What fun times I had as a child with my Dad and Mom. I have no idea how he did it but my Dad found a way each Summer to take his family on vacation. He was a maintenance man working for a company called Westinghouse and couldn't have been making a lot of money. But each year we would travel to Florida for a family vacation.
I also remember times when my parents would take us to special events. One in particular was the state fair. To a young boy from a small town, traveling by car for an hour, to the largest city in Alabama (Birmingham) and going to the Alabama State Fair was a big deal.
I remember walking along-side my Dad and Mom as we saw all the sights and rode the rides. This trip too became an annual event just like vacations. Sometime in October we set aside an evening and enjoyed the fair as a family.
There were always "head-liners" at the fair. Celebrities who would stand on the stage and either perform or speak to the crowd and finally come down to the fence to shake hands and sign autographs.
Let me ramble for a moment. Bonanza was the top television show this particular year. "Hoss" and "Little Joe" were the stars and they were going to be at the fair. Nothing would do except for me to get to see "Hoss" and "Little Joe". So after purchasing tickets and sitting in the stands to hear them talk, my dad purchased a black and white glossy picture of them (Dan Blocker and Michael Landon), put me on his shoulders and pushed and shoved his way through the crowd, up to the fence and close enough for me to get an autograph of my two heroes. I kept that picture for many years.
Sorry, back to my point. One part of the fair that impressed me was the walk down the "midway". There were merry-go-rounds, and Farris wheels,"The house of mirrors" and the "tunnel of horrors". There were men who guessed your age and guessed your weight. Little booths with bright shinny trinkets to catch the eye of the passer-by. Why you could knock over just three bottles with a baseball and win a prize. You could hit just three targets with this gun and win a teddy bear. And then there were the "barkers" as Dad called them. They were men who stood along side the "shows" and called to the people as they passed by.
"Step right up" they would yell, "See the two-headed dog". "Don't miss seeing the bearded lady, only 25 cents". Some of the attractions were fun and we were allowed spend our quarter or dime to see. But some, even though the "barkers" called and tried their best to entice us were simply not something Dad would allow our little family to experience.
I actually didn't have to even ask. I would hold to Dad's hand and he would gently guide me to the places that were good for me and gently but firmly guide me to the places that would be detrimental. That made for fun at the fair. That made good memories that I carry to this day.
My daily life and your daily life are exactly like going to the state fair. I sit down at my computer each morning and what do I see? The new "trending" items that someone has prepared for me to spend my time reading. I turn on the morning news and am exposed to the "talking heads" who try to entice me to their line of thinking.
Someone commits a crime or suffers some injustice someplace far away and I should be concerned. Granted it is a bad thing when someone commits a crime but if that is far away and has nothing to do with me, should I stop to even listen? Is this something that should warrant my time and attention?
Some politician embezzled money, some movie star cheated on his wife, some singer is on drugs or some sports figure is getting an unbelievable raise. A group of blacks or Hispanics or Muslims are marching because they feel like they have been abused and misused.
The radio, the television, the Internet and the newspapers all scream like the "barkers" along the midway. "Look at this", "be concerned about this", "this is important to you". But you know what? It isn't, or it shouldn't be.
Philippians 4:8 tells us, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think
on these things".
I know some will say I have a very narrow world view. Some will say I lock myself in my own little world and have a closed mind. But the way I see it is that I'm walking down them midway of life and all sorts of things call for my attention. Some of the things are good and some are bad. I need help knowing who and what to listen to.
I think it's great that I can start my day off asking my Father to walk with me and hold my hand. The "barkers" will always be there. There will be bright lights, loud music, pretty pictures and enticing exhibits. But our Father knows best and if we allow Him to, He will hold our hand and gently lead us to the things that are best for us.
For me, that makes for a lot of fun in my life and a lifetime of good memories. But even more, it makes for a safe trip home.
"Father, hold my hand today. Please let me be obedient to your leading".
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
STEPS TO SIN
My Dad was a man who usually said what he was thinking. One day the local Baptist preacher came by to visit while Dad was working out around the house. The Pastor was a man of many words and loved to converse and visit. Dad, although quite a talker himself, was also a man who valued his time at work. When he worked, he worked and when he talked, he talked. After a long while of listening to the pastor run on about various and sundry topics Dad stopped him and said, "Preacher, you know, I believe a man who talks as much as you do has to lie sometimes". I'm not sure if that preacher ever came back to visit again.
