What child doesn't love birthdays? As the time approaches for this special occasion the question is usually asked, "What do you want for you birthday?" Usually the child will present a long list of items that they think they can't live without.
I did that as a kid and imagine you did too. I still do it as an old man. As my birthday approaches Keva will inevitably ask me that same questions. My answers now are a bit different than when I was younger. I'll give her an item or two but usually it will be "It really doesn't matter". And you know, I like those gifts better because they are a surprise. Because when the gift is a surprise it carries a lot more excitement than if I know what is wrapped up in the bright paper or in the decorative bag.
As I sat in the swing this morning and watched the hummingbirds drink the red nectar from our hummingbird feeder, enjoyed the morning air and the sights across the fields I thought about heaven. I don't know much about heaven. Oh, the Word gives us a little information. We are told about streets of gold and gates of pearl and such and I don't mean to talk down about those things. It will be fantastic. But sometimes I think I'd really like to know what heaven is all about.
What will we do in heaven? Will there be work to do? Now some people might enjoy just sitting around and hanging their feet off a cloud and doing nothing for eternity but I'm really not looking forward to anything like that. I like to work. I've got to be doing something. That's just the way my Dad and Mom brought me up. Surely God will have some field to plow or some grass to cut or something that needs fixin'.
And what about a place to stay. I've never been one to covet mansions or the finer things in life. Heck, look at our house. Our floors are covered with 1 x 6 boards, The ceiling in the new room that I'm trying to finish (for the last 2 years) is covered with rusty tin and I'm good with that. Building my mansion "next door to Jesus" seems a little bit much for me. Will there be building codes...I mean, my mansion compared to His would be like building an out house next to the White House.
I've thought about the sights we will see. The music we will hear. (As much as I love four part harmony, I think it will be way out-done by the billion part harmony of heaven. And our ears will be able to distinguish between all the parts.) What will the fruit from the tree of life taste like? What will Jesus serve at the marriage supper?
Of course when I think about these things I remember the scripture that tells us, "Eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor has entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love Him" and I realize that you and I simply cannot imagine what our new home is going to be like.
And for me, that's perfectly alright. Because if I could say "Hey, Father would you give me a golden sidewalk and a front door made with pearls and may the water from the river of life taste as good as Keva's sweet tea on a hot summer day and when I look out the window of my mansion would you let there be acres of green pasture land with a big herd of black angus cattle? And my loving, Heavenly Father provided all that stuff for me, then where would my surprise be when I get there.
When Dad or Mom or Keva would buy me a gift, a gift that I didn't ask for, it was always greater than if I picked it out myself. Why is that? They know what I like. They picked it out just for me and they love me enough to give me the best they can buy.
I can't wait to open my package of Heaven. I can't wait for Jesus to take me by the hand and say "Come on let me show you what I've picked out for you". I can't wait to walk in and hear "SUPRISE!!!" and look around the room and see my Mom and Dad and Grand mothers and Grand father and all the friends and family who have gone on before jump out from behind a star or a cloud with smiles on their faces and pure joy in their hearts. What a wonderful, perfect gift that will be.
Hey, I want to invite you to my birthday party. Will you meet me there?
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Thursday, March 17, 2016
THE PURPOSE OF A CHURCH
If there was a place where people of all ages could feel LOVED, ACCEPTED, VALUED and NOT JUDGED, the problem would not be getting people to come there, the problem would be building a building large enough to hold them.
Monday, February 15, 2016
COWBOY UP
Gerald Oscar Dubose, if nothing else was a cowboy. He had been born on a ranch, raised up on a ranch and over the years had compiled large acreage and much cattle. His houses and barns were many. His barns were usually full of hay and his pastures full of cattle. "Boss" as everyone called him knew cows. He knew ranching and loved what he did.
In his earlier years he had developed quite a dynasty. He had a good crew of ranch hands who worked hard and got the job done but over the past few years times had changed and things had changed. Many of Boss's hands had left the ranch for greener pastures. Because of this a lot of work around the ranch had gone undone.
Now the house was in much need of repair. The barns were leaking, the fences were down, the pastures were not as fruitful as before. Heck, in some places there was no grass for the cattle to eat. And the cattle, oh my, the cattle looked "middlin" at best.
So Boss decided that something had to be done. One morning he called in his faithful foreman, a man everyone called "Shep" and told him to go into town and hire some more hands. "Get as many as you can", Boss said. "We must have good hands to run a ranch".
"But Boss" Shep replied, "most folks don't know how to cowboy anymore. I'm not sure how many good hands I can round up".
"Do your best", Boss said and sent him on his way.
