Mom

This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day.  Historically it is the second highest attendance day in many churches, behind only Easter.  Father’s Day, on the other hand, is often the highest attendance day at the lake or the golf course, but I digress.

            I wonder how many people have said to me, at some point in their lives, “I don’t know where I would be without my mother’s prayers for me.”  We often go to church on that day because our Moms have been such a powerful influence on our lives for God and for good. 

            I was blessed to have a godly mother.  She’s been gone now for seventeen years. She was only a couple of years older than I am right now when she passed.  I was so heart-broken, and I still miss her every day.  Her grandchildren called her, “The queen of fair.”  It was a compliment. She was so determined to treat them all fairly, that she would put a pack of gum in one box if she had spent fifty cents more on the other grands. She tenderly loved her five grands more than you can imagine.

            My mom was also as tough as nails. She played high school basketball in the 1950’s. She was a guard, which meant she only played defense. In that day the girls were not allowed to cross half-court. If you don’t know what I mean, ask someone in their sixties or over.  Mom was the ninth of ten children, and her father passed when she was 13.  She had to be tough to survive. 

            Tender. Tough. Both words were apropos for Mom. And in some ways they are words that describe our Lord. Jesus was tender. He loved, and loves, us all. And yet He could be tough when necessary.  He did clear the Temple when it was being misused.

            I hope that you can see the full picture of who Jesus is. He truly loves you, just as you are. But He does not want you to remain as you are. He wants you to grow in holiness. He wants you to be more like Him. May God help you to grow to be more like Jesus. And may you have a happy and blessed Mother’s Day.

MV

As I sit in my office this morning, I look over the computer screen and I see them.  My wife is holding my youngest granddaughter and walking this way.  It’s Thursday morning. We keep the little one every Thursday, and twice a month our church has a coffee fellowship where we enjoy food and time together.

“MeeVee,” as we call her (her name is Mary Violet), was a hit, once again.  Having a coffee fellowship on Thursday mornings, as you can imagine, is a time mostly for retired folks. To have a nineteen-month-old little girl is a great thing for everyone.  And she eats it up. She is shy for the first few moments and clings to either Gramma or Papa. But before long she is walking around, giving high fives, and talking gibberish to anyone who will listen.

That little girl has changed my life.  We have two other granddaughters, and we love them the same. But those two, for various reasons, were older when they entered our lives. And that is true for our sons, too. They were both toddlers when we adopted them. MeeVee is the first baby that Tina and I have ever shared.  And we are overwhelmed by so much that she does.

The greatest things she does for us is simply to love us. How do we know this? She hugs us. She runs to us. And every time she sees me for the first time, she breaks into this tremendous smile.  I will never tire of that smile. 

I trust that God will see my smile whenever I think of Him. He has been so good to me. His blessings are great and wonderful. He is good to us all the time. I hope you know of this goodness. 

Pollen

My eyes are itching and burning.  My nose is running.  And I am sneezing more often than I would like. It is Spring in Georgia, and the pollen is causing issues for many of us. I took my truck through the carwash recently and I am proud to be able to tell you that it removed the first two layers of pollen. My gray truck is no longer bright green. It is merely a pale yellow.

            Of course, I say this with tongue in cheek, and yet it many of you suffer with allergies during the season, and the cleanup from pollen is no joke.  Still, where would we be without pollen?  I am serious.  We need pollen.

            The trees and flowering plants and vegetables and fruits all need pollen in order to grow and produce as they should.  Without the pollen they would be barren. We would have less beauty, and we just might be hungrier and less healthy.

            Life is filled with pollen. I’m not just talking about the sticky yellow stuff now.  I’m talking about the inconveniences and frustrations that we face in life every day.  The truth is that many of these troubles and trials build character and grow us into the people that God intends for us to be.  None of us enjoy these difficult times. But we are grateful to get to the other side.

            To the church in Thessalonica Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks.” Notice he did not say, “’For’ everything give thanks,” but, “in everything.”  We can be thankful, even in the midst of the challenges of life, because we know that God is at work, even in these, to make and mold us to be all that we can be.

            So, say it with me. “God, thank you for the pollen. Help me patiently to endure, knowing that you are at work all around me for good.”

