Apologizing for Bad Behavior

The last few days have been rich with examples of bad behavior. First there was the US congressman from South Carolina, Joe Wilson. Mr. Wilson listened to President Obama’s speech Wednesday night with emotions rising within him. Then when the President said that his healthcare plan would not be extended to illegal aliens, Mr. Wilson could stand it no more. “You lie!” The joint session of Congress could not have been any quieter than at that moment. “You lie!” rang through the hall. People from all political persuasions immediately called for Mr. Wilson’s apology, which he gave.

 

Then Serena Williams was on the verge of being eliminated from the US Open Tennis Championships when a line judge called a foul on her, giving her opponent a point. Because of the point, it was match point against Williams. Williams, one of the best tennis players in the world, lashed out at the judge using language we would be embarrassed for our children to hear. Tournament officials got involved and Williams left the court, giving the match to her opponent. She later apologized.

 

Next, it was time for Kanye West to act foolish. And he came through in fine fashion. His friend deserved the award on MTVs VMA telecast but another artist took the prize. While Taylor Swift was making her acceptance speech, West takes the stage and claims that Beyonce’s video was the best and should have won. The uproar was immediate. I was watching a football game but began receiving Tweets about it as it was happening. Entertainment insiders and outsiders called for an apology. He posted an apology on his website but later removed it.

 

Not a good week for your last name to start with a W.

 

I think Wilson, Williams, and West should have apologized for their terrible behavior. More importantly, I believe they should change their behavior. Emotions should not overtake a person so that they misbehave. Attitudes should not be more important than manners. Everybody has a right to their opinion and to disagree with others. How that disagreement is voiced is as important as the right to disagree. When you think that you or what you have to say is more important that someone else, you have sunk to a level below decency and manners.

 

To Joe Wilson, Serena Williams, and Kanye West: hopefully, genuine apologies have or will be given and better behavior will validate the apology. If your actions don’t back up your words, don’t bother to speak.

 

P.S. Mr. Wilson, I’m not opposed to what you said, just how you said it.

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

It was just a few minutes after 8:00 A.M. and we began to get calls telling us what was happening across the northeast. I worked at ICT Group in Morrilton, Arkansas. ICT is a call center handling customer service calls for many of the nation’s leading mortgage companies. I was in a training class when I heard the news.

The rest of the day was different than previous days. While we tried to carry on as usual, that was impossible. The uncertainty bred a sense of fear throughout the building. Rumors about wars, rising gas prices, and the end of time spread quickly.

Many people – some Christians, some not – asked me if this was the beginning of the end. Is this Armageddon? These questions opened the door for me to share the gospel freely. I would respond that I didn’t know if this was the end of time but I did know how important it was to know for sure you were ready for it. I spoke freely of Jesus Christ and am thankful for the opportunity.

The quick, strong response by the United States under the direction of President George W. Bush restored order and kept us free and safe. The sacrifice of the US military personnel is heroic and the key to our success in the fight against terrorism. My prayers have been that God would bless each person responsible for the freedom, safety, and strength of the United States.

Many families will mourn tomorrow. They lost loved ones on 9/11 on American soil. They lost loved ones over the past 8 years overseas. We all must pray that God keeps his promises to comfort the sorrowful and punish the wicked.

Free John Piper Resource

Do you have Logos Libronix software? If so, click here for Finally Alive by John Piper. It's FREE!

Obama's Speech

Have you read the text of the prepared remarks the President plans to give today? I did. It didn’t take long so everyone should read it. I think it’s a good speech and my child should hear it. The only disagreement I have is over the state of the environment. I don’t believe it is as fragile as the President does.

But the speech avoid politics and he certainly has the freedom and power to speak to children in the public schools. His influence upon the public schools in other ways should be of greater concern. I have a niece in private school. She won’t have to hear this speech unless her parents read it or show it to her. I have a similar choice: I can take my son out of school today. I will not do that given the prepared remarks I have read. I hope the President sticks to the teleprompter. And I hope there is no Q&A time allowing him to inject politics into the classroom.

I am praying for my son and others to hear a message of encouragement and responsibility that spurs them on to excellence. I’ll take care of teaching him morality and ethics, right and wrong.

