Maundy Thursday

It’s now Thursday of Holy Week. This is the day when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, shared a final meal with them, initiated communion, gave words of comfort about the Comforter, taught about the branches’ dependence upon the vine, prayed in the garden while his friends slept, and was arrested by the Roman guard.

Busy day.

But it was what he came to do. He came to model and teach a servant’s heart. He came to let us know we need him or we die. He came to die for us even though the thought crossed his mind that maybe there was another way to reconcile sinners to God.

He came for you. He knew and knows the wrongs you have done. Everything from selfishness to telling lies to looking at dirty pictures to taking money from your employer’s till to pointing a gun at someone and pulling the trigger. I know, you didn’t do all that. Maybe you didn’t do any of that. But still there’s something in your past, maybe in your present, that the Bible calls “sin.” And sin separates you from God.

He came because of your sin. And he died because of your sin. He came into your world so that you could enter his heaven.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was arrested by people who thought they had just cause. They didn’t but they were used by God to fulfill his plan to deal with your sin. You should have died for your sin; but Jesus did so you don’t have to. He didn’t die for blasphemy or treason or inciting a riot. He died for you.

If you think the Friday after Thanksgiving is a busy day for retailers, you need to understand that the Thursday before Easter was a busy day for Jesus.

Maundy. It means “command.” Jesus commanded us to serve and to love and to trust and to obey and to remember and to believe.

Busy day.

Yes, Jesus is real!

Every year around this time you can read articles in national news magazines and watch documentaries on broadcast and cable TV channels about the validity of the Bible’s claim that Jesus died on the cross. This year is no exception.

Honestly, I’m surprised the media outlets even bother anymore. As recently as a few decades ago, the popular thought among Americans was that Jesus did in fact die on the cross, that he is the Son of God, and that eternal life is gained only through a faith relationship with him. So few Americans believe all that anymore that it hardly makes sense to publish or air the story. I wonder what the readership or viewership is for those pieces.

I’m surprised to see it but I’m glad they still do it. At least those who read the headline or the TV guide are faced with the suggestion that Jesus is who the Bible claims him to be. While that’s not exactly “God’s Word” it is still enough truth for the Spirit to work with it and draw a seeking heart to Jesus.

Christians must realize that just the suggestion of the truth is enough – when all too often we shy away from the truth because of the possible negative responses we may get. God can use anything we give him. But don’t you want to give him your best effort?

Facebook

I’m a FB junkie. No need to deny it or try to minimize it. I spend lots of time looking at what others are doing and saying. I spend a little time doing a saying things myself. I don’t accept many of the applications that people send; that seems a little silly to me. But I do like leaving birthday messages and posting notes and making one-liner comments about stuff and updating my status.

I’m an introvert. I don’t mind speaking to people but I’m not real good at starting conversations and keeping them going. I’m OK with speaking to a crowd, though. FB helps me get through that, on-line at least. I hope I get better with conversation in person, too.

Not enough practice

Everyone remembers Allen Iverson’s rant on “practice?” What a jerk. The best got on top and stay on top with practice. If anyone thinks they can remain at the pinnacle of their game without practice, well, they are mistaken.

Our kids are not pros. Nor are they even going to be the best in their league. We need practice but the weather is not cooperating. The field is too soggy…again. It’s not the coach’s fault; he’s doing everything he can to get in enough practice. I can see improvement in Riley’s abilities, but more importantly I can seen him learning to make better decisions on the field.

Every sport I’ve played required physical ability and mental concentration. The only reason I was ever any good was because I understood the game and could make good decisions that overcame my limited physical ability. I think coaching an 8-9 yr old team in baseball is about developing both the physical and mental capabilities of the players. Steve and Jeff are doing a good job of this. They just need a little help from the weather.

Darfur

Honestly, I don’t know much about the problems in the Sudan region of Darfur. I have read headlines from secular and Christian media condemning the actions of President Omar al-Bashir that have resulted in the killing of 300,000 people and the displacement of almost 3 million more. Sudan, of course, denies the allegations and says the figures are elevated. Doesn’t an argument about the validity of the numbers imply that at least the allegations are true?

So I pledge to know more about this issue, but based on what I do know, all people deserve to be treated fairly. Fair treatment for a criminal is punishment for his crime. Fair treatment for citizens is protection from unwarranted harassment by the government. If the allegations are true to any degree, al-Bashir should be arrested and put on trial. An international warrant is out for his arrest.

Fox News reports online this morning that al-Bashir is given all outside relief agencies one year to leave the country. He thinks the agencies are also spying to gain information to incriminate him. Sounds like he’s trying to hide something. He welcomes the relief agencies to drop off their supplies at airports and seaports so his own agencies can distribute the goods. Do we really believe the goods will arrive at the intended destination and be available for FREE to the people? You can read the story here.

January 20, 2009

President Obama misread the 2008 election. He claims he won based on ideology so he marches through these first 100 days with a  swagger or arrogance issuing executive orders and pushing his agenda through Congress. He asks for bipartisan support but in no way is willing to craft legislation that goes against his goals. His definition of “bipartisan” is for those who disagree with him to give up their beliefs and go along with him.

So we have a spending bill that so hurt the American (and possibly the world) economy that most Americans alive today will not reach a level of comfort in their personal finances. Future generations will feel the affects of Obama’s ideology, too. Rather than trying to prop up bad businesses, we should let them go out of business. This is an everyday occurrence on Main Street; Wall Street should be no different.

And now we have an executive order that rescinds the Bush Administrations order limiting stem cell research. Obama’s order commits federal tax dollars to the research and allows researchers to expand the use of embryonic stem cells. We now have a federal government further involved in infanticide.

January 20, 2009 was an historic day. But not for the reasons the press and the public have lauded. It is a day on which the winds of change began to blow. It is a day on which the ideology of respecting and preserving life took a devastating hit. It was a day on which your tax dollars became available to further promote abortion.

The ideology America supports was represented in the 2008 election by a man who was not as charismatic as his opponent. So charisma beat ideology. We should never choose style over substance, else we end up where we are today.

White Noise

You've heard the term "white noise," haven't you? It's the soundtrack of everyday living. For those living in the city it is the constant sound of traffic outside the office window or the whirr of a copy machine just down the hallway. Country-dwellers have white noise, too. It's the sounds of the birds chirping and dogs barking and log trucks driving too fast down the country road.

White noise is the sound of rain or surf or wind. Beautiful sounds that have become so commonplace that we miss it. Sounds have become distractions - good or bad - that keep us from hearing much of anything with clarity...even the white noise.

Let's slow down a little and sift through the noise so we can hear the sounds. You'll hear someone compliment you. You'll hear someone ask for help. You'll hear God's creation going about life. You'll hear your kids laugh. You might even hear yourself think!

The soundtrack to everyday living is really a beautiful sound...if we'll just listen rather than try to drown it out with more sounds.

