A New Perspective

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Scripture

Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.

I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

~Luke 5:31-32, NLT

Quote

To gain a new perspective, look at the world upside down as Jesus did.

~Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey is an author, speaker, writer for Our Daily bread and world traveler. He has worshiped in every type  church imaginable, including those in leper colonies and poor African villages. Yancey said in a 2104 Daily Bread devotion, The most rousing church services I have attended took place in Chile and Peru, in the bowels of a federal prison. Among the lowly, the wretched, the downtrodden—the rejected of this world—God’s kingdom takes root. I have heard similar testimonies from Henry Brandt who attended a soul stirring service in Haiti where the floor of the worship center was made out of mud and pew were split rails.

I attended worship last night at the FOUNDRY and I spent the first 15 minutes weeping. God convicted me. We are too smug, too self-righteous, too religious and far too phony in our worship. Last night I could sing as loud as I wanted and no one could hear me because they were singing just as loud and from their heart. My first thought: “how can I get that kind of singing in DBC?” The answer is: “I can’t.” Most of the folks I was with last night are there by court order. Some have been there before but all have something in common: they have failed and they know it. They are all looking up because they are so far down. You might say rock bottom. 

I think this is what Yancey was talking about. We feel high, righteous and secure which leads us to look down in our worship. We can’t give our focus to Christ because we are trying to figure out who among us is the greatest and who is the least. The folks I worshiped with last night felt so low the only direction they could look was up.

No extra tonight: It is 11:30 and I am getting sleepy.

One thing: Hope looked good, participated in worship. We cried together and laughed together. I haven’t seen her laugh that much in a long time. I think it is a good sign.

Kenny Evans Coming Sunday

Antichrist

Scripture

Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command!  When you hear the sound….of music, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue.”

~Daniel 3:4-5, NLT

Quote

‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

~Lucifer [Shinning Star]

The devils prideful ambition is to be God. In truth, he is a fallen angel  evicted from heaven and cast down to earth. He is not just a fallen angel, he is a mad angel. He is infuriated at being ousted from heaven where he very much wanted to be the center of attention. A big part of his desire to be God is that he has a craving to be worshipped. He even tempted Jesus to fall down and worship him. Eventually, he will empower the antichrist to do wonders that will amaze the world and in return, the antichrist will be worshipped.

Understand there have been hundred’s of antichrist [people that fit the type] such as king Nebuchadnezzar. The man wanted all nations and languages to fall down and worship himself. He went into a devil like fit of rage when the Hebrews boys refused to bow. Nebuchadnezzar wanted the glory that belongs to God and God alone. In order to get the glory, he had to become the object of worship.

It is this prideful lust for glory that gets us in trouble. We want to be the center; we want everything to revolve around us. We crave praise and recognition but we do not deserve either. Praise, honor, glory and worship belong to the LORD.

“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols.“  {Isaiah 42:8}

• We made February 22nd our Holiday instead of the 16th. George Washington’s birth date should be a national holiday. If we had the gumption to flush the stinky toilet in Washington, we might  put General George where he belongs and that is the greatest president of all time. Ronald Reagan would be second or third; probably third.
• I attended the girls game Monday and then locked my self in to prepare for the JBS at Sardis Springs. The girls ran into a hot shooting team. I think West Limestone, June’s alma Mata, missed only two free throws and less than ten three’s. They didn’t miss many.
• Extra from the Imprimis: J. Paul Getty was a miser and a cheapskate who made visitors to his estate use a pay phone he had installed in his mansion even though he was one of the richest men in the world. When his 17 year old grandson was kidnapped in Italy and held for $17 million ransom, the dickered over the amount until the kidnappers mailed him his grandson’s ear. Even then Getty refused to pay. He did loan his son [the boys father] the $17 million but made him pay it back at an interest rate of 4%.

We Are Able

SCRIPTURE

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

~Mark 10:39, NLT

QUOTE

Despair ruins some, presumption ruins many.

~Benjamin Franklin

You see James and John’s presumptuous answer above but what is the question? Jesus asked them, Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” Without a moments hesitation, they replied, “We are able.” I’m sure Jesus just shook His head in unbelief. These guys who were a part of the inner circle {Peter, James and John} had committed to mistakes.

Their first mistake was that they were not paying attention to what Jesus had just said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.” Jesus had no more than got this out of His mouth when the two asked for seats of honor in His kingdom. Their second mistake is as bad as the first, it was ignorance. They had no idea what they were asking for or committing themselves to do. I don’t know which was greater: their arrogance, their ignorance or their insensitivity.

