Blog Archives

WATERED DOWN AND WANTING

10/30/2014

Like many people, my wife and I live in a modest house in an average subdivision. We have four sinks in our house, one in our kitchen and one each in our two and half bathrooms. Each of these sinks has a liquid soap dispenser, which is used fairly regularly.

Now, I have to admit that I tend to be somewhat of a tightwad. So, as the level of soap goes down in the various dispensers, I will add tap water in an attempt to make the soap last longer. Of course, the problem with this approach is that, over time, the resultant concoction consists less and less of watered down soap and more and more of soapy water.

Thus it is that, once a month or so, my wife will recognize the need to end this whole charade. She will then refill the soap dispensers outright. She does this by dumping out my soapy water and then completely refilling them from the large plastic bottle of liquid soap refill that sits under the kitchen sink.

As a result, the soap dispensers suddenly serve a genuine purpose again. And in my heart, I know this.

You see, the problem with using the diluted soapy mixture I create is that it takes more and more of it to actually accomplish the job. By contrast, when genuine soap is dispensed, it only takes a small amount to do a thorough job of cleansing one’s dirty hands.

It strikes me that, as a follower of Christ, I function best when I undergo a regular cleansing out and renewed infusion of His wondrous Spirit. And yet, honesty compels me to state that, for a variety of reasons, including both greed and selfishness, I sometimes do things that only serve to crowd out His presence in my life. The inevitable result is a spiritual life that is, sadly, watered down and unproductive.

Of course, the good news in all of this is that my God is faithful and true. He knows my frailty. He knows my tendencies. And yet, in his grace, He patiently waits for me to come to the realization that I have become diluted in my heart –that my loyalties have been divided and my productiveness has been compromised. And when I do, He graciously allows me to undergo a thorough emptying out and replenishing of my life.

The result is that I find myself much more efficient in the things that I have been called to do for Him. And usually, the effects are almost immediately recognizable - not only by me, but by others as well.

David, who was described I the Bible (in I Samuel 13:14 and again in Acts 13:22) as “a man after God’s own heart” understood this principle. There were times in his life when he was clearly in the center of God’s will. In these times, he knew the joy and peace that comes with being and doing all God intended in his life.

At the same time, being human, he also knew the guilt and sorrow that a believer experiences whenever God’s presence is crowded out of the heart as it is increasingly filled with other pursuits. Quite frankly, he stooped so low as to commit adultery and then cover it up with what can only be described as premeditated murder.

And yet, God did not give up on him. He waited David out. And when he finally broke, David turned back to God and sought forgiveness and cleaning. God graciously granted these things and restored David’s joy.

Later, David penned the words to one of the most memorable Psalms in all of Scripture: Psalm 51. The sub-heading states: “For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.” The text of the Psalm reads…

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

David knew what it was like to need cleansing and renewal. Praise God, when he sought it, he found it. And the same holds true for me and you. As the Apostle John, writing to believers, says in his First New Testament Letter (1 John 1:9), “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Amen. Thank God for His grace, His marvelous grace that, as the hymn writer has so beautifully put it, is “grace that will pardon and cleanse within, grace that is greater than all our sin”!

HAPPY ‘BOUT THAT!

10/26/2014

Here in the American South, we love our football. This is especially true of those teams which comprise the Southeastern Conference, or as it is more affectionately known, the SEC. In fact, it is fair to say that few things in these parts garner as much enthusiasm and/or outright passion as does a discussion about college football.

Consider the following incident…

An Auburn Tigers fan, a South Carolina Gamecocks fan, a Florida Gators fan, and a Georgia Bulldogs fan were once climbing a mountain and arguing about who loved his team more.

The Auburn fan insisted he was the most loyal. To prove it, he suddenly yelled, 'This is for the Tigers!' Whereupon, he jumped right off the side of the mountain.

Seeing this, and not to be outdone, the South Carolina fan shouted, 'This is for the Gamecocks!' and then threw himself off the mountain.

The Bulldog fan was next to profess his love for his team. He screamed out loud and clear, 'This is for everyone!', and then immediately pushed the Gator fan off the mountain!

Now, most everyone who knows me knows two or three things about me.

