You Never Know When

Never knowing what to expect in life from one moment to the next was never more apparent than last Friday morning when Mother Nature woke us from our slumber, then shook us out of bed. For me it was a typical morning with a doctor’s appointment in the big city at mid-morning. A large thunderstorm had passed by about an hour before I got out of bed with more rumbling in the distance. The weather radar indicated it was headed our way so I hurried a morning shower and hoped to be dressed before the power went out, sort of an expectant thing where I live. As I was getting my shoes on the thunder roared and the rain came pouring down. “I’ll have to wait to get to my car now” and as I stood in the doorway with visions of a hot cup of coffee waiting for me at the restaurant, where I meet with my “buds” before going to the office, I could hear a few small hailstones hitting my tin roof, not a good sign, and then total silence, in combination, a very bad sign. I listened for the roar of wind, but never heard it. Then I heard what I thought was thunder in the distance and felt relief that the storm was moving past in haste. But in reality what I heard was a tornado tearing through the city about four blocks away, unknown to us for about half an hour, for the electricity went out leaving us in the dark with only cell phone lifelines. It had stopped raining so I went out to see if the whole city was without electric power, perhaps finding a cup-a-joe somewhere else, finding nothing but blackness, so returned home not even realizing I was within half-a-block of the tornado path. Then the text messages started to come in and we couldn’t believe what we were reading. The High School was damaged big time, but students were okay and businesses we frequent were gone. We had little more to go by and people were calling us from all over the country checking on our welfare. (They heard on TV). Sirens on emergency vehicle screamed for over an hour going here and there. I’d only get in the way so my wife I headed off to the big city to give a doctor some more money. We got back home a little after noon and still no electricity so we went investigating the tornado scene, driving where I could then walking to get closer. Emergency personal were still everywhere, cleaning up the main highway of downed power poles and electric lines. To make a long story (day) short there were no deaths and we are quite lucky compared to some of the communities north of us who were also hit hard by the same storm with tornadoes and severe flooding. Praise God!

[Matthew 24:36-51; Mark 13:32-37; Luke 12:13-43] I prepared for a night without electricity but was pleasantly surprised when the power lunged everything to life less than twelve hours after the storm. A day without electrical entertainment tends to make one take inventory and be grateful not only for what he has in life, but who he has in life. Several people lost things, but the community rallied to their needs toot-sweet. My wife couldn’t stop crying and praising God for saving lives, especially after the rumor was quashed that our neighbor had lost his life in the storm. He had gotten into the food cooler of the restaurant, saving his life, while the tornado destroyed most of the building. The Lord will return one day, but millions more will meet Him in death before that time. We don’t know when our life will end any more than we know when Jesus will return. Are you prepared or has the world gotten you over-occupied? Love the world, and the things in it, and you will pass away with them (1 John 2:15-17).