Well, I'm almost in the same boat. I've read so much and said so much and heard so much that I'm not sure if I ever have an original thought. I don't remember if the things I say are my thoughts or thoughts that I have heard or read. However what I am about to share with you is certainly not original because I read it early this morning about 2:30 am.
I was unable to sleep and God led me to a book by Beth Moore. She was talking about the shepherd King David and using his incident with Bathsheba, related three points that I thought were very insightful. So much so that I will try to share them with you in my own simple way. Beth had three steps, I have included a fourth step that I believe could be included here.
Step one in the sinning process is the SIN OF THE EYE.
I heard this statement of all places in a movie I was watching a few years ago. The insightful detective was trying to identify the bad guy who had been kidnapping people. The detective asked the question, "What do we covet most?" The answer to the question was "That which we most often see".
The point being that what we look at most, what we allow ourselves to view most often is the thing that we enjoy seeing and will make an effort to see and obtain for ourselves.
If we allow our eyes to look upon things that are unholy or sinful then our thoughts and minds will be swayed in that directions. We must be careful to look at the things that are righteous and good for us.
Step two in the sinning process is the SIN OF THE MIND.
When we see something we like the next natural step is to think about that thing. We focus our mind on what we would do if we had that thing, if we were able to use that thing for our own purposes. We allow our thoughts to be captivated by it.
Some might say "But we can't stop bad thoughts from entering into our minds". Perhaps not, but I believe it may follow the same logic that an old man shared once. He said, "You can't stop the birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hat".
Because I believe we don't sin accidentally, I believe we must first think on the things that are against God's will. From that point the sin moves to step three.
Step three in the process is the SIN OF THE MOUTH.
If we look upon sin and we think about sin we will undoubtedly begin to speak about that sin. Ever enter a Sunday school class room or a gathering of people anywhere and just listen to the conversations? People will naturally talk about the things that interest them. Talk to a man long enough and he will bring the conversation around to the things that interest him or he will find a way to end the conversation.
If our eyes look on evil and our thoughts are evil in no time at all our conversation will become evil.
Step four in the process is SIN OF THE BODY.
You can't see it, think about it, talk about it and never do it. David saw Bathsheba on the roof. (He looked upon her with his eyes). He considered her beauty.(He thought about her). He inquired about her. (He talked about her). And ultimately he sent for her. (He sent for her). What David did in his sinful situation, you and I will do if we allow ourselves to walk in his footsteps.
The methodology of sin is evident and sure. But the methodology of NOT SINNING is too. What would be the easiest way to stop a run-away train? Never let it get started.
If at any point you find yourself participating in any one of these steps, STOP and confess to God your weakness or your sin. Ask for forgiveness and ask God to help you in this area. If we understand our enemy and his tactics we can better resist them.
Watch your steps. Do not enter into sin.
Well, I'm almost in the same boat. I've read so much and said so much and heard so much that I'm not sure if I ever have an original thought. I don't remember if the things I say are my thoughts or thoughts that I have heard or read. However what I am about to share with you is certainly not original because I read it early this morning about 2:30 am.
I was unable to sleep and God led me to a book by Beth Moore. She was talking about the shepherd King David and using his incident with Bathsheba, related three points that I thought were very insightful. So much so that I will try to share them with you in my own simple way. Beth had three steps, I have included a fourth step that I believe could be included here.
Step one in the sinning process is the SIN OF THE EYE.
I heard this statement of all places in a movie I was watching a few years ago. The insightful detective was trying to identify the bad guy who had been kidnapping people. The detective asked the question, "What do we covet most?" The answer to the question was "That which we most often see".
The point being that what we look at most, what we allow ourselves to view most often is the thing that we enjoy seeing and will make an effort to see and obtain for ourselves.
If we allow our eyes to look upon things that are unholy or sinful then our thoughts and minds will be swayed in that directions. We must be careful to look at the things that are righteous and good for us.
Step two in the sinning process is the SIN OF THE MIND.
When we see something we like the next natural step is to think about that thing. We focus our mind on what we would do if we had that thing, if we were able to use that thing for our own purposes. We allow our thoughts to be captivated by it.
Some might say "But we can't stop bad thoughts from entering into our minds". Perhaps not, but I believe it may follow the same logic that an old man shared once. He said, "You can't stop the birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hat".
Because I believe we don't sin accidentally, I believe we must first think on the things that are against God's will. From that point the sin moves to step three.
Step three in the process is the SIN OF THE MOUTH.
If we look upon sin and we think about sin we will undoubtedly begin to speak about that sin. Ever enter a Sunday school class room or a gathering of people anywhere and just listen to the conversations? People will naturally talk about the things that interest them. Talk to a man long enough and he will bring the conversation around to the things that interest him or he will find a way to end the conversation.
