SEEDS OF SELFISHNESS

Their voices shouted songs of Praise from the stage- It was Grandparent's Day at the neighborhood Christian school and the little ones were leading us in Worship! They unashamedly lifted their hands in Praise and preached a sermon about their best Friend - and what it means to be part of the Family of God.

The "theme" of their worship was the "Platinum Rule".. you know, Treating others BETTER than YOU want to be treated... Denying yourself... Giving( knowing that good gifts will be given unto you)... sound familiar?? Yep... it's the message of Jesus... He wants His followers to know this: we need to shine HIS light. !He has LOTS of joy and blessings for us- If we let Him LOVE OTHERS THROUGH US .... of course, our little friends know that Heaven is a free gift, we do'nt earn it by doing ANYTHING.. Jesus did it ALL for us.. but to truly be happy( I ai'nt talking" worldly" Happy- I am talking" filled with  JOY of the LORD" Happy) , we have to stop thinking about OUR happiness and contentment.. and focus on OTHERS.... I think I read somewhere that whoever wants to find his life must lose it??? or something like that...:)

each of those smiling, joy-filled little faces was preaching a Sermon... and telling a wonderful story with their songs about TRUE joy and Gospel Blessings... and many of those little ones can tell sad stories... I have heard some of those stories: " Mommy went away and left me and Daddy" , " Mama and daddy yelled at each other- then I went to live with Granny" , " Daddy was'nt happy living with us- so he moved away".


Those stories bring us tears- we cry for the little souls who wonder if their "run-away" parents really love them. Our Hearts break because a little boy plays his basketball games without his dad  cheering him on- Our souls weep for the little girl who's mommy never shows up to play tea party...Our hearts SHOULD break for the little ones... but our hearts should also break for the "run-away" moms and dads...

The runaway Parents miss out on all the Gospel Blessings... the joy of watching their children praise the Lord in a school play, sports, and church activities.... the moment by moment magic that is part of every day life... the Happiness that comes by denying yourself and loving others...loving the little ones.....

those who run imagine  they can find fulfillment outside of God's Plan for the family.. Drugs, drink, Adultery or just "UNHAPPINESS", it's just escapism wearing a different mask- a mask that is custom made for each complaint... each excuse.... My life will be " BETTER" if I run...I am going somewhere else to plant my seeds of selfishness...

it's all so sad....it's sad that the run-away parents don't hear the songs of their little ones...
It's sad that they don't want to hear..they want to run away .... from the Joy and Blessings that Our Heavenly Father has for them..... They are too busy planting ... the seeds of selfishness grow sadness....


 

HOW TO RESPECT YOUR ELDERS( IT"S NOT WHAT YOU THINK)

The Church today fights the same battles as the New Testament Church.... I think I read somewhere that " there is NOTHING NEW under the sun"... well..... there's nothing new under the roof of the church building- Church members still argue about how to spend the Lord's money, how to take care of the needy, how to settle disputes... these problems were all confronted by the Apostle Paul in the Scripture.. so do'nt think you are gonna get HOLIER THAN THE REST OF US by leaving the local church... we are encouraged to work out these struggles with LOVE and patience. Thats part of being the Family Of God.. The Lord uses it to make us stronger.... ( wow... but if the Lord knew about those BOSSY WOMEN at church... he WOULD give me a pass.. would'nt HE???)....

As we collectively fight these battles, our faith is made stronger- and we are equipped for ministry. We gotta shine the Light. We are to go out into the world and show them CHRIST... We indeed are THE MINISTERS... it's NOT the PASTORS OR THE ELDERS- THEY equip US for MINISTRY( it's in the WORD.... Ephesians 4).. Thats a weighty responsiblity- equipping the Saints- we are told in the Word to "obey those that have RULE over you.. they are watching over and caring for your SOUL, THEY must give an account".. yes... they will have to answer for how they sheperded the People of God.. They need our respect.... yes... our RESPECT....

My prayer is that we will respect our Elders by praying for them DAILY- Pray that they will be protected from Satan's attacks; pray that they will be patient when the  choir women try to boss around the music minister; pray that the old deacon will stop complaining about " all the new-fangled worship songs and not enough old hymns( maybe the deacon should have a talk with the bossy women:).....but seriously folks....


