We Act Like We Believe Anything

Gullible is the word we use for those who we consider naïve and will believe anything. Guess who fits into that group? The majority of us. For a hundred years we have been duped by the fairy tale story of Santa Claus. I preached on that yesterday and usually do not blog about my sermons but this one needs to be heard. I covered the history of St. Nicholas and how his generosity led to Santa Claus. Santa is a marketing tool; you only have to see the TV commercials and ads in the media to know that. I talked about the justification we find in telling ourselves that Santa is a good guy and his story is only make believe and everyone knows that. Well, if we know he is make believe why do we act like he is not? Megyn Kelly on Fox News last week started an uproar over what ethnicity Santa is. Then she said she knew he was only a historical figure; like Jesus, she said (Find it on YouTube). Santa does not exist so how can a non-existent being be discussed as though he is real? This okay “lie” goes deep into our culture. Even NORAD, the people who we trust to protect us from attacks in our air space track Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Oh, Mike, we know it’s all in fun and just a festive holiday tradition. Do we take lying seriously or not? Since when does the Scripture give us permission to tell lies as long as we are just playing because we really know the truth? I don’t think Jesus would have believed the story about Santa and I don’t think He would have told it to kids.

The same children we try to convince that Santa is real are the same children that we try to convince Jesus is real. Oh, Mike, you know that kids grow up and learn about Santa; it’s no big deal. What if a kid gets made fun of by other kids for believing in Santa? Then what if they remember they were made fun of for believing a fairy tale and then are afraid to believe in Jesus for the same reason? Ms. Kelly from Fox was lied to at some point; about Santa and Jesus.

Don’t fall for the hype, as many of us have. Tell your kids the truth about Santa; he is make believe. Tell them the truth, that you gave them the gifts because you love them. That started with God giving us Jesus.

You can listen to the sermon on our Website here: www.drapervalleyph.org/audio-message-files.html

Ah, Tis the Season!

Here we go, grocery day. Dodging buggies and trying to get down the freezer aisle without making any enemies. The dude blocking the way holding a note in his hand trying to figure out what the difference is between southern biscuits and buttermilk biscuits. You have all seen this guy; making small talk with everyone squeezing by him waiting till they all get past so he can open the door and read the bag. I am the dude. Now I just happen to be a people person; the more people there are, the more I like it. My dear wife tries to avoid the crowded aisles as she does not want to get in anyone’s way. I will plow down them when I can. When the season comes around, and no I am not talking about the Christmas season but winter, there are even more people in the stores! With the winter season comes the storm warnings. “Ice and snow coming,” the weather tellers say and the fun begins! The population envisions a six month blizzard with no power and buried under 10 feet of snow. Got to stock up on milk and bread they say. What about the peanut butter? No use having milk and bread if you are out of peanut butter! “We have got to get stuff that doesn’t need to be heated,” my best lady says. “How about beanie weenies and sardines” I will suggest. She gives me the “you’re kidding me” look. I then suggest peanut butter.

I wonder what it would be like if Jesus had come in our time. I picture Him standing in the grocery stores telling people, “You hypocrites! You worry about the weather but could care less about your souls!” That’s what He told one bunch (Matthew 16:3). I don’t have the guts to tell them that when they say, “Sorry” as they push past me at the freezer case. “I ain’t the One you need forgiveness from; you need to apologize to Christ!” I should say. Then they would label me the “Weird dude blocking the freezer case aisle that preaches to everyone.” Guess I need to work on that because there will be more weather warnings.

What To Put In The Yard

We have been decorating for Christmas ever since I can remember. Mom and dad always put up lights to celebrate the season of Christmas. All our neighbors decorated somehow. At one point it was almost like a contest between town folk as to who had the most lights or the best decorations. When I got married and moved out I continued decorating for Christmas because my wife’s family also decorated. You could say it was ingrained in us to decorate for Christmas. Each year we would look for the newest thing to put in the yard so that we could be one up on the neighbors. We still have the Nativity scene we purchased back in the early 80’s. We have moved three times since we were married and all the decorations moved with us. About half of my under the house storage is taken up with Christmas decorations. Which brings me to my question, “What to put in the yard?”

Each year I have thought to just keep it simple. One year I purchased lumber and built a stable in the front yard. It looked like a shed. I made sure people passing by could see the baby in the manger. The world between Ivanhoe, Piney, and Ft. Chiswell need to see that baby! How could they drive by and not be affected by my display? I have the whole set; Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Shepherds, a cow, a donkey, an angel, the three wise guys (who by the way, were not there at His birth) but make for a good display. One year I hung a big Cross on the chimney. One year I put snowflakes on the chimney. One year I put lighted deer that moved their heads in the yard with a Christmas tree beside them. I have tried to impress the passersby each year but this year I have decorators block; what to put in the yard? How can I display my Nativity scene in such a way that it will knock people off their horses (like Jesus did Paul) when they go by? This is my opportunity to win a lost world to Jesus, how can I impress them with my display in order to do that? If you have any spiritual discernment about you right now you are thinking, “It is not about decorating or even that plastic baby in that pop crate manger with hay sticking out. Christmas is about Christ; not decorations.”

