Grief Crosses That Never Heal

Grief Crosses That Never Heal

     Do you ever wonder why certain verses are in the Bible?

     "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3, NIV)   

     Many converts to Christianity are unfamiliar with going through trials in their new walk with Jesus.  They were never taught this was the case.  In many denominations they’re told to just pray the sinner’s prayer and then they are saved and told, “Be sure to go to church Sunday.”

     To truly spread the Gospel we need to explain that God’s Plan of Salvation:  Expressing belief that Jesus is God’s Son, our Savior, Master and Lord needs to be followed by a mind changing choice to make a spiritual u-turn from following evil to following God and then being immersed is only the beginning of your new walk with Jesus.

     Scripture clearly shows after baptism new Christian's will likely end up in a desert suffering Satan's fiery darts as our Savior did. For example look at what the Apostle Paul said he had experienced as a Christian:

     “... I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.  Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”  (2 Corinthians 11:23-27, NAS)

     In many parts of the world becoming a Christian often leads to significant suffering and in some more fearsome and brutal cultures even death. God’s Word says it has often been this way both before the birth of Jesus and after: 

     “There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.  Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.  They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.  They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated — the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.” (Hebrews 11:35-38, NIV)

Jesus’ Warning

     “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.   What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?  Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”  (Matthew 16:24-26, NIV)

     We may have to experience a horrid cross carrying like trial as millions have.  But the Lord promises our reward will be more than worth it...eternal life.

     Or we may bear a cross cut from other timber.  Mental illness, dementia, cancer, abandonment, isolation, untimely death of a child or other loved one, or one of an uncountable number of grief crosses that never heal.  But Jesus pleads with us that he'll help carry our cross. 

     “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV).

     Can you make it through your heavy trial?  Scripture is ubiquitous with promises like: “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go;give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.” (Psalms 71:3, NIV)

Consider Liu ...

     Shikun was born in China and by age 3 was studying piano from a noted Russian instructor during the period when China and Russia were colleagues.  He started publicly performing by the age of five.  A short time later local teachers said he was progressing so quickly he needed to be trained in Institutes outside of China.

     In his teens this child prodigy competed in Budapest and won third place in a worldwide competition.  At age 18 he placed second to Van Cliburn in the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.  Liu chose to remain in Moscow and, with his voracious desire to be the supreme pianist in the World continued training under Russia’s best.  But horror was on the horizon.

     Liu was to be thrown in prison in 1967 in the Chinese Cultural Revolution.  He remained in prison until 1973.  During those years he did not touch a piano.  One of his close friends has said that the prison guards delighted in beating Mr. Liu on the arms and elbows.

     Just after his release in 1973 Mr. Shikun was challenged to perform before a noteworthy audience of admirers and would-be peers.  There was not a dry eye in the house when Liu completed playing the Liszt Sixth Hungarian Rhapsody for which he received several encores.

     Preposterous! Absurd. Impossible.  The audience sat stunned.  No human could go without touching black and white keyboards for seven years and then perform perfectly without one flaw.  How had Liu been able to do so.  The taciturn and non-jovial Mr. Shikun refused to explain.  It finally surfaced when an associate of Liu said, “He said he played the Rhapsody every day in prison...but not on a keyboard instead on an imaginary keyboard in his cell.”

An Outcast

     In high school I was working on a dairy farm living with a family of 4… until the farmer got a logging contract 85 miles away.  I was  now all alone to fend for myself.  I shoveled manure, fed and grazed the cows while an older hired hand did most of the milking but returned to his family after each milking.  All alone in the farm house I searched for meals.  Quickly I found only 2 things to eat: canned peaches and loaves of bread.  As a result I broke out in boils.  Pus- oozing, skin tightening, painful stretching resembling a mini volcano and on the back of my neck where I could sure feel them but could not see them to adequately bandage them.  When the boil was nearly bursting I'd go to Wheeler Clinic and get them lanced.