Too Soon Old; Too Late Smart

Knowing at the beginning of the week a large scale rain storm was imminent for the weekend, I got out into the yard, with rake in hand, to clean up all the dead leaves the dry weather had produced throughout the summer months. I got two days of yard work in before having to get back to my regular job, and the yard looked pretty good. At work the next day I leaned over to pick up some papers off the floor, and for the first time in a long time, my lower back screamed out a spasm attack sending me to the floor. Oh, happy day!! The older I get the more pain and agony I get to enjoy for three or four days. It’s probably no worse than twenty years ago, but it sure feels like it. At least I don’t have to lean over fenders and grills in this condition any longer and I’m happy for that. I don’t like to think about it but the old body is beginning to talk back at me when I work like I’m thirty again. A lot of punishing miles have been added since.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7] Solomon shares a poetic description of old age (with the purpose of emphasizing the need to start serving the Creator as a youth, otherwise the time will come when it will be too late): "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you say, 'I find no pleasure in them'" "…when the keepers of the house tremble (the arms and hands are often no longer steady); and the strong men stoop (the legs are no longer straight and strong); when the grinders cease because they are few, (the teeth have lessened in number); and those looking through the windows grow dim (the eyesight is now clouded and dim); when the doors to the street are closed (ref; Psalm 141:3 the wise in the Lord have less to complain about) and the sound of grinding fades (the sense of hearing has deteriorated); when men rise up at the sound of birds (one is easily awakened); but all their songs grow faint (this may be a reference to the fact that one cannot sing-along with the same ability as he could as a youth); when men are afraid of heights and of danger in the streets (the fear of falling is ever present and balance is no longer taken for granted); when the almond tree blossoms (the almond tree turns to a silver and then white color when it is almost finished with its cycle; this certainly refers to the changing of one's hair color--to gray and then to white); and the grasshopper drags himself along (even the lightest of activities is now a challenge); and desire is no longer stirred (advanced age and poor health reduce the strong appetites of the flesh); Then man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets (a reference to death and the grief it brings to the living); Remember Him before the silver cord is severed (before life slips away); or the golden bowl is broken (before the mind becomes dull or slow); before the pitcher is shattered at the spring (before the heart is broken or the spirit crushed); or the wheel broken at the well (before death overtakes you) and the dust returns to the ground where it came from; and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (ref; Genesis 2:7). Admittedly, some of these metaphors are difficult to interpret with certainty and are therefore not presented dogmatically. Nevertheless, the picture painted by Solomon is powerful, and the overall message is clear. Old age brings a variety of struggles. The wise will begin seeking God in early life and continue serving Him until death. Those who are foolish put off the pursuit of righteous living until later in life (Acts 24:25). I’ve got the Lord to carry me through.

Is It God's Fault?

It amazes me to no end that the longest running book in print and the best selling book of all times is not being read nor believed. If people who own a Bible would actually read it, not simply accepting what’s being taught, but actually reading, studying and proving to themselves that what’s being taught is true or false, they would come to an understanding that all that is happening in the world today cannot be blamed on anybody but themselves and the God of the Bible. Yeh, go ahead and blame it on God! But, don’t forget to go look in the mirror. God has always said, “Be my people, and I will be your God, and I will bless you.” He also said, “Curse me, worship other gods, and I will curse you.” Read the Bible and you’ll find that God did exactly that with his chosen people throughout their history. He would send a people more wicked than they, to punish them, and take them into captivity. Knowing that God will bring about the destruction of a land (Ezekiel 7 - the destruction of Jerusalem), people aught to take notice and heed the prior warnings given by God and his prophets.

[Haggai 1:1-15] “In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest: This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’” Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.” Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord. Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord. So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people…” The “me” generation has forgotten God and is centered on self, building their own house, neglecting they themselves are to be the temple of God (2 Corinthians 6:16). We will lose our independence, rights and freedoms under our Scripturally based constitution if our citizens continue to tell God, “I have no need of your governance anymore.”

It Ain't Over Till It's Over

September 22, 2015 will be remembered as “the day Yogi died.” Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra was loved by millions of people. His outstanding ability and endurance on the baseball field made him a star, but his humble personality and wise thinking made him a fan favorite. Most everyone has heard a “Yogi-ism”–a statement made that was wise in its essence, but a little warped in its rendition. The most famous Yogi-ism is probably, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Everyone realizes that the expression is not quite “correct,” but they also know the thought is accurate. Probably, the secret to Yogi Berra’s longevity in the hearts and minds of the people was the fact that they identified with him. In his playing days, he was a catcher, a position admired because of its difficulty. He was also a “clutch hitter”-coming through with base hits at key moments in ballgames. Finally, he seemed to be a “regular guy” even though he was part of a profession that was beginning to separate itself from common people. The thing for which Yogi will be remembered most was his way of expressing himself as he was speaking. Because of his achievements in playing, coaching and managing baseball, his intelligence was easily seen. However, when he spoke, the syntax and grammar were “off” just enough to give his sayings that extra “punch” that others did not have, even though they were saying the same things. (Lance Cordle - Calvert City church of Christ Calvert City, KY - BulletinDigest.com) Yogi-isms include some of the following well-known’s: * “If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else” * “You can observe a lot by watching” * “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore!” * “The future ain’t what it used to be” * “When you arrive at a fork in the road, take it” * “You should always go to other peoples funerals, otherwise, they might not come to yours” * “I never said half the things I said” * “It ain’t the heat, it’s the humility” * “Baseball is ninety percent mental, the other half is physical” * “It’s déjà-vu all over again.”

