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NOTEWORTHY!

4/29/2020

The Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. is closed right now due to the coronavirus pandemic. But when it does reopen, it will have two very special Bibles on display for the viewing public. These two Bibles belonged to none other than Elvis Presley.

According to an article published earlier today on www.FoxNews.com and titled “Elvis Presley's Notes Show He Probably Read This Book of the Bible Most”, the young man who would go on to change the world from the little town of Tupelo, Mississippi apparently read his Bible fairly regularly.

The article reminds us that we should not necessarily be surprised that Elvis’ work was somehow impacted by the Bible. After all, he got his start performing in an Assembly of God Church back there in Tupelo.

What is more, though Elvis was known as the King of Rock n’ Roll, his only Grammy awards were actually for his Gospel music, winning “Best Sacred Performance” in 1967 and “Best Inspirational Performance” in both 1972 and 1974.

In any event, as the title suggests, one Biblical Book in particular seems to have had special appeal for him: the Old Testament Book of Psalms. The museum's lead curator of art and exhibitions, Amy Van Dyke, said she could tell it was "something special to him" by all the notes found in the margins.

According to Van Dyke, "His favorite book, from what it looks like, was the book of Psalms. Because in the book of Psalms there's a lot of notations and writings in there, which makes sense because it's a book of songs. So for a musician, it made a lot of sense. And in the back of that Bible, there's also some writing and some stanzas that he's written in there and poems and other things that really spoke to him."

Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, chief curatorial officer at the museum, further reminds us that it should be no surprise that the “King” spent so much time in the Book of Psalms. “Musicians have always found inspiration in the Psalms," Kloha said. "Like Elvis, J. S. Bach, for example, wrote notes in his Bible throughout the Psalms. This is because the Psalms themselves are intended to be sung, and have been sung in churches and synagogues for centuries.”

If you desire to know more, check out a series called "Lonesome Curator" on www.YouTube.com. Here, the Museum of the Bible staff has been sharing about its treasures while the gates remain closed. For now, though, based on this article, I have a thought or two to share.

To be sure, there are those who believe it is wrong to write notes inside a Bible. In the world where I grew up, this was certainly the case. Some considered it a grievous sin to “mark up” God’s Word.

(Ironically, many of those same people readily filled in the genealogical charts provided in the pages of their family bibles. And if no such charts were there, they eagerly wrote the names and births of their children and grandchildren. Even more ironic, they often gobbled up the notes of C. I. Schofield printed in the margins as if they were as inspired as the very words of Holy Writ they accompanied!)

My own conviction, however, is that it is entirely appropriate to write notes in one’s Bible. I say this for two reasons…

First, because no document in the history of this world is more noteworthy than is the Holy Bible itself! By this I mean that no other written work is more designed to evoke a response from human beings than is the Word of God! And this leads to the second reason.

A Bible filled with notes is a Bible that has been read! More than this, a Bible filled with notes is a Bible with which some reader has had some level of genuine personal interaction! In short, a marked up Bible got read, and got embraced!

Such was clearly the case for a man named Elvis Aaron Presley. Such is the case for yours truly. (I, too, have many “marked up” Bibles!)

The real question is: “Is such the case for you?!” If your own Bible were ever put on display, would it testify to your having read it? More to the point, would it testify to the fact that you interacted with it? That you believed it? And that you believed it enough to put its assertions into practice? In effect, that you tried it and proved its relevance?

Before you answer, remember that whatever your response is, it will be worthy of being noted!

SOURCE: https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/bible-elvis-presley-favorite-book-museum-washington-dc.

NOTE: The reporter, Caleb Parke, is an associate editor for www.FoxNews.com. He can be followed on Twitter @calebparke.

CAN YOU SEE ME NOW?!

4/24/2020

A few years ago, a popular cell phone commercial employed the catchphrase: “Can you hear me now?” My title today is a play on that question.

On my desk in my study, I have what is a called a “Hidden Jesus” plaque that looks much like the following on taken from www.worthpoint.com:

Did you see Jesus here? If not, look again. And then look again. Eventually, you will see “Jesus”. And once you see Him there, never again will you not see Him there!

As I begin to focus my thoughts on my future writing career, I have now planned out several books. One of them that I am working on has the running title of “Christ in the Movies”. In it, I plan to explore how often and when and where Jesus is reflected in movies and television.

Continuing my thoughts from my last post on “The Andy Griffith Show”, I thought I would devote tonight’s blog to one such example of how Jesus can be seen in film.