     I felt dirty and like an outcast.  Who would want to be around a teen with sick looking  sores.  I understood somewhat how Job must have felt.  Finally a classmate told his family about it and they offered me room and board and $50 a month to work on their farm.  It was a God thing.  Sometimes our pathway may be grossly infested but the Path Master will never forsake us.  His gracious mercy turned ominous storm clouds into brilliant rainbows.  I thank God for the experience.  It was a major trial from which He taught me how to appreciate even the common things in life.

     If you were to ask me to compile a laundry list of things I must have to get by today you might be surprised by my answer.  Though I never want to be imprisoned or isolated all alone I think I would survive OK.

     On the other hand at this time in my life I really do appreciate a few things.  Listening to gospel music, sharing God's goodness in these stories posted online, having awesome memories, living in a pleasant apartment, convenience of a smartphone and a loving wife, kids, grandchildren and friends.

     If, when my time comes, and my last breath has passed, I hope my legacy will be as Thomas Campbell wrote "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."

Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone?

 

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Erasure Danger

Erasure Danger

 

     Seems like a century ago when I signed up for two years of Koine Greek.  Koine was the language of the common Greek-speaking people of the 1st Century A.D.  It had similarities to Classical Greek like Homer’s writings but was much simpler.  The Holy Spirit’s inspired New Testament writers used it for the 27 New Testament books.  I remember it as being a really tough course and the instructor was a no nonsense mentor who took his Koine Greek New Testament into the pulpit from which to preach.  I signed up to take four semesters over two grueling years.  But let’s only look at one specific class. Mid-term 1st Semester.

     We’d all been warned by previous drop outs: It was sink or sail.  Any failing score was just that.  You failed and were then dropped.  There were about 14 in the class.  We studied like our lives depended on it.  I had graduated high school my Junior year by taking two summer classes and then started Bible College a month later.  Phew... talk about cramming two years into a nightmarish long 20 straight months of school!  And I was only 17 and was working 48 hours a week and taking three other classes.

     Four of us stayed up all night trying to prepare for the Midterm.  When I received my exam I sat mutely stunned. Nothing looked familiar.  This was not the Greek I had studied.  It couldn’t be...could it?  Had the teacher pulled a cruel trick and given us a Hebrew Test instead?  I thought of folding it into a paper airplane and sailing it to his desk as I crawled away deeply embarrassed.  Then I recognized a few words in the 3rd sentence... they were Greek.  Before long I found other more familiar words and began to translate them into nincompoop English phrases which is sure what I felt like I was.  I was one of the last ones to finish and turn it in.  Now we’d have to wait three days before we’d get the tests back in the next class.

     With sagging hope and a zombie-like attitude I watched as he started passing the exams back.  Not only was my hope blown but I was sick to my stomach when my eyes saw my score: 48.  And no - he didn’t grade on the curve.  I was 22 points below a “D” grade. That’s an “F” by any standard.  I felt like weakly sneaking out and never looking back.  But the instructor was looking right at me.  I sat glued to my chair.  Then, in his deep bass voice he said: “I’m disappointed that none of you did as well as I thought you would.  My strict rule has always been if you don’t pass this midterm I drop you from the Greek I & II classes.”  There … he said it. I was being kicked out of Greek.  I’d be another drop out.  Cotton pickin’!!

     He paused... cleared his voice... and continued, “But because so many of you (I knew he was going to say “Dimwits”) struggled and did so poorly.   I’m going to make an exception this time.”  What?  An exception?  What did he mean?  “I’m going to give all of you a second chance.  You study much harder this time and next class I’ll give you a new exam.  You’re dismissed.”  Later we learned that he always marked with a pen in his scorebook but for some reason had marked our scores with a pencil.  Now he could just erase our score.  Incredible.  This was a God thing.
 
     Oh... and when I took the redo exam I reversed my score.  My 48 became an 84.  I went on to complete all 4 semesters.  Out of the original 14 students only 3 of us survived all 4 semesters.  In later years I taught Koine Greek in Churches and a Bible College.  Oh, and I always wrote their scores with a pencil.

