Once upon a time there was a church that had as it's humble beginning a group of men and women who were emotional in their worship of the Lord. It was nothing uncommon for there to be sounds of amen, that's right brother or praise the Lord, throughout the preaching service. But, as the years passed, so did much of the enthusiasm during the worship service. It finally got to the point where old brother Brown was the only person that opened his mouth during the worship service. When the preacher said something that Bro. Brown liked he would say, "Amen", or "Praise the Lord", or some other comment. There were those, probably their emotions were not working, who were offended by the old gentleman's comments. They appointed a committee to go talk to the old gentleman and try to get him to be quiet during the service. The committee found him plowing in his garden with a team and plow. They were rather blunt in their approach and simply said, "Bro. Brown, the church has sent us out here to get you to be quiet during the worship service."
The old man wiped the sweat from his forehead and rolled a clot of dirt around with the toe of his shoe, and then said, "Brethren, I know I bother some of the folks at church with my remarks. But, men, when I consider all of my old black sins and how Jesus died on the cross for me I just can,t help it." With that said, he took the plow lines out from around his waist and said, "Here, hold these plow lines. I feel like I am going to have to shout again."
I like that. In this day of glass-eyed, dry-eyed religion; it is good to see someone moved to the point of expressing their feelings with some emotion. R. G. Lee said, "We are moved more when we see a dead dog or dead cat in the highway, than when we hear of the suffering of Christ on the cross. It ought not to be so. It makes no difference the greatness of our sins, his grace was greater than all of them combined. Now, that is something to shout about. All of my sins were laid upon his back. It should have been me on the cross. If that does not move us and touch our hearts we need to get on our knees.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
The 'Land Of No More"!
Joe and Bill were two friends who had played golf together for years. They had often discussed if there might be golf courses in heaven. They decided which ever one of them died first would get word back to the other one if there were courses in heaven. In the course of time Joe went on ahead. Of course for Joe, being in heaven, time meant nothing at all. Back on earth time continued as always. Finally, after Joe had been dead for five years he contacted Bill. Bill said, "Well, Joe, can we play golf in heaven?" Joe responded, "Bill, I have good news and bad news." Bill said, "Man tell me the good news." Joe said, "There are some of the most beautiful golf courses here you can imagine." To which Bill questioned, "What could the bad news possibly be?" Joe answered, "You tee off on hole number 8, Friday at 10:00."
So it is in ever life there is the good news and the bad news. The life of man born to woman is "of a few days and full of troubles." I have never met a man or woman who has spent much time on the road of life who had not had some misfortunes along the way.
Life is great, in spite of the annoyances that we experience. However, most people never enjoy life to the fullest extent that God would have for them to enjoy. There is not a pain, heartache, or sorrow which we experience that is not a direct result of the original sin we have inherited. A lot of the modernists shun away from anything related to sin. To many of them, sin is just an occasional setback as man evolves upward to reach a position like the angels. Sin, to them, is a hiccup, not a death rattle.
There is a path for man to follow that leads to the highest demands of his conscience. That path was declared to the disciples by Jesus when he said, "I am the way...." I prefer to think of the land at the end of that path to be the "Land of Nomore." "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4.
Here we must blend together: the pain and health, life and death, and joys and sorrow. Now we see the great things dimly as thought looking through a darkened glass. Now we know only in part and live a partly filled life, but not so in the "Land of Nomore." But, oh, my soul, the joys that await those that travel the path that leads to this land. If you don't know the way, get a map. They are available everywhere. It is called the Bible.
So it is in ever life there is the good news and the bad news. The life of man born to woman is "of a few days and full of troubles." I have never met a man or woman who has spent much time on the road of life who had not had some misfortunes along the way.
Life is great, in spite of the annoyances that we experience. However, most people never enjoy life to the fullest extent that God would have for them to enjoy. There is not a pain, heartache, or sorrow which we experience that is not a direct result of the original sin we have inherited. A lot of the modernists shun away from anything related to sin. To many of them, sin is just an occasional setback as man evolves upward to reach a position like the angels. Sin, to them, is a hiccup, not a death rattle.