Obama's Stimulus Package

Hooray for the House Republicans! Not one of them voted for Obama’s $790B stimulus package. I’m glad they had the strength to do it and I hope their constituents realize what heroes they are.

Boo for all but seven House Democrats! Only seven had the courage to stand against the administration. Two hundred forty-six Democrats voted in lock-step with Obama’s “bipartisan” coalition.

Unfortunately, political maneuvering was more popular among the elected than economic strategy. But in the end, economy will suffer because of this and the politicians will be rewarded/punished by the voters according to today’s vote. So we can be hopeful that the politics that divide (i.e., liberalism) will once again go into hibernation. We can only hope it occurs soon – say, the 2010 mid-term Congressional election and the 2012 Presidential election.

The only hope that the stimulus package will not pass is in the hands of the Senate, which votes later today. Not much hope, huh? But the Democrats will need help from three Republicans for it to pass. Come on, Senate Republicans, vote no!

Obama's Stimulus Package

My undergraduate degree is in Economics and Finance. That does not make me an expert but it does give me a level of understanding and historical context. The Keynesian economic model is the one being pursued by the new administration. The idea is for the government to spend more money as a way to grow the economy. History has shown that this results in inflation, a devaluing currency, and little else. On the flip side, the economy can thrive when businesses are given the incentive to expand. Tax relief to corporations of all sizes, shapes, and colors will result in more jobs, more people working, working people making more money, more money being spent in the economic cycle.

The well-used proverb is correct: give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime. Adapted to our current "stimulating" situation: give a person money he did not earn and he needs another one tomorrow. That is also a cycle; one of dependence upon the government. A friend of mine was describing a recent disaster out of which people were “forced” to steal diapers and baby formula. The friend’s answer to the problem was the government: “If you can’t trust your government to take care of you, who can you trust?”

The Lord?

Peter wrote in his first letter to struggling believers: “Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5: 7) Jesus said that he would be able to identify believers by their benevolence toward those in need – not the government’s benevolence but the individual’s benevolence. The Bible also tells us that a motive of love is the mark of Christ-followers.

The answer to the needs of people around us is for believers to faithfully tithe and for churches to use those funds in local and global ministry. The government can help by greasing the wheels of the economic engine by enticing businesses to expand. The free market economy will right itself; there’s no need to panic. Just be faithful to the Lord and his church.

Doing What We Ought To Do

Motivation is getting people to do what they ought to be doing. Nobody has to motivate me to eat the second piece of pie. Nobody has to be motivated to do anything they want to do or find easy to do. Motivation, however, moves people toward what they ought to do.

Why are people reluctant to do what they should but don’t want to do? I’ve only lived 44 years so I can’t speak with certainty, but it sure seems like just in my lifetime people in America have turned more and more selfish. Decisions are based upon selfish desires rather than upon what ought to be. If a person can benefit from doing something that might hurt others or by not doing something that would benefit others, then that’s the choice many will make.

How many times have you found that what is good for the individual actually harms the group. We have to start looking at what is best for others. Listen to the words Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV). Two important issues come out of these words. First, don’t be selfish. It is proper to think about what affect your actions may have on someone else. Second, you must still think about yourself but in balance with your concern for others.

So, in order for one to do what he ought to do, he must be motivated. Motivation can come from within; it’s just knowing what is right and doing it. Motivation can come from the beneficiary. The person in need acts to compel you to do what you ought to do. Motivation can also come from a third party. A pastor sees a need and wants to mobilize his church to meet the need. Leadership is the key to motivating like this. Hopefully, our spirits connect with the Spirit of God and we are internally motivated to do what we ought to do. Hopefully, we act mercifully toward those in need having been motivated by their plea. Hopefully, churches have leaders who, like Jesus, can move them to do what ought to be done.

Factors such as selfishness, greed, envy, or guilt are not valid. But such things as love, goodness, kindness, and mercy are valid. The Golden Rule especially applies here: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12 NIV).

Words

Riley got in trouble today. He said a little rhyme that makes fun of people. He may not even realize it, but the words are hurtful.

He's just trying to be cute but he has to realize that he can't say just anything he wants. There are consequences to our words and actions.

Some things are just wrong. Nothing can justify it. I try to excuse it when I say or do something wrong; I guess it's human nature. But it's still wrong.

We can all do better. Today is a good day because we've learned something.

Winners and Losers

In a game of winners and losers, there really are no winners. To gain at the expense of another is selfish. To brag of it is arrogance. To celebrate it is childish.

According to msnbc.com, as the video screens projected the image of President George W. Bush, boos could be heard among the masses in Washington today. When the helicopter taking now-former President Bush to Andrews Air Force Base for his flight home to Texas, the crowds cheered his exit and some sang, “Na-na-na-nah, na-na-na-nah, hey, hey, hey, goodbye."

What Americans should celebrate today is the great freedom this country affords each citizen. The election of Barack Obama illustrates this feature of our country. His inauguration demonstrates to the world how a country can peacefully transition power from one leader to another.

The family of five (Why weren’t the kids in school?) at IHOP this morning was rushing the waitress and eating at a frantic pace. At 11:00 they jumped up and headed for the door. The mother looked at me and said, “We have to get home and get in front of the TV!” I hated to tell her that it would be too late to see the swearing in of the forty-fourth president and to hear his inaugural address. So I just smiled and nodded. I really don’t think they cared; they had won.

Does the non-white community think they have lost every other election? If white people are supposed to accept Obama as the president of all the people, why haven’t they been able to accept the forty-three white presidents as the presidents of all the people?

What was once in a melting pot is now being strained and separated. Instead of being one people and one culture, we are a country of separate identities; President Obama called us a “patchwork.” And the truth is that each segment sees itself as a minority in some way and is fighting to be heard. Seems like if we were all one people and one culture there would be no minority; there would be one voice, one need, one solution.

Conservative politics and economic policy is concerned with (and in the past has proven effective at) helping every American obtain a better way of life by extending opportunity and creating an atmosphere of optimism. Liberal politics and economic policy is about advantage: winners and losers.

I believe the greatest problem facing the USA is spiritual. President Obama said in his address today that “we are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers.” No wonder there is conflict! Of the five groups, Christians are the only ones who want everyone to be winners – by placing faith in Jesus Christ. In the New Testament book of Galatians, a letter to Christians living in Asia Minor in the mid-first century, Paul said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Christianity does not discriminate. People who claim to be Christians may discriminate, and that is wrong. But Jesus embraces all who will come.

The reason the greatest problem we face is spiritual is because our country is not a Christian nation. Maybe it never was. At least in recent generations the commitment to and expansion of Christianity has been such that religions with other answers to spiritual questions have gained a foothold. So instead of being one in Christ, we are separate. And separation begets winners and losers.

America needs another Great Awakening. It is time for Christian – true Christians – to pray and to take the message to the streets.

In politics it is easy to create a false sense of “winning.” But it is always at the expense of the losers. And in such cases, the country loses. Fiscal budgets and legislative bills can no more bring us together than can bombing our enemies or building bridges to tomorrow (all of these are important in a nation’s life). But the Bible can bring us together so that we are winners.