Rest and Resurrection

I am writing these words from our hotel room in Marathon, Florida.  By the time you read them I will be back home and following my normal schedule, but today my wife and I are preparing to head back toward home in the morning.  We will stop in Miami to watch a baseball game Friday night, and then will drive home Saturday.

            So far on this trip I have eaten way too much shrimp and key lime pie. I mean, while you are in Florida Keys, you have to eat shrimp and key lime pie, right?  We’ve also enjoyed grouper and stone crabs. But mostly we have enjoyed time away.

            Last week was a difficult one.  One of my very best friends in the world passed away at the age of 43.  He was a pastor, and father of five. And he was my prayer partner. It was my hardest funeral since my dad. 

            Having said that, I have to remind you of this. My friend died six days after Easter Sunday.  He was a strong man of faith.  And he would have reminded me, had he been able, that the resurrection of Christ made certain the resurrection of His children. And Clint was certainly a child of God. Not because of anything he had done, but because of the grace and mercy of God in the cross.

            Without that faith, last week would have been without hope. But because I know Christ is alive, I know that Clint is alive, and one day I will join them both in heaven, as will every person who has trusted in Christ for salvation and eternal life.

            I pray that you have this same kind of faith. I pray that you have the hope that is found in the resurrection.  Even a week and a half after Easter.       

Why Do I Sin?

Last week the Atlanta Braves were scheduled to play three games against the White Sox in Chicago.  I’m writing this column the day of the second game. They played eight innings the previous day before the rains came. It’s supposed to snow with temperatures in the thirties. It is highly likely that they will not play the next two days.

            I wonder, why in the world does major league baseball schedule games in Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia in late March/early April instead of places like Atlanta, Miami, Tampa and Houston.  I know that the teams in the northern parts of the nation want some home games in the early weeks of the season. But it’s cold and snows up there, sometimes until Macon.  The game yesterday (when I was writing) was played in 40-degree weather with some rain all the way through. Meanwhile, it was 75 and sunny in Atlanta. 

            Again, my question is simple. Why? And yet…

            Why do I do things that I know are wrong? Why do I commit the same sins over and over? And don’t act like I’m the only one.  You do it, too.  But here is a bit of encouragement for us all. We are in good company. 

            In Romans 7 Paul talked about the power and lure of sin.  He wrote, “I do not understand my own actions., For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” And just a few verses later we read, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep doing.”  Paul, the apostle, struggled with sin in his life, just as we do. 

            Jesus said to His disciples, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  He knew us better than we know ourselves.  Now, listen. I’m not giving us an excuse for poor behavior.  I am simply saying that the struggle is real. And there is good news. Hebrews 4:15 tells us thar our high priest, Jesus, has been tempted as we are. He knows what we are going through. And John wrote, “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

            We can defeat sin. We can live for the Lord. But we will stumble from time to time. When we do (1 John 2:2) we have one on whom we can call. Trust Him today. He will help you through.

Gardening

I planted my garden this morning (Saturday).  My dad always told me that you are good to plant on, or after, Good Friday.  And so, I put tomato, pepper, and squash plants in the ground.  Later I will plant okra from seed. I already have potatoes and lettuce growing.

            I’ve been planting vegetables since the early 1990’s. Prior to that I helped my dad.  I learned most of what I know about gardens from him. 

            Growing my own garden is important to me. I know I can get good vegetables from any number of sources, and it would not be nearly as much work. But there is something special to me about partnering with God to see stuff grow.  I am aware that I need to do things in the right way. That means preparing the soil, using the right fertilizers, planting at the proper time, and keeping the ground watered. 

            But still, I cannot make anything grow.  That is the Lord’s work.  Gardening helps me to realize the same thing is true for my day job.  I am to preach, witness and love people, but only God can change a life. What is true in my garden is true in my church.

            The other reason I plant my garden is simply to honor my dad.  When my sister hears me talk about my garden she will roll her eyes and say, “You are your father’s son.”  I think she means that as a compliment, and I know I take it that way.  But dad grew his own tomatoes and peppers until he simply could not do so. I plan to do the same thing.  Every time I step into my garden I think of him, and I thank God for the heritage of my family.

            Oh, there is one other thing.  You may not have heard it before, but Ludlow Porch used to play this song on WSB radio in Atlanta.  The final words of the chorus go like this, “There’s only two things that money can’t buy, and that’s true love and homegrown tomatoes.”  And that is the truth!