Fans of the series will be familiar enough with the first episode of the third season, titled “Mr. McBeevee”. According to “The Andy Griffith Show Wiki”, in this episode:

Opie weaves the fabulous tale of Mr. McBeevee, a man who walks in the treetops, wears a silver hat, has twelve extra hands, blows smoke from his ears, and jingles when he walks as if he had rings on his fingers and bells on his toes. But other than those few quirks, Mr. McBeevee is normal.

Andy and Barney laugh it off, but when Opie brings back a quarter he claims was given to him by his friend, Andy is forced to call the stories to a halt. Faced with the threat of a spanking, Opie is still unable to betray the existence of Mr. McBeevee. Andy may have to accept the unacceptable in the face of Opie's insistence.

Later, when out for a walk, Andy happens past the very same tree Mr. McBeevee, a telephone linesman, is working in. Andy gets his own introduction to the man who walks in the trees and Opie is vindicated.

To “accept the unacceptable” is better grasped by the reviewing the actual script. As recounted by M. G. Piety, the two crucial scenes in the episode unfold as follows:

“Opie,” Andy says, “there comes a time when you have to stop the play acting and tell the truth, and that time is now, right now. Opie, I want you to be man enough to tell me that Mr. McBeevee is just make believe. That’s all you have to say and it will all be forgotten. But if you don’t, then something else is going to happen. I believe you know what I mean, don’t you.”

“Yes, Pa,” Opie mumbles without looking up.

“Alright,” says Andy, “I want you to say that Mr. McBeevee is just make believe.”
But Opie can’t do it. He tries, but he stops before he can complete the sentence.
“I can’t Pa,” he says trembling and looking directly into his father’s eyes. “Mr. McBeevee isn’t make believe. He’s real.”

Andy shakes his head sadly.

“Don’t you believe me Pa? Opie asks pleadingly, "Don’t you Pa?”

Opie, lower lip trembling, is on the verge of tears. Andy stares disappointedly into his son’s face. Then suddenly his expression changes. There’s a brief look of incredulity, not at what his son is saying, but at something else, something at which the viewer can only guess. He sighs resignedly, smiles slightly, and responds: “I believe you.”

When Andy comes downstairs again to Barney and Aunt Bee, he informs them that he has not spanked Opie after all.

“Well that’s good,” says Barney with obvious relief. “He learned his lesson. A good talking to is the best thing. Making him stay in his room…”

“I didn’t do that either,” says Andy, lighting a cigarette.

“Well what did you do?” asks Barney.

“I told him I believed him,” responds Andy.

“You told him you BELIEVED him,” Barney blurts out. “But Andy, what he told you is impossible!”

“Well,” Andy explains, “a whole lot of times I’ve asked him to believe things that to his mind must have seemed just as impossible.”

“But Andy, the silver hat, the jingling, the smoke from his ears, what about all that?”

“Well,” says Andy, “I guess at a time like this, when you’re asked to believe something that just doesn’t seem possible, that’s a moment that decides whether you’ve got faith in somebody or not.”

“Well how can you explain it all?” asks Barney.

“I can’t,” responds Andy.

“But you do believe in Mr. McBeevee?”

“No,” responds Andy. ”But I believe in Opie.”

More than one person has pointed out that before he became an actor, Andy Griffith gave some consideration to becoming a Christian Minister in the Moravian Church. As a singer, he also recorded and released numerous gospel songs. For this reason, it is not hard to see the Christian imagery intentionally embedded within this particular scene.

Opie has met an individual who comes down from above with the business of improving communication and relationships between people. This individual is good to Opie, who is turn wants others to come to know him as well. But Opie’s testimony about this individual and his many characteristics and abilities is not received well by others, who view Opie’s words with great suspicion.

One among them, however, chooses to believe the testimony despite the irrationality of it all. Later, when the time comes, this person (Andy) is rewarded by also coming to know the same wonderful individual from above.

The closing scene is particularly powerful. As Andy wanders through the woods, he walls out the name of “Mr. McBeevee” in utter desperation. To his great surprise, Mr. McBeevee actually answers. The script then puts it this way:

When he finally climbs down to the ground, the man says:

“McBeevee at your service. What can I do for you?”

“You walk around in the trees,” Andy says, grinning incredulously. “You’ve got a silver hat, and you jingle. You can make smoke come out of your ears, can’t you!” he says. (This, it turns out, is a trick Mr. McBeevee showed Opie where he exhales cigarette smoke into his cupped hand and then releases it after moving the hand to his ear.)

“I sure am glad to meet you!” says Andy, who then proceeds to shake Mr. McBeevee’s hand with a vigor that threatens to remove his entire arm from its socket.