Morning Light

"The path of righteousness is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day." (Proverbs 4:18)

I'm in the Ozark mountains, skies are overcast. Still, I can see the morning light come through chasing away the darkness. I want my life to reflect Christ so clearly that it chases away the darkness in the lives of people I meet today. Not just like a sunrise on a cloudy day but a full noon sunlight on a cloudless day.

My righteousness is as filthy rags but I no longer am clothed in my own but I now wear the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Let it shine today!

 

Twelve and a half years

Today is our anniversary! Deana and I have been married twelve and a half years. We were talking this morning about the way we have changed over the years. We decided to love each other and that has helped us experience some amazing things. I stick to my decision and my love for Deana is as strong as ever…that hasn’t changed. One thing that has changed is the things about her that I love. I know her better now than then and there are so many things about her that are lovely and loveable.

So I wanted to take a minute today to tell you that I love Deana and to tell Deana that I love her. We got a late start so we may not make 50 years, but if you think about it we are already halfway there. Twelve and a half for me and twelve and a half for Deana equals twenty-five years! Maybe we will make it to fifty!

Saturday Morning Thoughts

I love Saturday mornings. Typically, I wake up with Riley because we have been snuggling on Friday nights for a long time. He’s a good snuggle buddy but, like his older brothers, he’s almost at the age where snuggling with Daddy isn’t such fun. For now, though, I’m enjoying every moment.

Then we have breakfast. Sometimes, it’s pancakes (World Famous Pancakes) or cinnamon rolls or muffins. Today, it’s chocolate chip muffins and a cup of coffee. This is one of the few times we all have breakfast together.

But then my Saturdays usually take a turn toward the office. Today is no different. A couple of hours at home then the rest of the day at the office. This week, my Saturday is not a day off because of a three day seminar in Nashville. Most weeks, I just lollygag. So I need a plan to get everything done by Thursday afternoon so I can enjoy some time alone and with the family on Friday and Saturday. I’ll work on that, but for now, I’m enjoying my coffee and family.

I’ve gotten behind on my seminar assignments…again. I had a good plan six weeks ago but deadlines are here and I’m still reading and writing. I gathered all the books and even began reading, but one thing after another came up and I pushed aside the assignments. Most of the distractions were important things but not all of them needed my immediate attention. Then there were the “time gremlins” that stole my time but gave nothing in return.

When I worked in JC Penney during my college days, we had customers who shopped but never purchased anything. We called them “TWs” because they were time wasters. With a sales goal looming over your heard each week, you didn’t want to get stuck with at TW! But I let TWs have my time with these assignments and now I’m scrambling to get them completed.

Christians have been given an assignment from the Lord – the Great Commission. If we want to complete the assignment we must get on and stay on task. There will be many TWs and time gremlins along the way. Distractions await at every turn. Those serious about the task will focus on their responsibilities and draw strength from the Spirit; they will rely upon the Lord for direction and motivation.

The unique thing about this assignment is the due date: we continue working on it until we die or until Jesus returns. At first glance, that seems like an easy obligation; but when you realize that you don’t know when that due date will arrive, you should feel a sense of urgency to get busy. I want to become more and more like Christ so I can be more and more effective carrying out my task.

In Defense of the Association, State Convention, and SBC

I am in favor of a Great Commission Resurgence. I would have voted to assemble the Task Force if I had been able to attend the SBC annual meeting in Louisville in June. I am committed to praying for the Task Force daily. I believe the local church should hold all agencies, institutions, etc., accountable to be good stewards of the resources we send them.

This is the purpose of a Great Commission Resurgence and I hope the Task Force will stay on task. Getting side-tracked by a personal agenda would be easy and tempting; but the churches of the SBC do not want representatives of a handful of megachurches to restructure the denomination to suit them.

Now, let me defend the existence and work of the Pulaski Baptist Association, Arkansas Baptist State Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention from the perspective of a small church pastor who desires to see his community and world impacted by the church he leads.

