Have you heard about the secession movement? If you're watching TV news, you have not. They wouldn't report it. You see, America is UNITED now. We're all happy, excited the election's over, and ready to come together, right?
WRONG!!!
Apparently 30 states have petitions going to the website of the White House asking for the peaceful secession of their respective state from the Union. The White House says that the President will consider any petition that gains 25,000 signatures. There is a news article on an alternative media site (which you can read here), and it's even caught the attention of Glenn Beck. Coincidentally, this story has come out about the same time of Steven Spielberg's Lincoln film.
Now, two years ago I wrote an incredible position paper in my English class about how the South was justified in seceding from the Union. (Just being honest- it was incredible. I aced it- an eight page paper.) I am quite captivated with the history of that time. I do think that the founding documents of this country do not forbid a state from seceding. I won't go into all that detail here, but will if it warrants.
I also think that today's secession movement has something else going for it: no slavery. That's what we're told the Civil War was all about, and because "History is written by the winners" (paraphrasing a phrase attributed to Winston Churchill), that's what most people say it is. But there were other reasons for secession- an economic structure that favored one part of the nation over the other, and the belief that the few were legislating against the wishes of the many. Now those reasons sound familiar.
But here is why I will NOT sign either of these petitions. First is the fourteenth amendment of the Constitution, ratified after the Civil War ended and mandated to each state as it reentered the Union to ratify. Section 3 of that amendment reads like this:
"Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in
Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any
office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State,
who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an
officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature,
or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the
Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or
rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies
thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove
such disability."
This should disallow many Senators from their current service. But that's a topic for another day.
But this says that essentially anyone engaging in a form of rebellion from the US is no longer able to serve in government of any form.
Also think about part two of this: to sign the petition you have to create an account on the White House website. Do you really want the White House to know that you no longer want them to be a part of the country? Is that really smart?
I didn't think so either.
Shelby Foote said during Ken Burns' The Civil War "It was said before the war 'The United States ARE.' Now it is said 'The United States IS."Obviously after 150 years we are more divided than ever. Only God knows how long we will stand.
So what do you think? Feel free to leave a comment. I'd like to have a discussion on this.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Nearsightedness
"Nearsightedness is when light entering the eye is focused incorrectly,
making distant objects appear blurred. Nearsightedness is a type of
refractive error of the eye."
- From the National Center for Biotechnology Information website
I have been blessed with pretty good eyesight for most of my life. But I fear that I may soon have to visit an eye doctor for the first time. I believe I am becoming nearsighted as I get older. Today I sat with people at their desk and absolutely could not see a thing that was happening on their computers. I used to pride myself on being able to read the fine print. I still can- if that fine print is right in front of my face.
I was thinking about some circumstances in my life that have very recently changed. I don't believe they have changed for the better. Family and friends have been praying for me and encouraging me, hoping to help me out of my pit. My dad reminded me of Romans 8:28, my mother-in-law gave me some encouraging scripture and some misplaced scripture (Daniel 5:23), which gave me a good laugh. My wife has been very encouraging to me, and I may not have told her how much I appreciate that.
The point is- I may be growing physically nearsighted, but I have always been spiritually nearsighted. It reminds me of 1 Corinthains 13:12: "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (NASB).
I don't like my circumstances because I don't think my circumstances favor me. That's typically how it is for us. Christians want to do great things for God and want God to great things for Him. But not everyone can be at the pinnacle. If you want to be a preacher, you can't start out at the megachurch. If you want to play in the band, you can't learn your part on stage.
Surrender is not easy. It is hard to be put in the grunt work. It's tough to be where you are when you don't see a way out. God does not always let us see the big picture at this side, in this time. Only with time does He let us see the big picture and cure our nearsightedness. Romans 8:18 says "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (NASB).
I can't say I'm there yet. It is a work in progress. I don't trust Him like I should. I admit that. "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24) .
In the meantime: anyone know a good eye doctor?
- From the National Center for Biotechnology Information website
I have been blessed with pretty good eyesight for most of my life. But I fear that I may soon have to visit an eye doctor for the first time. I believe I am becoming nearsighted as I get older. Today I sat with people at their desk and absolutely could not see a thing that was happening on their computers. I used to pride myself on being able to read the fine print. I still can- if that fine print is right in front of my face.
I was thinking about some circumstances in my life that have very recently changed. I don't believe they have changed for the better. Family and friends have been praying for me and encouraging me, hoping to help me out of my pit. My dad reminded me of Romans 8:28, my mother-in-law gave me some encouraging scripture and some misplaced scripture (Daniel 5:23), which gave me a good laugh. My wife has been very encouraging to me, and I may not have told her how much I appreciate that.
The point is- I may be growing physically nearsighted, but I have always been spiritually nearsighted. It reminds me of 1 Corinthains 13:12: "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (NASB).
I don't like my circumstances because I don't think my circumstances favor me. That's typically how it is for us. Christians want to do great things for God and want God to great things for Him. But not everyone can be at the pinnacle. If you want to be a preacher, you can't start out at the megachurch. If you want to play in the band, you can't learn your part on stage.
Surrender is not easy. It is hard to be put in the grunt work. It's tough to be where you are when you don't see a way out. God does not always let us see the big picture at this side, in this time. Only with time does He let us see the big picture and cure our nearsightedness. Romans 8:18 says "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (NASB).
I can't say I'm there yet. It is a work in progress. I don't trust Him like I should. I admit that. "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24) .
In the meantime: anyone know a good eye doctor?
Monday, October 8, 2012
Why would we do this?
It's a legitimate question.
Why would people that graduated high school go back? Moreover, why would they go back after graduating in 2012, 2005, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1984, 1977, or even 1971 and participate with the band? What makes people think they can or should play with teenagers half or a third their age?
Why would they search through boxes and find old recordings of the band from their day and put those recordings of that band on YouTube (which you can access here, by the way)?
Why is there a group dedicated to the history and preservation of that group? Why did they do community service in their hometown this past Saturday and hold a big concert the next day celebrating that legacy?
Because the Hibriten High School Band is the legacy of great music in Caldwell County. High School band was started in Lenoir, North Carolina in 1924 by Captain James C. Harper. That Lenoir High School Band began a legacy and amassed a record that was unparalleled as long as it existed. It closed in 1977.
Hibriten opened in 1967. The band was started from scratch by John Craig at the request of students. This past weekend I learned I have really underestimated the contributions he made to the band's legacy. He hired George Kirsten, a former director of the Lenoir Band to be part of the program. Mr. Kirsten would later succeed him as director of the band. In later years Ms. Camilla Graeber who also worked with Lenoir would become the Hibriten Director. Mr. Kirsten would continue to help out with the band until his passing. Also helping out was Mr. John Miller, who was Lenoir's last director. He was very influential to euphonium players like me, and was loved by many. Mr. Miller passed away this past Friday, the same day we gathered for the second time.
He was laid to rest today, the same day as Hibriten's fall concert. But his passing coincides to show what legacy is. To many people, Lenoir High School is just a closed school that is now senior living apartments, a functional auditorium, a gym and a field used by hispanics for soccer games. To them, the Lenoir Band's legacy is a run down band building and grave stones, like Captain Harper's:
(sorry. I couldn't get the image to rotate.)
To me and others like me the legacy is more than a building. It is in the lessons that Capt. Harper taught to people like Mr. Kirsten and to his students. It is in the lessons that Mr. Miller taught to people like Ed Whitener, who would later teach to people like me in middle school. It's in the lessons that Dennis Carswell taught me at Hibriten. See what I mean? The legacy is passed down.
This is why we come back. It's not just the music; it's in the lessons we learned, the people we learned them from, and the people we learned them with. It's in knowing that things at Hibriten are not now like they were when I was a student, but they have improved since last year, and the improvement is telling. Big thanks to Justin Hammonds for accepting the challenge, and from the looks of things, being up to the challenge.
The students of my day and those before me recognize that we were part of something amazing. We also recognize that the students of today need the support that we had. That's why we came. That's why we do what we do.
The legacy lives- and it's up to us to keep it alive.
Why would people that graduated high school go back? Moreover, why would they go back after graduating in 2012, 2005, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1984, 1977, or even 1971 and participate with the band? What makes people think they can or should play with teenagers half or a third their age?
Why would they search through boxes and find old recordings of the band from their day and put those recordings of that band on YouTube (which you can access here, by the way)?
