Let me ask you a question. How many of us get real close to that line of doing something we know is wrong and try to push it as close as we can without actually crossing over it? Hey, I've been there. Many times.
It is because of my on shortcomings that we've begun a new series at Lawson Baptist entitled Guardrails to help us from straying over into areas that are off-limits. Andy Stanley wrote a book on this topic that spoke directly to me and I'm sure has affected most others, as well.
Guardrails are those things that are installed in areas of roadways to keep us from getting into those areas that could be dangerous. They serve as a warning. The theory behind guardrails is that you do less damage to your body, and even in some cases, to your car, if you hit the guardrail rather than what is on the other side of it.
For our purposes in this study, a guardrail is a standard of behavior that becomes a matter of conscience so that when we veer off in a direction we know is not pleasing to God, a warning is activated to keep us going straight.
In the coming weeks the messages will touch on topics such as marriage, relationships, friendships and even our time. Every member of the family will benefit from this series.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:15 to "Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise, but as wise." In other words, to live life with our eyes wide open knowing that Satan is eager to detour your path from God's intention. When we follw Satan's direction, that's when we wreck and it can be very difficult to fix the mess we've made. God says, "I want to rescue you. I don't want to keep you from something good, I want to rescue you from something bad."
For now, think on this: You know there is an area in your life where you are dancing on the yellow line and you need to back up a few feet and set a standard that says, "I'm not going there."
Join us Sunday mornings at 11 o'clock. You need a guardrail in your life.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Blessed is the Nation
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind, from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth, He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength." - Psalm 33:12-16
Our nation turns 236 years old today. She's been through a lot of changes, seen a lot turmoil and survived many a battle. Through it all, God has had His mighty hand on this great land.
I often fear that we as inhabitants of this country have been taking it for granted. As the Psalmist said, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" but many have proclaimed that America is not a Christian nation. I understand that many other religious beliefs are practiced here, but it's because of such freedoms we have that make this nation great. More and more Christians are being viewed as intolerant, narrow-minded people. We simply love them enough that we want them to know the One who has blessed us.
We should not forget those who paid the price for the privileges we enjoy. Sons and daughters who left the comfort of home, left concerned and loving parents, to sacrifice their lives for ours. Even today, while many are enjoying a day off from work, our soldiers are on the line right now willing to put themselves in harms way for us. God bless them.
We wonder why America may be experiencing problems in recent years, why so many other countries want harm to befall us. Then maybe we need to revisit another passage from God's Holy Word.
The second book of Chronicles tells us, "...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
God is willing to restore America to its former glory and bless us richly if we, as God's people, will bow before Him. Let's swallow our pride America. He's waiting.
NOTE: This Sunday we begin a new series aimed primarily at the family. God has placed guardrails in our lives to warn us not to stray into dangerous territory. This six-part series is to help us recognize and heed those warnings before we get into trouble. Hope to see you.
Our nation turns 236 years old today. She's been through a lot of changes, seen a lot turmoil and survived many a battle. Through it all, God has had His mighty hand on this great land.
I often fear that we as inhabitants of this country have been taking it for granted. As the Psalmist said, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" but many have proclaimed that America is not a Christian nation. I understand that many other religious beliefs are practiced here, but it's because of such freedoms we have that make this nation great. More and more Christians are being viewed as intolerant, narrow-minded people. We simply love them enough that we want them to know the One who has blessed us.
We should not forget those who paid the price for the privileges we enjoy. Sons and daughters who left the comfort of home, left concerned and loving parents, to sacrifice their lives for ours. Even today, while many are enjoying a day off from work, our soldiers are on the line right now willing to put themselves in harms way for us. God bless them.
We wonder why America may be experiencing problems in recent years, why so many other countries want harm to befall us. Then maybe we need to revisit another passage from God's Holy Word.
The second book of Chronicles tells us, "...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
God is willing to restore America to its former glory and bless us richly if we, as God's people, will bow before Him. Let's swallow our pride America. He's waiting.
NOTE: This Sunday we begin a new series aimed primarily at the family. God has placed guardrails in our lives to warn us not to stray into dangerous territory. This six-part series is to help us recognize and heed those warnings before we get into trouble. Hope to see you.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
The Big Five-Something
This morning I woke up feeling no different than I did when I went to sleep the night before. But something did happen. I awakened another year older. It's no big deal and except for the date on the calendar, it's just another day. As that great sage, Satchel Paige, once said, "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was?"
However, these pesky annual events do have a way of creeping up on you. I heard about a woman who was more athletically inclined than her husband and frequently would engage in biking, canoeing, and other strenuous activities. When her husband hit sixty, he came inside after a hard day of yard work and collapsed into his easy chair, bemoaning the aches and pains of his advancing age.
Attempting to comfort him, his wife reminded him that when they were newlyweds, they had looked forward to growing old together.
"Yes," he replied, "but you haven't kept your end of the bargain."
Someone once said that middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
I am convinced, though, that as long as we draw breath, God has a purpose for us. We are to be about His business until we are called to stand before Him. The Roman scholar Cato started to study Greek when he was over eighty years old. Someone asked him why he tackled such a difficult task at his age. Cato replied, "It's the earliest age I have left."
On October 16, 1995, Jeanne Calment of Paris was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records by becoming the oldest human on record - over 120 years of age. She was born in 1875, a year before the telephone was invented.
Jeanne remembered the construction of the Eiffel Tower and remembered selling colored pencils to the famed Vincent Van Gogh. She survived twenty-seven French presidents during her life. When asked, "What's the secret to your long life?" she responded, "Laughter!"
It's no wonder the Bible tells us in Proverbs 17:22 that "a cheerful heart is good medicine."
Besides, part of my motivation is to live long enough to be a problem to my children!
However, these pesky annual events do have a way of creeping up on you. I heard about a woman who was more athletically inclined than her husband and frequently would engage in biking, canoeing, and other strenuous activities. When her husband hit sixty, he came inside after a hard day of yard work and collapsed into his easy chair, bemoaning the aches and pains of his advancing age.
Attempting to comfort him, his wife reminded him that when they were newlyweds, they had looked forward to growing old together.
"Yes," he replied, "but you haven't kept your end of the bargain."
Someone once said that middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
I am convinced, though, that as long as we draw breath, God has a purpose for us. We are to be about His business until we are called to stand before Him. The Roman scholar Cato started to study Greek when he was over eighty years old. Someone asked him why he tackled such a difficult task at his age. Cato replied, "It's the earliest age I have left."
On October 16, 1995, Jeanne Calment of Paris was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records by becoming the oldest human on record - over 120 years of age. She was born in 1875, a year before the telephone was invented.
Jeanne remembered the construction of the Eiffel Tower and remembered selling colored pencils to the famed Vincent Van Gogh. She survived twenty-seven French presidents during her life. When asked, "What's the secret to your long life?" she responded, "Laughter!"
It's no wonder the Bible tells us in Proverbs 17:22 that "a cheerful heart is good medicine."
Besides, part of my motivation is to live long enough to be a problem to my children!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
A Fun Faith
If you know me at all, you know I love baseball. I am a die hard Texas Ranger fan and to be honest I may have lost a year or two from my normal lifespan watching the past two World Series'. I mean, why couldn't Nelson Cruz have been playing just a couple of steps deeper?!! Sorry, I got sidetracked.
I recently came across some interesting baseball trivia that I found fascinating. For instance...
*The odds of a fan being hit by a baseball are 300,000 to one. It's almost the same odds as catching a Josh Hamilton bat!
*The average baseball only lasts about a week. Each baseball is used only one time in a major league baseball game.
*Early rules allowed the hitter to request a high or low pitch.