There is a path for man to follow that leads to the highest demands of his conscience. That path was declared to the disciples by Jesus when he said, "I am the way...." I prefer to think of the land at the end of that path to be the "Land of Nomore." "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4.
Here we must blend together: the pain and health, life and death, and joys and sorrow. Now we see the great things dimly as thought looking through a darkened glass. Now we know only in part and live a partly filled life, but not so in the "Land of Nomore." But, oh, my soul, the joys that await those that travel the path that leads to this land. If you don't know the way, get a map. They are available everywhere. It is called the Bible.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The Lord's Day Should be Holy
The elderly lady was on the phone with the newspaper office and trying to be nice and polite as a Christian should be. She asked in a very calm, pleasing voice, "Sir, could you give me an explanation as to why my Sunday paper has not been delivered?" The gentleman on the other end responded, "I suppose the reason is, today is Saturday." He heard her say, more to her self than to him, "I guess that is why no one was at church this morning?"
The lady may have been confused on which day of the week it was, but she knew one thing for certain; Sunday is the Lord's day.
There was not so long ago when most people treated Sunday as being a special, if not a Holy day. When Sunday came it was time to cease from your labors. In many a small town, only the pharmacy would be open, and if there were more than one pharmacy in the town, they alternated on being open.
Many of the commandments that God gave to us to perform had an underlying reason that would behoove us to obey the commandment. Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy, is such a commandment. When God had completed his work of creation on the sixth day, he then rested from his labors. That is a pattern he expects us to follow.
There have been attempts to try to change the schedule of God, usually resulting in a disaster. France experimented with a ten-day work week. That experiment ended in failure for them. Coal mines that used donkeys to pull the carts of coal to the surface discovered the donkeys performed better when they had the day of rest.
I often hear people quote scripture for their reason for doing something, though that might be the only scripture they try to follow. Such is the man who desecrates the Sabbath. He very well may say, "The ox was in the ditch and I had to get him out." Obviously that is true, but it ceases to be valid if we first push the ox into the ditch.
There was a case in federal court, prior to Arkansas becoming a state, in which a man was charged with desecrating the Sabbath. His offense was--burning a brush pile on Sunday. Whether we understand all the reasoning behind the ten commandments, we must remember they are not the ten suggestions. We speak about breaking the ten commandments, we really mean transgress against or violate the commandment. You can't break the commandments, however, you may break yourself against them.
Many a person scoff at the words of the Bible, but there is one truth they cannot deny, "It is appointed unto man once to die...." Would it not be better to "...fear God and keep his commandments for it is the whole duty of man."
The lady may have been confused on which day of the week it was, but she knew one thing for certain; Sunday is the Lord's day.
There was not so long ago when most people treated Sunday as being a special, if not a Holy day. When Sunday came it was time to cease from your labors. In many a small town, only the pharmacy would be open, and if there were more than one pharmacy in the town, they alternated on being open.
Many of the commandments that God gave to us to perform had an underlying reason that would behoove us to obey the commandment. Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy, is such a commandment. When God had completed his work of creation on the sixth day, he then rested from his labors. That is a pattern he expects us to follow.
There have been attempts to try to change the schedule of God, usually resulting in a disaster. France experimented with a ten-day work week. That experiment ended in failure for them. Coal mines that used donkeys to pull the carts of coal to the surface discovered the donkeys performed better when they had the day of rest.
I often hear people quote scripture for their reason for doing something, though that might be the only scripture they try to follow. Such is the man who desecrates the Sabbath. He very well may say, "The ox was in the ditch and I had to get him out." Obviously that is true, but it ceases to be valid if we first push the ox into the ditch.
There was a case in federal court, prior to Arkansas becoming a state, in which a man was charged with desecrating the Sabbath. His offense was--burning a brush pile on Sunday. Whether we understand all the reasoning behind the ten commandments, we must remember they are not the ten suggestions. We speak about breaking the ten commandments, we really mean transgress against or violate the commandment. You can't break the commandments, however, you may break yourself against them.