"But in Fact . . .!"

This is Easter week! It is also called Passion week.  It culminates with Resurrection Sunday! So, here are some questions for you to ponder. Just what does it all mean? How does it change our lives? Does it change anything? What would happen if it had not happened?  Does it matter at all?

            In the first place, it matters more than anything in the world. Let me make this very clear. If Jesus did not die for our sins, and if He was not raised from the dead, then the whole of Christianity is a sham.  Every church building should be boarded up, the property sold, and the money used for something useful.  The entire Christian faith hinges on the reality of these historical truths.

            Paul said as much in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins.”  I once heard a man, in the midst of a debate, claim, “I don’t believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus, but I still consider myself a Christian.”  His opponent in the debate responded, “You can consider yourself a Big Mac, but that doesn’t make it so.”  No, the Christian faith depends on the resurrection.

            And that is where the good news comes to the forefront.  Just three verses later in his letter to the church at Corinth Paul wrote, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead!”  That is the good news of the gospel.  Jesus was executed on a cruel Roman cross on a Friday, but on Sunday morning He walked out of the grave, very much alive. And He is still alive today!

            And because He is alive, you and I can live forever!  Praise be to God! There is hope beyond the grave.  Do you have that hope? I pray that you do. And I hope you will find yourself in church this coming Sunday celebrating that hope.  There are wonderful churches all across McIntosh County.  Be there this week to celebrate this one fact. “He is not here. He is risen, just as He said.”  Jesus is alive!

Palm Sunday

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday.  It is called that due to the fact that Jesus, on the Sunday prior to His crucifixion, rode into Jerusalem on a small donkey, and folks lay down their coats as well as branches from trees to offer somewhat of a “red carpet treatment” to the Lord.  On that day the crowds were thrilled to be in His presence. They cried out in worship and honor to Him.

            It would be less than a week when the tides of sentiment made a complete 180-degree change.  Many of those who cried out, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” on Sunday, cried out, “Crucify him,” on Friday.  This would be shocking except that we have heard the story before. 

            I know that, through the years, I have thought of those crowds with disgust. How in the world could they change their minds that quickly?  How in the world could they be so fickle? How in the world, indeed?

            And then it occurs to me.  I don’t like it, but it is true. I am so much like those people in more ways than I can name.  In fact, I think of the words that James wrote in chapter 3 of his little book.  Speaking of the tongue he declares, “It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who were made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” 

            The truth is that I have worshiped God on Sunday, and spoken poorly of another person on Monday.  That is not simply a little mix-up. That is sin. It is blatant rebellion on my part.  And if you are guilty of the same, it is true for you. 

            The people in Jerusalem in the first century were so much like you and me.  But the good news for all of us is this. Jesus died for each of us. He died for our sins, and when we trust Him, our sins are forgiven.

            I am so thankful for the grace of God.  I pray that you have experienced it for yourself.  It is the greatest gift you can receive.

Time and Other Changes

I hope you didn’t forget. You were supposed to move your clocks forward one hour this past Saturday night/Sunday morning.  You “lost” an hour of sleep.  Perhaps you can “find” it again next Fall when we move the clocks again.

            Time change weekend is always interesting.  Historically, (and I have confirmed this with folks who keep actual statistics) both the “spring forward” and “fall back” days are significantly lower attendance days at churches of every kind.  I understand the problem in the spring.  Having lost an hour from their day, many people simply sleep in on that day.

            But what about in the Fall? After all, we are giving you an extra hour in the day.  What happens there?  The truth is that anything that interferes with our routines can mess us up for the entire day/week/month/year…and for some folks, life.  “I don’t like change,” is the mantra by which some folks live.

            That was certainly true of the enemies of Jesus.  And boy, did Jesus upset the apple cart in His day.  The Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes of the day were quite satisfied with the status quo. They did not want anyone to challenge the way they did their business.  And Jesus simply did not cooperate with them.

            “You have heard it said,” He would declare, “but I say unto you…” And after that it didn’t matter what He had to say.  Change was coming, and the leaders didn’t like it. They didn’t even want to hear about it.