*Manager Alvin Dark of the San Francisco Giants once told reporters that NASA would put a man on the moon before pitcher Gaylord Perry hit a home run. When Perry finally hit a home run, it was 20 minutes after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon.
*Each baseball game has 12,386,344 possible plays.
I really find that last bit of information especially insightful. I hear critics of the game complain that it's too boring. But to understand that there are over 12 million different possible plays is incredible.
It's the same with life. There are so many different things that can happen in our lives. I can look back on some of my decisions and wonder what would have happened had I chosen another route. I certainly don't know what awaits me around the next corner, but I can't wait to see what the Lord has awaiting.
We are told in Acts 20:22,24 "I don't know what awaits me...But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."
In fact, none of us really know what lies ahead. We are instructed to have faith that, whatever is around the next bend, God has the situation fully in His hand. Life has its share of uncertainty, but know this, God sees things around that corner long before we get to it. Let's have faith to drive on.
I recently came across some interesting baseball trivia that I found fascinating. For instance...
*The odds of a fan being hit by a baseball are 300,000 to one. It's almost the same odds as catching a Josh Hamilton bat!
*The average baseball only lasts about a week. Each baseball is used only one time in a major league baseball game.
*Early rules allowed the hitter to request a high or low pitch.
*Manager Alvin Dark of the San Francisco Giants once told reporters that NASA would put a man on the moon before pitcher Gaylord Perry hit a home run. When Perry finally hit a home run, it was 20 minutes after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon.
*Each baseball game has 12,386,344 possible plays.
I really find that last bit of information especially insightful. I hear critics of the game complain that it's too boring. But to understand that there are over 12 million different possible plays is incredible.
It's the same with life. There are so many different things that can happen in our lives. I can look back on some of my decisions and wonder what would have happened had I chosen another route. I certainly don't know what awaits me around the next corner, but I can't wait to see what the Lord has awaiting.
We are told in Acts 20:22,24 "I don't know what awaits me...But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."
In fact, none of us really know what lies ahead. We are instructed to have faith that, whatever is around the next bend, God has the situation fully in His hand. Life has its share of uncertainty, but know this, God sees things around that corner long before we get to it. Let's have faith to drive on.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
A Hero
I think I may have found a new hero. I've had many heroes in my past. The first I remember was Batman when I was a child. You know, Adam West. The origianal Batman from the television show. Soon Spiderman caught my attention on Saturday morning cartoons. Soon it was on to sports stars...Bart Starr, John Havlicek, and to this day I consider Ted Williams the greatest baseball player of all time.
But a whole new genre of hero has emerged. His name is Dave Alexander who in sports terms is an ironman. In other words, he competes in triathalons. These are the guys that bicycle several miles followed by a long swim, topped off with a marathon run.
You would notice Dave. He's 5-foot-8, 260 pounds, not exactly but the body size of these super athletes. I can identify with him in at least one respect. Even though I've never come close to completing even one leg of a triathalon, he resembles me in the size department. I've often said that I have the body of a 19-year old. I'm just stretching the heck out of it.
Alexander has estimated that he's finished close to 300 triathalons, causing his doctor to scratch his head in disbelief. Dave is 65-years old, has thinning hair, failing eyesight and his stomach gets bigger by the day. Still, he is still "fit" despite his chunky size.
He attributes his endurance to persistence. At one time he was completing two triathalons a week. A hero if ever I saw one.
We all have our heroes. Young people today tend to think of entertainers, older guys may look to military figures or someone they may have known.
Whoever is your hero, I hope Dad is on the list, hopefully at the top. We need dedicated Dads, Fathers who will set a positive example for their children. We need a Dad who loves his wife, who leads the family spiritually, and is the rock of the home.
Proverbs 13:1 says a wise son heeds his father's advise. We would be wise to listen to Dad,or if he has gone on to be with the Lord, to remember what he told us. And always listen to your Heavenly Father.
But a whole new genre of hero has emerged. His name is Dave Alexander who in sports terms is an ironman. In other words, he competes in triathalons. These are the guys that bicycle several miles followed by a long swim, topped off with a marathon run.
You would notice Dave. He's 5-foot-8, 260 pounds, not exactly but the body size of these super athletes. I can identify with him in at least one respect. Even though I've never come close to completing even one leg of a triathalon, he resembles me in the size department. I've often said that I have the body of a 19-year old. I'm just stretching the heck out of it.
Alexander has estimated that he's finished close to 300 triathalons, causing his doctor to scratch his head in disbelief. Dave is 65-years old, has thinning hair, failing eyesight and his stomach gets bigger by the day. Still, he is still "fit" despite his chunky size.
He attributes his endurance to persistence. At one time he was completing two triathalons a week. A hero if ever I saw one.
We all have our heroes. Young people today tend to think of entertainers, older guys may look to military figures or someone they may have known.
Whoever is your hero, I hope Dad is on the list, hopefully at the top. We need dedicated Dads, Fathers who will set a positive example for their children. We need a Dad who loves his wife, who leads the family spiritually, and is the rock of the home.
Proverbs 13:1 says a wise son heeds his father's advise. We would be wise to listen to Dad,or if he has gone on to be with the Lord, to remember what he told us. And always listen to your Heavenly Father.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Weird Facts
I recently came across some strange things you probably didn't know. For example...
Did you know that butterflies taste with their feet?
A duck's quack doesn't echo and no one knows why.
On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year.
Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.
Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older.
It's possible to lead a cow upstairs, but not downstairs.
Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
It's physically impossible for you to lick your elbow.
Almost everyone who just read the previous fact will try to lick their elbow.
These are some very interesting facts but not things you really have to know. Well, you may want to rethink sticking that ink pen in your mouth!
Here's the thing that you REALLY need to know. Do you know beyond a shadow of doubt that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you know that if your time on this earth were to end in the next five minutes, in the next five seconds, that you would spend eternity in the presence of the Lord? Eternity is a long time to be wrong.
Yet, so many people are walking around with the assumption that just because they may go to church, that they live a good, moral life, that they are good to go come judgement day. Jesus tells us in John 10:9, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."
In other words, there is no back door to heaven. It is only through the shed blood of Christ. We cannot work our way into heaven, we cannot wish our way into heaven, we cannot wiggle our way into heaven by adopting values and attitudes thrown on us by what today's culture endorses or what "religions" try to preach to us as being comparable to the example given us by Christ. In verse 14 we are told, "I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep..."
Will He recognize you as one of His flock?
Did you know that butterflies taste with their feet?
A duck's quack doesn't echo and no one knows why.
On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year.
Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.
Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older.
It's possible to lead a cow upstairs, but not downstairs.
Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
It's physically impossible for you to lick your elbow.
Almost everyone who just read the previous fact will try to lick their elbow.
These are some very interesting facts but not things you really have to know. Well, you may want to rethink sticking that ink pen in your mouth!
Here's the thing that you REALLY need to know. Do you know beyond a shadow of doubt that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you know that if your time on this earth were to end in the next five minutes, in the next five seconds, that you would spend eternity in the presence of the Lord? Eternity is a long time to be wrong.
Yet, so many people are walking around with the assumption that just because they may go to church, that they live a good, moral life, that they are good to go come judgement day. Jesus tells us in John 10:9, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."
In other words, there is no back door to heaven. It is only through the shed blood of Christ. We cannot work our way into heaven, we cannot wish our way into heaven, we cannot wiggle our way into heaven by adopting values and attitudes thrown on us by what today's culture endorses or what "religions" try to preach to us as being comparable to the example given us by Christ. In verse 14 we are told, "I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep..."
Will He recognize you as one of His flock?