James and John did undergo Christ’s baptism and they did drink from His bitter cup. James was the first to die for Christ. They were able to drink the cup because Jesus made them able. Sometimes we allow our mouth to overload our ability. We are able only because His grace enables.  Oh the needless grief we bring into our lives by our prideful presumption.

• Talked to Noah yesterday evening: Michelle is still packing. They are planning to be here by tonight.
• We got a lot done yesterday that we have been putting off. We have paper towel racks in the women’s bathroom in the FORTE. We also got the baptistery cleaned and filled with fresh water. Lord willing, we will baptize three this Sunday and we have one scheduled for November 1. I pray that we will baptize every Sunday between now and Christmas.
• FELLOWSHIP Sunday night at 5:30–Hay rides at 6:15. Members bring a pot, not a bowl, but a pot of stew, soup or chili. If you do not bring one of the three then your option is two of the following items: homemade desert, cornbread, chips [Frito’s], cokes. We have crackers and Tea.
• We had 28 in our COLLEGE BIBLE STUDY last night.
• I’m probably going to have to get off of Facebook but I do enjoy the pictures: this one comes from Sandy Hendrix in Cherokee, Alabama. It was made at mile marker 375 on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The Trace runs less than a mile behind the first church I served out of Seminary. I would love to drive the Northern stretch [in a gentle rain], from Cherokee to Franklin, Tennessee. I got to do that a few years ago and I loved it.

Pride And Repentance

SCRIPTURE

Then Hezekiah humbled himself and repented of his pride, as did the people of Jerusalem. So the Lord’s anger did not fall on them during Hezekiah’s lifetime.

~2 Chronicles 32:26, NLT

QUOTE

Sorrow is our John the Baptist, clad in grim garments, with rough arms, a son of the wilderness, baptizing us with bitter tears, preaching repentance; and behind him comes the gracious, affectionate, healing Lord, speaking peace and joy to the soul.

~Fredric Huntington

Hezekiah was one of Judah’s better Kings: matter of fact the writer of 2 Kings said, Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after his time. The Jewish historian also said of Josiah, “Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.” I think Josiah was the purest but Hezekiah runs a close second. Hezekiah got sick and Isaiah told him to set his house in order because he would not recover. Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and wept. He also prayed and God heard his prayer and added 15 years to his life. Hezekiah did not respond in the appropriate way to the Lord’s goodness, he let his success and good fortune turn into pride and the Lord was displeased. Isaiah rebuked him for his pride and Hezekiah repented. The Lord would judge Judah but not in Hezekiah’s life time.

We all sin daily and we need to repent daily. Repentance is to be a state of mind, an attitude that we carry daily. America needs to repent and so do we. Our country needs prayer. I have always believed Obama hates white folks but now I am wondering if he does hate America and what it stands for. There are other places to make cuts other than the military.

• I thank God for the ability to work, it is a blessing but I am one tired old hound dog or G-Dog as the older grand’s refer to me. I am going to have to go back to work to get some rest.
• The LORD is answering prayer left and right. June has worried her self to death over the corn. She was afraid it would come in while we were in Alaska but it is in. It is probably the best corn we have raised. She heard that red pepper will keep the predators out: we will let you know how that works out. I am meeting with the paving contractor today and I am pretty sure we have us a second van, Chevy, white with charcoal interior, 2014 with only 30,000 miles. God is raising up some givers at DBC and we praise His name.
• One of my old brick laying buddies was promoted yesterday: James Knox but we all called him Rooster. He helped me lay the brick at the amphitheater. He did my fire place on Craze Road. One of sorriest things I have ever done was set Rooster up for a hen flogging. He was sweet on Hannah but older enough to be her granddaddy. As a father, I had to steer him in another direction so I told him that June was sweet on him. When he did his come on to her, she was on him like white on rice. She told him that she wouldn’t have him if he was the last man on earth. I finally had to send her back into the house.
• There were three Baptist Preachers that graduated Athens College in 1971: Larry Bullard, Mickey Dalrymple and myself. Mickey was promoted this week, his service is in Columbus, Mississippi on Saturday. He preached a revival for us back in the late 90′ and he also spoke at a banquet in the FORTE. He was a native of Sand Mountain and a teller of funny stories. Mickey was 71 years old.
• Mandy couldn’t stand being off so she’s been working on BLOCK PARTY T-shirts. I enter the pic of shirt separate from the blog.
• The Memorial Service for Mike Hooper will be Tuesday in Kansas but then the ashes will be shipped here and a memorial service will be held grave side at Friendship.
• June just told me that Kenny “The Snake” Stabler passed away.

