Vulnerability

Scripture

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

I Peter 3:8, NIV

Quote

Never let them see you sweat.

~Phil Slott 

The quote above, “Never let them see you sweat,” was coined in 1984 by ad man Phil Slott for a Gillette deodorant commercial but the slogan quickly took on new connotations. It is one of many “Never quotes” for professionals such as…Never say never…Never give up…Hope always but never expect…etc.

Solomon said, “There is a time for everything.” There is a time to be vulnerable and a time not to be vulnerable. Never assume that everyone has your interest at heart. All professing Christians should be like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate and understanding but they aren’t. Our churches are filled with people who have no compassion, no sympathy, and no understanding. Like the Pharisees of old, they are hard, cold, indifferent, judgmental and void of love and compassion. Never make yourself vulnerable to those who do not care about your spiritual welfare.

A professional boxer learns the discipline of “Covering up.” This is not an act of deceit, but one of protection. If he leaves himself open, he will get hurt. His opponent is ready to pounce on his weakness. I know it sounds cruel but it’s the same way in life. You have some people praying for you to prosper but you also have some praying for you to fail. You are leaving yourself open to serious hurt when you reveal your weakness to those who have no concern for your welfare. Thus comes the rule, “Never let them see you sweat.”

Several years ago, I attended a COLS where a former pastor was officiating the service. He took the opportunity to lash out at those who had forced his resignation. I bowed my head and prayed for him to stop but he was not going to be denied his day in court. I know he thought he was hurting his persecutors but he wasn’t. You cannot hurt folks who don’t care but you can get hurt yourself by assuming they do.

• I know our Senior Adults are getting excited about Sunday.
• Another beautiful Spring day. The wind was a little chilly but otherwise perfect.
• The GATHERING TONIGHT at 6:30 pm.
• Franklin Graham Prayer Rally…only five signed up, we can do better folks.

NEW YORK – JUNE 25: Franklin Graham, with Bible in hand, addresses the crowd before his father Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 25, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham’s sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian evangelist’s final crusade. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)

Disappointment

Scripture

We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance and endurance develops character, and character strengthens our hope …And this hope will not lead to disappointment. 

~Romans 5:3-4

Quote

Disappointment is God’s way of saying, “Be patient, I have something better.”

Disappointment is the feeling of sadness or displeasure that comes when our hopes or expectations are unfulfilled. Sometimes we cover our disappointment for the sake of others but there are times when we are visibly shaken. In any human relationship, disappointments are going to happen, they are unavoidable. I don’t like to be on either end, the disappointing or the disappointed but I know it happens.

What’s the solution? Well, I don’t think we are going to be able to live a life free of disappointment but their are some key adjustments we can make:

1. Understand that only Christ is completely trustworthy. The higher your expectations of people, the greater your risk of being disappointed.
2. Deep disappointments sometimes lead to great revelations. We had an example in our LCBS lesson last Sunday. Mary and Martha were deeply disappointed in Jesus for not responding to their request immediately. They were hurt and they could not hide it. Jesus did not scold them but He did give them something better, they expected a healing but He gave them a resurrection.
3. Disappointment hurts because it is so personal. What is deeply disappointing to you may have no affect on those nearest to you. It is one of those pains that only Jesus can understand. This is what makes a personal relationship with Jesus vital: He always understands. I learned years ago that disappointment can lead to heartbreak but if you aren’t careful, you will get a greater heartbreak from the indifference of those that you thought really cared.

The thought reminds me of a Baptist hymn, “Tell It To Jesus.” 

Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

• We have a prayer request…We desperately need VBS workers. Many of the school teachers are unable to work due to Summer programs. The school system is killing us. Our culture values education more than faith. Very few people will put church before school and this is sad. Pray to the LORD of the harvest, that He would send workers into the fields that are white. The most prosperous field for evangelism is children.
• I didn’t check our attendance yesterday but it was no where close to a record. We may have had a record in Sunrise but not the kind we would want. We did have more than usual and I thought the praise and worship was awesome. Joe David’s message was very good and I thought we would have some decisions. I know one thing, God is working. 
• I have an 85 year old woman that we will refer to as Mrs. C. I went to share with her son [an old middle school class mate] Saturday’s a week ago and I noticed her listening and afterwards showing interest. I carried her the Billy Graham book, WHERE I AM last Saturday and I am supposed to go back in two or three weeks and discuss it with her. Buford’s conversion has given me more confidence. I really believe God may be at work in this woman’s heart.
• This Sunday is SENIOR ADULT DAY with special guest John and Joye Tucker. We are going to have an old fashioned service with piano and organ. We will also have SWAMP JOHN’S for lunch. David and the band get a much deserved rest. This is just the am service.

