Blog Archives

OH BROTHER!

9/30/2013

As I sit writing this blog, the football world is fired up. This is especially true for that part of the football world located here in East Tennessee.  You see, one of our favorite sons, former University of Tennessee Volunteer Payton Manning is tearing up the record books in the National Football League.

Through four games, he has already thrown 16 touchdowns and has zero interceptions.  At this rate, he could equally surpass the NFL record of 50 passing touchdowns in a single season (set by Tom Brady of the New England Patriots). And, of course, who knows where the Denver Broncos (the team Payton currently quarterbacks) might end up in the post-season as a result.

Sadly, as good a season as Payton is having, his younger brother Eli, who currently quarterbacks the New York Giants, is not faring so well. While the Broncos are 4-0, the Giants are 0-4. And to make matters worse, one of those four defeats was at the hands of the Broncos, wherein Payton essentially put on a clinic about how to play quarterback, while Eli threw four interceptions.

Needless to say, there are a lot of rumblings in the Big Apple!
Of course, one can only imagine what must be going on in Eli’s heart. Most younger brothers feel somewhat as if they are forced to live in their older brother’s shadow. But to have this played out on the national stage in front of live television cameras and then discussed ad nauseam on the sports networks must be insufferable.

And yet, if we would be honest, we can all relate to this, whether we have an earthly brother or not. In truth, no one likes to live in the shadow of another. And this is because no one likes to be upstaged.  In short, no one likes to play Cain to Abel. How do we respond when these times come for us (as they surely will at some point)? Let me offer three suggestions.

1. Remember that things usually cycle.  It may be a good time in someone else’s life and a bad time in your life right now. But that will not always be the case. Life has surely taught this to all of us. I have lived long enough to know that, sooner or later, everything will pass - whether it be good or bad. And that is why there is little room for pride in our hearts.

We can be on top of the world one day, and on the bottom of the barrel the next. Even Payton, after a marvelous career with the Indianapolis Colts, floundered.  In fact, he came very close to having to retire due to an injury. Had this happened, there would have been no current season for him.

Likewise, Eli’s current down time will one day turn back uphill. If you are on the bottom right now, take heart: you cannot go any lower. There is no place to go but up!

2. Remember that you too have had lots of victories to celebrate. While Eli is in a dry season, this has not always been the case. He himself has a lot to celebrate. The first overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft, he has gone on to win two Super Bowls, as well as having been crowned the MVP in the process. He also holds numerous NFL records himself, not to mention that he has rewritten the record books for the New York Giants team itself over the last decade.

There is an old hymn that says…
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

3. Remember that you and your brother ultimately have the same Father who loves both of you equally.  Archie Manning has a rare honor. He is the father of, not one, but two, elite NFL quarterbacks. More importantly, he is the father of three sons. As a recent ESPN documentary revealed, the older one, Cooper, was actually the most talented of all, until he was injured and had to give up football completely.

Ask Archie and Olivia Manning if they are proud of their son and they will invariably ask, “Which one?”  They love them all equally.  The point here is that we all share one Heavenly Father; and He loves us all equally. As the Bible say, “God is no respecter of persons.” He loves us all the same. And, in His time and in His way, He blesses us all alike.

So, “Go Payton!”  And, “Go Eli!” And also, “Go Cooper!” In each case, Archie is beaming! And that should remind us how our Heavenly Father feels about each of us!  Amen!

STANDING UP AND SPEAKING OUT

9/25/2013

I attended a meeting earlier this week at the Tennessee Baptist Convention's Missions Mobilization Center in Mt. Juliet, near Nashville.   Dr. Randy Davis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, shared a story that I found particularly moving. I wanted to post it here today.

A certain young Baptist minister was fond of attending Pastor’s Conferences, where he would often go to hear gifted men of God deliver moving sermons about the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One particular year, along with several other young men, he stayed afterward to meet with a group of older Pastors and Denominational Leaders in what amounted to a question and answer session.

He posed the following question: “What I would like to know is this. Was the command of Christ to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth just for the first Disciples, or was it for us today as well?” The answer he received was this: “Young man, sit down and be quiet! If Christ desires to convert the Heathen, then He will do it without my help or yours!”

Thankfully, that young man neither sat down nor shut up. For, he was none other than William Carey, who essentially went on to found the Modern Missionary movement. He also was the first to carry the Gospel to modern India. There, he labored for seven long years before he ever saw his first convert to Christ.

But, the important thing is that he did not quit.  He persevered because he knew what God had called him to do. His motto has since become famous throughout the entire world: “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”

Dr. Davis’ concluded his story with this observation.  “As anyone who has recently travelled to Europe knows, it is absolutely dead spiritually.  Yet, even today, India is seeing as many as 25,000 people a day come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.”