Just in Time

 

I just returned from a mad dash to the bank. The deposit has to be in by 2:00 to count as today’s business. We have car payments drafting today so it was mandatory I make it in time.

Today is one of my favorite kinds of days. A wintry mix is falling from the sky! Mostly freezing rain. The air temp must be well below zero because the ice on the pine trees is beautiful. The roads were just wet; that was good! I did not have time to drive slow. I stayed with the speed limit, but I had to get there on time. A minute late would really cost us!

That reminds me of God’s call to each of us to come to Christ. We have time now to respond and accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord. But that time will come to an end – and we don’t know when! But when Jesus returns with those who have gone on before us, when he gathers those who are still alive, when he establishes his millennial reign…then it will be too late. (Those of you who do not agree with my historical premillennial sequence, please forgive me.)

The point is, no matter which view of the end times you adhere to, time ends and along with it, the opportunity to come to Christ. It’s like getting the deposit to the bank at 2:01. It’s too late!

There are so many people around us who are not Christ followers. They are still lost in their sin. They are on the clock. It’s up to me and you to share the truth of scripture with them so that they may come to Christ – even at the last minute – and escape perishing eternally.

By the way, my deposit receipt is stamped “1:58.”

Snowing in Ekaterinburg

I checked weather.com and saw that it is 12 degrees F in Ekaterinburg, Russia. When I shared the news with Riley, he said, “It’s always snowing there.” That’s not always true but I’m thrilled he thinks so naturally of Ekat. Our family will probably spend lots of time there during his school years. He can’t wait ‘til he can go.

Deana and I are going with a few others from church in April. This will be an exploratory trip to establish a plan for long-term missions there to plant a church. Not a good trip for an 8-year old. (Yes, Riley is now 8!) But we’ll try to plan future trips so that Riley (and other kids) can go.

We’ll go in the spring when the snow cover has melted and the beauty is beginning to come through. We’ll go in the summer when we can enjoy the wonderful green mountain scenery. We’ll go in the fall to see the beautiful birch trees with golden leaves. We’ll go in the winter when the temperature hovers near zero. And it’s always snowing there!

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Jesus

The Love Dare

I asked for the book “The Love Dare” for Christmas. Deana and I have a good marriage but it can be better and I don’t want it to go bad; that’s why I asked for the book. I know that some people think that couples who are not having trouble don’t need the book, but from the first 2 days, I think it will be good to strengthen marriages that are doing OK. Having blown it once before, I think anything someone can do to make sure marriage lasts is a good thing.
So far, “love is patient” and “love is kind” have been the basis of my assignments. I’m fairly patient but not very kind. I’m pushed into new territory already! What will the next 38 days hold in store? I’m guessing I’ll be a different man by Valentine’s Day.

2009 To Do List

1. Implement the “Love Dare”
2. Teach Riley to ride his bicycle
3. Add to Deana’s bracelet
4. Spend more time doing photography
5. Complete three seminars and one workshop in DMin work
6. Take a day off each week
7. Make ten personal visits each week
8. Lose 100 pounds
9. Start a quarterly planned preaching method

What an idea!

Sandra Kirk with Fox 16 News in Little Rock just reported that bars in the River Market in Little Rock (and other areas of central Arkansas) are paying Yellow Cab to take drunks home on New Year’s Eve.

Matt Hogue, the general manager of the Flying Saucer, said this is a cheap way to get people home safe. Apparently, he doesn’t intend to get them home sober, though. He also said it was less liability for the bars. Did you hear that? He wants the people to come into his bar, get wasted, then get home safely so he won’t be held responsible.

David Wages with Yellow Cab explained that the ride is free to the drunk, up to $25, but only from participating establishments. With a grin he said that the “patron” gets a safe ride home plus when they wake up in the morning they know where their car is. How do they know? Because the bar put the “patron’s” keys in an envelope and the driver gives it to him when he takes him home. How do they plan to explain the tattoo or the STD or the empty wallet?

Kirk reported that bartenders said they had to wait for cabs last year because so many people were using this service. Anchor Kevin Kelly said it was great that the program is available year-round so people can “take advantage” of it.

What happened to the biblical principle of not being controlled by anything other than the Holy Spirit? What happened to the biblical principle of looking out for others? What has happened to decency?

Picking up after Christmas

That was fast! As I get older the Christmas schedule gets more cluttered and each stop shorter and shorter. Zig Zigler says “love” is spelled “T-I-M-E.” Seems like we’ve lost that. Now it’s time to put away the decorations and take down the two strands of outside lights. The garbage can is stuffed and so am I.

But think about the reason for Christmas. It marks the birth of Jesus; the coming of the Messiah. Before his birth the world was locked in a period of God’s silence. But, from the world’s perspective, things really started to pick up after that first Christmas. Now there was hope and the promise of eternal life.

The winter solstice was just a few days ago, and although we face several weeks of cold and gray days (days I really like, by the way), we know that Spring and new life are on the way. Each day is getting longer and more daylight fills each day. Everything – nature, spiritual realities – is picking up after Christmas.

The first Christmas was the end of nine months of pregnancy for Mary and Joseph. But as any parents know, the birth of their child does not mark the end but the beginning. Seems that now days Christmas marks the end of a holiday season when it should really remind us of the beginning of hope and joy.

For me, things are really picking up after Christmas.

Ice Days

Today is Day 2 of Riley’s days off from school due to the ice storm. Yesterday was understandable because the roads were pretty bad in some out of the way places and the temperature never broke the freezing mark. But today? I don’t get it.

We spoke with a teacher from the district yesterday – in Wal-Mart, the roads weren’t that bad! She said that Friday was the end of the semester and she is trying to get to the end of a teaching unit so they don’t have to carry it over through the Christmas break. She also said that the higher grades were trying to get in their semester tests. Needless to say, one day off (much less, two) is an inconvenience.

Life isn’t always about what is convenient, though. How we react to inconveniences really says a lot about what is within us. Peace and patience should rule the day; but when agitation and complaining characterize our response, we have an inner problem. When Paul said he could do anything through Christ who gave him strength, he was talking about facing the inconveniences or difficulties in life. He knew he could handle it because of Christ within him, not because of any other inner source of strength.

So the ice may cause some inconveniences in your normal routine. That’s OK, you can handle it. Today is a good opportunity to practice the right attitude.

Christmas Time

“Nothing says ‘Happy Holidays’ like the smell of turkey coming from the oven.” That’s what she read in the cookbook. “She” is the lady in the movie who is trying to cook Christmas dinner for the first time.

 

I’m thinking that “Merry Christmas” or “Jesus Loves You” might be better than the smell of a turkey. Seems like we’ve lost track of what is really important. Don’t get me wrong, I love turkey and dressing. I enjoy the holiday food as much as anyone. But can’t we at least give credit where credit is due? Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Life is empty, without direction, and hopeless without Jesus.