If you come by our place on Ivanhoe road you may see a Nativity scene in our yard, or maybe a Cross, or maybe we will just put some candles in the windows! Easy to put up, easy to take down! We might have deer that move, or trees that light up, snowflakes along the driveway or lights on the chimney, lights on the house or snowflakes hanging from our trees. One thing you will not see though; Jesus in our hearts. Nothing we can put outside our house will ever show you what is inside our hearts. Maybe I will just put a sign in the yard this year with a spotlight on it that reads, “It does not matter what is in the yard; it’s what’s in the heart that counts.”

Grandma's House

Over the meadow and through the woods to Grandmothers house we would go. Thanksgiving is a time for families to get together and partake of a mini-feast to kick off the Christmas Season while taking a few moments to return thanks to God for His goodness. I do not have any grandparents living today but I can certainly remember the Thanksgivings when I got to help my dad and his brothers kill hogs at Grandma’s. My dad’s mom, my Granny, was a little short lady with a large bun of white hair pulled up on top of her head and little round spectacles that sit on her nose. When we kids had our fill of stinking hog hides boiling in water we would go in the house where the women folk were. My granny would be sitting in her living room waiting for the others to get the big meal ready. We would gather round her and listen to her tell tales of past hog killings and Thanksgivings when she was a little girl. She was always smiling! She was full of fun it seemed. Her hearing and eyesight was excellent for her age. She would tell of the days when snow was up to their knees and they would have to help kill the hogs in blowing snow and wind. Explaining how each step was done and how that nothing was wasted. “We would even jug the squeal” she would say and chuckle. Then the time for the big meal came. The men folk came in and went to wash up, we had to wash up too. They would prepare the kids table close to the adults so the mothers could wait on us without having to travel to far. My cousins and I would always fuss over who got to sit closer to granny who was just right across from us. Someone would pray and make a little speech about blessings and stuff, and then we would eat. The house was full of laughter and noise and smelled like fresh bread and turkey.

I often wonder how many times my granny prayed for me. I wonder if she had any idea that I would grow up to be a preacher. She died when I was seventeen; she was ninety four. Over the years my dad and all his siblings have passed. Only my cousins are still around on my dad’s side. How many kids will sit at Thanksgiving tables this year with their grannies which God is planning on calling into the ministry or using for His purpose in different ways? I think about what Jeremiah wrote; [1]“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Regardless of how you or your family celebrates Thanksgiving, just know that each day we live we are creating memories for someone. We never know how God will use those memories; maybe even using them to help someone write a blog; 40 years later.

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[1] Jeremiah 29:11 (New Living Translation, NLT).

Dogs Rule . . . (At least in our house)

Her name is Zoe, a 10+ lb. Toy Chihuahua. Of course the AKC classifies a toy Chihuahua as weighing no more than six pounds, but Zoe hangs with me a lot and we do not watch our calorie intake to close. She is eight years old with a white face after once being totally black all over. The other clown in the house is Boatey. A big gray tom cat that we rescued from the shelter when he was six months old; as my daughter Hannah says, “He came in a box.” It was a cardboard carrier the pet foster parent delivered him to us in. He is three years old. Now you may not be one that lives with pets in your house but if you do, then you know how much joy and fun they can be. Zoe knows she is the senior pet and exercises her seniority over Boat-boat (our pet name for our pet name). Boat loves to play all the time, whereas Zo-zo (other pet name for our pet name) plays only occasionally. When Zo is on the couch with me or my wife or daughter, Boat gets jealous. He tries to root his way in only to have Zo snarl her upper lip and let him see her teeth. He lowers his ears and glares at her. After a few seconds one or the other will flinch and Zo launches like a tiger; only thing is, she never bites him or hurts him, she just scares him real good. It is fun having them around as they can be very entertaining and both are good pets. The Bible teaches us that we as Christians should be good to our animals Proverbs 12:10. Some take it to far sometimes as believing animals to be on the same level as humans, meaning we should not kill any of them for food. God put man in charge, not dogs, cats, cows, or lions Genesis 1:26 . Our pets depend upon us when we keep them in our houses. They are good companions and we believe that they love us, as we love them. We cannot truly say what they “feel” toward us, but it seems like love to us. We love them with pet love and that love is real. That is why it grieves us so when one dies or is lost. God created all life for His pleasure, including the animals. Regardless of how you feel about animals God knows every one of them; just like He does the birds Matthew 10:29 .

Well, I have got to end this blog; Boat-boat is on my lap wanting to run the glare spot that comes from my cell phone when I put it in the sun. Zo on the other hand is just lying in the sunbeam on the carpet in front of the window with the sun on her belly; doggies rule.