As Christians, we have been all received the very same great commission from our Lord and Savior. It is recorded in Matthew 28:18-20:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Granted this may not always be easy. Nor will it always be popular.  But it is still our job.  And do it we must,; for this is God's chosen method for sharing the life-giving and life-changing story of his Son with a lost and dying world. May we ever be faithful to carry out this commission, both to the glory of God and to the benefit of mankind.

NOTE:  William Carey’s amazing and inspirational story is recounted in greater detail by the editors of Christian History Magazine at: http://www
.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/missionaries/carey.html.

OF BRAINS AND BRAWNS

9/23/2013

"It's football time here in east Tennessee!"  It seems as if everyone is busy rooting for their favorite Southeastern Conference team. For the most part, we are also busy belittling the opposing schools and their respective coaches and/or players – whether in conference or out.

Of course, football players themselves are more often known for their brawns than for their brains. Consider the following collection I came upon recently…

Louisiana State University’s Les Miles recently said of one of his players: “He doesn’t know the meaning of the word fear. In fact, I just saw his grades and he doesn’t know the meaning of a lot of words.”

Why do University of Tennessee players wear orange? So they can dress that way for the game on Saturday, then go hunting on Sunday, and return to picking up trash on Monday.

What does the average University of Alabama player get on his SATs? Mostly Drool.

How many Mississippi State University freshmen football players does it take to change a light bulb? None. That’s a sophomore course.

How did the Auburn University football player die from drinking milk? The cow fell on him.

Two University of Arkansas football players were walking in the woods. One of them said, "Look, a dead bird." The other looked up in the sky and said, "Where?"

A University of Florida football player was almost killed yesterday in a tragic horseback-riding accident.  He fell from a horse and was nearly trampled to death.  Luckily, the manager of the Wal-Mart came out and unplugged the horse.

What do you say to a University of Tennessee football player dressed in a three-piece suit?  "Will the defendant please rise?"

If three Texas A&M University football players are in the same car, who is most likely doing the driving?  The police officer.

How can you tell if an Auburn football player has a girlfriend?  There’s tobacco juice on both sides of the pickup truck.

What do you get when you put 32 University of South Carolina cheerleaders in one room?  A full set of teeth.

The University of Mississippi Football coach announced that he will dress half of his players for the game this week; the other half will have to dress themselves.

How is the University of Missouri football team like an opossum?  They play dead at home and get killed on the road.

Why did the Vanderbilt University linebacker steal a police car?  He saw 911 on the side and thought it was a Porsche.

How do you get a former University of Alabama football player off your porch? Pay him for the pizza.

What are the longest three years of a University of Kentucky football players life?  His time as a freshman.

In truth, the Southeastern Conference has produced a lot more than just dumb jocks. (Just compare the number of Academic All-Americans.) As anyone who has applied well knows, both the academic standards and achievements at these schools are quite high.  Courses of study at any one of the member schools of the SEC is rigorous to say the least. This means that being a student athlete and maintaining one’s grades is quite an accomplishment in and of itself.

Each fall at our church, we take time to recognize our own local student athletes. This past Sunday morning, we were blessed to have with us representatives from several school athletic programs in our area, as well as student athletes from numerous sports – including football, soccer, volleyball, track, golf, and cheerleading. We hope to follow this up in January with recognition of those involved in winter and spring sports such as basketball and track.

Obviously, we are proud of all of our students.  Each one is unique and important to God. But we specifically recognize those students who apply themselves by participating in extracurricular activities and athletic pursuits. We do this because we believe that these pursuits help to contribute to their overall development. It teaches them valuable lessons which will benefit them all throughout their lives.

Of course, it will also be important for them to apply themselves in the classroom as well. Lessons learned there are equally, if not even more, significant.  All jokes involving dumb jocks notwithstanding, we are proud of all of our student athletes. We wish them the very best as they glorify God by making the most of the talents He has given them each and every day.

For as the Apostle Paul says (I Timothy 4:8): “…bodily training is of some value, (but) godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

And thus, Paul also states (Colossians 3:23-24): “Whatever you do (therefore), work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. (For) you are serving the Lord  Christ.”

Not bad advice – for all of us, whether we be athletes or not.

JOKE SOURCE: This is based on a collection of college football jokes that I found at: http://nj1015.com/some-funny-jokes-to-get-you-in-the-spirit-of-college-football/. I slightly reworked it for SEC purposes; although I do not know why the finished product contained no references to any University of Georgia football players! ;-)

SCRIPTURE SOURCE: “Bible Verses for Athletes: 20 Motivational Scriptures” by Daryl Evans.  One of many useful collections found at: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-for-athletes-20-motivational-scriptures/.