 

Leave off the turkey and what do you get? Chicken, pork, beef. Perhaps just a vegetable plate. But you still can have a holiday meal. Leave off Jesus and what do you get? Everlasting punishment separated from God in a place of eternal suffering called hell.

 

Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

Merry Christmas.

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for.

1.    My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

2.    My wife, Deana

3.    My boys: Jim, Caleb, Riley

4.    My family

5.    My church: Cross Road Baptist Church

6.    My friends

7.    My health

And so much more. Thank you, Lord, for you blessings.

Keep up with Election Returns

Clinton's Threat

Did you hear what Bill Clinton said while he was in Arkansas earlier this week? He said Obama was going to win the election and Arkansans better vote for Obama if we didn’t want to be left out. I wonder, “Left out of what?”

One possible answer is that Arkansas would be left out of the list of states that elect Obama, if he wins. With the current electoral college system used to elect presidents, Arkansas’ EC votes will go to whoever wins the popular vote on November 4. In that regard, if McCain wins Arkansas but Obama wins the election, then we would be left out of the list of Obama states.

Another possible answer, and I think this is the right answer, is that Arkansas would be left out of the preferential treatment a President Obama would give to those who supported him. That is the typical Washington politics that Obama claims he wants to change, but the most powerful Democrat of my lifetime (JFK died 6 months before I was born) clearly implied that a vote for Obama would be rewarded. Just like those perpetually on the welfare rolls are rewarded for a vote for the liberals. Just like the cultural elite are rewarded (by being allowed to continue to produce their Hollywood smut without regulation) for their support. Just like the media are rewarded for hitting Conservatives hard and lobbing softballs to Liberals. Liberals, of which Obama is king, claim to want to help people but in reality only want to empower themselves by exchanging favors for votes.

The “change we need” is a return to Christian values like respect and fairness, goodness and righteousness.

Obama and Socialism

Foxnews.com reports that Barack Obama told a plumber that he doesn’t want to view a tax increase as exactly that but rather as a way to spread the wealth around. That means to take from those who have and give it to those who do not have. I’m all for helping the poor and needy; it’s the Christian thing to do. But the problem is when those receiving the handout don’t really need it or have grown so accustomed to it that they refuse to earn a living any other way. The Bible says that if a many doesn’t work he doesn’t eat. Laziness is condemned in the Bible. Certainly, there are those who are not lazy but cannot work; they need help. But I’m afraid the welfare roll is burdened with people who are lazy and will not work.

Socialism is easily defined: spreading the wealth around. Nobody really succeeds and failure is disguised. In truth, everyone fails when nobody is allowed to succeed.

I believe the conservative economic policy is the best policy. When people are given the freedom to invest and build wealth, everyone benefits. I may never be the tycoon or mogul, probably won’t be. But I have a choice of jobs because of them. I have income from those jobs to provide for my family. I enjoy the innovations they discover. I don’t have to be in the upper tier to enjoy the growth. I don’t have to get the tax incentives to benefit from them. I just have to live in a capitalistic society that allows and fosters financial freedom so that – at the least – I can live comfortably.

Be alert when you hear “innocent” words like “spreading the wealth around.”

Working Out

I’ve been working out for a week because the sleep doctor explained how apnea affects so much more than just my sleep. For me, aggressive weight loss should help address many problems. So I’m doing it.

I’ve been lifting weights. I’m told that ten pounds of muscle will burn one pound a week just because it’s there.

I’ve been walking or riding the bike. Aerobics are not as important at this point as losing weight but aerobics will help some and at least I’ll be in the habit.

I’ve been eating less. That’s the hard part. Do you know how easy it is to drive through the fast food restaurant on the way home from the gym?

I haven’t seriously tried to lose weight in about 17 years. I haven’t worked out with weights in 25 years. But I like it. So maybe I’ll stay with it.

Presidential Election

So much is at stake with your vote on November 4. The choice American’s make will set the stage for drastic changes in the landscape of our country and her politics. These economic times require further conservative principles; abandoning them would keep the United States from rebounding and growing. Cutting taxes and reducing federal spending in tandem will strengthen the US economy by stimulating job creation, boosting consumer confidence, increasing the value of the dollar in world markets, stabilizing the financial markets at home and abroad, and increasing wealth across the board.

We do not need a government bailout. Instead, we need the government to get out and stay out of our pocketbooks so we can purchase and consume and save and invest. Many Americans are capable of managing their own money in regard to health care and retirement. Those who aren’t should be able to opt into a government program providing barebones necessities. But only the barebones, don’t reward them for being irresponsible by giving them top shelf benefits. Regardless of what you heard during the debate last night, health care is NOT a right in the democratic republic that is the United States. Maybe healthcare is a right in socialist/communist countries where poverty and oppression are also “rights” that all citizen can enjoy. But we are talking about America…where our spirit of achievement drives us to be great.

I am disappointed in our highest leaders: the one in office and the two running for office. In chorus, they and others said that the rescue/bailout bill had to been done quickly because the American and world economies hung in the balance. Now, almost a week later, the markets are still unsteady and the noise coming from them is that the recovering will not be quick. I don’t get it: we had to do something quick but it will take months for it to work? We need change.

Conservatives must respond. A few in the Congress have stood firm, but not enough. Those who abandoned or have always rejected conservative fiscal policy should be voted out and replaced with men and women who will minimize the role of the federal government and create an atmosphere of hope and promise that will foster financial recovery and expansion. The resulting rising economy will lift all Americans who are willing to participate. Those who aren’t will have their hands out wanting someone (you and me through direct contribution or taxation) to rescue/bailout them. Almost 80 years of entitlement-focused government has raised generations who believe they are entitled. Some are accused of being born with a silver spoon in their mouths and others demand one of their own. America is better than that.

What we need is a Great Awakening across the fifty states and we need it within the next four weeks. People dedicated to Jesus Christ will establish a society that will foster achievement, excellence, and compassion. The most compassionate act a person can do is to fish for men. And it doesn’t matter who gets the credit as long as more people go to heaven and fewer people go to hell, to quote Emil Turner.

The next is to teach people that fishing for fish is better than begging for fish. A great wave of dedication to Jesus Christ will do that. People will want to help others help themselves. People will want to be financially stable. This will relax the burden on the taxpayers and allow them to invest and create economic momentum.

The alternative is to reject conservative principles and increase the burden on the taxpayers resulting in less investment and economic stagnation or downturn. The economy is a spiral that either builds upon freedom to expand or collapses on restrictions and greed. A combination of restricting freedom and greed brought us to where we are today. Again, turning to Christ will effectively deal with the problem of greed; loving our neighbor will eliminate the perceived need for the government to pull money from the economy.

Even in difficult political and economic times, Jesus is the answer. Which candidate do you think will give us the opportunity to implement biblical principles in American politics?

Fireproof

David McLemore

My friend and mentor died of cancer Sunday morning. I’ve not been in contact with David as much as I would have liked in recent years due to his service in Iraq and his motorcycle accident. But his mark is clearly on my life.

