Gifts to Share

This column is not intended for true confessions, but I have one to make to you.  I  am artistically challenged.  I can’t draw.  I can’t paint.  I don’t work well with clay.  I’ve never considered the possibility of sculpting.  To be honest, I don’t even take very good pictures.

            I admit to you that there are times when the green-eyed monster rears its ugly head when I see the talents of others.  I am amazed at the beauty of a painted portrait.  When I see creative artwork I wonder why I can’t do something like that. 

            Perhaps you feel that same way when you hear someone sing or play an instrument.  Maybe you are jealous of someone who can swim or run faster than you can.  Or maybe you would simply like to be able to bake a delicious pie.

            Whatever it may be, we all have something we wish we could do.  Some are gifted cooks while others have a green thumb in the garden.  Some sing like beautiful songbirds while others paint.  And you may wonder if you have any gift to offer at all.

            The Bible makes it clear that God gives gifts to all of His children.  Paul describes this for us in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.  There are many gifts, and I am of the opinion that the lists in the Bible are representative rather than exhaustive. Each believer has at least one of these gifts.  Therefore you cannot honestly say that you have no gifts..

            Some gifts are used more publicly than others. But make no mistake about it. Every gift matters.

            I think if I could emphasize just one biblical truth to Christians and churches this might be it.  You are gifted, and your gift is important. You can use it to bless others. You should not envy what others have and do, for yours is an essential part of the church, too. 

            Here’s the deal.  When you and I use the gifts God has given to us, the church is blessed and built.  And we make a powerful impact on the world around us.  I encourage you to do two things. First, discover your gift, or gifts and practice using them. And then, rejoice as others do the same.  As we turn away from jealousy, and cheer each other on, the church will grow and God will be glorified. 

Age and Maturity

Wish me a happy birthday!  I’m not afraid to say it. Sixty-three years young today!  I remember, and it seems not so long ago, that sounded old. It was old!  Poor people. Already one foot in the grave.  When I was fifteen, twenty-five, and even forty, sixty seemed so old.  Did people that age even have a reason to live? 

            Now I look back at that time and I wonder, “How did that guy even have the wisdom to get in from the rain?”  I don’t know everything, and I never will. But I have learned much about life and myself through the years. 

            It’s funny. Folks have asked me, “Where did you grow up?” and when she’s been there my wife has replied, “He hasn’t yet.”  She’s so sweet. 

            But let’s be honest. I know it’s a male thing, but many of us do maintain a bit of immaturity in our lives. Recently my brother-in-law and I sat and watched a recording of a Bill Engvall comedy concert.  We laughed until our bellies hurt.  Our wives rolled their eyes and left us to it. And we enjoyed every minute of it.

            There is a great need for maturity in the Christian life.  In 1 Corinthians 3:2 Paul lamented that he wanted to feed his readers meat, but they could only take milk, indicating they were not mature. And the author of Hebrews tells us to, “leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity.” 

            Here’s the thing. God wants us to grow in our faith. He wants us to be more loving today than we were last year. He wants us to be more faithful, more godly, and more holy than we were last year. 

            Growing stronger in the faith is not automatic. We must take spiritual nourishment, and exercise our spiritual muscles in order to grow. That means we need to read our Bibles, pray, and worship regularly. We also need to serve and minister to others.  All of these activities can lead us to greater maturity.

            Too often we compare ourselves to each other. A better practice is to compare your today self with who you were last year, and even before then.

            Are you more faithful, loving, and holy than you were last year? Are you growing in your faith? I pray that we all will grow in our relationship to the Lord.

Murmurming

It’s hot!  Of course, what do I expect? It’s July in South Georgia.  It’s supposed to be hot.  Seventeen years ago this month my family moved back home. We had spent fourteen years in Indiana and Michigan.  My mother died earlier that year, and I had started looking to move closer to family even when she first became sick. 

            Our family enjoyed our time in the upper Midwest.  We were blessed to be in two great churches.  It was a challenge to be a pastor there, but it was a lot of fun as well. Still, our hearts longed to be closer to family.

