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THE PRAYER OF CYRUS BROWN

3/28/2011

Having just finished a seven-week series of messages on prayer this past Sunday evening, one might think I had shared every illustration I knew of on the subject. Alas, there is more.

I thought I would add one more ditty on the subject in my post for today. My copy came to me from a dear friend and church member.

The poem, now in the public domain and thus readily available on the web, was written and first published by a man named Sam Walter Foss who lived from 1858 until 1911. It has since been recorded as a song. It is a humorous little piece titled…

THE PRAYER OF CYRUS BROWN

"The proper way for a man to pray,"
Said Deacon Lemuel Keyes,
"And the only proper attitude
Is down upon his knees."

"No, I should say the way to pray,"
Said Reverend Doctor Wise,
"Is standing straight with outstretched arms
And rapt and upturned eyes."

"Oh, no, no, no," said Elder Slow,
"Such posture is too proud.
A man should pray with eyes fast-closed
And head contritely bowed."

"It seems to me his hands should be
Austerely clasped in front
With both thumbs pointing toward the ground,"
Said Reverend Doctor Blunt.

"Last year I fell in Hodgkin’s well
Headfirst," said Cyrus Brown,
"With both my heels a-stickin' up
And my head a-pointin' down."

"And I made a prayer right then and there,
The best prayer I ever said,
The prayingest prayer I ever prayed,
A-standin' on my head."

“DON’T QUIT. KEEP PLAYING!”

3/25/2011

A wonderful story is often told about an incident in the life of Poland's famous concert pianist, Ignace Paderewski.

A mother took her small child to a concert by Paderewski to expose him to the talent of the great pianist. She hoped as she did to encourage her son in his piano lessons, which he had just begun.

They arrived early at the concert and were seated near the front. Standing alone on the stage was a marvelous Steinway grand piano. As they waited for the concert to begin, the mother entered into a conversation with the people beside her.

Eventually, eight o'clock came, and the lights began to dim. Everyone turned their attention to the stage and the grand piano. The mother looked up and was suddenly horrified. Her son was sitting at the piano and banging out with one little finger, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." "Oh no," she thought, "How am I going to get him down?"

As she began to make her way to the platform, Ignace Paderewski himself appeared on stage. He went over and sat down beside the child. He whispered in the child's ear, "Don't quit; keep playing!" As the little boy continued to play, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began to fill in the bass part.

Then with his right arm around the little boy, he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice held the crowd mesmerized.

As God’s children, many times we Christians are tempted to feel like we are spending our lives pecking out meaningless and inconsequential little tunes, thinking as we do that our gifts are just too small for God to use in any significant way. And yet, that is all He desires of us: our willingness to use whatever talent(s) we have been given.

Whenever we attempt something in His name, He comes along beside us, sits down next to us, and whispers in our ear, "Don't quit; keep playing." Then, with His subtle guidance and able assistance, we suddenly find ourselves making beautiful music both with and for God, and enriching the lives of ourselves and of others as we glorify Him.

So, the next time you are tempted to think that your particular skill set is insignificant, or that your life is otherwise without meaning, remember this little story along with the words of the Apostle Paul: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)

Note: This story, in all of its various versions, has long been a staple among speakers and writers, especially preachers. Accordingly, it is posted all over the internet. That there was a famed concert pianist named Paderewski is certainly true. He would later become the Prime Minister of Poland. This particular incident, however, may or may not have actually occurred in his life.

To my knowledge, its authenticity is not confirmed. Thus, it is perhaps best to attribute it to folklore. If so, the probable origins can be found at: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/p/paderewski.htm.
Whether the story itself is true or not, the point made by the story is nonetheless readily apparent.

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO!"

3/22/2011

In Issue #7 of the publication, Crossroads (p. 16), the following story is recounted.

One day, when then Vice-President Calvin Coolidge was presiding over the United States Senate, one Senator angrily told another to go “straight to hell.”

The offended Senator complained to Coolidge as presiding officer. Coolidge looked up from the book he had been leafing through, while listening to the debate, and wittily replied:

“I’ve looked through the rule book,” he said, “You don’t have to go.” Wow! What about that!

