Don’t Waste Your Sorrows

Scripture

Israel, you have seen so much, but what has it meant to you?

~Isaiah 42:20, GNT

Quote

Rebels never take notes.

~Ya’akov

It would make sense to make a note of what does not work and especially that which leads to destruction and disaster but Israel refused to see what was happening to them. Isaiah said, “You have eyes but you don’t see, ears but you refuse to hear. God has made you feel the force of His anger and to suffer the violence of war. Like a fire, His anger burned throughout Israel but you never knew what was happening; you learned nothing from it all.”

You may find this statistic hard to believe but 76.6% of prison inmates are repeat offenders.An unbelievable 56.7% are arrested and incarcerated within the first year of their release. If I had to do a week in prison, I guarantee you, I wouldn’t spit on side walk once I got out: the last thing I would want is to return to prison.

Some years ago, someone studies the history of Israel during the period of the Judges and came up with what we call the CYCLE OF SIN. Slavery, Israelites cry out to God {Prayer}, miraculous deliverance, peace and prosperity, sin and rebellion, apathy and indifference, oppression and persecution, then back to slavery and bondage. America is somewhere between indifference and oppression which means persecution will be next.

What do you call a person who refuses to learn from their mistakes? Dumb, stupid, hardheaded, rebellious, proud, slow, a dimwit or dipstick! One thing is for sure, he or she is not bright.

• Tom Bennich, a friend of DBC, was promoted May 27, a little after 4:00 PM. Tom hadhis bags packs and was ready to go. If ever I saw a man homesick, it was Tom. Most of us are thrilled when we wake up from a surgery: I got the feeling Tom was disappointed. I talked to him a couple of times earlier in the week and so did Joe David, we both thought he was going to make it. Mrs. Edith wanted him to pull through and so did we but the LORD and Tom had something else in mind. On the way back from the hospital June said, “Tom is going to be missed.” The first thing I thought of was LUKE 14: it will not seem right without Tom. He was the most Mission Minded man I’ve ever known: He loved his church [1st Hartselle] but he didn’t stop there, the loved DBC and many more. There is no telling how many mission trips he made or how much money he gave away–truly, only the LORD knows.
• Well, we got started on our visitation and had some great visits but didn’t get a lot of ground covered. We appreciate Rebekah and David feeding us last night. Rebekah served a delicious meal and we got to see their new house. This is twice this week that we have got to see a new house. Also had delightful visits with Vanda and Bobby, Bruce and Sandy and with Roger. Dot wasn’t home so I can’t count that one. You could help me out by giving me an appointment, especially those who work in the day time.
• One service only Sunday: 10:15 am.

MEMORIAL DAY…THIS IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT

The Origin Of The Free Lunch

SCRIPTURE

“We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted.”

~Numbers 11:5, NLT

QUOTE

Slaves always eat free.

~Ya’akov

Moses lead close to 2 million Israelites through a wilderness that produces no food and little water. A generation of Israelites died in this wilderness but not from starvation or thirst; they died because they rebelled against God. In miraculous fashion God provided for this massive horde with bread from heaven and water from the Rock. Instead of being grateful for God’s supernatural provision, the Israelites grumbled about the menu. There was no meat; in Egypt they had fish and it was free.

Sure it was free, they were slaves. Why do farmers feed cattle? Because they are valuable at the market and so are slaves. A master would be foolish to starve a slave. What if Joseph could have declared “Free Agency,” how much would a slave of Joseph’s caliber be worth. I think Joseph would put those greedy athlete’s of today in the shade. He would be worth at least a billion. The Egyptians were not going to starve their slaves: all slaves eat free and their housing is covered.

The Israelites were still thinking like slaves: they wanted free stuff without any responsibility. A free man has to think, he has to take responsibility but the Israelites preferred slavery and a lash on the back to taking responsibility. Liberals are such hypocrites: they want to make an issue out of slavery and the poor idiots don’t realize that they are caught in a far worse kind of slavery than any of their forefathers. The idea that only blacks have suffered from slavery is ridiculous. A lot of blacks and whites are slaves today because they get the free lunches. The democratic party doesn’t mind; they are the ones who have created the bondage. This gives them the leverage to tell these dupes how to vote. Obama got the black vote including so called republicans like Colon Benedict Arnold Powell but Ben Carson will not get their vote. Ben loves freedom more than a free lunch. He took responsibility for his life. I am not suggesting that Carson is the only black man who has done so but he is in a minority. Alan West is an independent thinker and there are others but how I long for the blacks and Jews to wake up and realize that they are being used by a vicious political machine. Of course, some of the rich Jews are a part of the machine.

