Am I Not Represented?

 

A few weeks back I shared some insightful advice that had been passed along by farmers and ranchers over the years from the wisdom they’d gained through their dependence on God and the loving relationship they enjoy. Many readers commented so I thought I’d send a few more to you with the hope they lift your heart and perhaps help with life’s little struggles in some way. *Life is easier when you plow around the stump. * The best sermons are lived, not preached. * God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts. * Laugh every day; it’s like inner jogging. * If you worry, you don’t pray. If you pray, you don’t worry. * As a child of God, praying is like calling home every day. * Blessed are the flexible. They cannot be bent out of shape. * The most important things in yer house are the people. * When you get tangled up in problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot. * A grudge is a heavy thing to carry. * He who dies with the most toys - is still dead. * Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. * There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. * Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted. * Do the math. Count your blessings. * A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deer tractor. (Psalm 19:7-11)

I rarely get off on a rant in this column, but in the light of the U.S. Constitution I have to ask, where have all the real men gone? And don’t try to make me out to be some sort of bias anti-feminist or racial combatant. I want to know where my representatives in government are! I don’t work for anyone in government except to help pay their salary to represent me and defend, preserve and uphold the freedoms afforded me through that same Constitution. Everyone in government works for the people! It’s the people who put them to work, but for some reason are now cowering because of a self-proclaimed tyrannical thought within our government that the elect knows what’s best for the collective even if it causes nothing but friction. At the moment I hear only a few who are willing to stand and argue with truth and justice, truly representing the majority of the citizens of this country, even at the risk of antagonistic rebuttal from all sides. I praise God for you and be rest assured the like-minded people you represent are behind you.

[Proverbs 2:1-22] Recently I saw a bumper sticker that read, “Real Men Love Jesus”. The sentiment impressed me because there is such confusion over the role of men in society today. Jesus was a real man. He possessed a physical and moral strength that shames any tough guy out there. So, what are some characteristics of a real man? * A real man is strong enough to protect his children, and gentle enough to hold them in his arms. * A real man does honest work for honest pay. * A real man will pray on his knees in the sight of his children. * A real man will return good for evil at the work place, in the church, and at home. * A real man will teach his son to be gentle, and his daughter to be strong. * A real man respects the elderly. * A real man doesn’t cheat his boss, his friends, or his wife. * A real man brings his family to worship, and teaches his children God’s way. * A real man forgives. * A real man builds, whether it’s tables and walls or the church. He knows that anyone can heap mockery and derision on another’s efforts; he will lend a helping hand. * A real man listens to children.* A real man will admit when he is wrong, and take responsibility. * A real man learns humility; a weak man thinks he knows it all. * A real man takes God at His Word. * And most importantly, a real man loves Jesus! Pray for more men and women in government who are willing to defend the Godly morals of our Constitution. God bless America, Amen!

Pray Boldly And Act

 

The recently deceased Larry King once told a story to illustrate the true meaning of following through and expecting results from ones actions. He describes three farmers who gathered daily in an open field during a horrible drought. The men are down on their knees, looking upward, and praying the skies will open and pour forth a much-needed rain. Unfortunately, the heavens remained silent, and the petitioners are becoming discouraged, but they continue to meet every morning, lifting up their request to God. One morning an uninvited stranger approaches and asks the men what they are doing. One responded, “We’re praying for rain.” The newcomer looks at the three of them and shakes his head, “No, I don’t think so.” The first farmer says, “Of course we’re praying. We’re down on our knees pleading for rain. Look around – see the drought? We haven’t had rain in more than a year!” The outsider advises them that their efforts will never work. The second farmer jumps in and says, “We need the rain! We aren’t asking for only ourselves, but for our families and livestock too.” The outsider listens, nods, and says he still isn’t impressed with their efforts. “You’re wasting your time,” he tells them. The third farmer can take no more of this stranger and in anger says, “Okay! What would you do if you were in our shoes?” The visitor says, “Do you really want to know?” The three landowners look at each other, and then reply, “We really want to know. The future of our farmlands is at stake.” The guest calmly announced, “First of all, I would have brought an umbrella!”

Although life has many satisfying moments there will be times of adversity. In fact, there is a greater risk of personal tribulation the longer we live. Hardly a week passes by that we don’t hear of a car wreck, a broken bone, a life-threatening surgery, an unexpected death, a financial collapse, or a marriage break-up. David was no stranger to difficult times. Many of the Psalms grow out of the crucible of personal conflict. A close reading of Psalm 70 shows that he often became impatient in hostile environments. Four times he asked God to hurry in answering his prayer. Five times he requested that God would “let” circumstances change regarding his adversity. The Psalm closes with David asking God to “make no delay”. Like David, the suffering saint will ask, “Why is God so slow in answering my prayer? Why is He so impatient in working out solutions to my problems?” Many of our hardships are caused by disobedience. If God were quick to punish - few would be living today. It is God’s nature to be slow in punishment so the wicked may have time to repent (2 Peter 3:9). Hardship makes us examine our heart (Psalm 130:1-5). Tribulation ensures our survival by helping to instill within us qualities of discipline, independence, and creativity. Paul wrote that adversity helps create perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5). Christians who graduate from the “school of hard knocks” are often those who grow in faith the most.