            Listen carefully to me. Not all change is good.  But not all change is bad.  There are some things that need to change.  And some of the things that need to change are precious to me.  The older I get, the more adverse I become to certain kinds of change. And yet, I must be open to new things, and to new ways of doing things. After all, God becoming flesh and living in our midst was certainly a new thing. And I am so glad that He did that.

Feasting and Fasting

Last week I wrote about our new fellowship hall.  I spoke of how the Bible speaks of festivals and feasts, and how the day is coming when all believers will be gathered for the greatest banquet ever. The fact is that we love to eat.

            But let me call you attention this week to a different idea entirely.  It is the idea of fasting.  I will just admit that I am much more familiar with the thought of feasting than fasting, and I am not alone. Several years ago, my mom and dad were visiting with us, and I preached on the topic of fasting. My dad told me that he thought that was the first sermon he had ever heard on the topic.  I think it was the first time I had ever preached on it. 

            But fasting is a biblical concept. Once Jesus was teaching on prayer and fasting, and the need not to make a show of either one. Still, He said to those listening to Him, “When you fast…” He took for granted that His followers would continue this practice.

            Fasting may be an unfamiliar concept for you. What does it mean? Why would you do it?  What does it accomplish?

            Let me make a couple of observations. First, there may be some with medical conditions that would preclude you from fasting for any long period of time.  Fasting simply means that you do not consume food for a set time frame.  It can be short or long.  Most people who fast do so for a couple of reasons.  They are seeking answers and directions for something in their lives. Or, they simply want to experience God in a closer manner. Fasting can help you in both of these areas. 

            More than once I have fasted for a day or two as I have sought the Lord’s will and direction in my life. And more than once, in the midst of this, He has answered my prayer. Somehow, as I have refrained from eating, and prayed during my normal mealtimes, God has spoken in a powerful way to me. 

            If you have never fasted, I would commend the practice to you. If your health will not allow it, then fast from TV or the internet for a few days. Pray during the time you normally engage in those activities.

            We need to hear from the Lord. Fasting may be one way that you can do just that. 

Family Life

Over the last year I have shared a bit about the progress being made in the construction of our new building at Shellman Bluff Baptist.  We broke ground on January 8, 2023, and we dedicated our new Family Life Center on January 7, 2024.  The new building contains a large room for eating and meeting, a beautifully appointed kitchen, restrooms, storage, and even an outdoor kitchen.  We named it the Family Life Center because that is where we, as a church family, “do life together.”

Already we have enjoyed several meals together in our new facility. We have had a membership class as well, and earlier this month, in one weekend, we had a dinner where we invited our community, and then had a joint worship service with other churches from McIntosh County.  It has already been a blessing to us.

            I’ve had a couple of folks question the expense for such a building.  After all, this is the place where we worship. One Sunday School class does meet in the big room, but we had another place they could meet.  Is it wise, is it valid, to build a building where the main purpose is to gather for food? Could we not simply eat at home?

            May I remind you that the Bible speaks often of feasting and festivals.  I know most of those are in the Old Testament, but Jesus and His disciples attended such festivals. They went to at least one wedding.  They often shared meals together, and in fact it would seem that the early church may have eaten together every week.

            Not only that, but the Bible speaks of a great banquet to come.  We will one day sit down with Jesus to the greatest banquet of all.  You see, there is something special about sharing a meal together.  There is something special about gathering at the table with family and friends.

            I am so grateful for our church family’s faithfulness to give to this new project.  I believe that it will be a great blessing for us and for our community for years to come. 

Who Can I Blame?

More than once since I started writing this column I have received an email from Kathleen saying, “I don’t have an article for you yet.”  I’ve had to drop everything and go to writing. I don’t want to disappoint the five or six folks who read me every week.

            Why have I forgotten? Who can I blame?  After all, that is our first option, right? Blame someone else.  “The reporter took my comments out of context.”  “My predecessor left me a mess.”  And of course, Geraldine from the old Flip Wilson Show used to say, “The devil made me do it.”

            Of course, that’s nothing new.  I mean, blaming someone else.  After all, when caught after the first sin ever Adam said, “The woman you gave me,” blaming Eve, and implicating God Himself.  In other words, it has always been our first tendency to put the blame on others.