     This story is not about my Greek language lack of prowess.  Not at all.  This story is about erasing.  He had written our names in pencil so erasing would blot us from the page.

     Verbal Erasures

     In the above story one word serves as an eraser.  I underlined that one word.  It is: “But.”  This single word powerfully impacts us today.  In every English context and presentation: verbal or written this word is critical to the enduring meaning and valued lasting impact of the communication.  Include it and your message usually conveys the exact opposite of what you said up to that point.  Want some examples?

     Dr. Laura Schlessinger best explained the use of “But” when she called it an “Eraser.”  As an example when she’d advise a caller to leave her abusive boyfriend, frequently the response would be, “I know I should leave him but …”  Dr. Laura would often interrupt at that point and say, “Stop. Don’t say But - it erases what you just said".  Reading the sentences above you can easily see that the word but nearly always erases the original meaning before it appears in the text.  “I really want to forgive you but I’m too badly hurt.”  Will there be forgiveness or not?  No!  The “but” erased the “want.” “ Seattle would have won the game but the final pass was intercepted.”  Did Seattle win the game?  No!  The “but” erased the “won.”

     "But" in Jesus' Life

     Why did the honorable rich young ruler not choose to follow Jesus?  In Mark 10:17-22 a young man almost became an apostle.  In fact Jesus loved him:  “Jesus looked at him and loved him.  'One thing you lack,' he said.  “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.  At this the man’s face fell.  He went away sad, because he had great wealth.”  Why did he not become a devout follower of our Lord?  There’s that word again.  But it is implied here.  Place it in front of the At.

     Deserted Wife Angie  

 

     Angie unloaded her whole sad, dismaying and tragic affair her husband had hidden before he had been caught.  She was struggling just to put two or three words between her tears.  After giving her some time to compose herself I ventured into her soul.  “When the day comes that you can forgive him then you can find heali..…”  She screamed, “Forgive him? Never.  I hope he rots in Hell forever!”  It took quite a while before Angie finally forgave him.  She said, “I didn’t think I could ever forgive him, but now I feel so much better.”  Can you now see clearly that it is an eraser?

     Can We Get Booted Out of Heaven? 

     Jay was one of the most brilliant Bible teachers I’d ever heard.  His message was about Heaven and how the Devil had once been an angel and then was cast out of Heaven as shown in Revelation 12: “And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon.  The dragon and his angels waged war, and they did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven.  And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.  Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night.  And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.  For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them.  Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”  (Revelation 12:7-12, NASB)

     Jay hypothesized that we also could get kicked out of Heaven by sinning... since the Devil had.  I couldn’t believe my ears.  That was contrary to everything I believed.  The Bible nowhere intimated it.  It contradicted what Jesus spoke as well as the writers of Scripture that were inspired by the Holy Spirit.  Scriptures came to mind.

     “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, NASB)

     Here Paul is writing to the Thessalonians to encourage them that they shouldn't doubt that Jesus would come again.  When He returned they would rise into the clouds and ever be with Jesus.  Be sure to notice Paul opens this passage with a but to contrast with their fears.  This great passage is written to comfort one another by the assurance we will always be with the Lord.  So I confronted Jay and told him that I was giving every drop of energy to serve God on this earth believing Heaven will be for eternity for all of God’s people.  I urged him to think of the believers who were martyred for their Lord.  Did he really think some of them would lose their Heavenly peace and reward?

     Both the Old and New Testaments reveal Heaven is keeping a book containing the names of all those who are written down as saved. Interestingly at least two passages show God selected and named the saved before the Creation.  "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him." (Ephesians 1:4) and "All who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slaughtered."  (Revelation 13:8, NASB) 

     This highlights an aspect of deity far beyond our human understanding: His Omniscience.  The Lord wrote your name in the Book of Life thousands of years before your birth.  How?  Because He is eternal and can see the end of anything even before its beginning.  

     The New Testament explains how this happens. He requires sinners to obey the Gospel and then as Christians have their names recorded in the Book of Life: "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned.'" (Mark 16:15-16, NASB)  Yet God already knew the sinner was going to do this so  his name was already written inside.