Interestingly enough, names in Scottish beginning with “Mac” or “Mc” mean “Son of”. Therefore, “McBeevee” means “Son of Beevee”. I do not know definitively what “Beevee” means. But it may well be related to “Baigh”, meaning “from the upper part” (presumably of Scotland). If so, then the meaning of the name is simply “son from the upper part”.

As Christians, we also give testimony to an Individual Who is “the Son from the upper part”. He too has unique characteristics and abilities. He too came down from above to improve our ability to relate – both to our Father above and to our brothers and sisters here beneath. In the process, He too gives us good gifts. Therefore, He too brings us great joy once we meet and come to know Him!

To be sure, others may not believe our testimony about Him. And yet, we remain steadfast in our resolve to share what we have both seen and heard of Him! Hopefully, through our faithfulness to stand firm in our testimony about Him, others will eventually come to know Him as well!

In the fourth chapter of the New Testament Book of Acts, the Apostles Peter and John are arrested and dragged before the religious authorities of their day, where they are threatened if they do not stop testifying about Jesus Christ. In verses 19-20, we read their response: “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard!”

Opie stood firm in his testimony about “Mr. McBeevee”, who came from above and blessed him personally. Peter and John stood firm in their testimony about Jesus Christ, Who also came from above and Who blessed all who encountered Him. We, too, must stand firm in our own testimony about this same Jesus, and about His ability to bless all who come to know Him!

Hopefully, if we do, the testimony of those we encounter will mirror that of Andy, when they also say: “Jesus, I sure am glad to meet you!”

SOURCES:

PLAQUE PICTURE: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/jesus-optical-illusion-name-plaque-wood-sign-hand.

THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW (TAGS) INFO:

https://mayberry.fandom.com/wiki/Mr._McBeevee_(episode);
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0512516/;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Griffith.

SEE ALSO:

https://metv.com/lists/6-things-you-never-noticed-in-the-andy-griffith-show-favorite-mr-mcbeevee.

SCOTTISH NAMES:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mac-surname-prefix;
https://family.disney.com/baby-names/baby-boy-names/meaning-of-baigh/.

SCRIPTURE:

https://biblehub.com/niv/acts/4.htm.

NOTE: I am clearly not the first person to recognize such a connection. See, for instance:

http://www.oocities.org/jamntm/opie.html.tmp; as well as
https://pietyonkierkegaard.com/2015/02/22/mr-mcbeevee/.

Soren Kierkegaard was a famous Danish theologian of the nineteenth century noted primarily for his emphasis on the necessity of a “leap of faith” for eternal salvation. Cf.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leap_of_faith#The_leap_into_sin_and_into_faith.

Several years ago, an official “Mayberry” Small Group Bible Study Series was released based on the Christian principles exhibited in “The Andy Griffith Show”.

It is still available at: https://www.christianbook.com/mayberry-bible-study-leader-vol-1/9780979125904/pd/125904.

ESSENTIAL WORKERS!

4/21/2020

One of the promises that I made myself once I retired was that I was going to try to learn to relax a little more. I say this only because, as a Senior Pastor for decades, I rarely found such opportunity. For years, I seemed to find myself never able to catch up. There was always something else to do at the end of each day!

For this reason, I fell into the pattern of spending evening after evening on my cell phone and/or laptop returning phone calls, and/or answering text messages, emails, or similar correspondence. And if these things were not pressing, then writing a blog post, a letter of some sort, or else working on the next sermon to be delivered was.

All that changed a few weeks ago. While I still answer calls, messages, and emails, and while I still write blog posts, my nightly routine now intentionally involves at least a little relaxation. In the process, I have re-discovered my love for “The Andy Griffith Show”.

I would that the old “40 Acres Backlot” where “The Andy Griffith Show” was filmed still existed. Sadly, it was torn down back in the mid-1970s and paved over with office complexes. How nice it would be to visit the fictional Mayberry and walk down familiar streets! At least, though, we can still visit Mayberry each night on the classic television channel.

Most of us know the cast of characters we find there all too well. Sheriff Taylor, Deputy Fife, Aunt Bee, Opie, Floyd the Barber, cousins Gomer and Goober Pyle, Mayors Pike and Stoner, Helen Crump, Thelma Lou, Otis, Clara, venerable old Judd, Reverend Tucker, John Masters, Howard Sprague, and Emmet Clark.