[1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18] “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” And when you pray, pray boldly to the Lord! He came to earth; He suffered; He suffered crucifixion. He died for you. “Therefore confess your sins to each another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Are you a righteous person? Have you obeyed the Gospel by confessing your faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32-33), repenting of your sins (Acts 3:19), and putting Christ on in baptism (Galatians 3:27)? God is always with us. Pray boldly and act (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Not A Conquest, A Lifestyle

 

I have seen a cowboy mount a wild bronco and ride him to a standstill. The bronco would buck, kick, paw and snort trying to throw the rider. It requires great courage for the rider to risk life and limb to break a bronco, but that’s not the most courageous thing a man can do in life. If the cowboy makes the ride, he has only conquered an animal. I have seen fighters in a boxing ring pit their skills against one another. The punishment a fighter receives sometimes is unmerciful. His flesh might be bruised and his body bleeding, but he ignores the pain and fights on. One might think that this is a supreme act of courage, but in reality it isn’t. The victor has only conquered another man.

Author Louis L’Amour once wrote a short story about a man caught stealing a book from a library. The librarian noticed that the man was acting strangely while looking at some books. The man would take books from the shelf and run his hands over them before putting them back in their place. When he took down a copy of Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” he ran his hands over the leather cover and then put the book under his coat and ran from the library. The librarian gave chase and caught him. When asked for the book the man gave reason for his act. He said he loved books and libraries, but he never has learned how to read. He liked the feel of this particular book, so took it. Imagine having such a feeling for books and not being able to read! Unfortunately for the thief, his love for books could never enrich him. So sad to see, neither did it enable him to enjoy the adventures in reading what he obviously cherished so much.

[2 Timothy 2:15] “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and correctly handles the word of truth.” Is it possible that we might do the same things to God’s book? That we might have a love for it that goes no further than a personal conquest or as unadventurous as for one who cannot read? How often do we see unworn Bibles displayed in prominent places knowing that they are never opened, much less read? If one has simply engaged them self in God’s Word to conquer its content for argument sake, but the knowledge gained never used, it will soon be left behind for other conquests. Like Louis L’Amour’s character gained no real, lasting benefit from the books he could not read, so the unopened, unread Bible gives no benefit to those who only own or display it. If we are to truly benefit from the wisdom of God, then we must seek it from His revelation to us, the Bible. If we are to be the people of God, then we should know how to attain that status. And that source of information is found in the Scriptures. God’s Word was not given to hurt us or complicate our life, but to enhance our life and give it purpose. In the end, being unable to read, even though you might want to, and being able to read and not doing so, is the same thing. Jesus once challenged his followers with “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). To follow Jesus means to abide in his teachings both to learn and to imitate (James 1:22-25).This is the essence of what it means to be a disciple. I have seen a man come before the church with head bowed low and tears of repentance flowing from his eyes. He had been cut to the heart by God’s Word. He had been made to know the mystery and consequence of sin. He uttered a painful and humbling statement, “I have sinned.” He was seeking forgiveness from God and man. It is in this scene that one witnesses the supreme act of courage. You see, such a man has conquered himself! It seems that just naming the name of Jesus and following our own conscience is not sufficient to be truly obedient (1Peter 1:13-16).

Being Phlegmatic

 

My word of the week, this past, was phlegmatic; an adjective, which means unemotional, composed; sluggish. I thought for a moment as to whom this word might describe and a farmer or rancher seemed to fit the bill. Then I just happened across an article, “A Old Farmer’s Advice” I thought I’d share. * Life ain’t about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce. * Words that soak into your ear are whispered, not yelled. * Meanness don’t jest happen overnight. * Forgive your enemies. It messes up their head. * Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you. * It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge. * You can’t unsay a cruel word. * Every path has a few puddles. * Don’t judge folks by their relatives. * Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time. * Don’t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t botherin’ you none. * The easiest way to eat cow is while it’s still warm, ‘cause the colder it gets, the harder it is to swaller. * If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’. * Sometimes you get and sometimes you get got. * The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably every have to deal with - watches you shave every mornin’. * Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. * Live simple. Love generously. Care deeply. Leave the rest to God. Oh, that we all had the mind of a phlegmatic.

[John 14:15-21] “I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't; than live as if there isn't, and die to find out that there is.” Albert Camus. There is a disinterest in spiritual matters within our country. People do not attach an importance to morality like they did in the past. Our nation is fading in its description of being a “Christian” nation as people were in the habit of naming it in days gone by. What can one do to help reestablish our “Christian Nation” status? First; God must remain in control. I know it often doesn’t seem like it. Sometimes it seems more like Satan is the one running the universe. But the Creator and Sustainer of the universe still reigns from heaven. Ultimately, he will be honored and glorified whereas sinful mankind will be rendered their due. God will have the final say. Second; Remember “…that the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). This statement was true some two thousand years ago and it remains an accurate assessment for the world today. The very reason Jesus “…gave himself for our sins…” and died on the cross was to “…rescue us from the present evil age” (Galatians 1:4). When we hear about all the ungodliness going on in the society today we often say to ourselves, “Yep, it is just as God said it would be!” Third; God respects free, moral agency. By this I mean that God created humans as free with the ability to make choices, both good and bad. God will allow people to reject Him and live wicked lives if they so desire. God will not force anyone to serve and obey Him. That must be a voluntary decision on the part of all individuals. As a result the masses all too often chose to not follow the will of God. This is why evil exists in our society today. Fourth; The wicked will be held accountable. There will be a reckoning. All of the ungodliness that characterizes our society will be actions God condemns on the Day of Judgment. God is holy. He is just. We must reject evil (Colossians 3:5-9). Fifth; The godly must remain faithful and true no matter what happens. The message in the book of Revelation is “overcome” - to be victorious over Satan and his evil influences. “…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Nothing is impossible with God