 

A Veteran's Story . . . . The Rock

Fort Leonard Wood Missouri; we called it “Fort Lost in the Woods.” It was a hundred miles from civilization in that day it seemed. While there in Basic Training I was standing outside the orientation depot where new troops were given shots and haircuts. Our Drill Sargent told us to rest and relax until we were called. I leaned up against the wall trying to stay warm as it was in the middle of January so I put my hands in my pockets. A First Sargent came walking up the sidewalk, stopped in front of me and began looking around the ground as though he had lost something. He found a rock in the edge of a hedge, picked it up, and pulled my hand out of my pocket and put the rock in it without saying a word. Then he said in that military tone; “Now see if that hand will fit in that pocket troop!” I tried it; “No First Sargent, it won’t.” About that time my Drill Sargent came out of the building; “Got a problem here?” He asked the First Sargent. The First Sargent said, “We did, but it’s solved.” My Sargent thanked him and he went on up the sidewalk. As my turn came to go in my Sargent stopped me; “You are not taking that dirty rock into my building,” he said, so I laid it down. “Oh no, troop. Don’t let me catch you without that rock. Take it around back and wash it. You will find a hose and trash can brushes there. Then come back in the building.” We went to the mess hall later in the day and while sitting there eating my meal my Sargent yelled out; “INGO! WHERE’S MY ROCK?” I had to stand up, show it to him (in front of all 300 guys in there) and say, “GOT IT SARGENT!” That evening when it was time for lights out, I laid the rock beside my bunk. He came in about an hour after I was asleep, tapped me on the shoulder and shined his flashlight in my face; “Where’s my rock?” I showed him. He said, “It may get cold, put it in the bed.” That went on for three days.

Now I know this is not much of a “war story” but I wanted you to know that every Veteran has a story; many are not as funny as this one. This one was not funny to me as it happened. I went on to train as a combat medic and learned many lessons and have more stories, but I never forgot “the rock.” If you have a chance today find a Veteran and thank them. Many will not share any stories and some will. If they are willing to tell you something; listen: listen close.

I don’t know what your opinions on war are and thank God I was never in one,  but regardless of what you think about it, don’t hold a Veteran responsible. God uses people in different ways to accomplish different things. He understands Veterans; many of them died and were wounded to protect our freedom. Jesus knows all about sacrifice but He was not accidentally killed; He died on purpose. He gave His life that we may inherit eternal life; and that is the ultimate freedom.

Quit Lying, You Worry

 In every life we have some trouble But when you worry you make it double Don't worry, be happy Don't worry, be happy now.[1] So goes the song that was released in 1988. How many times has someone said that to you? “Oh, it will be okay, everything will work out, just you wait and see.” Ever had anyone say that to you? I bet you have, just as I have; hundreds of times.

Can you believe I have actually heard some Christians say that worry is a sin? Because Jesus said not to worry about things, they think if you worry then you are sinning. You tell me how not to worry and while you are at it tell me how to forget some things. I guess if worry is a sin then I don’t worry; I just get concerned about things. Lying is a sin. Remember; what we know, God knows. You can’t tell me that you never have, or never do, worry. It comes natural to us, just like fear does. A person gets a result from the MRI and the docs say, “It’s cancer.” I don’t care how much faith you have or how much trust you have in Christ; your mind automatically thinks two things; am I going to die and will I suffer. A person tries to get in touch with a family member in a city that has been hit by a tornado and cannot get through and has not heard from them; they worry.

Before we can ever learn to depend on God we have first got to accept our own weaknesses. Worry is one of them. The more we try not to worry, the more we do! Jesus knows what worry is; and what it is not. Worry is not rebellion against Him. The problem with worry is that it can overtake our thought process. The issue over which we worry can become the main focus of our entire life. Did you know that statistics indicate that ninety percent of the things we worry about never come to pass? Would you permit me to comment on that statistic Scripturally? And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.[2] It is not the ninety percent that we worry about; it is the other ten that gets our attention.

You are going to worry, face it. You are not sinning when you do. Only when we begin to think that God is not in control can we slip into the shadow of doubt; which would make us a fatalist, someone who thinks that things happen without any control. No, my friend, God is in control. Jesus said “do not worry about tomorrow” (because I already have it planned for you).[3]

 

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[1] Bobby McFerrin, Copyright: Almo Music Corp.,

[2] Romans 8:28, The Living Bible.

[3] Quote in parenthesis are mine and not Scripture.

The Quest of the Wooly Worm

Sitting in the school driveway waiting on Hannah to get out of band I noticed a little wooly worm as it made its way off the curb opposite me and started to cross the driveway. The wind was blowing at full force as the little worm made its way toward the grass on the side where I was parked. The wind was blowing leaves across the lawn and the driveway and with each hard gust it would blow the little worm’s wool. The little fellow would stop so as to hold onto the asphalt and then start moving again. It never changed course and the wind never blew it away. It made it into the safety of the grass in front of my car. Now by this time you may be thinking, “Pastor Mike needs to get a life, resorting to watching wooly worms’ means he has too much time on his hands.” You have heard it said that we should stop to take time and smell the roses so what is wrong with taking the time to watch a wooly worm?

Let me share some facts with you (so you won’t have to Google it yourself) about the Wooly Bear Caterpillar; which we call the wooly worm. It is an Isabella Tiger Moth. The larva emerges from the egg in the fall and overwinters in its caterpillar form, when it literally freezes solid. First its heart stops beating, then its gut freezes, then its blood, followed by the rest of the body. In the spring it thaws out and emerges to pupate. It emerges from its pupa as an Isabella Tiger Moth. In the Arctic the summer period for vegetative growth - and hence feeding - is so short that the Woolly Bear must feed for several summers, freezing again each winter before finally pupating. Some are known to live through as many as 14 winters! [1] Bet you didn’t know that, did you?