With all the discussion these days about the concept of Hell (i.e., http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/03/08/doing-away-with-hell-part-one/), the greatest truth to remember about Hell is that no one really has to go to that awful place. We do have a choice.

We can heed the Word of God, repent of our sins, receive the offer of God’s grace, and be gloriously saved. As Paul says in Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The key to no condemnation from God is to be found, of course, in Christ Jesus.

For, as John says (I John 5:12)… “He who has the Son has life…”; but “he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” I trust you have found Christ. If so, you have the assurance of life – life abundant and life eternal one day in a wonderful place called Heaven.

If not, unfortunately, you will have to experience the awful reality of eternity apart form God in a place called Hell. As you consider these things, please remember: “Read the Book (the Bible) and you will discover something wonderful: You really don’t have to go (to Hell)!”

COMEUPPANCE EXTRAORDINAIRE

3/17/2011

I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of feedback my last posting, a joke about the downside of aging, generated from so many people, especially senior adults. Oh well, I guess just about everyone relates to getting older. I suppose it happens
to all of us eventually.

In any event (and in light of the response to my last post), here is another little jewel for the over 55 crowd. It too is very well put.

A self-absorbed college freshman was walking along the beach in southern California one day. As he did, he stopped next to a senior adult man who was contentedly resting on some nearby steps.

In short order, he took it upon himself to explain to this out of touch senior citizen why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation.

"You see, old man, you grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one compared to the world of today." The student said this loud enough for any and everyone around to hear.

He continued. "The young people of today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, and men walking on the moon. We have nuclear energy, wireless telecommunication, and computers with fiber optic internet connections that allow us to communicate at the speed of light all over the world, and many more such wonderful things today..."

After a brief silence, the old man responded as follows. "You're absolutely right, son. We didn't have any of those things when we were young... So, we invented them all! Now, you arrogant little snot, what are you doing for the next generation?

Needless to say, the applause from up and down the beach was amazing!

HOW PUZZLING

3/14/2011

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” Thus, ever so often, I have committed to include a joke or other humorous piece in my blog. My mother-in-law recently sent me this one; and I thought it was well worth the read. I hope you enjoy it…

A little silver-haired lady called her neighbor and said, "Please come over here and help me. I have a killer new jigsaw puzzle; and I just can't figure out how to get started."

Her neighbor asked, "What is it supposed to be when it is finished?"

The little silver-haired lady said, "According to the picture on the box, it is supposed to be a rooster."

Her neighbor decided to go over and help her with the puzzle after all. The little old lady let her in and showed her where she had the puzzle spread all over the table.

Her neighbor studied the pieces for a moment or two; and then looked at the box. Finally, she turned to the little old lady, and said, "First of all, no matter what we do, we are just not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster."

She then took the little old lady by the hand and said, "Secondly, I want you to relax. Let's have a nice cup of tea, and then…" she said with a deep sigh, "Let's put all the Corn Flakes back in the box."

OF BIBLES AND CELL PHONES

3/12/2011

Like many people, I have become unduly dependent upon my “smart phone”. Among its many uses, it is my alarm clock. Which is perfectly fine… except whenever time change roles around.

Then, I am forever searching the internet to make certain that my phone will automatically adjust its time clock to or from Daylight Savings Time. I live in fear that it will not make the change; and that I, the Pastor, will be late to church as a result.

In any event, my recent twice-a-year quandary led me to an e-mail I had received from a friend some time back. It is fairly thought provoking; and I thought I would post it on my blog on this, the eve of time change Sunday.

It is titled “The Bible or the Cell Phone”.

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to our kids as a gift?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

Oh, and no dropped calls!

One more thing… Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected; because Jesus has already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think: “Where are my priorities?” And also: “Hmm... Where is my Bible?”

ALL IS FORGIVEN

3/7/2011

Ernest Hemingway once wrote a short story called "The Capital of the World." In it, he told the story of a father and his teenage son who were estranged from one another. The son’s name was Paco. He had wronged his father. As a result, in his shame, he had run away from home.