First I am an avid Bulldog fan.   I grew up in Georgia and have fond memories of Larry Munson beseeching those “hairy dawgs” to hunker down one more time while the sugar "was falling from the sky!"*

Second, as a general rule, I certainly do not advocate violence against people, and especially not for something as simple as what football team they root for.

Lastly, I look for sermon illustrations everywhere. And I think I have found one here.

As the 2014 football season heats up, some teams will fare well and others will not. Of course, next year, or next decade, perhaps, things will be reversed, and those faring well now will not be by then, and vice versa. At the moment, however, caught up in the passion, many people will either be all happy and excited or else increasingly disappointed and depressed.

But while I like football, I do not know that the win/loss record of my favorite team needs to be the determinative factor in my level of happiness in life. Quite frankly, psychologists tell us that adolescence does not even technically end until age 24. And as more than one pundit has put it, my self-worth does not need to be attached to what a group of adolescent males do on a given Friday or Saturday night!

Upon what then should my happiness be based? The Bible answers that question with the following statement:

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8) The word here translated as “blessed” is the Hebrew word “eh'-sher”, which means to be in a state of happiness.

Later, in the New Testament, Jesus taught extensively on the subject of happiness. He did so in His famous “Sermon on the Mount” as recorded in the 5th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel in a section known as the “Beatitudes”, when He said…

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Here Jesus repeatedly uses the word “Blessed”. The original word is the New Testament Greek term “makarioi”, which comes from a root word meaning “happy”. He even concludes this portion of His teaching with the admonition to “Rejoice and be glad.” Little wonder then that this passage is sometimes lovingly referred to as the “Be-Happy-Attitudes”!

What Jesus is telling us is essentially the same as the Psalmist had said earlier. Our genuine happiness is only to be found in our relationship to God and in our willingness to live by His desires.   If we seek happiness anywhere else, we are going to be disappointed. But if we seek it in Him, we will find it. Why is this? Because God alone is faithful, true, and everlasting. All else is fleeting, temporary, and thus deceptive.

My feelings toward the rival Florida Gators notwithstanding, Tim Tebow understood this. And he repeatedly communicated this great truth in his playing days. Many people simply could not grasp how he could affirm that there was something more important in his life than football. But those who did, and who sought to discover for themselves what his happiness was based upon, soon enjoyed the same for themselves.

The same holds true for you. “Taste and see that the Lord is good...” You will not be disappointed.

NOTES:

*Larry Munson was the long time radio play by play man for the Bulldogs, “hunker down” was his celebrated admonition for the Georgia Defense to stop Auburn’s Offense in a famed goal line stand, and the “sugar falling from the sky” was a reminder that what was at stake was a trip to the1982 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans!

Larry Munson’s most famous football calls can be found at: http://espn.go.com/blog/colleges/georgia/post/_/id/484/larry-munsons-top-10-favorite-calls.

YouTube has several videos as well. Cf.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMi9nwILsu4.

Lastly, the joke was based on an NFL Version which can be found at: http://www.jokes4us.com/sportsjokes/footballjokes.html.

“THAT’S MY KING!”

10/23/2014

A few months ago (in a post at Easter time dated 04/28/2014), I made reference to a pulpit giant from a previous generation: Dr. S. M. Lockridge. In a blog posted back on December 25, 2009, Dr. Bob Kellemen of RPM Ministries shares a brief summary of Rev. Lockridge’s life:

S. M. Lockridge (born Shadrach Meshach Lockridge, March 7, 1913 – April 4, 2000) was the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, a prominent African American congregation located in San Diego, California, from 1953 to 1993. He was known for his preaching across the United States and around the world.

Lockridge was born in Robertson County, Texas, the oldest of eight children and the son of a Baptist minister. A graduate of Bishop College in Marshall, Texas, he worked for two years as a high school English teacher. In 1940 in Dallas, he felt led to preach. In 1941 he married Virgil Mae Thomas (they had no children).

In 1942, he accepted his first pastorate at Fourth Ward Baptist Church in Ennis, Texas. In August 1952, he was named pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego where he served until retiring in 1993. During Lockridge’s tenure at Calvary Baptist, a predominantly African American congregation, his ministry reached more than 100,000 people. He preached at crusades, revivals, religious rallies, and evangelistic conferences around the world.