            Before coming to Shellman Bluff, we spent more than fourteen years in Pembroke. I had never lived in South Georgia before, but I made a promise to God. I told him, after fourteen winters up north that I would never complain about the heat.  I’ve kept that promise.

            Now, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t acknowledged the heat. I’ve gone inside to sit in front of the air conditioner vent. And I have certainly been grateful for both A/C and cooled seat in a car. What a marvelous invention!

            But complain? I won’t do it. I’ll tell you very simply. I prefer July here to February in Michigan.  And I hope never again to shovel snow.  There is nothing enjoyable about it.

            It is funny how we complain about so many things. The children of Israel did so many times. In the book of Exodus we are told that they “murmured” against both God and Moses. That means they whined and complained and grumbled and carped, and probably even more words than that. And I know that I have done the same.  Maybe the printer’s not working. Or it could be that my garden needs rain.  Or maybe someone has hurt my feelings, and so I have a pity party for myself. 

            And then I read in the Bible, “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” And I am convicted of my puny whining and grumbling. Why do I do it? And the answer is simple. I’m self-centered and selfish. The biblical word is sinful.  And I need to repent and do better. I need to rejoice, to give thanks, and to remember this simple truth.

            God is good all the time. And all the time God is good. Do you remember that? Do you live by it? Let me remind you one more time. God is good. 

Baby Love

Well, as I write these words, she’s not here yet. But my granddaughter was to be born two days ago.  July 11 is my son and daughter-in-law’s second anniversary, and if all goes as expected it will also be Mary Violet’s birthday.  I’m just a little bit amped up.

            And I’m as nervous as a cat in a dog pen.   I’ve never held a baby that is truly, “mine.”  I’ve held lots of babies at dedication services in church. But never one of my own. Let me explain. My two sons were both adopted. They were already walking when they came to our home.  My first granddaughter came as a package deal when my son married her mother.       

            Now, you need to know this. I love my sons and my granddaughter without condition.  They are all precious to me. 

            But by the time you read this, a tiny little girl will have been placed in my arms, and I’m just not sure how I’m going to react.  I don’t want to break her.  I am concerned that I may be shaking so much that I could drop her. And the tears I will shed may be so many that she could drown.  Maybe I should just stay away, huh? 

            Fat chance that happening.  This precious little girl already has me wrapped around her finger, and she’s not even here. My credit card is about to melt as her grandma buys frilly outfits that she could never buy for her sons.  I may have to take out a loan before it’s all over.

            And I will gladly do so, and then do more.  I love this little girl, and again, have not met her at the time of writing.  I can’t imagine having greater love than I do.

            And then I remember this. Paul wrote, “God showed His love to us in this way. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  As the song declares, “Oh, the love of Jesus.”  It is beyond our grandest imaginations! 

            There are all times when we feel unloved. Life is not going as we planned. We are hurting, and do not know where to turn. Let me remind you again. The greatest theological truth ever written is this.

            “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Yes, Jesus loves me.” I pray you will know that by experience. 

The Ideal

In four years our nation will celebrate its 250th birthday.  I’m not sure what that is called. I remember the bicentennial observance in 1976. I was just over three weeks away from my 17th birthday, and preparing to enter my senior year in high school.  At the next big one I will have reached “full retirement age” for social security purposes.  Ah, the years flow by.

            This past weekend we celebrated Independence Day.  I know that in recent years there has been the attempt to “cancel” many of our founding fathers.  As a student of history, I can’t agree to that. And yet, I am reminded that all of our predecessors had clay feet. They were all sinners.

            While serving as author of the document that includes the line, “We believe that all men are created equal,” Thomas Jefferson owned slaves.  There is certainly a contradiction in those actions. So, how might we think about them?

            Here’s one man’s opinion, but I believe it is supported by Scripture. Our founding documents set forth the ideal. The words are true, and we should aspire to live by them. But the truth is that we fail.  Thomas Jefferson failed. Brad Butler fails. Again, we all fail. The biblical doctrine for that is called, “the depravity of mankind,” which does not mean that we are all as evil as we could be, but that we are all sinners by nature, and that every aspect of our lives is touched and tainted by sin.