The Bible teaches For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.[2] Who are they who are without excuse? Those who believe there is no God. If God can use a little wooly worm to teach me a lesson in endurance, facing the wind, and staying on course, then He is able to keep me on course just as He kept that little caterpillar. I doubt if anyone else seen it, but now many of you will know about it. Funny how God can get a message across isn’t it? You may be the one that God wanted to say this to today: hang in there!

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[1] Wikipedia.org

[2] Romans 1:20

Choosing a Mask for Church

Hannah and I went to the local dollar store the other evening to pick up a few things and as we entered the store and started up an aisle there were two ladies, possibly a mother and daughter, searching through the Halloween costumes. The younger had a mask on and asked the other how it looked. We smiled as we walked past them and went to get our stuff. When we headed to the register we came back down the aisle opposite them so as not to bother them in their quest. Just as we were passing by we heard one of them say, “I have got to find something to wear to church.” Mine and Hannah’s eyes met and we both clinched our teeth so as not to just laugh out loud. After leaving the store and walking across the parking lot Hannah said, “I did not see that coming!” To which I replied, “Wonder what kind of church she attends?” Of course we both laughed knowing that apparently the lady was not referring to buying a mask for church . . . . maybe.

We do wear masks to church though sometimes, don’t we? I have. I have gone in church with a big smile on my face to mask a sad countenance or perhaps worry in my heart. No use in spoiling someone else’s day just because things are not hunky-dory in my life, right? I think we somehow justify hiding our true feelings when in church with that excuse; I don’t want to bother anyone else with my troubles. Or could it be that we are ashamed to let others know we have problems? [1]I have been checked in my spirit several times by the Holy Spirit in regards to letting my pride hamper me from being totally honest at times always justifying it by telling myself that they don’t want to know their pastor has problems. How would that reflect on my faith? A pastor, with worries, fears, or sadness would not be a good example to his or her flock; or would we?

It is so sad that we feel that we cannot be honest with each other about our feelings, especially in church. We are so afraid of being judged, and rightly so, if we were to tell people how we really feel or what is really going on. It is sad that we cannot trust our brothers and sisters in Christ to [2]“Weep with those who weep” rather than judge us for being weak in our faith because we are suffering. We pray for people with physical problems all the time, don’t we? Why are we so reluctant to share our emotional pain in the same way? It should not be that way. [3]Jesus never judged anyone that came to Him because of their problems. He never raised His eyebrows, rolled His eyes, smirked, or let out a big sigh when someone came to Him hurting; did He? May we learn to accept people for who they are, warts and all, just as He does. Our mission statement at Draper Valley is, “A place where lives are changed, hurts are healed, and hope restored by the power of Almighty God.” May the Lord help us to live up to it!

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[1] 1 John 3:20

[2] Romans 12:5

[3] John 8:11

Tattle Tales

I was ten years old and we were out of school for the summer. We lived about half a mile from the New River and most of us boys spent our days running all over town playing fox and dog and once in a while we would slip off down to the river. I came home for supper one evening and was met on the back porch by mom. “Where have you been?” She asked. “Out playing, down on branch road,” I lied. “A little bird told me you were down at the river! I told you not to go down there until your dad gets home.” I then blew it big time; “I will get my air rifle and put an end to that d - - n bird!” (I have not always been a preacher). I not only got whipped by her for slipping off, it was doubled when dad came home for using the “d” word.

Rats and tattle tales have never been held in high esteem. Whistle blowers are the new name for them. Although I did not like to be told on, sometimes it was for my own good. Mom did not want me to drown that’s why she did not let me go to the river alone. Sometimes being told on can bring us to repentance; especially after a double whooping. I am not the first to get upset about being ratted out. [1]King David was very upset when Nathan spilled the beans on him. God knew what David thought was hid and had put behind him. It was his little dirty secret. It would have remained hidden had God not revealed it to Nathan and therefore to us by way of the Scriptures. God could have dealt with David in secret; after all he was God’s anointed. One would think God would be embarrassed to reveal such a thing about His chosen king. God told on David so we would know He sees all things, past and present. We may hide things from mom and dad, our spouse or children, even our pastor; but we cannot “slip off” from God.

Take heart though! Being found out can lead to changes; good changes. [2]David repented and God forgave him. I got whipped, twice, and repented. I watched my words from then on and never slipped off again. Obviously my parent’s forgave me and God did too. Know this, [3]If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If you are hiding something the Holy Spirit will tell on you. Come clean, take your whipping, repent and move on.

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[1] 2 Samuel 12

[2] Psalm 51

[3] 1 John 1:8 New International Version, (NIV)

Quit Judging, Start Loving

The best advice the Lord ever gave me came through my dear wife over thirty years ago. We had been married over ten years before I came to Christ; she had been a Christian all along. One day while sitting at our bar in the kitchen eating supper, a few years before we had kids, we were watching Oprah Winfrey on a little TV sitting on the bar. She was interviewing prostitutes that day. I had gotten saved about three months earlier. As Oprah would ask them a question I would say, (I have been talking back to the TV for a long time), “I know one thing, if you don’t get saved lady, you are going to hell.” With each question to each lady I would end up saying that or something similar to it. After about the tenth time my wife had enough. She dropped her fork in her plate, turned those pretty green eyes toward me, cut them down and then said, “Who do you think you are?” The hair stood up on the back of my neck! “What do you mean who do I think I am? I am a Christian, that’s who I am.” I answered smugly. “Let me tell you something,” she said, “You are not any better than those women. The only difference between you and them is that you have accepted Gods salvation. He loves them every bit as much as He does you, and, you have no authority to send anyone to hell!” She picked up her fork and kept eating. My food kind of tasted like my foot.

