DISCERNMENT: Know thyself!

"Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?"

Matthew 16:3b

Our church was blessed with a godly pianist; Avery Dacus was his name. He was one of our seniors, but you’d never know it.

Avery played almost everything from memory. We would name a hymn, he'd start playing as the second or third word left our lips. If he didn’t recognize it by name he'd say, “Gimme the number”; he'd say, “Oh!” and pow his fingers would start playing.

We even heard hymns from our denomination’s out-of-print hymnals. He'd say, “Do you know this one?”

He complained a lot, though. Not about having to play, but humbly, about his finger-work; “They’re not what they used to be, I can’t get them to do what I want them to do!” We are all dumb founded; his piano playing is some of the best southern gospel, ragtime, honky-tonk sounding church music we’ve heard. He just looked at us and said with tears in his eyes, “Well, it’s not!”

Why did Avery insist his finger-work wasn’t up to par, when the rest of us thought it was great? Because he knew his fingers and we didn’t. Years of playing and practicing with those hands let him know what they were capable of; he knew his own hands.

We should all be like Avery when it comes to our own hearts and minds. We should know them so well from years of use that we can tell in a moment if things aren’t right.

God gave us a mind to reason with, to "take every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5). He gave us a heart which, with use, will be soft and supple, a heart which can discern spiritual things. And a spirit with which the heart and the mind can communicate with one another.

Oh, a heart that is used often and discriminately, in combination with a mind that is righteous and just, creates such a powerful conscience in man, once he has the whole armor of God on, and the Spirit gives assent, he is invincible.

Christianity, Discernment,
Illustrations, Religion

JUDGMENT: Guilty as charged!

"… on the day when … God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus."

Romans 2: 16

The news media reported that Jeremy Strohmeyer – a California teenager who avoided the death penalty by confessing to the brutal rape and murder of a 7-year-old (Sherrice Iverson) in a Nevada casino – was seeking a new trial. Strohmeyer, of Long Beach, California, said his attorney, Leslie Abramson, bullied him into accepting the plea bargain.

Strohmeyer was convicted of murder in a Clark County, Nev., court and sentenced to life in prison a year ago. He has since filed a petition for a new trial.

“In attempting to convince Strohmeyer to take the plea, Abramson resorted to blatantly emotional attacks, telling him he was guilty, that he deserved to be punished and that he deserved to spend the rest of his life in prison,” according to the petition. A judge will consider his petition Jan. 10, 2000. Abramson said she had not seen the petition and declined to comment.

The former straight-A student blamed drugs and alcohol – and his genes – for contributing to the murder. Strohmeyer, who had been chasing Sherrice around a game room for children, followed her into restroom, where he strangled and raped her.

The Bible says, "… it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

Unlike, the courts of man, at God’s judgment bar there’ll be no appeals, no new trials, no attorney’s pleading, no delays, and no excuses; there will be no drugs, genes, neighbors or parents to blame.

The Bible says, the books will be opened and every man’s deeds, whether good or evil, will be laid bare (Ecclesiastes 12:14); God's decision will be final. No one in Hell will be able to shake a fist at Heaven and claim, “This is a mistake, I don’t belong here!”

Christianity, Illustrations,
Judgment, Religion

LIGHT: How great is that darkness!

U.S. researchers [announced recently] they have made the darkest material on Earth, a substance so black it absorbs more than 99.9 percent of light. [Reuters]

I'm afraid the material they seek already exists; Jesus spoke of it 2 millennia ago:

"If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!"

Matthew 6:23b

The Lord's implication is that there is a state of absolute darkness that is attainable (even the scientists, by virtue of their research, believe a condition absolutely free of all light is potentially achievable). But is not attainable in this age.

The article explains the researchers' discovery in this way ...

Made from tiny tubes of carbon standing on end, [the] material is almost 30 times darker than a carbon substance used by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology as the current benchmark of blackness.

And the material is close to the long-sought ideal black, which could absorb all colors of light and reflect none.

From Genesis 1:3 to Revelation 22:5 the word "light" is mentioned in 200 verses (in 31 by the Lord), from Genesis 1:2 to Jude 1:13 the word "darkness" is mentioned in 145 verses (in 13 by the Lord); notice the absence of the latter in John's Apocalypse.

We must acknowledge that up until the "taking away" of the saints of God, darkness has no chance of an absolute existence because ...

"[We] are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house."

Matthew 5:14, 15

Consider the sense of all of this? Absolute darkness will be the standard for all in Perdition; absolute light the standard for all in Heaven, for ...

"And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever."

Revelation 22:5

'Nough said!

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

ECCLESIOLOGY: A Very Peculiar People!

On the MSN Home Page there is a link called “The Word of the Day.” Each day a new word is supplied to the site by Microsoft's Encarta. One word offered was:

sui generis | soo-eye-JEH-nuh-russ or soo-ee-JEH-nuh-russ | adjective: constituting a class alone : unique, peculiar

Example sentence:

"No one before or since has had such a blend of wildness and vulnerability, such pretty-boy looks crossed with such rawness ... James Dean was sui generis." (Robert DiMatteo, Video Review, December 1990)

The selection went on to explain:

English contains many terms that ultimately trace to the Latin forms "gener-" or "genus," (which are variously translated as "birth," "race," "kind," "gender," and "class"). Offspring of those roots include "general," "generate," "generous," "generic," "degenerate," and "gender." But "sui generis" is truly a one-of-a-kind "gener-" descendant that English speakers have used for singular things since the late 1700s.

Its earliest uses were in scientific contexts, where it identified substances, principles, diseases, and even rocks that were unique or that seemed to be the only representative of their class or group. By the early 1900s, however, "sui generis" expanded beyond solely scientific contexts and is now used more generally for anything that stands alone.