If our eyes look on evil and our thoughts are evil in no time at all our conversation will become evil.
Step four in the process is SIN OF THE BODY.
You can't see it, think about it, talk about it and never do it. David saw Bathsheba on the roof. (He looked upon her with his eyes). He considered her beauty.(He thought about her). He inquired about her. (He talked about her). And ultimately he sent for her. (He sent for her). What David did in his sinful situation, you and I will do if we allow ourselves to walk in his footsteps.
The methodology of sin is evident and sure. But the methodology of NOT SINNING is too. What would be the easiest way to stop a run-away train? Never let it get started.
If at any point you find yourself participating in any one of these steps, STOP and confess to God your weakness or your sin. Ask for forgiveness and ask God to help you in this area. If we understand our enemy and his tactics we can better resist them.
Watch your steps. Do not enter into sin.
Monday, April 23, 2012
I GOT THIS
I knelt down beside my bed last night, before I went to sleep and tried to share with God my concerns about the upcoming day.
You see before the sun comes up in the morning, a friend of mine will face brain surgery to remove a tumor. That's major stuff Lord. It ain't some little thing, It ain't rocket science Lord, it's brain surgery.
And as I always do I remind Him of my children, some who are doing well and some who are not. "It's their heart and soul Lord", I prayed, "Capture their hearts and souls".
It takes me longer to run through my grandchildren now. I name them one by one. It's getting harder to do. They are multiplying and my memory bank is almost bankrupt.
And before I forget it Lord, here's another thing that tomorrow has in store. Another friend of mine faces cancer. I saw the hopelessness in his eyes just the other day. What's to become of him?
Our church is struggling under the weight of Satan's assault. We have members losing jobs and losing money and losing heart.
And my best friend Lord, my wife, is discouraged and upset about what the future holds for two "grandparents" whose jobs are changing and whose lives are changing. We hate change.
My health is surely downhill from here. I think I just need to remind you of this. You've got no health issues where you are but it's a pain down here you know.
My nephew is graduating from high school and going into college. What a change that will be for him. What challenges he will face, what difficult times will trouble him?
Do I have the time to talk about the state of our nation, our world? Does "going to hell in a hand basket" mean anything to you Lord?
And then I stopped "praying"....and listened. As the night grew still about me I was almost out of breath from all my "sharing", and God spoke.
"Go to sleep" He said, "I got this".
You see before the sun comes up in the morning, a friend of mine will face brain surgery to remove a tumor. That's major stuff Lord. It ain't some little thing, It ain't rocket science Lord, it's brain surgery.
And as I always do I remind Him of my children, some who are doing well and some who are not. "It's their heart and soul Lord", I prayed, "Capture their hearts and souls".
It takes me longer to run through my grandchildren now. I name them one by one. It's getting harder to do. They are multiplying and my memory bank is almost bankrupt.
And before I forget it Lord, here's another thing that tomorrow has in store. Another friend of mine faces cancer. I saw the hopelessness in his eyes just the other day. What's to become of him?
Our church is struggling under the weight of Satan's assault. We have members losing jobs and losing money and losing heart.
And my best friend Lord, my wife, is discouraged and upset about what the future holds for two "grandparents" whose jobs are changing and whose lives are changing. We hate change.
My health is surely downhill from here. I think I just need to remind you of this. You've got no health issues where you are but it's a pain down here you know.
My nephew is graduating from high school and going into college. What a change that will be for him. What challenges he will face, what difficult times will trouble him?
Do I have the time to talk about the state of our nation, our world? Does "going to hell in a hand basket" mean anything to you Lord?
And then I stopped "praying"....and listened. As the night grew still about me I was almost out of breath from all my "sharing", and God spoke.
"Go to sleep" He said, "I got this".
Thursday, April 19, 2012
MORNING BLESSINGS
It certainly wasn't sunrise. The lazy sun was still more than an hour from poking it's head out of bed. The Eastern sky was that bluish-gray color that turns to yellow-gold eventually as the sun climbs higher in the sky.
I rolled over and looked at the clock. Ugh! Just as I suspected. 5:37 a.m. I'm already 7 minutes behind. But I lay there a bit and listened to the morning sounds. Daddy always told me that the smaller "critters" move first in the mornings. The little birds, the the bigger birds, then the animals and finally man. I don't know if that is true or just something Daddy said to make me think he knew a lot. I honestly believe he did that sometimes. I know for a fact that I did that with my kids.