Examine Yourself

SCRIPTURE

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

~2 Corinthians 13:5, NLT

QUOTE

“Open confession is good for the soul.”

~Scottish Proverb

I try to prepare myself mentally and spiritually before I preach. I know the one thing that should be dominate is humility and believe it or not, I long to be gentile. [You laugh here] As I tried to prepare for last night, I was convicted about my attitude. When I asked the congregation to follow the choirs lead, they rebelled. This is not a figment of my imagination, the choir saw the same thing I did: instead of clapping, we clammed up and folded our arms. If was as if you were saying, “I’m not clapping and you can’t make me.”

Jeff made a good point in our LCBS class: sometimes people are watching us and we aren’t aware that their focus is on us. Last night we sang, “LORD, I lift your name on high, LORD, I love to sing your praises.” We sometimes sing things we don’t mean. If a lost person was happened to be focused on you yesterday morning, do you think they saw your love and enthusiasm for Jesus? Personally, as a whole, I think we were a bad advertisement. I think rebellion and self-will is what they saw, not excitement in praising Jesus. I’m not sure the six straight bible study lessons on  giving preference to others took.

That said, “I have no right to talk down to you. I was like Moses at the Rock, a little angry over the rebellion I saw.” Moses was wrong and so was I. Whereas I sang my heart out and clapped until my hands were red, it is very possible that lost folks saw my pride and arrogance which is worse than your lack of enthusiasm.

It reminds me of a story. Years ago, Hugh Fitzgerald addressed the entire congregation about finding a music director. Hugh was very direct. After the service, I said, “Hugh, you don’t talk to people in that way.” Without a moments hesitation, Hugh said, “Have you heard yourself lately.”

• Mandy needs one more person for skits. It can be adult or young person. It is a 30 minute assignment [8:30 am until 9:00]
• GOLDEN GIRLS is on for Saturday morning: 9:30 at CB in Hartselle.
• No women responded but we have a group of men going to Montgomery. We are leaving from the church parking lot at 11:00 and will stop for lunch at Gardendale. Our ETA back to Danville is 8:00-9:00 pm. If you want to go, let me know ASAP.
• We have two wedding Saturday evening: Jarod’s is at 4:00 pm at Enon and Hunter’s is at 6:00 but I don’t know the location. Also, Jake and his siblings are giving Terry and Gerri a 50th wedding anniversary. A 50th wedding anniversary is a big deal and I have already apologized to Gerri for not being able to attend. There are a lot of choices Saturday, you go where you feel the LORD is leading.
• LORD willing, we are cleaning out the Bus Barn today. We have some birds who have made it their home.
• We are doing a VBS visitation next Sunday evening at 5:00. We are going to do a blitz and be back at 6:00 for Praise and Reports. No sermon, I promise. We may have pizza though.
• Tracey, Kelvin and Kerri are at Mayo in Jacksonville, Florida. The YOUTH are in sunny L.A. under the direction of Dr. G. Ted Turrentine.
• Josie studies the clouds formations and she has influenced her cousin Chloe. Saturday, we were driving to Hartselle and Chloe said, “I see a dinosaur.” June said, “Where?” And Chloe pointed to a cloud formation.

Independence, Good or Bad?

 

SCRIPTURE

But see here, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves from your own fires and not from God’s; you will live among sorrows.

~Isaiah 50:11, TLB

QUOTE

The ultimate slavery is total independence from God.

~Ya’akov

In our nation, independence–the freedom to speak, write, assemble and worship without fear of persecution– is a prized possession and make no mistake about it, I am a patriot and a lover of freedom but understand that true freedom can only be found in Christ. Those who seek to live independently of Christ are of all men, the greatest slaves. What is a guitar string detached from the guitar? Can it fulfill it’s purpose independently of the guitar? No, a guitar string is totally dependent on the guitar.

Can you fulfill your intended purpose a part from Christ and His body? Isaiah said, those who refuse to trust the LORD walk in darkness. They try to compensate by building their own fires and creating their own light but there is no peace for the wicked [those who rebel against God]. The ultimate reward for those who refuse to trust in Christ is misery, sorrow and torment. There is no freedom in hell.