Seems to me God used this concept long before the 1700s. In fact, I believe it was first used by a man called Simon, later known as Peter, in the first century AD. I believe he wrote something like:

"But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY."

1 Peter 2:9-10

And if my memory serves me correctly, the folks who translated the KJV said we are a "peculiar" people.

God long ago decided that all of His children should be sui generis – in “a class alone,” unique and peculiar.

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

SEALED: Marked for Eternity!

"Mark the blameless man …"

Psalm 37:37

"… you were sealed in Him …"

Ephesians 1:13 [also 4:30]

"… sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads ..."

Revelation 7:3

I was reminded the other day of how our American hobos marked the homes of those who befriended them.

Contrary to urban legends, American generosity is not a guaranteed commodity. Going from town to town and living on the road many times resulted in an empty stomach. Handouts were often few and far between. So when a generous person was found, it was a good idea to remember where they lived, should you pass their way again.

The mark was well-known to those on the road; hobos could quite easily travel from border to border and coast to coast never lacking for a meal or a grubstake.

God has marked those who belong to Him. The Bible says, "His name shall be on their foreheads" [Revelation 22:4]. And it also says we have been sealed … the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His” … [2 Timothy 2:19].

But God has also marked others: "who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" [Jude 1:4].

Then again, Satan also has his mark [Revelation 13:16-17]. Oh, beloved, be certain of your mark [2 Peter 1:10-11].

Christianity, Illustrations,
Justification, Religion

SOUL WINNING: Hellfire - The Pocket Version!

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

2 Timothy 4:1-2

I’ve been told by friends there once was an evangelist in Texas called “Angel” Martinez. Evidently, he drew large tent crowds as a result of his many sportcoats; one for every color in Crayola’s big box of crayons. People would come from all around just to see what color of coat he’d be wearing that night.

Martinez was well-know to at least one deacon chair for something other than his wardrobe. The man had invited the soul-winner to dinner for one of his wife’s special Mexican dinners. Once the food had been served, “Angel” brought a bag of dried jalapeño chili peppers from his jacket pocket and crushed them on his food.

The deacon, mindful of appearances, asked if he could have some for his own plate. He sprinkled them as generously as seemed reasonable, and then dug in. As the story goes, he was soon in the kitchen drinking directly from the faucet.

Walking back to the dining room, red-faced and sweating profusely, he said, “Brother Martinez, I know you preach hell-fire and brimstone but I did not know you carried it in your pocket.”

We’d all do well to carry a little hell-fire and brimstone in our pockets; perhaps a little in our hearts wouldn’t hurt either.

Our societies are becoming increasingly permissive and rebellious; I personally think it is due to the incomprehensible biblical ignorance among our laity. There appears to be no hunger for the word because their faces are not red and foreheads not sweating … the problem? Same as in Paul's day: there’s no fear of the Lord!

Christianity, Evangelism,
Illustrations, Preaching, Religion

LIFE: It's How We Finish That Makes A Difference!

"… his wife … looked back; and she became a pillar of salt"

Genesis 19:26

"We have finished our years like a sigh."

Psalm 90:9

"Remember … your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, 'I have no delight in them.'”

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Philippians 1:21

Auto racing is well known all over. In fact it is one of the most successful sporting endeavors in the world, with attendance statistics that are the envy of many sports entrepreneurs.

Professional racing teams spend a lot of time perfecting their skills: terrifying turns, speeds that would paralyze an ordinary driver, and terrible crashes are every day occurrences at the track.

The last ten miles, I am told, are the best – especially in a long race – just lasting to cover those final ten miles is something unique. Drivers say the strain of all that preceded those last ten miles is worth the rush of adrenaline and the excitement.

[Provided by subscriber Merilyn Derkson, Chaplain of Broadway Pentecostal Lodge, Vancouver, BC; edited for publication]

Life should be like an auto race; we should get pleasure out of the race, but the last few miles should be our greatest joy.

A friend says she wants to take a Caribbean cruise … NOW! She doesn’t want to wait until she has to be pushed up the ramp in a wheelchair! What a pessimistic attitude. Those seasoned years should be looked forward to.

The wagon trains which came West, to settle this continent, had joyful people looking forward toward new hills, new experiences, and the thrill of opening up a new land; they also had mournful people looking backward at what was left behind.

Are we like the latter, sadly looking out the rear window of life – saying, “If only … ! If only …!”? Or are we on the bench seat, holding the reins, looking in awe at what life has yet to bring our way?

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

SECRETS: Rolling Stones and Other Hidden Things!

"… nothing is hidden from the king"

2 Samuel 18:13

"… God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil"

Ecclesiastes 12:14

"… do not fear them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known …"

Matthew 10:25-33

"there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."

Hebrews 4:13

The trustees of a small country church determined the stone forming the front step was unsafe; it would have to be replaced. Years of hard use had worn it down too much. Unfortunately, there were no funds available for replacement. Then someone suggested turning the block over, thus its replacement could be postponed for many years.

A workday was set and volunteers recruited. On the great day, the men came with their gloves and back supports, the women came with lemonade and sandwiches, and the kids came to see the rolling of the stone. Knuckles were bloodied and sweat poured but at last the great stone was rolled away from its footing … only to discover their great-grandparents had beaten them to it.

[jokeseveryday - November 9th, 1999; © 1999 Jokes EveryDay Mailing List, message ID: 2302571, edited for publication]

Though we toil in the heart of the night, though we strain in secret, though we concoct our carnal strivings with care … nothing is hidden from the eyes of the One who made us.

Though the four winds move the sands of a desert upon a thing, burying it so none can see, God will (should He choose to do so) appoint a day and a man to brush aside the wrappings of a millennia to reveal what must be seen.