            I have a much better option for you when you find yourself in trouble.  In 1 John we are reminded that we are all sinners.  1 John 1:8 says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” And then the solution follows in the very next verse.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

            Those verses remind me of something that is truly good news. God knows that we are sinners. He knows that we will mess up. But He has a plan to forgive us and set things right. Paul wrote to the Romans, “God commended his love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What good news that is! 

            “When you mess up, ‘fess up.”  That’s what my dad told me.  And that’s the teaching of the Bible.  It is the only way to be at peace with God.  I pray you will do just that.

"Did You Enjoy Winter?"

Did you enjoy winter?  It happened a couple of weeks ago. It lasted about three days.  I’m sure you’ve heard the jokes. Here we only have two seasons. Summer and February.  For several years my family lived in the upper Midwest, and we talked about our two seasons, Winter and July. 

            Of course it is all hyperbole.  We do have four seasons here.  It’s just that one of them is extremely long, and a second one is quite short-lived.  And I’m okay with that.  When I moved back to the south I made a promise to God. “I will not complain about hot weather.”  That was in 2005, and to date I have kept my promise.  I will take August in south Georgia over February in Michigan six days a week, and twice on Sunday.

            Here’s the thing about the weather. You’ve heard it before. We talk about it all the time, but never do anything about it.  The reason for that is simple. We really can’t do anything about it.  I can plan a day for golf or fishing, but if it’s raining sideways when I wake up on that day, I’m going to stay in doors.  What hurts more than that is when the weather is beautiful, and I’m stuck with a list of things that keep me inside all day. 

            The truth is that God is Lord of the universe, and that certainly includes the weather. And we need both the sunshine and the rain.  We may not like it when it rains, but we do so need the water. Thank God for the rains that fill our rivers and lakes and cause our crops to grow. And thank God for the sun that warms us and causes those seeds to germinate.

            Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, declared that God, “sends the rain on the just and the unjust.” That is one more indication that He is good to us all, and He provides what we need.  I pray that you will learn to trust the Lord, no matter the circumstances.  He is worthy of your faith and your love.

LOVE

Today is Valentine’s Day.  It is a day to give roses and candy and jewelry, along with dinner out, to your loved one.  It is a day for love.  Guys, if you are reading this after supper tonight, you may have already messed up! 

            Seriously, where did Valentine’s Day originate? What is its meaning? Why do we celebrate? There are cynics who simply say it is another of the so-called, “Hallmark Holidays,” a day made up by the card company and florists to boost their businesses.  That is not really the case, though not everyone is a fan of the day.

            St. Valentine was a Roman priest who was martyred, some say on February 14.  One story says that he would secretly perform weddings for soldiers, because some believed that soldiers needed to remain unmarried in order to be fully devoted to their jobs. Valentine so believed in love that he would marry these young people so that they could share their love.

            Today we celebrate Valentine’s Day in a number of ways. Even elementary school children may exchange cards and candy.  People in love, both married and unmarried, will give the different gifts listed above to express their feelings. And good luck walking into a nice restaurant at 6 p.m. on Valentine’s Day without a reservation. As one who has done just that, let me tell you it is not a good idea.

            The truth is that we need to practice love all year round. The Bible tells us that God is love, that is it is His very nature to love. And the Bible tells us that the most important commandment ever given is to love God, and then to love each other. Those were Jesus’ words.  So, love truly matters to the Lord.

            I would remind you of this. Love is more than a sappy emotion. Love is a commitment of the will.  It is the keeping of vows, even when it is not easy to do so.  Love does not quit at the first opportunity. It stays strong and stable. 

            We are grateful for God’s love for us.  And as the Bible says in 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.”

Do You Know Your Purpose in Life?

I enjoy writing.  I hope you enjoy my writing. Even more, I hope you learn something from my writing.  I hope my writing accomplishes something 

I have a friend who is a writer.  While I like to write, I am not a writer in the sense that Mark is.  He has to write…something…every day.  He tells me writing is as important to him as breathing.  He has published several books.  In at least two he was the “ghostwriter” for a much more famous person. 

            I have to admit this. If I actually publish a book, I want my name to be on the cover.  I don’t want it buried in the fourth paragraph on page three of the preface. That distinguishes me from a true writer. Mark says it does not matter to him if it is published, if he receives credit, or if he is paid.  He simply has to write…something…every day.  That is his purpose in life.