            The sad truth is simple. Sin is real. It impacts us all. And if left there, we are all in extreme trouble. 

            But the good news of the Gospel is this. Jesus has come and lived the one perfect life. And then He gave that life for us. Because of His sacrifice, we can all live forever. We can be freed from the bonds of sin. 

            I am always grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in this country. But I am even more thankful for the freedom offered in Christ.  I pray that you will find and enjoy that freedom as well.

The Bride

More and more I hear this statement. “I’m a follower of Jesus, but I don’t like the church.”  It takes many forms, and there are many reasons given for the claim. For instance…

            Some tell me the church is full of hypocrites. Others can’t stand church politics.  I’ve heard that the church is just after your money.  And there are those who say that the church simply does not offer them anything.

            I have to admit something to you. I know the church is full of hypocrites.  I’m one of them.  Not all the time, mind you. But I do hypocritical things.  I’m not alone.  It’s true for most (maybe all) of us.  I also get fed up with church politics. 

            As for the last two excuses, it does take money to operate a church. I’m not embarrassed to ask people to give, because the Bible calls for us to be generous. Churches need to be transparent in how we use the money given, because it is God’s money.  But giving is part and parcel of following Jesus.   

            I must say that the argument that the church does not benefit someone is tiresome to me.  The very attitude is sub-Christian at best.  Jesus said about Himself, “The Son of Man came, not to be served, but to serve.” And He has called His children to serve others as well.

            Now, I recognize that the church has a responsibility to its members. We are to teach and train and encourage and help them along the way.  But as Christians, we are called to serve the church.  Often one only “gets out of church” what one puts into it.  We need to take care not to approach church as if we were merely consumers.  The church deserves more than that.

            I hope that you recognize the importance of the church in your walk with Jesus. The Bible refers to the church as the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, and the people of God.  Paul said Jesus, “loved the church and gave His life for her.”  If the church matters to Jesus, it ought to matter to you as well. 

"Eyes to See"

At age six, in first grade, I was prescribed with my first pair of glasses.  I had been unable to read the blackboard at school, and up close reading was also blurry.  “Astigmatism” was the diagnosis.  I went merrily along for several years, wearing glasses at school, and mostly going without them everywhere else.

            But then something very disturbing happened. At age 13, I started swinging and missing at pitch after pitch in baseball.  I had always been a decent hitter. Never hit a homerun, but almost always put the ball in play. But I must have struck out every at bat for two or three games.  Then my dad suggested, “Put on your glasses,” and all of a sudden I could hit again.

            But I was a catcher, and on one occasion I was chasing a popup, threw off my mask, and my glasses fell off at the same time.  Of course, I stepped right on them before catching the pop fly.  For the rest of the season I wore the glasses to hit, but not in the field.  It was a struggle. By this time I needed them all the time.

            Ah, the wonders of medicine.  Late that summer I began to wear contact lenses.  They were the greatest thing I’d ever encountered.  I wore contacts for the next 28 years, until I faced another dilemma.  Allergies required that I take antihistamines, but these dried out my eyes, making the contacts very uncomfortable. So, once again I went to glasses full time, and in short order, bifocals. 

            I lived with that for several years, but then I saved up my money for laser eye surgery.  From a personal standpoint it was the best gift I’ve ever given to myself.  They even set one eye for reading and the other for distance. Somehow my eyes and my brain adjusted to that immediately. 

            I remember looking across the room and reading the numbers on the clock for the first time since kindergarten.  It was amazing.  And it still is.

            I am grateful for the advances in medicine that have given me the ability to see as well as I do today. But I’m even more grateful to the Lord who created the eye, and then the brain that has guided doctors and inventors in making these advances.  It is so very true. “The heavens declare the glory of the Lord.”  He can be seen in so many ways, but one must exercise the eyes of faith.

