Eternity

Scripture

He {God} has also set eternity in their hearts.

~Ecclesiastes 3:11, NASB

Quote

In deaths presence, we are all children with questions.

~William Franklin Graham

My son travels quite a bit and his children are small. Any time they see him packing, there are questions: where are you going? Why can’t we go with you? When are you coming back? Who is going to stay with us? While her dad is away, Josie can focus on other things and stay busy but Ty is preoccupied with his father’s absence. His father’s return in paramount to Ty, there is nothing bigger in his mind. I think Dr. Graham is right, in death’s presence we all have the questions of a child.

The disciples were children, Jesus even referred to them as children {John 13}…”Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for Me, but you can’t come where I am going.” This was not good news to this room filled with young men: most likely Peter is the only one over 20. These guys had their hearts set on an earthly kingdom with Jesus as the King. They had discussed cabin level positions once the kingdom was in place. Little by little, Jesus dashed their hopes. He wanted them to focus on something bigger, much bigger. Folks, we are not going to rule Israel or the world, we are going to rule the universe, all of creation. We will judge angels. Isn’t it strange how we settle for the insignificant and the trivial when Jesus wants us to have so much more.

By the way, little kids grow up to be big kids and then they do the traveling and mom and dad await their return. I can’t tell you what a joy it was to have all of our children and grandchildren under one roof, safe and sound, this past Christmas. How much more will our heavenly Father rejoice when we are all gathered home?

P.S. If you have Jesus in your heart, you will have a longing for home that gets more intense with each passing year. It’s God GPS system in our hearts.

• PTL, yesterday was phone calls and meetings. It looks like retiring is going to be a full time job. I did get some good news and I give Jesus praise and glory for it!
• We do have some special things coming up. April 3 is Senior Adult Day and our special guest are John and Joye Tucker. They will be with us in the morning service.
• On May 15th, which seems like a long way off, we have Kenny Evans from Pigeon Forge, Tn. Kenny is a singer/entertainer who has a solid testimony. He comes highly recommended. I was told that Seniors would love him.
• We are going to start baptizing again this Sunday LORD willing. Our Baptistery leaks but we have a plan.

 

Never Can Be Appropiate

Scripture

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

~Ephesians 4:29, NLT

Quote

It is easier to build up a child than to repair a broken adult.

~Anonymous

My mother used many quotes and one of her favorites was: “Never say Never.” My mother was right about most things but the “Never say Never,” quote is a generalization. A generalization is a general statement or concept obtained by inference from specific cases. Mark Twain said, “All generalizations are false, including this one.”

No all, but many generalizations are false: some white men can jump, some black people can’t sing and not all women cook. Winston Churchill put the word ‘never’ to good use…”Never, never, never quit!” I am going to add one other statement to the never, never, never list.

Never say anything derogatory about a child’s parents no matter what the parent has done or in some cases, failed to do. Adults, we must never be guilty of destroying the image that a child has of their parent: eventually, they will learn the truth but you leave that to time. I don’t care if you have pictures, phone records, voice recordings or DVD’s; keep it to yourself.

I have three grandchildren who suffered the break up of the family and I don’t think any one of the three has ever heard me say demeaning things about their parents. I’ve been tempted a thousand times. It is hard to bit the tongue especially when they are making claims that you know are not so but for the child’s sake you keep your mouth shut. Biologically, there is a bond that you can’t break, so don’t try.

I went to a teenager during our fellowship time about a year ago and apologized to him for cracking a joke about his daddy. He assured me that he took it as good humor but even to this day, I would give anything if I had not made the comment. I’m going to put a story on my stories that changed my life in regards to being too honest with children about their parents. It would take to much space here: I will entitle it “Mike.”