• Jim Corum passed away yesterday. It was a shock to me although I had noticed his extreme weight loss. Jim was an avid Hartselle Tiger fan. He had cancer and didn’t know it until last week.
• Joe David did the hospital visitation yesterday: Bill Wilbourn is about the same. Diane Taylor {Shannon’s mother} is in 473 at DGH. John’s and Jarod’s granddad, Fletcher Hill is in 465 at DGH. Pat Halbrooks is in HH.
• Kane has to go back to Memphis this week but as an out patient.
• LORD willing, I attended my next to last annual meeting last night. Danville is the host in 2016, I think this is our second time to host the meeting. It’s been trimmed down to one session and one sermon. When I was a kid it was a two day meeting with a couple of meals and three sermons: Mission, Doctrinal and Annual–Now it is one, the Annual Sermon. It’s just another reminder that our world is changing and the changes seem to be speeding up for this old dinosaur. It’s a good thing I came along when I did, I probably wouldn’t get consideration these days. I thank God for calling me and giving me a place to preach. I feel blessed and I wouldn’t change a thing. I love Danville, it is the nearest thing to home I have on this earth. Thank God for family and friends.
• A missionary couple we know is being basically forced to retire along with several other IMB M’s. I have my suspicions about what is happening in the IMB but I am going to hold my comments until I get my hunch confirmed. The LORD has laid it on my heart to get them a vehicle and a couple of others have partnered with me but I want to give everyone a chance to help who so desires. We have until February to get the vehicle so for now I want us to concentrate on the Guatemala project. We are not yet halfway to our goal but the last two offerings have been encouraging. How I do wish MISSION was as important to us as sports and recreation.
• Has the Decatur School Board lost their mind? What are they thinking?
• FALL is a beautiful time of the year as you see in the pic below. Thank you Jesus for the gentle rain.

Photo by Rex Looney

From Slavery To Independence

SCRIPTURE

“When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”

~Exodus 13:17, NLT

QUOTE

Independence toward God has in it the seed of real tragedy. Be dependence upon Him has in it the possibility of real independence.

~Clovis Chappell

God could have lead the Israelites up the coast through Philistia which would have been a 10-14 day trip but He intentionally lead them into the wilderness. He wanted to separate them from the world and unto Himself for a time of instruction, training and worship. He wanted to teach them to live by faith so He carried them to a place where He was the only means of survival. Of course He came through with water from the Rock and Manna from heaven. His purpose was to teach them to be totally dependent upon Him. True independence comes when we learn to be totally dependent upon Christ our Savior and Lord. In Egypt [A type of the world] the Israelites were slaves but by rebelling against God they slipped back into a slavery of a different sort; they became slaves to sin. Eventually it cost them their freedom and their land.

• TODAY WE PRAY FOR TEACHERS.
• Winter Bible Study going good: great crowd last night {Only at Sardis Springs}. Bro. Charles and I talked about it last night, they had over 100 in the adult bible study on a Monday Night. I don’t know of one other SBC that does Winter Bible Study, do you? They had a death in their church family {related}: a forty year old mother. She had a bad heart attack. There are people hurting everywhere. We did get some good news from Grand Bay, Bernard’s daughter came through surgery well and they pronounced her cancer free, PTL.
• I am going to do a TOP TEN some day on why Mothers refuse to spell their children’s name correctly and then get ticked when you misspell it. Thank goodness there is only one way to spell Jack is American English: No Jaque is for the Frenchies and Jax is wax with a J, not Jack. A mother told me once that her child’s name was Bailey. I said good, it is about time some one named a kid after me. She said, “No really, her name is spelled Baleigh.” Give me a break!
• Paste from Keri Callahan FACEBOOK PAGE. “Thank you so much to everyone who is still praying and texting and messaging and everyone who has visited and sent stuff. I am extremely blessed to have such wonderful people surround me during this hard time. With that said, yes it’s still hard. I am home, but it hasn’t gotten much better or easier. I’m just honestly ready for all this to be over. I don’t understand why this is happening but it is. I don’t believe I am bein…g punished by God for anything I’ve done; He just sees it in my best interest and his glory for me to go through this, as hard as it may be. People keep telling me I am strong, but I can guarantee you I’m not. I am so weak, but my God is strong. I can’t focus on the WHY bc that won’t get me anywhere; I have to focus on the WHO and the HOPE, which is Jesus Christ. He is literally the only thing getting me through this. I pray God’s light shines through me as much as possible for his glory in the end. It’s not about me.”

  “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” -2 Corinthians 12:9

  

Slavery

SCRIPTURE

Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it.

~I Corinthians 7:21, NLT

QUOTE

No creature that deserved Redemption would need to be redeemed.

~C.S. Lewis

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.”