Why is there a group dedicated to the history and preservation of that group? Why did they do community service in their hometown this past Saturday and hold a big concert the next day celebrating that legacy?
Because the Hibriten High School Band is the legacy of great music in Caldwell County. High School band was started in Lenoir, North Carolina in 1924 by Captain James C. Harper. That Lenoir High School Band began a legacy and amassed a record that was unparalleled as long as it existed. It closed in 1977.
Hibriten opened in 1967. The band was started from scratch by John Craig at the request of students. This past weekend I learned I have really underestimated the contributions he made to the band's legacy. He hired George Kirsten, a former director of the Lenoir Band to be part of the program. Mr. Kirsten would later succeed him as director of the band. In later years Ms. Camilla Graeber who also worked with Lenoir would become the Hibriten Director. Mr. Kirsten would continue to help out with the band until his passing. Also helping out was Mr. John Miller, who was Lenoir's last director. He was very influential to euphonium players like me, and was loved by many. Mr. Miller passed away this past Friday, the same day we gathered for the second time.
He was laid to rest today, the same day as Hibriten's fall concert. But his passing coincides to show what legacy is. To many people, Lenoir High School is just a closed school that is now senior living apartments, a functional auditorium, a gym and a field used by hispanics for soccer games. To them, the Lenoir Band's legacy is a run down band building and grave stones, like Captain Harper's:
To me and others like me the legacy is more than a building. It is in the lessons that Capt. Harper taught to people like Mr. Kirsten and to his students. It is in the lessons that Mr. Miller taught to people like Ed Whitener, who would later teach to people like me in middle school. It's in the lessons that Dennis Carswell taught me at Hibriten. See what I mean? The legacy is passed down.
This is why we come back. It's not just the music; it's in the lessons we learned, the people we learned them from, and the people we learned them with. It's in knowing that things at Hibriten are not now like they were when I was a student, but they have improved since last year, and the improvement is telling. Big thanks to Justin Hammonds for accepting the challenge, and from the looks of things, being up to the challenge.
The students of my day and those before me recognize that we were part of something amazing. We also recognize that the students of today need the support that we had. That's why we came. That's why we do what we do.
The legacy lives- and it's up to us to keep it alive.
Friday, August 24, 2012
The #1 Proof that God is Good to Me
Last night I took part in a fantasy football draft. I have been in the same league with the same guys since 2003. We have a lot of fun, and I have won 3 league titles. Just saying.
Last week started the High School football season in North Carolina. Preseason NFL football has two more weeks before the regular season starts, and College football starts next week.
What am I saying?
I am a man. Red-blooded, overweight, and have a favorite flavor of wing. I love football. Football season has started. What I am saying is: for the next 6 months, my wife will miss me.
So I thought I would spend a moment to tell all of you how wonderful my wife is.
We will be married nine years this October. She has brought more out of me than anyone else has. She is the mother of two wonderful children (even on THOSE days), and my biggest fan. She is quick to tell me that I have what it takes when I have a job to do, and seeks to give me confidence and inspiration even when I don't feel it or don't have it. She is quite a Godly woman, ready to pray at the drop of a hat, and is very spiritually sensitive.
This year she followed the leading of the Spirit of God and decided to start homeschooling our children. Levi is in first grade this year, and Sophie is 2, so she gets some preschool. I will admit that I figured it would be easier than it actually is. I mean I used to work in a place that sold homeschool curriculum. Just buy a pack and away you go, right?
WRONG.
What if your curriculum doesn't match your child's learning style? What if your child is hyperactive (and he is)? What will work best?
These are just a smattering of the questions a homeschool parent has to answer, and she has worked long and hard to answer them. I have helped, of course, and will do everything I can for her. But she has poured her heart and soul into making sure our children have everything essential to get a quality education. Also, it keeps them out of public school, which in this day and age should rarely ever be an option.
Maybe I'll put some pics of our classroom up. But the main gist of this blog is this: I have the best wife anyone could ask for. I admire her heart, her desire for the best for her family, her sacrifice, and her willingness to obey what God wanted for her family. This is proof that God is good to me- she told me "I do."
Sheyna, you are the best!
I will see you after the Super Bowl.
Last week started the High School football season in North Carolina. Preseason NFL football has two more weeks before the regular season starts, and College football starts next week.
What am I saying?
I am a man. Red-blooded, overweight, and have a favorite flavor of wing. I love football. Football season has started. What I am saying is: for the next 6 months, my wife will miss me.
So I thought I would spend a moment to tell all of you how wonderful my wife is.
We will be married nine years this October. She has brought more out of me than anyone else has. She is the mother of two wonderful children (even on THOSE days), and my biggest fan. She is quick to tell me that I have what it takes when I have a job to do, and seeks to give me confidence and inspiration even when I don't feel it or don't have it. She is quite a Godly woman, ready to pray at the drop of a hat, and is very spiritually sensitive.
This year she followed the leading of the Spirit of God and decided to start homeschooling our children. Levi is in first grade this year, and Sophie is 2, so she gets some preschool. I will admit that I figured it would be easier than it actually is. I mean I used to work in a place that sold homeschool curriculum. Just buy a pack and away you go, right?
WRONG.
What if your curriculum doesn't match your child's learning style? What if your child is hyperactive (and he is)? What will work best?
These are just a smattering of the questions a homeschool parent has to answer, and she has worked long and hard to answer them. I have helped, of course, and will do everything I can for her. But she has poured her heart and soul into making sure our children have everything essential to get a quality education. Also, it keeps them out of public school, which in this day and age should rarely ever be an option.
Maybe I'll put some pics of our classroom up. But the main gist of this blog is this: I have the best wife anyone could ask for. I admire her heart, her desire for the best for her family, her sacrifice, and her willingness to obey what God wanted for her family. This is proof that God is good to me- she told me "I do."
Sheyna, you are the best!
I will see you after the Super Bowl.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Projects and projections
I have been working on some different things, and I wanted to give you a quick update.
Thanks to a few programs, free downloads, and the fact that I am pretty good with Microsoft PowerPoint, here is my first video created from recordings of my time with the Hibriten High School Band:
I'm also excited about some of the things that God has been teaching me. If I can get it put together, I believe it will be a blessing to many of you.
All I can say is stay tuned!
Thanks to a few programs, free downloads, and the fact that I am pretty good with Microsoft PowerPoint, here is my first video created from recordings of my time with the Hibriten High School Band:
All I can say is stay tuned!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Looking with a different perspective- - a.k.a...
...God is not your ATM.
I have been doing some heavy reading this past week. The book of choice? The Pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer. It has really helped to stir some things inside me, and some things I hadn't even read in the book. The second chapter regards how possessions should not be in the place of God. While I read it, it made me think about something very important.
How many of us "serve God" simply for what we can get out of it?
I'm serious. I have been reading the book of Hebrews and getting my soul stirred this past week. I started reading this book, and what I've come to realize is that I have to want to love God, and God alone, for what He is. If I want to love God for what it gains me, then I do not really love God. I love the benefits of loving God.
It reminds me of a line from the 2003 movie "A View From the Top" (if you've never seen it, don't go looking for it). Mike Myers' character says the most famous line from the movie: "You have the wrong emPHASis on the wrong SylLABle."
How many times have we read Matthew 6:33 (ESV) like this? "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU."
How about Psalm 37:4 (NASB)? "Delight yourself in the Lord; AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART."
One more- Philippians 4:19 (KJV): "But my God SHALL SUPPLY ALL your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
See where I put the emphasis? That's where so many of us have that emphasis. True, the Psalms tell us to forget not His benefits (Psalm 103:2), but we aren't supposed to only serve Him for those benefits. That would be like marrying someone for their looks, or because their family is rich. What do you get? An armpiece and an inheritance. But there is no love there.
God is not your ATM, and He is not your Sugar Daddy. Jesus didn't die so you could avoid overdraft fees.
(Wow, that was good! I'll have to remember that one!) You have to want to know God, earnestly seek after Him. Ask Him to break your heart with love for Him, to show you fresh what Jesus did for you by His sacrifice. Then your emphasis will be in the right place. "SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS," DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD," etc.
What I honestly want in my life right now is to honestly know God. I want to develop a deeper love for Him, and to know Him more. I want to delight in Him, and to seek what I can do for Him for the sake of His kingdom. He will then be the desire of my heart. In Him I will have everything I need.
I don't know how that will change me, but it can only be for the better.