            Do you know your purpose in life?  One old confession of faith says, “It is the purpose of man to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”  That is a reminder that you and I were created to bring honor to God, to love Him, and to serve Him.  God made us for Himself, and we become who we were meant to be when we follow Him.

            But beyond that general purpose, I believe that we have a more specific purpose in life.  At least part of my purpose is to teach the Bible, whether in sermon or through a newspaper article. I am to teach biblical principles, even when I do not choose a specific text to expound.  Teaching the Bible is a major purpose for my living.

            It took me a while to discover my purpose in life. But I know this today. I am never more excited about life than when I am doing what God created me to do.

            So, again I ask, “Do you know your purpose in life?”  More than anything you need to discover that purpose.  Why did God make you the way He did? Why do you have the gifts and talents you have? When you discover that, and when you live accordingly, you will experience joy and peace that will overwhelm you.

Belle

Belle is a beagle who stole my heart seven years ago when I first saw her picture online.  She has one blue eye and one brown one.  I found her at a rescue center, and she became a very important part of the Butler family. As I’m typing these words she is asleep in her crate just behind my chair. 

            Americans love our pets.  It is estimated that we spent $63 billion annually on our pets, of which $23 billion was spent on food.  Notice that billion with a “b” is not a mistake.  I actually did a double take myself when I read that

            I want you to know that I’m not trying to put a guilt trip on anyone.  I intend to continue to feed and care for Belle, as well as Cookie, the Pomeranian we inherited from my dad.  Their  companionship is worth it to me.  But I am reminded of something that is very important. I want you to consider it with me.

            In God’s eyes, people are of greater importance than animals.  I do believe that human beings are the pinnacle of God’s creation, and that we alone are made in His image.  Genesis makes that clear. Because of that is imperative that we care for other people.

            There are so many ways to do that.  We should give to charities that truly help others. We should participate in mission projects where we can use our gifts and talents to benefit others.  And we should treat others with the respect that they deserve simply because they are God’s creation.

            May I admit something to you? I don’t always want to do that. When someone cuts me off in traffic and then salutes me I do not want to express God’s love to them. I’m sure you feel the same way.  But then I remember this. Jesus died for each person I meet.  He gave His life so that they might know Him.  People matter to the Lord.  He loves us. And because He loves us, we ought also to love each other. 

Words

“Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink.”  These words come from the lips of a sailor surrounded by salt water, unfit to drink, in a poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.  The same sentiment is described by country singer, Kathy Mattea, “Standing knee deep in a river, dying of thirst.”

            These thoughts could apply to many areas of life. But I want you to consider this one.  We are surrounded by words. Whether they are words on the page of a book, words on the computer screen, or words on our phones and other hand-held devices, the fact is that words are everywhere.

            And yet, there is so little true communication taking place.  Someone types 140 characters and tweets it for everyone to read. But there are no facial expressions, no tonal differences.  We leave ourselves open to miscommunication.

            And then there are those times someone sits at the table surrounded by family and friends, but their full attention is on the screen in their hands.  We’re not listening to each other.  And that’s even true when we carry on face-to-face conversations.  Often we speak at each other rather than with each other.

Words really are important.  The very thought is so important that in the book of John, Jesus Himself is called, “the Word.” 

            God has chosen to communicate with us. He has chosen to reveal Himself to us.  The entire story of the Bible is that of God making Himself known to us. 

            There is a good reason we have two ears and one mouth.  We need to work at listening to others. But even more we need to listen for the Lord to speak.  He is not silent.  We’re not listening.  I pray that you will hear the Lord’s voice as He speaks to you this year.

Patience = Understanding

Today is a special day for our church family. We will eat dinner in our new fellowship hall building for the first time tonight.  Have I ever told you what good cooks we have at Shellman Bluff Baptist?  Let me tell you, I could weigh 300 pounds in a heartbeat if I did not have some discipline!

            Seriously though, this has been a long time coming.  In early 2021 we elected a church campus master planning committee that met with an advisor who helped us draw up a master plan for our future. Then in August of that same year we elected a building committee specifically to bring a recommendation to the church concerning the new building. They met for more than a year before making that proposal which the church readily approved. Finally, on January 8, 2023 we broke ground. And on January 7, 2024 we dedicated our new building.