Well, Shep did his best. He made poster signs and put them up on the telephone poles in town. He took out adds in the local paper. He went to the café and told everyone he knew about Boss's need. He even spent some of his own money and got a spot on the local radio station asking for those who needed a job and wanted to work. He listed all the benefits of working for such a good rancher at Boss.
He didn't get a lot of response, just as he expected. However, he did find a few and signed them on and carried them back to the ranch. They were given a place in the bunkhouse, given a horse, saddle, rope and all the gear and training they needed. They started work and seemed to be doing what was asked of them.
Not too many weeks later Boss told Shep that they needed to go down to the lower range and bring up the stray cattle that had wondered away. He had a load of stock that needed to be sent up to the rail head and sold. Shep got the men together. They were told of the importance of finding and bringing back all of the lost cows that they could find.
"Each one is important" Shep said, "we can't afford to loose even one. The fate of the ranch and our welfare depend on us don't a good job".
So off they rode. Shep sent them out to search and find the lost cattle. It wasn't too long before one of the men spotted Boss's prize bull. The bull started running away and the cowboy called for his co-workers to come and help him catch to runaway.
Suddenly the big old bull ran headlong into a slime pit. It was like quicksand and immediately the old bull started sinking.
"We've got to do something" the first cowboy cried. He quickly pulled out his rope and lassoed the old bull by the horns. His horse strained and pulled but the old bull wouldn't move.
"I'll help" another cowboy cried as he swung his lasso and caught the old bull by it's right front leg.
It wasn't long before the other riders saw the situation and galloped up to assist. One on the east side of the pit threw his rope and caught the bull by the left front leg. Another snagged him by his right rear leg and another by his left rear leg. One cowboy, riding up late even roped the old bull by his tail.
"He's a big one" one of the cowboys yelled, "pull as hard as you can". And they did. Each understanding the importance of saving the old bull. Each having honed their cowboy skills so as to know how to pull with their rope and horse. Each making every effort to accomplish his task.
But you know what happened don't you? With each individual cowboy pulling in an opposite direction, the old bull finally came out of the pit.......in pieces.
What a disaster! They meant well. They put their whole hearts into doing a good job. They had good equipment. They had been trained, but they were all pulling in a different direction.
I think God must have known something about "cowboy-ing". Acts 2:1 says it this way, "...They were all with one accord in one place". They were dedicated followers of Christ, they knew the mission, they had been trained well, they had good talent, skills and equipment, but God knew if they pulled in opposite directions the cause would be lost. So with much prayer, soul searching, surrender and trust they finally got to the place where they could pull in the same direction and look what happened. Three thousand "strays" rounded up in one day.
I don't have to tell you our ranch is in ruins. The house is in need of repair. Your house looks better than God's house. The fences are broken down. As Christians our parameters have been jeopardized. Souls are scattered and lost. The cowboys are few and far between, most have left for greener pastures.
But you say, "I'm still here. I'm still working for God's kingdom". But can I ask, are we pulling in the same direction? If we all are determined to do things "our way" and maintain the attitude "It's my way or the highway", souls will be lost.
Spend time in prayer, be obedient to the lessons you have learned, 'cowboy up" and pull in the right direction.
In his earlier years he had developed quite a dynasty. He had a good crew of ranch hands who worked hard and got the job done but over the past few years times had changed and things had changed. Many of Boss's hands had left the ranch for greener pastures. Because of this a lot of work around the ranch had gone undone.
Now the house was in much need of repair. The barns were leaking, the fences were down, the pastures were not as fruitful as before. Heck, in some places there was no grass for the cattle to eat. And the cattle, oh my, the cattle looked "middlin" at best.
So Boss decided that something had to be done. One morning he called in his faithful foreman, a man everyone called "Shep" and told him to go into town and hire some more hands. "Get as many as you can", Boss said. "We must have good hands to run a ranch".
"But Boss" Shep replied, "most folks don't know how to cowboy anymore. I'm not sure how many good hands I can round up".
"Do your best", Boss said and sent him on his way.
Well, Shep did his best. He made poster signs and put them up on the telephone poles in town. He took out adds in the local paper. He went to the café and told everyone he knew about Boss's need. He even spent some of his own money and got a spot on the local radio station asking for those who needed a job and wanted to work. He listed all the benefits of working for such a good rancher at Boss.
He didn't get a lot of response, just as he expected. However, he did find a few and signed them on and carried them back to the ranch. They were given a place in the bunkhouse, given a horse, saddle, rope and all the gear and training they needed. They started work and seemed to be doing what was asked of them.
