...too small a thing...

Every Life Matters - Now and Forever

The week has unfolded with troubles continuing in Baltimore, Nepal has thousands dead, and politics in Washington D. C. remain the same. As a matter of fact most of the world is unaffected by the troubles we are seeing on the news. But we all watch our televisions and read the accounts of troubles on the internet and comment on Facebook. Can take this moment to write a line about what I truly believe. Every life matters. 

But let me go a step further and say every soul matters. Death is a way of life. I do not want that to sound stupid, but we all live with the reality that one day each of us will die. None of us will live in this world forever. But I believe that there is eternal life to be found in Jesus Christ and this life This truth is far more important than anything else in this world. 

"Black lives matter" is a cry coming from some communities and they are right. But so do white lives and brown lives and red man's lives and any and all colors and cultures that exist in the world. God loves us the same no matter the skin color, no matter the culture, no matter what we have in our past. But there is a reality the life that matters most is the Christ. We must realize that for life to matter we must believe in Him. Now many who will read this blog today know that this is true but will we be bold enough to say that all lives matter. There will be even fewer who will take action and plan to make a difference in others lives to perpetuate this truth. We have the testimony or the truth to be able to make the difference to every person who walks on earth but so many are afraid to speak up with even a word or two to encourage and or remind others of the fact that "Every Life Matters - Now and Forever."

1 John 5:1012 NASB 10The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

I am sorry for the life of Freddy Grey and for every one of the unnamed thousands in Nepal, and the ones who died last week on I-16 from GA Southern and the ones who are in Kennestone Hospital will likely die today, Every life matters. But read verse 12 again. You who have the Son of God in your life, you have a reason and a purpose to live because you have Son. The rest of the world who do know know Christ do not have life. And yet they are focused on life here and want to go to all cost to make it just, fair and comfortable for everyone. The one who matters most died for us. He gave up His life so we could live. I believe this and so I must talk, write and do whatever i can to get out this message. 

This should be a sobering thought for all who have life.

I am going to preach a two part message starting this Sunday and ending the Next on Mother's day about what Parents should be doing. Toya Graham has become a household name this week by taking some action toward her son to stop his behavior in the street of Baltimore. She is being praised by some and criticized by some. But she took action on what she believed her son was in danger. 

Every life matters and people are in danger. Do we who have life care enough to say and do something? 

  

Do You Really EAT Those Things?

Sometimes confession is good for the soul. Yes, I really do eat sardines. I actually like them. They have become a more regular part of my diet in the past couple of months. I am down about 22 to 25 ponds and feel great. Have these slimy, stinky, sea creatures helped me on this path? Well they have not hurt me. 

I guess it was time to write about the weight loss I have experienced as of late, so people will not think I am sickly again. It seems the last time I was near the weight I am now I was struggling with pancreatitis. I am not sick but I am doing what I am to lose pounds and get my triglycerides and cholesterol to where it should be. I am planning for where I am now to be permanent as I went and purchased two new suits last night. I needed the new suits because my old ones were beginning to look like pup tents draped over me. The new suits fit much better and are a size smaller in the coat and two inches smaller in the waist. 

The secret to dieting is for me not dieting. It is just changing what I eat. This has not been easy and I have violated my practice a bit, but what I am doing seems to be working for me. 

Here are a few things I have done about eating. 

1.    NO BREAD - This is the hardest one of all  and I do sneak a biscuit once a week at the Thrusday morning Bible Study I attend. The NO Bread thing includes the NO Pizza thing.

2.    More Fish- Yes this includes salmon when we eat out and my canned friends, Sardines in Mustard sauce.

3.    Hardly any sweets- I have eaten a few pieces of pie and a small scoop of Ice cream once since I started but NO Banana Pudding since I started and NO Doughnuts. 

4.     More Salad.- I am actually getting to like the green stuff more and more. 

5.    More fruit- apples, oranges, bananas, and raisins are always on the the diet. 

6.    More Fiber bars- I like the kind with dark chocolate on them and eat usually a couple a day. I also have some wonderful dark chocolate covered blue-berries that are like a gift from heaven every time I eat one. 

I am not really getting too hungry and do not feel deprived in any way. I am feeling great and have some new clothes. 

I am really thankful to Kathy for all of her help and support. Between her 80 something pounds she has lost and 20 something pounds I have lost there seems to be one less person in our house. I am so thankful for my wife and no doubt we neither one miss the one who has left us. 