            May I say that my patience has been tested over the last year.  We fully expected to occupy the building earlier, but there were several delays in receiving materials. One necessary item was ordered the first week of April, but was not delivered until November.  And so, we waited, and we hoped, and we dreamed, and we waited.

            I’m not very good at waiting. How about you?  And yet the Bible teaches us that patience is a necessary part of the Christian life. Paul lists it as one of the nine character traits of the fruit of the Spirit.  And Proverb 14:29-30 tells us, “Patience leads to abundant understanding, but impatience leads to stupid mistakes.”  Ouch!

            I’m learning to be more patient. I wish I had been as patient with my sons as I am with my granddaughters.  I pray that I will continue to learn and practice patience. And I am so very grateful that God has been patient with me.  He knows I need it.

Finish the Race

My mother was notorious for this.  When Christmas Day was over, it was time to move on. Undecorate the house and get it back in order.  By December 26 all of the boxes were back up in the attic or on shelves in the garage. I’ve actually seen her start taking down the tree after dinner on Christmas Day.  Mind you, this is the same women who once called me on my birthday in July, and in the conversation told me that she had finished her Christmas shopping.  I loved my Mama, but that’s just different, shall we say.

            Still, it is true that we are now focusing on different things.  The radio stations are no longer playing Christmas music.  The plays and shows are done. And we now turn our attention to 2024.  Just saying that out loud is strange.  2024.  Did you ever think you would make it that far?

            Mickey Mantle, the great Yankee baseball player, was once quoted to say, “If I’d known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself.”  I think he was onto something.  I’m sure my knees and back and hips would all feel better had I not subjected myself to the basketball court for all of those years.  But I have to tell you this.  I would do it again.  I enjoyed the competition and the training and the camaraderie of playing team sports.  I’ve rolled ankles and blown out knees, taken elbows to the face, and I’ve experienced the pain of losing. But it was worth it. 

            Paul, in several of his letters, likened the Christian faith to running a race.  He talked about the training and preparation necessary to enter the competition.  And he spoke about the crown, or the trophy that one could expect to receive at the end of the race.  In his final letter, 2 Timothy, he declared that he had, “fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.”  And he looked forward to the reward that awaited him in the future.

            We are still in the midst of the race. It is not a sprint, but a marathon. And it is long and hard. Still, we are to persevere. Keep at it. Don’t quit.  It will be worth it. God’s promises are true.  You can trust Him. Keep going.

            Happy New Year!

Commitment

Forty-four years ago this Friday Tina and I stood before family and friends at the First Baptist Church of Chamblee, Georgia and said, “I do.”  Can I just be blunt with you?  A pastor getting married three days before Christmas might not have been the wisest decision we ever made. Of course, I was not a pastor at the time, but we both knew that God had called me.

            There were those who will remain nameless who wondered if it would last. At this point I think we will make it. I told her recently that if she left me I was going with her. I know it’s an old joke, but I meant it. 

            With the death of Rosalyn Carter last month there has been a lot of conversation about long marriages. She and Jimmy were married 77 years.  That’s difficult to fathom.  How do you do that?  Well, the obvious first thing is that you have to live a long time, and that’s not something you control. 

            But there are things that you can do. There has to be an absolute commitment to one other person.  You have to determine not to use the D word.  Tina has quoted Ruth Graham on many occasions. “I don’t believe in divorce, but murder has crossed my mind.”  She’s joking…I think.  But the premise is the same. You must be committed to each other, because living with another person can simply be hard.

            Compromise is necessary.  There are simply times when you must realize that some hills aren’t worth dying on.  Selfishness is natural to us all. We all want what we want, and we usually want it right now.  But you have to be willing to sacrifice and give. 

            I am convinced that the greatest secret to a long marriage is a strong commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Putting Him first in our lives has helped us learn to love and serve each other.  Celebrating His birth while also celebrating our anniversary has actually been a lot of fun through the years.

            I pray that we will continue to be faithful to our vows.  We’ve been blessed to have more good times than bad, and more health than sickness. But the goal is to be faithful no matter what.  Thank God for His faithfulness to us.  Happy anniversary, Sweetheart. I’d do it all over again.