SEEING THE FINISHED PRODUCT

9/20/2013

Recently, I re-read the story of Corrie Ten Boom. Though well known in her native Holland, her story was not widely disseminated until it was brought to the attention of the larger world by Billy Graham back in the 1970’s. If you are not familiar with the testimony of this genuine Christian saint, please check into her story. It will most assuredly bless you.

Ms. Ten Boom’s book, The Hiding Place, sold well over two million copies; and was later made into a feature length movie. It tells the story of her underground work against the occupying Nazis on behalf of her persecuted countrymen during World War Two.

Eventually betrayed, she and her family were sent to a succession of prisons and eventually to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp.  Her father and her sister both died, but she survived the ordeal. Suffice to say that her story of struggle and persecution is riveting. More than this, it is an inspiring story of faith commitment.

In the decades after the war, she spoke all over the world about the need for Christian forgiveness, compassion, and conviction.  In her travels and speaking engagements, she often quoted the following poem, written by Benjamin Malachi Franklin and titled The Master Weaver’s Plan, which was first published in ‘The Memphis Commercial Appeal’ newspaper in 1950.

I hope it inspires you during difficult times even as it has countless others.

My life is but a weaving
Between the Lord and me;
I may not choose the colors–
He knows what they should be.

For He can view the pattern
Upon the upper side
While I can see it only
On this, the underside.

Sometimes He weaves in sorrow,
Which seems so strange to me;
But I will trust His judgment
And work on faithfully.

‘Tis He who fills the shuttle,
And He knows what is best;
So I shall weave in earnest,
And leave to Him the rest.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needed
In the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.*

*SOURCE:  http://www.meetmeinthemeadow.com/2012/02/
the-master-weavers-plan/.

SOON AND VERY SOON!

9/16/2013

Several years back, Jerry Clower made famous a story about his cousin, Eugene Ledbetter. It seems that Eugene was working out in the field when this preacher walked up to him and started asking him questions.  The exchange went somewhat as follows:

Preacher: "Are you a Christian?"
Eugene: "No, I'm a Ledbetter."

Preacher: "No boy, I mean are you lost?"
Eugene: "No, I’ve lived around here my whole life."

Preacher: "No, what I'm gettin' at is, are you ready for the Rapture?"
Eugene: "When is it?"

Preacher: "Well, it could be tomorrow, or it could be the next day."
Eugene: "Don't tell my wife... because she'll want to go to go both days."*

I thought about this joke this morning.  My own precious wife has been out of town for the last few days visiting a friend down in Georgia. As is always the case, her impending return necessitated a frenzy of activity on my part. You see, I have been enjoying the proverbial “Life of Riley” these last few days.  At least, that is, up until this morning.

Ah, the life of a bachelor! Free and clear!  One gets to come in, kick off his shoes, and actually leave them right there where they fall! Dishes pile up in the sink; and clothes in the hamper. My popcorn bowl gets to sit right by the easy chair, or wherever it was last utilized.  As does my can of Diet coke.

But, as fun as it was; I knew that it couldn’t last.  All along, through every play of college football on Saturday afternoon and every moment of my carefree Sunday afternoon spent watching the pro football, I knew in my heart that the clock was ticking.  It may have been the weekend; but Monday was coming – and so was my wife!

This morning, knowing her arrival was indeed imminent, I jumped out of bed early. After all, I had a kitchen to clean, clothes to wash, and a house to straighten.  It took a little while; but I dare say that the house is in better shape right now than at any time in recent memory! Trust me – you can eat off of our floor and not fear getting sick!

Which leads me to my point… Someone other than my wife is also coming back! And this Person’s return will have a far greater impact on my life than will that of even her. Of course, I’m talking about the Lord Himself, Who once said: “…the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what they have done.”  (Matthew 16:27)

No wonder then that Jesus also said:  “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.”  (Mark 13:35-37)

All jokes aside, I love my wife, and want her to know this. So much so that when she returns, I want her to find the house she has left me in charge of in good order. Even more so, I love my Lord Jesus Christ. So much so that when He returns, I want Him to find the House He left me in charge of in good order!

How about you? In light of our Lord’s soon return, could your life stand a little house-cleaning today? If so, might not now be a good time to get started?!

*SOURCE:  This joke is available widely on the internet.  Cf., for example: http://imho-vbg.blogspot.com/2006/10/october-5-2006.html.