He also served in key regional, state and national positions with the Baptist Church, including being elected the first president of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America. He held doctorates and numerous honorary degrees and was often sought as a public speaker, even after he retired in 1993. He served as guest lecturer at numerous schools and universities and on the faculty of several others, including the Billy Graham School of Evangelism.*

I share this today because of the way our Evangelist, Dr. Roc Collins, chose to end his series of revival messages this week at our church. He spoke from 1 Timothy 2:5-7, which says, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles."

Like the Apostle Paul, Brother Roc had but one message all week: Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Why? Because Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ alone, is the one Mediator and the one Ransom for all men and women. And for his closing in his last message with us, Brother Roc chose to recite the one piece for which S. M. Lockridge is best known: “That’s My King! Do You Know Him?”

My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews—that’s an Ethnic King. He’s the King of Israel—that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King.

Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s Saviour. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King.

He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He’s the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That’s my King.

Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King.

His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He’s indescribable. That’s my King. He’s incomprehensible, He’s invincible, and He is irresistible.

I’m coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King.

He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There’s nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King!

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever. . . And when you get through with all of the ever’s, then . . . Amen!

Now, to get the full impact of this wonderful piece, you might want to listen to it as it was actually delivered by Rev. Lockridge himself. To do so, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX_7j32zgNw.

The full sermon from which this piece comes is also titled, “That’s My King!” It too can be found on the internet at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BhI4JKACUs. It is a true classic (even at one hour and six minutes in length).

*SOURCE: Dr. Kelleman.s blog can be found online at:
http://www.rpmministries.org/2009/12/thats-my-king-do-you-know-him/.

CHALK ONE UP!

10/19/2014

Several of my recent blog posts have focused on the concept of revival. As we are currently in a series of revival meetings at our church, I thought I would share one more thought today.

Bob Stone over at Eagle Flight Ministries is passionate about genuine and authentic revival. One of his blogs is devoted to what he calls “The History and Future of the Chalk Revival”. He tells how he once visited a Promise Keeper’s meeting and heard someone give the following admonition:

"If you want to see revival, go into your prayer closet, take an imaginary piece of chalk and draw a circle around yourself, then pray until revival comes first to the person in that circle—until it comes to you."

He shares how, upon returning home, he was prompted by the Lord to announce to his congregation that individually and collectively they were to enter into the "Chalk Revival." What was to make this this revival unique was that it was not to be patterned after any past or present revival, but was to be a renewal unique to his church (Hillcrest Chapel) and initially, at least, to be focused on its individual attenders.

The primary focus was not to be on a corporate experience, any kind of exterior action, or on the style of our worship services. Rather, the focus was to be on a specific circle of revival – their own hearts.

He shares how it was introduced: “On the Sunday morning I announced the beginning of the Chalk Revival, I asked one of my associate pastors if he would find enough pieces of chalk for each adult in our congregation, and put each piece in a plastic bag. That was at 9:10 a.m. By 10:15 a.m. we had everything ready, and we gave them out that Sunday. This chalk … was to give us some focus and to be a reminder of the revival we were praying for!”

Then, for six months he emphasized and taught on one or more of seven prayer areas every Sunday. These prayers were not intended to address everything that a Christian should pray, but they do capsulize what the Chalk Revival is about for all those who desire a spiritual renewal.

His seven prayers or prayer themes, meant to encourage each person participating in the Chalk Revival, are:

1. A revitalization of my spiritual life and also of this church and our nation—2 Chronicles 7:14-15; Is. 6:1-8; 57:15.

2. A repentance from sin—secret sins—sins that wrap around my feet and trip me up; along with confession of sin to others; restitution for sin; and the granting of forgiveness to others when appropriate—Heb. 12:1; James 5:16; Luke 15:21; 19:1-10.

3. A restoration of my love for and study of the Word of God —Ps. 119:97-106; 2 Tim. 2:15.

4. A release of the Holy Spirit to give me empowerment for service and a compassion for lost people—Eph. 5:18-21; 1 Peter 4:10-11; Matt. 9:36.