Pulaski Baptist Association, under the leadership of Danny Johnson, is a group of churches working together in places like Little Rock, New York, Mexico, St. Louis, and New Orleans. Using a modest budget, the association staff does some preliminary groundwork and planning that helps churches like mine get plugged into ministry. Our church sends 3% of our undesignated receipts to PBA – that’s not much money. In return, we get the planning mentioned above plus the availability of vans to use on our trips. That saves us the expense of owning and operating a van ourselves. We have an older van but it is not road worthy for a long trip. PBA also gives pastors opportunities for fellowship where we encourage each other and have lots of fun. We need that. Ministers receive support for further education. Danny takes groups of pastors and leaders to convention meetings and mission vision trips. Even if our church is not able to go on a trip, we participate through our contributions. We are impacting lives through PBA.

The Arkansas Baptist State Convention receives 10% of our undesignated funds. This funds missions and ministry around the state. Their staff helps us with education, training, and planning. Bob Fielding and Robby Tingle have helped us with logistics of planning an international missions trip. The Arkansas Baptist Builders coordinated work in New Orleans so our teams could spend the week helping remodel houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina. ABSC sends about 42% of our contribution to the Southern Baptist Convention where additional ministry and mission work is carried out.

The biggest advantage of being part of the SBC for our church in recent years has been our partnership with SBC missionaries in Russia. We are able to work directly with TeamSOAR, led by Rusty and Lori Hart in Ekaterinburg. I have made two trips since coming to CRBC and plan to take one trip each year and lead many in our church to also go. While in Russia, we are able to plug into the work already ongoing and we also can help establish new work in the region. Our impact in that part of the world is greater because of the SBC.

A proposal by the Great Commission Task Force that hinders these relationships in any way will face opposition by small churches like ours. Big churches have pulled support away from local associations and state conventions in recent years. Many have reduced Cooperative Program contributions, too. The truth is, they don’t need associations, state conventions, and the SBC; and small church can’t make it without this cooperation.

The Last Days

For those of you familiar with my preaching/teaching, you are probably surprised by the title of this blog post. Let me clarify what I am talking about: summer vacation is almost over and school starts next week!

Riley and I have been watching “Phineas and Ferb” all summer and we love the theme song. It starts like this: “A hundred and four days of summer vacation and school comes along just to end it.” That’s what’s happening. Except I’m not sure how you get 104 days of it, though! I’m counting about 75 or so.

Anyway, as the summer break comes to a close, Riley and I get to spend the days together because his normal childcare is taking the rest of the summer off. What can we do? More “Phineas and Ferb” for one thing! Riley is also going with me as I make home visits and associational meetings. He’s a trooper. All he needs is him MP3 player and his Nintendo DS and he’s good to go.

I wish everyone was so agreeable. If Christians were “good to go” we might see more ministry, more missions, more evangelism…

We are, after all, living in the Last Days. One day Jesus will return to gather all the believers and establish his millennial reign on earth. Just like Riley and I are making the most of the last days before school starts, don’t you want to make the most of the last days before Jesus returns?

So get involved in the ministry and missions your local church is doing. Share the good news of Jesus Christ with someone today. Be found faithful by impacting eternity now.

Bruce Chesser

I consider Bruce a friend although we never hung out together or shared personal concerns. We don’t know much about each other personally. We came to Little Rock at about the same time. He came to pastor one of the largest Baptist churches; I came to pastor one of the smallest. But over the years I found Bruce to be a friend.

 

The main reason for this is that he took the time to have breakfast with guys like me and to know our names. And he seemed to like the time we all spent together. I did. I had a job in another town, spent all my time at the church, had almost zero interaction with folks outside those two circles and family, but could sit in a fellowship hall or IHOP and feel like I belonged.

 

So, thanks, Bruce. And the best of the Lord’s blessings for you and your family as you head to Hendersonville.

God Still Moves

I’m not sure I can adequately express what I’m thinking but I have to try. When I say that God still moves it’s not like I thought he had stopped; this is more an affirmation than a revelation. A southern gospel song has the words “it’s good to know how it feels.” I believe God’s presence is more than a feeling and that he is with me even if I don’t feel it, but it IS good to know how it feels!

 

Worship tonight was as good as I’ve experienced in quite a while. The songs were spot on. The prayer time was phenomenal. The Word was so relevant. I hope I’m not the only one who realized it! If you were there, didn’t you sense it, too? God was moving among us, stirring us and drawing us nearer to him.

