Heat!

You probably haven’t noticed this, but it’s hot! It’s south Georgia hot! And there is no place to escape. When I graduated high school, I went to work for a local, small-time contractor named Mr. Cash. I was not a trained carpenter by any means, but over three summers and Christmas breaks, I learned a lot about carpentry, masonry, and other things involved in the building of homes and chicken houses. To this day there are dozens of chicken houses spread across Gwinnett and Barrow counties that I helped to build.

I remember one hot, steamy day we went to work. When we got to the jobsite, we parked the trucks and got out. The combination of heat, humidity, and whatever else caused a misty haze to hover over the ground. Mr. Cash looked at me, pointed across the way, and said, “Brad, do you know what that is?” I shook my head, and he responded, “That’s laziness between us and the job. That’s the scientific name for it. Laziness.” And with that he burst out in laughter and started walking toward work.

I’ve often thought of that day. The heat and the humidity were oppressive, and I was working for $2.50 an hour. $20 a day. $100 a week. And that was before taxes and social security. And I would think about my soft bed in my folks’ air-conditioned house and wish that I had never gotten in the truck that day. But I strapped on my tool belt and went to work. And I am a better man for it.

How often we are called upon to do things that we would rather not do! The temptation to give up is strong. Life is hard. And yet, the Lord Himself said to us, “If any man will be my disciple, let him take up his cross and follow me.” He also said, “He who endures to the end will be be saved.”

And I am much closer to the end today than I was back when I worked for Mr. Cash. I am grateful fo the lessons I learned from him. And I have one prayer that I hope will be answered. I simply want to finish well. “God help me,” I pray.

Children’s Church Camp

As you are reading these words, I am at children’s camp. We have taken eight of our boys and girls to Brewton Parker College for a time of Bible study, games, and I don’t know what all we will do. I would imagine that by the time you read this, I will be exhausted. I’m not sure home much sleep I will get. But I am also expecting to have a great time.

Why would I, now in my sixties, go off to children’s camp? Have I lost my mind? Well, there are those who would debate if I ever had a mind to lose in the first place, so I won’t address that. But I have to tell you why I agreed to this adventure.

First, I have always enjoyed church camp. As a boy, into my teens, my church went to a whole church weekend camp several years in a row. I remember swimming in the lake, eating burgers and dogs cooked over a campfire, and late-night Bible studies and testimony times that made an impact on my life.

I also remember diving in the lake, making contact head-to-head with L.C., a good friend and high school baseball teammate, and going to the emergency room with a split head and concussion. Good times indeed.

But over the years I have taken several groups to camps at: Jekyll Island, Georgia; Roscommon, Michigan, and Toccoa, Georgia. And I have seen lives changed because we had the full attention of those young people for several days in a row. There is something about a camp setting that calls us to listen more attentively. Even a camp at Ridgecrest, North Carolina when I was in college was a time when God spoke to me in a powerful manner.

So, this week as I am not eating my wife’s wonderful cooking, as I sleep in a twin bed with a lumpy mattress, as I play games and attempt things I should have stopped doing twenty years ago, I am hopeful that God will work in the hearts and lives of five boys and three girls from Shellman Bluff, and hundreds more from across the state of Georgia. Won’t you pray for us? Pray that God will change the lives of children. And pray that I will survive.

Happy Birthday, America!

Tomorrow is our country’s 248th birthday. And she doesn’t look a day over 30… depending on where you look. You may or may not be aware, but patriotism is not as popular as it used to be. From one side of the spectrum there are those who refer to any type of patriotism as nationalism, or exceptionalism, and it is condemned. And from the other side there are those who say that any commitment or pledge made to our country or flag detracts from our worship of the one true God.

I have to say that I believe that both sides are mistaken. I certainly do not worship this country. We have our flaws. The nation was born with flaws, and they are easily seen. Still, there simply must be some reason that millions of people from other countries continue to come our way. They must see something beautiful and attractive that many of us seem to miss.

Our nation is not, nor has it ever been, a truly Christian nation. We are not “the people of God”. And yet, the freedoms espoused in our founding doctrines are not just good ideas. They are true. They are what Francis Shaeffer called, “true truth”. They are true all the time and for all people. “All men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.”

And for that we can be thankful. I’m proud to be an American. I am grateful to all of those who have put their lives on the line for our freedoms. I am thankful for the founding fathers, even with their flaws, who had a vision for a nation like the Untied States of America. here’s a question for you. What if we truly lived by those founding documents? Wouldn’t that be great?

And in the same way, what if believers in Jesus truly lived by the teachings of the Bible. What a difference we would make! Happy Birthday, America. And may God truly bless the USA.