I have been doing some heavy reading this past week. The book of choice? The Pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer. It has really helped to stir some things inside me, and some things I hadn't even read in the book. The second chapter regards how possessions should not be in the place of God. While I read it, it made me think about something very important.
How many of us "serve God" simply for what we can get out of it?
I'm serious. I have been reading the book of Hebrews and getting my soul stirred this past week. I started reading this book, and what I've come to realize is that I have to want to love God, and God alone, for what He is. If I want to love God for what it gains me, then I do not really love God. I love the benefits of loving God.
It reminds me of a line from the 2003 movie "A View From the Top" (if you've never seen it, don't go looking for it). Mike Myers' character says the most famous line from the movie: "You have the wrong emPHASis on the wrong SylLABle."
How many times have we read Matthew 6:33 (ESV) like this? "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU."
How about Psalm 37:4 (NASB)? "Delight yourself in the Lord; AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART."
One more- Philippians 4:19 (KJV): "But my God SHALL SUPPLY ALL your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
See where I put the emphasis? That's where so many of us have that emphasis. True, the Psalms tell us to forget not His benefits (Psalm 103:2), but we aren't supposed to only serve Him for those benefits. That would be like marrying someone for their looks, or because their family is rich. What do you get? An armpiece and an inheritance. But there is no love there.
God is not your ATM, and He is not your Sugar Daddy. Jesus didn't die so you could avoid overdraft fees.
(Wow, that was good! I'll have to remember that one!) You have to want to know God, earnestly seek after Him. Ask Him to break your heart with love for Him, to show you fresh what Jesus did for you by His sacrifice. Then your emphasis will be in the right place. "SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS," DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD," etc.
What I honestly want in my life right now is to honestly know God. I want to develop a deeper love for Him, and to know Him more. I want to delight in Him, and to seek what I can do for Him for the sake of His kingdom. He will then be the desire of my heart. In Him I will have everything I need.
I don't know how that will change me, but it can only be for the better.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Statements of belief, part 2
First, I apologize for the two month hiatus. I have had to have a mental break, and to be honest, have worked a lot of overtime at night. I'm mentally very tired, and the inspiration has not been there. I will endeavor to be back, and try to make it weekly if I can help it.
Second, I would like to apologize once again to those legendary "Blue Collar" comics, because I am once again stealing their shtick.
I believe that people that drive pickup trucks with a camper on them have given up on ever going the speed limit again.
In that same vein, I believe that the people that do not drive pickups with campers drive the largest vehicles that can be purchased.
I also believe that Ford's decision to stop making the Crown Victoria and the Mercury Grand Marquis equals age discrimination.
I believe that Walmart puts "Enter" and "Exit" above their doors for a reason. If you do not go in or out the right door, I will get in your way.
I believe that smugness is a quality that should be abhorred by every person, and that the smug should be smacked.
I believe chocolate should be in integral part of the food pyramid, or one of the food groups. (Do they still have the food groups, by the way?)
I believe Liam Neeson is an incredibly good actor. If you don't believe that, he will find you, and he will kill you.
I believe that if you take a car to get repaired for the third time for the same issue they should give you a new one. They do that for appliances if it's under warranty.
I believe that voting against a person is never the way to vote. If a person must be defeated, then there must be something about his opponent that should be supported. Otherwise, there is no foundation for voting.
I believe Ron Paul supporters should give it up and look at the bigger picture.
I believe Burger King has a true identity crisis.
I believe that Hollywood still has no original ideas. They're remaking Total Recall, for crying out loud.
Conversely, I believe Dallas is can't miss TV.
That's because I don't believe it is a remake because many of the characters are reprising roles. It's a re-launch.
I believe that superhero movies continue to improve.
I believe that Tim Burton has some secret footage of Johnny Depp, and that's why he keeps making his movies.
I believe that's enough for now. I'm going to watch the end of Batman Begins on FX.
Second, I would like to apologize once again to those legendary "Blue Collar" comics, because I am once again stealing their shtick.
I believe that people that drive pickup trucks with a camper on them have given up on ever going the speed limit again.
In that same vein, I believe that the people that do not drive pickups with campers drive the largest vehicles that can be purchased.
I also believe that Ford's decision to stop making the Crown Victoria and the Mercury Grand Marquis equals age discrimination.
I believe that Walmart puts "Enter" and "Exit" above their doors for a reason. If you do not go in or out the right door, I will get in your way.
I believe that smugness is a quality that should be abhorred by every person, and that the smug should be smacked.
I believe chocolate should be in integral part of the food pyramid, or one of the food groups. (Do they still have the food groups, by the way?)
I believe Liam Neeson is an incredibly good actor. If you don't believe that, he will find you, and he will kill you.
I believe that if you take a car to get repaired for the third time for the same issue they should give you a new one. They do that for appliances if it's under warranty.
I believe that voting against a person is never the way to vote. If a person must be defeated, then there must be something about his opponent that should be supported. Otherwise, there is no foundation for voting.
I believe Ron Paul supporters should give it up and look at the bigger picture.
I believe Burger King has a true identity crisis.
I believe that Hollywood still has no original ideas. They're remaking Total Recall, for crying out loud.
Conversely, I believe Dallas is can't miss TV.
That's because I don't believe it is a remake because many of the characters are reprising roles. It's a re-launch.
I believe that superhero movies continue to improve.
I believe that Tim Burton has some secret footage of Johnny Depp, and that's why he keeps making his movies.
I believe that's enough for now. I'm going to watch the end of Batman Begins on FX.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
My Way Is His Way
"Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'
Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.
Then they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.' And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
So Jesus answered and said to him, 'What do you want Me to do for you?'
The blind man said to Him, 'Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go your way; your faith has made you well.' And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road" (Mark 10:46-52).
Bartimaeus inspired me as I was reading through this. Here was a guy that was motivated. He knew of Jesus, though he hadn't ever seen Him. The Bible doesn't say if he was blind since birth; we just know that he was blind. But even though he had never seen Jesus, he had heard the good news of Jesus. He knew that Jesus could heal him. So when he got the opportunity to meet Jesus, he didn't pass it up. (Preachers, there's a sermon for you.)
I also learned from Bartimaeus is that you don't let anyone keep you from Jesus. Notice that as he is calling out for Him, the people are telling him to be quiet. He was not about to let his opportunity to meet Jesus go away. We receive pressures today from a world that is far from sensitive to Jesus. We want Him out of the spotlight, we minimize Him, trivialize Him, treat Him like a cartoon figure, or give Him less power than He has. Don't let that pressure keep you from realizing that He is what you need, and He will answer you if you call on Him.
The main things I noticed were:
When we come to Jesus in faith, we must expect a change. Bartimaeus knew about Jesus. Too many people had been healed, lives had been changed, and His fame went everywhere. That's why deep down he knew- he must get to Jesus. He will change me.
A side note- some things hold us back from the change we come for. Earlier in the chapter, the young rich man came asking what he needed for eternal life. Jesus told him to sell his riches and give to the poor. He walked away. His riches and his "good" life here were more important to him than the truly good life there.
Lastly- When He changes us, we cannot go back to our old way. Notice the end of the story. Jesus told Him to go his way. Bartimaeus began to follow Jesus. In other words, his way was God's way.
Think of Ruth. When she had nothing left, she went with Naomi, saying essentially the same thing. Think of the Wise Men. When they went to Jesus, they went back home a different way. When God changes you, when you immerse yourself in Him, that's when the true change begins. You can't live the life you did before. You read His word, it shows the way to live. It shows what God expects. It shows what needs to change in you, and what of your lifestyle needs to go away.
That is the change in me. I can't have the friends that I did before. I don't have the opinions that I used to have. My life and my decisions are based on the infallible Word. I remember the time God revealed Himself to me and showed my my need for Him. I am thankful for my decision to follow Him. I am proud to say that My way is His way. Or His way is my way. I'm not perfect, by any means. But thankfully He is, and my trust is in Him.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
"An enemy has done this."
This past Sunday I was reading Matthew in between calls at work. I was in Matthew 13, reading the parable of the weeds:
"He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
(Matthew 13:24-30 ESV)
That phrase really stood out to me in this instance. It has burned in my mind for days. Jesus explained it as a parable for the end of the age. But I have been seeing it in another light. Now obviously the wheat represents the believer in Christ. They are growing in the field. But their life does not stay isolated for long. Questions came up to me:
1: What has the enemy done?