In 1 Corinthians Paul is talking to those who were literally slaves. In the Roman world, there were more slaves than free men. Paul is simply saying, “Don’t worry about your slave status, the label, people looking down on you, because in reality, you are free in Christ.” If you were a slave, the Lord has saved you and set you free from the power of sin. For those who were free when you got saved, you are now slaves to Jesus Christ. Every one is a slave to something, it is better to be a slave to Jesus than a slave to the world. Remember, God redeemed you at a very high price, the blood and life of His Son.

• Today the MISSION OFFERING goes to Disaster Relief and Tom and Edith Bennich are our special Guest.
• Today we pray for SENIOR ADULTS. We had a good turn out yesterday for the GOLDEN GIRLS. Sarah and Jean were out of town and Mrs. Jewel sleep in but we still had nine.
• The Mission OFFERING for the rest of February 15 and 22 will be in memory of Kenny Holladay and will go to building houses in Guatemala. We have enough for two right now but I am shooting for 20. Some of the LCBS classes are saying they are not physically able to do a project: you could give $400 to build a house in Guatemala.
• The SENIOR ADULT LADIES did their project yesterday. Take time today for intercessory prayer and fill out a prayer sheet. Talk about your project and party: today would be a good time to do it.

Slavery

SCRIPTURE

And as to the land which You gave to our fathers to eat of its fruit and its bounty, behold, we are slaves in it.  Its abundant produce is for the kings whom You have set over us because of our sins; They also rule over our bodies {Health Care} and over our cattle as they please, so we are in great distress.

~Nehemiah 9:36-37, NASB

QUOTE

Immorality and freedom don’t mix: this is why we have prisons. The only free people are a moral people.

~Yaakov

COMMENTARY

I heard some democrats whining the other day about what’s happening to their health care and I laughed at them. I thought, “You voted for him and you are getting just what you deserve.” There is only one way that a person like Obama could be elected president, moral blindness on the part of the electorate. The American people have become so depraved and corrupt morally that we don’t see clearly. Instead of giving thanks to God for our great Republic, we have acted proudly and treated God as if He does not exist. We have invited Him to leave our class rooms and court rooms and refuse to acknowledge His presence, providence or provisions in the public arena. He has done to us what He did to Israel: given us over to our sin. Don’t blame God for inflation, higher taxes, rising health care cost, fraud and corruption in government. We created this bureaucratic monster that is devouring our freedom and our pay checks. It is all our creation, a product of our sin and selfishness. The sad thing is that the people of Alabama didn’t elect him but we are stuck with his destructive policies. I vote for succession. I am also sick of political correctness. Kathy Lee Gifford gave a MY HOPE testimony the other day and never mentioned Jesus name. She yielded to the pressure of political correctness.

EXTRA

A Wednesday night baptism, PTL. I could live with a baptism every service, amen! Jimmy and Sandra’s daughter Dana is having surgery today at UAB. Pray for me, I need to be in three places and can only be in one so I don’t know where I’m going.

Shyanne

Celebrate Your Uniqueness

Prayer For REVIVAL in America

SCRIPTURE

 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

~Ephesians 2:10, NLT

QUOTE

I do not choose to be a common man. It is my birth-right to be uncommon.

~Dean Alfange

COMMENTARY

I have no desire to be like anyone else other than Christ and I can never be exactly like Him. He is the unique Son of God and He created and recreated me to be unique. My goal is like is not security; it is to faithfully obey Christ. I have no desire to be a ward of the State; to be humbled by dependence upon them, or to be dumbed down to the life of a slave. I am willing to take the calculated risk, to dream, to build and yes even to fail. I don’t need a government that bails me out, I need one that ensures my freedom and stays out of my personal life. Government is good so long as it is the servant but it makes a cruel and despotic master. My Master is in heaven, not Washington. I prefer the challenges and even the persecution of following Christ over the stale, lifeless, dull existence of being a dupe of the State.

EXTRA

Well they had a work night on Tuesday and although I have had nothing except long days lately, I did show up and offered my expertise. I was told to stay away from the saws. I was running a skill saw before David Wood was born. I started building forms for my Daddy when I was 16 years old. I have cut crown mold with the old square saw and a wooden box. I go up there to help and they brush me aside, same as tell me “I am not needed.” No problem, I can handle rejection and I don’t carry grudges but their day is coming. I wish I could live long enough to see this bunch of young bucks be treated like they are old and in the way. All I am saying is–what goes around comes around. I tell you something else: they best not call me to clean up their mess or lug those chairs up the steps because this old bird aint going to show up. If I can’t cut, I don’t clean. You can push a real man only so far and I have had it! I am sick and tired of being everyone’s punching bag. David Wood is a control freak, he and I had words last night after church and if he keeps messing with me, somebody is going to get hurt. Surely, he wouldn’t hit a man with bad knees.