But as I closed my eyes and listened, I could hear the little grass birds do that little "squeaky" thing that they do. I guess you'd call it a chirp. The longer I lay there the more of their "bigger" friends joined them. The morning doves started their "cooing", and before long there was a symphony of those little feathered creatures singing their hearts out.
Some mornings Keva and I lay there in bed and try to make words out of the cadence of the songs that they sing. "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus", one will sing. "My God is wonderful" another joins in. I know, it's all in my imagination...or is it?
The cool morning breeze blew past the bedroom certain and washed over me. I pulled the sheet up a little tighter. "Just a few more minutes please", I thought.
What could be better? But as it usually does when I ask that question, a wonderful scripture came to mind. "Eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor hath entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love Him".
Really? Honestly? Could it get better than this? Songs better than those sung by God's creatures? Smells better than the natural aroma therapy provided by God's flowers? The God ordained air conditioner blowing the cool breeze? Better than that?
Yep. One day, someday I'll wake up and hear a grander song. Instead of hundreds of birds I'll wake to the songs of un-countable angles. And then their songs will hush, the angles will hold their peace and the redeemed of all ages will begin their praise. What a song that will be!
One day, someday my eyes will behold colors and blends of colors that not only can't be described by human words but can't be imagined by the human mind.
The wind of heaven blowing through the branches of the tree of life. Wow! what an experience that will be!
Thank you Lord for this morning. Thank you for the things that you have created for my enjoyment. I will enjoy them while I am here but let me never forget that the best days are ahead. The best sounds, smells and sensations are saved not for this world but for the one to come. Like the Word said, "I can't even imagine what it's going to be like". I hope I'll see you there.
I rolled over and looked at the clock. Ugh! Just as I suspected. 5:37 a.m. I'm already 7 minutes behind. But I lay there a bit and listened to the morning sounds. Daddy always told me that the smaller "critters" move first in the mornings. The little birds, the the bigger birds, then the animals and finally man. I don't know if that is true or just something Daddy said to make me think he knew a lot. I honestly believe he did that sometimes. I know for a fact that I did that with my kids.
But as I closed my eyes and listened, I could hear the little grass birds do that little "squeaky" thing that they do. I guess you'd call it a chirp. The longer I lay there the more of their "bigger" friends joined them. The morning doves started their "cooing", and before long there was a symphony of those little feathered creatures singing their hearts out.
Some mornings Keva and I lay there in bed and try to make words out of the cadence of the songs that they sing. "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus", one will sing. "My God is wonderful" another joins in. I know, it's all in my imagination...or is it?
The cool morning breeze blew past the bedroom certain and washed over me. I pulled the sheet up a little tighter. "Just a few more minutes please", I thought.
What could be better? But as it usually does when I ask that question, a wonderful scripture came to mind. "Eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor hath entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love Him".
Really? Honestly? Could it get better than this? Songs better than those sung by God's creatures? Smells better than the natural aroma therapy provided by God's flowers? The God ordained air conditioner blowing the cool breeze? Better than that?
Yep. One day, someday I'll wake up and hear a grander song. Instead of hundreds of birds I'll wake to the songs of un-countable angles. And then their songs will hush, the angles will hold their peace and the redeemed of all ages will begin their praise. What a song that will be!
One day, someday my eyes will behold colors and blends of colors that not only can't be described by human words but can't be imagined by the human mind.
The wind of heaven blowing through the branches of the tree of life. Wow! what an experience that will be!
Thank you Lord for this morning. Thank you for the things that you have created for my enjoyment. I will enjoy them while I am here but let me never forget that the best days are ahead. The best sounds, smells and sensations are saved not for this world but for the one to come. Like the Word said, "I can't even imagine what it's going to be like". I hope I'll see you there.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
SABBATH WITHOUT THE SAVIOR
I have not studied enough to actually know how the disciples of Jesus worshiped on the Sabbath. I can only imagine in my mind this morning what it was like going to church with Jesus. I mean physically strolling down the street, walking up to the door of the temple, sitting down beside Him and listening to the scripture being read. I can't imagine what it would be like to listen as He stood and spoke about the various portions of scripture. In my imagination, I can't come up with what it would be like to sit beside Him as He lifted His eyes toward heaven and prayed to His Father. Joy and peace would no doubt saturate that place and the hearts of those who experienced that happening. What a worshipful occasion that would be. Can you imagine the smiles on the faces? Can you imagine the hope they felt from the promises He shared with them?