[1 Corinthians 9:19-27] Many people identify with someone that has trouble expressing themselves, especially in public speaking or interview situations. I would imagine that is probably attributable to the fact that the biggest fear among people is that of speaking in public. When others identify with you and respect you, you have a greater chance of influencing them. Yogi Berra and his legacy are proof of that. Paul, the apostle, knew that truth. Though inspired by God, he was a man with whom people identified. He wrote “…I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” As an apostle, Paul never elevated himself, in fact he wrote: “…I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Corinthians 15:9). Paul never burdened anyone or looked to anyone for monetary support, although he did receive love gifts as he traveled and taught, because he was a tent-maker and willing to work at his trade when it was necessary (Acts 18:1-4). We may not be great baseball players, or famous for any reason, but we can live in a way that is wise, both before God and the people we come in contact with, or influence, every day, in every way. As with Yogi, even though we may not come across the way people expect, maybe people will be forced to consider the wisdom behind it. If godly wisdom does not now characterize your life, begin today. Run the race to win the grand prize. After all, “It ain’t over till it’s over!”

We Need Our Savior

Mary's Lamb Mary had a little Lamb; His fleece was white as snow. And everywhere that Mary went, The Lamb was sure to go. He followed her to school each day, T'wasn't even in the rule. It made the children laugh and play, To have a Lamb at school. And then the rules all changed one day, Illegal it became; To bring the Lamb of God to school, Or even speak His Name! Every day got worse and worse, And days turned into years. Instead of hearing children laugh, We heard gun shots and tears. What must we do to stop the crime, That's in our schools today? Let's let the Lamb come back to school, And teach our kids to pray!

National Pride Have you ever wondered why strong nations fall? Think about it: strong nations always have the best armies, most up-to-date weapons, strongest economies, and the best citizens. So why do they fall? And we must admit that they do fall! The British Empire fell. Rome fell. Alexander’s Greek kingdom fell. Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, and countless other strong nations have fallen and lie in the dust. Why? The Bible suggests two reasons. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). We usually think of the individual when reading this verse, but it seems to me that it also applies to national pride as well. It was said, “The sun never sets on the British empire,” but now it is in the dark! Isaiah 14 records a proverb against the king of Babylon who was so full of pride that he thought he was “the Most High.” But Jehovah of hosts “cut off from Babylon both name and remnant” (22). Take warning, brethren, for it has been recently said by those in high places that “America is the only nation on earth that the world cannot do without.” Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). Now you know the second reason strong nations fall. Need I say more? When politicians and judges make laws that sanction sin, they are acting as if they were God Himself. That pride and the sins which follow it will lead to the destruction and fall of any people. Alton Norman Owingsville church of Christ Owingsville, KY (Bulletin Digest September 2015)
[Luke 15:11-32] In a short story “Capital of the World”, Ernest Hemingway tells about a Spanish father who wanted to be reconciled with his run-away son. The despairing father missed his son so much that he placed an advertisement in the local newspaper. It simply read: “Paco, meet me at the Hotel Montana at noon on Tuesday. All is forgiven! Love, Papa.” But Paco is a very common name in Spain and when the father went to the hotel, there waiting were eight hundred young men named Paco expecting to see their forgiving father. I think of this advertisement being similar to what we read, in so many words, in the Bible. God, our heavenly Father says, “My child, meet me at the cross as soon as possible. All is forgiven! Love, Father.” We too often forget that God has reconciled the world to himself through the sacrifice of his own son, the perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. No one goes to the Father except through him (John 14:6). Jesus never said ‘salvation is over there, go and get it’. He said ‘follow me and I will take you there’. Into Jesus’ death and resurrection we are baptized, to be raised in his likeness, a new spiritual creation, “…When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3: 1-4). This country is doomed without our Savior.