I tell that story often in church because it was the first step God used in preparing me for what I do today; pastor. When I came to Christ and He opened my eyes, I began to see sin everywhere and in everybody it seemed; except in me. Today, I can relate to what the Apostle Paul meant when he considered himself the [1]worst sinner of all. The closer he got to Christ the worse he looked; same with me. I now tell folk that when God really needs to get my attention and I am not listening, He tells my wife and she tells me! He knows I listen to her.

I have found that we sometimes push people away from us because of our judgmental attitudes. We may not intend to do it, we may even guard our words; but our body language and tone of speech can reveal our attitude. Jesus never hung out with sinners but He certainly associated with them. He accepted invitations to dinner, He touched the untouchable, and He never offended any sinner; only religious folk. Just as God used my wife to teach me a lesson He used Paul to teach Peter the same thing. [2]Paul got in Peter’s face just as my wife did mine. Paul and I both are better for it. So, let this be a lesson for you. Learn from my and Peter’s mistake. Quit judging and start loving. That is what Jesus did when He was here in the physical and that is what He wants to do today, through us. May we quit seeing people as degenerates’ and begin to see them as Jesus does; salvageable.

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[1] 1 Timothy 1:15

[2] Galatians 2:11

Don't Worry . . . . Stay Faithful

Another government crisis; what is a citizen to do? Let me preface my opinions today by saying that I thank God daily He put me in America. I am a patriot and have served my country like my dad and my son. I pray daily for the President and those who represent us as I know many of them do care about those they represent. On the other hand there is a spirit of pride in Washington that is bigger than Mount Rushmore! Men and women who were elected to govern the American people have turned a democratic process into a personal agenda process.

The modern tactics they use to stir the American people makes social media the new battleground for issues; not the senate or congressional floor. Listening to the radio yesterday as I was headed home from church one reporter said, “If we have a government shutdown the food inspectors will be laid off and some of them are those who monitor our baby food.”  Are you kidding me? I said. I actually talk back to the radio just like I do the TV sometimes. I thought what a fear tactic! We love our babies and if anything would threaten our babies’ food we will get very angry over that!

Let me tell you what the secular media and government won’t; God is in control. Mere men are arrogant and prideful enough to think that they actually have power over everything and that is why they can never reach a decision without a political uproar. Whether you want to believe it or not our elected officials care more about who gets the credit for something rather than solving an issue regardless of who has the best idea!

Well, enough of political opinions, which is not what really matters; no really, it does not really matter. Jesus said seek first the Kingdom of God and all else will fall into place. I am not a Republican or a Democrat; I am a Christian, a Christ follower, a servant of the King. Therefore all this political stuff is the result of men trying to run things their way for thousands of years and will continue that way until King Jesus comes back to fix it all.

So, don’t worry, be faithful. Fear not a government shutdown. Governments have risen and fallen, societies have risen and fallen and will continue to do so until Gods plan for humanity is fulfilled. Do not depend on any government to save you, only Jesus can do that. Put your faith and trust in Him and become a kingdom heir; an eternal kingdom without end. [1] And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.

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[1] Ephesians 1:10 New Living Translation, (NLT).

Falling In The Creek!

Well I had the opportunity to get away with my cousin, more like a blood brother, the other day and go trout fishing. We went to a local creek nearby. We have fished this creek only once or twice this year because the rain has kept it deep and muddy most of the summer. Getting ready to go as I loaded my fly rod and vest I opted for my hip waders and not chest waders thinking that the creek level was now low. I also looked at my wading staff (a hoe handle with a rope in it I keep tied to me) to help me balance on the rocky creek bottom and decided that I did not need it either. I now understand the proverb my mom used to quote to me; “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” she would say.

As we were making our way back up the creek we caught a couple of small trout. He and I enjoy being out there and catching a fish is just a bonus for us. After rocking and reeling to keep my balance in the creek I was missing my wading staff. I was casting my fly when over my head behind me it caught in a tree limb just above me. Making my way toward it trying to reach the limb with one hand and hold my rod with the other I knew it was risky. Being careful to keep my feet on solid bottom and off the rocks was a challenge. I got it however and felt somewhat confident in my wading abilities. Then as we were almost back to the truck he walked ahead of me up onto a little footbridge across the creek. I decided to try one more spot and stepped off the bank into the knee deep water and, SPLOOSH! I slid into that creek like Derek Jeter slides into second base! My entire right side was submerged! That cold creek water filled my right boot and soaked my favorite fishing shirt. I managed to hold onto my fly rod however and was able to stand up. My cousin was looking the other way and did not see it happen! I thought, now if I can get out and dry off real quick maybe he will never know I fell. Yeah, right.