David was pastor of Second Baptist Church in Russellville for 21 years. During that time, I stumbled into the church after a divorce had left me suicidal at times and discouraged most of the time. I had issues with my past that I didn’t know how to handle. SBCR embraced me, helped me, put me to use and back on the track to preaching the gospel. If churches really are a reflection of their pastors, then SBCR was a reflection of David McLemore’s heart. I thank God for all of them and for him.

Knowing my past, he encouraged me to pursue my seminary education. He let me serve in leadership. He let me preach from his pulpit. Now that I am a pastor, I understand the significance of that act.

When Deana and I first began noticing each other, David came to me and said, “If anything happens between you two, that’s alright with me.” I had accepted the possibility that I might never have a one-flesh mate but David told me it was OK. He would later marry us. He told us that we had to promise him that if we ever considered divorce we would come talk with him first. We are doing very well in our marriage, but it’s a sobering thought to know the safety net is gone.

My life is different because of David McLemore and SBCR. “Love’s Second Home” is my home until I join David in heaven.

Sandy would be a good church member

I'm looking out the dining room window watching my dog Sandy play in the front yard. She's scratching a flea. She's rolling in the grass. She's playing with some trash she found in the ditch.

Now, what does this have to do with church membership? Let me explain before you jump to conclusions. To start with, Sandy recognizes that something is wrong and she does what she can to correct it. She has a flea (or something) and it bothers her, so she scrathes and bites at it. Good church members will be sensitive to things in their lives that are wrong and they will do something about it.

Next, Sandy is rolling in the grass. She's happy and content with where she is. The front yard is not very big and a lot of people just drive right on by. Reminds me of our church. And just like the front yard is home to Sandy, our church is home to us. So let's be happy and content with where we are. Sure, our church will grow and change from time to time, but we shouldn't be looking for another church.

Finally, Sandy drug something into the yard that I wouldn't really put there. But she's having a ball playing with it. And it won't take long before I won't be able to recognize what it was because Sandy will have changed it. Her "marks" will be all over it. There are people in our community that some members might not want in church but we should bring them in and put our "marks" all over them so that they are changed. Unfortunately, many church folks would never think of inviting someone from the fringe of society (the side of the road) to come to church.

I've learned a lot from my dog this morning.

Dog Days

It’s August and the heat is here. Fortunately, we are blessed with a few days of sub-100 degree temps. A friend of mine was excited about the forecasted high temp of 92! Perspective is everything, isn’t it? In April, 92 would be unimaginably hot. We would all jump on the Global Warming bandwagon. Rumors of Armageddon would flood email inbox. But in mid-August when you have 100+ temps for several days…

We like to view our closeness to God by comparing ourselves with others. We think that in relation to how bad other people live their lives, we are pretty good! I don’t drink, I don’t cheat, I don’t steal…

If we think like that, our perspective is all wrong. We don’t compare ourselves to each other. Our standard of righteousness is Jesus Christ. Yikes! I don’t look so good. I would rather compare myself to you. And you would rather compare yourself to me. But we won’t be judged based on who lived better than who. We will be judged based on our obedience to biblical principles.

Perspective is everything. And if you think the dog days of August are hot, those who reject Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will face a destination much worse. Praise God for the blessed hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.

If you would like to know more about Jesus, please contact me at 501-821-3078 or pastor@crbclr.org.

Heart Language

Have you noticed the high concentration of commercials for Rosetta Stone? This is a computer program that teaches foreign languages. It seems that more and more people are interested in learning a language other than their heart language. I've toyed with the idea of buying the Russian version so that I (and other volunteers) will have a better idea of the language when we take our mission trips to Russia over the next several years.

 

But I'm intrigued with the idea that people want to know a language besides their heart language. That is a great illustration for what is happening spiritually all across the world, but especially in America. God created us with a heart language; a language that communicates between God and us. He intends us to be in relationship with him - a relationship that is real and personal and vital. The task of each person is to learn that language and dialogue continually with God.

 

But the goal of those immersed in modern culture are seeking a different language. They are forsaking their heart language for something else…anything else. They will be able to communicate with each other but not with God. They will have neat relationships with each other but no relationship with God. They will think all is fine in this world but realize in eternity that they missed the point.

 

The point of this life is to communicate with God. His language is unique to him but accessible by anyone who calls on the name of Jesus. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a Rosetta Stone program for this? Instead, God has called us to teach them by telling them about Jesus Christ.

Ministry with Personal Agenda

The worst thing you can put on a salad is oil and vinegar. Look at the bottle. You have to shake it up! I’ll bet that no long after you shake it up and pour it on the lettuce that it separates into oil and vinegar again. YUK!

Even worse is when someone engages in “ministry” to advance a personal agenda. There are lots of newsworthy things to put in a newsletter without having to beat up other Christians. They guys on TV who mix ministry and personal agenda are pretty easy to spot. I just wish everyone doing ministry would leave her personal agenda out of the discussion.

Freedom

We celebrate our freedom this month. People talk about their freedom to do this or do that. Things like putting obscene bumper stickers on their cars or treating their spouses any way they like is not what the settlers had in mind, I don’t think. They wanted freedom from oppressive government and freedom to worship God as they saw fit. I admire that a lot more than I admire what some folks today want to claim as “freedom.”

 

In reality, we all live freely within boundaries. That sounds strange but it’s true. You are free to pursue any career you like as long as it is legal. See what I mean? Freedom within boundaries. For most of us, that’s no problem, but for some…well, you can spot them, can’t you?

 

The Bible says that all things were created and established by God. Even government is God’s idea. When a country operates according to God’s standards, the people are free to live and enjoy life and worship him. When these things are suppressed, the government is no longer operating according to God’s standards.

 

Some people think that living according to God’s standards binds or enslaves them. But just the opposite is true. That’s because freedom is a five-letter word: Jesus. Only in Christ can we truly be free.

"My Stray Dogs"

Maybe I’m missing something, but aren’t stray dogs homeless? Ownerless? Thank you, I thought I was right about that.

 

So this lady pulls into the church parking lot and stops. A deacon goes to her to see if he can help her and she says, “Oh no, I’m just feeding my stray dogs.”

 

First, if they are yours, please take them home with you rather than feeding them in our parking lot. By nature, “stray” dogs “stay” where they find food. We are a church and we love all God’s creation but we don’t need dogs, dog food and its by-product in our parking lot.

 

Second, if they are yours, please take them home with you rather than feeding them in our parking lot. What caring dog owner would feed her pets in the parking lot at a busy intersection? She’s inviting these animals she claims as her own to die. They will eventually become road kill because they have learned to come running every time a car that looks like hers slows down.

 

It is virtually impossible to get rid of unwanted dogs in Saline county yet all across the county, state, and country unwanted babies are aborted for convenience or to avoid embarrassment or some other insufficient reason.

 

Why can’t people put their compassion to work in an arena that really matters?