Monday, May 21, 2012
Let's Start Over
You may have noticed in the news last week that the State of Florida gave a new standardized writing test to students and the scores were less than stellar. In fact, they were awful. A reported 27 percent of fourth-graders had proficient scores on the test. That was down significantly from last year’s 81 percent.
State education officials panicked and decided that the best thing to do was to lower the passing score on the test. Did you catch that? In order to make sure that students succeeded on the exam, the passing grade was lowered.
My first reaction was, “Where was that rationale when I was a student?” I could have used a boost in several classes…History, Algebra, English, Biology, Physical Education. Okay, basically every class I took. Now, however, I’m glad to say I did get the grades I got on my own merits, without the entire state having to step in and save me.
But this got me to thinking. If a state can reconfigure such things and they are accepted as fact, I’ve got some revisions I would like to make. I am now six-foot four, a solid 210 pounds. I shoot 18 holes of golf consistently in the low 80’s. I now possess the oratorical skills of Winston Churchill and can dunk over Tim Duncan on his best day. Ladies swoon over me, boys want to grow up to be me and dogs follow me, wagging their tails. Yes, life is good…if the state will say so.
It doesn’t work that way, does it? We can’t just lower standards or elevate our accomplishments just because, well, just because. A low score on a test is still a low score no matter what some entity may decree.
God’s Word tells us in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians that each man’s work will become evident. He was speaking in terms of working for the Lord, but the connotation is still relevant in our personal lives. We are called to give our very best, and should that fall short of someone else’s ideal, then God will still bless it.
We can’t all be perfect. In fact only one person was and they crucified Him. Let’s simply give our best and do it for God’s glory. That should be enough.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
A Hot Potato
Okay, I understand going into this one that some of you may disagree with me. That's okay. But understand, I'm not changing my position and I'll still love you in Christ anyway.
Now that we've established the ground rules, I'll barge ahead with this commentary.
Let me state upfront that I am extremely disappointed that our President has come out in favor of homosexual marriage. (You can call it "gay"marriage if you like, I'll refrain.) I believe that he has entered into dangerous territory.
Many will call me homophobic which is a term that angers me. My dictionary defines homophobic as "unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals." I have neither. I love those individuals claiming that lifestyle as much as anyone. The apostle John implores us to love everyone and I try to do just that.
My opinion is simply rooted in Scripture, and there is plenty there to oppose such behavior. We can begin with the episode in Genesis 18 and 19 regarding Lot in Sodom. I won't quote it verse by verse but I encourage you to do your own Bible Study. There is also a stern rebuke in Leviticus 20:13. Also, try on Ezekial 16:49-50 for size. Some will try to spin such to-the-point language another way, but there it is in black and white.
If you want to argue that the Old Testament is out of date, then let's move ahead to the New Testament. Check out Romans 1:21; 26-27, I Corinthians 6:9-10 and Jude 7.
Folks, we have to choose to believe all of God's Word or none of it. We can't pick and choose only what we like.
Now, I believe homosexuality is a sin. But so is greed, lust, envy and the rest of the things laid out for us the Lord detests. And I'm guilty of many of them. They are all sin in His sight. We are told He cannot look upon sin. So while I am not any better than anyone else, at least I am willing to acknowledge and own up to my sin and not try to hide behind popular opinion.
Remember, just because popular opinion might say it's alright, it doesn't make it right in God's eyes.
Now that we've established the ground rules, I'll barge ahead with this commentary.
Let me state upfront that I am extremely disappointed that our President has come out in favor of homosexual marriage. (You can call it "gay"marriage if you like, I'll refrain.) I believe that he has entered into dangerous territory.
Many will call me homophobic which is a term that angers me. My dictionary defines homophobic as "unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals." I have neither. I love those individuals claiming that lifestyle as much as anyone. The apostle John implores us to love everyone and I try to do just that.
My opinion is simply rooted in Scripture, and there is plenty there to oppose such behavior. We can begin with the episode in Genesis 18 and 19 regarding Lot in Sodom. I won't quote it verse by verse but I encourage you to do your own Bible Study. There is also a stern rebuke in Leviticus 20:13. Also, try on Ezekial 16:49-50 for size. Some will try to spin such to-the-point language another way, but there it is in black and white.
If you want to argue that the Old Testament is out of date, then let's move ahead to the New Testament. Check out Romans 1:21; 26-27, I Corinthians 6:9-10 and Jude 7.
Folks, we have to choose to believe all of God's Word or none of it. We can't pick and choose only what we like.
Now, I believe homosexuality is a sin. But so is greed, lust, envy and the rest of the things laid out for us the Lord detests. And I'm guilty of many of them. They are all sin in His sight. We are told He cannot look upon sin. So while I am not any better than anyone else, at least I am willing to acknowledge and own up to my sin and not try to hide behind popular opinion.
Remember, just because popular opinion might say it's alright, it doesn't make it right in God's eyes.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Satan's Beattitudes
Christ's Sermon on Mount contains some of the best preaching one can find anywhere. Contained in that epic piece of theology is The Beattitudes found in the fifth chapter of Matthew's gospel. But did you ever consider that maybe Satan, too, has his own beattitudes. I found this a while back and thought it was very appropriate for this day and age.
*Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in church, they are my best workers.
*Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked, I can use them.
*Blessed are the touchy, with a bit of luck they may stop going to church, they are my missionaries.
*Blessed are those who are very religious but get on everyone's nerves, they are mine forever.
*Blessed are the troublemakers, they shall be called my children.
*Blessed are those who have no time to pray, they are easy prey for me.
*Blessed are the gossipers, for they are my secret agents.
*Blessed are those critical of church leadership, for they shall inherit a place with me in my fate.
*Blessed are the complainers, I'm all ears for them.
*Blessed are you when you read this and think it is about other people and not yourself, I've got you!
Folks, we are the Army of God. We can't fight against the enemy when there is infighting amongst ourselves. There is a war to be won. Onward, Christian Soldiers!
*Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in church, they are my best workers.
*Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked, I can use them.
*Blessed are the touchy, with a bit of luck they may stop going to church, they are my missionaries.
*Blessed are those who are very religious but get on everyone's nerves, they are mine forever.
*Blessed are the troublemakers, they shall be called my children.
*Blessed are those who have no time to pray, they are easy prey for me.
*Blessed are the gossipers, for they are my secret agents.
*Blessed are those critical of church leadership, for they shall inherit a place with me in my fate.
*Blessed are the complainers, I'm all ears for them.
*Blessed are you when you read this and think it is about other people and not yourself, I've got you!
Folks, we are the Army of God. We can't fight against the enemy when there is infighting amongst ourselves. There is a war to be won. Onward, Christian Soldiers!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The Cost of Revenge
An interesting item hit the newswires this week. Maybe you heard about it.It seems a dentist in Poland is facing charges after allegedly pulling out all of a patients teeth on a recent visit. The problem is he only had one tooth giving him trouble. Now she has troubles of her own.
As Paul Harvey used to say, here's the rest of the story.
Anna Mackowiak is the dentist in question. It seems her ex-boyfriend came to see her with a toothache. Marek Olszewski had ended their relationship just weeks before the office visit. Maybe it wasn't the smartest thing to do, but he was depending on her professionalism to end his pain. Apparently he forgot about hers.
"I tried to be professional and detach myself from my emotions," she explained. However, she couldn't let bygones be bygones. She then sedated Olszewski and removed all his teeth. When he recovered she uttered what could possibly be the biggest understatement of the year. "You're going to need to see a specialist."
No kidding. Unfortunately, she is going to have to see a judge.
Now let's be honest. We kind of like that story. Who among us has not wanted to exact revenge on someone who has wronged us? I know I have. But taking revenge can ruin us spiritually.