     The scariest passage in all of God's Word is also the most strengthening and assuring.  How can that be, you ask?  It clearly exclaims that, of those whose names were written in the Book of Life, they can be erased or remain ~ based on their faithfulness.  "The one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." (Revelation 3:5, NASB)

     In the next to last chapter in Revelation John records the one sitting on the Throne as saying, "And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”  And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”  Then He said to me, “It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost.  The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.  But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”  These verses add clarity to the eraser concerns.  We are to be faithful to ensure that our name is secure in the Book of Life.

     I am so thankful that our God is long suffering, forgiving, merciful and extends free grace to whom he desires.

     "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21, NASB)

     "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12, NASB)

     "To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life;"  (Romans 2:7, NASB)

     The songwriter wrote:  "Home is where the heart is, my heart's own home.  Though I never really had one to call my own.  I've been given a key by the Carpenter of Galilee, With interest paid, the title's made to me."

Home

by the Gaithers

 

 

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 What About The Weaker Ones

     I have wondered if our personal understanding of Scripture passages makes all that much difference... in the true purposes of the Holy Spirit’s motives.  O’ sure there are scores of passages that say we should study and be good workmen in the Bible.  Let’s accept all those important chapters and verses without a quarrel.  But do they comprise the purposes the Lord designed for us to derive from His Holy Word?

     Absolutely His entire word is Spirit breathed and so important in our eternal salvation.  But why did Jesus comment, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40, NIV)

     The Message translation puts it in our lingo:  “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees.  These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.”

     The Passion translation plows deeper into our human-heart soil:  “You are busy analyzing the Scriptures, frantically poring over them in hopes of gaining eternal life.  Everything you read points to me, yet you still refuse to come to me so I can give you the life you’re looking for — eternal life!

O Happy Joyful Day

     The Burtons owned a used furniture store from which they sold a few products but often gave them to any poor, needy family.  Their son owned a transmission repair shop with the lowest prices in town and, though busy as can be, would help any poor person who was in a broken-down car.

     It was to be a most-memorable service.  Dad and Mom Burton had begun attending the services.  One Sunday morn' she was baptized.  When her wet body was raised from the baptistry she spontaneously started singing, “O’ Happy Day.”

Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away (oh happy day)

Oh happy day (oh happy day)
He taught me how to watch,
fight and pray, fight and pray
And live rejoicing every, everyday
Oh happy day

He taught me how
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day
Oh happy day (oh happy day)

Sharing A Special Supertime

     When we invited Mom and Dad Burton for dinner they accepted but then refused to be seated saying, “We’ve always stood while the others ate.”  It was with very much effort and continuous pleading that we finally got them to sit down with us at the table.  Later they explained that because they were “colored” (their exact words) they were never considered equals.  I assured them that the Scripture clearly states God doesn’t see any person’s skin color:

     “Peter said, “Now I know for certain that God doesn’t show favoritism with people but treats everyone on the same basis.  It makes no difference what race of people one belongs to.  If they show deep reverence for God, and are committed to doing what’s right, they are acceptable before him.” (Act 10:34-35, TPT)

     “The Lord does not look at the things people look at.  People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b, NIV)

The Visit

     Clark, a firm doctrinally entrenched long-time disciple, wanted to investigate the Burtons.  Later he said, “I had to make sure that they were truly as Christian as they appeared to be.”  It was in December and they warmly invited him in.  He continued, “I saw it as soon as I sat on their couch.  It was on the mantle above the fireplace.  I knew I had to say something and suddenly it blurted out.  “Don’t you know that Christmas tree is for pagans?”

     An 8-inch metal Christmas tree was for pagans?

     I was surprised when the Burtons weren’t at church next Sunday morning.  Nor night.  When they missed Wednesday night I drove to their home.

     Brother Burton, with tear-filled eyes, said, “I’ve never been called a pagan.  Not in my whole life.  We just don’t know what to do... and where we can go to church now.”  Sister Burton said, “And we loved going to your church.  Brother Smith what should we do?”