Beyond the regulars were the interlopers who regularly passed through town – Earnest T. Bass, the Darlings, the so-called “Fun Girls”, and Rafe Hollister. It would be hard to imagine Mayberry without any of these unique characters. Each and every one regularly brought his or her own unique blend into the mix that was “The Andy Griffith Show”.

But lately, I have noticed another group of recurrent characters on the “The Andy Griffith Show” – one that rarely if ever gets any attention. Yet, without these faithful cast members consistently doing their part, the show could have never been as wildly successful as it has been over the decades.

The people I am referencing are the “townsfolk”. In one episode, Sheriff Taylor references some 2000 people who reside in Mayberry. You see some portion of them in almost every episode as they quietly populate the town of Mayberry. They can be seen walking by in the background, standing in line at the Mayberry Savings Bank, shopping in Weaver’s department store, getting gas at Wally’s filling station, and even sitting attentively in church.

Often, they can be counted on to congregate in mass on the streets whenever Deputy Fife has found it necessary to climax some scene by calling upon them to cease and disperse.

They do not get to talk. (One assumes that the Screen Actor Guild, or some such governing entity, allowed the production company to pay them less if they technically uttered no lines.) However, they are often heard mumbling, grumbling, cheering and/or amen-ing as the scene dictates.

The point is that they were an integral part of just about every episode. Mayberry would not have been possible without them. And yet, they were never officially recognized. We do not know their names (of either the fictional character or the actual actors who portrayed them). Their names do not appear in either the opening or closing the episode credits. In short, they fulfill a vital role in an anonymous capacity!

As I have reflected on this, I have been reminded of the church of Jesus Christ. In most congregations, a select few receive a fair amount of attention. These include ministers, church staff, church officers, committee members, teachers, etc… All these individuals tend to receive recognition for their service to the church.

But beyond this, there is a whole host of individuals who populate the church. And the vast majority of these faithfully serve the Lord in obscurity. They quietly go about the business of making the church what the church is. They do this day in and day out, week in and week out, year in and year out. And they do so in relative anonymity.

Yet, try and run the church and/or her ministries without them! To do so would not be difficult; to do so would be impossible! For this reason, I take this opportunity to pause and say thank you to all those who quietly go about serving the Lord; and who do so with little or no expectation of acknowledgment or recognition.

These days, I am personally intent upon discovering just who those unknown “extras” on the “The Andy Griffith Show” cast actually were. I, for one, appreciate all they did to enhance the value of the show! So, for me, it is quite rewarding to search the internet and uncover such information.

But just as I have come to appreciate the unsung heroes of Mayberry, even so have I come to appreciate those of the church of Jesus Christ! More to the point, I find myself eagerly awaiting the day when the roll is called up yonder and the books are opened. For then, and only then, will we fully appreciate the part played by each and every person in the church!

In the New Testament Book of Revelation (chapter 20, verse 12), the Apostle John says, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.”

My suspicion is that, when that day comes, we will all be more than a little surprised to discover just who did what for the Kingdom of God!

SCRIPTURE SOURCE: https://biblehub.com/revelation/20-12.htm.

SEE ALSO: Mark 10:29-30; 1 Corinthians 3:8; 2 Corinthians 5:10; and Revelation 2:23, 22:12.

ALSO, FOR A FUN FEW MINUTES, VISIT THE FICTIONAL "MAYBERRY", N.C. AT: http://www.retroweb.com/40acres.html. Be sure to click on the "Virtual Tour" tab and take the tour.

FORTY-FIED!

4/17/2020

These days, many people receive daily devotionals via multiple and varied digital formats. Especially popular these days are items delivered through smart phone apps such as “Instagram” “Pinterest”, and “Twitter”, as well as social networking sites such as “Facebook”. (Note the buttons linking to these various sites accompanying this page.)

Similarly, a few years ago, equally reflecting the times, a popular series of devotional books was titled “Instant Messages from God”. These were available in editions for both boys and girls.

Kudos to all the authors out there who are keeping up with the times as each successive generation of technology is released. As had been said many a time, the method may change; but the message remains the same.

I myself am still more of an e-mail guy. In fact, somewhere in my library, I believe I still have a copy of one of the first ever devotional books to capitalize on the digital transformation. It is titled “I Read It in an E-mail” (or something to that effect). The author simply collected up a series of devotional thoughts that had made the rounds in the early days of e-mailing, added commentary, and then assembled them in a printed book format.

Being old school, to this day, I still use e-mail for a fair amount of my communication. Accordingly, I receive lots of devotionals and similar materials via e-mail. And on occasion, some of them are pretty good.