If this silly blog can encourage any one else to get started trying to lose a few pounds, I will assure you it will be worth it. You do not have to starve you just have to be very picky about not only WHAT you eat, but even more picky about HOW MUCH you eat. 

The best blessing is that the problem I have had on and off for years with chronic urticaria (hives) has seemed to disappear on this new diet. This is a huge blessing and one I give thanks for everyday.  

I almost named this blog post.....ONLY IN MY DREAMS NOW........

A Truly Idealistic Liberal Point of View

Sometimes we talk about the differences between liberal and conservative and in the tragedy that is going on in Baltimore we see these differences being lived out (at least to me) very clearly. I find it amazing what the Mayor said, and what she is trying to hold on to in her mind.  Stephanie Rawlings-Blake means well and has the belief that people should be given the opportunity to peacefully demonstrate because of the problems and conditions they find themselves living in.  She felt if they could have their say without being confronted with overwhelming police presence shutting them down the situation would be calm and the voices speaking for justice would be heard, Here is a quote from her on Saturday:

“While we tried to make sure that they were protected from the cars and the other things that were going on,” the mayor said of the protesters. “We also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well. And we work very hard to keep that balance and to put ourselves in the best position to deescalate, and that’s what you saw.”

Her belief in mankind is noble and idealistic. She believes that given the opportunity to be heard, (and she is listening so believes in her heart) the people will have their opportunity to voice their grievances  and bring about change peacefully. While this very liberal thinking is very basic and a quite noble thought, it is in fact naive and unrealistic.  

The facts are when law enforcement and the arm of the government is restrained and held back chaos is the result. I saw video of people looting and a young man screaming "its free yall, let's get some." The moment of opportunity for many is more powerful than a liberal thought of I can now be heard. Human nature is so often controlled by the moment of opportunity and this is what the mayor is now seeing as they held their arm of discipline the child is out of control. Seems the mayor had the attitude I will not spank my baby I will listen to her and she will see the light. But she was wrong.

John 3:19 NASB "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

But there is a conservative point of view too. One momma took action when she found our her baby was among the ones who were going to be heard but seemed to be enjoying their new found freedom to throw rocks at police with no response from them.  This momma went into the malay and found her baby and took the conservative point of view. I have the video on my Facebook page and a link here to WSVN Facebook page. I found some conservative point of view in a momma saying my baby is not going to be a part of this git yourself home. 

Sin is too easy. Violation of others is opportunistic always. When human nature is given an opportunity to act out with no consequences the result is very sad but we are seeing it. When the people were entering the 7-11 Store in downtown Baltimore on Saturday I was watching the video and thinking how sad. People willing to do what they know is wrong by going in and stealing things that are so insignificant. They were walking out with Doritos and Soft drinks. Selling their birth right for a bowl of stew. 

 

Lives Changing

 

I have learned something in this role I have as pastor, chaplain, counselor, SS teacher, Dad, Husband and friend, that if I am going to be able to help someone I must do several very important things. These things are not optional and they must be consistent in someone's life. Now all of us know people who need help. And of course all of need help ourself with things in our qwn lives. We want our lives to change more and more to be like Jesus and we call this thing of growing to be more and more like Jesus Spiritual Maturity. We hope to get these things from God and from others ourself and we for sure must give them to others.

Someone in my Sunday School class yesterday mentioned that Henry Blackaby once said you can measure spiritual growth by how sensitive you are to the Holy Spirit, and your willingness to listen and respond to the prompting or leading of the Holy Spirit. I like that thought, and I believe that the Spirit of God fills us and leads us to live a life serving othes, and helping others to see the Lord and turn to the Lord. This means their lives will change too. But there are some very important things we must do ourselves, in order for us to help see others lives changed. Here they are. 

1. We must love them. If someone has problems and needs to change we  who love them must love them and seek to make sure they know we love them. This does not mean acceptance of things we disapprove of in their lives. But it does mean kindness and concern for them always. Sometimes they  will not understand our love because there is not acceptance of sinful patterns or things we know are not acceptable to God. This is a deep subject and could be several blog articles and a couple of sermons on how to love someone who is not doing what they should be doing. But bottom line none of us are doing everything we should be doing. We all do the wrong thing sometimes. But we who want to help others change must  love people unconditionally but do not accept the unbiblical things that may be present in their life. 