 

NEW YORK – JUNE 25: Franklin Graham, with Bible in hand, addresses the crowd before his father Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 25, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham’s sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian evangelist’s final crusade. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)

Join The ARK

Scripture

 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

~Galatians 6:10, NLT

Quote

“Carry out an Act of Random Kindness with no expectation of reward.”

~Diana Frances Mountbatten-Windsor

Christian ministry involves a risk. Sometimes we get banged up when we get emotional involved with those we are trying to help. Paul had such and experience with the church at Corinth. Paul founded the church and served as it’s first pastor. You would think that would endear the apostle to the Corinthians but not so. They were highly critical of Paul. They did not respect or honor the beloved Missionary. We see the great apostles pain in 2 Corinthians chapters 11-12. Paul was crushed by the Corinthian’s cruel criticism and  blatant indifference. 

To Paul’s credit, he never gave up; never quit the ministry. If any man had reason to feel sorry for himself and throw in the towel, it was Paul. Not only did he refuse to quit, he encouraged us not to quit.  In Galatians 6:9 Paul says…So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Notice the ‘If,’ so do not get discouraged and quit.

• Big day: Deacons Meeting @ 8:15, LCBS @ 9:15, Celebrate Jesus in worship @ 10:15, Celebrate baptism @ 11:15, Visitation for the Buford Burgess family @ 2:00-5:00 in the sanctuary, AWANA @ 5:30, Visitation @ 5:30 and evening worship @ 6:15.
• I will be at DBC this morning {Lord willing} and at Sardis Springs tonight. Pray for Joe David who is preaching twice and me as I start the bible study
• Buford’s COLS is Monday @ 1:00 @ DBC. Burial at Andrews Chapel. Then we will be feeding the family at DBC parlor. Mandy is our HOSTESS. We will furnish the meat, bread and drinks. We need you to bring vegetables and deserts.

Buford and the boys…far left is great grand son Cain.

Inner Conflict

SCRIPTURE

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.”

~Luke 10:30

QUOTE

Being created in the image of God, we are made to be known.

~J. A. Ackerman

Jesus told the story of the Jewish man who was viciously attacked by a gang of bandits as he was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. We all know that thieves take money but in those days, they also took your clothes, all of them. So here is a man lying in his own blood, too weak to walk and he is buck naked. Being right there by the road side, it was impossible for people to pass without seeing him in his miserable condition. Within the heart of the hurting is a conflict: a part of us wants to be noticed but another part wants to hid. We are hurt and need help but we are also ashamed.  Deep down we want to be known but at the same time, we are afraid to be known. We are afraid that if people really know us, they would reject us. I have to be honest, with ordinary people, rejection is always possible. Some folks think this is why Facebook is so popular, rejected people get the opportunity to defriend someone else for a change.

Establishing and maintaining relationships can be tough but the place to begin is with Jesus. His love is unconditional. He does not love us on the basis of our merit; He loves us on the basis of His merit, character and choice. You can relax with Jesus, He already knows all about you and that includes the dark side. He will not reject you. He is so secure in who He is that He will allow you to reject Him but He doesn’t reject you. Potentially, He is the best Friend you can possibly have. Once you are firmly established in His grace, you will not feel the pressure to pretend before others.