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

BORDER CHRISTIANS: To Whom Do They Belong?

“No one can serve two masters … ”

Matthew 6:24 (also Luke 16:13)

The next time you look at a map notice the lines between the countries? Every map has them; they divide one state or country from another. They’re called “borders.”

In fact, every nation on earth has borders, real ones. Without borders no one would know where one nation began and another ended. A border lets us and others know where we’re standing … in this land or in that land. You can’t stand on a border; you’re either in one land or in the other or straddling the line … period.

Does the border belong to either country? Does the border between the Canada and USA belong to Canada or the United States? Does any one know?

Sadly, many Christians are like borders today, every church has them. I call them “Border Christians”; no one knows to whom they belong! They believe they can keep one foot in heaven and one foot on earth … “just in case.” Is that possible?

Not according to the Bible. The Lord Himself said, “No one can serve two masters … .” I don’t think He would mind me paraphrasing that: “No one can be standing in heaven and in earth at the same time.”

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

EVANGELISM: Of Cowardice and Courage!

During our great Civil War (a.k.a. The War Between the States) those who had the money or the influence could hire surrogates to go to war in their place. It was one of the vilest corruptions of patriotism ever committed by American men during a time of national crisis.

No one knows how many lost their lives as the result of this form of cowardice.

Paul speaks of the church being at war; in a variety of places he makes the point that we are in the Lord’s army. Christ on the other hand emphasized the need for soul-winning.

The surrogate and cowardly mentality that existed among men during The War Between the States exists today in the war between good and evil. Men and women alike send surrogates, using money and influence to avoid their own personal responsibility. The practice remains one of mankind’s vilest inventions.

No one knows how many have lost their lives as the result of this form of cowardice.

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

TRIALS: We Need More Problem Solvers; Fewer Problem Reporters!

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you …"

Isaiah 43:2f

"No temptation has befallen you …"

1 Corinthians 10:13

"… count it all joy …"

James 1:2-4

"… draw near unto God …"

James 4:8a

"… an anchor of our soul …"

Hebrews 6:19

An old Bulgarian proverb says, “God promises a safe landing, but not a calm passage.”

Someone else once said, “The world has so many problems … if Moses [were to] come down from Mount Sinai today, the two tablets … would have been aspirin.”

[Robert Orbin in Quotable Quotations (Wheaton, Illinois.: Victor Books, 1985) Lloyd Cory, compiler, 304.]

If you’re like me, problems are unwelcomed guests; many seem so ill-timed they appear to have demons in charge of them. To a great extent, how we handle problems reveals how much enjoyment we can expect to receive from life.

Most of what we call problems, though, are actually symptoms. To solve a problem we must first identify IT, not its symptoms. Symptoms come back, again and again; whereas a solved problem is history. In the real world, problem solving is both an art and a science, each with a requisite spiritual component.

A general rule of problem solving is: if you can “directly” affect the outcome of a solution, then the problem is yours, alone.

Another is: if you can only indirectly affect the outcome of a solution, then you have a shared problem … you must have the help of other responsible parties to fix the problem.

Another is: if you can’t affect the outcome of a problem, then you have no business shouldering responsibility for it …it’s not your problem. This can free many people from a lot of unnecessary stress.

None are exempt from life’s trials [James 1:2-4], and problems serve a purpose: they instruct us, they strengthen us and they straighten us! Someone said: to appreciate the worth of an anchor, we must feel the storm. God often uses life experiences to draw us to Him; Satan, on the other hand, uses them to destroy us (see Job).

In any river, on any beach, you’ll find smooth stones, abundantly; but stones in sheltered places, and those on dry land will be rough, dirty, and jagged. All over our town, people use those smooth stones to accent their homes, to cover chimneys, porches, and patios. Even David used smooth stones to slay Goliath. We don’t have much use for rough or ugly stones.

Let me encourage you with this reminder: we’ve a personal love relationship with God; His response to our problems will be personal and loving … you can count on it!
God doesn’t want His children burdened and heavy laden.

Jesus said: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." [Matthew 11:28-30]

Recognizing that fact removes the motivation to carp and complain about our problems and circumstances. And remember: God is faithful …but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also … .

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

REBIRTH: The Spectrum of the Son!

"you must be born again"

John 3:7

"if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature"

2 Corinthians 5:17

Our kids were watching some old Outer Limits reruns on TV; the episode concerned a shift in the radiation spectrum of the Sun, as a result of elevated gamma rays mankind was in danger of annihilation. Man, however, was unaware of the shift or their doom.

Observing this from another galaxy, some friendly aliens developed an antidote. The aliens sent an ambassador to warn earth and offer the antidote. But the human race faced a dilemma: the antidote caused a metamorphosis of all who submitted. In order to be saved, one had to be changed into a new creature.

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

DAY OF REST: Because We want To!

"God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it …"

Genesis 2:3 [see also Exodus 31:12-13]

"on the first day of the week …"

Acts 20:7

"let no one act as your judge in regard to … a Sabbath Day"

Colossians 2:16-17

A museum gardener wants to rest on the seventh day – whether the museum is busy or not.

Muriel Taten, 70, of Old Westbury, NY, has sued Nassau County over a requirement that she work Sundays at a colonial museum, which is busiest on the weekends. She believes she should be in church.

Mrs. Taten’s work schedule of 21 years at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration was changed in June. She said she used vacation days to get Sundays off. And when they ran out, she filed a … lawsuit.

Many, who claim Christ, faithfully observe two key Christian events each year: Christmas and Easter. Yet there are 50 other days each year which they quite easily profane. It seems contemporary believers have become insensitive to the real meaning of the Lord’s Day!

Then again, we must be careful, for our obedience is voluntary. We keep the Lord’s Day as a memorial of the gift of Grace provided by the Father through the Son. To keep it “because God said to” is like being faithful to your wife, “because God said to.” We are faithful to our spouses because we want to, not because we have to!