He infiltrated. In this stage, weeds and wheat look very similar. They grow close together. They come in where they cannot easily be eliminated without damaging the wheat. In our world, it can look like a believer in Christ, but not completely following everything that the Bible says. It can be an attack on our character. It can be an attack on our marriage. He sneaks in at night to steal, kill, and destroy. He has many weapons at his disposal, and among the toughest is the "coexistence" that wheat and weeds have together.
2: How did the Master react?
Calm assessment and eventual judgment. He didn't burn the field; He didn't panic. He stepped back, saw what happened, and declared the best solution for the problem.
God has seen your situation. He knows that you may be hurting. A loved one may be about to depart this world. One may have just walked out on you. You may be tempted to give up on everything. He has a plan for you in this, though.
3: What is the wheat to do?
Grow. That's all it is asked to do. It is not easy. Weeds have a specific purpose. They steal nutrients from the wheat that prevent it from growing like it is intended to. Some weeds choke life out of plants. Wheat needs to stand (Ephesians 6) in the sun (or Son), soak it in (get engrossed in the Word, in prayer, and with other believers), and GROW. The rest of the Master's plan (eventual judgment) will soon take place.
4: What will happen?
At the end, the weeds will be taken, bound, and thrown in the fire. Weeding can be a difficult thing for the gardener, and can be annoying. But it is rewarding for the gardener when the finished work of the garden is revealed. Jesus tells His disciples when He explains the parable that like when the wheat will be gathered into the barn "Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (verse 43). Wheat, when it has grown and is ready for harvest, is a thing of beauty. Golden, amber waves...like when Job said "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold"(Job 23:10 ESV).
Long story short: God knows about the attack. He was not caught off guard. He is not unfeeling; but the situation has not given Him cause for concern. Trust His plan and grow. He will at the right time make all things right.
"He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
(Matthew 13:24-30 ESV)
That phrase really stood out to me in this instance. It has burned in my mind for days. Jesus explained it as a parable for the end of the age. But I have been seeing it in another light. Now obviously the wheat represents the believer in Christ. They are growing in the field. But their life does not stay isolated for long. Questions came up to me:
1: What has the enemy done?
He infiltrated. In this stage, weeds and wheat look very similar. They grow close together. They come in where they cannot easily be eliminated without damaging the wheat. In our world, it can look like a believer in Christ, but not completely following everything that the Bible says. It can be an attack on our character. It can be an attack on our marriage. He sneaks in at night to steal, kill, and destroy. He has many weapons at his disposal, and among the toughest is the "coexistence" that wheat and weeds have together.
2: How did the Master react?
Calm assessment and eventual judgment. He didn't burn the field; He didn't panic. He stepped back, saw what happened, and declared the best solution for the problem.
God has seen your situation. He knows that you may be hurting. A loved one may be about to depart this world. One may have just walked out on you. You may be tempted to give up on everything. He has a plan for you in this, though.
3: What is the wheat to do?
Grow. That's all it is asked to do. It is not easy. Weeds have a specific purpose. They steal nutrients from the wheat that prevent it from growing like it is intended to. Some weeds choke life out of plants. Wheat needs to stand (Ephesians 6) in the sun (or Son), soak it in (get engrossed in the Word, in prayer, and with other believers), and GROW. The rest of the Master's plan (eventual judgment) will soon take place.
4: What will happen?
At the end, the weeds will be taken, bound, and thrown in the fire. Weeding can be a difficult thing for the gardener, and can be annoying. But it is rewarding for the gardener when the finished work of the garden is revealed. Jesus tells His disciples when He explains the parable that like when the wheat will be gathered into the barn "Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (verse 43). Wheat, when it has grown and is ready for harvest, is a thing of beauty. Golden, amber waves...like when Job said "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold"(Job 23:10 ESV).
Long story short: God knows about the attack. He was not caught off guard. He is not unfeeling; but the situation has not given Him cause for concern. Trust His plan and grow. He will at the right time make all things right.
Friday, April 13, 2012
I've Waited Two Years to Write This Post
On April 12, 2010, I turned 33 years old.
On April 13, 2010, I was released from my job of 10 years.
I have chronicled on here the ensuing 9 months of unemployed life. There was a lot of growing both mentally and spiritually during that time. I can look back and say it was for my good. But I haven't spoken much about what happened two years ago.
This was because of an agreement I signed that day saying that I would hold my peace for two years. Well those two years are up. Today I can now speak about it.
I was the first employee hired when Family Christian Stores opened a location in Hickory, NC in 2000. The location of that store was ideal for that type of business, and it was an answer to prayer to get that job. I owe a lot of good things in my life to working at that store. I met a lot of people that are still my friends today. I met my wife because of that store. It was a literal dream come true to work there.
In time, things changed. The company changed leadership in 2002. In 2003, longtime rumors became true when the company announced it was opening on Sunday. They found a theologian to back them in saying it was okay Biblically, and announced it to us in June. They said essentially it was a "missed opportunity for ministry," and that the focus on Sundays would always be ministry. We would be open limited hours, so it would not greatly affect our employees church attendance, etc.
They never openly admitted it, but the company lost 1/4 of its employees because of that. One store on Georgia had to replace its entire staff.
Over time Sundays became another day to sell things and make goals. Our store even opened for an extra hour, meaning someone was missing church.
Let's just say the changes started to fray some friendships. From then until my departure, working there became a personal hell. I use that word intentionally.
From 2004-06, I was demeaned by a new manager that sought to get rid of me, knew nothing about Christian Retail, and would use language that would make "Stone Cold" Steve Austin blush. She was only hired because she had management experience. The Christian part didn't matter. She was eventually fired after transferring to another store for inappropriate behavior.
I would become very familiar with corporate buzzwords. "Opportunity" was another word for failure or mistake. "Suggested" items meant mandatory items. "Goal" meant sales quotas. "Accountability" meant micromanagement to the nth degree. It became quite an exacting corporate culture.
I know add-on sales are a part of every retail store's marketing scheme. It's why there's gum & candy at grocery checkouts. It's why they have pens at the checkout at Staples. For us, your checkout meant the start of our sales pitch. First, we had to pitch Member's Only titles- A selection of items (it originally started as 1 title a month) for $5 each. We had to sell these to 1 out of every 4 customers. Next came Pre-buys: advanced selling of new books, movies, or CDs. We had to have a percentage. Next we had to sign people up for our Credit Card. Dave Ramsey didn't care for that one. We eventually got rid of that, but replaced it with child sponsorships through a global relief organization.
(Now, this is a big commitment. Deciding to spend $30 (later $35) a month on a child in Ghana or wherever is not an impulse decision. It's not something you should be pushed or pressured into. But we had to.)
It got so bad that if you didn't make your goals for these things, you were written up. Three strikes, you were out. Fired from an atmosphere of "love." It didn't matter if you knew everything about the Bible, could recommend a book, or knew everything about Christian music. If you didn't meet your goals, you were out. I saw too many people leave this company in that way. All the while we would bring in questionable movies to sell, but they were okay, because they were "family" movies, and they taught a lesson, even if it wasn't Biblical.
But I didn't get fired for that. No- My position- - which started out as a full-time position, and needed a dedicated full-time person, became part-time. I worked a few hours in my position, then worked on the sales floor. I sacrificed, worked various hours, and did what was asked of me.
That Tuesday morning, I was presented with my walking papers. No negotiation, no time to talk it over. I was done. They decided that part-time people should do my job. Makes sense financially- they can pay them less than I made, even though I hadn't had a raise in four years, and they don't have to dish out full-time insurance. I signed an agreement not to mention any selling practices or discourage anyone from going to work for Family for two years.
Yes, I was afraid. But I was relieved. Oh, I was so relieved. God used that for me in so many ways. I got to be there for the majority of my daughter's first year of life. I got to spend a great amount of time with my son. I felt a major burden lift from me. And I guess I grew up a little.
I dealt with bitterness and with a distaste for Christian retail in general for a time after that. I had to learn to forgive the people that I thought wronged me. I went back in that store once after that to say hey to old friends. Almost everyone is gone now- either fired or quit voluntarily. I will not go back in there again, or to any other Family Christian Store. There are better alternatives, companies that are actually concerned with serving the customer, not just emptying their wallets.
(One more note: as I got in the car and turned on the radio, the Christian band Bluetree was playing. The first words I heard were :
"Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city."
It was God's way of saying He was only getting started using me.)