            This is not “blind faith,” as some would call it.  Romans 1 tells us that there is more than enough evidence to see God at work if you will only look.  “Dear God. Give us eyes to see,” is my prayer.

Father's Day

“Give a child a good mother, and any old stick will do for a father.” Reportedly those were the words of the great evangelist of the early 1900’s, Billy Sunday.  You may recall that he quit his job as a professional baseball player to begin preaching.

            Anyway, Mr. Sunday was seeking to emphasize the importance of motherhood, and we would all agree with him on that. But do you think he got it right?  Are fathers that unimportant?

            Yes, this coming Sunday is Father’s Day.  My column is not a shameless plug to get a better gift or more attention.  But I am sure of this. Fathers are of much greater importance than Mr. Sunday said.  There is a tremendous need for godly, loving dads in our world today.

            In a recent devotion I read, the author quoted from Ezekiel 22:30, “I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, but I found no one.” Here God says that He was looking for just one faithful man, but could not find one. At that time, in that place, there was no man who was living righteously among the wicked.

            I pray that would not be the case today where we are. But I do know this for a fact. There are not as many godly and righteous men around. So many of us put our hobbies, whatever they might be, ahead of our wives and children and church.  We work hard at our jobs, and I suppose we believe that should allow us to shirk other responsibilities. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

            God is calling for godly men to love and lead, both in their families and in their churches. God is calling us to be faithful in society, and to be examples to others.  God is looking for a few good men.

            Will you be one?

VBS

Our church is in the middle of Vacation Bible School this week.  We are meeting every morning at 9 a.m.  I am actually in charge of recreation this week, so I get to play games with the children.  We are prepared with some indoor games in case the weather is bad, but for the most part it is my job to run the boys and girls around enough to get rid of nervous energy.  We hope that they will return to the classroom ready to listen and to learn.

            Many years ago I was telling a group of pastors that we were having VBS the next week, and asking for them to pray for us.  One of the older pastors astounded me when he declared, “I always take vacation the week of Vacation Bible School. I leave that for the volunteers.”

            I was much younger than he was, and so I didn’t challenge him that day. But I still don’t get it.  VBS is one of the most important weeks of the year for any church and pastor.  I just remember that Jesus, when others were seeking to protect Him from the distraction and interruption, made it clear that He wanted the children brought to Him.  They were, in fact, not a distraction or interruption.  They were the very ones for whom He cared the most.

            I once had a church member who was frustrated about handprints on the wall. “How can we keep this from happening?” was his question to me. I told him we could put up signs that read, “No one under 18 allowed.”  Outside of that there were going to be handprints on the wall, Kool-Aid stains on the floor, and racket in the worship services. 

            I’m glad my friend laughed and said, “How about if I buy a can of paint and touch up that wall every month or so.”  And he did just that for many years, and may still be at it. 

            The bottom line is simple. Children matter to Jesus. They should matter to us.  Still, I do have a request for you. Pray for us this week.  Especially for me as I try to keep up with these little guys in the heat. I’m going to need it.

Fearless

I recently saw the need to trim some of the lower hanging branches on a couple of trees in our yard.  A couple of them were so low that I would bump my head when walking under the tree. Others were casting too much shade, and inhibiting the growth of the grass below.

            I have a power pole saw, so the actual cutting was not too difficult. At the same time, holding a saw like that over your head for a period of time can be tiring. And then there were those branches that required that I stand on my ladder to trim.  Yes, there I was, high up on the ladder, reaching out with the long pole saw to cut the branches I felt would make everything look better.

            More than once it occurred to me, “Be careful. Don’t fall.”  My wife was with me, and wanted to steady the ladder. But I wouldn’t let her do that, because I didn’t want any branches to fall on her. And so I kept at the job, seeking to be careful, knowing that carelessness could lead to serious injury.

            I used to be fearless.  When needing to get to the pasture at home where I grew up, I would take two steps and jump across the ditch. Yes, there was a bridge, but that was quicker, depending on where I was. I climbed every tree in that yard at some point, and I went wading up the creek barefoot all summer long, never concerned about jagged rocks or water moccasins.  Again I will repeat it. Fearless.