God’s Garden

I am actually writing this column a couple of weeks before you will read it, but I am enjoying watching something going on right outside of my window.  There are bees buzzing around flowers, going from one to the other.  They are feeding themselves, but we also know that they are pollinating the flowers. It is a fascinating thing to observe.

            At my home we have both a vegetable garden and several flower beds.  There are squash and okra, tomatoes and peppers, along with azaleas, gardenias, agapanthus, and other flowers for which I do not even know the name.  In addition, there are several citrus and dogwood trees. They are beautiful to see, and some produce delicious food.  

            I started working in a garden at the age of nine. We moved out to the country, and my dad planted a garden every year. Oh, how I would complain about picking and breaking green beans, shelling butterbeans and shucking corn.  And here I am, more than fifty years later, and I am doing it to myself.  Why?

            Well, I enjoy the taste of a homegrown tomato, for one thing. But I also love to watch God at work.  I am certainly aware of the scientific processes that take place as a seed is germinated. But what I know is that the Lord created this process.  The psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God.”  Indeed, as I look around at the creation He made, I am in awe at the goodness and the power of God. “The whole earth is full of His glory.”  He made it all for you and me. What a good God He is!

Father's Day

This coming Sunday is Father’s Day.  I am so grateful to God for the father He gave to me.  My dad taught me how to ride a bike, throw and hit a ball, drive a stick, tie on a hook.  Those are things I will always remember.

            But more importantly than all of those things, my dad taught me how to keep my wedding vows, and to follow Christ.  Dad was so faithful to my mom, especially in the final year of her life.  He lovingly cared for her, showing great patience and mercy.  I am so grateful for all of the lessons he taught me, and I have missed him every day since he passed in August of 2021. 

            I became a father myself back in 1987.  My family was “assembled” in a different fashion than most.  Both of my sons were adopted, and both were toddlers when they entered our home. I have often told the story of how smart my oldest was compared to most.  He called me “Daddy” on the day we brought him home. Of course, he was two and half years old, but that’s okay. I have to admit that left me a bit misty eyed. 

            Being a dad has been both a joy and a challenge.  I have rejoiced with both of my sons in their accomplishments, and have had to reprimand each of them for things they have said and done.  But I am both proud and grateful to be their dad.

            Paul, in the book of Romans, says that God has adopted us into His family.  Of course, I am speaking of those who have trusted in Him for salvation.  To realize that we have been brought into His family, and that we can now call Him Father is simply an amazing thing.

            Do you know the Lord in this manner? Are you able to call out to Him as Father? I pray that you will see that He is a good Father who loves you and wants the very best for you.

Vacation Bible School

Our church is in the middle of an event called Vacation Bible School.  We started Monday morning and will finish just after noon on Friday.  Then on Friday night we will have a celebration with the children singing for their parents and showing off all they have done for the week. We will top that off with food, including ice cream, at the end of the evening.

            As best I can tell the origins of Vacation Bible School trace back to 1894 in Hopedale, Illinois.  A public-school teacher, who was also a Sunday School teacher, started a daily Bible school to teach children during the summer.  For Southern Baptists, the first VBS was held in 1923 in Washington, Georgia.

            I have been attending VBS for more than 60 years now myself.  My Mom was a VBS teacher every year I can remember, and since I have been a pastor there have been only two years I have not been involved in Bible School (my family moved from Georgia to Indiana the week of VBS, and the Covid year of 2020 when we did not have one).

I love being around the children.  I will admit that they exhaust me. In fact, I am the director for recreation, so I am running around with them, both teaching and also seeking to expend some of their energy.  I rest well every afternoon. 

            Vacation Bible School is just one more effort that churches make to reach out into their communities and to touch the lives of families.  I believe it has been a very effective tool in sharing the gospel, and I am grateful for those who started the program years ago.

            Jesus told us to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and we are to use every means necessary to do just that. I pray that you will find your place in serving the Lord in your church.  The call to make disciples is for every believer.

Heat

“It’s not the heat…it’s the humidity.”  Heard that one before?  But let me tell you something. I’ve been to Arizona and Nevada in June, and the heat itself is enough to make you melt.  The so-called dry heat is just as debilitating as our high humidity and high temperatures here in Southeast Coastal Georgia. 

            I have to tell this story on myself.  My family spent 14 years in the upper Midwest.  We were in East Central Indiana, and then in metropolitan Detroit, Warren, Michigan to be exact.  The summers there were quite pleasant. Our home in Indiana had a window air conditioning unit in our bedroom.  Five to ten times a year the boys were invited to come and sleep in our room.  And there were two summers in Michigan where I don’t think the air ever came on. 

            But the winters? They could be brutal.  One year we went sixteen consecutive days where the high temperature never exceeded zero Fahrenheit.  According to the newscaster it was dangerous to walk to your mailbox.

