad for the cool air blowing down on me from the ceiling fan and for the technology in this computer that allows me to share my thoughts and post them to minister to others. I rejoice that God allowed me to preach yesterday. I rejoice that I live in this nation where I am free to worship and to write.
Today there is ample reasons to rejoice and be glad. Brenda and I have trials today. Our lives are not trouble free. Still we can say, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
As I awake to another Monday, I do so to birds chirping outside my window. For the first time in weeks the forecast calls for sunny skies. Many people dread Mondays.
Mondays mean going back to work or school, the start of another busy week and the end of the weekend. Even as I write this many are turning off alarms clocks and hitting the snooze button for a little more sleep.
I awake with this thought. This day is a gift from God. This is a day He made. I don't know what lies in store for today. I know this day is a gift from God. I can enjoy it, use it to seek God, and to serve His purposes. On the other hand, I could squander this day with slothful living.
I fully realize that the dawning of a new day means different things for different people. This day for some people means another day of drudgery at work. The homemaker will fill her day with household chores that never seen to end no matter how many loads of laundry she does nor how often she washes the dishes. For the mother of young children this day will mean changing diapers, feeding bottles, and trying to entertain children on very little sleep.
Some will wake up today to the sad truth that they will soon be empty nesters. Their babies have grown up and graduated or soon will. This excitement is tempered by the grief of those babies soon leaving home. The memories will linger.
There are still others who awake today with a huge hole in their heart of grief over losing a husband, a wife, a child, or a sibling. The grief is crushing. Time has not healed the wound. For these today is another day to endure, to put one step in front of the other, to survive, and go through the motions.
I also think of those awaking today to chronic pain. Today is another day of suffering. The agony is constant. There are few moments of relief. For these it is hard to see this day as a gift.
For all of these people and all the rest this is the day the Lord has made. June, 1, 2015. There has never been a day like this one. On this day there will be multiple joys, deep sorrows, trials, triumphs, and everything in between. No matter the circumstances the truth of this Psalm is that this is the day the Lord has made. Our response is supposed to be to rejoice and be glad in it.
If you are suffering or watching those suffer around you on this day what is there to rejoice and be glad about? Many things. There is the chance to relate to God. This is a gift. Each day a chance to encounter the living God. To talk to Him, hear from Him, unload burdens on Him, to walk with Him, to be still before Him, to worship Him, and to serve Him. This is a day to get to know God better no mater what you are going through.
Whether you are heading off to work, turning the new chapter of retirement, giving care to those ailing, or living out your last days on planet earth; God is the reason to rejoice and be glad.
We can also rejoice and be glad because, this day for the child of God ,means we are one day closer to Heaven where every tear will be wiped away. That is the finish line we strive for.
Today is a day to rejoice and be glad because His mercies are new every day. Even today on a Monday morning.
In a few hours I will take our students to camp. This makes about 25th year to either go to youth camp as a student, sponsor, youth pastor, pastor, or a camp preacher. This is a day for students' lives to be transformed by the God of the universe.
I rejoice because today I read His word and His word sets my mind right. I rejoice because the love of my life is in the next room getting ready for work. I am glad I got to enjoy another day with her yesterday filled laughter surrounded by our boys.
I am glad Taylor is home from college. He and I have already shared a lot of one on one time. I am glad that my other three boys will be with me at camp this week. I am glad that soon I will eat breakfast. I am glad for the cool air blowing down on me from the ceiling fan and for the technology in this computer that allows me to share my thoughts and post them to minister to others. I rejoice that God allowed me to preach yesterday. I rejoice that I live in this nation where I am free to worship and to write.
Today there is ample reasons to rejoice and be glad. Brenda and I have trials today. Our lives are not trouble free. Still we can say, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
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