One such thought I recently received is a case in point. It was sent to me by a church member. Given its relevance to our current world situation, I thought I would simply post it here for my blog today. I hope it speaks to you as it did to me.

QUARANTINE

The Latin root of the word "quarantine" is "forty".

So what does the Bible say about 40?

The flood lasted 40 days.

40 years Moses fled Egypt.

40 days Moses stayed on Mount Sinai to receive the Commandments.

Exodus lasted 40 years.

Jesus fasted for 40 days.

Lent is 40 days.

40 days for a woman to rest after giving birth.

A group of theologians thinks the number 40 represents "change”. It is the time of preparing a person, or people, to make a fundamental change.

Something will happen after these 40 days. Just believe and pray. Remember, whenever the number 40 appears in the Bible, there is a "change".

Please know that during this "quarantine" rivers are cleaning up, vegetation is growing, the air is becoming cleaner because of less pollution, there is less theft and murder, healing is happening, and most importantly, people are turning to Christ. The Earth is at rest for the first time in many years and hearts are truly transforming.

So, during this time, enjoy it with your loved ones and return to the family altar together. Family prayer is a great blessing. Through prayer you will see the changes God can work in you and in your home. Christ promises us that everything works together for the good for those who love God: Romans 8:28!

Remember we are in the year 2020, and 20 + 20 = 40.

Also, 2020 is the year of the United States Census. Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, was born during a census.

Lastly, 2020 is perfect vision. May our sight focus on the Lord and living according to His perfect vision for us knowing He holds us in the palm of His hand.

May these days of "quarantine" bring spiritual liberation to our souls, our nation, and our world.

The best is yet to come.

Trust in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Well said and worth saying! It is obvious that God can and will do a lot in a forty-day period. He has done so many times in the past. And I hope and pray that He uses this current quarantine period to do some good things in our lives. Perhaps even in some ways we never imagined.

SOURCE: Ass stated above, I received this via e-mail from a friend. I have researched its origins; but have not as of yet been able to determine just who the author was. It is also available on social media. See for instance: https://www.facebook.com/1stfruitsmobiledetailing/posts/2581275782087543.

NOTE: According to Webster’s dictionary, a “quarantine” is literally a forty day period, originating when ships suspected of carrying passengers with the plague were held for such a period in the harbor before being allowed to disembark persons and/or goods. Obviously, such actions helped to ensure the ongoing health of the general population. Cf.: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarantine.

SEE ALSO: https://www.etymonline.com/word/quarantine. Apparently, the Venetians introduced the concept of quarantining as early as the fourteenth century.

WAIT AND SEE!

4/14/2020

Like a great many people, I love the movie “Braveheart”, starring Mel Gibson. One of Hollywood's best productions ever with regard to leadership, this 1995 film is a fictional account of the late-13th-century Scottish warrior, (Sir) William Wallace, who led the Scots in their (First) War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I (also known as “Longshanks”) of England.

This excellent production was filmed on a budget of $70 million and brought in an impressive $210 million at the box-office. The critics must have agreed with the fans, as “Braveheart” was nominated for ten Academy Awards, and took home five. It has since gathered a cult following.

While there are many memorable scenes, the one I wish to reference here is the one recounting the 1297 A.D. Battle of Stirling (Bridge). Having suffered terribly at the hands of Longshanks’ earlier cavalry charges, Wallace contrives a novel way to defeat the enemy. He has his men once again line up arrayed for infantry battle, thereby inviting the inevitable charge of the enemy.

Sure enough, the English cavalry take the bait, and charge full force. In a classic display of raw courage, Wallace keeps his men in place, repeatedly bidding them to “Hold”, “Hold”, “Hold”! At the very last moment, as the full brunt of the cavalry charge is bearing down upon them, Wallace yells “Now!” Thereupon, he and his men immediately drop to their knees, relinquish their infantry weapons, and raise a forest of extra-long spears abutted against the ground.

The end result is, of course, terrible for the charging English cavalry. Horse after horse and rider after rider alike is impaled and neutralized as a weapon of war. In the ensuing melee, Wallace and his men retrieve their swords, battle-axes, maces, and other infantry weapons and proceed to annihilate the heretofore invincible English force.

The Battle of Stirling was a tremendous victory for the Scots. From there, they went on to raid and sack the fortified city of York, in England proper. But what made the victory at Stirling possible? While the battle was technically won with sword and battle-ax, it was essentially won by courage - the courage of one man to lead and the courage of a whole army to obey his command to “Hold” in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds!