On April 13, 2010, I was released from my job of 10 years.
I have chronicled on here the ensuing 9 months of unemployed life. There was a lot of growing both mentally and spiritually during that time. I can look back and say it was for my good. But I haven't spoken much about what happened two years ago.
This was because of an agreement I signed that day saying that I would hold my peace for two years. Well those two years are up. Today I can now speak about it.
I was the first employee hired when Family Christian Stores opened a location in Hickory, NC in 2000. The location of that store was ideal for that type of business, and it was an answer to prayer to get that job. I owe a lot of good things in my life to working at that store. I met a lot of people that are still my friends today. I met my wife because of that store. It was a literal dream come true to work there.
In time, things changed. The company changed leadership in 2002. In 2003, longtime rumors became true when the company announced it was opening on Sunday. They found a theologian to back them in saying it was okay Biblically, and announced it to us in June. They said essentially it was a "missed opportunity for ministry," and that the focus on Sundays would always be ministry. We would be open limited hours, so it would not greatly affect our employees church attendance, etc.
They never openly admitted it, but the company lost 1/4 of its employees because of that. One store on Georgia had to replace its entire staff.
Over time Sundays became another day to sell things and make goals. Our store even opened for an extra hour, meaning someone was missing church.
Let's just say the changes started to fray some friendships. From then until my departure, working there became a personal hell. I use that word intentionally.
From 2004-06, I was demeaned by a new manager that sought to get rid of me, knew nothing about Christian Retail, and would use language that would make "Stone Cold" Steve Austin blush. She was only hired because she had management experience. The Christian part didn't matter. She was eventually fired after transferring to another store for inappropriate behavior.
I would become very familiar with corporate buzzwords. "Opportunity" was another word for failure or mistake. "Suggested" items meant mandatory items. "Goal" meant sales quotas. "Accountability" meant micromanagement to the nth degree. It became quite an exacting corporate culture.
I know add-on sales are a part of every retail store's marketing scheme. It's why there's gum & candy at grocery checkouts. It's why they have pens at the checkout at Staples. For us, your checkout meant the start of our sales pitch. First, we had to pitch Member's Only titles- A selection of items (it originally started as 1 title a month) for $5 each. We had to sell these to 1 out of every 4 customers. Next came Pre-buys: advanced selling of new books, movies, or CDs. We had to have a percentage. Next we had to sign people up for our Credit Card. Dave Ramsey didn't care for that one. We eventually got rid of that, but replaced it with child sponsorships through a global relief organization.
(Now, this is a big commitment. Deciding to spend $30 (later $35) a month on a child in Ghana or wherever is not an impulse decision. It's not something you should be pushed or pressured into. But we had to.)
It got so bad that if you didn't make your goals for these things, you were written up. Three strikes, you were out. Fired from an atmosphere of "love." It didn't matter if you knew everything about the Bible, could recommend a book, or knew everything about Christian music. If you didn't meet your goals, you were out. I saw too many people leave this company in that way. All the while we would bring in questionable movies to sell, but they were okay, because they were "family" movies, and they taught a lesson, even if it wasn't Biblical.
But I didn't get fired for that. No- My position- - which started out as a full-time position, and needed a dedicated full-time person, became part-time. I worked a few hours in my position, then worked on the sales floor. I sacrificed, worked various hours, and did what was asked of me.
That Tuesday morning, I was presented with my walking papers. No negotiation, no time to talk it over. I was done. They decided that part-time people should do my job. Makes sense financially- they can pay them less than I made, even though I hadn't had a raise in four years, and they don't have to dish out full-time insurance. I signed an agreement not to mention any selling practices or discourage anyone from going to work for Family for two years.
Yes, I was afraid. But I was relieved. Oh, I was so relieved. God used that for me in so many ways. I got to be there for the majority of my daughter's first year of life. I got to spend a great amount of time with my son. I felt a major burden lift from me. And I guess I grew up a little.
I dealt with bitterness and with a distaste for Christian retail in general for a time after that. I had to learn to forgive the people that I thought wronged me. I went back in that store once after that to say hey to old friends. Almost everyone is gone now- either fired or quit voluntarily. I will not go back in there again, or to any other Family Christian Store. There are better alternatives, companies that are actually concerned with serving the customer, not just emptying their wallets.
(One more note: as I got in the car and turned on the radio, the Christian band Bluetree was playing. The first words I heard were :
"Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city."
It was God's way of saying He was only getting started using me.)
Friday, March 9, 2012
In Case You've Ever Doubted: Romans 8:28 IS TRUE
Here is that verse, presented in the King James Version:
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
It pops up whenever someone goes through the slightest hard time, or whenever anyone is dealing with a difficulty. It's like the standby verse for Christians, our Pepto for the upset stomachs of life. We use it so much whenever someone deals with a difficulty it almost loses some of its meaning.
Allow me to present this real-life scenario to show you that the verse is absolutely true.
We have been dealing with constant sickness in this house. My children have had it, as well as my wife. My mother-in-law and father-in-law have been sick for most of the previous week. I came down with it hard and heavy on Monday of this week. For my father-in-law, it seemed he had turned the corner.
Actually, he had not.
I got a message at work (yep- I went to work that day, and I shouldn't have) that he has the stomach virus. Another one came saying he was violently ill and would probably have to go to the ER. Next message said he was taken by ambulance. He was admitted for observation and to give him fluids because of dehydration. Here they determined he actually had Norovirus. Also, they believed that he had suffered a mild heart attack in the midst of this and needed to go to a better hospital.
He was taken to that hospital Tuesday morning. A heart catheterization was performed Thursday which determined that one of his arteries was blocked 100 percent. Another was blocked 95 percent. He would need double bypass surgery the next day. Wait- another message- another artery is blocked 99 percent, he will need triple bypass surgery.
He has had no symptoms of heart trouble. There were no indicators that this was even a factor.
I'm proud to say today that the QUADRUPLE bypass surgery was successful. His recovery will be long, but considering the alternative, we'll take it. We'll also take your prayers as we face this as a family.
But think about it.
None if this would have been discovered without him contracting the norovirus. My family would have had a father, grandfather, or husband taken from them suddenly without otherwise knowing there was a problem.
All things do work together for good to them that love God.
Even some of the worst things.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
It pops up whenever someone goes through the slightest hard time, or whenever anyone is dealing with a difficulty. It's like the standby verse for Christians, our Pepto for the upset stomachs of life. We use it so much whenever someone deals with a difficulty it almost loses some of its meaning.
Allow me to present this real-life scenario to show you that the verse is absolutely true.
We have been dealing with constant sickness in this house. My children have had it, as well as my wife. My mother-in-law and father-in-law have been sick for most of the previous week. I came down with it hard and heavy on Monday of this week. For my father-in-law, it seemed he had turned the corner.
Actually, he had not.
I got a message at work (yep- I went to work that day, and I shouldn't have) that he has the stomach virus. Another one came saying he was violently ill and would probably have to go to the ER. Next message said he was taken by ambulance. He was admitted for observation and to give him fluids because of dehydration. Here they determined he actually had Norovirus. Also, they believed that he had suffered a mild heart attack in the midst of this and needed to go to a better hospital.
He was taken to that hospital Tuesday morning. A heart catheterization was performed Thursday which determined that one of his arteries was blocked 100 percent. Another was blocked 95 percent. He would need double bypass surgery the next day. Wait- another message- another artery is blocked 99 percent, he will need triple bypass surgery.
He has had no symptoms of heart trouble. There were no indicators that this was even a factor.
I'm proud to say today that the QUADRUPLE bypass surgery was successful. His recovery will be long, but considering the alternative, we'll take it. We'll also take your prayers as we face this as a family.
But think about it.
None if this would have been discovered without him contracting the norovirus. My family would have had a father, grandfather, or husband taken from them suddenly without otherwise knowing there was a problem.
All things do work together for good to them that love God.
Even some of the worst things.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Church Signs, part 2: A Season for Everything
I wanted to show you two more church signs that I have seen in recent months. Two signs that remind us of the joy of the Christmas season. That glorious time of the year, when the weather is cooler, etc.
Scene 1:
Feel free to come to this church if you are interested in adoption or adding to a family in rapid, rapid manner.
Scene 2:
This church is rapidly becoming the proverbial gift that keeps giving.
I know you're looking at this and saying "You know, there's nothing really wrong with this. It's cheesy, yes, but no typos, no grammar issues. Why is it here?"