Not too many weeks later Boss told Shep that they needed to go down to the lower range and bring up the stray cattle that had wondered away. He had a load of stock that needed to be sent up to the rail head and sold. Shep got the men together. They were told of the importance of finding and bringing back all of the lost cows that they could find.
"Each one is important" Shep said, "we can't afford to loose even one. The fate of the ranch and our welfare depend on us don't a good job".
So off they rode. Shep sent them out to search and find the lost cattle. It wasn't too long before one of the men spotted Boss's prize bull. The bull started running away and the cowboy called for his co-workers to come and help him catch to runaway.
Suddenly the big old bull ran headlong into a slime pit. It was like quicksand and immediately the old bull started sinking.
"We've got to do something" the first cowboy cried. He quickly pulled out his rope and lassoed the old bull by the horns. His horse strained and pulled but the old bull wouldn't move.
"I'll help" another cowboy cried as he swung his lasso and caught the old bull by it's right front leg.
It wasn't long before the other riders saw the situation and galloped up to assist. One on the east side of the pit threw his rope and caught the bull by the left front leg. Another snagged him by his right rear leg and another by his left rear leg. One cowboy, riding up late even roped the old bull by his tail.
"He's a big one" one of the cowboys yelled, "pull as hard as you can". And they did. Each understanding the importance of saving the old bull. Each having honed their cowboy skills so as to know how to pull with their rope and horse. Each making every effort to accomplish his task.
But you know what happened don't you? With each individual cowboy pulling in an opposite direction, the old bull finally came out of the pit.......in pieces.
What a disaster! They meant well. They put their whole hearts into doing a good job. They had good equipment. They had been trained, but they were all pulling in a different direction.
I think God must have known something about "cowboy-ing". Acts 2:1 says it this way, "...They were all with one accord in one place". They were dedicated followers of Christ, they knew the mission, they had been trained well, they had good talent, skills and equipment, but God knew if they pulled in opposite directions the cause would be lost. So with much prayer, soul searching, surrender and trust they finally got to the place where they could pull in the same direction and look what happened. Three thousand "strays" rounded up in one day.
I don't have to tell you our ranch is in ruins. The house is in need of repair. Your house looks better than God's house. The fences are broken down. As Christians our parameters have been jeopardized. Souls are scattered and lost. The cowboys are few and far between, most have left for greener pastures.
But you say, "I'm still here. I'm still working for God's kingdom". But can I ask, are we pulling in the same direction? If we all are determined to do things "our way" and maintain the attitude "It's my way or the highway", souls will be lost.
Spend time in prayer, be obedient to the lessons you have learned, 'cowboy up" and pull in the right direction.
Friday, January 15, 2016
FAITH IS AN ACTION WORD
As a young boy in school, if I needed to understand what a word meant, I was encouraged by my parents and teachers to "look it up in the dictionary". Today we usually turn to the internet. Wikipedia or Google can tell you anything you want to know, right?
Well, according to the internet, FAITH is defined as follows:
"A belief not based on proof".
The writer of Hebrews must have somehow known this "definition" was coming. Perhaps faith was being questioned in that day and time as it is today. Because of that, he begins his discourse regarding faith in Hebrews chapter 11 with this statement:
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen". Heb. 11: 1
More definitions:
Substance = material, the essential part of something
Example: When my uncle Dick, who was a carpenter, started building a house, he would make up a list of "materials". He listed 2 x 4's, 2 x 12's, squares of roofing, 4 x 8 plywood, bricks and blocks. All materials he would need to construct this structure. The substance was what the house was made of.
When my aunt Grace would make those fantastic fruit cakes that she made for Christmas, she would get her materials together. She would have apples, oranges, nuts, milk, flour and all sorts of stuff to make her cake. The substance of the cake was the combination of the materials, all essential parts of the whole.
Evidence=fact, proof, confirmation
Example: In a court of law each attorney will present pieces of evidence to the court in order to "prove" or confirm the facts they are trying to establish. A bullet fragment, a finger print, a gun, a knife, DNA are all examples of "evidence",
So this "unproved belief" that the internet speaks of is actually "essential material, facts that can be observed".
In Chilton County we would say "It's real stuff that we can see".
We usually don't think of faith in that light, do we? Faith is considered as some mystic, way out there, other-worldly, spiritual.....something. But can I share Paul's take on this with you? Read his words in Hebrews chapter 11. Over 25 times in this chapter we are given examples, evidence if you will, of what faith DID. Over and over we read "By faith ________ did this or that".
I propose to you that faith is not some "mystic fog floating around in the atmosphere of our souls". FAITH IS AN ACTION WORD. If you have faith others should know it by the way you live and by what you DO.