It still works much the same way for us today. We are accustomed to think of victory as something we attain through sheer strength, sheer passion, and/or sheer persistence. But the truth is quite different. Often, our victory comes through our ability simply to hold on courageously until our Lord makes a way for us to win!

This is clearly a Biblical principle. A case in point: after the events of Easter Sunday, the disciples of Jesus were, in effect, told by Him to “Hold”! He instructed them to go to Jerusalem and wait for Him to send them a Deliverer. Not surprisingly, that wait turned out to be a full fifty days in duration!

One can only imagine the fear, the anxiety, and the apprehension that must have overwhelmed them during this time. Nonetheless, when the time came, on Pentecost Sunday, the Holy Spirit arrived right on (and in God’s perfect) time!

And when the Holy Spirit did arrive, He was a game-changer. No longer were the disciples out-numbered, out-gunned, and out-done. Now, they were taking the initiative. Now, they were calling the shots. Now, they were winning the day!

Was this newfound victory due to their own strength? Was it due to their own ingenuity? Was it due to their own ability? Most assuredly it was not.

To what, then, was it due? I would suggest that it was simply due to their willingness to “Hold”, “Hold’, “Hold”!

This is, and always has been, the key to victory for those who follow Jesus Christ – we must be willing to wait upon the Lord! If and when we do, we will be victorious! Such is the promise of Scripture!

Most believers are fairly familiar with the words of the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah (chapter 40, verse 31), who tells us that that those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. But how many remember the promise of God’s Word in Psalms, chapter 37, verse 9? Here the Bible affirms that “those who wait on the LORD shall inherit the earth”!

As Easter, 2020 gives way to a period of awaiting Pentecost, 2020, some fifty days hence, I find it intriguing that we are in a stretch of time in which our civil authorities are also telling us to stay at home and wait. It is as if we are being told to “Hold”, “Hold”, Hold”!

How striking that the admonition of Caesar is the same as that of Christ!  Caesar bids us to “Hold” in order to await his last second victory over a physical virus. And well we should! In this case, social distancing and scientific inquiry are proving jointly victorious even as I write this.

But at the same time, during this same season, Christ also bids us to “Hold”. Only He does so in order to encourage us to await the replenishment of the Holy Spirit! Once again, well we should! For in this case, Divine Authority and our obedience to it will inevitably win the day!

When it does, we, as God’s people, will also eventually win the day. And when we do, we will surely “inherit the land” our God has for us! Such was the case for those early disciples. The New Testament Book of Acts (chapter 17, verse 6) affirms that those who had obeyed their Master and held for fifty days “turned the world upside down”!

Hear me well - God can and will do in and through us all that He did in and through those early disciples. The key is simply whether or not we are willing to trust and obey during times of uncertainty. If we do, we too will most assuredly emerge victorious and change the world!

SOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braveheart;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stirling_Bridge; and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecost.

SCRIPTURE:
https://www.biblehub.com/isaiah/40-31.htm; and
https://biblehub.com/psalms/37-9.htm.

NOTE: The above-referenced “Hold” scene from “Braveheart” can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDVuQi4gdtk.

SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE!

4/11/2020

On the Christian calendar, the week immediately preceding Easter is called “Holy Week”. It begins with “Palm Sunday”, and is followed by “Holy Monday”, “Holy Tuesday”, “Holy Wednesday”, “Maundy Thursday”, “Good Friday”, and “Holy Saturday”. “Easter Sunday” then begins a new week (as the Gospels tell us that Jesus was resurrected early on the first day of the week).

Historically, Evangelical Protestants have placed an emphasis principally on the events of “Palm Sunday” and “Easter Sunday”, while Mainline Protestants have joined Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches in emphasizing the events of each of the other days throughout “Holy Week” as well.

As of late, however, many Evangelical churches have also begun embracing services and programs focusing on the other days of “Holy Week”, especially “Maundy Thursday” (when our Lord instituted the Lord’s Supper) and “Good Friday” (when our Lord was crucified).

As an Evangelical, I grew up observing “Palm Sunday” (usually through “Cantatas”) and “Easter Sunday” (usually through “Easter Sunrise” services and breakfasts prior to “Easter Sunday” worship), but not the days in between. As such, I for one, am now glad to see this change.

If the Bible goes to great lengths to record the events of each of the various days of “Holy Week”, then surely these things must matter. And if they matter, then surely we should focus on and emphasize them accordingly.

Of course, the events of “Maundy Thursday” (the institution of the Lord’s Supper) and “Good Friday” (the crucifixion of our Lord) are commonly enough observed. But how exactly does one go about observing “Holy Saturday”? For that matter, how does one approach the events of this day? How does a follower of Christ relate to the significance of this particular day?