Taking revenge can destroy our relationships with others. Such actions also show our lack of faith in God who has vowed that He will avenge us.
Remember, how we handle feelings of revenge speaks volumes about our character. Giving in to desires to "get even" can ruin our Christian witness. We would be well advised to understand that when we take matters into our own hands, we are stepping into God's territory.
As Paul Harvey used to say, here's the rest of the story.
Anna Mackowiak is the dentist in question. It seems her ex-boyfriend came to see her with a toothache. Marek Olszewski had ended their relationship just weeks before the office visit. Maybe it wasn't the smartest thing to do, but he was depending on her professionalism to end his pain. Apparently he forgot about hers.
"I tried to be professional and detach myself from my emotions," she explained. However, she couldn't let bygones be bygones. She then sedated Olszewski and removed all his teeth. When he recovered she uttered what could possibly be the biggest understatement of the year. "You're going to need to see a specialist."
No kidding. Unfortunately, she is going to have to see a judge.
Now let's be honest. We kind of like that story. Who among us has not wanted to exact revenge on someone who has wronged us? I know I have. But taking revenge can ruin us spiritually.
Taking revenge can destroy our relationships with others. Such actions also show our lack of faith in God who has vowed that He will avenge us.
Remember, how we handle feelings of revenge speaks volumes about our character. Giving in to desires to "get even" can ruin our Christian witness. We would be well advised to understand that when we take matters into our own hands, we are stepping into God's territory.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Price Tags
While sitting in the doctor's office recently I came across the current issue of The Atlantic magazine. (That in itself is amazing. A magazine in a waiting room that wasn't at least two years old!) What caught my attention was an article concerning our price-tag society which pointed out that almost everything is for sale. For example...
*A prison-cell upgrade in Santa Ana, California is available for $90 a night. Nonviolent offenders can pay for a clean, quiet cell with no riff-raff to bother them during their stay.
*Access to the carpool lane while driving alone for $8. Several large cities such as Houston and SanDiego offer this service to avoid congestion in carpool lanes.
*Your doctor's cellphone number in order to get same-day appointments. This costs anywhere between $1,500 and $25,000 per year. It might have been worth it to call him and ask why I was sitting in his waiting room when it was past time for the appointment.
*The right to immigrate to the United States for $500,000. It's a bit steep but foreigners who invest the money and create at least 10 full-time jobs in an area of unemployment can get their green card for permanent residency.
*In South Africa you can purchase the right to shoot an endangered black rhino for $250,000. Their logic is that killing off a limited number of these animals will give ranchers an incentive to raise and protect this species.
In short, we can buy almost anything this world has to afford. The article stated that this trend did not happen overnight but economics have worked to create these opportunities.
While thinking over this, I realized that's the way we usually arrive at whatever situation, good or bad, we find ourselves in. When it comes to falling away from God, we rarely do it suddenly. We don't usually wake up one morning and decide this will be the day that I turn my back on the Creator. It usually evolves.
Here's the great news. Even though we may realize how far away from God we've gotten, He hasn't moved! He is still there waiting for us to turn back to Him. The word is repent, or regret what we have done. And the Heavenly Father welcomes us back with loving, open arms.
Here's something else to take from this article. While we can buy almost anything today, one thing that's not for sale is our salvation. It's a free gift just for the asking. Eternity with Christ. You can't put a pricetag on that!
*A prison-cell upgrade in Santa Ana, California is available for $90 a night. Nonviolent offenders can pay for a clean, quiet cell with no riff-raff to bother them during their stay.
*Access to the carpool lane while driving alone for $8. Several large cities such as Houston and SanDiego offer this service to avoid congestion in carpool lanes.
*Your doctor's cellphone number in order to get same-day appointments. This costs anywhere between $1,500 and $25,000 per year. It might have been worth it to call him and ask why I was sitting in his waiting room when it was past time for the appointment.
*The right to immigrate to the United States for $500,000. It's a bit steep but foreigners who invest the money and create at least 10 full-time jobs in an area of unemployment can get their green card for permanent residency.
*In South Africa you can purchase the right to shoot an endangered black rhino for $250,000. Their logic is that killing off a limited number of these animals will give ranchers an incentive to raise and protect this species.
In short, we can buy almost anything this world has to afford. The article stated that this trend did not happen overnight but economics have worked to create these opportunities.
While thinking over this, I realized that's the way we usually arrive at whatever situation, good or bad, we find ourselves in. When it comes to falling away from God, we rarely do it suddenly. We don't usually wake up one morning and decide this will be the day that I turn my back on the Creator. It usually evolves.
Here's the great news. Even though we may realize how far away from God we've gotten, He hasn't moved! He is still there waiting for us to turn back to Him. The word is repent, or regret what we have done. And the Heavenly Father welcomes us back with loving, open arms.
Here's something else to take from this article. While we can buy almost anything today, one thing that's not for sale is our salvation. It's a free gift just for the asking. Eternity with Christ. You can't put a pricetag on that!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Oh, What Tangled Webs...
Bobby, Bobby, Bobby....(sigh)
Still trying to sift through the debris of what was the Bobby Petrino scandal/fiasco/colossal mess. This is the guy that rode into Fayetteville a few years ago and in short order righted the Razorback ship. In his third year Petrino had the Hogs in a BCS bowl. This past season he led them to an eleven win season. Things were looking good for the University of Arkansas.
Then, news of a motorcycle accident involving the coach. That was followed by news of a second party involving the coach. And (wait for the shoe to drop) news of the second party being involved with the coach. (heavy sigh)
Like many Razorback fans, I was hoping initially that things could be worked out so that Petrino would remain the Head Hog. I mean, come on, we were WINNING!!! Cut his pay, sit him out for a game or two...heck make him run the bleachers at Reynolds Razorback Stadium at 5 a.m. But don't dump because...well, because...this is football for crying out loud!!
Then the more I studied it, the angrier I got. At him, I mean, not Athletic Director Jeff Long. How arrogant was this man that he, as famous a man in this state as there is, would be out in the middle of the day, on a bright red motorcycle, without a helmet, with a very blond woman on the back for the whole world to see. What gall. What unmitigated gall!
Earlier today I saw photos of Petrino's house, well actually it's a mansion. I wonder, if after all this came out, if he didn't drive up, notice what a beautiful home he had, and realized what he had thrown away? But besides the material things he risked, there is the loss of reputation, respect, trust of a family, and disappointment from a state full of people that was giving him another chance to coach after jilting other teams throughout his career.
I pray Bobby Petrino will see the light. I pray he will wake up to the fact that God has given him the ability to do a job that can make a positive impact on young men. I pray that he can somehow salvage his marriage and earn the respect of his children.
There is a ripple effect when we deceive. Many people have suffered because of his selfish attitude. There is a lesson for us all. Every morning we should begin with a prayer asking God to direct our steps. When we veer off the path He wants to lead us, we could wind up in a roadside ditch a long way from home.
Still trying to sift through the debris of what was the Bobby Petrino scandal/fiasco/colossal mess. This is the guy that rode into Fayetteville a few years ago and in short order righted the Razorback ship. In his third year Petrino had the Hogs in a BCS bowl. This past season he led them to an eleven win season. Things were looking good for the University of Arkansas.
Then, news of a motorcycle accident involving the coach. That was followed by news of a second party involving the coach. And (wait for the shoe to drop) news of the second party being involved with the coach. (heavy sigh)
Like many Razorback fans, I was hoping initially that things could be worked out so that Petrino would remain the Head Hog. I mean, come on, we were WINNING!!! Cut his pay, sit him out for a game or two...heck make him run the bleachers at Reynolds Razorback Stadium at 5 a.m. But don't dump because...well, because...this is football for crying out loud!!