            In 2005, when we moved from Michigan to Pembroke I made a promise to God. I would not complain about the heat.  And for 19 years I have kept that promise. I will take August here over February there any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.  Yes, I sweat a lot, and have to throw out certain shirts that I have worn to play golf all summer.  But I have chosen not to complain. Rather, I will give thanks.

            I know that we have a holiday in November set aside for the purpose of giving thanks. But I am reminded that Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  And I know that I need to be more thankful. Gratitude will go a long way in making life more enjoyable.

            I don’t know what is going on in your life, but I encourage you to practice giving thanks more often. God deserves it, and it will make your day better, too.

Attitudes

It’s officially Summer! Oh, I know. The first day of Summer is in June. But from Memorial Day forward we are in Summer mode, am I right?  Summer is not the same for me as it used to be.  We will have Vacation Bible School at our church, and then in July we will be taking several children to camp. 

            But other than that, Summer is very different for me.  When they were younger, both of my boys played baseball. I was always a coach for one or the other. Then, even after they were grown, my wife was a teacher. So, our calendar always revolved around the school year. Since she retired, that has changed.  We went on vacation in April!  We are planning to go the mountains in the Fall.  That is quite a change.

            Speaking of change. You’ve probably heard the story. “How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?” And immediately someone responds, “You can’t change that light bulb. My grandmother donated that light bulb in memory of her great aunt.”

            We laugh because of the absurdity, and yet, sometimes we are greatly averse to any idea of change.  Change is hard.  We like things the way they have been. We have grown accustomed to them. They are comfortable to us. I really don’t like change.

            And yet, there are some things that must change.  Diapers. Garbage bags.  Air filters. Attitudes. Whoa, where did that one come from?  But it’s true.  We need to realize that some things are different from the way they were, and they are not going back.  I know some of us would love to throw all of the computers and cell phones in the nearest salt water river, and return to the way we learned. But it’s not going to happen, so we have to learn to deal with it.

            But I have good news for you. The Bible says God never changes. He is, “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” That means that you can count on Him. He will not let you down. He will not set the bar higher or lower. He will remain steady, stable and strong. You can trust Him.  I hope that you do. 

Memorial Day

Monday is Memorial Day.  It is a day set aside to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  It is a time to remember the families they have left behind as well.

            “War is hell.” The quote is attributed to General Sherman, but anyone who has been in battle knows it to be true.  I did not serve in the military, but have had friends and family who will simply not talk about some of the things that they experienced, “over there.”  Well beyond the difficulties of separation from family, the things that take place on the battlefield are often beyond description. No sacrifice is as great as the giving of one’s life.

            Jesus said, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.”  And Jesus Himself would lay down His life for us.  That is the marvelous news of the gospel.  The Bible tells us that God saw our condition, had mercy and compassion on us, and sent His Son to give His life for us.  All who trust in Him receive forgiveness and eternal life.

            For many Memorial Day has become not much more than a four-day weekend, and the official start to the Summer season. That is too bad.  The truth is that our country is free, and we have so many privileges, because there have been those who have served and given their lives for our freedoms. We should pause to remember and to give thanks for this ultimate act of sacrifice.

            But even more we should be grateful for the freedom that Jesus offers because of His sacrifice on our behalf.  What a blessing to live in a free country. And even more to know that we are heirs to the riches of God Himself because we have trusted in His Son. Have a safe and blessed Memorial Day.  

Homecoming

Our church will celebrate Homecoming this next Sunday.  That is a foreign idea for some.  I had someone ask, “Do we have a dance?” Their only reference for Homecoming is high school.  No, we won’t have a dance. But we will have more food than you can believe, and we will have lots of music during worship.  We will start at 10 am in order to accommodate the extra music. It will be a celebration for us.

            This Sunday will mark 78 years that Shellman Bluff Baptist has been in existence.  Homecoming is a time when we invite friends and family who have moved away to come back home for the weekend.  We hope that several former members will come back and enjoy the day of worship and fellowship with us. 

             I want you to consider the history of any church that has been in existence for 78 years or more. How many worship services have they had? How many people have made life-changing commitments in those services? How many weddings have taken place at the church? How many funerals have been performed? So many events, both happy and sad, have come and gone. The church has made a difference in its community.

            A question I have asked of our church members is one that every church should ask. If our church ceased to exist tomorrow, would the neighborhood notice? Would we be missed?  In other words, are we really making a difference?

            Jesus declared, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”  He has made it clear that the church will last. Not every individual church, mind you. There have been churches, sadly, who have died. They have stopped fulfilling their purpose, and they no longer exist.

            But the church universal goes on. And the Lord is with that church. He will maintain and strengthen His church until the time that He returns.  I pray that my church will be faithful to fulfill its mission in this world. I pray the same for all of our churches in McIntosh County. May God increase our fold, and may He help us to do our part to share the good news of Jesus to all!

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.