As today is “Holy Saturday”, I have spent much of it reflecting on this very matter. Here are my conclusions.

Let’s face it, that first “Holy Saturday” was not a good one! After all, Jesus was most decidedly dead, and in the grave! Most of His disciples had deserted Him; and the few remaining followers He had were huddled together in hiding, all but defeated by grief and despair and fear!

That was Holy Saturday in 33 A.D. Now fast forward to Holy Saturday in 2020 A.D. where little has changed. Think about it. On this day, people everywhere are still huddled together in their homes. Many literally live in fear of venturing forth into the world. Grief over the loss of a way of life once known and loved is rampant; as is despair over what the future may hold. It seems as if a death dealing virus has now won the day!

Yet, that first “Holy Saturday” was destined to give way to the first “Easter Sunday”! Death was destined to give way to life! Jesus, Who had been most decidedly dead, was destined to come forth from the grave most decidedly alive! And when He did, all of the the grief and despair and fear felt by His disciples was destined to give way to joy and hope and courage as a result!

As if that were not good enough news, here is even more. I am confident that the same will eventually hold true in 2020 A.D.!

Inevitably, this present time of death will give way to a time of life. When it does, our current grief over what all we have lost, and our despair over where we now are, and our fear over what the future holds for us will most assuredly give way to joy and hope and courage!

Why? Because tomorrow is “Easter Sunday”! And if “Easter Sunday” is about anything, it is about joy and hope and courage to face the world! Why? Because “Easter Sunday” reminds us that Jesus Christ meant every word of what He said in the New Testament Gospel of John (chapter 16, verse 33):

“I have told you everything that I have told you so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Thank God for “Easter Sunday”! It is proof positive that “Greater is He that is in us than the one (and the schemes of the one) that is in the world”! That is the promise of “Easter Sunday”! That is the promise of God! That is reason to be joyful and hopeful and not fearful! And that is indeed something to celebrate!

CONCEPT SOURCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Week.

SCRIPTURE SOURCES:

https://biblehub.com/john/16-33.htm;
https://www.biblehub.com/1_john/4-4.htm;
https://www.biblehub.com/ephesians/6-11.htm.

SMALL BLESSINGS!

4/7/2020

Like so much of the world, including those of you who regularly read my blog posts, my family and I continue to practice social distancing during the present COVID-19 emergency, only leaving the house on occasion for necessities.

Of course, as so many are aware of by now, this business of imposed isolation has been a two edged sword. To begin with, a lot of us welcomed the opportunity just to rest for a day or so. But that soon gets old. Thereafter, we quickly got busy and began the process of fixing up our home. In short order, the grass was mowed, the flower beds were mulched, the gutters were cleaned. Every light bulb in the house is now working, as are all the appliances, etc…

All of my neighbors in the subdivision have all been similarly busy. As a trip through our neighborhood soon reveals, from the first house to the last one on the street, home after home is now in tip-top shape. And apparently, we are not alone. From what I read online, homeowners all across America are doing pretty much the same.

So much so that, while the economy as a whole has been adversely affected by the current pandemic, the home repair and improvement sector is currently flourishing!

Of course, for my wife and me, the social isolation has also given us plenty of time to continue the laborious process of sorting through and packing up our belongings as we prepare for our impending move.

One fails to realize just what all he or she accumulates after a lifetime filed with making a living, raising a family, and just living life. Nor does one appreciate in what volume much of what he or she accumulates such items. In this regard, these last few weeks have been such an eye opener for my wife and me.

To be sure, most preachers accumulate a fairly large library. I am no different here. But we forget about the various other accoutrements of the trade. For instance, no less than a dozen suits were found hanging in my closet, along with over a hundred ties, multiple pairs of dress shoes, and even three formal overcoats.

Add to this the trappings associated with having been together for forty years and having raised three children. Going through our closets and our attic has been akin to undertaking an archaeological dig, and unearthing treasured artifacts from days long past.

Picture albums, VHS tapes, CDs, and DVDs have all opened up the world of yesterday in glorious detail. As have (grade, middle, and high) school records, sports memorabilia, and military records, when each in turn has come to light.

All of this leads me to my point. Moving is never fun. I sincerely hope this is the last time my wife and I will ever move in this world. I hope that our retirement home is where we will spend the rest of our days together. Nonetheless, what I had dreaded for so long has actually turned out to be one of the greatest blessings I have experienced in quite some time! This infernal process of moving, while full of incessant and, at times, intense labor, has also given me several moments of great joy and happiness.