IT WAS TAKEN TODAY- MARCH 1, 2012.
Maybe this church is taking to heart the sentiment of celebrating Christmas all year long. Or maybe this is the church where the people that leave their Christmas lights up all year long. Whatever the case, Merry Christmas, people. I forgot to take the picture for scene 3. Maybe we'll make that into another topic for another time.
Scene 1:
Scene 2:
I know you're looking at this and saying "You know, there's nothing really wrong with this. It's cheesy, yes, but no typos, no grammar issues. Why is it here?"
IT WAS TAKEN TODAY- MARCH 1, 2012.
Maybe this church is taking to heart the sentiment of celebrating Christmas all year long. Or maybe this is the church where the people that leave their Christmas lights up all year long. Whatever the case, Merry Christmas, people. I forgot to take the picture for scene 3. Maybe we'll make that into another topic for another time.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Deception is Like a Simile
This one will be quick. Yeah, I know, I've said that before.
Today while driving to work the new song by the Newsboys, "God's Not Dead." It's a worship song that's been out for a couple of years. Their version is, well, different. The chorus says "My God's not dead, He's surely alive/ He's living on the inside, roaring like a lion." (It repeats, so for those of you that don't care for worship music, I won't bother.)
While I was listening, this verse came to me: "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8 NLT).
Weird, isn't it, that a worship song about God would make me think about the devil?
As I thought about it some more, the more I realized, there is one key word in that verse: LIKE. Like is a simile. From dictionary.com:
Simile (noun): A figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, as in “she is like a rose.”
Think about it. Jesus is called the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David" (Rev. 5:5). Satan moves "like" a roaring lion. In other words, he's not the real thing. Jesus called him a liar, and the father of lies. He is a deceiver. That's where this simile "like" comes in.
Deception is one of the enemy's greatest tools. Like Shift the ape from "The Last Battle," last of the Chronicles of Narnia, he disguises himself in a similar manner to deceive Christian and non-Christian alike. (See that? Another simile!) He uses things that sound good, look good, Christian-like to pull people away from the true Gospel. He then devours his prey, catching them far away from what they wanted, far from the God that loves them.
Yes, he is a cunning enemy? What's the solution to stopping him? Keep reading 1 Peter 5:
"Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen (v. 9-11)."
The key is to root yourself in the Word, in prayer, in daily fellowship with God. Then you can resist the impostor, this faker, this false lion. The he will flee from you. In other words, you will send him running like a scared cat. (Another simile!)
There's no faking that.
Today while driving to work the new song by the Newsboys, "God's Not Dead." It's a worship song that's been out for a couple of years. Their version is, well, different. The chorus says "My God's not dead, He's surely alive/ He's living on the inside, roaring like a lion." (It repeats, so for those of you that don't care for worship music, I won't bother.)
While I was listening, this verse came to me: "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8 NLT).
Weird, isn't it, that a worship song about God would make me think about the devil?
As I thought about it some more, the more I realized, there is one key word in that verse: LIKE. Like is a simile. From dictionary.com:
Simile (noun): A figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, as in “she is like a rose.”
Think about it. Jesus is called the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David" (Rev. 5:5). Satan moves "like" a roaring lion. In other words, he's not the real thing. Jesus called him a liar, and the father of lies. He is a deceiver. That's where this simile "like" comes in.
Deception is one of the enemy's greatest tools. Like Shift the ape from "The Last Battle," last of the Chronicles of Narnia, he disguises himself in a similar manner to deceive Christian and non-Christian alike. (See that? Another simile!) He uses things that sound good, look good, Christian-like to pull people away from the true Gospel. He then devours his prey, catching them far away from what they wanted, far from the God that loves them.
Yes, he is a cunning enemy? What's the solution to stopping him? Keep reading 1 Peter 5:
"Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen (v. 9-11)."
The key is to root yourself in the Word, in prayer, in daily fellowship with God. Then you can resist the impostor, this faker, this false lion. The he will flee from you. In other words, you will send him running like a scared cat. (Another simile!)
There's no faking that.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Support a Good Good Cause Cause
Last year I chronicled the great experience I had going to "Loving Lenoir" and joining other Hibriten High School Band alumni at the homecoming game. It was my most viewed blog ever, and you can take a look back with me by clicking here.
At the end of that article I mentioned how the HHS Band now receives no funding, and depends primarily on charitable contributions and fundraising efforts. Here is one of those efforts, and it is delicious.
The band is raising funds to purchase a sousaphone. These are not inexpensive by any means. A refurbished sousaphone costs $4500. I can attest to the need because the instruments currently at the school are the same ones there when I was a student. They were old then, and I graduated seventeen years ago.
So how can you help?
Go to pizzakit.com. The Hibriten Band is selling Little Caesars Pizza Kits (say it with me- Pizza Pizza). Unlike the fundraisers of my day, you can purchase online! How amazing!
Once on the site, go to "Order Online." You can choose pizza kits, cookie dough (yum), and/or pie kits. Once you add an item to your cart, it will ask you to create an account. After doing that, you can continue to checkout, or continue shopping (strongly encouraged). In the checkout screen, it will ask you for a fundraiser ID. Enter 240322 to support the Hibriten Band. After checking out, sit back and wait for your pizza to arrive, bake, and enjoy! Even more than enjoying the food, you get the enjoyment that you are supporting a most worthy cause.
Also- wouldn't it be nice to put this over the top? To give them more than the needed funds to apply to other things?
Don't wait- the fundraiser ends March 2. Pizza Pizza!
At the end of that article I mentioned how the HHS Band now receives no funding, and depends primarily on charitable contributions and fundraising efforts. Here is one of those efforts, and it is delicious.
The band is raising funds to purchase a sousaphone. These are not inexpensive by any means. A refurbished sousaphone costs $4500. I can attest to the need because the instruments currently at the school are the same ones there when I was a student. They were old then, and I graduated seventeen years ago.
So how can you help?
Go to pizzakit.com. The Hibriten Band is selling Little Caesars Pizza Kits (say it with me- Pizza Pizza). Unlike the fundraisers of my day, you can purchase online! How amazing!
Once on the site, go to "Order Online." You can choose pizza kits, cookie dough (yum), and/or pie kits. Once you add an item to your cart, it will ask you to create an account. After doing that, you can continue to checkout, or continue shopping (strongly encouraged). In the checkout screen, it will ask you for a fundraiser ID. Enter 240322 to support the Hibriten Band. After checking out, sit back and wait for your pizza to arrive, bake, and enjoy! Even more than enjoying the food, you get the enjoyment that you are supporting a most worthy cause.
Also- wouldn't it be nice to put this over the top? To give them more than the needed funds to apply to other things?
Don't wait- the fundraiser ends March 2. Pizza Pizza!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Hollywood Cannot Be Found on Your GPS
I know, that's not true. But it does get your attention.
In reality, the adverse is true. Hollywood cannot find you on its GPS, and that is the truly sad part.
(CAUTION: POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERTS INCLUDED.)
I went to the movies for the first time in a few months on Friday night. My wife and I saw "The Vow," starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams. "The Vow" is "inspired by actual events," and says that right at the beginning of the film. To not give too much of it away, here is the part consistent with the actual story. A young couple meet, fall in love, and get married. One day they have an accident, giving her an injury that causes her to lose every memory she has with him.
That's about it as far as the "inspired by actual events" part.
I have not read the story, but my wife has. She relays the story to me quite well. The actual couple, Kim and Krickett Carpenter, had been married ten weeks when the accident happened. It's true, she had no memory of who he was. But she knew this: she made a vow, and intended to keep it. The couple had to learn to fall in love with each other all over again.
It makes a good story. It would have made a good film. But Hollywood had other plans.
Now Channing Tatum plays a great character in Leo. I wanted him to succeed in winning his wife back. I could see the undying "fierce" love he had for his wife, and wanted to see him rewarded for it. I also wanted to see the Christian elements of the true story played out. Instead, we got a couple of profane words slipped in, Channing's naked backside (any ladies that read my blog just put their computer down and ran to the nearest theater), and a divorce that never happened in real life. We also got an ending that left it up to the imagination of the viewer. After watching the series finale of "Chuck" a couple of weeks previously, I had to deal with this same dissatisfaction AGAIN, and I was not thrilled with that.
This movie had great potential. There could have been the chance to show the world the powerful force that love is, the power of the wedding vow, and how wonderful the commitment to marriage no matter what is. It could have been much better than what it turned out to be.