2. We must speak truth to them.  The speaking of truth is essential to godly living. The truth is found in the Word of God and so we must seek to know and live out the truth as we find it and learn it ourselves from God's Holy word. Consistent study of the bible is the key. Both individually and with others in a group setting. As God's Word is real in our lives so that we believe it and live it then we can help others to see it and to apply it to their lives. This comes by speaking the truth to them, even when it is uncomfortable to do so. You cannot do this second step of life change until you are really doing the first well. You must live them and continue to love them while you speak truth to them. 

3. We must pray for them. This sounds so simple but I think most of us have a void or weakness in this area. We pray some and feel if we put them on a list at Sunday School or church we are getting some "face time" with God then we have the prayer angel covered. God uses prayer to change us as we pray. He speaks to us and molds us to help each of us become agents of change. If we want to see others lives changed we must be consistent in our prayers for them. 

4. We must allow God to work in their lives. This too may sound odd to some. Too many Christians like to try to help the Holy Spirit and press people for change before they are ready. We must be patient with people. 

Now these things consistently applied to everyone who has problems and needs to change will bring change for the better. This includes of course me and you. So we must, love each other, speak truth to each other, pray for each other, and let God lead us for change that will make us more like Jesus.

It Is FREE

The talking political heads of the news have stated the truth as they talk about politicians today who are buying votes by promising to "give" the voters what they want. Society is always looking for leaders that will give them what they want. 

So it was in Jesus day too. After Jesus fed the multitude, he became the most popular guy around. Everyone was ready to follow Jesus until He told them how it really was. 

 John 6:26-27 NASB 26 Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”

When he told them this they said, "OK What do we have to do?" 

So Jesus told them the greatest truth of the Bible. Jesus told them as plainly as he ever said anything here on earth. "Believe in Me!"

John 6:35 NASB 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 

This did not make sense to the people then nor does it make sense to some today. The only thing that is truly free that cost you everything. You must believe and if you believe you will freely give your whole life to this reality. Jesus died for sinful men. He died so we can live for Him. It is free to you but it cost Jesus everything. 

John Chapter 6 is not through with just these thoughts. Jesus makes it even plainer. Jesus says a some statements that seemed really offensive to some who could not or better said "would not" think in the spiritual realm. Jesus told them something to be taken spiritual that they focused on physically which did not make sense to them. 

John 6:53-57 NASB  53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.55 “For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me.

Jesus was not saying to them to become a cannibal and to physically take a bite out of his flesh but He was talking about becoming so consumed with everything about who Jesus Christ is that we are going to forget everything else in life except him. We will be consumed with Jesus. So many of them could not accept this simple freedom to believe in Jesus and to turn their lives to Him.

But the disciple did. They did not walk away with some of the trendy folks who went to look for the next way to fill their stomach not their soul. They could not see the real issues.

Jesus ask them, "Are you going away too?" and Simon Peter gave Jesus a profound answer that we must take note of even today.

John 6:68 NASB 68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.69“We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” 

  Something to take note of is simply this. There is no where else to go. No one else to turn to. There is no alternate God. Jesus is the only way. People in the world today want to be accepting of any and all "paths to god" but with this thought you get less than truth. You get a false hope, You get no power, no life, no eternity. Only Jesus has the words of life, and they are free. 

 

 

Special Moments In Life with Special Families

Last night was the rehearsal dinner for a wedding I will officiate this afternoon. The Welch and the Callahan families will contribute the bride and groom. Both families I have had some very special moments with in the past and so I am truly being blessed by being a part of this wonderful and very special moment in time.

The Callahan Family Kathy and I met at Fortified Hills way back in 1982. There were Three of them at the time, as the bride for tonight's wedding was not born yet. We rejoiced with Gay and Tim as Haley grew inside her mom. Preschool programs, church events and Sunday School were all very special times for us together. Tragedy stuck as Tim lost a brother in 2002 and as me to do the service for him. Later when Tim's 102 year old father became ill once again the family called on me to be there for Mr Callahan's celebration of life. Tim put me on a deer stand one cold morning a good many years ago and the biggest deer I have ever seen came sneaking by. I got a shot but missed but the size and the rack of that big boy I will never forget. We celebrated Tim and Gay's 30th anniversary with the family and that was a wonderful night. Now to be with this family for this event is so very special.

The Welch Family We have not known Tim and Tammy Welch as long as the Callahan's as we have only known them 20 years. Tim Welch is one of my very closest of friends. Tim was the first person I ask to serve on the board of directors of Mission Team Inc in 2004 and he has traveled many many miles with me. Countless trips to Nicaragua many hours of work and a thousand phone calls where my friend just says, "Just checking in with you to make sure you are OK." We spent a week together in a shed in Nicaragua when I preached a crusade. Time fixed my coffee on a coke can stove all week. When we made one the hardest decisions I ever made, which was to leave Burnt Hickory Baptist Church staff Tim and Tammy were the first people Kathy and I told. When Kathy had heart surgery Tim and Tammy came late one evening and stayed with me for a couple of hours at the moment I needed someone the most. This I will never forget. 