• Today we pray for those facing TRIALS and I think we should pray for Kelvin, Tracey and Kerri. They have some hard decisions to make. Right now, they are leaning toward going back to Birmingham where Kerri had surgery previously.
• Well, old Tornado chasing Dan Scatterfield got it right. I have to give the little man credit; he may know more about weather than I do after all. I don’t know who was most excited, Big Mama or Mandy. Hannah pretended to be dreading it and she stayed on the roads until dark slipping and sliding like Joe Fitzgerald. Snow is beautiful when it falls like it did yesterday but I am still ready for Spring. The snow want bother me if the power will stay on. I love electricity. Thank YOU Jesus for Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison.
• As you may or may not know and possibly don’t care: I am on a diet. I had tuna fish made with Greek yogurt for lunch and did 11,628 steps which means I can have 1,970 Calories without gaining weight. I got home around 3:00 and June [who said she was never baking again] was baking homemade peanut butter cookies and oatmeal cookies with pecans. I inhaled two cookies before you could say Jack Robinson. As I work on the blog, my mind is on the cookies. If I make 100 more laps around the house, I can have one more cookie. As Scar said on the Lion King, “Life is not fair.” Big Mama is no help to a fat man. Now she is telling me that she is making snow cream tomorrow.
• Below is Josie and Ty’s snow woman. She needs a tan!

Hindrances To Revival #18– BITTERNESS

Day 22 of 24

SCRIPTURE

Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time.

Hebrews 12:16, MSG

QUOTE

Resentment, bitterness, and self-pity build up inside our hearts and eat away at our spiritual lives like a slowly spreading cancer.

~Jerry Bridges

Any injustice or perceived injustice can lead to resentment and bitterness. Our Life Changing Bible Study lesson for Sunday gives us an excellent illustration. Joseph was the victim of a double injustice: first his immoral brothers betrayed him by selling him as a slave then Mrs. Potiphar accused him of rape when in fact, he fled from her to keep her from raping him. Joseph was thrown into prison for being a man of nobility and integrity. He did nothing wrong or immoral. Joseph could have licked his wounds, felt sorry for himself, and harbored a seed of resentment but he choose to let the offense go and look to the future. Do you feel like you are the victim of an injustice? Has someone wronged you? You have two options: cling to the injury, allow bitterness to grow in your heart and become like Esau or you can let it go and be like Joseph. Wouldn’t you prefer to be a Joseph?

• WOW! We were blown away last night by the turnout. We should have used the FORTE but we had no idea. For the past several years the Volley Ball tournament has hurt our crowd but not this year. The AWANA kids came out in force with their parents. The parlor area was like an ant bed. We had to pack kids on the wagons for the hayrides. We actually needed another wagon. We appreciate the Young Married class for doing all the work that goes into a hayride. If we did hayrides for all ages like we did 10 years ago, we would have over 300. We had over 200 last night. It was wild! It was not just AWANA kids and families, our Senior Adults turned out in mass. Wow! Thank you guys for blessing me, I am encouraged. A big, big, huge thanks to my lovely assistants: Jamie and Mandy. Thanks to Sheila for making our chili. We also had a ton of desserts and they were good.
• Today we pray for the families facing TRIALS. My friend in Mississippi was promoted last night about 5:00. He has suffered a lot in the last six weeks and we rejoice that his battle is over. Lift up a prayer for his wife Mary. I went by to see Kenny Tuesday but he was gone to Doctor. Continue to pray for Kenny and Larry. Pray for your friends that are having a difficult time.
• Johnny Burnett had a knee replaced yesterday: we hope to get that way to day. I know some of you are working on your ARK [Act of Redemptive Kindness]. I over heard some talking about their visits last night. If you missed last Sunday; over 100 members committed to do two acts of kindness this week: one to a faithful attender and one to someone that we have not seen lately. Remember, Senior Adults consider a visit and act of kindness.
• I will be out of the office most of the day; Felton and I are putting in a handicap ramp in the Penn community.
• You will have to stay tuned for FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE. I am awaiting final word on the Memorial Service for my friend and I will either be gone Friday or Saturday. If it is Friday, I will have to make some arrangements. I will post them as soon as I know them.
• Congratulations to Spencer and the DHS Girls Volleyball team who won both matches yesterday and will play in the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP game tonight.

The Healing Process

SCRIPTURE

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

~Luke 10:30, NLT

QUOTE

The consequences of unwise choices or actions of hurtful people can create burdens or wounds that endure for a lifetime.