 

Personal decisions I’ve made recently coupled with some specific needs within our church and an awareness of our responsibility to the Gospel seemed to create the perfect storm, if you will. I’m convinced that God wants to move like this all the time but I know that we have to be ready and open to receive it. So God moved.

 

Maybe some were just spectators and didn’t get it. Maybe some were bored or turned off. Maybe some were drawn closer to God. Maybe some, like me, know that revival is coming. Would you like to know the key to revival?

 

Humble.

 

Pray.

 

Seek.

 

Turn.

 

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

 

Humble.

 

Pray.

 

Seek.

 

Turn.

 

God still moves!

Staying Caught Up

That was a fast week. I really need to relax more. The problem is that I’m lazy and don’t stay on top of my work; so I’m always busy. Does that make sense – lazy but always busy? I don’t like being called lazy, even if I’m the one calling me names!

So today is a new day, a fresh start for me. I’m reading and writing in preparation for a leadership seminar I’m taking later this month. Something I read this week got my attention. Spiritual Leadership by Blackaby and Blackaby says that leaders must maintain a routine. We often think of routine as boring, monotonous, or mundane; however, the discipline of routine keeps leaders focused on what really matters. I’m easily distracted; therefore, I need routine. I need a schedule. This is not to say that I won’t or can’t allow important things to interrupt my schedule, but it is to say that by scheduling the important things I know I’ll get them done.

I’m using Outlook and my Blackjack II for organization and reminders. I’m hoping to get an iPhone in September, but I digress! The most important element of motivation and organization is prayer. Through prayer I will draw nearer to God and understand what he wants me to do and how he will help me do it. Through prayer I will stay focused on the important people and tasks in my life. Through prayer I will become more like Jesus Christ, the ultimate “on-task” leader.

Every priority in my life has suffered because of my lack of organization, my procrastination, and my laziness. Enough of that! Today is a new day.

Churches, Associations, and Conventions

The Sr. Adult Focus was a great time today. Thanks to the Pulaski Baptist Association (sponsor) and Calvary Baptist Church (host). Great things happen with churches work together! That’s what associations and conventions do: provide opportunity to do more together than we could do separately.

 

From missions and ministry to fellowship and worship, getting together with other churches is worthwhile. Be looking for another opportunity to get together with Cross Road Baptist Church, Holly Springs Baptist Church, and Martindale Baptist Church this Fall. We are planning a Fall Event that will include all age groups in worship, preaching, and fellowship spanning over five days. I believe God will do great things during these days!

 

Our partnership with TeamSOAR is Russia is possible because of our cooperative work through the Southern Baptist Convention. Please continue praying for a church plant in Talitsa where there is no Baptist work and very few evangelical Christians. CRBC, TeamSOAR, and other SBC churches will impact Talitsa and increase the Kingdom.

 

This week, a group of eleven from CRBC took a daytrip to Hope to visit the Hope Migrant Mission Center. Arkansas Baptists provide this great ministry to migrant farm workers traveling between the Rio Grande River valley and northern states to work in agriculture. These travelers can get clothing, snacks, and personal hygiene products. They can also relax and play while there. Great ministry led by Bob Williford and supported by CRBC and other churches of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

 

Cooperation is a hallmark of Southern Baptists. I’m glad we are part of the cooperative effort!

Wipeout

I’m watching the TV show called Wipeout on ABC. I’ve seen the commercials but this is the first episode I’ve seen. So funny! People go through obstacle courses and most of them end up in the mud or water several times. There’s no way I could do it!

 

Real life is hard, too. Lots of obstacles and enemies trying to knock us off course and into the mud. But it’s not a game. It’s real. Satan is roaming the earth looking for those he can devour. And he’s good at it. He attacks us at home or at work, at school or with our friends. Too many Christians take hard shots every day.

 

So what’s the answer? The apostle Peter wrote that we have to be alert, look to the example of other believers, and trust the Lord. Those are not the easiest steps to take but they are guaranteed. I don’t understand why we want to try something easier or shortcut the truth. Try the right way instead of the shortcuts.

Technology is rapidly advancing and changing how our world works. I can't seem to get enough of it. Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, website...