I cannot possibly tell all even if I wrote a book of how these two men have blessed me as a friend. These two ladies have been good to my wife and people we have just always loved and felt close to. But they did not always know each other. You see they met on a mission trip. A mission trip to Nicaragua in 1998. I have been known to twist arms and beg a bit to get people on the plane. These two went on the same team and I had a pair of "Tims." These two men are both so talented with their hands and can make or do most anything. They met and became friends. The Callahan"s soon came to Burnt Hickory and these two children met each other. 

This is unique to know and have had so much experience with both families prior to a great moment of celebration in seeing their children marry. It will be a great and very special moment this afternoon rain or shine. Christopher and Haley told me yesterday it did not matter if it rains they had a hard time deciding whether to have the ceremony inside or out so they would just let the Lord decide. 

I am so blessed to serve the Lord. And when God lets me do the happy events like today it is exciting. To me their will be a very special moment in the ceremony. After the vows Chris and Haley chose to do communion. But they ask if both sets of parents could come up. I will serve the dad's who will serve their wives. They will pass to Christopher who will serve Haley. We will all worship together as the first thing this young married couple will do together. 

Special moments with special people. Here is a picture from the mission trip in 1998.

 

Missions TRIPS

The photo is me a few years ago riding back from a Crusade I preached in a remote Nicaraguan Village called El Gayo (The Rooster) about 5 years ago. Now to sign up for a mission trip you will not have to ride a horse but you will be traveling. You will meet some fantastic people, and you will do the work of the Lord. 

I want to take this mornings blog to give information about Three Mission Trips I will have the privilege to lead and make sure folks know that if God nudges your heart toward one of these you should give it consideration.  Mission trips will grow you and bless you beyond anything that you are thinking. All three of this are open as of now but the first one you only have a few days.  

Snowy Mountain Lodge,  Wyoming.......... June 20-27, 2015

Construction Trip to demolish some old cabins in the National Forest everything must be done by hand and carried out. We will also be laying rock around foundations, splitting firewood, porch repairs, and other misc items. Cost $240.00 if you provide your own transportation. $650.00 includes Airfare and all ground transportation

 

Rositia, Nicaragua........... September 13 - 22, 2015

Construction on compound and guest house in Rosita. In addition some evangelistic work and Pastor Training will be part of this work. This can be a introduction to International missions for you if you have never been out of the country. Cost is not final yet but will be approximately $1300.00 to $1400.00 plus we will work to raise some team funds for materials.    

Enrollment OPEN NOW and Team is limited to 10 Persons.  

 

Bantu Area, Ethiopia.......... March 2016

Construction, Children's events, Evangelism will all be part of this work.  The trip will be about 9 or 10 days in the first part of the month. Exact dates will be set by early this fall. It will take 6 months to prepare for this trip so planning and recruitment of the team begins now. Team meetings will begin this fall. Cost will be $800.00 plus airfare to Addis Ethiopia. The team will work together to raise additional funds for construction materials. 

Enrollment OPEN NOW and Team preparation meetings will begin in July 2015. 

Here is a reason to go in one more photo. These babies stole my heart. 

 

A Message of NO HOPE

I preached a message last night on Psalm 88. I think this message was unique to any I had ever preached before. This psalm is a song but not one we really want to sing. You see it is a very, very sad song. A message of no hope. The psalmist seems to be in desperate and in unconsolable way. He has cried out to God and seems to be angry that God did not answer him. Or at least from his point of view God did not answer. 

When life has bitter and sad moments all of us can for a minute or two feel there is no hope. There are moments we sing this song when life's terrible realities confront us and we hurt so much that we will cry out to God, and we want an answer. Sometimes there are no answers to be understood on this side of heaven. Human suffering and death are stark realities in the world and when it comes early or unexpectedly we can join the psalmist in the song of Psalm 88. Here are a few of the verses that describe how he feels when he cried out to God and the singer feels God is ignoring him or worse has doomed him. Note verse 6 ... "you have put me."