In the story, the father searched all over Spain for Paco, but still he could not find the boy. Finally, in the city of Madrid, in a last desperate attempt to find his son, the father placed an ad in the daily newspaper. The ad read: "PACO, MEET ME AT THE HOTEL MONTANA. NOON TUESDAY. ALL IS FORGIVEN. PAPA."

The father in Hemingway's story prayed that the boy would see the ad; and then maybe, just maybe, he would come to the Hotel Montana. On Tuesday, at noon, the father arrived at the hotel. When he did, he could not believe his eyes.

An entire squadron of police officers had been called out in an attempt to keep order among eight hundred young boys. It turned out that each one of them was named Paco. And each one of them had come to meet his respective father and find forgiveness in front of the Hotel Montana.

Eight hundred boys named Paco had read the ad in the newspaper and had hoped it was for them. Eight hundred Pacos had come to receive the forgiveness they so desperately desired.

This beautiful story illustrates the great truth that Jesus was driving at in His famed Parable of the Prodigal Son. Just as there are many, many Pacos in Hemingway’s story, so there are innumerable prodigals in the world.

In truth, all of us are prodigals. All of us have run away from God. “All of us,” as the Scriptures say, “like sheep, have gone astray.” (Isaiah 53:6)

Fortunately, God has not given up on us. Persistently and indefatigably, He searches for us. He never gives up on us. He longs day and night for us to come home. And if and when we do, He is overjoyed. He loves us. He forgives us. He restores us. He fêtes us.

I hope you have come home to the Father. I hope you know the peace and joy that comes with having been forgiven by God. If not, my friend, the Father’s invitation to come home still stands. Even now, He is waiting for you.

A WORLD WITHOUT BEETHOVEN

3/3/2011

In his book, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart (Nashville: Word Publishing, 1998, p.2), famed author Charles R. Swindoll tells the following story.

A professor in a college ethics class presented his students with a problem. He said, "A man has syphilis and his wife has tuberculosis. They have had four children: one has died; the other three have what is considered to be a terminal illness.

The mother is pregnant. What do you recommend?" After a spirited discussion, the majority of the class voted that she should abort the child. "Fine," said the professor. "You've just killed Beethoven."

The source for Swindoll’s story is listed as the February, 1984 edition of HIS Magazine. The veracity of what underlies this story is attested to in an incident cited by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edmund Morris, who relates the following in his book, Beethoven: the Universal Composer (New York: Harper-Collins Publishers, 2005, p.11):

The British playwright Enid Bagnold once asked a feminist what advice she would give to a twenty-three-year-old housewife who, having lost four children, found herself pregnant again by an abusive, alcoholic husband. "I would urge her to terminate the pregnancy," the feminist replied. "Then," said Ms. Bagnold, "you would have aborted Beethoven."

For my part, I love music – a wide variety of types. I am even beginning to enjoy classical a little. However, I know this much: whether my tastes in music include classical or not, the world would be a much sadder place without the works of Ludwig Van Beethoven. I am glad his mother chose not to abort him. I am glad he was given a chance to live, and thereby, a chance to make a difference in this world.

This evening, a crowd of several hundred people has gathered at the First Baptist Church in Lenoir City to pledge their support to the HOPE Resource Center: a crisis pregnancy ministry located here in our community.

I am thankful for all who have chosen to support this crucial ministry - the mission of which is simply to bring hope in order to save lives and save souls. Over the past year, in the greater Knoxville metro area, HOPE Resource Center served 2,930 young women and men! Here are a few statistics:

4,528 free services were provided, including pregnancy testing and options counseling, first trimester limited ultrasound exams, post-abortion support and recovery, “Earn While You Learn Education Bucks”, and/or other material assistance
1,451 clients were presented with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
79 of these clients made a decision to receive Christ!
352 clients were abortion minded when they came in
193 of these clients chose life instead!
764 women and men have been tested for sexually transmitted diseases
101 of these committed to abstinence after meeting with client advocates.

All of this is made possible by generous support from the body of Christ at large. This includes my wife and me. If you would like to know more about how you can make a difference in the future of some unborn child, and of the world that he or she might one-day impact, feel free to contact HOPE.

You will find them at: http://www.hoperesourcecenterknoxville.com/. Who knows, the life you save might be that of the world’s next great composer?!