World Famous Pancakes

The non-custodial dad has to find a way to make his four days a month count. Thus the evolution of the World Famous Pancakes. It’s a secret recipe full of hope. “I hope these turn out!” is always on my mind.

It’s probably not the pancakes themselves that are World Famous but rather the experience. The boys rarely saw Dad do much that was just for them. Don’t get me wrong, almost everything I did was just for them, they just didn’t see it. But they saw and helped on Saturday mornings – excuse me, on every-other-Saturday mornings – and a tradition was born. Perhaps I should say a tradition was borne.

A Dad will do just about anything to see his kids smiling and happy. I hope they also caught the flare and the style and the story. World Famous Pancakes are not just “breakfast,” but are really an event at the Loyd household. One of my high callings in life is that of family man; so I take this pretty seriously. And I hope I have passed along the important lesson that kids deserve a great Dad no matter what the circumstances may be. I hope I measure up.

Speaking of “measuring up,” I will now release my secret recipe for World Famous Pancakes. Nah!

Too Much of Self

You've noticed the same thing that I have noticed...people think too much of themselves. I am not advocating self-deprecation because thinking too little of yourself is just as bad. Balance! Balance is the key!

The Bible says that a person ought not think too highly of himself and should consider others first (Romans 12:10 and Philippians 2:3). When a person is so inwardly focused that all he can think about or talk about is himself, his accomplishments, or his ideas, he neglects others. A selfish or prideful spouse neglects the other spouse. The parent neglects the child. A friend neglects another. And so on.

The answer to pride, arrogance, and selfishness is humility. I like to think of humility as having a good understanding of who I am compared to who God is. None of us can get too puffed up when we see that comparison clearly. When I've gotten a little (or a lot) puffed up God has always done something to help me see him more clearly - because I have lost my vision of God's majesty.

When I see God more clearly and I see me more clearly I also will see others and their needs and value more clearly. Some people help others for selfish reasons, but the only motive God approves is that of Christian love expressed in humility. If I think too highly of myself I can't do that.

But I can't think too lowly of myself either. Because God's Spirit dwells within me (and every believer) I have great resource and ability. In fact, I'm able to do beyond my ability because of him. He strengthens me. He applies me - he uses me.

God thinks enough of me to die for me and save me. He thinks enough of me to equip me with gifts. He think enough of me to give me a task. If God thinks that much of me, then I must not thik too lowly of myself.

Balance.

Jesus, the God-man, said this, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." (John 5:19)

We are not God-men, but we are men and women who have God's Spirit within us. So a healthy, biblical perspective is one of balance.

Twikini

Have you heard about Twitter? I noticed on Facebook that some folks were posting via Twitter so I started looking around for it and found it at http://www.twitter.com/. So now I'm on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bobloyd so come on board and follow me. I'll probably follow you, too.

There's an application for my Blackjack II that helps me keep up with what's on Twitter. It's called Twikini. Now wherever I am I can access Twitter and see what's going on with those that I follow. I can also post a new "tweat" from my smart phone. It's pretty easy and a great tool. There are lots of applications for your smart phones; I'm just learning about them and hope to find more neat ones like Twikini. Find it at http://www.trinketsoftware.com/Twikini.

Hospitals

Hurry up and wait! That's what we are doing this afternoon at Baptist Med Center. Jim is ready to go home; just waiting on the paper work.
I'm ready to go home, too. To heaven. But it must not be time because I'm still here waiting. Like Paul, I see my time waiting as time to do something productive for the kingdom.
So while I'm waiting I'll stay busy for the Lord. That's more than Jim's doing here at the hospital..he's just waiting to go home.

Church Sign

Are you like me? Do you read the church signs as you drive through town or down the highway? I do. I like the funny ones but I really like the signs that are able to capture a deep theological truth in just a few lines.

I've written a few Christian songs and find it difficult but rewarding to say in three minutes something that is eternally true. Writing the good church signs is even harder. You must be biblically accurate, interesting, and short!

Driving down the road today going into Bryant I saw this:

The Bible is neither ancient nor modern, it is eternal.