Then the more I studied it, the angrier I got. At him, I mean, not Athletic Director Jeff Long. How arrogant was this man that he, as famous a man in this state as there is, would be out in the middle of the day, on a bright red motorcycle, without a helmet, with a very blond woman on the back for the whole world to see. What gall. What unmitigated gall!
Earlier today I saw photos of Petrino's house, well actually it's a mansion. I wonder, if after all this came out, if he didn't drive up, notice what a beautiful home he had, and realized what he had thrown away? But besides the material things he risked, there is the loss of reputation, respect, trust of a family, and disappointment from a state full of people that was giving him another chance to coach after jilting other teams throughout his career.
I pray Bobby Petrino will see the light. I pray he will wake up to the fact that God has given him the ability to do a job that can make a positive impact on young men. I pray that he can somehow salvage his marriage and earn the respect of his children.
There is a ripple effect when we deceive. Many people have suffered because of his selfish attitude. There is a lesson for us all. Every morning we should begin with a prayer asking God to direct our steps. When we veer off the path He wants to lead us, we could wind up in a roadside ditch a long way from home.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Go Bubba!
I have very quickly become a Bubba Watson fan. That's Bubba Dubya, the 33 year old Florida native and former Georgia Bulldog golfer who won the 2012 Master's Tournament on Sunday.
As a frustrated golfer, I have watched professional golf for many years. You may think it's the most boring thing on television but I enjoy watching the drama that unfolds at many of the tournaments.
Even so, I was ignorant of Bubba Watson until I noticed several Christian leaders which I very much respect, cheering for him on Twitter. It took a little research to find that Watson is a very dedicated man of God.
In fact, Watson has many followers on Twitter with many deciding to stop following him in social media because of his bold witness for Christ. Watson, however, says he has no plans to stop.
As for his Christian faith, Watson says, "For me, it's just showing the Light. There's people who want to put down Christians. I try to tell them Jesus loves you. It's just a way to be strong in my faith."
To other golfers he is simply amazing. He has never had a lesson and has no coach. Tiger Woods recently spent time with Watson to learn how Bubba can make a golf ball go pretty much wherever he wants it to. Observers simply refer to it as "Bubba Golf," with more emphasis on having fun on the golf course than worrying about mechanics.
We can learn from Bubba. Whatever you do, use it as a platform to be a witness for Christ. Tim Tebow does it and he has been vilified, made fun of and generally trashed by many in the media. But that's okay. Jesus lived a perfect life and came to love people and save them and He was hung on a cross. We aren't called to be popular, just to be faithful to the call.
Hit 'em long and straight Bubba!
As a frustrated golfer, I have watched professional golf for many years. You may think it's the most boring thing on television but I enjoy watching the drama that unfolds at many of the tournaments.
Even so, I was ignorant of Bubba Watson until I noticed several Christian leaders which I very much respect, cheering for him on Twitter. It took a little research to find that Watson is a very dedicated man of God.
In fact, Watson has many followers on Twitter with many deciding to stop following him in social media because of his bold witness for Christ. Watson, however, says he has no plans to stop.
As for his Christian faith, Watson says, "For me, it's just showing the Light. There's people who want to put down Christians. I try to tell them Jesus loves you. It's just a way to be strong in my faith."
To other golfers he is simply amazing. He has never had a lesson and has no coach. Tiger Woods recently spent time with Watson to learn how Bubba can make a golf ball go pretty much wherever he wants it to. Observers simply refer to it as "Bubba Golf," with more emphasis on having fun on the golf course than worrying about mechanics.
We can learn from Bubba. Whatever you do, use it as a platform to be a witness for Christ. Tim Tebow does it and he has been vilified, made fun of and generally trashed by many in the media. But that's okay. Jesus lived a perfect life and came to love people and save them and He was hung on a cross. We aren't called to be popular, just to be faithful to the call.
Hit 'em long and straight Bubba!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Learning From Trials
We all go through difficult times, or trials, in our lives. As many of you know, I have been going through a trial period in recent days. I recently shared with our church members some lessons that I am learning through this ordeal and I want to share them briefly with you.
First, I'm learning that problems are not a strange thing. I have at times panicked during such times. Bad things happen to good people and I would like to think that I'm good people, if you will. The Lord tells us in Scripture that His aim is to bring us righteousness, to make us a better person. I'm no better than any one else so when when bad things happen I should not ask, "Why me?" The better question is "Why not me?" and learn from the experience.
The second lesson I am learning is that the only way for me to understand is to let go and let God. It's an old saying but it's true even if it is sometimes difficult to do. I'm trying to understand that endurance is not the key to living but rather that surrender is the key to living. If we live long enough, hard times happen, but God can help us to mature in the faith through the process. It was after passing through the Red Sea that Moses became a great man. It was after Peter overcame his fears that he became a great man. It was after the Damascus road experience that Paul was able to become a great man of God.
And finally, I have found that the simple things are more important than what we may consider to be the big things. Little things like family, relationships, and purpose are huge. It's not about prestige, status, or a fat bank account that should be our priorities.
Isaiah 41:13 says "For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, do not fear, I will help you."
Sometimes we feel like a nail and life is a hammer beating us down day by day. But there is a Carpenter who holds the nail, who knows better than the nail, and in the end shows that a simple nail, even though it is being pounded, can be used to build something great.
First, I'm learning that problems are not a strange thing. I have at times panicked during such times. Bad things happen to good people and I would like to think that I'm good people, if you will. The Lord tells us in Scripture that His aim is to bring us righteousness, to make us a better person. I'm no better than any one else so when when bad things happen I should not ask, "Why me?" The better question is "Why not me?" and learn from the experience.
The second lesson I am learning is that the only way for me to understand is to let go and let God. It's an old saying but it's true even if it is sometimes difficult to do. I'm trying to understand that endurance is not the key to living but rather that surrender is the key to living. If we live long enough, hard times happen, but God can help us to mature in the faith through the process. It was after passing through the Red Sea that Moses became a great man. It was after Peter overcame his fears that he became a great man. It was after the Damascus road experience that Paul was able to become a great man of God.
And finally, I have found that the simple things are more important than what we may consider to be the big things. Little things like family, relationships, and purpose are huge. It's not about prestige, status, or a fat bank account that should be our priorities.
Isaiah 41:13 says "For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, do not fear, I will help you."
Sometimes we feel like a nail and life is a hammer beating us down day by day. But there is a Carpenter who holds the nail, who knows better than the nail, and in the end shows that a simple nail, even though it is being pounded, can be used to build something great.
Monday, March 19, 2012
The God of All Comfort
I've got to confess. I told a lie today. In fact, I told the same lie several times. Let me explain.
At this moment, my Dad is lying in critical condition in St. Vincent's Hospital in Little Rock. A very large blood clot was removed from his brain last week and for ten days now he has been in that hospital unresponsive with too many tubes running into his body to believe. My Mother is worn out from spending most of those nights in an all too uncomfortable recliner next to him as she waits for any sign of recognition from eyes that have only opened a few times and only then for a couple of fleeting moments.
I'm tired, and I haven't been there nearly as long as she but I have come home for a night or two in my own bed. I've had an "emotional moment" a time or two as I feel helpless to help the one who has helped me on myriad occassions.
Oh yeah...the lies. Earlier today I felt the need to get away for a while to decompress, as it were. Robin and I found our way to a nearby mall just to walk, see happy faces for a change, and try to regroup my thought process. And every clerk in every store we entered approached with the same question. "How are you doing today?" they cheerfully asked. And I answered with the typical response. "Oh, I'm fine," I would answer. I lied. Time after time.