     I met with Clark and must admit I failed.  He would only apologize if I could prove to him that he was doctrinally wrong.  Sadly when I read the following Scriptures to him they bounced off his proud edifice.

     “Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions.”  (Romans 14:1, GNT)

Is This Your Church?

     I was far from home and church on a business matter.  I found a small church that said, “We welcome any and all to our warm gathering.  Communion is served before the start of the preaching.”

     I arrived early and sat in on the Adult Sunday School class.

     The teacher threw out questions to the audience during the class.  A couple of times I raised my hand and answered.

     As soon as the class was over three men, whom I gauged to be elders, surrounded me.  One spoke, “You obviously know your Bible very well.  Where do you attend?” As I started to reply another asked “Oh, and where did you go to Bible College?”

     Each of my responses generated another question.  I felt grilled.  In fact it was more like an inquisition.  There was no warmth but rather a gnarly ache in my heart.

     Then it was time for serving the Lord’s Supper (communion).  Those three men passed the trays up and down the aisles.  That is until they came to my spot.  With nostrils tilted up so far they would have drowned had it been raining, they dodged my seat obviously refusing to serve me communion.

     As I recall that incident today I grieve that some “Christian” people reach a point where their judgement exceeds the very warning God’s Holy Spirit thundered:   

     “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister?  Or why do you treat them with contempt?  For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.  It is written: 

     “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.  Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” (Romans 14:10-13, NIV)

     Commentator Matthew Henry surmises it:

     “It was after he had died and risen that he said, All power is given unto me (Matt. 28:18), and presently he exerts that power in issuing out commissions, Rom. 14:19, 20.  Now if Christ paid so dearly for his dominion over souls and consciences, and has such a just and undisputed right to exercise that dominion, we must not so much as seem to invade it, nor intrench upon it, by judging the consciences of our brethren, and arraigning them at our bar.”

     Emphasizing he continues, “It is certain that nothing is more threatening, nor more often fatal, to Christian societies, than the contentions and divisions of their members.  By these wounds the life and soul of religion expire.  Now in this chapter we are furnished with the sovereign balm of Gilead; the blessed apostle prescribes like a wise physician.  “Why then is not the hurt of the daughter of my people recovered, ...”

Determining The Lord’s Will

     Don was in his 10th year as the minister since his graduation from Bible College when Bud Ableman visited.  He returned to the Sunday and Wednesday night services.

     Bud invited the Roddas to dinner at a restaurant.  He had a proposal.  “Please move to Crescent City, CA and become our preacher.”  Don smiled and politely said, “No.”  Bud returned several times over the next two months.  With the repeated visits were repeated attempts.

     Finally, Don responded more positively: “I’ll consider it if the Lord answers a fleece. We’ve tried to sell our home for nearly a year without anyone even coming to look at it.  Bud, I’ll put it back on the market and if it sells, I’ll accept that as a fleece that the Lord wants me to do so.”

     Bud went back home and asked the Crescent City church to pray about Don’s house selling.  Don had put the "For Sale" sign in his yard at about 9:30 Monday morning.  At a little past 3:00 PM an older couple asked permission to walk through the home.

     Afterwards they said, “How much is it?”  Don told them.  They said, “It’s well worth that.  We would like to buy it.”  Don said, “Well how will you finance it?”  The man said, “We’ll pay cash.  When can we have possession?”

     In less than a month the Roddas moved to Crescent City, CA. where they had an incredible multiple-year ministry.

     I’ve shared this absolutely true story not to discuss buying and selling homes.  This is a true story about how the Holy Spirit orchestrates bits and pieces of our lives to bring about Heaven’s will.  Jesus included this when he taught his disciples how to pray:

     “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10, NIV)

     Oh, and don’t overlook that Don Rodda’s fleece was answered.  God’s promises are always kept.

Will The Lord Help Teenagers

     I shared my conversion story in an earlier post (Murder Attempt Led Me To The Lord) and now I need to reveal how the Lord convinced me to preach.