GCR, SBC, CRBC

Those are a lot of letters up there! Cross Road Baptist Church (CRBC) is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). There is a movement among some leadership to have a Great Commission Resurgence (GCR). I’ve read the document at greatcommissionresurgence.com and have signed on to it because I agree with the tenets laid out in it. Johnny Hunt, SBC president and pastor in the Atlanta area, is one of the main drivers behind GCR. I like Johnny Hunt as a preacher and a person (based on what little, very little, interaction I’ve had with him).

But many do not like his “attack” on the convention bureaucracy and have become very vocal in these days leading up to the annual meeting to be held in Louisville, KY on June 23-24. I’m sorta glad that CRBC scheduled Vacation Bible School (VBS) for that week so I have an excuse not to be there for the fireworks. But I’m sorta gonna miss the fireworks!

Whenever a finger is pointed toward someone with a bit of criticism, people pointed to tend to get defensive. I understand that. What I don’t understand is the tone of the rhetoric being thrown around. The general media will have a heyday with this as they try to find ways to make the social conservatism of the SBC look bad. We (the SBC, generally) think that abortion, homosexuality, gay marriage, to name a few issues on the front burners these days, are biblical. And if not biblical, then wrong. So anytime national exposure of problems within the SBC can be overexposed, the media will do it.

Christianity is being marginalized in our society. I read today that North America is the only continent where Christianity is not growing. Why is that? Partly, it is because evangelical denominations, like the SBC, won’t focus on what is most important: spreading the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Another reason for the stagnation of Christianity on our continent is that many formerly-strong denominations are allowing the culture to define their morality/ethic rather than the Bible. This is why the SBC and churches like CRBC take a hit when we speak out for decency and human life and the one-man/one-woman marriage issue.

The GCR is an attempt – a good-faith attempt, I believe – to focus our convention on what really matters. That is not saying that we are completely off focus and that every entity is at fault and that each church is missing the mark. But it is to say that the task of the Great Commission is so important that we should be willing to turn the magnifying glass toward ourselves and change what should be changed and champion what we are doing well.

Let me give you three more letters.

A – admit you are a sinner and repent of your sins.

B – believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and what he did on the cross is the only way you can receive forgiveness for you sins and gain eternal life in heaven.

C – confess that Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord and commit to live your life in a way that embodies that confession.

Talitsa

I spent 10 days on a trip to Talitsa, Sverdlovskaya, Russia. Talitsa is town. Sverdlovskaya is an oblast (state). My wife, Deana, and another couple from our church, Ed and Shirley Meux, went with me.

I had been to Russia last year to lead a pastor’s Bible conference. While I was there, I learned of the need for a Baptist church in Talitsa and of some specific prayer needs of a few believers there. So our church has been praying for over a year for them. Good news! The prayers have been effective as the situations these believers were experiencing have improved. We weren’t even praying for the specific problems because we thought the needs were different. This is just an example of the Holy Spirit taking our earnest prayers and directing his power to the real needs. God is so good!

I’ll post pictures and my journal soon. Til then, just know that God is at work everywhere on the planet. Even in your life. Leave a comment if I can pray with you about something in your life or talk with you about a relationship with Jesus Christ.

I'm ashamed to admit it...

Tonight I saw the best and worst of baseball and people. The opposing team had one player who was afraid to take his turn at bat. The team took an automatic out each time his spot in the batting order came up. We had two outs on them and his turn was next. The game was sorta close and there was no way the coaches were going to accept an automatic out.

 

The kid's name is David, #21. He stood in the box almost visibly trembling. The first pitch was at the bill of his helmet but he swung at it. The next pitch wasn't much better and he swung at it, too. The third pitch was below his knees but he made good contact as he gratuitously waved at it with his bat. A sharp hit ball to shortstop was fielded cleanly. The good throw to first secured the third out.

 

I cheered for David more loudly than I cheered for our team retiring the side.

 

Two boys on our team taunted David during his at bat.

 

The Bible teaches that we are to lift up others and think of them as highly or more highly than we think of ourselves. Taunting an opposing player - especially one like David who was scared of getting hit by a wild pitch - is totally out of line. Who cares if the 8-9 yr old team is on the verge of winning only the second game of the season! What matters is that these kids learn the game and learn to love the game.