5. A return to my first love, to love God and family more than ever before—Rev. 2:4; Mal. 4:5-6.

6. A remembrance and thanksgiving for all He has done for me—Rom. 1:21; Eph. 5:4; Heb. 12:28.

7. A reshaping of my praise and worship so I truly worship with my whole heart, body and life—Ps. 95:6; 100; Rom. 12:1; Eph. 5:18-21; Matt. 5:16; James 5:13.

Bob Stone is on to something here. For the church at large to experience spiritual renewal, personal revival must first be experienced by individual believers.

Is personal revival something we each need? Most likely. Is personal revival something we can each experience? Most definitely. Is personal revival something hard to experience? Most definitely not.

A piece of chalk, a simple circle, a few piercing questions, and above all, an open and honest heart before Almighty God. With these few things, and little more, each and every one of us might well be on our way to authentic and genuine personal revival! And so might God's Church!

SOURCE: http://www.eagleflight.org/cyberstudies/the-chalk-revi
val/237-the-history-and-future-of-the-chalk-revival.

CLUTTER IN THE GUTTER

10/16/2014

Several years ago when we first bought our home, my wife and I had a man landscape our yard. At the time, we had virtually no trees. We requested that trees be selected and planted that would, in the long run, provide both shade and beauty. We also requested that they be fairly fast growing, so that we could see our dream realized in a reasonable amount of time.

The solution was River Birch trees. When they were first planted, one on the left side and five on the right (where the brunt of the summer sun shone), they were barely head tall. Now, some ten years later, they have grown well above the roof ridge of our home in height.

Let me say that, in every respect, they have done what we requested. They have grown into full and beautiful trees that are pleasing to the eye. And along the way, that have provided significant shade as well.

The problem, however, is that they now shed leaves by the tens of thousands each year. And as tall as the e now grown, their leaves quickly make their way into the valleys of the roof and down into the gutters.

When this happens, we have learned that wisdom dictates that we quickly get busy and clean out the gutter. If not, they will not work as they are designed. For if they are clogged with leaves and, especially if their downspouts are stopped up, then the flow of rain water is impeded and the gutters quickly fill to capacity, forcing a backup and an inevitable overflow.

The immediate solution is to clean out the gutters. But in truth, the ultimate solution is to trim the trees, as this is the cause of the problem. We have done the former. But the time has come to do the latter as well. If not, the problem will not go away. It will likely only get worse.

I share this as a way of illustrating what can happen to our lives if we are not careful. In our desire to achieve some goal, to accomplish some mission, etc…, even if it is a good thing, we sometimes set ourselves up for unforeseen difficulty.

Often the pursuit of a given relationship a chosen career, a beloved pastime, , a desired possession, etc… while not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, can still turnout to be something that winds up costing more than it provides. This is especially true if that pursuit comes at the expense of our relationship with God.

Be careful not to let some person, place, thing, activity, or preoccupation impede the work of God’s Spirit in your life.   The consequences of limiting God’s ability to work in your life can prove to be anything from slightly frustrating at the least and quite costly at the most.

As the writer of the New Testament Book of Hebrews reminds us (chapter 12, verses 1-3),

Therefore … let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Notice the words, “anything that hinders or entangles”.   The word “hinders”, in the original Koine (or common) Greek language in which the New Testament was first written, is the word “ongkos”. It means “a weight, a mass, or a heavy object that weighs someone down”, and is the basis of the English word “oncology”, wherein a mass or tumor inside the human body is treated.

The word “entangles” is the word “euperístatos” and it means “a serious hindrance that encircles (or hampers) someone who desperately needs to advance.   It comes from the root word “hístēmi”, which means someone or something which takes a stand. Of course, in English, this is the word from which we get, “histamine”, which is what clogs up a person’s nasal passages, requiring an “anti-histemine” to provide relief.

Thus, each of us should ask ourselves, “What is it in my life that in any way hinders my walk with God?” If you do not know the answer to that question, then ask God to reveal it to you. And whenever He does, and whatever that is, clean it out and get rid of it. For only then can you expect your life to flow as God intended. Only then will you and I know the peace and joy that living for God can truly bring. Jesus lived His life just this way. And so should we.