Recently a church made an agreement with a market to use its parking lot each Sunday. The market had only one condition: park there 51 Sundays per year but set aside one Sunday as a “NO PARKING DAY” in order to remind members who owned the lot.

So too ought we to set aside one day out of seven to remember who gave us the other six.

[“Hey, God did it,” San Gabriel Valley Daily Bulletin, November 2, 1997, A19]

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

PERSEVERANCE: Toward the Goal!

"I press on toward the goal …"

Philippians 3:14

"… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Hebrews 12:1-2

When we were kids, on rainy days at school, when we were forced to stay inside during recess, we played a game.

One student would be blindfolded, then told to find something in the room [e.g., a chair, a table, the teacher].

Before being blindfolded he was given an opportunity to memorize the way the room looked. The teacher would then spin him round and round; whereupon everyone, including the teacher, would get in his way, or move desks and furniture.

Eventually, someone would feel sorry for him and endeavor to help him, casually bumping him to turn him toward his goal.

We've allowed Satan to become our wicked teacher; he's spun us around and around till we don’t know up from down, right from wrong. He moves things around, things we thought we knew very well. His is an evil game of trickery and treachery.

But God heard our cries and sent His Son to turn us toward our goal.

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

CONSECRATION: Let’s Get Cirrus!

“Sir, we wish to see Jesus”

John 12:20-21

Freshly graduated from seminary, a minister of a small Texas church in an area suffering from drought, went to visit a farmer-church member one hot afternoon.

Leaning on a fence, they discussed the weather. "Those are serious clouds over there," the old man said, pointing southwest. "Don’t you mean Cirrus? Actually, they're probably Cumulus," the newcomer stated somewhat smugly.

The old man eyed him for a moment, then said, "Yung'un, they's just two kinds of clouds -- them what's serious and them what ain't."

Church folks are like that farmer’s clouds; some’re serious, some ain’t!

[Adapted from "Life In These United States" by All Henager; © 1996; The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., all rights reserved]

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

DOCTRINE: The Bible's Paddle of Discipline!

THE MOST IMPORTANT DOCTRINE IN THE BIBLE

Recently I listened to Stan Buckley (First Baptist Church of Jackson, FL) as he related an anecdote concerning a question put to him when he was a young minister; a mentor ask him, "What is the most important doctrine in the Bible?"

He immediately saw an opportunity to impress his elder-peer with a quick response; he said "Salvation." His friend said, "No, that is not it!" Several others followed and each time he was told, "No, that is not it!"

Finally, in frustration, he pleaded, "Well, what then?" To which his companion said, "The doctrine of sin is the most important doctrine in the Bible!"

As entertaining as this anecdote is, I would strongly disagree. I believe "the doctrine of the fear of God" is the most important doctrine in the bible (see Proverbs 1:7 and Romans 3:18).

This doctrine involves both the doctrine of salvation and the doctrine of sin; it is that which leads to a knowledge of our absolute depravity and God's absolute holiness, as-well-as, our need for forgiveness and salvation ... rebirth cannot occur without it (in my opinion).

Christianity, Doctrine, Illustrations, Religion

LIFE: What are we doing to one another!

OF PLANTS AND OTHER LIVING THINGS: 1 John 1:5-7

Just because a thing is assigned a particular name doesn't mean it will absolutely function according to that name. For example, calling a thing a "house" plant doesn't mean it will thrive, or even survive, in every house; especially flowering houseplants.

All plants, at least all flowering plants, require certain essential things in order to thrive and survive: sunlight, carbon-dioxide, moisture, nutrition.

All over the world, there are places where houseplants will not thrive or survive, their environment is hostile to them, especially the outdoors. If there is a lack of life-supporting essentials, this too will stifle and thwart the well-being of a plant. We now know the absence of an unseen intangible (tenderness perhaps, some might say love; I'd say support and encouragement) will also affect a plant's quality of life.

Simple calling a person (or yourself) a Christian won't in and of itself insure thriving or even surviving under all conditions; a houseplant left outside will die; a houseplant deprived of nourishment and care will also die, even though inside the house.

On the one hand, we tend to project an unattainable standard upon those called "Christian," sort of recreating them in our own image, insisting they meet our expectations just because they are called Christian.

On the other hand, we tend to knowingly place ourselves in environments hostile to our well-being. This ought not be!

Like houseplants, Christians need a particular kind of light and moisture, a special diet, supporting encouragement and fellowship (prayer and koinonia), as well as a manageable environment. Struggle (sometimes stunting or even death) comes from the absence of these growth essentials. We all need to mindful of our own needs and the needs of others if we expect growth in ourselves or them.

Christianity, Growth, Illustration, Religion

BOLDNESS: Of the John Wayne kind!

GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY: John 16:8-11; other topics - Attitude, Commitment, Conviction, Courage, Fear, Right (opposed to wrong)

The Six Shooter was an extremely popular western, broadcast on NBC radio from 1953-54. Jimmy Stewart starred as Britt Ponsett, a Texas plainsman.

On one broadcast (“Duel at Lockwood”; 3/21/54 - Radio Spirits) Britt called a young tough’s bluff … even though it was possible the kid might be faster.

A teen-aged killer went after The Six Shooter in a town called Lockwood … he bragged to everyone if he ran into Ponsett he’d kill him. Well Britt showed up one day; the outlaw heard the quiet gunman had come to town, so he sent a messenger to warn Ponsett he was on his way. Ponsett didn’t wait … he rode out on the trail and waited for the kid on the trail.