 

David made great progress tonight. At least two on our side of the diamond made an error.

Reaching Talitsa

I’m excited about the trip to Russia. Just two more days then we are gone for ten. The team from Cross Road Baptist Church in Little Rock includes Ed and Shirley Meux, and my wife Deana and me. The tentative schedule – everything is tentative on the mission field, I’ve learned – is to have a couple of days in Ekaterinburg for orientation to the Russian culture then travel to smaller towns where there is virtually no evangelical presence. The goal is to talk with the one believer in Talitsa and try to discern what God is doing there and how our church can partner with this believer and another church a couple of hours away to reach the city for Christ. Long-term, we hope to plant a Baptist church there.

 

We may also be involved in similar projects in other small communities where there are no evangelical churches. Sounds like the book of Acts, doesn’t it! Pray that we will follow the Acts model: much prayer and excellent obedience. Wouldn’t you like to know that people halfway around the world can experience the impact of a relationship with Jesus Christ?

 

I am praying for the Spirit to show us how to be involved in the eastern part of Sverdlovskaya oblast (state). I am also praying that this focus on God’s Spirit will also guide our church in Little Rock into revival and greater community ministry. So much of the technology we enjoy today was developed for our use by the military or the space program – things learned far away change our near community. I’m hoping the same thing happens with regard to evangelism and missions. May the Lord’s work through us in a faraway place initiate his freedom to work in us at home.

 

Impacting Eternity Now

 

 

Reading Glasses

I am 45 years, 8 days old. And the eye doctor said this would happen. March 2008: "I can help you with your reading now or we can wait but we can't wait very long." He must have the spiritual gift of prophecy.

So here I am with my reading glasses. Here's my dilema. I am nearsighted and could not read the computer screen in front of me without glasses or contact lenses. I wear contacts most of the time. This is good for seeing road signs, too! I can read even small print without glasses or contacts but with them in I can't. So if I'm wearing glasses I prop them up on my head while I'm reading and drop them down when I look across the room. If I'm wearing contacts I wear the reading glasses to read and prop them up on my head while I look across the room.

I'm afraid of the next step.

Sometimes I'm myopic spiritually, too. I focus on the near things but neglect the far. I put energy into what I am doing right now and lose sight of the big picture. I sometimes think that everything filters through me.

The result is a shallow relationship with God and even less with the lost world. I'm to the point that I'm willing to put everything up for review. No sacred cows in my life. I want God to lead me in an assessment of my personal and professional life, in my family and in my church.

If there is anything myopic I'm willing to let it go. If there is anything useless I am willing to purge it. If there is anything to adjust I am willing to adjust.

I will learn from the past but will not dwell there. I will look to the future to form my present. I will live each day as if I do not survive until tomorrow.

I'll do anything. But I'm not ready for bifocals. Yet.

National Day of Prayer

Cross Road Baptist Church had a prayer service this morning at 7:00. Attendance was light but the prayer was awesome. I’m expecting another group at Noon. We’ll finish the breakfast snacks from this morning and have awesome prayer again.

The prayer guide provided by NDP includes a prompt to pray for those in authority over us. I struggled with that because I disagree with the core beliefs of our President. If he gets everything (anything, really) he wants, then that will take America away from what I think it ought to be. I am a fiscal conservative and a social conservative. I think taxes should be lower and that government should stop wasting money on needless spending programs including much of what passes as welfare. I think abortion and gay marriage are wrong based on the truth found in the Bible. President Obama and I don’t agree on these issues and many other.

But I am supposed to pray for him. Not just because the prayer guide provided by NDP says so, but because the PRAYER GUIDE provided by God – called the Bible – says so. “Pray for those in authority.” “Honor the King.” “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” Praying for and respecting Barack Obama are required; agreeing with him and hoping he succeeds are not.

So I prayed for him. And I prayed for state leaders who promoted a state lottery and won. I prayed for judges who uphold Roe v. Wade. I prayed for members of Congress who raise taxes and elevate spending and create dependency on the government.

And I prayed that God will bring great revival in my life, for my family and church, and in our country in spite of those who reject him and his truth.

Who Rocks My World

Check this out.

www.whorocksmyworld.com

Enter bobloyd in the "name on your card" field.