• My nephew Heath is better but he has to lay flat for five days and any kind of light or noise gives him a terrific head ache so he cannot have company. He had a procedure yesterday that we hope is going to help.
• Dr. Ward’s nurse told me yesterday that I would be restricted for at least a week. I can drive by Saturday if it doesn’t cause discomfort. My plans are to get the donuts and biscuits to you by 9:00 and to preach from the stool. Joe David is having a hard week. He’s taking five very tough Ethics courses in one week. Some were taught by far Eastern people who spoke with accents. I think his travel day will be late Friday. He is like his dad: he will come home as soon as that last class ends no matter how late. Bailey’s have an internal homing device: the only reason we go is to come back.
• The Deacons will resume their work Sunday morning at 7:45.
• No blog tomorrow but maybe we will be back on line Thursday.

Revelation

Scripture

At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.

~Luke 10:21, NLT

Man can impart knowledge but only God can reveal divine truth: about Himself and our self.

~Ya’akov

We relate to God on the basis of faith not knowledge: thus a child has the advantage over a rocket scientist. Common fisherman understood more of what Jesus was teaching than esteemed lawyers. We are not saved by intellect. Our salvation is by grace through faith.

First God reveals or unveils Himself to us and then he unveils our self to us.

A bright young lawyer came up to Jesus and tried to entrap him with a question “What should I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus said, “You are a lawyer, how does the law code read?” The man answered, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and your neighbor as your self.” Jesus said, “You got it right, do this and you will live.”

The young lawyer, wishing to make himself look good, said, “But who is my neighbor?”

Wow! He wasn’t even listening to himself; he deliberately skipped the first commandment and went to the second. His first question should have been, “Jesus, are You the Son of God?” To which Jesus could have said, “Yes, matter of fact, I AM.”

If you don’t get one right; forget about two. How could a brilliant mind miss this simple truth?

Truth is revealed, not acquired.

• I have even fewer friends than I thought but I’m going to blog anyway.
• Fuzz Dobbins got to come home: Gary Garner did not.
• Ben Blankenship’s Dad, Bobby Blankenship, memorial is today at 3:00 with visitation at 2:00 at Pecks.
• My nephew Heath had another sat back last night. Please pray for Heath Roberts.
• Haley Rae had a good party last night and I think she flies out today. I may be wrong but that is my understanding.
• Coffee and donuts at 9:00, LCBS at 9:15, and worship at 10:15.

A Holly Jolly Christmas

Scripture

“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”

~Luke 2:10, NKJV

Quote

“Oh by golly, have a holly jolly Christmas this year.”

~Burl Ives

In spite of all the sad things that have happened on and around Christmas, I still believe it is the best time of the year. My grandmother [Halbrooks] was promoted on Christmas Day 1972. Mama, as we called her, embodied the spirit of Christmas; thus Christmas has not been the same since. Then Daddy departed this world on July 5th 1995 and although he tried to play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge at Christmas: we discovered rather quickly that he was the glue that kept our family together. Then my brother in 2009 and Mother in 2010. In my time alone, I grieve their passing. I miss them more every year which I don’t understand: you would think it would get easier. In the presence of my children and grand children, I am jolly. I don’t want a single grandchild left with the memory that their Granddad was a wet blanket at Christmas.

This week has been a strange week. I have met at least one new family each day. With each new acquaintance, there is a story. I’m going to put yesterday’s story in parable form to protect the innocent.

A certain young man who came from a good family got married and began making a home and family. He was very particular; his goal was to be independent. He didn’t want to be indebted to anyone not even his parents. In took great pride in being debt free and saving money. When a caring family member questions his core values, he said, “I have enough money to get what I want, I don’t owe anyone and I don’t need anyone’s help.” Yet this young man was miserable and worked to make everyone around him miserable. Even on Christmas, he refused to let his children go visit their grandparents. No pictures, no cards, no parties and no family get to gathers. How would you like to be his child or wife?

Please, for the sake of your children and grandchildren, give your misery a break during the holidays. Don’t be guilty of imposing your misery upon a child. For Pete’s sake, let them enjoy their childhood.