To often we want others to just accept our testimony that "I believe God" without the "evidence" to prove that statement.
Don't drag your weary body into the sanctuary, plop yourself down in your "spot" and moan about your hard week, sick body, poor financial status, doubts and fears and then as an epilogue proclaim for all to hear "I have faith brothers and sisters that God will bring me through". IF YOU HAVE FAITH LIVE LIKE YOU HAVE FAITH.
"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven". Matthew 5: 16
I have often said the reason our neighbors, friends, co-workers and family don't want to be Christians is because they have never seen one in ACTION. Take a look at the life you are living. Take a look at how you behave each day. Look at what others "see" in you. My prayer for you and for me today is that our faith will be the substantial evidence that proves our undeniable faith.
Well, according to the internet, FAITH is defined as follows:
"A belief not based on proof".
The writer of Hebrews must have somehow known this "definition" was coming. Perhaps faith was being questioned in that day and time as it is today. Because of that, he begins his discourse regarding faith in Hebrews chapter 11 with this statement:
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen". Heb. 11: 1
More definitions:
Substance = material, the essential part of something
Example: When my uncle Dick, who was a carpenter, started building a house, he would make up a list of "materials". He listed 2 x 4's, 2 x 12's, squares of roofing, 4 x 8 plywood, bricks and blocks. All materials he would need to construct this structure. The substance was what the house was made of.
When my aunt Grace would make those fantastic fruit cakes that she made for Christmas, she would get her materials together. She would have apples, oranges, nuts, milk, flour and all sorts of stuff to make her cake. The substance of the cake was the combination of the materials, all essential parts of the whole.
Evidence=fact, proof, confirmation
Example: In a court of law each attorney will present pieces of evidence to the court in order to "prove" or confirm the facts they are trying to establish. A bullet fragment, a finger print, a gun, a knife, DNA are all examples of "evidence",
So this "unproved belief" that the internet speaks of is actually "essential material, facts that can be observed".
In Chilton County we would say "It's real stuff that we can see".
We usually don't think of faith in that light, do we? Faith is considered as some mystic, way out there, other-worldly, spiritual.....something. But can I share Paul's take on this with you? Read his words in Hebrews chapter 11. Over 25 times in this chapter we are given examples, evidence if you will, of what faith DID. Over and over we read "By faith ________ did this or that".
I propose to you that faith is not some "mystic fog floating around in the atmosphere of our souls". FAITH IS AN ACTION WORD. If you have faith others should know it by the way you live and by what you DO.
To often we want others to just accept our testimony that "I believe God" without the "evidence" to prove that statement.
- If you have faith that God heals you. Act healed until you are.
- If you have faith that God will provide for your financial problems, act like He has.
- If you have faith that you have repented, walk daily in that repentance.
- If you believe that you are an "overcomer" face the world like you have overcome.
- If you believe that this is God's church served Him like it is.
Don't drag your weary body into the sanctuary, plop yourself down in your "spot" and moan about your hard week, sick body, poor financial status, doubts and fears and then as an epilogue proclaim for all to hear "I have faith brothers and sisters that God will bring me through". IF YOU HAVE FAITH LIVE LIKE YOU HAVE FAITH.
"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven". Matthew 5: 16
I have often said the reason our neighbors, friends, co-workers and family don't want to be Christians is because they have never seen one in ACTION. Take a look at the life you are living. Take a look at how you behave each day. Look at what others "see" in you. My prayer for you and for me today is that our faith will be the substantial evidence that proves our undeniable faith.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
I'D DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN
I read a statement recently which said, “Christ challenges us to REEXAMINE our
preconceptions”. I hate big words
that I don’t understand and don’t use on a daily basis. I don’t use the word “preconceptions”
many conversations. So I had to look it
up.
PRECONCEPTIONS means:
“an idea or opinion that someone has before learning about or
experiencing something directly”. In Chilton County terms it means: “Thinking
we know what something is all about before we actually know what it’s about”
Let me give an illustration. If you can remember that far back, what did you think marriage was
going to be like when you were a teen-ager or a pre-teen? (Loving and teasing and flirting?
Going out to movies or out to eat every week? Hanging out with friends and enjoying
life? Making lots of money and having a
big house and a nice car and beautiful, non-problematic children?)
That idea, that notion, that dream was a PRECONCEPTION. You know now that marriage is not about all
that stuff. There is much more to
marriage than just being on a “long date”.
They call it “renewing their wedding vows”. And it’s not a bad idea because if after you have truly learned all the good stuff AND the bad stuff about a person and still want to spend the rest of your life with them…..that’s love. You are then making your decision from the FACTS and not FEELINGS.
