Tax Time

I guess you know it’s time to appease the gods at the Infernal Revenue Service. I guess it’s not fair to gripe about having to pay your fair share of tax. After all, this is the greatest country in the world where we are free to work at whatever pleases us and earn more money per capita than anyone else in the world. Yet, we still complain we’re not making enough money and the taxes we pay are not being spent wisely by those distributing the wealth. The only true complaint I have with the IRS is the fact that no one person running the place can fully comprehend or satisfactorily interpret it’s own code, lacking the ability to repeat the same interpretation twice. The IRS code is so foggy it can be made to fit any situation a good bookkeeper or lawyer is in need. I say this with tongue-in-cheek, but as we both know, the tax laws have been written to be abused and unfortunately it too often is. Don’t be a fool and forget, April 15th.
An American and a Dutchman were talking. “What does your country flag look like?” asked the American. “It has three stripes,” replied the Dutchman, “red, white and blue. We jokingly say they have a connection with our taxes – we get red when we talk about them, we turn white when we get our tax bill in the mail and it seems we pay until we’re blue in the face.” “That’s just how it is in my country,” said the American. Then with a little giggle, he said the Dutchman, “Only we see stars too.”
The preacher was called by the Internal Revenue Service about a $2500 contribution claimed by a church member. “Did he really give that amount?” the investigator asked. The preacher reflected a moment, then said, “I’d rather not say right now, but if you will call me back tomorrow, I am quit sure the answer will be yes.”
While being interviewed by an IRS investigator, a man insisted that his wife’s cosmetics were a legal deduction. Rationalizing that the household is always being compared to running a small business by government financial guidance counselors, he concluded that not only was the annual cost outrageous, it was also a total loss.
[Romans 13:1-7] Since the tax collector arrived on the scene, he has been disliked. Even in the Bible, the tax collector is spoken about in rather strong terms. In the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke people questioned the fact that Jesus shared a meal with “tax collectors”, like it was an unforgivable sin to do so. The tax collector got a bad rap even when compared to the rest of society. When Jesus ate with Matthew, “…many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.” (Matt. 9:10) In the roll call of the twelve disciples who received authority from Jesus, there is one “Mathew, the tax collector”. (Matt. 10:3) Jesus was accused of being a demon, and “Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” (Matt. 11:18-19) Jesus spoke a parable of two sons (Matt. 21:28-32) and because of the answer to his question he said, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” To this day, the tax collector is singled out and placed in a category of his own. When asked about paying taxes Jesus replied, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s.” As a child of God, I am directed to pay my taxes, and do it without grumbling. Romans 13: 1-7 clearly states my obligation to the governing authorities. God is still on his throne and in control of everything. “My taxes are too high and I can’t do a thing about it.” PRAY about it!

An Important Date

Warning! Days on the calendar may be closer than they appear. It seems far off when appointments are made, but before you know it, someone’s reminding you of it because it’s only a few days away. This world is full of procrastinators with plenty of time to get ready for important dates on their calendar resulting in half-baked presentations. I’m involved in a new endeavor in our congregation. We will open a school of Bible study September 7, 2010 at our facilities here in town. We will become a “satellite school” of Sunset International Bible Institute External Studies, an affiliate of Sunset School of Preaching. I will share a lot more information in the near future, but basically, the school will offer the same courses and credits as the residence school. As a congregation, we have a lot of work to accomplish between now and opening day with the purchase of equipment, enrollment, organizing the curriculum and of course, getting out information about the school. Dates tend to creep up on us, so I’ll start informing you now so you can’t say, “I didn’t know!”, still some won’t be prepared.
Speaking of dates, can you remember when nothing got in the way of dating? To bad we can’t find that sort of dedication in all we do. An 85 year-old woman went on a blind date with a 90 year-old man. When she returned to her daughter’s house late that night, she seemed very upset. “What happened, mother?” the daughter asked. “I had to slap his face several times”, the elderly woman replied. “You mean he got fresh?” asked the daughter. “Nooo, no, no”, she exclaimed, “I thought he was dead!”
Mark: “I had big plans for my date with my girlfriend last night, but at the last minute she invited her twin to come along.” Mike: “Twins? How did you tell them apart?” Mark: Oh, that wasn’t too hard. Her brother has a mustache.”
[Acts 10: 24-48] “He Wasn’t Much For Stirrin’ Out” by Unknown. “He wasn’t much for stirrin’ out, It wasn’t his desire; No matter what the others did, He was sittin’ by the fire. Same old habit, day by day, He never seemed to tire; While others helped to build God’s church, He was sittin’ by the fire. And when he died, as we all will do, They said he probably went higher; But if he’s doing what he always did, He’s probably sittin’ by the fire!” I haven’t attended a school of study in a long time but look forward to getting involved in a curriculum of serious Biblical understanding. The school our congregation is going to present will be under the authority of the eldership of the congregation, but will also have to adhere to the strict administration of the Sunset International Bible Institute in order to become a certified accredited school. I have all the confidence in our Lord that He will guide us in this endeavor and achieve our goal. I hope my readers understand this one thing; The Floresville Bible Institute is not going to be a half-hearted Bible study. This is a college curriculum and it will cost you some money. As I said earlier, classes will begin Tuesday, September 7th and every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. with a lesson from two different courses presented each week. Has this peaked your interest? Contact me. I have some written information to give out. Can you fully comprehend the power of God and His message of salvation? In depth studies of God’s word will bring these things to light in your life. I pray you’re not too comfortable sittin’ by the fire you’ll not take advantage of this school. There’s a date we must all keep and it could be closer than you think. Smoking or Non-Smoking?