• I was so tired when I got home last night, that there was no EXTRA but I want to wash some feet tonight. First of all, I commend you for all that you have done this Christmas to help children. I’m not sure, but I think you sponsored 13 children and they all got a whale of a Christmas. Jason’s class did more than one and so did Charles’ class. We had four women who did the others. THANK YOU FOLKS–YOU MAKE ME PROUD [in a good way].
• LORD willing, Shohn and I work to noon today but this has been a crazy week. My back, for some strange reason is much better. The problem now, is not overdoing it. I don’t understand but it began getting better Saturday evening. I bet someone has been praying for me and so I am going to give the LORD the credit for my improvement.
• Remember, no service tonight but we do have CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION tomorrow night at 6:00.
• There were 4 different unspoken request on the prayer sheets this week and I can add a couple to the list. I don’t know what they are but I will guess: [1] Substance Abuse, [2] Domestic Conflict, [3]Ungrateful adult children, [4] Irresponsible Adults [folks who keep blaming others for everything that goes wrong in their life], [5]Family Conflict, [6] Financial Bondage and [7] Spiritual Indifference. So pick out a number and pray for that mountain to fall.
• I am so thankful for Buford’s baptism on the 13th. Buford is tired; he has very little energy. I am fairly certain that Buford is packing, taking care on all details, in view of his promotion. I told him yesterday how much he has inspired me. I love Buford and his family. The entire family has the gift of hospitality.
• Seth is home {PTL} but his is disabled for three months and he is not happy about it. On the other hand, we are very happy that they saved his toe and that it was not worse. He has a very good boss [which is good] and between him and his mama, a lot of friends. He had to go 9 hours without eating [before the surgery]. Dr. Gomez wrote on his post opt orders…”Feed the boy.” He said he had never written those orders before.
• When the grand mother told me her story yesterday [about not getting to have all her grandchildren at Christmas], I got stirred up. I am an advocate for children. I don’t remember who it was or where, but some one told me in the last few days about a good divorce…he said concerning someone else, “She is happy now and he is happy now.” My knee jerk reaction, “How happy are the children?” [two children involved]. He said, “Your right, I hadn’t thought about from their perspective.” Neither have their parents! How can any parent be happy when their own selfishness has destroyed their child’s sense of security and threatened their peace of mind and happiness?

Suffer The Little Children

SCRIPTURE

Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”

~Luke 18:16, NLT

QUOTE

If I was searching for the most important person in the crowd, I would expect to find him among the children.

~Manley Beasley

Eastern cultures don’t value children the way we do or the way we did before Roe vs. Wade. Parents were bringing their children to Jesus for His blessing and the disciples were turning them away. Jesus rebuked them, Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”

The very next story is about the Rich Young Ruler; what a contrast between his attitude and the attitude of children. Little children have no concept of earning or merit. They take what you give them and they don’t make any attempt to pay. Little children are humble receivers. The Rich Young Ruler came to Jesus and said, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He does not have the humble receiving capacity of child: he wants to earn his salvation. Salvation is a gift to receive, not a goal to attain. It is not what we do for God but what He had done for us in Christ. Religion is spelled “Do” but Christianity is spelled “Done.”

Two things I do not doubt: [1] All men are depraved sinners, no exceptions {other than Jesus} [2] Salvation is wholly by grace. It is not 99% grace; it is pure grace. What are you going to boast about when you stand in the presence of God? It want be your years of service; it will not be anything related to you. We can boast about Jesus and grace and that is all. No strutting in heaven. Heaven is not about Charles Spurgeon, Adrian Rogers or Billy Graham–all of course, better men than myself. Heaven will not be about great men, heaven will be about grace and the salvation we have in One Man, Christ Jesus.