Many a person scoff at the words of the Bible, but there is one truth they cannot deny, "It is appointed unto man once to die...." Would it not be better to "...fear God and keep his commandments for it is the whole duty of man."
Sunday, July 10, 2011
The Sin of Silence
My daughter had on a shirt one day with the following printed upon it: "I know I have the right to remain silent, but I don't have the ability."
I will never cease to be amazed at the many ways that people have in getting their message across to other people: telephones, twitter, facebook, email, and the list goes on. Quite a difference than a few years ago it was said, "The three most important methods of getting a message across are: telegraph, telephone, and tell a woman."
With all the methods we have of communicating with others; the sound of us sharing Christ to a lost and dying world is deafening. The greatest thing ever shared with me was when someone told me about salvation in Jesus Christ. The greatest thing each of us can share with others is not the weather report, or the stock market report, but rather Jesus Christ. Oh, yes, we have not only the right and the ability we also have an obligation.
The great teacher of the Jews, Nicodemus, came to Jesus one night and inquired of him about what it took to get into the Kingdom of God. Perhaps Nicodemus did not want to risk his standing in the Jewish community, was the reason he came at night. Suffice it to be said that apparently he remained a secret, silent follower of Jesus until the day when Joseph of Arimethia came to get him to assist in the burial of Jesus.
Could it be that we have many such secret disciples of the Lord today. The reasons as to why so many are silent would be many. Most of the reasons probably could be grouped together under the general heading of, "What would my friends think or say about me?" If that be the case, if would be better to think, "What would my savior think of me because of my silence?"
The Apostle Paul spake in a tremendous forceful voice each and ever opportunity he had to tell of what Jesus had done for him. He traveled extensively in the large part of his world. When he was finally put in prison where he could not come and go as he wished, he still conquered the minds of people by writing letters.
The eternal destiny of a loved one or a friend may very well be hanging on such a small thing as your silence.
I will never cease to be amazed at the many ways that people have in getting their message across to other people: telephones, twitter, facebook, email, and the list goes on. Quite a difference than a few years ago it was said, "The three most important methods of getting a message across are: telegraph, telephone, and tell a woman."
With all the methods we have of communicating with others; the sound of us sharing Christ to a lost and dying world is deafening. The greatest thing ever shared with me was when someone told me about salvation in Jesus Christ. The greatest thing each of us can share with others is not the weather report, or the stock market report, but rather Jesus Christ. Oh, yes, we have not only the right and the ability we also have an obligation.
The great teacher of the Jews, Nicodemus, came to Jesus one night and inquired of him about what it took to get into the Kingdom of God. Perhaps Nicodemus did not want to risk his standing in the Jewish community, was the reason he came at night. Suffice it to be said that apparently he remained a secret, silent follower of Jesus until the day when Joseph of Arimethia came to get him to assist in the burial of Jesus.
Could it be that we have many such secret disciples of the Lord today. The reasons as to why so many are silent would be many. Most of the reasons probably could be grouped together under the general heading of, "What would my friends think or say about me?" If that be the case, if would be better to think, "What would my savior think of me because of my silence?"
The Apostle Paul spake in a tremendous forceful voice each and ever opportunity he had to tell of what Jesus had done for him. He traveled extensively in the large part of his world. When he was finally put in prison where he could not come and go as he wished, he still conquered the minds of people by writing letters.
The eternal destiny of a loved one or a friend may very well be hanging on such a small thing as your silence.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Marriage Should Not Be A Joke
The marriage ceremony should be a very solemn occasion. In spite of this being so, occasionally humorous things do happen that usually do not take away from the moment but add something that will be remembered years later. I have a friend in the ministry by the name of Coy. Many preachers get nervous at weddings and even more so when it is the first one that is being conducted. This was the case, as it has been told, with my friend Coy. It was the typical nervous first time service that Coy was conducting. He had performed flawlessly until he comes to the point to pronounce them man and wife. The choice of words that came to Coy's mind was not the usual, "I pronounce you man and wife, but, I now pronounce you male and female." That produced an abundance of laughter among the crowd that day.