The raw-gut truth is I felt, rather, feel, like road kill. Like I've been run over repeatedly in the highway of life. And I think some put it in reverse and ran over me again.
As a pastor, I have many times counseled and consoled others who have gone through what I'm going through and even worse. Now I'm on that side of the confessional window. Okay, I'm not Catholic but a better metaphor escapes me right now.
Paul in II Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
As much compassion and comfort that I've tried to give others, I can see it all from a different perspective now. I've been blessed to have my parents for so many years. The Lord yearns to comfort us. Now, no matter what happens in my situation, I pray I can be of greater comfort to those who need a shoulder to cry on.
At this moment, my Dad is lying in critical condition in St. Vincent's Hospital in Little Rock. A very large blood clot was removed from his brain last week and for ten days now he has been in that hospital unresponsive with too many tubes running into his body to believe. My Mother is worn out from spending most of those nights in an all too uncomfortable recliner next to him as she waits for any sign of recognition from eyes that have only opened a few times and only then for a couple of fleeting moments.
I'm tired, and I haven't been there nearly as long as she but I have come home for a night or two in my own bed. I've had an "emotional moment" a time or two as I feel helpless to help the one who has helped me on myriad occassions.
Oh yeah...the lies. Earlier today I felt the need to get away for a while to decompress, as it were. Robin and I found our way to a nearby mall just to walk, see happy faces for a change, and try to regroup my thought process. And every clerk in every store we entered approached with the same question. "How are you doing today?" they cheerfully asked. And I answered with the typical response. "Oh, I'm fine," I would answer. I lied. Time after time.
The raw-gut truth is I felt, rather, feel, like road kill. Like I've been run over repeatedly in the highway of life. And I think some put it in reverse and ran over me again.
As a pastor, I have many times counseled and consoled others who have gone through what I'm going through and even worse. Now I'm on that side of the confessional window. Okay, I'm not Catholic but a better metaphor escapes me right now.
Paul in II Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
As much compassion and comfort that I've tried to give others, I can see it all from a different perspective now. I've been blessed to have my parents for so many years. The Lord yearns to comfort us. Now, no matter what happens in my situation, I pray I can be of greater comfort to those who need a shoulder to cry on.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Prayers Needed
This week I want to refer you to my sister's blog. She shares what's on my heart and I could not have said this any better.
http://ohthegreatplacesyoullgo.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/when-the-great-place-you-go-is-to-a-hospital/
http://ohthegreatplacesyoullgo.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/when-the-great-place-you-go-is-to-a-hospital/
Monday, March 5, 2012
Against The Odds
Tuesday (March 6) will mark the 176th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo, the small mission in San Antonio, Texas. The mission was defended for 13 days under the leadership of Col. William B. Travis by less than 200 brave men as an army of 1500 under General Santa Anna laid seige to the Alamo.
Can you imagine what must have gone through those mens minds as they fought off superior numbers day after day? They endured because they believed in their cause, independence for Texas. In the end, however, the Mexican forces overwhelmed the undermanned mission and each man inside gave up his life for the liberty of others.
There is so much we can draw from this event as Christians. How often do we feel that Satan and his forces are overwhelming us? Sometimes it seems as if there is no way we can remain completely loyal to the Lord. The world is pressuring us to give in and disobey what we know to be the will of God.
We can also draw the comparison of Christ giving His life on the cross for our liberty. It seemed as if He, too, was defeated, but three days later He arose from the grave to conquer sin.
We can be thrown into dispair when we look around us and see all the bad things that are going on. Sure, the Alamo was lost, but only for a while. Later, General Sam Houston used the extra time given to him by the men of the Alamo to prepare his troops to defeat Santa Anna giving Texas freedom and eventually entrance into the United States.
Hang in there fellow Christian soldier...Remember the Alamo. And remember Calvary!
Can you imagine what must have gone through those mens minds as they fought off superior numbers day after day? They endured because they believed in their cause, independence for Texas. In the end, however, the Mexican forces overwhelmed the undermanned mission and each man inside gave up his life for the liberty of others.
There is so much we can draw from this event as Christians. How often do we feel that Satan and his forces are overwhelming us? Sometimes it seems as if there is no way we can remain completely loyal to the Lord. The world is pressuring us to give in and disobey what we know to be the will of God.
We can also draw the comparison of Christ giving His life on the cross for our liberty. It seemed as if He, too, was defeated, but three days later He arose from the grave to conquer sin.
We can be thrown into dispair when we look around us and see all the bad things that are going on. Sure, the Alamo was lost, but only for a while. Later, General Sam Houston used the extra time given to him by the men of the Alamo to prepare his troops to defeat Santa Anna giving Texas freedom and eventually entrance into the United States.
Hang in there fellow Christian soldier...Remember the Alamo. And remember Calvary!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Last Words
It may have been Jeff Foxworthy who asked, "What's the final words of a redneck? Hey ya'll, watch this."
I recently came across some of the last words of several people. some of them fairly famous people, others not so well-known. Let me share a few with you.
Writer Oscar Wilde, died November 30, 1900 saying, "Either that wallpaper goes, or I do."
Dominique Bouhours, a French grammarian, died in 1702 and his last words were, "I am about to...or I am going to...die, either expression is correct."
Revolutionary communist Karl Marx gave his final words to his housekeeper who had urged him to say something profound for posterity but disappointed her in 1883 with these words, "Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven't said enough."
William Saroyan was a Pulitzer Prize winning writer of plays and novels whose works were known for their optimism. Before his death in 1981, he telephoned his final words to the Associated Press. "Everybody has got to die, but I have always believed an exception would be made in my case. Now what?"
Ever the businessman, P.T. Barnum in 1891 asked "How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?"
The last words of a person tell us a great deal about him. There was another person whose final words reverberate through history over 2000 years after He uttered them from a cross. Jesus of Nazareth uttered seven phrases from Calvary that tell us a lot about Him and how we should live our lives. I encourage you to take time to read them again and understand that His final words were not about Himself, but were for you.
I recently came across some of the last words of several people. some of them fairly famous people, others not so well-known. Let me share a few with you.
Writer Oscar Wilde, died November 30, 1900 saying, "Either that wallpaper goes, or I do."
Dominique Bouhours, a French grammarian, died in 1702 and his last words were, "I am about to...or I am going to...die, either expression is correct."
Revolutionary communist Karl Marx gave his final words to his housekeeper who had urged him to say something profound for posterity but disappointed her in 1883 with these words, "Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven't said enough."
William Saroyan was a Pulitzer Prize winning writer of plays and novels whose works were known for their optimism. Before his death in 1981, he telephoned his final words to the Associated Press. "Everybody has got to die, but I have always believed an exception would be made in my case. Now what?"
Ever the businessman, P.T. Barnum in 1891 asked "How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?"
The last words of a person tell us a great deal about him. There was another person whose final words reverberate through history over 2000 years after He uttered them from a cross. Jesus of Nazareth uttered seven phrases from Calvary that tell us a lot about Him and how we should live our lives. I encourage you to take time to read them again and understand that His final words were not about Himself, but were for you.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Brown M&M's
Do you ever wonder where people get some of the things they beleive are real? It's amazing how often some misinformation or urban legend gets loose in this cyber-crazy world and people take it as the truth and run with it. Or worse, they don't care if it's the truth and pass it along because it's just too juicy to let lie.
I have found that that even extends to many people's perception of the Bible. In one of my all-time favorite movies, Rocky, the fighter's manager, Mick, tells Rockey, "It's like the Good Book says, 'You don't get no second chances.'" Huh? But so many are guilty of such biblical ignorance.
I bring this up because of a recent editorial by Michael Smerconish in the Philadelphia Inquirer. He quoted Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth's explanation as to why the band wanted no brown M&Ms backstage during its concerts.