TODAY WE PRAY FOR FAMILIES

• Another late night at the ball park: you know grand kids are special when you see a good man like Billy Parker watching his grandson from a wheel chair. You know how to spot Senior Adults at the ball park: we are the ones wearing coats.
• GOLDEN GIRLS Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Cracker Barrel in Hartselle.
• Get a ROSE for Mom this Sunday. Mother’s day just one week from Sunday.
• Senior Day May 17th a.m. Worship. We have more high school seniors this year than we’ve ever had at DBC. I think it is either 19-20.
• HELP WANTED! If you will work in VBS, see Mandy. We are having a hard time recruiting workers this year.

The Pride of Babylon

SCRIPTURE

You said, ‘I will reign forever as queen of the world!’ You did not reflect on your actions or think about their consequences.

~Isaiah 47:7, NLT

QUOTE

Two things are said to be very rare sights in the world: one is a young man humble, and the other is an old man content.

~J.C. Ryle

The ‘queen of the world’ was a reference to the city of Babylon which dates back to Genesis. Babylon was at it’s zenith during Isaiah’s life time. At the time it’s hanging gardens and descending water falls made it one of the seven wonders of the world. The Babylonian captivity for the Jews took place during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar and this was probably the peak of Babylon’s grandeur. Daniel the prophet rebuked Belshazzar for desecrating the golden vessels taken from the Temple in Jerusalem and told him, “The kingdom will be taken from you” and it was taken that very night by Darius the Mede. In 539 BC the empire fell to the Persians under Cyrus. Babylon’s existed until Alexander the Great who took it in 331 BC. He intended to rebuild it and make it greater but he died before pursuing his plan and the city, it walls and towers were torn down. Babylon, once great, no longer exist. It has become a symbol of worldly pleasure, power, prosperity and PRIDE. When John speaks of Babylon in the Revelation, he is referring to the antichrist world system driven by PRIDE.

I did not intend to give you a history lesson when I sat down to do the blog. In yesterday’s DBR that second part of the verse jumped out at me…You did not reflect on your actions or think about their consequences. I cannot count the times that I have acted in haste without considering the circumstances. About five or six years ago, I did something stupid and it came back to bite me this past month. I am not mad at God or anyone else: I should have thought about what I was doing and possible consequences. I imagine most of my bone head decisions could be laid at the door step of PRIDE.

TODAY WE PRAY FOR STUDENTS

• Miss Clara has bursitis in her shoulder, got a shot yesterday in B’town and feels better but is still fighting a UTI.
• Front Pew Shower for Ginny Shaneyfelt this Sunday.
• Sunday schedule: LCBS 9:15, Worship 10:15 and 6:00. God willing we are preaching on the Cross Sunday morning and the Burial Sunday night.
• You have just two Sundays to order ROSES FOR MAMA. I wish I knew how many years we had Roses for Mama but I would have to guess 8-10 years. It has been a huge success but we did have a drop in attendance last year. Instead of the kids coming to DBC to be with Mama, Mama is going to the kids. We are going to try it one more time. MOTHER’S, it is your day, let the kids come to you.

Love Generates Giving–Humility Governs Receiving

SCRIPTURE

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

~Luke 6:38, NLT

QUOTE

“A bell’s not a bell ’til you ring it – A song’s not a song ’til you sing it – Love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay – Love isn’t love ’til you give it away!”

~Oscar Hammerstein, II

One of our Christmas traditions as empty nesters is watching Hallmark Christmas movies. I watched the Santa Suit [2010] last night and I saw something I had missed previously. There is a certain mentality or attitude that goes with giving but a gift cannot be a gift until there is someone to receive it. So literally, we have an attitude on both ends–generosity on one and humility and faith on the other.

The ancients did not carry purses or back packs nor did they have shopping carts: they use baskets or lap sacks. The modern day “Fanny Pack” comes from the ancient tradition of the lap sack. Drake Hunter, played by Kevin Sorbo, was a greedy businessman who had totally missed the spirit of Christmas. The hardness of his heart was penetrated by the sadness of a small girl who seemed broken hearted about something but she would not reveal what was bothering her. Mr. Hunter did not give raises or Christmas bonuses and this cute little girl had been affected by his greed without his awareness. Her mom worked in Mr. Hunter’s plant. When he takes it upon himself to give to the child, there is a problem, she is not ready to receive, not from him. She does not trust Mr. Hunter due to his insensitivity toward her mother and others. Mr. Hunter becomes frustrated because he cannot share the gift that he wants her to have. 