Somehow, things look a little different in this day when traditions are thrown asunder and challenges are constantly being made to a way of life that has existed since the first man took the first woman to be his lawful cherished wife.
I have difficulty believing that there are people in this world who think you can take something that is well defined and simply change the name and it will be different. I think we are engaged in a far more complex battle than homosexuals wanting to have equal rights. Most people I know, could not care less if two men or two women living together had the same tax advantages or any other advantages that are offered to married couples. They can call it a civil union and I don't care. It is not marriage, for marriage is between one man and one woman. It appears that the forces in this country will someday have it where in every state two same sex people can be joined together and call it marriage. But it will not be marriage. I can call my old Chevrolet truck a Cadillac, but that does not change a thing. I suppose I could go to court and have it's named changed to Cadillac as some people change their name. But guess what, It is still a truck. When I drive down the streets the average person is going to say there goes a truck. So it will be with homosexual marriages, everyone, including those engaged know it is not a Cadillac--it is a truck.
This is an attack at the institution of the family and not just a desire for equal rights for the couple. Many a problem in America can be pointed to as being a direct result of the break up of the family. No longer is the family unit intact, as a family unit, to provide the nurture and the admonition for the children to be able to face the trials of a cold, cold world.
To my friend, Coy, I would say, "Hang in there, you got it right the first time, keep on pronouncing them "male and female."
Somehow, things look a little different in this day when traditions are thrown asunder and challenges are constantly being made to a way of life that has existed since the first man took the first woman to be his lawful cherished wife.
I have difficulty believing that there are people in this world who think you can take something that is well defined and simply change the name and it will be different. I think we are engaged in a far more complex battle than homosexuals wanting to have equal rights. Most people I know, could not care less if two men or two women living together had the same tax advantages or any other advantages that are offered to married couples. They can call it a civil union and I don't care. It is not marriage, for marriage is between one man and one woman. It appears that the forces in this country will someday have it where in every state two same sex people can be joined together and call it marriage. But it will not be marriage. I can call my old Chevrolet truck a Cadillac, but that does not change a thing. I suppose I could go to court and have it's named changed to Cadillac as some people change their name. But guess what, It is still a truck. When I drive down the streets the average person is going to say there goes a truck. So it will be with homosexual marriages, everyone, including those engaged know it is not a Cadillac--it is a truck.
This is an attack at the institution of the family and not just a desire for equal rights for the couple. Many a problem in America can be pointed to as being a direct result of the break up of the family. No longer is the family unit intact, as a family unit, to provide the nurture and the admonition for the children to be able to face the trials of a cold, cold world.
To my friend, Coy, I would say, "Hang in there, you got it right the first time, keep on pronouncing them "male and female."
Monday, June 27, 2011
Be Careful Who You Follow
Several years ago I was driving along U.S. Highway 67 through Arkansas. I noticed an out of state car in front of me which was loaded down with luggage. I followed this car for some distance then exited on one of the small rural roads. The car that was behind me also exited and began driving down this small rural road. The car behind me also had several bags of luggage attached to the top of the car. I surmised that they must be close to the end of their journey because of the smallness of the road. It dawned on me that there was a possibility that the car had been following the out of state car that was in front of me. They were not paying close attention, since they were following, and just exited when I did. You should have seen the look on the driver's face when I pulled to the side of the road and stopped. He also stopped. Sure enough he had been following the other car. I directed him back to the place and the direction he should go in order to catch up with his fellow traveler.
Something like that happens all the time in the real world. We have those that are leaders and those that are followers. If you are a leader, be careful where you lead. If you are a follower be careful who you follow.
Jesus boldly stated, "My sheep hear my voice, and follow me, and a stranger they will not follow."
Far too frequently Christians follow trends, fads and customs that lead them away from the direction that Jesus would like for them to go. It is so vital that we study the Word of God in order to know they ways of God and the will of God.
Each Christian should be aware of the fact that there is someone who is watching your life and using your life and decisions as pattern for their own lifestyle. Years ago my youngest daughter rode home with a couple of the church members. When the car stopped at the member's house, my youngest daughter pre-school age, exited the car with her sweater draped over her shoulder and said, "This is how Ms. Barbara wears her sweater." The church member exclaimed, "I never new that anyone was watching me and noticing, even to how I wear my clothes."
Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of the leaders would be like the Apostle Paul. His concept of leadership would be, "You can follow me as I follow the Lord." Such a contrast to the modern day leader who would lead by saying, "Don't do like I do, do like I say do."
You have a choice, lead or follow, but get out of the way!
Something like that happens all the time in the real world. We have those that are leaders and those that are followers. If you are a leader, be careful where you lead. If you are a follower be careful who you follow.
Jesus boldly stated, "My sheep hear my voice, and follow me, and a stranger they will not follow."
Far too frequently Christians follow trends, fads and customs that lead them away from the direction that Jesus would like for them to go. It is so vital that we study the Word of God in order to know they ways of God and the will of God.
Each Christian should be aware of the fact that there is someone who is watching your life and using your life and decisions as pattern for their own lifestyle. Years ago my youngest daughter rode home with a couple of the church members. When the car stopped at the member's house, my youngest daughter pre-school age, exited the car with her sweater draped over her shoulder and said, "This is how Ms. Barbara wears her sweater." The church member exclaimed, "I never new that anyone was watching me and noticing, even to how I wear my clothes."
Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of the leaders would be like the Apostle Paul. His concept of leadership would be, "You can follow me as I follow the Lord." Such a contrast to the modern day leader who would lead by saying, "Don't do like I do, do like I say do."
You have a choice, lead or follow, but get out of the way!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Christians are committed, but to what?
The annual community Fourth of July picnic was coming up and the hen and the hog were discussing what they might contribute to the festival. The hen said, "Mr. Hog, I think it would be well if we contributed ham and eggs to the festival this year."
The hog responded to the hen, "Mrs. Hen, for you that would be a contribution, but for me it would be a commitment!"
It seems as if far too often we find that more church members are content to just be a contributor instead of being committed to the cause of Christ. That is difficult to understand when most church members who have had a definite experience with Christ will readily admit that the personal experience with Christ was the greatest thing that ever happened to them.
So often we find that church members are committed to the house payment, the car payment, former loans that have to be paid--committed, committed, committed. We are committed to things of lesser importance than what should be our commitment to Christ. After all, we contribute our time to the church on Sunday morning, some even contribute Sunday night and Wednesday night also. We contribute our offerings to the church, even though many actually fail to contribute anything since the first ten percent already belongs to Him.
Perhaps the one thing that puts everything else in it's proper perspective is the failure of the average Christian to make a commitment to win others to Christ. If the statement is true, the greatest thing that every happened to me was when I came to know Jesus as my personal saviour then, the greatest thing I can do for someone else is to introduce them to Jesus Christ as their saviour.
A children's poem went something like this, "What can I give him, as poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would give Him a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part, What can I give him? I give him my heart."
What will you give? Ham or eggs?
The hog responded to the hen, "Mrs. Hen, for you that would be a contribution, but for me it would be a commitment!"
It seems as if far too often we find that more church members are content to just be a contributor instead of being committed to the cause of Christ. That is difficult to understand when most church members who have had a definite experience with Christ will readily admit that the personal experience with Christ was the greatest thing that ever happened to them.
So often we find that church members are committed to the house payment, the car payment, former loans that have to be paid--committed, committed, committed. We are committed to things of lesser importance than what should be our commitment to Christ. After all, we contribute our time to the church on Sunday morning, some even contribute Sunday night and Wednesday night also. We contribute our offerings to the church, even though many actually fail to contribute anything since the first ten percent already belongs to Him.
Perhaps the one thing that puts everything else in it's proper perspective is the failure of the average Christian to make a commitment to win others to Christ. If the statement is true, the greatest thing that every happened to me was when I came to know Jesus as my personal saviour then, the greatest thing I can do for someone else is to introduce them to Jesus Christ as their saviour.
A children's poem went something like this, "What can I give him, as poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would give Him a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part, What can I give him? I give him my heart."
What will you give? Ham or eggs?
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