What is it that causes us to be overconfident in our abilities? Why didn’t I wear my chest waders? Why didn’t I take my wading staff? What was I thinking!? I was thinking I could control the creek. I could overcome the slippery rocks. I think God allows us to experience things sometimes for a reality check. We can become overconfident in our own abilities to handle certain things. Prayer is like my wading staff. I need to do it more often in this “slippery” world to prevent more falls. I guess that is what Paul meant when he wrote, [i]“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

When I got back home my wife asked how we did. I told her we caught a couple and had a good time. When I told her about falling in the creek she laughed and was not surprised. I told her it was only fitting though since it was the “fall” season.

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[i] 1 Corinthians 10:12 New King James Version, NKJV).

How Did That Happen?

You may have seen the commercial in which the little kid asks his mom that question. He asked her why her stomach was big and she told him there was a baby in it and that is when he asked the question. I am not sure what the advertisement was even for but this part got my attention. I remember a story in the Readers Digest once where a lady had said her 4 year old son asked the same question and she told him she swallowed a watermelon seed! The next week she had a Tupperware party and one of her guests was pregnant. When she introduced her to her son the little boy said, “I know what you did!”

Telling the truth is hard to do sometimes isn’t it? We calculate the question and try to determine how to answer based on the person’s ability to receive the answer, or our fear of repercussions if we tell them something they may not want to hear! I know many people who do not use tact when answering sensitive questions and just spill it out. I, on the other hand, use too much tact sometimes. Most of us remember the famous line Jack Nicholson blurted out on the witness stand in the movie A Few Good Men: “You can’t handle the truth!” I have told some people the truth who did not believe it and I am sure you have too. There are those who say there is no absolute truth; but there is. I think the biggest problem Jesus had to deal with was getting people to trust in the truth. One of them told Him, [1]“We know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.” Now my question would be the same as the one Jesus asked, “Then why don’t you believe Me?”

They knew it was the truth but did not want to believe it by choice. It is one thing to be uncertain of an answer but still another to be unwilling to accept it. The little boy did not understand how the baby got inside his mom but he believed her anyway because he never said, “Aw, ain’t no way!”

 

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[1] Matthew 22:16, New International Version.

First Century Football

First Century Football

Here we go! Friday night high school football and the NFL are back! I was in the stadium at the Fort for our first home game and it was almost a “spiritual” experience. We played a county rival and we wanted victory this year. The hunger for a win was so thick you could feel it in the air.  When our team scored first the place exploded with noise! Our guys ended up winning the game and we all left full of the Pioneer pride. Whether you like football or not your life in some way is impacted by it either by those of us who watch it or those who play it. Very few people can name the [1]Secretary of Defense but it would be hard to find someone that has never heard of the Washington Redskins or Dallas Cowboys.

What if football had existed in the first century? Maybe they would have had the Jerusalem Cruzers or the Galatian Gladiators. Rome would have had a team as well. Perhaps they would have been called the Roman Crushers. I know it is thinking outside the box and it is a little far-fetched but if football had existed in that day it would have been as prevalent in that society as it is in ours. I feel sure it would have made its way into the Bible because the Apostle Paul made several references to the games of their day, especially the races, when he was trying to drive home certain points. When trying to figure out why the people in the Galatian church had changed their minds about Christ he wrote, [2]“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?”  If football had been the national sport then he may have wrote something like, “You guys were headed to the Super Bowl; what happened? Who came on board and changed your game plan?”

Of course the church and the football stadium are two entirely different settings but we are the same people in both. We go to the stadium to enjoy a game and we go to church to worship our God. I enter a stadium hoping my team wins but I enter our church knowing I am a winner. I am a fan of football but I am a servant of Christ. Fans just watch the games but the servants are on the field.  I am not the only one though, I saw a church sign that read; Come over to My house before the game   ~ God.

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[1] Chuck Hagel

[2] Galatians 5:7 The New International Version (NIV)

How a Death Caused a Birth

I had the opportunity this past week to preach a funeral service for a dear friend. He won his battle with cancer by going to heaven! Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints, but it is not so precious to the hearts of those who love them to see them go. It is good they suffer no longer but it is hard to part with them.

When praying and preparing for the message I was drawn to the story of the rebellious son who ran away and came crawling back home; you have heard it called the parable of the lost son, or the prodigal son. Now in my study of the parable the Holy Spirit drew my attention to the father in the story instead of the son. A father which never gave up hope that his son would come back home. I explained to the congregation that I believed every day after breakfast and just before he went in for the night, the father would go out on a big front porch and look down the road toward the horizon hoping that today would be the day. That day finally came for him.

The Bible is clear about the boy coming to his senses in the middle of a pigpen; stinking and starving. I alluded to the fact that I too had come to my senses at a point in my life when I came to Christ. I then shared with them what the Lord had shown me about this story, how the father in the parable differs from our Heavenly Father. Oh, he was forgiving and merciful and rejoiced that his son came home but there is something he did not do that our Heavenly Father did for us that Jesus wanted His audience to acknowledge; He came to the pigpen looking for us. He left His home in Heaven and came to the pigpen, this world, in order to find us and lead us home. Jesus took our filth upon Himself that we may be cleansed and He became the Way for us to come back to God. I then challenged the congregation to examine their lives that evening. “Are you still in the pigpen this evening?” I asked. “Then climb over the fence and take hold of the hand of Christ that is outstretched toward you.”