     After I became a Christian in the summer after my sophomore year in High School spiritual events began pulling me towards serving the Lord full time.  But Baseball scouts were telling my coach they considered me a possible candidate.  So ~ ~ should I preach or play baseball for the future?  The wrestling match began.

     In the spring of my Junior year baseball began and my energy focused on it while my mind played ping pong between it and preaching.  I leaned towards preaching as the preseason games began.

     I pitched the first game and batted 6th in the line up.  We won and I also hit a double knocking in a run.  I was loaded with pride.  The last preseason game I played first base and hit a home run.  I just knew the scouts were drooling!  I was so amazed with my greatness I needed to buy a hat twice as large!  In the ping-pong match preaching was fading badly.

     As I planned my Babe-Ruth future the season began.  Game 1 I hit the ball hard but everyone was caught.  I went 0-3.  Game 2 was exactly the same...hard hit balls were caught and I went 0-3.

     Without boring you anymore I ended up setting a School record.  I played every game.  And went 0-26.  Nobody in our school had ever gone hit-less for a whole season.  Something was strange and I was struggling to figure it out.

     As my soul fought the ping-pong match, I’ll never forget the Coach coming to me mid season.  He said, “I’m going to leave you batting clean up.  You’re hitting the ball so hard.  I just can’t believe every hit gets caught.”

     The next night I couldn’t sleep very well.  I was sure classmates were mocking the wanna be Babe Ruth.  And my boss - the farmer - I’m sure wondered why he had let me have time away from farming to turn out so dudley.

     It was then the Lord spoke to my soul.  It became clear that He wanted me not to pitch but rather to preach.  I prayed and prayed and then told the church I’d made a decision.  “I’m going to ask my Principal if I can graduate now (my Junior year) as I am going to go to Bible College."  Dr. Robinson said “Yes, if I’d take two final classes in Summer school.”

     Once my decision was done and I put God in first place (where He always belongs) our school had one postseason baseball game remaining.  My first at bat in Cloverdale, OR the bases were full.  My mouth still drops when I relive that moment.  The pitcher threw a fastball.  I swung with gusto and the ball sailed over the fence.  A home run cleared the bases.  Two more times in that final game I got hits...3 for 3.

     Don’t think this story is about my supposed great baseball prowess.  This is about one thing.  Even when you’re young go to the Lord and ask Him to speak to your soul and direct your future.  He always will lead and guide you. I  so wanted to hug the Holy Spirit and my guardian angel then... and still do!

 

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How About A Cheerful Post?

How About A Cheerful Post?

    We’re suffocating in many areas of our lives.  So here’s a post that will be warm and fuzzy and maybe even bring a chuckle to your stressed life.  Be sure to refresh yourself by clicking on any links.  Each will be a “feel good” anxiety reliever.

    For any too-serious religious uptight person who was baptized in vinegar and thinks it is wrong to enjoy life ~ the Apostle Peter finishes this post.

The Monk

    Years ago a dedicated, religious man decided to become a monk.  So he contacted some monasteries and finally was welcomed into a very strange one.  The chief monk showed him around and then told him the strict guidelines if he wanted to join and remain with them.

    “You must take a vow to only speak once every 10 years and on that day you may only say 2 words.  No exceptions or you’ll be kicked out."  He joined.

    At the 10-year mark the Chief Monk called him in.  “What do you have to say?" he asked.

    “Bed Hard.”

    At the 20-year mark the Chief Monk called him in.  “What do you have to say?"

    “Food Bad.”

    At the 30-year mark the Chief Monk called him in.  “What do you have to say?"

    “I Quit.”  

    The Chief Monk said, “I’m not surprised because all you’ve done is complain for the last 30 years.” 

“To succeed in life, you need three things: 

a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.” 

~ Elbert Hubbard

Newly Married

“I got to thinking what if a guy really hadn’t gotten to know the gal he was marrying... ya know.  

 It goes like this:

We got married last Friday.
My girl was there right beside me.
Our friends were all gone.
We were alone, side by side.