            Perhaps a synonym for fearless might be foolish in some circumstances.  It makes more sense to be careful than to jump in without looking. 

            And yet, there are those times when God says to us. “Follow me.” He does not give full instructions as to what we might see and do.  Abraham, Joseph, and Moses (among others) were simply told, “Follow me.” The same was true for the disciples and Paul. And that is God’s call for you and me. 

            It is not foolish to follow the Lord when He says to follow Him. It is faithful. And I pray for all of us that we will be faithful. This I know. God is always faithful.

We Will Remember

This coming Monday is Memorial Day.  This is a day for remembering and mourning those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country. We remember and give thanks for those who have died while serving in the armed forces. 

            Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”  Jesus understood exactly what He was talking about here. He would later do just this.  And it is important to note this. Jesus’ life was not snatched away from Him by some superior force. No, He willingly gave His life that we might live forever. 

            And there have been those who have chosen to serve our country in this manner.  From the Revolutionary War for Independence to this day, men and women have given everything so that we might enjoy the freedoms of this great land.

            The United States of America is far from a perfect place to live. The reason for that is simple. We are all sinners. We are flawed, not just in deed, but in character.  We are selfish. We want our own way. 

            But in so many ways it is the greatest place to live on earth.  Not always in reality, but in our ideals we grant freedom and opportunity to all.  We do not guarantee happiness, but we do offer the pursuit of such.

            I am grateful for this land I call home, and on this coming Monday I will give thanks for those who sacrificed their lives that I might live freely. And I pray that we might be faithful to the One who has made it all possible. 

            God bless you. And may God bless America! 

Homecoming

This Sunday will be (was) Homecoming Day at Shellman Bluff Baptist Church. We are celebrating 75 years in ministry.  Truth be told, the church was formed in 1946, so the actual 75th anniversary was last year. But Covid delayed our ability to enjoy that day fully, so one year later we are throwing a party.

            Former pastors and members have been invited to return for the day.  A full slate of musical numbers has been planned.  And I just know that there will be more food prepared and provided than we will ever consume. Have you ever seen the kind of spread that Baptists can put on the table? I will just say this. We are a lot better at feasting than we are at fasting!

            I am truly excited about Sunday.  I’ve not yet met all of the former pastors who are still living. I will also enjoy standing back and watching as old friends get together for the first time in years.  I expect it to be a wonderful celebration.

            Perhaps the events of Sunday will give us a glimpse into what it will be like when we get to heaven.  I’m serious. The Bible speaks of a great banquet to come. It speaks of a reunion with those who have gone before us.  And it speaks of singing and worshiping the Lord with joy and thanksgiving.

            The fact is that God not only approves of such celebrations, He calls for them. The Hebrew children had several feasts they were to celebrate each year.  God gave them specific instructions in how to throw these parties. And I am confident He still is pleased when we come together to celebrate all that He has done for us.

            Think about it. For 75 years our church has met for worship, ministered to the community, and cared for its members.  A lot of water has flowed under the bridge during that time. But this one thing we know for sure. God has been faithful. And he will continue to be so.  That’s really the reason for our party. God is good.  We are grateful for all He has done.  And we give Him the honor for it all. 

The Master Gardener and His Assistant

Oh, my vegetable garden is looking good. I’ve had a well dug since last summer, so I’m watering it to my heart’s delight. Blooms and vines are everywhere. We are looking forward to squash and peppers and tomatoes of all kinds. There is nothing better than slicing that first tomato of the year, placing it between two slices of bread spread with mayonnaise, sprinkling it with salt and pepper, and taking the first bite.

I remember the words of a song I heard on the Ludlow Porch radio show on WSB in Atlanta. “Only two things that money can’t buy, and that’s true love and homegrown tomatoes.”