• Kane Update: They think the good bacteria is low in his colon and he needs all the antibiotics that are hindering them. They say time. We will be inpatient till at least Friday. He will have another sonogram to see if the antibiotics helped the inflammation in the walls of his colon. I would appreciate the doors of heaven flooded for the antibiotics to work and the good bacteria to multiply. He feels good. We are just ready to be well and back in Danville. We miss Ya’ll I am attaching his address. His mailbox has been empty. St Jude Research Hospital Turner Kane Hogan 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis Tennessee 38105.  
• Bill Wilbourn {Debbie Gillialand’s brother} is in DGH. Bill has an infection.
• Communion Sunday morning in the am worship service. Deacon’s meeting at 7:45, biscuits and donuts around 8:30, LCBS at 9:15 and worship at 10:15 and 6:15. AWANA and Visitation at 5:30.
• Sunday morning at 10:15: We are watching the SI video and then we have a special offering for Kane and family. We will do only two offering Sunday: Kane and Budget. We will resume GRACE MINISTRIES on October 11.
• Kelvin Callahan went to the Doctor yesterday but still too much swelling to do the surgery. He goes back in a week.
• We are going to be traveling some this week: we will either be gone Thursday and Saturday or Friday and Saturday. We are still in the planning and praying stage. Don’t mind if you help.
• Terry and Becky’s granddaughter Aurora is having surgery Thursday morning in Birmingham. I assume Children’s but that could be wrong.
• COME TO THE GATHERING: we have wonderful music and something for all ages. The Gathering is at 6:30 on Wednesday night. If you don’t want to come to church, go see WAR ROOM!

TEST YOUR OBSERVATION SKILLS

Colgate is promoting their new dental floss, study the next three photographs to see if you think the commercial is effective.

Did you study them closely?

In Photo # 1 There is an extra arm on the man’s shoulder.

In Photo # 2 The woman has 6 fingers.

In Photo # 3 The man has one ear.

How well did you do? Be honest!

Jesus Loves The Little Children

 

SCRIPTURE

Let the little children come to Me; do not get in their way. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to children like these.

~Matthew 19:14, The VOICE

QUOTE

The happiest people on earth are new Christians who have never meet a bible scholar.

~Vance Havner

The disciples were arguing about who was greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus told them in essence, “You do need to be worried about who is greatest, your first concern is to get in and unless you become like this child, you will not get in.” Do you think a child understand depravity or sanctification? Aren’t you glad that God made salvation simple so that even a child can believe. I put my faith in Jesus at age nine. Most believers I know were converted when they were children. A child’s heart is trusting, truthful and tender. The older a unbeliever becomes, the harder the heart. Some people want to make it complicated but for the thief on the cross it was pretty simple: Jesus was right and he was wrong. He saw the righteousness of Christ and he saw his sin and guilt and he made the connection: Jesus was dying for guilty sinners like himself. I think what he said could be called a “Sinners Prayer,” “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”

• Today were are to pray for FAMILY. Speaking of family, I left my baby sister off of the prayer list for the sick yesterday and she should have been on it. Where I had one abscess under the root of a tooth, she has multiple abscesses. I don’t compare them to kidney stones but they are very painful. I do have an unspoken request concerning family but don’t we all.
• We did not have 119 in AWANA Wednesday night, we had 121. WOW! Thank YOU Jesus.
• Jeff did not get to come home and the infection and pain were worse yesterday. He did get easy last night but was still running a temp. Cory got a good report. Connie Campbell {Bro. Tom’s wife} is in DGH with Staph infection}. Mae Sue Wallace moved from DGH to Summerford’s yesterday evening. Larry is still having a lot of pain and not much appetite. Please say a prayer for Jeff, Connie, Larry and Kenny.

Jesus On “Greatness”

SCRIPTURE

At last, they came to Capernaum where they gathered in a house. Jesus: “What was it I heard you arguing about along the way?” They looked down at the floor and wouldn’t answer, for they had been arguing among themselves about who was the greatest of Jesus’ disciples.