~Bill Crowder

When a subject comes up two days in a row, I assume God is trying to tell me something. I dealt with forgiveness in the message on Wednesday night and then it came up again Thursday morning. The LORD dealt with me before the sermon concerning my slowness to forgive. A part of forgiveness is letting go but I have struggled with letting go of some things that happened a long, long time ago. When I read Bill Crowder’s Our Daily Bread devotion yesterday, it stirred my mind and moved my heart. I decided to share some of my thoughts with you.

Jesus taught us in the story of the Good Samaritan that there are four kinds of people in the world: [1] Those who get hurt [man beaten by the robbers, Victims]. [2] Those who hurt others intentionally and without cause [robbers, the Vicious] [3] Those who are indifferent, those who could help but don’t care [Priest and Levite, the Vain] [4] Those who help and speed the process of healing [Good Samaritan, the Virtuous]. So whether your hurt involves divorce, abuse, drugs, abandonment, rejection, scorn or whatever: people do get hurt others, this is a fact of life. Sometimes the hurt is so bad that a Good Samaritan is needed. Had he not come along when he did, the man in the ditch would have died.

Sometimes this healing agent can be a spouse who loves unconditionally. Sometimes it can be a grandchild as in the case of Naomi. It could be a bible study group, a Sunday School class, a friend, a co-worker or a Christian counselor but pretending you’re not hurt is no solution and healing is a process that takes time.

I know you don’t like long blogs but this is for the hurting. If you are not hurting, do not read this section. If you are, let me give you some advice. It can be very embarrassing to admit that you have been hurt; especially if it happened during your childhood and by someone you trusted.  The rule of thumb is: [1] You’re healing depends on your honesty. The depth of your healing will go no deeper than the depth of your honesty. No, I do not recommend  you come to me or any preacher. I recommend a professional Christian counselor. I would be more than happy to help you find one. The number one reason for this is confidentially which you need for your protection. You may have a friend you can trust but be careful. Whether you were abused sexually, had an abortion, suffered a painful rejection or heartbreaking disappointment; you have to deal with what really happened or you will never recover. [2] There is no disgrace in being hurt or needing help. The man in the story [Luke 10] did nothing to deserve being robbed, stripped, and beaten. He was hurt so badly that he could not help himself. We all need help from time to time. If you want healing, don’t be afraid to get help. [3] Concentrate on your healing not justice for the robbers [brutal people who inflict hurt]. Turn the robbers over to the proper authorities. If someone robs me, I am not going to get my 12 gauge and go after them, this is not my job. I will allow he proper authorities to deal with them. Do not take the law into your own hands and try to make them pay. Most robbers [hurtful people] are never converted and they never change. They may never be sorry for what they did to you. The truth is: most offenders do not care that they hurt you. They don’t even think about you. You were just a bump in the road. Hurtful people move on to new relationships: they don’t pine over the human debris they leave behind. Forget them and focus on your healing. Healing involves honesty about the hurt and disengagement from those who did the hurting. You cannot forget the hurt but do your best to forget them. Turn them over to the proper authorities and walk away. Trust me, in the end, you will feel sorry for them. God’s mill rocks of justice turn exceeding slow but they grind exceeding fine.  The most liberating day of your life will be when you give HIM your hurts.

For the record, the above was written in the early hours of May 15th, long before the day unfolded.

• Seth graduates from lineman school this morning at 9:00 and Jeremy graduates PTA school tonight. It is a big day for the Bailey’s.
• Chloe Bug is back home, her mother is to arrive [God willing] in the early hours of the morning. It has been a week. I pretty much let her do whatever and I have created a beast. She has exhausted me this week. She has the energy of a Turrentine. She is a little machine and she has learned to climb and is not afraid of heights. I know why God does not allow older women to get pregnant: we older men couldn’t take raising a little one. I don’t know how Sarah and Abraham did it, that is raise a child.
• Visitation for the Maddox Family tonight at Peck 6:00-8:00: COLS tomorrow [Saturday] at Peck [11:00 am].
• Full lineup for Sunday: Deacon’s meeting at 8:00, LCBS 9:00, Worship Celebration at 10:15, WEE Care Graduation at 2:00 and AWANA graduation at 6:00 followed by Pizza Fellowship.