I enjoy being God’s assistant gardener. Vegetables are my first love. In addition to what I’ve already mentioned, I enjoy corn, beans, peas, and okra as well. There is a freshness to what you grow for yourself that cannot be matched, even if you go to the local farmer’s market.

But I also enjoy planting and tending azaleas, gardenias, trees, and flowering annuals. God is the master gardener, but I like to think that He uses me to assist in the process. For me, caring for my lawn, my flowers and shrubs, and my vegetables is a form of therapy. Mind you, it can be hard and dirty work. I don’t think I would want to work on a hundred acre farm for a living at this point. But I sure do enjoy caring for my ¾ lot.

I see God’s hand in all that is around me. The psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” And I would say that the gardens do as well. What beauty surrounds us every day. Do you see it? Do you give thanks for it?

I pray that God will open our eyes to see His handiwork all around us, and that we will give Him the honor due only to Him for all His great work!

Mother's Day

This Sunday is Mother’s Day.  Are you aware of the origins of the day? In 1907, a lady by the name of Anna Jarvis held a memorial service at her late mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia. Within five years nearly every state in the union was observing the day, and in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday.

            Mrs. Jarvis originally promoted the wearing of a white carnation as tribute to one’s mother, but later the custom developed to wear a red or pink carnation to honor a living mother, and a white one to remember a deceased mother.  Later in life Jarvis, upset because of the over commercialization of the day, sought to abolish the holiday she helped to originate. 

            Mother’s Day is indeed big business these days. Restaurants, floral shops, card companies, and several other industries count on the revenue spent, at least in some cases, to placate the guilt of children and husbands.  Ah, it sounds so romantic when I say it like that, huh?

            Seriously though, Mother’s Day is a big deal.  How many of us are who we are and where we are because of the prayers and the concern of our mothers?  I am grateful for a Christian mother.  I can still hear her singing as she would prepare supper, work in the garden, and even as we would drive to school. 

            My mom was fiercely competitive.  She never let us win at checkers. She had played high school basketball, and as I grew up we had family games. Mom and I would face my dad and sister.  It was knock down/drag out!  Last ones standing won.  Oh, how I miss those days! 

            She’s been gone since 2005.  She was only 67.  But she left us a legacy.  I pray for the moms and grandmoms reading this. May you be faithful, first to the Lord, and then to your family.  May God use you to inspire and train your family to walk with Him. Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Birthday!

April was/is a big birthday month for my family.  Both of my parents, my youngest son, my grandmother, my brother-in-law, and my only niece were born in April.  Through the years we often got together at some point to celebrate these special days.

            It’s funny.  Once her two grandchildren were born in April, my mom pretty much quit counting her own birthdays. It was not out of vanity. She wasn’t attempting to remain “39” forever.  She simply said that she wanted the focus to be on the children. Her birthday didn’t matter anymore.

            In late July we are scheduled to welcome a granddaughter into the Butler family. It is at least possible that she could be born on my birthday.  One day I was “pressuring” my daughter-in-law to make things happen on that day, and Lillie, my first granddaughter said, “But Papa Brad. You don’t want her to be born on your birthday. Everybody will forget about yours.”

            I smiled and replied, “That would be the best birthday gift I could ever receive.”  And I meant it. If I am “relegated” for the rest of my life to spending my birthday celebrating a precious little girl I will be quite satisfied.  And even if we are a couple of days off in either direction, I will still do the same.

            Isn’t it funny? I’m already excited to sacrifice for a yet unborn baby girl.  But on so many occasions, I’m not willing to compromise on what I want with friends and family who are already here. 

            Paul wrote in Philippians 2, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  And throughout the New Testament we are reminded that Jesus was a servant and He has called us to serve others. 

            That’s a hard thing.  I am selfish by nature (no offense, but so are you).  God has called us to love and serve others.  I pray that I can follow that example of Jesus more closely.  I pray that I might serve others as I should. I pray the same for you. 

            By the way, her name is Mary Violet. 