~Mark 9:32-33, The Voice

QUOTE

As long as a man puts his personal interest before others, he has his back turned to the kingdom of Christ. If he wants to be a part of the kingdom of Christ, he must turn completely and face in the opposite direction.

~William Barclay

The disciples got into a heated argument about who among them was the number one disciple. Who did Jesus love the most? Who did He trust the most? If He were absent, who would He put in charge? The Great Physician quickly diagnosed their illness: they suffered from pride so He gave them a doze of humility, He sat a child on His knee and said, “To be great in My kingdom, you must become like this little child.” There is a tradition that says this child was Ignatius of Antioch who became a great servant of the church. One thing is crystal clear: their definition of greatest was in conflict with Jesus definition.

By the world’s definition: Jesus was a failure. He never earned a degree. He never wrote a book, not even a pamphlet. He never traveled more than 200 miles from the place of His birth. He never owned a home. He never held any political office. He did not amass great wealth. He never dined with kings. As a matter of fact, the only possession He had at His death were the clothes He was wearing when they arrested Him. He was born, lived and died in poverty. Yet this Jewish carpenter son of a Jewish peasant changed the entire world forever. I think our world is confused when it comes to greatness. I’ll not argue the point: You know that Jesus is great! Actually, He is greater than great: He is the Son of God.

• What about that crowd last night: 110 in AWANA, 46 in YOUTH, 5 in Nursery and 32 in preaching…grand total of 193. AWANA gets an A, Youth get a B and Adults, we can do better. Record turn out for supper with 98.
• Extra quote: We should stop looking out for our own interests and instead focus on the people living and breathing around us. [ The Apostle Paul– I Corinthians 10:32]
• Today is our day to pray for the sick: those undergoing TRIALS.  Kenny Holladay, Jackie Steele, Larry Garner, Patrick Lee Dubbins, Bill Wilbourn, Floyd Bailey, Angie Blackburn, Dee Eady, B.R. Sessums, Daphne Hutto, Carylon Suthoff, Tracey Gillies, Minnie Grace Baker, Dale Shedd, Beatrice Freeze, Linda Dutton, Bonnie Moore, Matthew Battles, Clara Miller, Steve Tanner. I would say that 75% of those on the list are being treated for some type of cancer.
• I’ll probably forget it before Sunday but after service Sunday morning, I would like to get a pic of all our school teachers and Seniors 75 and above. I think it will enhance our prayers if we see who we are praying for.
• I keep forgetting to update you on the rails for the handicap ramp in the FORTE. Jason tells me that Michael Hembree is on the project…Way to go Michael. I had already put in the bulletin that Jason was on it: I’ll change that today if I think of it.
• Currently I am reading The VOICE and I love it. My goal is to read every English Translation. I have not read one yet that was not helpful. I use the NASB as my basic text but BLUE LETTER BIBLE enables me to check the Greek on any verse. I like the Holman but not as well as NIV, ESV or NRSV. The NKJV is a lot like the NASB and I loved it. I also loved the Moffatt translation. I absolutely love all the easier reads like ERV, Good News, CEB, CEV, NCV, MSG, LB, NLT, WEB, NET, KNOX, God’s Word, Williams, J.B. Phillips. The Amplified Bible is not an easy read but I enjoyed it also. I have great respect for any preacher who uses the one he thinks is best. Lucado always uses the NCV. Joe David always used the NASB and I generally use NLT and occasionally the NASB or NKJV. Personally, I don’t think the ESV has anything to do with the Reform movement. A key verse is Galatians 2:20 and the ESV is right on target. The 20th century hayseed Calvinist used nothing but the KJV which mistranslated Galatians 2:20. They went to seed on Salvation by the faith of the Son of God. I heard them say more than once, “You are not saved by your faith, you are saved by His faith.” This is pure ignorance, Jesus is God and He always has been God, He needs no faith, He has perfect knowledge. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. Jesus saw it all. He lived in two worlds at the same time. Faith is for those of us who have incomplete knowledge.
• I was out late last night and I am still battling a tooth ache and the tooth has been pulled but I am planning to be in the office some. I will probably go back to hospital some time tomorrow. Shohn will most likely not be in today. I rarely answer the office phone when I am there alone, call my cell if you need me.