ONE FOR THE BOOKS

10/12/2014

Suffice it to say that, as a child growing up on a farm in rural Georgia back in the 1960s, I did not have access to very many books. There were perhaps fifty to one hundred of them altogether in our simple farm house.

Fully half of these were comprised of Bibles, Southern Baptist Sunday School Quarterlies, Farmer’s Almanacs, and Sears Roebuck Catalogs. The rest consisted of a paltry collection of such American classics as Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, and of course, as in every southern home, the obligatory copy of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind.

As a small boy in a day and age when there was no internet, no cable television, etc…, I craved information - especially written information. As a result, slowly but surely, I began to amass my own collection of “worthwhile” literature. By a system of barter and trade with my classmates and friends, I collected up various editions of Boy’s Life, Hot Rod, and Mad Magazines.

I soon discovered that I had an insatiable appetite for trivia. Because of this, in short order, I had moved from magazines to such essential works as the Guinness Book of World Records and all of Paul Harvey’s The Rest of the Story books that I could find. Needless to say, my mom picked up on this, and soon made certain to purchase a complete set of Encyclopedias for our home. Thereafter, I was dutifully enrolled in the “Weekly Reader Book Club”, and found myself eagerly awaiting the next regularly scheduled bi-monthly delivery in the mail.

In the meantime, my third grade teacher had read a fairly lengthy book to us, a little each day. It was written by Madge Bingham and titled Sonny Elephant. I cannot describe the delight with which I looked forward each day to third period in the third grade. It was about this time when I realized that even the lengthiest of books could be conquered if they were tackled a little at a time.

Emboldened by this realization, I soon finished all of the Weekly Reader books we had acquired. And, after much psyching up, in my seventh grade year, I finally set out to read the entire set of Encyclopedias that my mom had earlier purchased from cover to cover. I got all the way to “Volume P” before the demands of college pretty much put an end to my leisure reading.

But I have continued to read and to acquire books throughout my entire life. So much so that, these days, I have amassed a fairly substantial library. And yes, right in the middle of it is that set of Encyclopedias, first acquired in 1969, that I one day intend to finish.

And even now, few of my books are as precious to me as those simple books of my childhood. On occasion, as time permits, I allow myself to wander through that section of my bookshelves; and when I do, I invariably find myself compelled to take a short break from my hectic daily schedule, and just to sit down and read a few pages from an old paperback copy of Ripley’s Believe It or Not or some other such book.

Whenever I do, I find myself transported back to those wonderful days of childhood – to a time when my mind was a blank slate, and when I was hungry for knowledge and when I was eager to fill that void with any and all sorts of information. It was King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, who once said (Proverbs 18:15 NASB), “The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”

In recognition of this, all I can say in such moments is “Thank you.” First, thank you, Lord, that you gave me an inquisitive mind and an education wherein I learned to read and to expand my mind. Thank you as well, my dear Mother, for recognizing that learning, however simplistic, is a good thing; and that it is also the key to transcending one’s environment and to going places in this world; and having provided me with opportunities to expand my mind as a result.

And lastly, thank you, Mr. Disney, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Ripley, Mr. Harvey, and numerous others of you who used your God-given talents to compile and compose wholesome information, however trivial, and also to disseminate it in a form that even a child could appreciate and comprehend it. Whether you knew it or not, whether you intended it or not, you opened up a world of opportunity for one little boy. And he will never forget that. Indeed, he will remain eternally grateful. I know, for I am that little boy.

NOTE: Many excellent quotes on the value of books can be found at: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/books. See also: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/book.html.

REVIVE US AGAIN

10/9/2014

My oldest son, Caleb, loves to tinker, especially with tools and machines. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aircraft Maintenance, where he specifically studied jet propulsion. Before entering flight school, he even worked as a technician, building and repairing jet engines for a living.

In retrospect, I suppose, my wife and I should have seen this coming. As a child, he loved to work with his hands, and to take things apart. And when he was a freshman in high school, he brought home a blown up 3.5 horsepower Briggs and Stratton lawnmower engine in a 35 gallon tub, with the expressed purpose of taking it apart and rebuilding it in order that it would run good as new.