Complaining

There is nothing quite like springtime in the Bluff.  Cars and houses covered in yellowish-green pollen.  Sand gnats, “nipping at your nose.”  And let’s not forget the winds that can almost knock a full-grown man down, not to mention tearing shingles off of the roof.

            Will you just listen to that?  In one short paragraph I have griped and moaned about the sights of the season, when indeed, if I would simply open my eyes and my mind, I would see the beauty of the world around me.

            First there are the azaleas.  So many other flowers are also in bloom. Trees are filled with buds. My cardinal couple spends much of its day at my birdfeeders.  And I saw my first hummingbird of the year this past weekend. For the first time in my life I put out a feeder for those magnificent creatures.  And sure enough, God rewarded my efforts.

            Why is it that we are so quick to see the bad rather than the good? When the Hebrew children were in the wilderness, having escaped the slavery in Egypt, they whined to Moses that they had better living conditions and food in Egypt than where they were. Never mind they were on their way to the Promised Land!

            Lest we judge these folks, we are prone to the same malady.  How many times have I complained about the pollen and gnats, and missed the flowers and the birds!?!  God forgive me. 

            And then, may God give us the grace to see the many blessings He has given to us all. Let us be thankful…joyful even, over the goodness of God. As the old gospel song says, “Count your many blessings, see what God has done!”

Death and Life

I didn’t write about it last week, but last Monday would have been my Mom’s 84th birthday. Last Thursday marked the 17th anniversary of her death. I will never forget that Thursday morning.  I sat up her through the night, catching an occasional catnap, and listening with care for her breathing.

            Around 6:30 am I was wide-awake, and I knew that the end was near.  I moved from the recliner to a kitchen chair, sat by her bed, and held her hand.  About 7:30 that morning she took her last breath. 

            I was a few months shy of my 46th birthday at the time.  It seemed far to early to me to lose the one who gave me life.  We had known for nine months that the cancer was fatal. We had been given time to prepare for what was to come. But there is nothing that can fully prepare you for that moment.

            As I ponder the fragile nature of life in this world, I cannot help but be thrilled by the teachings of the Bible.  Christians the world over celebrate Easter this coming Sunday, recalling the day of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

            Death is a troubling experience for us, as it should be. Paul refers to it as our enemy. Even Jesus cried at the death of his friend, Lazarus.  The truth is that death was not God’s intent for us. It came to be as a result of sin.  We were created for eternity, and it is the resurrection of Jesus that makes it possible for us to experience that eternity.

            I am fully aware that resurrection is a difficult concept for many.  It is not natural. It is in fact, supernatural.  But I want you to know this for sure. If there is a God, and if He is great enough to have created all that is, and if He became flesh and dwelt among us, and if He was put to death on the cross, then He is also risen, and because He lives, we, too, can live.

            I have placed all of my hope in the living Lord, Jesus Christ.  I believe that His death is sufficient for the forgiveness of my sin, and that His resurrection assures that I can be raised as well.  His only requirement? That you trust in Him.  In this Easter season, I implore you to put your trust in the One who has conquered death. His name is Jesus.   

Music: God’s Gift

Music is one of God’s greatest gifts to us.  In Genesis 4:21 we are introduced to a man named Jubal who is described as, “the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.” Jubal is often lauded as the first musician in the Bible.

            Throughout the Psalms we are told to praise the Lord using a variety of musical instruments. Several of the psalms are introduced, “for the choir director,” which many scholars believe means that they were given to this choir director for him to put the words of the poem to music.  The Psalms, for the most part, were intended to be sung.

            I grew up in a musical home. Neither mom nor dad could read a note of music, nor could they play any instruments. But they could sing. In fact, they sang together on the radio before they had their first date.  They sang in our church choir, and they made certain my sister and I were given the opportunity to receive formal musical training.

            I began playing the piano in third grade and the saxophone in fifth.  My sister played the piano and clarinet.  And when I was in high school, my parents and I sang as a trio with Pam accompanying us on the piano. 

            I love music.  I cannot imagine Sunday morning worship without music.  Much of the theology we learn comes in the form of song. That is why the words of the music matter so much. We must be sure that we sing words that bring honor and glory to God, and that tell His story truthfully.