Members Of His Household

SCRIPTURE

The Great Preacher of peace and love came for you, and His voice found those of you who were near and those who were far away. By Him both have access to the Father in one Spirit. And so you are no longer called outcasts and wanderers but citizens with God’s people, members of God’s holy family, and residents of His household.

~Ephesians 2:17-19, The VOICE

QUOTE

The story of paradise lost becoming paradise regained is the story of God’s grace bringing us from alienation from him to membership in his family. God’s grace restores us to what Adam lost for us – sonship to the God who made us, loves us, and provides for us in every detail in life.

~Sinclair Ferguson

It would cost you $300,000 to join the Yellowstone Club, then $30,000 per year in membership dues. Membership in the Yellowstone Club has a lot of perks but for that kind of money, it should. Obviously it is an exclusive club, very few people can afford such outrageous fees. You can join a local Country Club for a couple of thousand. If the online source I checked is reliable, you could be a member of Augusta Country Club for less than $2,000. I assumed it would be much more. The church is not a club; not a fraternity; not a business but a FAMILY. There are no membership fees per say and it offers eternal perks. Today we will be thinking about the privileges and responsibilities of being a member of God’s family. Here are some questions to ponder as we think on this subject:

1. Do you think it would be acceptable or unacceptable for a church to charge membership fees? Why or why not?
2. Do you think of church as family?
3. Can you think of an experience related to our church where you were made to feel like family?
4. Have you ever lived away from family {while in the military, school, etc}? Did you find a church that became family to you during this time?
5. What would it be like not to have a family?
6. Are you aware of the fact that over 80% of our YOUTH  [DBC] attend without the support of the nuclear family?
7. Do you know that thousands of children across the U.S. live in institutions because they have no family to care for them.
8. In your opinion, what destructive forces are doing the most harm to FAMILY? I think it is drugs and divorce. What do you think?
9. What’s the difference between belonging to a Church and belonging to a Country Club?
10. How is Church like Family? [I’ll give you a couple of examples]
    1. We are born into or adopted into both.
    2. All Churches, like all families, are imperfect.
    3. Both should foster love and acceptance.
    4. ____________________________

• A marathon schedule today but by GRACE we will prevail.
• Our Golden Girls do great, we had 7 out of 11 which is not bad.
• You will be able to sign up for Wednesday night supper today. Chick-Fil-A and it $4 per.
• Remember, no bulletins today but Lord Willing, we will have biscuits and donuts.

 

Praise The LORD!

Pray For Revival

SCRIPTURE

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heaven!

Psalms 150:1

QUOTE

Yesterday was great, last night was fun and today could be another one.

~Dr. Seuss [adapted]

COMMENTARY

I rarely do this but I just want to praise the LORD for the service last night. I’m telling you folks, I was blessed by both the children and the youth. I love those kids and their little praise song was awesome. What about those youth. I didn’t know Brent could play the baby grand. Hey there was a ton of things I loved about the service. Three vocals singing together: you don’t know how long I have longed for this. Sloan, Bryan and David did great and so did the band. It was awesome and I just want to praise Jesus!

EXTRA

• Girls [you know who you are] go back up and read the Blog. There is no theology in it.
• Doing something today that I have never done in my life. You will never guess.
• Thank You Jesus for the rain.
• Another Chick-Fil-A night this Wednesday starting at 5:45
• BLOCK PARTY T-Shirts on sale and they are $12 but they are worth it. Mandy did a great job on the design.
• Sloan and Bryan are singing again Wednesday night and Justin is going to Moon Walk. Ryder and I will be on the front row.

Trio