Growing Old

I don’t think of myself as being young or old, just somewhere in the middle. This month is a reminder of my aging. My birthday is the first week of May, my oldest son graduates college the first weekend of May, and the same son is getting married the last day of May. It’s going to be an a-MAY-zing month!

 

What’s really amazing is that God wants to be part of our lives at all these different stages. As I get older I am reminded that Heaven is closer now than ever before. Thinking about Heaven is exciting. But I also have to remember that while I am here on earth I have specific instructions to share the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. The Bible tells me that God’s Spirit is with me as I obey his command.

 

As the students pass through the portal of graduation into a new aspect of life, they will find that God wants to be part of their lives, too. Decisions about colleges and careers can seem overwhelming. As parents, we should teach our children to discover God’s plan before making major decisions. It will make all the difference in the world later on.

 

Nothing is as life changing as marriage. Was that an “Amen!” I heard? Including God in the formation of the marriage helps increase the likelihood that the marriage will last. Christians are not perfect, but we do have a source of strength and wisdom in God. His strength enables us to stay in a marriage and work out the problems. His wisdom guides us away from potential problems before they happen and through existing problems. Marriage is a wonderful gift from God and is a blessing when founded upon his love.

 

Your life is probably a lot like mine. Opportunities to trust God are plenty. So are chances to blow it.

What's Important to Us

The young woman couldn't make a singing career so she relied on high-priced prostitution to make a living. Guess what...now she's famous!

Her singing career is taking off. A pornography magazine is pursuing her. Pop culture has a superstar and all it took was prostitution to get success rolling for her.

Makes me wonder, "What's important to us?"

Immorality, Politics & Us

Another politician is embarrassed and in trouble because of sexual immorality.  The New York governor is not the only person in this dilemma, just the most recent to have his picture on every news website and his name as the punch line of late night jokes.  I see three problems in the previous sentence.

One is the late night jokes.  More people laugh about this than mourn over it.  Another person’s problems are funny to the public rather than a point of concern.  Our culture has stopped caring about other people and their problems from the standpoint of helping and fixing.  We now feed on the fallen as a way to humor ourselves…maybe to justify our own fallenness.  Pray for the culture.

Another problem is the news coverage.  Agreed, this is news-worthy but the talking heads miss the point, just like the comedians and their audiences.  One person said that this is a uniquely American problem – not the adultery but the fact that it is viewed as a moral wrong – and that in Europe it wouldn’t even make the back page of the papers.  I’ve come to the point that I don’t want American culture to be the harbinger of truth, much less European culture!  Politicians are in the news talking about this, too.  Most of them think it’s a tragedy.  Democrats think losing this man from public life is a tragedy.  Republicans think keeping this man in public life for even 48 more hours is a tragedy.  The real tragedy is that a family is attacked by Satan and Satan seems to have won.  Pray for the family: husband, wife, children.

The third problem is that the governor is not the only one in a dilemma such as this.  Hardly anyone is shocked by these headlines anymore.  This is a common happening in Hollywood, New York, even Little Rock.  Maybe even in your family.  Commonplace does not equal moral rightness.  If we let the majority determine what is right we then remove God from the discussion.  God needs no person to agree with him to validate his truth.  God would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah if even ten moral people had been found there.  Those choosing immorality totaled nearly 100%.  In America the issue would be settled: immorality is OK.  But God is not swayed by public opinion.  Pray for the country.

And I don’t think God sits by inattentively as the world takes a downward spiral morally.  I don’t know what God will do in response or when he will do it but I’m sure there will be a reckoning.  There always has been.  Pray for mercy.

Ekaterinburg, Russia

I spent fifteen days on a mission trip to Russia in February.  What a great experience!  There were four pastors that traveled to Ekaterinburg and surrounding cities to conduct Bible conferences.  During the four conferences we spoke to well over 300 believers.  What is so amazing is that there are only 840 believers in the entire state of Sverdlovskaya.  Can you imagine the effort it would take to speak to one-third of the believers in Arkansas?  What a privilege to speak with them and encourage them in their faith…which is a hard life in Russia.  Only one person out of two hundred is a believer in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

 

After I returned home I went to Lifeway Christian Stores and was talking about the trip with the sales person.  She asked, “Did it change your life forever?”

 

It did.  I’m ready to pack up and move my family over there but I still believe God has called me to preach right where I am.  What I will do is mobilize my church to partner with believers in Russia through prayer and financial support so that more and more people come to know Christ.  I hope to take some of my friends at Cross Road to Russia in the years to come.

Waxing Eloquent

So I’m writing the weekly devotion for the church’s website.  It’s about asking God for wisdom like Solomon did.  I start out by saying, “Imagine you found an Arabian lamp in your basement.”

 

No.  What I said was, “Imagine you find and Arabian lamb in your basement.”  Then I go on to say that you rub it just to see if a genie pops out!

 

What a dummy!

That's What It's All About

I was sitting in the waiting room at the clinic for a Hepatitis B booster shot. This is in preparation for the trip to Russia. It was 8:15. The waiting room was about half full for others who had the 8:30 appointment like me. I'm not sure how so many people can have an appointment at the same time. There were more in the waiting room than the number of doctors in the clinic. I guess this is similar to the airlines when they overbook seats.

In one corner was a guy about my age dressed in a suit and reading a book. A few seats away was an older fellow. Turns out that the young guy was a sales representative for a drug company. The old man recognizes the book the younger guy is reading and strikes up a conversation. Both have been in the Bible Study Fellowship for many years and the discussion goes on a while about that. Then they begin talking about their churches...I won't mention the churches but will say that I'm ashamed that we share the same denomination.

The younger guy's supervisor goes to the older guys church and they start comparing things. Each one seems to want to "one up" the other. Before long they have covered the topics of attendance, gymnasiums, children's facilities, and budgets. I guess all of that is OK except when they talked about funding missions. Both churches give 6% to the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention. They used to give much more but in recent years have scaled back on CP Missions in order to fund mission trips and projects within the church. The older man suggested that his church reduced their giving because the mission boards didn't spend the money the way his church thought they should. The younger man agreed.

The older man thought 6% was generous because "6% of a $6 million budget is a lot of money." Members of Cross Road should be pleased to know that the most recent budget for our church included an increase of 1% to CP Missions. That amounts to about $1,000 more in 2008 than in 2007. By the way, 2007's budget also contained a 1% increase to CP Missions. Plus we set aside money for local missions and mission trips above that. Plus we have given larger missions offerings the past 2 years than at any time before.

I'm glad to tell folks that CRBC is mission-minded. We prove it by praying, giving, and going. And we are doing more of each than ever before at a time when others are scaling back in some areas. Preachers can get dreamy-eyed and wish they were the pastor of such-n-such church but I'm glad to pastor your church because you've got your mind on what is really important.

The men went back to talking about the success of their basketball programs. One does Upward Basketball and one has an in-house league for children. Both said that through these leagues they were able to attract kids and then get their families coming. The older gentleman said, "When parents step into the entry to our children's department and see what we have, I don't know why they would want to go anywhere else."