The bottom line is: We have to be in a receptive mood to take a gift. The giver of the gift cannot be blessed by giving unless we receive in humility and good faith. This principle applies to SALVATION as well as everyday life.

EXTRA/RELATED STORY

In 1970-71, I served the Salem Springs Baptist Church is West Limestone. There I met a sweet family [5] who became friends instantly. The man worked at a plant in Decatur but with 3 children and his wife being a homemaker [noble calling], I assumed that money was tight. One Sunday night after church, he walked up and gave me $20 which I immediately gave back. I gave him one reason after another as to why I could not accept his gift. He walked away with a dejected look on his face and I sensed that I had offended him. An older gentlemen witnessed the entire drama and he came to me immediately: “Preacher, you didn’t handle that very well.” “How is that?” I quickly replied, “He needs the money more than I do.” The wise old bird said, “You’re missing the point. He had given his gift a lot of thought; he wanted to become a partner in your ministry and you denied him that privilege. You just robbed him of a blessing.” I had made the mistake, the man had already left but I never forgot the lesson. Greed keeps of from giving and pride keeps us from receiving.

• Today we pray for FAMILY.
• There will be a DEACON’S meeting this Sunday at 8:30: something came up.
• Pray for Kenny.
• Our heartfelt sympathy to Gregg Stinson, David Andrews and Marlon Cole on the departure of their love ones.

Hindrances to Revival #7–PRIDE

Day 10 of 24/24

SCRIPTURE

“God, how I thank You that I am not on the same level as other people—crooks, cheaters, the sexually immoral—like this tax collector over here. Just look at me! I fast not once but twice a week, and I faithfully pay my tithes on every penny of income.”

~Luke 18:11-12, The VOICE

QUOTE

You can have no greater sign of confirmed pride than when you think you are humble enough.

~C.S. Lewis

Pharisees like to pray in public but like the one in Luke 18, their prayers are ineffective because they come from a heart filled with pride. It is always a mistake to inform God of our goodness when He can see the dark crevices in our heart which are hidden from us. What on earth inspires men to brag in the face of God and call it prayer? You know the answer: it is pride. I’m sure you have noticed the proud unbent “I” is in the middle of pride and sin. There is no question that pride is a huge hindrance to revival. If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves…

• Deacons meeting at 8:00 [Confirmation for Jeff Bass].
• LCBS at 9:00 and worship at 10:15 and 6:00.
• FRONT PEW SHOWER for Sav-A-Life [Baby things] [JUDEA]
• SECOND PEW SHOWER for Mission to the Park [Blankets and old coats and jackets, SAMARITAN PROJECT]
• International Mission Offering goes to Guatemala unless otherwise designated.

Humility

SCRIPTURE

All of you should treat each other with humility, for as it says in Proverbs, “God opposes the proud but offers grace to the humble.”

~I Peter 5:5, The VOICE

QUOTE

Pride is a two-headed coin: the top side is arrogance and the bottom is self-pity. No one wants to hear you whine about your failure nor gloat over your success.

~Yaakov

Many people are good at acting humble but true humility is not an act. Humility is the freedom to be the person God created you to be. God made you unique like everyone else. Seriously, there is no one like you. You must learn to celebrate your uniqueness. No prideful pretense; no phony bologna; just be yourself. To borrow a thought from Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu: If you are truly humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise not success because you know who you are in Christ.

• Today we pray for MINISTERS and MISSIONARIES
• Jeff Garner is better PTL. Still doesn’t know when he will get to come home but we are relieved that he is improving. Continue if you would to pray for my friends Larry and Kenny.
• Great sermon yesterday morning: another grand slam. God is good. Good Deacon’s meeting, good bible study lesson, and two good services. Thank YOU Jesus!
• We are planning a Communion Service this Sunday morning 10:15.
• We are going to ordain Jeff Bass on Sunday night October 19.
• We go to the Park in Birmingham this Saturday [hand out OJ, muffins, and bibles].
• In the pic below is Charlie and Maggie Cunningham. Charlie is an ARMY RANGER and he, Maggie and Jason Charles are headed for the land of Pizza: they are leaving for sunny Italy tomorrow. Charlie is one of many who has laid down [devoted a part of his life] their lives to protect America. He got a standing ovation from DBC. That $50 shirt makes me look fat. I’m going to have Big Mama take it back. Picture courtesy of Sammy Jo from Coco Mo.

Charlie and Maggie Cunningham