The gunman found Ponsett sitting on his horse waiting for him; he asked, “Who are you?” He said, “Britt Ponsett” and laid a shotgun over his saddle as the tough started to draw. And in his signature style he drawled, “How come you're stopping? Go ahead, draw!”

The bully was so flabbergasted he couldn't find his courage; he never showed his face in the region again.

Fantasies concerning life and its living are common to all people … one of mine is stepping toward the next illogical, irrational, relativistic humanist or atheist and saying, “Go ahead, draw” as I lay the sword of the Lord across my saddle horn.

In my vision the rascal doesn’t turn and run; instead he comes under conviction, drops to his knees and pleads for God’s forgiveness.

Clearly, there is a present need for more boldness amongst the Body of Christ. Jesus didn’t die in order for us to become doormats for every godless heathen we encounter. After all, Jesus was no wimp! [Luke 19:45-47; John 2:13-17]

I fear many of our brothers and sisters have become so fearful of the world and its minions they’ve rendered themselves powerless in the battle for souls.

Britt Ponsett, Christianity, Courage, Discipline,
Illustrations, Jimmy Stewart, Sanctification,
Sermons, Texas Plainsman, The Six Shooter

PRIORITIES: When Push Comes to Shove!

THIS PROBLEM WON’T GO AWAY: [Psalm 119:143]

The story is told of a duck hunter who’s black lab, “Phideaux,” had been trained to do exactly the right thing in virtually every instance.

Seems the hunter and a friend were out duck hunting one early spring morning and a sizable flock of birds flew over the lake. Both hunters simultaneously shouldered their weapons and fired. Two birds dropped from the sky and hit the water at the same time. Phideaux leaped from the blind and swam to the two ducks. Sensing one bird was just wounded, he raced toward it an retrieved it for his master. Instantly, he returned to the water and retrieved the dead fowl.

The friend of the dog’s owner said, “How did he know to do that?” The dog’s master said I trained him to know which birds were not going anywhere and to retrieve the others first.

Emergencies in ministry are like that. Those of us in ministry would do well to learn this principle: recognize early which emergencies aren’t going anywhere, then work on the others. You can always return to an emergency (read: opportunity) that’s not going anywhere.

OMNIPOTENCE: The Mother of all power!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VALUE AND SUBSTANCE: [Mark 6:37]

The story is told of a gifted musician who, with his violin, was able to sway an enormous number of music lovers. One day he played and played, manipulating his audience on till their enthusiasm reached its zenith. Pausing, he held his instrument aloft, and then smashed it over the back of a chair.

The people were enraged. They jumped to their feet as one and briefly surged toward the master-player for destroying the violin that produced such unearthly sounds, such glorious music. But there stood the musician, calm and serene.

When the audience’s rage abated, he said quietly, "I know how you feel, but I want to teach you a lesson. Do you see the shattered violin? Well, it only cost fifty dollars!”

Picking up another, he continued, "Now I am going to play on this instrument, my most treasured violin, costing me some fifty thousand dollars. By my action, which you’ve condemned, I want to teach you that music is not in the instrument, but in the player.” And then he played on the second violin. And there was no discernable difference in the music.

In the hands of a master, the cheap violin produced strains equal to that of the costlier instrument. We are
slow to learn music is not in the instrument but in the Player. It makes little difference to the Lord (who is the Creator of all true harmony) whether the violin of your life is worth a trifling or a fortune.

It isn’t what you have but what He imparts which counts. Why, He can take mere nobodies and use them in a mighty way! "Little is much, if God is in it.” The miracle of the loaves proves He is supreme at multiplication.

Source: Lockyer, Herbert, “The Ten Strings’” Union Gospel Press (nd) 28,29; edited for use.

TRADITIONALISM: We've always done it that way here!

PROTECTION OR PREVENTION: [Colossians 2:8]

"The Williams Fire" caught us by surprise. Small fires in the San Gabriel Mountains are common for September in years of drought; but 24 hours after it started, what began as a 20-acre brush fire had quickly become a full-fledged problem … an out of control forest fire, consuming hundreds of acres at a gulp.

On the first day, I arrived home at dusk and went to an area to join neighbors watch the flames consume our beautiful mountains. We watched together for about an hour, waxing eloquently on our knowledge of fires, and trading lies about "the fire of '83." When the sun began to set over the Los Angeles skyline, we all commented on how the smoke had turned the sun burning red. I made a big deal about how beautiful it was.

As the sun began to slide behind the horizon, I began to have difficulty focusing on anything but the biggest flames. I turned to the lady on the right to mention this, only to see a dark grey face staring back at me. I then realized I was still wearing my sunglasses.

The old King James translators had a way with words; in 1 Corinthians 13:12 they have Paul informing the folks in Corinth that "now we see through a glass darkly." Their choice of words came alive for me when I realized I was still wearing my shades after dark.

There is another truth hidden in this experience: tradition, when used correctly, will prevent churches and denominations from moving critical boundaries, destroying key foundations, and distracting members from mission; tradition, when used incorrectly, obliterates boundaries, weakens structures, and obscures vision. Slowly, the Son-light slips below the collective horizon, what is supposed to be seen “dimly” is now seen not at all. So too with my cool shades.

INCARNATION: God's End Run Around the Enemy!

DON’T TAKE WOODEN NICKELS: [2 John 1:7]

A Zimbabwean bus driver, transporting inmates from a mental hospital in Harare to another in Bulawayo, stopped at a bar for a drink. Returning to his bus, he discovered all 20 of his wards had escaped.

Fearing the consequences, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered a free ride to everyone who wanted one; he then delivered them all to Bulawayo. Hurriedly, he informed hospital workers the patients were very agitated and making bizarre claims. It took the hospitals three days to discover the deception. [Pat Miller via GCFL ( www.gcfl.net ), October 17, 2002]

The Bible says,

"… many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist."