Reaching Talitsa

We are just three weeks away from the mission trip to Talitsa, Russia. Here are some things to pray about.

• We still have a few logistical details to iron out. Pray that this happens quickly.
• Pray for the health of our team members: Ed Meux, Shirley Meux, Deana Loyd, Bob Loyd.
• Pray for safe travel. We will be in an airplane for more than 15 hours each way. The current swine flu outbreak could be a concern.
• Rusty and Lori Hart (IMB missionaries there) must be out of the country at the time we are there. They have to leave to renew their visas. Their team will take care of us, no doubt.
• The purpose of this vision trip is to sense what God's purpose is for this partnership. Pray that the team will be able to get a clear vision through their prayer-walking, interacting with locals, and meetings with area Christians.
• Pray that CRBC will join God at work in Talitsa, Russia.

Evangelism

OK. I’m trying to be honest. But it’s hard. I don’t like being wrong.

God has called me to preach and pastor a church. One major responsibility is to lead the church in sharing the gospel with the lost people around us. I can do that in a sermon when a lost person wanders in. I like doing it. I am comfortable doing it.

But going out and finding them and meeting them and sharing the gospel with them is hard. I’ve never been good at it except for about a year and a half under the mentoring of David McLemore. (I wish David was still alive; I need his encouragement.)

It’s not an option though. Not if I want to be a pastor. Really, not even if I want to be a Christian.

OK. So I’m praying really hard for the Spirit to change me. That sounded like I’m blaming the Spirit. I didn’t mean that. It is the Spirit’s desire and responsibility to change me, but I have to be changeable, moldable, teachable.

“Lord, I give you my fear and pride and inadequacies. I want to make you known everywhere I go.”

A few days after Easter

I wonder what you are doing today. Most of us have gone back to our routine of work or school or whatever. We stopped long enough to enjoy Easter and perhaps celebrate Jesus resurrection.

But what about the disciples? The build-up to Easter was horrible for them but the days following were amazing. If we could couple our enthusiastic build-up with their awesome follow-up I think we might get Easter right.

We look forward to Easter because we know Jesus is alive even though we was arrested, beaten, and crucified. They lived forward from Easter because Jesus was alive and with them again.

Let’s remember to bring the meaning of Easter forward into our routine lives and then life won’t be so routine.

Despair

Imaging the silence. And the short glances across the room. Boiling within each one were accusations toward the others but kept silenced only by their own feelings of guilt. No one dared talk about what might have been or what will be.

Jesus was dead. He was in the tomb. Their three-year-old expectations were shattered. Hope was gone. Despair was reality.

But Sunday morning will be so different!

Despair

Imaging the silence. And the short glances across the room. Boiling within each one were accusations toward the others but kept silenced only by their own feelings of guilt. No one dared talk about what might have been or what will be.

Jesus was dead. He was in the tomb. Their three-year-old expectations were shattered. Hope was gone. Despair was reality.

But Sunday morning will be so different!

It's All Good

One of my friends rarely complains. “It’s all good” must be his favorite saying. Sometimes I know he’s not being truthful, though.

Today is Good Friday. For some people, it’s good because they get a day off from school or work. Others like it because they head out of town for a long weekend. There are a few who might use the day to get some extra work done around the house or begin spring cleaning.

I’m not opposed to any of these things, but I think we miss the point when we focus on how we will spend the time rather than on why we get the day off in the first place.

Today is Good Friday because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for us. He is God. He is perfect. He did not deserve to die; we did. But God’s demand for a sacrifice for sin required the perfect, spotless lamb. In Jewish history, this sacrifice of atonement happened once each year to atone for the sins the people had committed since last year. Each family was responsible for its own sacrifice.

But that was just a temporary placeholder until Jesus did the real thing on the cross. The Bible says that his sacrifice was done once and for all. We are not required to make an animal sacrifice anymore because Jesus, the Lamb of God, already did it. It happened on a Friday. Now we celebrate Good Friday because all is good with God if we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.

You are still required to make a sacrifice – just not an annual animal sacrifice of atonement. You are required to sacrifice yourself daily to God’s plan and purpose. It’s all good.

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.