Weeds

In total defiance to my cutting them down, the weeds in my yard seem to double every week. Our winter rains have awaken their dormant hibernating state to pop up like green monsters that sling gooey slim everywhere when attacked by trimmers and lawnmowers alike. Well, I decided to spray them after discovering my cutting of the dandelions and burr clover was only reseeding the already out of control plants. I thought it was too cold for that, but apparently not. It seems to be working. All the broad leaf plants (weeds) look burnt and the clover is crunchy when walked on. Oh, it would be heaven to not step on a burr in my bare feet in the house. One of those little, bitty burrs can stop you in your tracks right now, and say things you shouldn’t ought to
Sue, a mother of two teens and a three-year-old, was completing her college degree. Her Sociology teacher assigned the class their last project of the term called “Smile”. The class was asked to go out, smile at three total strangers, and document their reactions. Sue is a friendly person and always greeting people with a smile and “hello” anyway, so figured this would be a piece of cake. Soon after the assignment was given, only needing one more “smile” subject to document, she, her husband and youngest child went out for breakfast one cold morning, to a fast-food establishment, needing to share some fun time. While standing in line, waiting to be served, suddenly everyone around began to back away, even her husband and child. Panic welled up inside her and turned to look at why they had moved. She was greeted with a horrible “dirty body” order emanating from two homeless men. The shorter of the two looked at her, “smiling”. His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God’s light as he searched for acceptance. He said “Good day” then counted some coins in his hand. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. Sue then realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed man was his salvation. Sue gestured the men to the front of the now deformed line. The young woman at the counter asked what they wanted. The short man said, “Coffee is all Miss” because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant to warm up, they had to buy something.) Sue felt his smile and the compulsion to help in some loving way was over whelming. With a smile, Sue ordered two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. She then walked to the table the men had chosen as a resting spot, put the tray on the table, and placed her compassionate hand on the cold hand of the blue-eyed man. He looked up at her, with tears in his eyes, a smile on his face, and said, “Thank you.” Sue leaned over and said, “I did not do this for you. God is here, working through me, to give you hope.” Sue discovered a “smile” can be more than a friendly greeting. A smile can be the key to another’s heart, opening it to the unconditional love within us all.
[Isaiah 64: 1-6] When standing before God, all we have and all we do still makes us look like homeless, dirty, stinking bums. Will you be smiling when you gaze upon the face of God? If you know of His love and compassion for you, you will. And, His return smile will be one of unconditional love and acceptance. Because God sent his Son, I have an avenue to forgiveness of my sins (disobedience) to God and through the resurrection of Christ, I have the hope of everlasting life with my Heavenly Father. The “weeds” of my sins are covered in the blood of Christ. There are no burrs in heaven.

The Tasks Of Souls

Have you ever needed help with something, but didn’t know who or how to ask for it? Oh, you had plenty of people in mind, but you weren’t sure how they would react to your inquiry. We seem to have a hard time relating to one another at times, mainly because confidentiality is not one of our highest priorities in life. I personally believe this is a great deficit in our spiritual relationship with one another. As promised last week, I am presenting a spiritual story this week to illustrate my point.
A Christian by the name of Glen L. McCullough was in the dairy business near Tupelo, Mississippi. Mr. A.D. Prince was a salesman from Memphis who regularly called on him for needed supplies. One day, Mr. Prince arrived at the McCullough dairy rather late in the afternoon. He was told he would have to come back the next day because Glen was getting ready to attend a gospel meeting at the Gloster Street church of Christ. Mr. Prince said that was fine and agreed to come back the next day. As Mr. Prince was leaving, brother McCullough heard of his visitor and thought to himself, “I should invite my friend to the gospel meeting.” He caught Mr. Prince before he could leave and invited the salesman to stay for supper and attend the gospel meeting. Mr. Prince agreed and not only attended that night, but attended all three nights of the gospel meeting by Jack Meyer. Even though he learned what to do to become a Christian, he did not obey the gospel during his visits. A few months later, Mr. Prince was given a new job and never returned to Tupelo and the McCullough dairy. Decades passed and one day brother McCullough saw a newspaper story featuring an article about A.D. Prince III, a student at a Christian college. He made a few phone calls and found out that Mr. Prince, a short time after attending the gospel meeting with him, received an invitation to attend a tent meeting in Memphis. He attended that meeting, obeyed the gospel and was baptized the first night. Later, he became an elder in the church. The student being honored at the Christian college was his grandson. Year’s later still, brother McCullough and brother Prince learned they each had terminal diseases and were given just a few months to live. As time drew near for both men, Prince had his sister drive him to McCullough’s home to pay one final visit and say, “I want to thank you for inviting me to the gospel meeting that night. If it had not been for your invitation, I probably would never had heard the gospel and become a Christian. It was your invitation that made it possible for me, my family and my grandchildren to become Christians. I will be forever grateful for your thoughtfulness. Thank you.”
[John 11:35] “Jesus wept.” Our love for one another tugs at our heart when tragedy takes the life of a friend or family member. (Matthew 23: 37-39) Jesus can see the destruction to come and the souls that will be lost. As He spoke, I bet there were tears in his eyes and an ache in his heart for those who have rejected the will of God. His spiritual connection is as strong as his physical, longing to gather up and protect all Jerusalem from their impending physical destruction and spiritual separation from God. I’m willing to bet last week’s story tugged at your emotions with unexpected heartfelt love for someone you don’t even know. How do you feel when you look at someone whom you know is spiritually lost and dying? Do you pray for them? Do you weep for them? Do they see Jesus in your life? Have you invited them to join you in God’s love?