Understand that many big-name entertainment acts have a "rider" in their contract detailing what they want before a show. Such clauses demand everything from specific equipment down to what food they want backstage. Van Halen requested M&Ms but absolutely no brown ones.
When those details became public the band became known as the poster boys for being spoiled.
However, Roth says there was a very legitimate reason for the odd request. He said Van Halen was the first group to be using a very sophisticated lighting system that required different accommmodations than standard lighting used by most every other act. To ensure that staging the show was done properly, the group included the M&M clause in it's rider to make sure the full contract specifications were met. If brown M&M's showed up backstage, they knew some of the important demands may have been ignored and safety issues could occur.
This is a roundabout way of stressing how important Bible study is. If we don't read what God has given us, we're apt to believe anything anyone says as the gospel truth!
I have found that that even extends to many people's perception of the Bible. In one of my all-time favorite movies, Rocky, the fighter's manager, Mick, tells Rockey, "It's like the Good Book says, 'You don't get no second chances.'" Huh? But so many are guilty of such biblical ignorance.
I bring this up because of a recent editorial by Michael Smerconish in the Philadelphia Inquirer. He quoted Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth's explanation as to why the band wanted no brown M&Ms backstage during its concerts.
Understand that many big-name entertainment acts have a "rider" in their contract detailing what they want before a show. Such clauses demand everything from specific equipment down to what food they want backstage. Van Halen requested M&Ms but absolutely no brown ones.
When those details became public the band became known as the poster boys for being spoiled.
However, Roth says there was a very legitimate reason for the odd request. He said Van Halen was the first group to be using a very sophisticated lighting system that required different accommmodations than standard lighting used by most every other act. To ensure that staging the show was done properly, the group included the M&M clause in it's rider to make sure the full contract specifications were met. If brown M&M's showed up backstage, they knew some of the important demands may have been ignored and safety issues could occur.
This is a roundabout way of stressing how important Bible study is. If we don't read what God has given us, we're apt to believe anything anyone says as the gospel truth!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Play It Smart
Let me share some true stories about dumb people.
A man walked into a Burger King one morning in Ypsilanti, Michigan, flashed a gun and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. Frustrated, the would-be robber walked away.
A Louisiana man walked into a convenience store, put a $20 bill on the counter and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer? $15.
One more story. Two Kentucky men tried to pull the front off a cash machine by running a chain from the machine to the bumper of their pickup truck. Instead of pulling the front panel off the machine, they pulled the bumper off their truck. Scared, they left the scene and drove home...with the chain still attached to the machine...with their bumper still attached to the chain...with their vehicle's license plate still attached to the bumper.
There is no shortage of dumb people in this world. Even more amazing is how many people reject the Word of God. The Bible says "The fool says in his heart there is no God." (Psalm 14:1)
In light of all the evidence that exists for a Creator, and even for His Son Jesus Christ, so many people refuse to bow before Him.
The Bible says the day will come when every knee will bow before Him (Philippians 2:10). To wait until it is too late is tragic and, well, just dumb.
A man walked into a Burger King one morning in Ypsilanti, Michigan, flashed a gun and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. Frustrated, the would-be robber walked away.
A Louisiana man walked into a convenience store, put a $20 bill on the counter and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer? $15.
One more story. Two Kentucky men tried to pull the front off a cash machine by running a chain from the machine to the bumper of their pickup truck. Instead of pulling the front panel off the machine, they pulled the bumper off their truck. Scared, they left the scene and drove home...with the chain still attached to the machine...with their bumper still attached to the chain...with their vehicle's license plate still attached to the bumper.
There is no shortage of dumb people in this world. Even more amazing is how many people reject the Word of God. The Bible says "The fool says in his heart there is no God." (Psalm 14:1)
In light of all the evidence that exists for a Creator, and even for His Son Jesus Christ, so many people refuse to bow before Him.
The Bible says the day will come when every knee will bow before Him (Philippians 2:10). To wait until it is too late is tragic and, well, just dumb.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Reaping the Harvest
Sunday we considered the words of Jesus in Matthew 9:35-38 as He talked about the fields being white unto the harvest. In other words, the many people needing to know about Christ.
Herein lies one of the great truths of the Christian faith: The harvest will never be reaped unless there are reapers to reap it. Jesus Christ needs men and women to bring in the harvest. Jesus' followers today need to see people as Jesus saw them - as plentiful, precious, perplexed and perishing.
What can we do?
a) We can take responsibility for our field. Think of all the people we contact everyday: family, friends, neighbors, work associates, the woman at the cleaners, the guy at the car wash, our hunting buddies, and our bunko group. That is our field. We are responsible for them. We will never have a sense of urgency and priority until we realize that we are responsible for them.
b) We can pray. When we begin to see people as Jesus saw them then we will pray for the harvest. We will pray for the salvation of the lost, for the church to be trainers of reapers, and for men and women to go into the harvest. We will pray for workers, laborers, servers, and givers. But we must do more than pray.
c) We can go. When we see people as Jesus saw them we will go into the harvest. We can't bring in the harvest without first going into the harvest. Our job is not to save the harvest - that's God's work. Our job is to tell people about the Lord of the harvest. The gospel begins with go. Without going there is no knowing. If we don't go, who will?
d) We can share our story. The great sin of the church is the sin of silence. People often say, "I'll let my life be my witness." (By the way, if you are saying that, how's that going? How many people have come to Christ because they watched your life?) We have taken the Great Commission and made it into the great omission. A subtle false teaching says we can be evangelical without being evangelistic. It has us believe that we go to church rather than we go into the world.
But, you say, there are so many people. The harvest is so vast. The needs are so overwhelming. What can I do?
Illustration: I am reminded of the old man, walking the beach at dawn, who noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Catching up with the youth, he asked what he was doing. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun. "But the beach goes on for miles, and there are millions of starfish," countered the old man. "How can your effort make a difference?" The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it to safety in the waves. "It makes a difference to this one," he said.
Let's make a difference to those around us for eternity.
Herein lies one of the great truths of the Christian faith: The harvest will never be reaped unless there are reapers to reap it. Jesus Christ needs men and women to bring in the harvest. Jesus' followers today need to see people as Jesus saw them - as plentiful, precious, perplexed and perishing.
What can we do?
a) We can take responsibility for our field. Think of all the people we contact everyday: family, friends, neighbors, work associates, the woman at the cleaners, the guy at the car wash, our hunting buddies, and our bunko group. That is our field. We are responsible for them. We will never have a sense of urgency and priority until we realize that we are responsible for them.
b) We can pray. When we begin to see people as Jesus saw them then we will pray for the harvest. We will pray for the salvation of the lost, for the church to be trainers of reapers, and for men and women to go into the harvest. We will pray for workers, laborers, servers, and givers. But we must do more than pray.
c) We can go. When we see people as Jesus saw them we will go into the harvest. We can't bring in the harvest without first going into the harvest. Our job is not to save the harvest - that's God's work. Our job is to tell people about the Lord of the harvest. The gospel begins with go. Without going there is no knowing. If we don't go, who will?
d) We can share our story. The great sin of the church is the sin of silence. People often say, "I'll let my life be my witness." (By the way, if you are saying that, how's that going? How many people have come to Christ because they watched your life?) We have taken the Great Commission and made it into the great omission. A subtle false teaching says we can be evangelical without being evangelistic. It has us believe that we go to church rather than we go into the world.
But, you say, there are so many people. The harvest is so vast. The needs are so overwhelming. What can I do?