The next day after the graveside service an out of town friend of the family came up to me and said, “You touched my heart last night with that sermon. I decided to climb over that fence!” I then told her, “Jesus touched your heart last night and you took hold of His hand.” A soul reborn at a funeral! My friend won someone to Christ via his death.

My Scripture for the message: “For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:24).

Let's Go Fishing

A pastor friend of mine and I had an opportunity to go fishing one day last week. We headed out to Rural Retreat Lake for some bass fishing. I happen to do more fishing than I do catching most of the time but I still enjoy being out there. I remember a story of two old boys who went fishing in a boat and caught a bunch. One of them told the other to mark the spot so they could come back next time and catch some more. After docking the boat the one asked, “Did you mark our spot?” The other said he did. When the one asked, “How did you mark it?” The guy said, “I put an “X” on the side of the boat.” The other was angry and said, “That was stupid! Now what if we don’t get to rent the same boat next time?” That was not my friend and I in case you are wondering.

We were in a boat and had a descent day but we never caught any that we would take a picture of. Coming back into the dock after several hours on the lake we encountered two boys fishing on the dock. They were about twelve I guess, I was ashamed to ask them their age. As we docked my friend went to get the truck and I struck up a conversation with them. They were very nice kids and as we were talking a fish jumped up under a bush along the shore near the dock. The smaller boy went after it; and caught it. He came around the bushes holding his fishing pole up in the air with a good size bass hanging on the end of his line! Much bigger than anything we had caught. I told him to make sure my friend in the truck got to see it, and he did. One of them then showed us a picture of a seven pound bass he had caught there earlier in the year with his dad. After telling us how to catch them and what to use my friend asked if they would be there next week and if so, if they would be willing to give us some fishing lessons if we paid them. They laughed of course, but I think he was serious. After all we had a boat, all kind of tackle and lures and still never did as good as they did.

When Jesus told a couple of fisherman to follow Him and that He would make them fishers of men I think they followed out of curiosity as much as obedience. They were professional fisherman so what could a carpenter’s son possibly teach them about fishing for anything? I think we sometimes think the same way today in that “catching men for Christ” can only be done by professionals. TV ministers and travelling evangelists, local pastors and counselors perhaps are considered to be soul winners it seems. We have forgotten the power of testimony! Telling others what Jesus has done for us. He has done different things for all of us and when we share our story with someone else, they may be going through the same thing that Christ brought us out of.

Fish don’t know if a professional fisherman hooks them or if it is a kid on his first time out. The fish just takes the bait. Quit over complicating witnessing. You don’t need to be a Bible scholar to win souls to Christ!  Just fish.

School Starts

Well, it’s that time again; school starts this week in our county. Summer has flown by it seems. My daughter enters her junior year.  Somehow time rocketed me from holding her in my arms as a baby and now riding with her as she learns to drive my car!

We have to prepare our kids for school and I am not just talking about composition books, pencils and backpacks. Little by little we see the right to free speech being given only to those who talk about things other than Christ. When my daughter began high school three years ago, I went to the orientation, as I will do tomorrow, to meet the teachers. In one classroom we entered there was a young lady teacher which had a computer monitor facing the line of parents waiting to talk with her. Her background picture was a scantily clad young man lying on a lounge chair in a provocative pose. Several parents were raising eyebrows and some just smiled. When I got to talk to her, I called her over to the other side of her desk away from the line not to make a scene. I asked her, “Ma’am, with all the issues we have had in this county with students being busted for sexting (sending sexy pictures over cell phones), do you think this picture is appropriate in this classroom?” She immediately apologized, “I did not do that, some student did that and I do not know how to fix it.” I said, “I know how to fix it and will be glad to change it for you.” She said, “Oh, no, I have called the school computer techs and they are coming to fix it.” I said, “Well, in the mean time I would turn the monitor off or at least away from the public eye if it were me.” So she turned it around.

Our kids are not allowed to wear tee shirts that reflect their faith in Christ and Christian teachers are not allowed to express their belief in Christ to students, but some teachers can express anything else they want with them apparently. One teacher made it a point to tell the kids last year he was an atheist and the state has no problem with that, but let one tell the kids they are Christian and the school board calls them on the carpet and lawsuits are threatened!

 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first,” Jesus said. You and I as Christians are being labeled as haters today by those who oppose us. I have no intention of trying to force my faith or belief upon anyone and I have no intention of compromising the Word of God in order to please them either. Each passing year brings new battles to the public arena against Christ and His followers and will continue to do so until He comes back. I remember some of the last words Jesus spoke while here; “I do not pray that You (Father) take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.” Pray for the teachers and the kids; Lord knows they need it.

Terrible Weekend

What a terrible weekend, especially for my best friend. I had to conduct the funeral for his wife. We have been friends, brothers I would say, for years. Fighting fires and running ambulance calls and even scuba diving to locate drowned victims, we have been through a lot together. His wife was a wonderful person and we are dear friends with them and their adult daughter. I never expected to have to do such things when I answered the call to pastor. I am not to be pitied however. My friend and his daughter are the ones who have suffered the blow. When I got the call I was shocked. Immediately asking God, “Oh Lord, what can I do? What do I say?” It took a while for it to sink in and after being with him in his home it was evident that the Holy Spirit was doing a great job of comforting him and his family.  