"That's what it all about," the younger one said.

They never talked about Jesus or sharing the gospel or helping people mature spiritually. From their conversation one could assess, fairly or unfairly, that they think church is about attendance, buildings, and money.

I've always thought church was about Jesus.

Resolutions

"I am resolved no longer to linger..." These are the words to a Christian hymn that tells of a desire to flee the world and cling to God, to do his will. The word "linger" is a problem for me.
I piddle too much. Maybe you know how it is? "OK," I tell myself, "just one game of Hearts on the computer and then I'll get back to studying." "I'll quickly scan the news (paper and sites) then I'll move on." "Just one episode of Deal or No Deal and I'll be done."
I'm usually trying to meet deadlines at the last minute. I would much rather complete my tasks early and then have time for piddling. It just doesn't come easy for me even though I love the work I do and the preparation necessary for it.
So, a week and a half into the new year I'm making a resolution: I am resolved no longer to linger.

Gotta Get in Shape

I feel terrible. I'm not sick, just out of shape. I need to lose 100 pounds. There, I said it, out loud, publicly. Even if I get down to the same weight as when I graduated high school, I'll still be 15 pounds too heavy, according to the charts. But I'd be happy to just get started in that direction.

I'm going to Russia in 6 weeks. I've been warned that the most used mode of transportation will be my feet and legs. So I started walking in the early morning hours. But then it rained for about a week straight - or at least the area where I walk became a pond for several days - and I used that as an excuse to stop. Now I can't start again. And all the while, Russia is getting closer.

It's a terrible time to try to eat right and exercise. Have you tried Tuti's Crock Pot Candy? If not, you are missing one of the finer things in life. If so, you know what I mean. Now Deana is making it and one of the ladies at church is making it. I can't get away from it. Not that I try very hard.

That's the real problem. It don't try very hard. I preach that what you say really doesn't matter until you act upon what you say you believe. OUCH!

Here's the revised exercise plan. I'll take my walking clothes to the office (which is next door to the house) and take time during the day to walk. I'll also ride the stationary bike when weather is wet. I can't use cold as an excuse because the place in Russia I'm going to hasn't seen 20 degrees in weeks. It will be worse when I get there.

I don't think I can lose 100 pounds in six weeks but I did lose about 40 pounds in 8 weeks one time. Watch the carbs, cut the calories, drink lots of water, eat lean meats and vegetables, and exercise at least 4 times a week for 30 minutes per event.

I should feel better soon. I should fit into my clothes better soon. I should be able to walk around Russia without dying.

Pray for me!

Life's Not Easy

She's sixteen. She's the star of a Nickelodeon program. She's the younger sister of a pop music icon. She's pregnant.

This girl had every opportunity ahead of her but she gets sexually involved with a guy from church. A guy from church!

Let me chase this rabbit for a minute. Guys at church are not always the best guys. And the girls there aren't always the best, either. But don't we expect church to be the safest place to meet guys and girls? It's been my experience that meeting your future spouse at church is far better than meeting her anywhere else.

But she had choices, and making decisions is one of the hardest things anyone ever has to do. Another hard thing is living with your choices. Another is correcting bad choices.

Life's hard but making better choices...at any age...would make life easier.

Golf & Bowling...I'm lousy at both

I watched a lot of ABC's The Wide World of Sports when I was growing up.  Every Saturday morning I would watch a few cartoons then settle in for Cowboy Bill Watts, Skandar Akbar, Mr. X and others on wrestling on Channel 4.  That would be followed by the Major League Baseball Game of the Week with Joe Garigiola and Tony Kubek.  Please excuse my spelling of any of these names!

I watched the Summer and Winter Olympics every four years.  The first Olympic heroes I remember are Mark Spitz and Franz Klammer.  I remember Dr. J and his exciting dunks.  The undefeated Miami Dolphins.  I was at the 1976 Cotton Bowl with Arkansas v. Georgia.

I'm one of those guys who can watch, listen, or participate in sports constantly.  Trouble is...I'm no good at any of them.  For example, my average in golf is about the same as my average in bowling.  That's not good for either sport.

I thought I could pick up snow skiing pretty easily - afterall I idolized Franz Klammer - but I broke my leg on the bunny slopes.  That's not good.

I like playing softball but when I'm in the outfield there better be two cutoff men in order to get the ball back to the infield.  That's not good.

I was the deep snapper in high school football.  I was the guy who snapped the ball to the punter.  My record is 35 yards in the air...over the punter's head.  That's not good.

I've decided that most sporting events require too much preparation and skill and fitness.  I'd rather watch on TV or listen on the radio or sit in the stands.

You know what?  I'm OK with not being any good at all that.  But I won't be satisfied if I'm no good when it comes to serving the Lord.  I'm willing to put in the preparation, develop the skills, and get spiritually fit.  How 'bout you?

Things I Missed with Jim & Caleb

For me, the worst part of divorce is that my relationship with my boys has been forever changed.  The best way – God’s plan – is that divorce never happens and children always live with their parents.  Over the last fifteen years I’ve done a sometimes good and sometimes bad job of keeping a good relationship with them.  I suspect I could have done better.  I’m proud of them and love them but feel I could have been more influential in their lives.

And the non-custodial parent – that’s what the court calls me – gets four days a month to be with the kids.  At least that’s how it was in my case since their mother moved 120+ miles away.  I missed a lot of games and plays and concerts and just everyday living that you can’t really experience through a phone call.  I missed the Tooth Fairy, PTA, lunch at school…  They could probably create a longer list than I can.

Now I have two grown men and I still want to influence their lives.  I want them to be godly men.  In order to influence them in this way I have to be a good example.  I can’t miss these opportunities.

Rain

It seems like we’ve had rain almost every day for a  couple of weeks.  Most days the rain has been heavy.  But I’m told that we are still short on the year-to-date totals.  Once you get behind it’s hard to catch up!

I’ve learned that this principle works in our walk with God.  Christians refer to the spiritual life as a daily walk – with the emphasis on daily.  How often do we forget or neglect to spend time with God?  It doesn’t take long and it seems we are so out of touch with him…that he is so far away.

A church a few miles from here posted a message on their sign that reminds me of a truth that hits home far too often: When it feels like you are not as close to God as you once were, God is not the one who moved!

It will take a lot more rain for catch up with the YTD average.  Fortunately, it only takes a prayer to return to a close walk with God.

Fireworks

Baseball, hotdogs, apple pie, & Chevrolet.  What is more American than that?

Last night I had three of the four plus fireworks.  Although the Arkansas Travelers are not very good, I love baseball and had a great time.  We had a rare partial double header!

Last week the Travelers played the Frisco Rough Riders in Frisco.  The game was delayed three times by rain until it was finally halted in the middle of the tenth inning with the score tied at zero.  Since the Travelers won’t play again in Frisco this year and since Frisco is in Little Rock this week, the natural decision was to complete the game prior to the game Wednesday.