Illustration: I am reminded of the old man, walking the beach at dawn, who noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Catching up with the youth, he asked what he was doing. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun. "But the beach goes on for miles, and there are millions of starfish," countered the old man. "How can your effort make a difference?" The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it to safety in the waves. "It makes a difference to this one," he said.
Let's make a difference to those around us for eternity.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Smart Words
Solomon is widely considered to be the wisest man to ever live. In Proverbs 10:23 he said, "A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom."
With that in mind I once again pass these nuggets of wisdom along...
* To the world you might be one person; but to one person you might be the world.
*Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald's makes you a cheeseburger.
*Real friends are those who, when you feel you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel you've done a permanent job.
*A coincidence is when God performs a miracle and decides to remain anonymous.
*Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side.
*I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.
*Lead your life so you won't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.
*Did it ever occur to you that nothing occurs to God?
*Life is like an onion; you peel off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep.
*There are two things I have learned; there is a God. And I'm not Him.
*Following the path of least resistance is what makes rivers and men crooked.
*Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you're beyond the need of God's grace.
Have a blessed week!
With that in mind I once again pass these nuggets of wisdom along...
* To the world you might be one person; but to one person you might be the world.
*Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald's makes you a cheeseburger.
*Real friends are those who, when you feel you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel you've done a permanent job.
*A coincidence is when God performs a miracle and decides to remain anonymous.
*Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side.
*I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.
*Lead your life so you won't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.
*Did it ever occur to you that nothing occurs to God?
*Life is like an onion; you peel off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep.
*There are two things I have learned; there is a God. And I'm not Him.
*Following the path of least resistance is what makes rivers and men crooked.
*Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you're beyond the need of God's grace.
Have a blessed week!
Monday, January 23, 2012
The Next Level
This past Sunday I brought a message entitled The Next Level that concentrates on Christians raising their level of committment to Jesus Christ and the Christian life. Part of that committment is living a life of obedience.
Obedience is a central theme throughout Scripture. From the opening pages of creation all the way to the closing verses of Revelation, it's hard not to find the subject of obedience on every other page of the Bible. Christ not only said "Believe in Me" but He also said "Follow Me." If we follow Him then we will be obedient as He was.
Unfortunately, many today totally ignore or dismiss obeying God's commands. I think this is because obedience confronts our sins.
I beleive that the reason so many people bash Denver Bronco quarterback Tim Tebow is because he actually lives his faith. They hate him for that because it forces them to examine their own lives and they realize they are not living as they know they should. They would rather Tebow to come down to their level rather than rise to the level he lives.
Adam Wainwright, a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and a devout Christian said he admires Tebow's open faith and said if more Christian athletes were living the lives they should, Tebow's life would not receive the scrutiny it does.
God commands us to live a certain way - His way. And we'll do it even when it's hard to do so.
Obedience is a central theme throughout Scripture. From the opening pages of creation all the way to the closing verses of Revelation, it's hard not to find the subject of obedience on every other page of the Bible. Christ not only said "Believe in Me" but He also said "Follow Me." If we follow Him then we will be obedient as He was.
Unfortunately, many today totally ignore or dismiss obeying God's commands. I think this is because obedience confronts our sins.
I beleive that the reason so many people bash Denver Bronco quarterback Tim Tebow is because he actually lives his faith. They hate him for that because it forces them to examine their own lives and they realize they are not living as they know they should. They would rather Tebow to come down to their level rather than rise to the level he lives.
Adam Wainwright, a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and a devout Christian said he admires Tebow's open faith and said if more Christian athletes were living the lives they should, Tebow's life would not receive the scrutiny it does.
God commands us to live a certain way - His way. And we'll do it even when it's hard to do so.
Friday, January 13, 2012
What It Takes
Professional golfer Tiger Woods was once asked why he was so hard to beat on the final day of a tournament. His response was, "I know what it takes to play in a final round of any tournament. You can't let yourself look ahead to the final outcome, because if you don't take care of the present, the final outcome may not be what you want."
Now I know that Tiger may not be the best source of advice in light of his recent personal problems, but I think this is good advice not only for golf, but for life as well. If we don't focus on the present, the future may not turn out the way we hoped. As I get older, the more important taking care of the present dominates my thoughts.
Now, a couple of weeks into the new year, many are probably already lamenting that they've broken their resolutions. Today, however, is a great day to set new goals in order to take care of the now. Here are some ideas I came across recently.
* If you want good health in your 60's and 70's, pay attention to things like diet, smoking, and exercise right now.
* If you want friends tomorrow, think about how you are treating people today.
* If you want to pass along a good name to your children, pay attention to what your conscience is telling you today.
* If you want a stable, intact home, honor your family committment today.
* If you want to live with self-respect, a clear conscience, and confidence about eternity, be sure about your relationship with God right now.
These are but a few things we can do that will make us wiser. Then we can enjoy life more and trust God with the future.
Now I know that Tiger may not be the best source of advice in light of his recent personal problems, but I think this is good advice not only for golf, but for life as well. If we don't focus on the present, the future may not turn out the way we hoped. As I get older, the more important taking care of the present dominates my thoughts.
Now, a couple of weeks into the new year, many are probably already lamenting that they've broken their resolutions. Today, however, is a great day to set new goals in order to take care of the now. Here are some ideas I came across recently.
* If you want good health in your 60's and 70's, pay attention to things like diet, smoking, and exercise right now.
* If you want friends tomorrow, think about how you are treating people today.
* If you want to pass along a good name to your children, pay attention to what your conscience is telling you today.
* If you want a stable, intact home, honor your family committment today.
* If you want to live with self-respect, a clear conscience, and confidence about eternity, be sure about your relationship with God right now.
These are but a few things we can do that will make us wiser. Then we can enjoy life more and trust God with the future.
Monday, January 2, 2012
New Year, New Life
We have begun a new teaching series at Lawson Baptist entitled New Life, New Year. I know many people make resolutions at the beginning of a new year. Or, maybe you are like me and prefer to set goals. One of my goals is to be more frequent with this medium to encourage and inform others.
With that in mind, I want to pass along some goals that I came across several years ago that are still very pertinent today. By engaging in these suggestions, your family life is sure to get stronger.
*Eat dinner as a family for seven days in a row.
*Give each family member a hug for twenty-one days in a row (that's how long the experts say it takes to develop a habit).
*Pray for your spouse and children every day.
*Take a walk as a family.
*Encourage each child to submit to you his most perplexing question, and promise him that you'll either answer it or discuss it with him.
*Ask you children each day what they did at school (what they learned, who they ate lunch with, etc.).
*Call your spouse from work just to see how they are doing.
*Compile a family tree and teach your children the history of their ancestors.
*Spend an evening going through old pictures from family vacations.
*Place with your will a letter to each family member telling why you were glad you got to share life with them.
*Give regularly and faithfully to your church, not only money but time.
*If your car has a Christian bumper sticker on it - drive like it!
With that in mind, I want to pass along some goals that I came across several years ago that are still very pertinent today. By engaging in these suggestions, your family life is sure to get stronger.
*Eat dinner as a family for seven days in a row.
*Give each family member a hug for twenty-one days in a row (that's how long the experts say it takes to develop a habit).
*Pray for your spouse and children every day.
*Take a walk as a family.
*Encourage each child to submit to you his most perplexing question, and promise him that you'll either answer it or discuss it with him.
*Ask you children each day what they did at school (what they learned, who they ate lunch with, etc.).
*Call your spouse from work just to see how they are doing.
*Compile a family tree and teach your children the history of their ancestors.
*Spend an evening going through old pictures from family vacations.
*Place with your will a letter to each family member telling why you were glad you got to share life with them.
*Give regularly and faithfully to your church, not only money but time.
*If your car has a Christian bumper sticker on it - drive like it!
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