This, as I understand it was not an uncommon happening. The Word tells us that Jesus went to the temple "as was His custom". He did it on a regular basis.
Last Saturday as I was walking out to the garden to work, I was enjoying the beautiful sunshine. I delighted in the birds singing and the bright green of the grass and the various colors of the flowers. The beautiful dogwoods were blooming as they always do this time of the year. I thought what a wonderful day it was, the day before Easter.
But then the thought came to me of what a horrible day it must have been for the disciples so many years ago. They experienced that Sabbath without their Savior.
I don't know if they even attended worship service in the temple that Sabbath morning. They might have been hiding. They might have been huddled together in some dark room somewhere fearful for their lives. But lets just imagine for a moment that they did find the courage to attend a service in the temple. What would it have been like?
Stand with me and look out across the faces of that little cadre of follower. What do you think we would see? Sadness, depression, loneliness would surely be the emotions expressed that day. They were beat down and defeated. What a sad sight they must have been as they came to worship without the Savior. They had lost the hope of the promise.
But can I tell you that I don't have to stretch my imagination very far to see those faces. As I stand on the platform each Sunday and try to lead the congregational music I think I see the same faces. Oh, it is not the faces of James, John and Peter. The faces I see have other names. But the sadness, depression and loneliness are the same. People in our congregation who have actually come to worship but have come without the Savior. So beat down by the dailiness of life that their joy, their song, their worship has been stolen. They have been mugged by a mischievous spirit. Their joy has been "jacked".
Their Savior is not in a tomb. He is not dead. He is risen. He has risen indeed! But you couldn't tell it by looking at their faces. You couldn't take most people's Christianity at "face value". I hate that about myself. I hate it that I let my daily chores make me frown. I hate it that people will look at me and see worry, fret, sadness or whatever my old face depicts. I want them to be able to see the hope and joy I have in my heart.
I don't ever want to experience a Sabbath without my Savior. I don't ever want to experience any day without my Savior. I want to enter into His house with joy and hope and expectation on my face. I want to enter and exit from my house with those same emotions.
I'm sure for the disciples that day it was the worse Sabbath they ever experienced. Let me tell you though, it's one that you and I will never have to experience. We will never have to go through a day without Him. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" He said. That was a promise. Do you have hope in that promise? Then tell you face about it.
This, as I understand it was not an uncommon happening. The Word tells us that Jesus went to the temple "as was His custom". He did it on a regular basis.
Last Saturday as I was walking out to the garden to work, I was enjoying the beautiful sunshine. I delighted in the birds singing and the bright green of the grass and the various colors of the flowers. The beautiful dogwoods were blooming as they always do this time of the year. I thought what a wonderful day it was, the day before Easter.
But then the thought came to me of what a horrible day it must have been for the disciples so many years ago. They experienced that Sabbath without their Savior.
I don't know if they even attended worship service in the temple that Sabbath morning. They might have been hiding. They might have been huddled together in some dark room somewhere fearful for their lives. But lets just imagine for a moment that they did find the courage to attend a service in the temple. What would it have been like?
Stand with me and look out across the faces of that little cadre of follower. What do you think we would see? Sadness, depression, loneliness would surely be the emotions expressed that day. They were beat down and defeated. What a sad sight they must have been as they came to worship without the Savior. They had lost the hope of the promise.
But can I tell you that I don't have to stretch my imagination very far to see those faces. As I stand on the platform each Sunday and try to lead the congregational music I think I see the same faces. Oh, it is not the faces of James, John and Peter. The faces I see have other names. But the sadness, depression and loneliness are the same. People in our congregation who have actually come to worship but have come without the Savior. So beat down by the dailiness of life that their joy, their song, their worship has been stolen. They have been mugged by a mischievous spirit. Their joy has been "jacked".
Their Savior is not in a tomb. He is not dead. He is risen. He has risen indeed! But you couldn't tell it by looking at their faces. You couldn't take most people's Christianity at "face value". I hate that about myself. I hate it that I let my daily chores make me frown. I hate it that people will look at me and see worry, fret, sadness or whatever my old face depicts. I want them to be able to see the hope and joy I have in my heart.
I don't ever want to experience a Sabbath without my Savior. I don't ever want to experience any day without my Savior. I want to enter into His house with joy and hope and expectation on my face. I want to enter and exit from my house with those same emotions.
I'm sure for the disciples that day it was the worse Sabbath they ever experienced. Let me tell you though, it's one that you and I will never have to experience. We will never have to go through a day without Him. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" He said. That was a promise. Do you have hope in that promise? Then tell you face about it.
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