WEATHERING THE STORMS

9/12/2013

Mark Twain once famously said that everyone complains about the weather but no one does anything about it! Apparently, he hadn’t heard the following story:

Years ago, Nebraskans got tired of leaning into the wind, having their top soil blown away, and chickens laying their eggs two and three times. Seems the wind and weather continually came down from Canada, and there was nothing between Canada and Nebraska to stop it all.

So the farmers all got together and decided to build a fence across the northern border of the State of Nebraska - the idea being, to stop that cold wind. It might have worked, too. The barbed wire they used was strong enough; but the real problem was that a couple farm owners on the upper boarder kept leaving their gates open.

As I sit here writing this blog, summer is giving way to fall. The process whereby this is happening is a massive cold front sweeping down into Tennessee from the northwest – right out of Canada.  Storms are passing through even now; and it is a rough night out, full of thunder, lightning, wind, and rain.

But we have been assured by those in the know that, as a result of this unpleasant night, temperatures will be falling from the 90’s into the 70’s in the next couple of days. Beautiful, clear fall days are just ahead.

God’s timing is always spot on. While all of this is happening, I am still thinking about our Bible Study at Church last night, wherein we concluded our study of the life of Jacob. In Genesis 48:15-16, just before he dies, he blesses his children and grandchildren. His blessing includes a parting admonition for all of us to consider:

“May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered me from all harm - may He bless these boys.”

All too late, it seems, “Jacob”, the trickster, had finally become “Israel”, the one who was changed by his encounter with Almighty God. In other words, he had finally reached the point where he could acknowledge that it had been God, and not he himself, that had been the One in control of his life all along. Interestingly enough, the old control freak seems to be at peace with this.  And he wishes the blessing of this realization upon his sons and grandsons.

It is regrettable that Jacob’s great realization came to him so
late in life. As he looked back over his 147 years, he was finally able to see that he had spent way too much time worrying, fretting, and conniving as he tried to weather the storms of his life. His time would have been far better spent acknowledging and appreciating the fact that he was in the protective hands of God no matter what storms he had faced.

At this point, of course, Jacob is “everyman”.  Lest we condemn him too harshly, we must remember that we too fret and worry way too much about the storms of life. We too seem only to appreciate God’s protective presence in retrospect.  How much better off we would be if we could only learn to trust Him in advance of the storm as much as we appreciate Him when the storm has passed.

And let’s face it: storms are a fact of life.  I once heard a very wise preacher say that every single person alive is either (a) just coming out of a storm, or (b) even now in the middle of some storm, or else (c) headed into some new storm on their horizon. Given this, how much less wear and tear on our nerves might we experience if we could just learn to trust God. He got Jacob through all fifteen decades allotted to him; and He will do the very same for us!

An anonymous poet says it best…

Whether the weather be fine,
Or whether the weather be not,
Whether the weather be cold,
Or whether the weather be hot,
We'll weather the weather
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not!

Amen!

JOKE SOURCE: This and numerous other weather funnies can be found at: http://www.weatherimages.org/wxhumor.html.

POEM SOURCE: http://www.scrapbook.com/poems/doc/3045.html.

A GENTLE REMINDER

9/9/2013

Some of you may be aware that my maternal grandfather, Chester W. Burdette, was a Baptist preacher. He served the Lord faithfully for many years. Upon his passing, I was privileged to be given his Bible.  It is literally worn and molded to the print of his hand from years of his having held it while he persistently preached the Word of God.

How that possession has been cherished down through the years. As might be expected, being a Pastor's Bible, it is riddled with handwritten sermon notes, ideas, outlines, cross-references, and the like. Curious enough, however, I never found but one other thing inside its pages: a copy of a poem by C.C. Miller titled: “T’Was the Sheep”.

The well-worn, folded piece of paper is barely legible. When I opened it for the first time, I could tell it had served him well down through the years. To this day, each time I revisit it, I am reminded of the awesome responsibility I bear as one who proclaims the gospel.

I am posting a copy of this poem here today in the hopes that it may also challenge you. For all believers are called to proclaim the Word.  You see, my friend, as a follower of Christ, even if you are not a "Pastor", you are still a "Preacher".  We all are.  And because of this, we all share the same basic responsibility to nurture the flock of God.  Here is a subtle reminder of just why that is so true…

T’WAS A SHEEP

‘Twas a sheep not a lamb that went astray
In the parable Jesus told.
‘Twas a grown sheep that wandered away
From the ninety and nine in the fold.

And out on the hilltop, and out in the cold,
‘Twas a sheep the Good Shepherd sought.
Back to the fold and back to the flock,
‘Twas a sheep that the Good Shepherd brought.

Now, why should the sheep be so carefully fed
And cared for even to-day?
Because there is danger if they go wrong,
They will lead the lambs astray.