Psalm 88 3-7 ESV

3 For my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draws near to Sheol.
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am a man who has no strength,
5 like one set loose among the dead,
like the slain that lie in the grave,
like those whom you remember no more,
for they are cut off from your hand.
6 You have put me in the depths of the pit,
in the regions dark and deep.
7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
and you overwhelm me with all your waves.

As a police Chaplain and a pastor I have seen despair and hopelessness in the face of people too many times. Every fiber of my being wants to cry out when I see this, "There is always Hope in Christ Jesus." 

Just because we do not understand, 

Just because it is not what we would want done, 

Just because there are things we do not like, 

Just because we say words as a prayer and we do not get magical results,

Just because there is heartache,

Just because there is tragedy:

Including things that are unfair,

                    things that are horrible,

                    things that are evil and wicked. 

JUST BECAUSE of the mess the world is in around us does not mean that God does not care or that He is not there. Here is the truth:

Romans 8:37-39 ESV

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hope is always found in Jesus Christ!

So Many Blessing to Thank God For....

Maybe this is sort of a strange blog post today, but maybe one that would make you do something similar today.

I have so many blessings that I am counting them as the song says:  " .... Name them one by one.... Count your many blessing and see what God has done." 

So here is a partial list of the many blessings I am counting as they come to my mind I am writing them down, 

The Lord has blessed me with.....
1. A great cup of coffee. 
2. A good computer to write and praise the Lord with. 
3. A wife who loves me and serves God.
4. Wonderful children with good jobs. 
5. The most beautiful grand-daughters in the world. (this is not debatable)
6.  A great church that allows me to serve them. 
7. Mission Work that is planned ... Wyoming in June .... Nicaragua in September... Ethiopia March 2016
8. Opportunity to serve Law Enforcement Personnel. 
9. A chance to preach tonight. (Psalm 88 the saddest Psalm in the Bible.)
10. Progress on our building program. Things getting done and gifts being given to pay for it. 
11. Sunshine today! I got to work outside yesterday afternoon and I hope I will a few minutes this morning. 
12.  The Words of God that feed my soul. 

I thought about writing more because there are many, many more blessings in my life. But you might get bored with reading about me. Can you identify with some of these?. If you make a list of the blessings you have, then the problems you have (and I do have some of those too) will just seem much, much smaller. 

The blessings of this day are yours to hold. Consider the greatest blessing of all and the only one that really matters in this world. I could write this blessing many ways, but Scripture is the best way really to write out the greatest of all blessings. It is three verses to tell us how we who know Jesus are really blessed. 

1 Peter 1:3-5 NASB 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  

Somebody say AMEN!

 

Strong As An OX

A favorite idiom of mine for sure this little saying, "Strong as an ox." I remember one of my first trips to Nicaragua I stood face to face with an oxen hooked to cart that sort of amazed me. This beast was huge. He was as a matter of fact a bit frightening for me as I was not used to walking near such a huge animal who was used to pull a cart. Was the beast strong? Well, this cart was heavily loaded and the beast just lumbered along down the road. I had great admiration for his strength.

Now strength is a great thing to have and the power of animal can be admired, but oxen still have some problems. Some of the issues with oxen are even mentioned in God's Word. Here are a few.

1.    You have to feed the ox.

Deuteronomy 25:4 NASB Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain. ... "You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain

2.    The strength of the Ox is limited and they can fall. 

Deuteronomy 22:4 NASB "You shall not see your countryman's donkey or his ox fallen down on the way, and pay no attention to them; you shall certainly help him to raise them up.

3.    The ox must be tended to or it will stray. 

Deuteronomy 22:1 NASB "You shall not see your countryman's ox or his sheep straying away, and pay no attention to them; you shall certainly bring them back to your countryman.

4.    Even the ox needs to rest. 

Exodus 23:12 NASB "Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.

5.    An ox just like a new Ford Truck can be something admired and coveted and be a source of temptation for your neighbor. 

Exodus 20:17 NASB "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

So we see even to be as "Strong as an ox" is still not a perfect world and there are problems with the oxen. Oh and I forgot to mention this one. The ox does have some by product that cannot be ignored. 

Proverbs 14:4 NLT Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

We need the strength of the ox. We need the coo of the dove. We need the buzz of the bee to pollenate the plants. We need all of God's creatures to make this old world be what God has designed it to be. And we need man to glorify God. I think too many times men can think they need to be as strong as an ox but they end up being as stubborn as a donkey when it comes to their task of glorifying God. 

No doubt the beast strength can be admired but to desire to be as strong as an ox instead of a man who glorifies the Living God is well let's just realize what it is being a dumb donkey.