The Extreme Ends

Pray For Revival

SCRIPTURE: Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. {I Peter 5:3, NLT}

QUOTE: The soul that is dominated by another soul cannot achieve its destiny. ~Jaakov

COMMENTARY: Why do people manipulate others? Why do we practice mind control or subtle forms of brain washing? Our desire to control a fellow human being is driven by our insecurity: we are terribly afraid of being a nobody. We have this pathological obsession to control things and people: this makes us feel important. The extreme opposites of the spectrum are Tyranny on the one hand and slavery on the other. Pharaoh was a tyrant and the Israelites were his slaves. It is not God’s design that we be either.

Let’s say that you raise a child and you never tell the child no. You never discipline the child. You do your best to give the child everything that they desire. In doing this you have created two problems: [1] You have raised a bratty child that has social problems because they think everything should go their way and [2] You have fostered the child’s insecurity. The only way that a child can know that he/she is loved is that the parents give discipline. Little brats grow up to be tyrants, insecure tyrants.

There is a balm in Gilead and His name is Jesus. He created you to count. He has put you in a specific arena so that you can count in ways that no one else can count. You can relax in His love. The fact that He loves you unconditionally should make you feel significant. I am not the best pastor in the world but I am not the world’s pastor; God put me in Danville, to make a difference in Danville. I am not the best father or grandfather in the world but I am the only father my children have. In this tiny arena, I count.

God created you to be a person and to fulfill that destiny, you must think for yourself. Do not allow another human to control you. It is not healthy for you or them.

EXTRA: Another beautiful day yesterday, a little hot but we can’t complain with the weather we have had: some got a shower. My garden is still to wet to plow. My new maters have been in the ground for more than a day and they look good. Visited the Nursing Home yesterday and Ruth’s new Casa. I caught her working in the garden in the heat of the day. We had some excitement at the synagogue yesterday. We had an escapee. I think he ran across the church yard behind the FORTE and across John’s place. The 48 news folks were in the front parking lot. I think they tried to get an interview out of Mandy but that did not happen. I wish the guy had waited until Sunday and ran down the center isle. Maybe that woudl wake us up. It would have given us something to tweet about. We might even write a song, “The day the con went bezerk in the yard of Danville Baptist Church, he was jumping fences but not shouting hallelujah!” I miss my calling: should have been a song writter. I know one thing: Keith Blackwood and John Wydner can not both be out on the same Sunday. You guys get together, I have to have some support.

The Chaldeans Are Coming

SCRIPTURE: This is the word of the Eternal, the God of Israel…The Chaldeans are coming. [Jeremiah 33:4a-5a, Moffatt]

QUOTE: Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem. ~Thomas Jefferson [I prefer the tumult of liberty to the quiet of servitude]

COMMENTARY: Jeremiah was confined to the guard-house [jail] when this message came to him. The title of the message is “The Chaldeans Are Coming.” No one wanted to hear Jeremiah’s message because it contained no good news. Jeremiah said the Chaldeans are coming and when they arrive, they will [1] kill [2] destroy [3] and enslave. No one wanted Jeremiah to be right including Jeremiah but he was right…his message was from God and the Chaldeans came. They filled Jerusalem with dead bodies, they destroyed the temple and all the palaces and those who survived were enslaved.

I don’t see a lot difference between the Chaldeans and the democrats. They are killing the unborn. They are destroying every vestige of God. They don’t want Him in the Pledge of Allegiance, in the class room, court room, court-house or on the public square. They hate the name of Jesus unless it is used profanely. If they could, they would do away with Christmas just as Hitler did in Germany. These pagans worship political correctness and are doing their best to force it on those of us who cherish our freedom to speak the truth. The only sin of the far left is to call sin a sin. Perversion is no longer queer, its gay. Drunks are now alcoholics–it is a sickness not a sin. It’s the only sickness I know that comes in a bottle or can. These modern day Chaldeans speak of slavery with disdain, frowning on Washington and Jefferson and yet they are enslaving an entire culture even as they speak. Economic slavery may be more dangerous than the slavery practiced by our forefathers. At least those slaves knew they were slaves. The dupes today who bow at the feet of big government don’t even realize they are enslaved. They are right where the democrats want them: totally dependent on government.

Like Jefferson, I prefer dangerous freedom over the peaceful slavery. If you created a composit brain from all the politicians in Washington, it would be still be inferior to Jefferson’s.

EXTRA: Darlene’s mom was much better as of last night but Michelle was not feeling well. I want you to keep praying for Michelle and her family. They are in a storm that most of us have never faced. Robert Pope is feeling much better after his shoulder surgery. I think I might have said knee yesterday but it was shoulder. My brother in Athens is better but he wants us to continue to pray. We had a good turn out for our Senior Adult Fellowship. I thought we would be down but I was wrong.