The lambs will follow the sheep, you know,
Where’er they wander–where’er they go.
If the sheep goes wrong, it will not be long
Till the lambs are as wrong as they.

So still with the sheep we must earnestly plead,
For the sake of the lambs to-day.
If the lambs are lost, what a terrible cost
The sheep will have to pay!

SOURCE:  Available widely on the internet. See, for instance: http://www.happypublishing.com/blog/twas-a-sheep-not-a-la
mb-that-strayed-away/.  Note here that there are slightly differing versions of the poem.

AIN'T IT BEAUTIFUL!

9/6/2013

I love this time of year.  The weather is mild. The skies are sunny. The mornings and evenings are beginning to have just the slightest of chills.  Fall is clearly in the air. Everywhere, even in the animals, one senses the change of seasons. I am reminded of just how blessed I am to live here in the beautiful eastern part of Tennessee.

As I spent time doing some yard work this week, I could not help but see the hand of God as well.  Ours is truly a magnificent God.

The Psalmist himself must have undergone several such experiences. On multiple occasions, he testifies to the handiwork of God in His creation.

Psalm 19 is a perfect example.   The first four verses state:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.

My experiences this week have served to validate these words.

Another influence on my thoughts this week is a simple little poem I recently received by e-mail. I thought I would post it here today. It is titled...

AIN’T

He was just a little boy,
On a week's first day.
Wandering home from Bible School,
And dawdling on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
He even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milk weed pod,
And blew out all the 'filler'.

A bird's nest in a tree overhead,
So wisely placed up so high,
Was just another wonder,
That caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his zigzag course,
And hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day,
And what was going on.

'I've been to Bible School,' He said,
and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
'I've learned a lot about God.'

'M'm, very fine way,' the neighbor said,
'for a boy to spend his time.'
'If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime.'

Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
'I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain't!'

As you go forth this day to undertake the many activities you have planned, why not take a little time to slow down and behold the world around you? If you do, in all probability, you will be impressed by the natural beauty of the place in which we are privileged to live.

Hopefully, this will also lead you to reflect on the glory and honor of the One who produced it all. And if that happens, be sure, like the Psalmist, to give Him praise.

SOURCE: The e-mail version of the poem I received is slightly different from the one found in numerous places on the internet. The latter is most often titled: "Where God Ain't". A good example of this version can be found on the web at: http://www.amandashome.com/godaint.html.

ENJOYING LABOR DAY

9/2/2013

I have a confession to make. I tend to be a little task oriented.  Just ask either my family or our church staff. It’s an inherited trait; and one that has probably gotten a little worse with age. I just find it difficult to relax whenever I know there are things that I have to do and those things have yet to be tended to.

So, I had a small list of projects to complete on Labor Day. They had all been addressed to my satisfaction by mid-afternoon. Thereafter, I determined that I was going to slow down and intentionally try and enjoy the remainder of the holiday.

Accordingly, I made my way to our back yard and stretched out in our hammock. It was then that I noticed all of the abundance of wildlife – squirrels, hummingbirds, insects, and the like.

One thing that specifically grabbed my attention was a pair of robins. I realize this may sound a little strange; but as I watched them, I declare that I could almost hear them speaking to one another. Their conversation unfolded something like this…

"I'm really hungry," said the first one.

"Me, too," said the second. "Let's fly down and find some lunch."

They flew to the ground, and found a nice plot of grass full of worms. As I watched, they ate and ate and ate until they could obviously eat no more.

"I'm so full I don't think I can fly back up to the tree," said the first one.

"Me neither.  Let's just lay here and bask in the warm sun for a while," said the second.

"Sounds good," said the first.

Thereupon, they just plopped down, basking in the sun.

And then, no sooner than they had fallen asleep, my wife’s cat snuck up and gobbled them up!

As she sat there cleaning her face after her delicious meal, she looked up at me and said, "I just love baskin' robins!"

Note:  Obviously, everything after paragraph four above took place only in dreams.  But I did enjoy a good nap.  And after all, isn't that the purpose of a day such as today?

As citizens of the greatest nation in history, most of us work hard day by day. As well we should.  But every so often, it is appropriate to take a little time and relax as we celebrate the fruits of our labor throughout the remainder of the year. I’m glad I was able to do so this Labor Day. I hope you were able to as well.

And I hope you had a good laugh also.  Now, go on and get yourself some ice cream to close out the summer! You know you just love it!

SOURCE:  Ventriloquist Dan Willinger has a whole page of jokes made famous by Bill Demar, including the one I used above:  http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com/bill_demar_joke
s.htm.