I read a story about the Kohinoor diamond. I won’t bore you with all the details of this
magnificent diamond. If you are
interested you can go online and find out how this diamond was first discovered
and how it was passed from hand to hand, stolen, reclaimed and finally given as
a gift. But I want to tell you a story
about this diamond that will help us understand the idea of REEXAMINING our
decisions.
According to one of the stories about this diamond, one very young
Maharajah who came into possession of this diamond visited Queen Victoria of
England. At that time India was under the control and rule of England.
In order to impress and honor the Queen, this young boy, this young
Maharajah, presented this very valuable diamond to Queen Victoria as a
gift.
Many years later, after the young maharajah had grown into a man, he
once again came to visit Queen Victoria.
The maharajah made a strange request of the Queen. As he sat with her and as they spoke he asked
if she would give him the diamond.
The Queen ordered the diamond brought to the chamber and handed it to
the Indian king. After holding it and
admiring its’ beauty, the king said: “Your
Majesty, I gave you this jewel when I was a child, too young to know what I was
doing. I want to give it to you again in
the fullness of my strength, with all my heart and affection and gratitude, now
and forever, fully realizing all that I do”.
This king realized that at one time he made a choice but really didn’t
know the extent of his choice. But now
that he did understand he wanted to reexamine his choice and make it “with all
his heart”. He wanted to “renew his vows”.
Just like a couple who decides to “renew” their wedding vows
and just like this maharajah who wanted to “renew” his gift to the Queen, we as
Christians might just want to “rethink or reexamine” our decision to be a
Christian.
Some of you might just have to admit that when you were saved,
especially if you were saved as a young child or a teen, that you didn’t know
what “being a Christian” was all about.
You thought it was always going to be exciting and good things happening
to you and everyone would admire you for your Christian stand. If you will be honest, you will have to admit
that you just might have gotten caught up in the FEELINGS of being a Christian
and not the FACTS.
I have told this true story often, it is about an experience that I had
as a teen. Our young pastor, Rev. Bob
Say, who is in heaven now, convinced the High School to allow him to use the
gym at the school for a revival. (Can
you imagine that happening in this day and time?) We gathered teens from various churches and
those teens met and prayed and the event which we called “God’s Rebellion” got underway.
The first night, about 40-50 teens sat around on the gym floor and
listened to a teen quartet sing and our young pastor preach his heart out to
them. They saw his love and compassion
for them and several of them responded.
Some of those who responded were popular people in our school. The quarterback for the football team came
forward and gave his heart to God and accepted the call to preach.
Over the next few days the word about “God’s Rebellion” got
around the school. It spread like wild
fire. Each night more and more teens and
their parents came to hear the music and hear this young man preach. (Honestly,
the singing and preaching was not that great but the love and sincerity was
overwhelming.
Every night more and more teens came forward to give their hearts to
Christ. It was exciting. It was
popular. It was the thing to do.
But you know what happened to most of those who came forward that week
don’t you? Most of them, if you could
see them now and know how their lives have turned out, are not Christians. For most of them the excitement and FEELING
quickly went away and was replaced by other things.
Can we make an application here from these stories? How long has it been since you took a look
back at where your life use to be? How
long since you “reexamined” your relationship with Jesus? How
long since you looked at where you were and where you are now?
I am totally convinced that this stuff of being a Christian and
following Christ is not a quick “buzz” feeling.
It must be more than that. Our
relationship with God must be based on FACTS.
Sure there will be feelings, thank God for being able to feel His
Spirit in my soul each day. Thank God
for the times when His presence floods through my heart. I love to be in church services where the
Spirit of God moves and people are responding to God and hands are raised and
you hear the “amens and praise Gods” . I
love to hear the quiver in the voices of those touched by His Spirit. There are even times during the day that I
just have to stop and praise Him and thank Him for his goodness to me. FEELINGS are great.
But if that
feeling wasn’t there. If I could not
feel Him working in my life……the FACTS
are there. I’ve confessed my sins to Him as He commanded. I have made that outward, public expression of the things that
happened in my life and I am walking in REPENTANCE, going the opposite
direction from what I use to go.
Can I ask you to do something this morning? Will you find a place and time today to “reexamine your relationship with God?” Will
you “reevaluate” you decision to be a Christian? Will you tell God like the maharaja that “I
want to give it to you again in the fullness of my strength, with all my heart
and affection and gratitude, now and forever, fully realizing all that I
do”?
I know I don’t have to do that. I know that He saves me right now, but I just
want to stop and “Do it all over again”.
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