February, 2018

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Billy’sQuotes

Tuesday, February 27th, 2018

I realize probably everybody and their brother is writing or quoting Billy Graham these days. And rightly so. He was a godly man; full of integrity and character; plain but honest; loving but uncompromising; witty; and one who could be emulated. On the way back from Ohio last weekend Jo was reading some quotes by BG (same initials…I’m special) 🙂 while I was driving. I decided to use this post for some of the ones which stood out to me.

“The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”

“Suppose you could gain everything in the whole world, and lost your soul. Was it worth it?”

“There is nothing wrong with men possessing riches. The wrong comes when riches possess men.”

“The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course.” (Only a golfer would know the truth of that!)

“A real Christian is the one who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip.”

“When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.”

“The message I preach hasn’t changed. Circumstances have changed. Problems have changed, but deep inside man has not changed, and the gospel hasn’t changed.”

“Without the resurrection, the cross is meaningless.”

“The cross shows us the seriousness of our sin—but it also shows us the immeasurable love of God.”

I am not going to Heaven because I have preached to great crowds or read the Bible many times. I’m going to Heaven just like the thief on the cross who said in that last moment: ‘Lord, remember me.’

Any one a favorite of yours? I’d love to hear which one-either in this group or another one.

Posted in Christian living, Just a Quote | 8 Responses »

EvenIf

Sunday, February 25th, 2018

This past Friday Jo and I drove to Ohio to see our daughter, son-in-law and Braden, our grandson. It had been since Christmas and we needed our “Braden fix.” I am also keenly aware that there will soon come a day when Grandpa and Mamaw will not be the people we are now…you know…someone to look forward to seeing. So I/we want to take advantage of that now.

Last weekend probably the closest lady friend Jo has in the church took her to see MercyMe in concert at Lafayette. Linda bought her the ticket for Christmas; Tami paid for her 1/2 of the hotel room; and I saved money for her to eat and spend however she wanted to. She had a blast and was thoroughly impressed by MM. So…on our way to Ohio we listened to their CD. It included the song you will have a chance to listen to.

I’ll be honest: I cannot listen or watch this song without tears in my eyes. While I don’t sing, I stand before people week after week as “God’s spokesman.” I’m supposed to have it all together. But what if I don’t? What if I’m struggling with my trust? Can I echo the sentiments of this song?  One thing for sure: this song kicks in the teeth of the health-wealth people who say God is going to make everything okay. G-r-r-r-r-r.

Anyway, enjoy the song. Let it minister to you today, this week. Pass it along to someone who needs to hear it.  For the backstory behind the song, listen to this.

Posted in Christian living, God, Grace, Music video, Pick me Up, Story | 11 Responses »

Compass

Friday, February 23rd, 2018

When we talk about a compass today it is almost like a foreign language. In this day and age with GPS and every other tracking  system know to man, a compass seems like something old-fashioned and out-of-date. I like the digital compass on my rearview mirror in my truck. I can at least know which direction I am going in since rumor has it when it comes to figuring out N-S-E-W I just may be a bit directionally-challenged.

Many of you are old enough to remember the old American Express commercial where the tag line was “Don’t leave home without it.” No hiker should even think about going on a hike, especially into the woods, without a compass or some type of directional finder.

Living in today’s  modern world is a ride into uncharted territory for sure! The instability of life will hit us square in the face and get us all turned around if we don’t have a compass. As followers of Christ that can be devastating. My sermon Sunday is about the compass we have to tell us our direction. John tells us we face a battle: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” Jesus did as well, but we are also told He did not sin. What was His secret? Check out Luke 4:1-12 for the answer. That is the Scripture we will be looking at this week. Thanks, as always, for your prayers.

Posted in Bible, Christian living, Doctrine, God, Jesus, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic | 8 Responses »

Silence

Wednesday, February 21st, 2018

I have been reading a new book by Phil Cooke and Jonathan Bock called The Way Back: How Christians Blew our Credibility and HOW WE GET IT BACK. There has been a lot of underlining and highlighting as I’ve read because of how true so much of what they write has been. It has been informative. Convicting. Educational. Challenging.

They quote English crime writer Dorothy Sayers from the 1940s. She warned of a fast-approaching church that would be too comfortable and tolerant to make any waves:

In the world it calls itself tolerance; but in hell it is called despair…It is the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and remains alive only because there is nothing it would die for. (p.101)

Long story short; there comes a point in time when we have to make a stand. The church (as a whole) and many Christ-followers have bought into the “tolerance agenda” of the vocal minority. But one thing is true: the truth doesn’t change. Whether we agree with it or not; whether we can stomach it or not; whether we try to debate it away or not; that fact still remains. The Truth is the truth.