Through my son and his interests in such things, I have taken a liking to a television show titled American Restoration on the History Channel. Begun six years ago as a spin-off of the wildly popular Pawn Stars (the hit History Channel series teaching history through a variety of items brought in to a pawn shop), American Restoration is another reality TV series based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It features a man named Rick Dale and his business, called Rick's Restorations, that restores various vintage items to their original condition.

Along the way, they have restored almost everything to a pristine state. A long list is detailed on their web page, and, among other things, includes:

•Air Meters
•Ballpark Turnstiles
•Barber Chairs and Barber Shop Poles
•Bicycles
•Bottling Plant Machinery
•Bumper Cars
•Candy Machines
•Cash Registers
•Coffee Gins
•Coke Chests and Coke Machines
•Diner Booths
•Fire Call Boxes and Fire Hydrants
•Gas Pumps
•Gas Stations
•Golf Carts
•Go Karts
•Gumball Machines
•Ice Boxes
•Ice Cream Vendors
•Juke Boxes
•Malt Makers
•Peanut Machines
•Pedal Cars
•Penny Scales
•Photo Booths
•Picnic Coolers
•Lolly Pop Scales
•Mail Boxes
•Popcorn Machines
•Postal Stamp Machines
•Radios
•Railroad Memorabilia
•Refrigerators
•Safes
•Scales
•Signs
•Amusement Rides
•Soda Fountains
•Stop Lights
•Stoves
•Street Lamps
•Telephone Booths
•Trash Cans
•Washing Machines
•Water Coolers
•and Water Fountains.

In truth, few things are as impressive as an antique that has been fully restored and is now in pristine condition and full working order.

It strikes me that human beings are much the same. We come into this world and then we live out our lives. Along the way, we generally fulfill some worthy purpose. As we do, we also tend to take our share of lumps and bruises in the process. As a result of this, we invariably find ourselves in need of attention.

This is true on many fronts. Certainly, our physical bodies wear down and need attention over time. Older persons tend to visit the Doctor more often than younger persons. But sometimes this is true in other ways as well. Sometimes it is true for our pocketbooks, for our relationships, for our emotions, and even for our minds. And above all, it is true for our souls.

Born with a sinful nature into a fallen world, we are broken and in need of regeneration. This has been made gloriously possible through the vicarious death, burial, and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, on our behalf. In Christ, the Bible tells us, we are made into new creatures!

And yet, even Christians, restored to a proper relationship with Almighty God through the grace of His Son, can grow weak in the face of temptation and/or weary in the face of difficulty. After all, as the bumper sticker says, Christians are not perfect, only forgiven!

When these times come, we relate well to the words of the Psalmist (85:6) who once said, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” Earlier, he had expressed a similar view (in 80:18-19): “Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”

The word translated “revive” is “tə·ḥay·yê·nū” in the original Hebrew. It only occurs twice in the Hebrew Bible - here in these two passages. But it comes from a root word, “chayah”, that occurs 263 times in the Hebrew Bible, and which generally means “to live, to have life”, but which specifically means “to live prosperously, in victory over sickness, discouragement, faintness, and even death”.

Thus, the Psalmist uses the words “revive us” in the context of a transplanted grape vineyard that once prospered, but is now faltering. Its walls have been broken down; and now, not just insects, but even the wild beasts of the field are plundering and spoiling the vines.   The vineyard is in need of immediate attention by the gardener, and the Psalmist is crying out for His (God’s) tender loving care.

The hymn writer, William P. Mackay, also understood what it was like to be in this condition, as is evidenced by these classic words that he first penned back in 1863:

We praise Thee, O God!
For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died,
And is now gone above.

We praise Thee, O God!
For Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior,
And scattered our night.

All glory and praise
To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins,
And hath cleansed every stain.

All glory and praise
To the God of all grace,
Who hast brought us, and sought us,
And guided our ways.

Revive us again;
Fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled
With fire from above.

Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.

For these reasons, the opportunities for both the restoration of a broken relationship with God (what the Bible calls “salvation”) and the restoration of a broken fellowship with God (what is often called “revival”), our church, like so many others, holds periodic series of meetings called “Revival” with a guest speaker known as an “Evangelist”.