Pray for your Elders, thats how we show them Respect. Let them know that you lift them up to the Throne of Grace.

Pray that God will give them supernatural strength- sheperding the people of God is hard work. They never get a break. We all expect them to do miracles, to solve every problem.... Do'nt bother them with your every complaint- YOU need to exercise WISDOM before you go to your Elder with your petty grievances- stop the WHINING and start ministering to one another- Love One another....Thats RESPECTING YOUR ELDERS..- LOVING ONE ANOTHER.....

I know what you are thinking... easier said than done.... yep thats true.... but let me give you a little hint.... Loving each other, being patient, praying for our Elders and  praying for one another takes God's GRACE... a strong faith... thats why you need  a sacramental view of the Church. Many of you believe in Jesus but you have not confessed Him before Men by submitting yourself for Baptism- it's time to do that.. . Many of you have not presented your covenant children for Baptism- a proper appreciation of the "oikos" principle of Scripture dictates that  your children be given the sign and seal of the covenant of Grace.... It's time to do that. The Lord's Supper will strengthen you... it's not a MEMORIAL- Memorials are for the dead.. Jesus is alive and He meets with us in a real way when we feast upon His Body and Blood spiritually in the Meal. It's time to feed upon HIM....  these means of GRACE will strengthen you so that you can LOVE your Brothers and Sisters.... A Sacramental View of the Church helps us to RESPECT our Elders.... Shalom... and Oh yeah, ..... don't worry about the disagreements at your Church... its an age old battle.... I read the following in one of the early Church Fathers," Hermias, a Greek woman new to the Faith was disciplined for her contentious spirit toward the Leader of Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs at the Ephesus Congregation- She repented and was welcomed back to the fold with a spirit of Love and Unity- However, the Grouchy complaining Deacon left First Presbyterian of Ephesus and joined the Baptist Church-:)

CAN YOU REALLY HEAR THE BRUSH OF ANGEL'S WINGS?-( THE FEMINIZATION OF AMERICAN CHURCH MUSIC)

Peace and Love from the country Yall... it's sure been gnarley hot out here... it's been a bad scene with all the heat and the storms... it's really bringing me down.. and when I'm down, I start thinking about blogging again.. so let me lay somethin on ya... let me hip you to the things I been rolling around in my country-fied brain...( or is that Country FRIED brain??)

Remember back in the late 60s/70s when lots of young people were rebelling against the system... they were called HIPPIES and they did everything in their power to go against the grain.. to be non-conformists.. to be free-thinkers.. to be individualistic in every respect.. so what did they DO???? Well..... they ALL started dressing alike.... they ALL stopped working.... They ALL started speaking alike...... liking the SAME MUSIC.(. you get it don't ya???) it was a really cool scene- going to San Francisco, wearing Flowers in your hair, tie-dyes, long hair, jeans, hallucinogenic drugs... Rebelling against the man is such fun.. Even Free Spirits enjoying Free Love  have to pay the piper some day... and they all did... in one way or another- some of them found the answer to their questions in the Messiah... Calvary Chapel and other California churches pointed these seekers to the Savior.... and they became what was known as Jesus People....

The Jesus People did what other sub-cultures do- they brought a little of their OLD SCENE into the NEW SCENE... you know... they talked of getting  HIGH on Jesus instead of drugs, they emphasized the "outsider/radical" aspects of Jesus ministry and Life, " Hey Man, Jesus was the Ultimate hippie... He shot down the MAN every chance he got... Peace and Love Man...." and Oh Yeah... the Jesus People brought their music to the worship service... Guitars and bongos replaced the Piano and Organ... and Hey.. thats cool - the Word says to Praise him with the stringed Lyre and the cymbals... Worship can be a happenin' Scene.. I dig it... But here's what we should'nt dig-

The worship music of the Jesus People was naturally centered on the emotional experience of Knowing Christ. Get High on Jesus while you are strumming your guitar... The lyrics could be used in a romantic love song for your favorite girl ... The Hippie worship music held huge appeal for women- the feminine need to relate on a purely emotional basis... It was'nt about the ethical perfections of God's nature... it was all about the FEELING.. and as the Flower children said, " If it feels good....( well.. you know.....) "

The Men of the church retreated( or welcomed) this change in the worship music of the church.. they fled from their responsiblities as leaders.. and asked the women of the church to "take over" the music programs of the local church... after all... " we are busy doing the "REAL work" of the church... "let" the women do the music and teach children's Sunday School....