We were so happily wed when she got ready for bed then
Her teeth and her hair she placed in a chair,  side by side.

One glass eye, so tiny.  One hearing aid so small.
Then she took one leg off and placed it on the chair by the wall.

I stood there brokenhearted.
Most of my girl had departed.
I slept on the chair
There was more of her there.
Side by side." **        

“Do not take life too seriously.  

You will never get out of it alive.” 

~ Theodore Roosevelt

“Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting 

before you get tired.” 

~ Jules Renard

“A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.  A successful woman is one who can find such a man.” 

~ Lana Turner

“I can resist everything except temptation.” 

~ Oscar Wilde

“I am a marvelous housekeeper.  

Every time I leave a man I keep his house.”  

~ Zsa Zsa Gabor

    The Lord’s people are called to go through stormy waters, hurtful losses, and painful persecutions, but the Apostle Peter says ... after that:

“You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don’t see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to: total salvation.”  (1 Peter 1:8, MSG)

    Here’s an unforgettable, cheerful song by Mark Lowry:

What’s Not to Love

 

Just released ... new arrangement and new singers of ... 

Daddy Sang Bass

 

** If you want to hear George Younce sing that  

Newly Married comedy song mentioned above:

  

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In The Rear-view Mirror

In The Rear-view Mirror

     Looking back many years I remember noticing my Mom’s toenails needed to be trimmed.  She was in her early 80s and I knew, with her poor breathing, it would be really difficult for her to reach down and do it. Mom said, “Son that would be so thoughtful of you.”  She put her feet up on a hassock and I started.  After about 3 toes were clipped my hand slipped off the nail and I nipped her toe.  It instantly bled.  Instantaneously I began crying.  My intent was to help and instead I had hurt the Mom I would have died to protect.Eventually it all worked out just fine.  The blood quickly stopped.  She kept saying, “It’s OK Son. I’m fine.”  But 25 years later I still can relive that moment.  It is a moment in our history that is unforgettable.

     What makes us cry?  What makes you cry?  Along life’s pathway when do you cry?  What makes you weep?  A sober reflection on those tearful moments indicates what and who is dear to us.  It really does reveal what or who is fastened tightly in our innermost heart.  The valentine spot.

     It was a heart-wrenching development and I needed to let him know before he heard from someone else.  One of the strongest and most faithful families had left the church and wouldn’t return.  I loved them and was so dismayed.  I knew he was close to them but didn’t know how much.

     In my years of ministry he had always been the wisest, calmest and least-emotional counselor in spite of what the trial might be.  He and his sweet wife welcomed me and gestured to a couch.  “How can I help you?” he asked.

     “I’m so sorry to tell you but the ____ family has left the church and won’t…”  Then it happened.  I’d known him for about 50 years but I’d never seen him cry.  Never.  He burst into an agonizing thunderstorm of tears and couldn’t stop.  He was hurting far deeper than I’d ever witnessed, and whispered “I taught them the gospel and baptized them.”

     The best times of their spiritual friendship were now history.

     He hadn’t visited for about 10 years.  He had aged into his 9th decade and the long, long drive had really taxed his energy.  The waitress served the coffee to the three of us and I could see the lines on his face and neck and the jaundiced color.

     I had heard his wife of 60+ years was not doing well and was having serious memory impairments.  Gently I asked, “How’s your sweet…” but I didn’t get it out before his eyes gushed with tears, his voice broke as he struggled and said, “After all these years it’s not so easy when she doesn’t even know who I am.  The best times of their lives were now past tense.

     While we’re pondering emotional distress to the max let’s consider our Lord and Savior.  Perhaps there were other instances where Jesus was in soul-wrenching-tearful agony but there are for sure three occasions that we need to carefully consider.

     When we realize He knew He had to be separated from His Father as He bore our sins on the cross one thing is more than crystal clear.  When tears trickled down His cheeks it was not about physical pain.  His most agonizing moments were focused on the danger of not finishing the work of eternal salvation and expressive trust in God Almighty that He had been sent to accomplish.