Death is certainly not a respecter of persons. Old and young, good and bad, healthy or sickly; it comes to each. Solomon said, “None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death.” God lets people die because He said He would. After putting Adam in the Garden of Eden God gave him this warning: “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”  It just does not seem fair that God would punish every human, by letting us die, just because one of us disobeyed Him! After all, my friend’s wife had nothing to do with Adam messing up, why should she die for it?

Well, God does not deal in fairness but He does deal in justice. Any Gospel that does not include Gods judgment is not a true gospel. In order to administer justice in the form of punishment for sin, death of the body was required; not death of our spirit. Although all human bodies will die, (or be changed from mortal to immortal), only the death of one human body paid the price of sin required by God in order that our spirit would be rescued from death (salvation). That was the body of the Lord Jesus, the Christ.

My friend’s wife believed in Christ, she trusted He would save her; and He did. Her body died but she lives on! Death no longer has reign over her. Were it not for the Cross and Calvary, death would be the final horrible state of humanity. Because Jesus lives, we will live; if the same Spirit that raised Him lives in us. It is like the church sign once read; “Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once.”

Making Promises You Can't Keep

Have you ever promised something that you could not do? We all have, whether we admit or not. The reason is that our intentions are good but sometimes things happen that are out of our control.

The Apostles promised Jesus they would never leave Him, in fact they all said as Peter did, “We will go with you and die for you if we have to.” They were sincere in their hearts, but fear of death got the best of them. Jesus asked them, “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” He was praying in the garden and the enemy was on the way. “Watch for them,” He said. They went to sleep.

Jesus never fired them though. He came back to them just as the enemy was coming upon them. Have you ever denied Christ? Have you ever intended to do something for Him you never did? He will forgive you too. Be careful when making promises. St. James says that we should understand that we can only do what God will allow us to do.

Tune in next week for more truth: if you can handle it.

Why Me?

“Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31 NKJV)

One phone call can change your life; forever. One call bearing bad news and your life will never be the same. You are going through life doing the best you can and then, “Ka-pow!” A regular Monday or a lazy Tuesday with no expected events and then suddenly it happens. You can’t help but ask, “Why me?”

Now you may be a Super Saint and not say it, but for the rest of us, we generally have that thought. Job had a good life up until the day Satan asked to have a go at him. Peter loved Jesus and felt that he would even give his life for Him. Then Satan asked to have a go at him as well. The mysterious thing is, God let him. Why would God do such a thing? I don’t know. But He did it.

There are a lot of unanswered questions in regards to what God does or does not do. Even if we had the answer it would still not make sense to us. God has His reasons for doing what He does and allowing what He does. You and I just have to keep trusting Him. It is hard for us to accept that God has enough confidence in our trust in Him that He would allow such things to happen. But He does.

So the next time, or for the first time, the “thing” happens to you, or perhaps it already has; remember that it was run by God before it ever came upon you. Take out a coin the next time you need a reminder: In God we Trust.

Live and Learn

Those who learn from the lessons of life will join the others who are wise. (Proverbs 15:31 The Voice)

Things happen; we all realize that many of those things that happen to us personally are out of our control. We also know that the things which happen to us are not out of God’s control. When we think about some of the good things that happen to us it is easy to believe that God had a hand in it, but when bad things come our way it is harder to accept that He had anything to do with it. Truth is, nothing comes into our lives that He did not first know about. We may be surprised but He never is.

Life 101 is what I call life lessons. As long as we are alive we keep learning, or at least we should be learning. We can either learn from those things that come upon us or we can get angry about them, grieve over them, pretend like they never happened, or just try to forget them. The Bible teaches us what to do; learn from them. Some things happen because of poor choices or decisions we make; learn from them. Wise people are those who have not only gained knowledge in certain areas but know how to apply it in their lives.

God wants us to grow spiritually and one way we do that is by learning how to see things from His perspective. The next time something happens to you take a moment and seek to find out what lesson God would have you learn from it.

What Will It Take?

John 4: 4 (New Living Translation, NLT).

“Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”

Seeing is believing; something I have heard a lot and more than likely so have you. With all of the technological advances in media today seeing can be deceiving. Computers have made it possible to create images that are manufactured and not real. Hoaxes and deceptions, magicians that make a living by causing us to not see things as they are but as they would have us believe they are. My point is, we can be fooled and are many times and therefore we have become skeptical of even what see this day and time.

Thomas was not willing to put his faith fully in Christ until he was able to “see and touch” the wounds of our Savior. It is interesting to note that Jesus never rebuked him for wanting to be sure but rather submitted Himself to the test. “Go ahead Mr. Thomas; put your finger in the nail wounds and the laceration in My side.” That was all it took for Thomas to conclude; “It is really You Jesus! You are actually back from the dead!”

What will it take for you today? What will it take before you believe that Jesus is real? That the Bible is true? That salvation is not just a religious term but actual rescue from hell? That you need to be saved?

What will it take for you to believe that God really loves and cares about you? That He really is concerned with those things that trouble you? That He really is willing and able to heal you, comfort you, protect you, guide you in your decision making, and can do that which you think is impossible?

Remember what Jesus told Thomas? “You are blessed Thomas because you have been able to do this, but the ones who will really be blessed are those who will never have the opportunity to do what you have done; yet they believe in Me anyway.” (My paraphrase of course).