The teams took to the field.  Bottom of the 10^th.   Score 0 – 0.  Two pitches later the Frisco catcher pounds the ball over the left field wall for a walk off home run.  Game over.  It didn’t take long for the July 4^th fireworks to start!  It took even less time for them to fizzle out!  We had to wait 57 minutes for the start of the regularly scheduled game – the second game of the double header.

The second game was great baseball – for the Rough Riders.  Their pitcher went the distance pitching a 1-hit shutout.  Frisco swept the double header 1-0 and 3-0.

Since the game was moving along quickly (1-hitters usually do) there was plenty of time between the end of the game and the start of the city’s fireworks display on the Arkansas River.  So the kids got to run the bases!  Riley loves that.

Then the fireworks display!  I enjoyed baseball, ate a hotdog, drove home in my Chevrolet, and watched fireworks.  I need a piece of apple pie.

Day Camp

I am currently serving in my first fully supported church pastorate. Up to this point I've served bivocationally - I worked another job to support my family. Because of this, I've not been able to do a lot of things with the church that I would like to do. For example, the Pulaski Baptist Association conducts a Day Camp for 1st-6th graders each summer. I've not been able to participate previously but this year I accompanied 12 children and one other adult from our church.

I had a blast! It's pretty cool to see the kids have such a good time playing in safe environments. It was my first opportunity to spend quality time with many of them and I'm thankful for the chance to be with them. We also had Bible study each day and a missionary report - from a real missionary! The kids loved it.

If Christianity is all about relationships then this is a great Day Camp. Hopefully, these kids will remember the fun we had this week and turn to me for help as they grow older. This week was the foundation for that kind of relationship.

Parade

As she told me about it all I could see in my mind was the Chinese New Year parades with the paper dragons bouncing from side to side and up and down.

Last Sunday Dianna was preparing for the worst.  All the doctors said she had cancer and that it was spreading quickly.  Her mother wanted to me to talk with her about her salvation because there was a good chance she would not live much longer.

Monday morning Dianna went to surgery.  Monday afternoon her mother called to tell me there was no cancer.  They had been parading down the halls of UAMS.

Tuesday morning I went to see Dianna again.  She looked much better than she had on Sunday night.  Physically, she was tired from the surgery.  Emotionally, she was on cloud nine.  Spiritually, she was thankful and praising God.

Dianna told me that as soon as she woke up she began to ask those tending to her how bad the cancer was.  There was no cancer!  She began to wave her arms and shout (almost like a cheerleader) “No Cancer!  No Cancer!”  When it was time for the family to see her they all joined the cheer.  As Dianna was moved back to her room she and her entourage paraded down the halls of the hospital, “No Cancer! No Cancer!”

People along the route joined in.  Nurses station after nurses station.  It was a parade…orchestrated by God.

Remembering the Courageous

Billy Graham said, “Courage is contagious.  When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.”  Those men and women who died in military service for the United States lead all of us to greater courage.  And so we remember them and honor them this weekend.

 

The US Army website offers this statement about courage:

Personal courage has long been associated with our Army.  With physical courage, it is a matter of enduring physical duress and at times risking personal safety.  Facing moral fear or adversity may be a long, slow process of continuing forward on the right path, especially if taking those actions is not popular with others.  You can build your personal courage daily by standing up for and acting upon the things that you know are  honorable.  (http://www.goarmy.com/life/living_the_army_values.jsp#courage)

 

Many who gave their lives defending freedom did so with great courage standing up for what is right.  Others showed the same courage and returned home to family and friends.  To each person who has courageously defending our freedom we say,

 

“Thank you and God bless you.”

 

As a Christian, we have someone to help us stand up for and act upon those things which we believe.  Jesus Christ is the perfect example and the Holy Spirit is our source of courage.  And when one of us takes a courageous stand, the rest of us gain the courage to do the same.

 

Memorial Day is reserved for remembering the courageous who died defending our freedom.  Praise God for them!  Now, let us remember to be courageous as we follow Christ.

 

 

Unbelievable Experience

Every pastor enjoys baptizing new believers. I guess we should. I can’t imagine not enjoying it.

Today was kicked up a notch more. My youngest son, Riley, accepted Christ as Savior last Sunday night – my birthday. Today – Mothers Day – I baptized him.

I have baptized three couples. I have baptized older men whose wives had been praying for them for years. I’ve baptized children, teenagers, and young and old adults. I’ve enjoyed them all. It’s a special feeling to stand waist deep in water (sometimes warm, sometimes not!) with someone you’ve recently helped in the journey to Christ and share that moment.

For me, baptism has always been about celebration because someone has accepted Christ and is starting out on this fantastic journey. Today’s celebration was extra special.

Saved!

As a pastor, I am cautious when a child comes forward to accept Christ as Savior and Lord. My experience tells me that certainly a child can be truly saved. I was 8 years old when I was saved. I knew very little about God, Jesus, and salvation at that time. I only knew that I was a sinner and that sin was a problem between God and me. I knew that Jesus was God’s son and that he died on the cross for me. There’s a lot I still don’t understand!

But I also know people who walked the aisle at a young age, were baptized, and thought they were saved. Salvation is an act of the will to agree with God about your sinfulness and to accept his resolution for that problem: Jesus’ death on the cross. Upon confessing Christ as your Savior and committing your life to him, you are saved. It can only be accomplished by grace through faith. Grace is where you don’t deserve what you get. Mercy is where you don’t get what you deserve. Many folks think grace and mercy are the same but there is a subtle yet significant difference! I not only want mercy (not getting what I deserve – punishment and hell) but I also want grace (not deserving what I get – forgiveness and Heaven)! Faith is believing that God is exactly who he says he is and that he will do exactly what he says he will do. Salvation is by grace through faith.

What an awful thing to do to a child to allow him to run through the motions of walking the aisle and being baptized without ever having a true salvation experience! Many adults think they are saved because they walked the aisle, repeated a prayer, and were baptized when a child. They believe they have their ticket to Heaven punched and don’t really care about how they live or living for Christ. That false sense of security that churches place on them can be an eternal disaster.

I don’t want that to happen to any child. So when my son Riley started asking questions about salvation, being a Christian, being baptized, and taking the Lord’s Supper, I was cautious. This has been going on for several months but I just didn’t think he understood the basics: what sin is, that he is a sinner, that Jesus died on the cross as punishment for his sins, that being a Christian is about more than baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Last night I sat on the edge of the bed with him as we said our bedtime prayers. After I said mine he asked me what sin is. He pronounced it with a “d” on the end of it (“send”) so I answered based on that. He corrected me. I wanted to see if he really understood; his correction let me know he had a good idea of what sin is. We talked for a while and also talked with Deana (my wife, his mother). We finally felt comfortable with him praying to receive Christ as Savior.

I think it’s real. And I’m real happy. There is nothing like helping your child be birthed into God’s family. I’ve been privileged to be present when all my sons were born into my family and born into God’s family.