            At Shellman Bluff Baptist music is an important part of who we are. Our choir is skillfully led by Terry Barnard. And fortunately for me, the standards for joining are low enough that they allow the preacher to sing with them.  This Sunday we will sing our Easter Cantata, “Is He Worthy?” If you don’t have a church home we invite you to join us. Or, you can watch it later on our Facebook page. 

            Or, you can support your own church and its music program by singing with your whole heart as you join your church family in worship.  “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” Those words still matter today.  What a blessing to be able to sing to the Lord a new song!

Vertigo

            Several years ago, within a couple of weeks of each other, I had two episodes of vertigo. One time I stood up from my chair to get a snack from the kitchen. All of a sudden the room was spinning and I went to my knees. I became quite sick, and literally crawled to the bathroom.  The only way to get relief was to lay down and close my eyes.

            The other time I was out walking.  Less than half a mile from home I became so dizzy that I had to sit down. I didn’t get sick this time, but when I tried to walk I could not go straight.  A neighbor came to my rescue and helped me get back home.  He wanted to call 911, but I convinced him I would be okay.  It’s never happened again.

            What a strange feeling not to be able to walk a straight line!  My equilibrium was so off kilter that standing up was a problem. It was not a fun moment.

            In Isaiah 5 we read, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light…and bitter for sweet…”  He’s talking about people who are so disoriented that they do not know right from wrong.  In fact, they have gotten to the point that they believe up is down, and left is right.  And he wrote that almost 800 years before Jesus was born.

            We live in a day when people call good evil, and evil good.  We have decided that we can make our own rules, and that God’s instructions are irrelevant.  That is a dangerous thing to do. Many follow the adage, “Let your conscience be your guide.” The problem is that God did not say that. Those words come from Jiminy Crickets. 

            God’s word says that the heart is deceitful, and difficult to understand.  The last verse of the book of Judges says, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Clearly that was not a good thing then, nor is it today.

            There are times I would rather not follow God’s standards. They are hard. They follow the lonely road. But I know it is in my best interest to do what God has called me to do. I pray that you will see that, too. 

Total Commitment

I love to read, and a few years back I bought and read a book entitled, Spurgeon’s Sermons on Prayer.  The author was pastor of London’s New Park Street Chapel for almost 40 years in the late 1800’s.

            The book was quite challenging.  The language and stories were not easy to relate to our modern way of living. And yet the sermons were a great help to me as I sought to understand how to become more effective in prayer.

            One story has been emblazoned on my brain.  I can’t forget it.  Pastor Spurgeon told of a man who was converted to Christ from a very sinful background.  He had lived a rough life.  In fact, it had been so difficult, and he had been in that way so long, that he had one major fear. He was afraid that he might be drawn back to his old ways. He was afraid that he might hurt the reputation of the church and even of the Lord if he were to do that.

            As he met with Spurgeon, the man finally said to his pastor, “I want to pray right now.”  They bowed and he prayed aloud words something like this. “Lord.  It’s going to be hard for me to change my ways. I’ve been such a sinner for so long that I don’t know if I can do it, even with your help. Lord, you know all things, and you know the future.  If you see that I am going to return to my old ways and thus hurt the cause of the kingdom, will you strike me down and take me home.”

            Dr. Spurgeon went on to say that within a week of this prayer that gentleman died.  To say that grabbed my attention would be an understatement.  So many thoughts cross my mind as I try to comprehend it.  I want to touch on just two.

            First, God heard this man’s prayer. It’s not your normal prayer.  But when a child of God bows to speak to the Lord we can be certain that God is listening.

            Second, this man was fully committed to the Lord. He wanted God’s will to be done, no matter what it cost Him. I wonder. Do I have that kind of love for God? Do I want His will more than I want to live?  I pray that I will be as wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord as this man was.  God can do great things with those who are so steadfast.  And the rewards for doing so are, as they say, “out of this world.”