In these last days, we see the high and the low, the rich and the poor, the knowledgeable and the ignorant alike earnestly deceiving all comers.

These deceivers travel along The Way, picking up anyone wanting a free ride to eternity, delivering them to Satan. When it's finally too late, their agitation and protestation will be ignored.

There is no free ride into eternity; eternity is only entered through the flesh on the One who dwelt among us [John 1:14] and by whose Name we must be saved [Acts 4:12]. Deceivers abound; don’t be deceived.

HYPOCRISY: Not a Fatal Disease But It Ought to Be!

LEANING ON A BROKEN CRUTCH: [James 3:13-17]

A few years ago a sixteen year-old told me he didn’t need God because he was “not that insecure.” What did he mean by that statement? He was implying, “You Christians only go to church and believe in a thing called God because you're insecure and need a crutch to get through life." Where do young people get ideas like this?

First, they see the way some of us live and see that the walk doesn’t agree with the talk, so we’re hypocrites in their mind. As a result, they want nothing to do with what we’re selling.

Second, they lack simple life-experience [aka: common-sense], which breeds selfishness and self-centeredness. As I age, and gain in experience, I’m amazed I survived my own youth.

Much of what we say as young people becomes a hardened belief as an adult. We hear things from others, whom we respect, and accept them as gospel without question. What we don’t know, at that age, is that much of what we hear is what others also heard and accepted without question. The young man I shared my faith with was himself guilty of hypocrisy; however, he lacked sufficient life-experience to discern it.

In repeating, as truth, something acquired from another, without personal knowledge of its truthfulness, we are guilty of using that person as a crutch in the same way Christians are accused of using God ... only we have personal knowledge of the Gospel’s truthfulness.

WELFARE: No Such Thing As A Free Lunch!

BIRD FEEDER: [2 Peter 1:5-8]

My dear sister in Christ Susie L. bought a bird feeder; she and her husband live in the mountains of Arizona. She writes ...

I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food. But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue.

Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table...everywhere. Then some of the birds turned mean: They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud: They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food. After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore.

I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down them any nests they had built all over the patio. Soon, the back yard was like it used to be...quite, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.

Now lets see...our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, free education and allows anyone born here to be a automatic citizen.

Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families: you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor: you child's 2nd grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak English: Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to press "one" to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than "Old Glory" are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties. Maybe it's time for the government to take down the ... feeder.

I agree with my friend but we must also remember "the least of these" [Matthew 25:34-46]: they are somewhere in all the mess.

Truth hurts, doesn't it! Forgive me if I just let most of the poop stay where it is.

HOMOSEXUALITY: Just 'cause It Ain't Right

MEAT’S MEAT: [1 Timothy 1:8-11]

Agape Press has reported the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has given its “seal of approval” to the homosexual lifestyle by holding a brief rally in support for homosexuals, Thursday (13 June 2002). The USDA’s decision obviously relates to National Gay and Lesbian Pride Month activities in Washington. Of the approximately 15,000 employees “encouraged” to attend the rally, fewer than 100 showed up.

One supervisor explained the purpose of the event as the “beginning of the process to show the USDA cares,” and that if gays feel like coming out USDA will provide a work environment where they can.

This federal endorsement of the homosexual lifestyle is appropriate since the best analogy for their lifestyle is the meat market. If you see a cut that pleases you, follow your instincts, even if it’s spoiled meat. After all, we’re just fetal tissue in the beginning. Perhaps the USDA could come up with a new public relations slogan: “Meat’s Meat!”

I’ve been wondering though, if homosexuals are born with same-sex instincts (i.e., they can’t help themselves) why aren’t defense attorneys rushing to assist serial killers? Seriously, aren’t psycho-babblers telling us their research indicates there’s a gene-related predilection to killing serially (i.e., they can’t help themselves)? I believe they are!

GUIDANCE: What Every Operating System Needs

A GUIDE SURE AND TRUE: [Hebrews 6:20]

Imran Vittachi, in a Post-Dispatch report, tells of Michael Hingson who is a World Trade Center (North Tower, 78th floor) survivor. Mr. Hingson is convinced the bond between him and his four-legged savior is what saved him.

Hingson, blind since birth, has depended upon his guide dog Roselle for several years now; Roselle is a 4-year-old yellow Labrador retriever. Hingson is quoted as having said, "A guide dog and its user have a close, very deep-trusting relationship - we have to, because when I leave and go somewhere … I'm trusting [her] with my life."

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2002, Hingson was preparing to lead a training seminar for a client. At the time Hingson was a regional sales manager for Quantum ATL, a data protection company. After a colleague alerted the room that flames were coming out of the building between the 94th and 98th floors, Hingson phoned his wife, Karen. He told her that an explosion had occurred and that the building was being evacuated.

Roselle then led him calmly to the stairwell. "I didn't have time to worry about what might happen," he said, describing the mood in the stairwell as tense but without pandemonium. Hingson didn't hear the explosion at 9:03 a.m., when the second plane struck the South Tower.

Amid the double-file exodus of evacuating workers in the stairwell, Roselle faithfully tugged him to each landing, then waited for Hingson's command to move on. On the way, he heard words of encouragement from firefighters climbing the stairs. He still doesn’t know whether any of them survived. At about 9:45 a.m., Hingson and his savior reached street level – almost an hour after starting down the stairs.

We also have a Guide, One who has gone before us, behind the veil, to prepare a way of escape. He is coming again to retrieve us before this temporal world bursts into flame and collapses. He will guide us on the Way to eternal safety. The bond we have with our Savior is secure in Him. He is the Son of God. We trust Him with our eternal lives.

We the trump sounds, we are to be ready to leave, immediately, there’ll be no time to phone anyone. But, for the time being, we’re to be about our daily affairs, in the same way as Michael Hingson.