I was quite intrigued by this quote: “I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward…how much to you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? “  Now…here’s the kicker. That quote is by magician and entertainer (and atheist) Penn Jillette

Maybe…just maybe…our silence is deafening.  Maybe we ought to stop bowing down to the “tolerance police” and start standing for Truth. Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

 

Posted in Christian living, Just a Quote, Just Wondering, Opinion | 13 Responses »

OOPS

Tuesday, February 20th, 2018

What a shame! Maybe I ought to say, “What a shame we make mistakes.” The one good thing is that we all do it. No one stands alone. I’m not talking about sin.  We all do that as well. I mean, mistakes. Forgetting to do something. Failing to do something. It wasn’t blatant. Inadvertent might be a better word.

I did that. Just yesterday. Since the first of the year I have posted a music video which tells a story or a truth every Sunday/Monday. I failed to do that today. I know you are extremely disappointed. I can see it in the tears which roll down your cheeks even as you came here to watch. I’m so sorry I ruined your day. But then again, if watching a video I post is the highlight of your day I think I would be correct in saying, “You need a life.”  🙂  I mean, I’m honored I would have that much influence but…

Anyway, Saturday evening I received an email from Tami (my oldest in case you don’t know) and she said, “I was searching Apple music and saw this song. I thought it would fit.” Now…even as I post this I have to say I am not a fan of Rend Collective. Ryan, our youth pastor, thinks they are fantastic. But what does he know? He’s 1/2 my age (literally) and likes weird music (rap included). I, on the other hand, have the most excellent taste in music. 🙂  Anyway, I thought I would honor Tami in this post by including this song.

Enjoy. And you should be able to figure out why she thought it appropriate.

Posted in Little Bit of Fun, Music video, Opinion, Pick me Up | 7 Responses »

Legacy

Sunday, February 18th, 2018

In my last post, I talked about a legacy of faith. One of the responses was basically not seeing the sense in worrying about it. We die…that’s it. Since I don’t believe that death is the end…and since I do believe that dead men speak (not audibly)…I searched for something I had read years ago.  I found it! Of course, if you get the right people the answer is easy. 🙂 🙂  Here is why I want to leave a legacy of faith behind:

A great example of this is Jonathan Edwards, the Puritan Preacher from the 1700s.  Jonathan and his wife Sarah left a great godly legacy for his 11 children.

At the turn of the 20th century, American educator and pastor A.E. Winship decided to trace out the descendants of Jonathan Edwards almost 150 years after his death.  His findings are astounding, especially when compared to a man known as Max Jukes.  Jukes’ legacy came to the forefront when the family trees of 42 different men in the New York prison system traced back to him.

Jonathan Edwards’ godly legacy includes: 1 U.S. Vice-President, 3 U.S. Senators, 3 governors, 3 mayors, 13 college presidents, 30 judges, 65 professors, 80 public office holders, 100 lawyers and 100 missionaries.

Max Jukes’ descendants included: 7 murderers, 60 thieves, 50 women of debauchery, 130 other convicts. 310 paupers (with over 2,300 years lived in poorhouses) 400 who were physically wrecked by indulgent living.

It was estimated that Max Juke’s descendants cost the state more than $1,250,000.

One can perhaps question the research. I saw one source cite the VP as Aaron Burr (duelist with Alexander Hamilton). I even saw one source which completely discounted the research on Max Juke’s life. Even if both are true, that doesn’t change the truth of what we leave behind is important.  We either leave life or poison behind.

I choose to leave life.

Posted in Christian living, Family, Leadership, Opinion, Story | 7 Responses »

Faith

Friday, February 16th, 2018

The life of faith is the only life that pleases God, and nothing else matters if faith is missing.

It is easy to look at stories in the Bible as old and dusty, sort of like dead men walking. But consider it another way: dead men talking. This Sunday we are going to look at three men who though dead, still speak.

I like this quote which I came across as I was studying for this sermon: “Death is never the last word in the life of a righteous man. When a man leaves this world, be he righteous or unrighteous, he leaves something in the world. He may leave something that will grow and spread like a cancer or a poison, or he may leave something like a fragrance of perfume or a blossom of beauty that permeates the atmosphere with blessing.” 

That quote is quite sobeing. Man leaves this world either a Paul or a Nero/Hitler/or someone of that ilk.

The three men we are going to study are from Hebrews 11: 4-7…Abel, Enoch, and Noah. Great testimonies to what God can do with a person sold out to Him and willing to follow Him by faith. Your prayers are appreciated.