We will be doing this here in a little over one week: Sunday morning, October 19 – Wednesday night, October 22. I and many others are already praying that God will use this series of meetings to mend whatever needs repairing in the lives of all those who attend. If you are in the area, feel free to attend. Info can be found here: www.firstbaptistlc.org. If you are unable to attend, you can listen to the messages brought by our guest speaker, Dr. Roc Collins, at the same web site.

SOURCES:

Rick’s Restorations is in Las Vegas, NV, and can be found online at: http://www.ricksrestorations.com/.

Hebrew word studies can be found at: http://biblehub.com/text/psalms/80-18.htm and http://biblehub.com/text/psalms/85-6.htm respectively.

Hymn Lyrics Source: http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/r/e/reviveus.htm.

STICK AROUND!

10/6/2014

It was a day long to be remembered in the National Football League. Two of the nation’s top professional quarterbacks were on display; and each was in top form.

First up was Peyton Manning, as he led the Denver Broncos to victory over the Arizona Cardinals. He had entered the game with 499 career touchdown passes. In short order, he had passed for his 500th one. He finished the day with a career best single game of 479 yards, along with three additional touchdowns. This gives him a new total of 503 touchdowns, meaning he is expected to surpass Bret Favre (who has 508) for the all-time NFL record in the next one or two games.

Playing in his sixteenth season (he missed 2011 due to illness), Manning has been become somewhat of a living legend. (This is especially true here in East Tennessee where he played for the University of Tennessee Volunteers.) His NFL records are numerous and speak volumes about his accomplishments…

-Super Bowl champion (XLI)
-Super Bowl MVP (XLI)
-13× Pro Bowl (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
-7× First-team All-Pro (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013)
-3× Second-team All-Pro (1999, 2000, 2006)
-3× AFC Champion (2006, 2009, 2013)
-5× AP NFL MVP (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013)
-2× AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2004, 2013)
-AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2012)
-4× NFL passing touchdown leader (2000, 2004, 2006, 2013)
-Indianapolis Colts All-time leader (Career Wins, Passing Touchdowns, Pass
Attempts, Pass Completions and Passing Yards)
-Pro Bowl MVP (2005)
-NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
-2013 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year

UP next was Tom Brady. On Sunday night, playing in his fifteenth season, he led the New England Patriots to a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. In so doing, he set an NFL record for total yards passed by a single quarterback in a career. He had entered the game sitting at 49,940 yards; and quickly surpassed the 50,000 yard mark, making him the sixth ever passer to do so.

Granted, at this point, he still has quite a ways to go to set an NFL record. Along the way, he would have to catch and surpass some fairly big names - like John Elway (at 51,475 yards), Drew Brees (at 52,284 yards and counting), Dan Marino (at 61,361 yards), Peyton Manning (at 65,778 and counting), and Bret Favre (at 71,838 total yards). But three of these (Elway, Marino, and Favre) are already retired. So, he gains on them weekly!

Like Manning, his NFL record speaks for itself…

-3× Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX)
-2× Super Bowl MVP (XXXVI, XXXVIII)
-2× AP NFL MVP (2007, 2010)
-9× Pro Bowl (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
-2× First-team All-Pro (2007, 2010)
-Second-team All-Pro (2005)
-5× AFC Champion (2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011)
-2× NFL Passing Yards Leader (2005, 2007)
-Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2005)
-Sporting News Sportsman of the Year (2004, 2007)
-AP Male Athlete of the Year (2007)
-2× AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2007, 2010)
-3× AFC Offensive Player of the Year (2007, 2010, 2011)
-AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2009)
-PFWA NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2009)
-Most Career Playoff Starts for Quarterback (26)
-Most Career Playoff Wins for Quarterback (18)
-New England Patriots All-time leader (Passing Touchdowns, Passing Yards,
Pass Completions, Pass Attempts, and Career Wins)
-NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

What are we to take from all of this? A great many possibilities come to mind – everything from leadership to sportsmanship. But I want to focus on one particular thing that both of these men have in common. It may very well be the single greatest key to productivity, no matter what one's chosen profession may be.