But Hollywood missed the mark. It tends to do that.
Right now I'm looking at the Pay-Per-View Choices on TV: "Harold & Kumar Christmas: 'The stoner pals search New York City for the perfect Christmas Tree.'" "Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Part 1," "Paranormal Activity 3,""What's Your Number? 'A woman wonders if one of her past 20 boyfriends could be her true love.'" Coming soon to theaters: "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter."
Coming out this weekend: "Star Wars Episode I" in 3-D. Previously released? "Beauty & the Beast" in 3-D. Coming soon? "Titanic" in 3-D. There is a new Spider-Man relaunch coming this year, a new Batman movie (no lying- I am excited about that, but anyway) a 21 Jump Street movie, a Three Stooges movie, etc.
What am I saying? Hollywood has no good new ideas. The best-selling things they have are re-releases of old movies, or new versions of old ideas.
When they do get good ideas for a good movie, they have to ruin it. On top of that, you have to give up a week's paycheck to go see the blasted things!
In other words, they are out of touch with you. The funniest part of that is, they don't think they are. They think you're out of touch with them. If you don't believe that, tune into the Academy Awards in a couple of weeks. But when you do, don't forget to have a barf bag close by.
In reality, the adverse is true. Hollywood cannot find you on its GPS, and that is the truly sad part.
(CAUTION: POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERTS INCLUDED.)
I went to the movies for the first time in a few months on Friday night. My wife and I saw "The Vow," starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams. "The Vow" is "inspired by actual events," and says that right at the beginning of the film. To not give too much of it away, here is the part consistent with the actual story. A young couple meet, fall in love, and get married. One day they have an accident, giving her an injury that causes her to lose every memory she has with him.
That's about it as far as the "inspired by actual events" part.
I have not read the story, but my wife has. She relays the story to me quite well. The actual couple, Kim and Krickett Carpenter, had been married ten weeks when the accident happened. It's true, she had no memory of who he was. But she knew this: she made a vow, and intended to keep it. The couple had to learn to fall in love with each other all over again.
It makes a good story. It would have made a good film. But Hollywood had other plans.
Now Channing Tatum plays a great character in Leo. I wanted him to succeed in winning his wife back. I could see the undying "fierce" love he had for his wife, and wanted to see him rewarded for it. I also wanted to see the Christian elements of the true story played out. Instead, we got a couple of profane words slipped in, Channing's naked backside (any ladies that read my blog just put their computer down and ran to the nearest theater), and a divorce that never happened in real life. We also got an ending that left it up to the imagination of the viewer. After watching the series finale of "Chuck" a couple of weeks previously, I had to deal with this same dissatisfaction AGAIN, and I was not thrilled with that.
This movie had great potential. There could have been the chance to show the world the powerful force that love is, the power of the wedding vow, and how wonderful the commitment to marriage no matter what is. It could have been much better than what it turned out to be.
But Hollywood missed the mark. It tends to do that.
Right now I'm looking at the Pay-Per-View Choices on TV: "Harold & Kumar Christmas: 'The stoner pals search New York City for the perfect Christmas Tree.'" "Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Part 1," "Paranormal Activity 3,""What's Your Number? 'A woman wonders if one of her past 20 boyfriends could be her true love.'" Coming soon to theaters: "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter."
Coming out this weekend: "Star Wars Episode I" in 3-D. Previously released? "Beauty & the Beast" in 3-D. Coming soon? "Titanic" in 3-D. There is a new Spider-Man relaunch coming this year, a new Batman movie (no lying- I am excited about that, but anyway) a 21 Jump Street movie, a Three Stooges movie, etc.
What am I saying? Hollywood has no good new ideas. The best-selling things they have are re-releases of old movies, or new versions of old ideas.
When they do get good ideas for a good movie, they have to ruin it. On top of that, you have to give up a week's paycheck to go see the blasted things!
In other words, they are out of touch with you. The funniest part of that is, they don't think they are. They think you're out of touch with them. If you don't believe that, tune into the Academy Awards in a couple of weeks. But when you do, don't forget to have a barf bag close by.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Better things to do
This one's gonna be a little short, for one simple reason: I'm really tired. I had a different experience at work this week, actually getting to work two days in one of our stores. It's been a nice change of pace.
I have continued to follow what I started last week, but not at a level as in the week before. I've decided that essentially I must agree to disagree with some people. I will never agree with the President, for example. But I accept that God has placed him in authority over this nation for now, and I must pray for him as the Bible mandates.
I will probably not agree with radical Christian bloggers who say that a pastor is disingenuous without paying attention to what he preaches. I will agree with them on one point: Jesus is the sacrifice presented to God the Father for all the sin of mankind, and only in believing in Him do we gain eternal life and a home in Heaven. Nor will I agree with a mega-pastor just because another one does, if I have an issue with their doctrine. But I know that there is something that we that claim the name of Christ need to point people toward.
It kind of reminds of me of this Gaither song. Sorry about the video quality, it's all I could find:
It is the hope of Heaven, and the reality that one day we will be with God, with Jesus, praising Him for His sacrifice, and reunited with our loved ones that accepted Him as savior for all eternity that really matters. In times like these, it's what we turn to.
It's something that we can all agree on.
I have continued to follow what I started last week, but not at a level as in the week before. I've decided that essentially I must agree to disagree with some people. I will never agree with the President, for example. But I accept that God has placed him in authority over this nation for now, and I must pray for him as the Bible mandates.
I will probably not agree with radical Christian bloggers who say that a pastor is disingenuous without paying attention to what he preaches. I will agree with them on one point: Jesus is the sacrifice presented to God the Father for all the sin of mankind, and only in believing in Him do we gain eternal life and a home in Heaven. Nor will I agree with a mega-pastor just because another one does, if I have an issue with their doctrine. But I know that there is something that we that claim the name of Christ need to point people toward.
It kind of reminds of me of this Gaither song. Sorry about the video quality, it's all I could find:
I believe that we are truly going to be surprised when we get to Heaven
all the people that are there. So many divisions have divided the
church. Some have been major theological discussions based on the
serious issues such as interpretation of the scripture. Some have been
over the color of the carpet, what version of the Bible to use, hymns,
etc. While I do not think we will be asking God "How did that person get
here," I think we will still be surprised.
Tonight as I write this, a dear family friend and author of the "Lessons Learned" blog to your left, Courtney, has lost her dad. After spending a lot of his life far from God, he finally came to Christ last year. It provides comfort that a person who knows Christ makes it to his heavenly home. It allows a person that is facing the rest of their life without that person comfort to know of a reunion day.It is the hope of Heaven, and the reality that one day we will be with God, with Jesus, praising Him for His sacrifice, and reunited with our loved ones that accepted Him as savior for all eternity that really matters. In times like these, it's what we turn to.
It's something that we can all agree on.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
I Guess You Could Say I've Changed...
...although I hadn't thought so.
I know where I came from. I am extremely thankful to be brought up in the home I did. I didn't have the advantage of money, or any of the other things that other kids did. I was, however, brought up in a home where love is. I have the advantage of growing up in a Pastor's home. I was part of a family that loved music, and learned it early.
Any setbacks I suffered in my life were my own doing. I was lazy, shy, and incredibly backward. I have often taken the easy way out of situations, and have let anger get the best of me. I have become a little more bold these days, even though I am still a lazy, shy, backward person by nature.
My point? Continue with me. I spent years in band in school. My dream was to be a music teacher. Didn't happen, but that's another blog. I was privileged to serve seven years at my dad's little church as music director. I love the music in the Church Hymnal. Many of you know it as the "Red Hymnal," the "Red-back Hymnal," etc. I also have it in green and blue. I have quite a big hymnal collection. Nothing has changed in all that.
I love the King James Version. I grew up with it. I can understand the language. I believe the Book, the blood, and the Blessed Hope. I believe that all men are born with a sin nature and are condemned to hell. I believe there must be a sacrifice for that sin. I believe that sacrifice was completed once for all for us when Jesus came, lived a sinless life, and became sin for us. He died to atone for all we did or will ever do.
I believe what it says when it says if we confess our sins, He will forgive us.
In that, nothing has changed.
I know that as a father, I have to put my lazy aside. I have to work. I have a wife and two kids that need to eat and wear clothes. I have a car that needs to be paid for and have gas in it. In that, I guess I have changed.