FRIENDS: A Thing That Makes Life Worth Living!

JESUS – THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE: [John 15:12-17; other topics - Friendship, Marriage]

Someone once said, “What are friends for if you can’t use them?”

Friendship, like many other things, is a paradox … “it is both the strongest thing in the world and the most fragile. Wild horses cannot separate (true) friends, but whining words can. A man will lay down his life for his friend [John 15:13], but will not sacrifice his eardrums.” [“Points To Ponder,” Field Newspaper Syndicate (Readers Digest, 1985) p.183.]

Usually it’s the smallest thing which separate friends; it should be big things which break up friendships. Friends are worth fighting for even in difficult times, because true friends are very rare and hard to find.

Jesus, of course, offers the ultimate example of friendship, dying in His friends’ place while they were wholly unworthy of friendship.

FALSE TEACHING: Untrue From the Beginning!

MUSEUM OF SELF: [Romans 1:20]

In recent years, several art museums in Europe and the United States have discovered that not a few of their “masters” were actually reproductions. Apparently, in many cases, the phonies were better than the originals … which evidently attracted attention. Regardless, whether they were better or not, they simply were not from a master’s hand.

Today, secular humanists are being frustrated in their efforts to diminish God and elevate man; it seems several of their theories have fallen upon hard times after examination by their own scientists.

The fakes failed to provide the needed proof of their authenticity; they could not show the Creator’s fingerprint. Only the original work of the Creator-Master offers evidence of His hand; fakes never will, even if hung on the walls of man’s Museum of Self for centuries.

DEPRAVITY: Fruit Direct from Eden's Garden

THERE’S A FUNGUS AMONG US! [1 Thessalonians 5:21,22]

Recently, one of the network news magazines presented a special report on a problem some people were having with potent form of fungus. The focus of the show was a Texas family who’d been run out of their home because of this particular mold. In fact, over a few years, several family members had become mysteriously and gravely ill from this creeping, crawling crud.

A video tape of the residence revealed the presence of the fungi in every dark place, in every location, anywhere microscopic amounts of moisture might be, on wood, on plastic, on drywall, behind painted surfaces, in concrete floors, in every room in the house, this killer lurked. The only known cure for the infection was removal and disposal; burning evidently being the only permanent treatment for the affected materials.

Any mature minded thinking person has to see the parallel of this natural occurring disease with our nation’s unnatural preoccupation with pornography. Reports give us a picture of a domestic industry (i.e., sans international revenues) with revenues in the billions of dollars; other reports have provided estimates of the domestic “hit” rate on pornographic Internet sites … the traffic is staggering.

If any are dim-witted enough to believe the problem is unique to the Catholic priesthood, they are monumental fools. The Southern Baptist Convention numbers its living ministers in the tens of thousands; statistically, it is impossible, let alone improbable, that the Convention is untouched by this menace.

Just this week a Southern Baptist church in Kansas had to remove its youth pastor due to a problem with male pornography. The church devastated. And, in this spiritual war, his wife and two children are considered collateral damage.

All over America, families and churches are being destroyed by our cultural depravity. In every corner of our society, in every household, in every dark place where evil lurks, residents of this once great nation are falling victim to this slippery, slimy spiritual sewage.

What hope do we have? Is there anything we can do to stop it? Paraphrasing the hymnist, “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” Yet every untainted child of God must cry out with a voice united against this evil and purge it from our lives and land.

Source: Toxic Mold

CONFLICT: Defined As "To Strike Together"; Pro or Con

IT'S IN THERE SOMEWHERE: [Ephesians 4:1-3]

During the football season, we are witnesses to a wonderful illustration of conflict resolution. The ball carrier (ball firmly tucked under his bent elbow, fingers firmly over the end of the pigskin) is hit violently; the ball spurts from his grasp and bounds randomly first here and then there.

Three seconds elapse and the ball will have traveled no more than thirty yards, but not necessarily in your preferred direction.

Three more seconds slip away and the ball is smothered under a dozen testosterone factories, housed in two to three tons of male flesh, but not necessarily in the possession of your man.

One by one the component parts of the pile are pealed off, top to bottom. Finally, the pile is whittled down to a few hot, struggling bodies until the player with legal possession of the ball is identified. By this time another six seconds has gone by and in professional sports, time is valuable.

A similar thing happens in conflict resolution. By the time referees get to the scene of a conflict the combatants are struggling fiercely and its cause is buried beneath a heap of time, circumstances, contributing factors, participants, situational milieus, and temperaments. Before the cause can be identified, each component of the pile must be pealed off from top to bottom, one by one. By now, a lot of time has passed and in the game of life, time is precious.

Communicating the need for patience to the combatants by a referee is essential to the process and its success.

CONFESSION: If We Confess Sin He's Faithful to Forgive

SPICY SUPPLICATIONS: [Ezra 10:1]

I love hot and spicy food. Give me a Mexican breakfast with a bowl of hot, spicy salsa and I’m a happy camper. Let me splatter the feast with Tabasco Sauce and my spirits lift to the heavens.

I began this journey years ago when I read a Reader’s Digest article which said people who ate spicy foods or used hot sauce liberally were less prone to upper respiratory ailments. I don’t know if that’s true, but I had a cold at the time and wanted it to be true. Shortly thereafter I was hooked.

Spicy dishes often have the annoying effect of clearing the sinuses. If experienced at an opportune time, this can be a beneficial event. On the other hand it can also be a nuisance.

Prayer is like a spicy dish … especially when sprinkled generously with confession. People who pray and confess are less prone to spiritual ailments.

It clears the conscience like nothing else known to mankind. We often don’t realize our heads are stuffy until the spice begins to do its work. Similarly, we don’t often know our hearts are burdened until prayerful confession begins to do its work.

