This Sunday we begin a new morning series entitled Vanishing Virtues. We will begin with the subject of honesty.
The story has been told of a bank employee who was due for a promotion. One day at lunch the president of the bank, who happened to be standing behind the employee in the cafeteria, saw him slip two pats of butter under his slice of bread so they wouldn't be seen by the cashier.
That little act of dishonesty cost him his promotion. Just a few pennies' worth of butter made the difference. The bank president reasoned that if an employee cannot be trusted in little things he cannot be trusted at all.
I'm afraid that honesty is vanishing from many Americans lives. Too often we see our politicians lie about cheating on their spouses or taking money in dishonest ways. Sadly, we are seeing that happening more and more with those in the ministry. We see athletes faking something in a game to get a favorable call from an official.
I am convinced that God will not, in fact He cannot, bless Christians who participate in such activity. Wherever we find ourselves...on the job, away from home, anywhere there is temptation...if no one else may catch us, God is watching. Don't lose your blessing
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Father's Day
On this Father's Day I was reading Paul's Second Letter to Timothy in which the apostle commends Timothy's mother and grandmother for being a godly influence on the young preacher. It occurred to me that what Timothy experienced growing up is very similar to so many American young people today.
Where is the father? Is the dad being the spiritual leader God has required of men? Thank God for moms who take up the slack and make sure their children are receiving instruction in the Word. But guys, it's us, the men, who should be leading our children in the things of God.
A while back I found some interesting statistics. Digest these numbers...
1. If both your parents worshipped with you regularly while you were growing up, there's an 80% liklihood you'll worship God regularly as an adult.
2. If only your mother worshipped regularly with you, there's only a 30% probability that you'll worship regularly as an adult.
3. If only your father worshipped regularly with you, the liklihood that you'll worship regularly as an adult increases to 70%.
Fathers have an enormous impact on their children's faith and values. One of your most important ministries is worshipping with your children!
Where is the father? Is the dad being the spiritual leader God has required of men? Thank God for moms who take up the slack and make sure their children are receiving instruction in the Word. But guys, it's us, the men, who should be leading our children in the things of God.
A while back I found some interesting statistics. Digest these numbers...
1. If both your parents worshipped with you regularly while you were growing up, there's an 80% liklihood you'll worship God regularly as an adult.
2. If only your mother worshipped regularly with you, there's only a 30% probability that you'll worship regularly as an adult.
3. If only your father worshipped regularly with you, the liklihood that you'll worship regularly as an adult increases to 70%.
Fathers have an enormous impact on their children's faith and values. One of your most important ministries is worshipping with your children!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Counting Blessings
The family and I went through a very trying time this past week. For four days we suffered without air conditioning in our house. The compressor in our unit crashed and of course the warranty expired six months ago!
We (okay, I) complained every day that passed without the repair guy getting the thing fixed. We moved in temporarily with my mother-in-law and even though she normally keeps her house at a higher temperature that we usually do, it still felt good compared the mid 80's our house was experiencing.
Then reality struck. As I watched the news events coming out of Arizona as thousands of acres were engulfed in flames, I quickly became very grateful for the minor irritation we were having to endure. Hundreds and hundreds of homes were being lost as the fires raged out of control. At least I had still had a home.
The old hymn Count Your Blessings became very real to me. The songs dares us to name our blessings "one by one." There is no way I can do that because the blessings God has given me cannot be numbered. They are immeasurable and I am so very thankful.
The air is back on at my house and life is good. I pray that next time one of these "tragedies" that happens to disrupt my way of life will only make me thankful all the sooner.
We (okay, I) complained every day that passed without the repair guy getting the thing fixed. We moved in temporarily with my mother-in-law and even though she normally keeps her house at a higher temperature that we usually do, it still felt good compared the mid 80's our house was experiencing.
Then reality struck. As I watched the news events coming out of Arizona as thousands of acres were engulfed in flames, I quickly became very grateful for the minor irritation we were having to endure. Hundreds and hundreds of homes were being lost as the fires raged out of control. At least I had still had a home.
The old hymn Count Your Blessings became very real to me. The songs dares us to name our blessings "one by one." There is no way I can do that because the blessings God has given me cannot be numbered. They are immeasurable and I am so very thankful.
The air is back on at my house and life is good. I pray that next time one of these "tragedies" that happens to disrupt my way of life will only make me thankful all the sooner.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Standing For Something
There's a country song that states we must stand for something because if we don't we'll fall for anything. Taking a stand, though, can be difficult.
Just ask Krystle Newquist. When she was 14-years old, Krystle decided she would not be a hypocrite regarding her stand on alcohol. Her reason was a personal one because her grandfather died as the result of alcoholism. The problem was that her softball team in Lemont, Illinois was sponsored by a local tavern. Citing her disapproval of alcohol and the effects it can have on individuals and their families, she refused to wear the jersey displaying the name of the tavern.
League officials would not allow Krystle to play wearing a jersey without the sponsor's name, nor would they let her transfer to another team. Rather than compromise her beliefs, she cheered her team on from the bench.
Such wisdom from a child! If only adults could learn from her how to stand for what they believe in. Many Christians today are tossing aside their beliefs in order to keep from rocking the boat. Maybe if the boat were rocked more often we would find more people willing to stand beside us.
Just ask Krystle Newquist. When she was 14-years old, Krystle decided she would not be a hypocrite regarding her stand on alcohol. Her reason was a personal one because her grandfather died as the result of alcoholism. The problem was that her softball team in Lemont, Illinois was sponsored by a local tavern. Citing her disapproval of alcohol and the effects it can have on individuals and their families, she refused to wear the jersey displaying the name of the tavern.
League officials would not allow Krystle to play wearing a jersey without the sponsor's name, nor would they let her transfer to another team. Rather than compromise her beliefs, she cheered her team on from the bench.
Such wisdom from a child! If only adults could learn from her how to stand for what they believe in. Many Christians today are tossing aside their beliefs in order to keep from rocking the boat. Maybe if the boat were rocked more often we would find more people willing to stand beside us.
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