I still love hearing "Victory In Jesus," "At Calvary," "I'll Meet You in the Morning," etc. I also love Elevation Worship, Lincoln Brewster, Chris Tomlin. I would love to hear an amazing guitar riff in a song that praises Jesus more than I would a song sung off-key, but it's okay, because they're making a "joyful noise." In that extent, I guess I've changed.
I don't exclusively use a King James Version Bible anymore. I still love it, but it's not my primary Bible. Part of that is that I realize that Rev. 22: 18-19 are talking about the Revelation, not the entire Bible, because the Bible was not gathered together when Revelation was written. Also, I realize the cyclical nature of such arguments.
Consider: people revolted against songs like "There is a Fountain" when it came out, opting for the older liturgical music. People were burned at the stake for translating the Bible into languages other than Latin. Many of the arguments that were used then are being used now.
I don't walk away from things like that anymore. In that extent, I guess I've changed.
Read a blog of mine from 2009 and come back to this one.
I guess you could say I've changed.
Still, I feel like I could be doing more with my life.
In that extent, I haven't changed at all.
I know where I came from. I am extremely thankful to be brought up in the home I did. I didn't have the advantage of money, or any of the other things that other kids did. I was, however, brought up in a home where love is. I have the advantage of growing up in a Pastor's home. I was part of a family that loved music, and learned it early.
Any setbacks I suffered in my life were my own doing. I was lazy, shy, and incredibly backward. I have often taken the easy way out of situations, and have let anger get the best of me. I have become a little more bold these days, even though I am still a lazy, shy, backward person by nature.
My point? Continue with me. I spent years in band in school. My dream was to be a music teacher. Didn't happen, but that's another blog. I was privileged to serve seven years at my dad's little church as music director. I love the music in the Church Hymnal. Many of you know it as the "Red Hymnal," the "Red-back Hymnal," etc. I also have it in green and blue. I have quite a big hymnal collection. Nothing has changed in all that.
I love the King James Version. I grew up with it. I can understand the language. I believe the Book, the blood, and the Blessed Hope. I believe that all men are born with a sin nature and are condemned to hell. I believe there must be a sacrifice for that sin. I believe that sacrifice was completed once for all for us when Jesus came, lived a sinless life, and became sin for us. He died to atone for all we did or will ever do.
I believe what it says when it says if we confess our sins, He will forgive us.
In that, nothing has changed.
I know that as a father, I have to put my lazy aside. I have to work. I have a wife and two kids that need to eat and wear clothes. I have a car that needs to be paid for and have gas in it. In that, I guess I have changed.
I still love hearing "Victory In Jesus," "At Calvary," "I'll Meet You in the Morning," etc. I also love Elevation Worship, Lincoln Brewster, Chris Tomlin. I would love to hear an amazing guitar riff in a song that praises Jesus more than I would a song sung off-key, but it's okay, because they're making a "joyful noise." In that extent, I guess I've changed.
I don't exclusively use a King James Version Bible anymore. I still love it, but it's not my primary Bible. Part of that is that I realize that Rev. 22: 18-19 are talking about the Revelation, not the entire Bible, because the Bible was not gathered together when Revelation was written. Also, I realize the cyclical nature of such arguments.
Consider: people revolted against songs like "There is a Fountain" when it came out, opting for the older liturgical music. People were burned at the stake for translating the Bible into languages other than Latin. Many of the arguments that were used then are being used now.
I don't walk away from things like that anymore. In that extent, I guess I've changed.
Read a blog of mine from 2009 and come back to this one.
I guess you could say I've changed.
Still, I feel like I could be doing more with my life.
In that extent, I haven't changed at all.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
When Bad Churchgoers Happen
Bad churchgoers happen.
So do bowel movements.
Sound a little harsh? Good. I was going for effect.
Take this for example: I recently heard the story of a family that stopped going to a church after a daughter of a church member stole a credit card and made unauthorized charges! The reaction? "Oh- we're sorry."
This family of four that had the card stolen have bounced in and out of church, became connected in this church. The two children of the family were greatly affected by the youth ministry, the youngest one was saved on a youth trip (the older one previously accepting Christ), and both were baptized there. Now they have an emotional scar and a sour taste in their mouth. Why?
Churchgoers.
How many people have been turned off by the actions of others either in the church or those professing the name of Christ? How many baptist churches have started down the street from another baptist church simply because of the offense of one person against the other? (Call it beating a dead horse, I've always had an issue with this.) How many people who are young in their faith been turned away by simply one action? How many that visit a church searching for God end up turned away forever?
It doesn't have to be this way, but the thing is this causes people to turn away. People that act out of their own nature turn people away from an environment that is supposed to display the love of God.
I've toyed with this thought over the past week or so, and it's made me think. I held a position in a small church for seven years. What if my actions were a stumbling block to others? What if something I said or an action I took caused someone to stay away? I shudder to think I let myself get in the way of what God wanted to do in a person's life because my personal thoughts or actions caused an offense to someone.
Yes, this is an introspective post, and an admonition to those of us that claim the name of Jesus to watch our actions in the light of scripture. We are to present our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (see Romans 12). Living in the light of the Word of God will help us keep from offending others.
But also this is to warn those who are offended: don't use the actions of others as an excuse to keep you out of church or away from Jesus. I think of Jesus' interaction with Peter & John after his resurrection. Peter asks about God's plan for John, and Jesus replies simply: "Don't worry about John. You follow me."
Finally, let me say this. In my life there have been people like Ollie Coffey, Granny Snow Townsend, and Bertha Moretz. There have been pastors that have shown a great light, like my dad, Tim Greene, and more. I am thankful to be learning at a great place right now at Elevation Church, both in person, online, and using their podcasts. What I mean by this is that most churchgoers are true followers of Christ. They have shown how to live the life. They are careful to live by the statutes of the Word of God and know it by heart. They show the genuine love of God to friends and strangers alike.
Bad churchgoers are an exception. They are not the rule. But they do happen. Try not to be one. If you should find one, pray for them. Forgive them. Chances are they need it, and you can help them along the way. They need that, too.
So do bowel movements.
Sound a little harsh? Good. I was going for effect.
Take this for example: I recently heard the story of a family that stopped going to a church after a daughter of a church member stole a credit card and made unauthorized charges! The reaction? "Oh- we're sorry."
This family of four that had the card stolen have bounced in and out of church, became connected in this church. The two children of the family were greatly affected by the youth ministry, the youngest one was saved on a youth trip (the older one previously accepting Christ), and both were baptized there. Now they have an emotional scar and a sour taste in their mouth. Why?
Churchgoers.
How many people have been turned off by the actions of others either in the church or those professing the name of Christ? How many baptist churches have started down the street from another baptist church simply because of the offense of one person against the other? (Call it beating a dead horse, I've always had an issue with this.) How many people who are young in their faith been turned away by simply one action? How many that visit a church searching for God end up turned away forever?
It doesn't have to be this way, but the thing is this causes people to turn away. People that act out of their own nature turn people away from an environment that is supposed to display the love of God.
I've toyed with this thought over the past week or so, and it's made me think. I held a position in a small church for seven years. What if my actions were a stumbling block to others? What if something I said or an action I took caused someone to stay away? I shudder to think I let myself get in the way of what God wanted to do in a person's life because my personal thoughts or actions caused an offense to someone.
Yes, this is an introspective post, and an admonition to those of us that claim the name of Jesus to watch our actions in the light of scripture. We are to present our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (see Romans 12). Living in the light of the Word of God will help us keep from offending others.
But also this is to warn those who are offended: don't use the actions of others as an excuse to keep you out of church or away from Jesus. I think of Jesus' interaction with Peter & John after his resurrection. Peter asks about God's plan for John, and Jesus replies simply: "Don't worry about John. You follow me."
Finally, let me say this. In my life there have been people like Ollie Coffey, Granny Snow Townsend, and Bertha Moretz. There have been pastors that have shown a great light, like my dad, Tim Greene, and more. I am thankful to be learning at a great place right now at Elevation Church, both in person, online, and using their podcasts. What I mean by this is that most churchgoers are true followers of Christ. They have shown how to live the life. They are careful to live by the statutes of the Word of God and know it by heart. They show the genuine love of God to friends and strangers alike.
Bad churchgoers are an exception. They are not the rule. But they do happen. Try not to be one. If you should find one, pray for them. Forgive them. Chances are they need it, and you can help them along the way. They need that, too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)