TRUST: In God We Should!

BRIDGES OVER TROUBLED WATERS! [James 3:1; other topics - Ethics, fidelity, fiduciary honor]

May 26, 2002, was a beautiful Oklahoma morning, the sun rising in the East as his 18-wheeler ascended the rise to the bridge spanning the Arkansas River. At 60 mph, there just was not enough time to react as he realized the bridge was gone.

In the words of an eyewitness, “It was just like watching one of those movies where the truck is just hanging there in the air.” That was before it plunged into the maw of the bridge collapse.

What happened? For some reason a barge captain lost control of his fully loaded barges, allowing them to drift into the dual concrete supports under the Western end of the bridge. Without warning, the bridge groaned and fell to the water some forty feet below. The 18-wheeler and its driver disappeared into the depth.

An obvious parallel exists with Adam’s failure in the Garden of Eden, but I see a more contemporary analogy.

Everyday, all day, the citizens of this “third rock from the sun,” cross bridges spanning the common dangers of life. At any moment, a vessel traveling beneath one of those bridges could veer out of control and destroy the supports they take for granted.

For example: a disease might smash a column out from under one of life’s travelers; an accident might swerve into a support pillar on another of life’s voyagers, perhaps causing the loss of a loved one; or unemployment might yank the entire support structure out from under a whole family of life-trekkers.

However, these are random, unintentional events. If, as some suggest, the barge captain failed in his fiduciary responsibilities, that’s a horse of another color.

Unfortunately, we have amongst us, in the spiritual community, those whose intentional behaviors and philosophies are not only dangerous but are abject violations of community or public trust.

We have godless theologies (Unitarians), materialistic spiritual communities (Binny Hinn, "name-it, claim-it"), murdering pro-lifers, insurgent supporting organizations (NCC), subversive doctrine (Liberation Theology), pedophilic youth pastors, predatory priests, shepherd abusing sheep, adulterous pastors, and Enron-like denominational leaders (Arizona Baptist Foundation).

These perpetrators of wrong are not only wrecking havoc on the bridges of life but are destroying the foundations of the ages, bringing down the Bridge of Life, which leads to eternal life. God help us!

WISDOM: Two kinds are available; Understand both!

DRINKING UPSTREAM: [James 3: 13-18]

In America's Old West there was hard rule among range riders ... "Always Drink Upstream from the Herd."

Good advice for those of us who are in the world but not of it!

Yes, there are two kinds of wisdom; yes, we should know the difference between the two ... "un uh em is piesun'd; tha uther is pure sweet heaven'."

DISCERNMENT: It's all about using common sense!

FOLLOW THE BOUNCING BALL: [Acts: 17:11]

Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

When I was a teen ... way back before the flood ... me and my friend Methuselah would go to the movies together. During the intermission ... for those of you under fifty, an intermission was a break between movies ... the theaters showed newsreels, cartoons, and commercials for their concession stand.

Some of the cartoons and commercials had lyrics to songs scrolling across the bottom of the screen, a pong ball bounced from note to note acting as a surrogate conductor, leading all of us in singing the silly little ditties.

What amazed me was how many of us actually sang; like little robots we joined in on the first bounce, not realizing we had a choice.

Many in the Church today are like those of us who responded without realizing we had minds of our own ... we were naive and trusting.

I'm not suggesting Christians should not trust their leader's teachings, but they are naive and should be discerning.

APOSTASY: What the world now calls backsliding!

GOING BLIND SILENTLY: [Proverbs 29:18a]

Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.

Without warning, Jane Berry's father went blind in one eye; the cause was glaucoma. He immediately encouraged his 26-year-old daughter to be tested; she was shocked to learn she also had the eye disease.

Often called "tunnel vision," glaucoma destroys peripheral or side vision. It's caused by a build-up of fluid pressure inside the eye; the eye can't tolerate the pressure, so the main nerve transmitting vision to the brain is damaged. The change is so subtle that by the time a person realizes they have a problem, it's usually too late. Sort of like the proverbial frog in the kettle.

Estimates suggest over 67 million people have glaucoma globally, of whom nearly seven million will go blind owing to late diagnosis or inadequate treatment.

Glaucoma is now the second most common cause of vision loss worldwide and a major factor in car and pedestrian accidents. Doctors urge everyone over 40 to be tested, especially now that a new more effective treatment, with fewer side effects, can help people with glaucoma. One drop per day reduces eye pressure in up to 90 percent of patients who submit to the treatments.

Although it hasn't occur without "warning," the body of Christ is suffering from a similar and untreated problem with its vision. Many, especially the young, truly believe it won't happen to them. The Bible warns, "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained."

Is there any longer any doubt that "the people are unrestrained"? A people can’t lay hold of the "hope set before [them]" [Hebrews 6:18; cf. Philippians 3:14] if they don't have a vision for that hope. In fact, neither you nor your church can move forward without vision.

Often called "backsliding," apostasy destroys faith and practice. It is brought about by a hardening of the heart. An undernourished heart can't stand secular pressure, so the link between the heart and the mind is damaged. The change is so subtle that by the time a person or church senses the problem they are already apostate. In many cases, we can watch as the Body goes silently blind.

Estimates are that over three quarters of the church in America is has lost its vision, of which more than half are virtual apostates. Sin is the primary cause of apostasy and is the leading cause of individual and family failures in this land.

Since September 11, 2006, church leaders throughout the land have been pleading with the people to get treatment. It's free! The treatment is simple, go to the Word and nourish the heart.

Estimates are that 75 percent of those who do will be cured; the remaining 25 percent can't be cured because they don't have apostasy, they suffer from unbelief. But, Praise the Lord, there's a cure for unbelief also, and it is free! [Ephesians 2:8]