Posted in Christian living, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 14 Responses »

VDay

Wednesday, February 14th, 2018

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know today is Valentine’s Day. If you couldn’t tell by the stores, you have to be blind. I’m thinking VD cards were out the day after Christmas. 🙂  Seriously, it is a day which has new meaning to me.

I’m not sure how many of you reading this knows of the significance of this week for me. This coming Friday will be the one year (dubious) anniversary of my bike wreck in which I broke my collarbone, broke 3 ribs (I hope you never have to experience that), did a face plant, split my helmet in three places, ruined several pieces of cycling clothing when it had to be cut off by the paramedics, and almost checked out and met the Father.

It happened on a Friday.  The first Sunday back in the pulpit (two weeks later) I talked to the people about my spiritual state at the time of the accident. To borrow Paul David Tripp’s words: I was a spiritual amnesiac.  I was not in a good place. My marriage was limping along. Not because of any affair, unless you consider my affair with my job as legitimate.  The wreck was the best thing that happened to me. God got my attention. Sure, I wish He had used a softer means but, would I have heard? I don’t think so. After all, getting hit by the car in November should have been a warning sign.

I can honestly say I love Jo more today than many yesterdays. We no longer take each other for granted. We are more open and honest with each other than we have probably ever been. Neither one of us wants our relationship to go back to where it was one year ago. Today is Valentine’s Day. And I love my better half, and will forever how much longer we have together on this earth.

 

Posted in Family, Grace, Love/Marriage, Story | 3 Responses »

Refreshing

Sunday, February 11th, 2018

This past Friday night I honored Jo.

Now…before you get to thinking, “My. my, what a great husband,” let me tell you how I did. You may also change your mind from “what a great husband” to “what a cad.” Okay…maybe not that bad, but you may change your mind.

Friday is my day off. It was anything but a day off as we had a chiropractor appointment, had time to eat lunch and then headed to Terre Haute (almost an hour away) for a funeral visitation of a fine, godly man who died quickly from cancer. His son owns the Nissan dealership where I buy my vehicles. Anyway, we rushed back after that to go to the local theater to see a movie.

A movie I had no desire to see whatsoever. But one she wanted to see. I wanted to honor her so I went.

How was I supposed to know I would come away refreshed? Laughing? Feeling good? And wanting to see it again?  Yeah…I wanted to honor her with the wrong attitude.  But I am so glad I did!!! Some of her movies/musicals I cringe at seeing (like Beauty and the Beast) but this is one time I chose to go.

The movie?  Actually a musical. Here’s the big moment… The Greatest Showman. Exceptional movie with fantastic music. The core meaning of the movie stands out: All lives matter.  Hmmm seems like I know SOMEONE who taught us that.

My song for today? Here is one of them from the movie. Please take the time to listen and read the lyrics as you do.  In the movie the character she plays has PCOS. Hers manifested itself in a full beard. The lyrics speak even louder when you know that.

We might actually go see it again this afternoon. Hard to beat a free movie.

Posted in Family, Friendship, Health, Music video, Pick me Up, Story | 6 Responses »

ReferencePoint

Friday, February 9th, 2018

The story of Ernest Shackleton is told in several different books of note. You can find one here and another one here.  Long story short Shackleton’s men were stranded on Elephant Island in the Antarctic and had survived a winter and a harsh summer trying to be the first to cross the Antarctic. But the ice had sunk their ship and they now found themselves stranded. On April 24, 1916 Shackleton and six companions shoved off from Elephant Island holding little hope they would see the 21 men they left behind. Their only hope was to be found on South Georgia Island, 800 miles away. One small boat fighting bitter cold, icebergs, waves up to 70 feet high, and 80 mph winds. They reached South Georgia Island in the heart of a hurricane which sank larger vessels. (There is more to the story). The only hope of a sailor surviving in those days was finding a reference point, generally the North Star.

What about us? What about when the storms hit? What will we do when they do? Where will we look? Friends? Inside ourselves? A bottle? There is a story in the Bible of a man named Job who had to be wondering, “What in the world is going on?” His story provides some answers for us.

This week I start a new 11 weeks series called True North. Reference Point is the first in that series. I’m excited about preaching it. Now…I just gotta hope the folks are excited about hearing it.  🙂  In any case, I’d appreciate your prayers ahead of time, or even afterwards.

Thanks to Ryan (techgeek) for designing the banner. I have the ideas; he has the skills.

Posted in Bible, Christian living, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic | 2 Responses »

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