And what is that? I call it "Stick-to-it-tive-ness!" And this can only be accomplished through staying faithful! Think about it. Both of these men have spent their respective careers, by and large, playing for only one or two teams. This may sound easy; but it takes real commitment to do this, especially in a league where players come and go all the time, more often as not utilizing free agency to chase a bigger paycheck.

Along the way, they have had both good days and bad days. As well as high moments and low moments. Also, times when everything was going their way and times when everything was going against them. Yet, in all of this, they have just stayed the course, and kept on suiting up week in and week out. And because of this, they have not only survived, but thrived.

Why not follow this example? Whoever you are and whatever your chosen profession, commit yourself to it. In time, the victories will come. This is almost guaranteed to be the case. As the Apostle Paul says in his New Testament letter to the Galatians (6:9): "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

And remember as you do, it has often been said that a big shot is nothing more than a little shot who just kept on shooting!

Now, go chase whatever record lies before you! After all, it was made to be broken!

JUST WHO ARE YOU?

10/2/2014

Ken Duncan is a friend of mine who grew up in Kenya. His parents were Missionaries there for a number of years. He has written a delightful book detailing many of his childhood experiences from those memorable years. It is titled Now I Can See, and is available for download in electronic format at iTunes. As you can well imagine, his experiences in Africa filled him with many stories. I thought I would share one today.

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, even major metropolitan markets in America did not have more than three or four network channels and a handful of independent ones to watch. The cable and satellite revolutions did not unfold until the 1980s and beyond.

If television was sparse here in America in those early years, one can only imagine what it was like in Kenya. Apparently, only one or two channels were available at most. As a result, there was always considerable excitement whenever any relatively new or fresh programming made its way over to Kenya from America.

One night, the local Kenyan broadcaster was promoting a new television detective series from America. It was a titled “Barnaby Jones”. The lady sharing the promo stated: “And now, stay tuned for a brand new show from America titled 'Barnaby Jones' and starring Jed Clampett!”

When he shared this, I, for one, cracked up laughing. Why? Because if you are of my generation and older, you will recognize that Buddy Ebsen first starred for nine seasons (1962-1971) as the multimillionaire Jed Clampett in the CBS sitcom titled The Beverly Hillbillies before he assumed the role of Barnaby Jones in the eponymous series of the 1970s.   It appears that folks the world over knew him, not at Buddy Ebsen, but as Jed Clampett.

I have thought a lot about that these last few days. Many people know that actors can get tagged with parts that get them type-casted and from which they can never recover. One such example might be Don Knotts, who won several Emmys as Sheriff Andy Taylor’s amiable if bumbling deputy, Barney Fife, in the 1960s sitcom titled The Andy Griffith Show. It is arguable that he found it hard to find parts because it was thought that audiences could not accept him in some other role.

(Indeed, I once read that producers of the 1970s groundbreaking series titled The Mary Tyler Moore Show cast her character as a single lady because they feared the viewing audience would not embrace her as a recent divorcee, concluding that she and Rob Petrie had somehow split up after The Dick Van Dyke Show went off the air.)

Of course, all of this begs the question: “Just what role will you and I each be remembered for?”

Think about it…

For fourteen years now, I have served as the Senior Pastor of a local church. The reality is that, for many in our community, even if I ceased serving as Pastor tomorrow, I will long be remembered for my role here. For my children, I will be remembered as their father. For my wife, I will be remembered as her husband. Etc., etc…

The same could be said of you; albeit in slightly different details. In light of this, it behooves us to take seriously the roles God has given us to fulfill. You may not be called to be a Pastor. You may be called to be a factory worker, or a truck driver, or a clerk. You may be called to be a husband or a wife, a father or a mother. You may not be called to preach; but you are certainly called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and thus to have an impact on those around you.

Whatever the role you have been assigned, take it to heart. You have no idea just how many people are taking notice. And you have no idea just how long the impression you make will last or how far reaching it will prove to be.

Perhaps Solomon summed it up best when he said (Proverbs 22:1): “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

The fictional Jed Clampett had amassed over $90 million by the end of The Beverly Hillbillies nine year run. And yet, somehow I am quite certain that the knowledge that he would live on in the hearts and minds of his audience would have been far more gratifying to him than his bottom line! No doubt the same applies to you and me.