It is as if the Lord knows just when I need a little pick-me-up. At those very moments when I have found myself the weariest, and when I have wondered just how much longer this process will take, the Lord has seen fit to provide me yet another little gem from some point in my family’s past.

Today, it was the re-discovery of our daughter’s sixth grade science fair project titled “Tea Time!”, wherein she had brewed up after pitcher of three major brands of tea (Lipton, Luzianne, and Tetley), and then blind taste-tested much of our family, friends, and neighbors to see which was preferred. We drank leftover tea for weeks! I laughed and teared up a bit as I spent a moment reliving the project we had all undertaken as a family so long ago!

I am thankful for these little moments, fleeting as they are. They give me the encouragement I need to press on. And I find myself looking forward to the next one, unsure when it might occur, but certain that it will come.

Perhaps there is a small lesson about life in all of this. Maybe this is just a reminder of how the Lord works in the lives of His children. As we move through this life, are we not simply heading toward some ultimate destination, some final dwelling place called Heaven?

Along the way, do we not go spend much of our time undertaking the daily drudgery of laborious, but necessary tasks? And do we not grow weary, and sometimes even discouraged, as we do?

Yet our Heavenly Father knows our needs; and does not hesitate to meet them. I am reminded of the words that the Apostle Paul shared with the Christians at Philippi (in chapter 4, verse 19 of his New Testament Letter to them): “God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus.”

With each passing day, my wife and I get a little closer to the final place we plan to dwell. Each day, as we do, we work a little more, and accomplish a little more. Along the way, God faithfully sends us just the right little blessing at just the right time. And each little blessing in turn provides just the right amount of encouragement to stay the course and complete the task.

For this reason, I now find myself looking forward not only to our ultimate destination, but to each new day and each new blessing along the way. I wish the same for you.

SCRIPTURE SOURCE: https://biblehub.com/philippians/4-19.htm.

IN HIS GRASP!

4/2/2020

As my newfound retirement continues to unfold, my wife and I have busied ourselves with the process of moving from our old residence to our new one. Most of you are familiar with the routine of moving. Each and every night has been spent packing boxes; and each and every day has then been spent moving and then unpacking those boxes.

One eats the proverbial elephant one bite at a time; and eventually, when enough bites have been taken, the beast is finally consumed.

As I headed back for one more trip late this afternoon, the news on the radio caught my attention. The Governor of our fair state has now announced that, due to the coronavirus, residents are being bidden to shelter in place at their homes.

I had known that this time might come; but I had just not expected it to come quite so quickly. Nonetheless, as of tomorrow morning at 8am, every single Tennessean’s agenda will now change.

Of course, my own agenda changed right then and there. Rather than continuing on home, my wife and I headed straight to the gas station; thence to the bank; and from there, we made one last run to the grocery store in order to ensure that we had what we considered enough to survive this ordeal.

But these furious few moments are not what I will remember about this eventful day. Instead, I will forever remember the one when the Lord allowed me to witness what I did as I crossed the Tennessee River Bridge on my way back to our current home.

It had not been ten minutes since I learned of the Governor’s official “Stay at Home Order” when, as I was crossing the bridge and happened to glance upward, I saw a beautiful osprey flapping its wings as it climbed skyward, hauling with it as it did a huge fish of some sort clasped in its talons.

I immediately thought of the large osprey nest I had earlier noticed high atop a Tennessee Valley Authority Power Pole immediately adjacent to the bridge. Just a day or two earlier I had glanced up at just the right moment to see an osprey chick wigwagging its head back and forth. Obviously, what I was now witnessing was one of the two parents of this chick now headed home with a scrumptious meal firmly in its grasp!

Of course, neither the osprey nor its chick was aware of some virus known as Covid-19. They were both gloriously ignorant of the entire concern. No sooner had I had this thought than I had another. The words of Jesus in His famed “Sermon on the Mount” (as recorded in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verses 25-27) came to mind:

25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

In the midst of the worst pandemic of the modern era, I was a little distraught and somewhat intent on preparing for what tomorrow might hold. For His part, my Heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom, was more intent on reminding me that He was still in control!

Obviously, I myself do not know what tomorrow holds. But my Heavenly Father certainly does! And for this very reason, I can and will trust Him! Just as He provided for a blissfully ignorant bird of prey and its family in its hour of need, even so will I trust Him to provide for me and my family in our hour of need!

In short, our future is clearly in His grasp; and in His grasp alone! That is enough for me. Is it enough for you?

SOURCE: https://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/6.htm.