Jesus and Jerusalem

     “When Jesus caught sight of the city, he burst into tears with uncontrollable weeping over Jerusalem, saying, “If only you could recognize that this day peace is within your reach! But you cannot see it.  For the day is soon coming when your enemies will surround you, pressing you in on every side, and laying siege to you.  They will crush you to pieces, and your children too! And when they leave, your city will be totally destroyed.  Since you would not recognize God’s day of visitation, your day of devastation is coming!” (Luke 19:41-44, TPT)

     Here Jesus knew His time was very short and His efforts to save the Jewish people in Jerusalem were quickly running out.  In fact He was even losing one of the 12 about whom Jesus said, “It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." (Matthew 26:24, NASB)

     Have you ever wept uncontrollably over someone or a group who were neglecting their faith?  To do so requires a heart that loves far deeper than every-day life events.  I had a dear friend who, when he knew he was dying, stood on busy street corners and preached to anyone who would listen.

     Have you at least prayed for someone... maybe a prodigal son or daughter... for their soul’s salvation.  Today that’s not politically correct.  But the Lamb’s Book of Life doesn’t have politically-correct phrases.

     The old adage, “A stitch in time saves nine” if applied spiritually is a prayer in time accomplishes much.

Jesus and Lazarus

     “On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.  Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.  When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

      “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

     Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

     Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

     Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.  Do you believe this?”

     “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

     After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.”  When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.  Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him.  When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

     When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

     When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.  “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

     “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

     Jesus wept.  Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”  (John 11:19-36, NIV)

     What Jesus experienced here is such an indescribable emotion that some translators say he was angry.  The context clearly reveals those around Him recognized His emotion not as anger but as love’s deepest agony. “See how he loved him.” they said.  It is clear that Jesus was not angry.  The Greek phraseology reveals the most intense hurt, agony and soul-groaning moment in Jesus’ entire life until the final night of His life in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  The sisters totally believed that Jesus could have healed Lazarus... and believed Lazarus would rise in the great resurrection to come.  But somehow they couldn’t quite connect that the Son of God they loved was The  Resurrection and the Life.  What a powerful moment they would soon witness.

Jesus the night before His crucifixion

     “Who (Jesus), in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death,” (Hebrews 5:7, NKJV)

     Since this statement is not found in the Gospels some overlook it concerning Jesus’ absolute concern about saving the lost.  He knew that He was the only hope for mankind.  But He had a gruesome crucifixion in just a few hours.  And crucifixion was a horrid way to be put to death.  The emotion of what lied ahead would have been grotesque.

     But I am totally convinced it was not about being physically tortured and murdered that led to this prayer time in the Garden.  It was the separation from Father God about which the verse above refers.  Scripture shows that Jesus and the Father had never been incommunicable.  Never!  This demonstrates that each human being needs to be right with God.  Commune with Him here on terra firma or be separated for all eternity.  Don’t carelessly put it off until your final moments.  Too often death catches us unawares and seldom do we have time or alertness to take care of eternal concerns in our final moments.

Edgar's Casserole
 
     Edgar was at the bar with his friends. He’d had a few and was just warming up to his typical hammered night.  His friends saw her coming in the door before he did.  Joel nudged him and said, "Edgar, it's your wife and she’s carrying something."  He spun around just as she looked at him. She was lifting a large casserole up onto the bar.  He said, “What’s this, honey?”

     She replied, “I wanted you to have what we’ve had while you’re here with your friends.”  Then she was gone.  Edgar’s friends said, “Wow... what a wife.  She’s brought you a casserole and big enough all of us can have some.  Open it!”

     Edgar pulled the lid off and found nothing.  The casserole bowl was empty.

     When you spend your life chasing the Devil you’ll find the same thing: all his treats are empty.  He doesn’t give you anything worth having.  Isn’t it time to give your life to the Lord where all His gifts are genuine, good for you and will last for all eternity?

The Time of our Lives

by Tyrone Wells

Please write and ask for spiritual or emotional support

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