Today we have Worship Music that often focuses on our FEELINGS about knowing God...it does'nt remind us of His LOVE in a Scriptural way... HIS LOVE is NOT an EMOTION that can be lost because of a "bad Day" .. HIS love is rooted in His nature, A.W. Pink called them His ethical Perfections... Not emotions, not passions... He Loves because He is Love... His WORD strengthens our knowledge of His Love... His Sacraments confirm and seal his Grace to us.. It's NOT singing about "hearing the Brush of Angel's wings"

In today's Church, the Music Ministers and Worship Leaders design their music exclusively with Women in mind... after ALL... the men have neglected their role as Disciplers and teachers of their wives... and turned music over to the Ladies...The emphasis on emotion is clearly seen.. Worship music has turned in to a performance- " Ladies, lets be sure to get color co-ordinated on the Praise Team wardrobe"...

Thanks to the Jesus People, thanks to the Men who retreated, thanks to the women who now control the music.. we can all hear the Brush of Angel's wings... hey... thats not all bad.. it drowns out the boring reminder that God is" a most pure Spirit,invisible, without body, parts, or passions,immutable, immense, eternal, ..etc....." -  and who wants to be reminded of THAT???

HEAVEN IS REAL( and I didnt learn it from a kid who wrote a book)

The other day I was plum tuckered out from janitorin' , packing goat supplies, and philosophisin' - so I took me a little break and watched a little Foxnews.. there was a handsome little boy on who was talking about a book he wrote called "Heaven Is real".. or something like that... ya see.. this little boy was in the hospital and he was having some trouble.... They had to do surgery... and he says he died, went to heaven, and came back to earth... He had some fascinating stories about going to heaven.. of Course He saw Jesus.. and His Grandpa.. and angels... you know.. the usual stuff.. you've seen the movies....I believe this little boy and his family love Jesus.. and they want to tell the story... so that others will believe in Jesus the way that they do... I am not questioning their hearts.... JUST their discernment....

I just want yall to think about a few things with me.....

That anesthesia that hospitals give their patients will make 'em see lots of fascinating things.. when My lovely bride was giving birth to our daughter, the anesthesia kicked in and she swore that I turned into a young , slim, handsome movie star.. I mean COME ON!!!!..... I am sure that a little boy's mind can play tricks on him when he is under the influence of anesthesia....

when  ever I hear  those " died, went to heaven, came back, buy my book" stories... the first thing I do is ask WDJS.... yep.. WHAT DID JESUS SAY?? well... I want ya to do a little work yourselves... Look in the book of LUKE for the story about Lazarus( the poor man- not Jesus's friend) and the Rich man... Here's the Clay Callaway Version:

Lazarus was a poor man who believed in the Savior who was to come- He went to Heaven. The Rich Man who never shared his food with Lazarus was not a believer so he went to Hell... The rich man looks up and asks  Abraham to send Lazarus down to hades with a little water to cool him off.. Abraham tells him "NO can do.". then the rich man says " send Lazarus from heaven back to earth so that he can warn my brothers.. so that they won't wind up here...." Abraham says to him, " They have MOSES and the PROPHETS- Let them hear them... " The Rich Man says.. " No Father Abraham, If someone RISES from the dead, they will repent" Old Abe replies, " If they do NOT hear Moses and the Prophets neither will they be persuaded though one rises from the dead"

Jesus wanted those who heard this parable to remember some very important truths.... " Moses and the Prophets....( THE BIBLE) TELLS US about HEAVEN... about the WAY to HEAVEN.. and WHAT it is like.... we do NOT need someone to share their "visions" or "experiences" with us so that we will believe.. The WORD of GOD is sufficient to inform us.. but we do'nt believe that.. we want to see "signs, and wonders".. we hunger and thirst NOT AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS but after SENSATIONALISM and SENTIMENTALISM.. The feminization of the american Church has not only turned our "worship" music into "hearing the brush of angels' wings"... it has turned us away from studying sound doctrine.. we have "baptized " Lassie the Dog stories.. and thats where we get our theology....

we do'nt need another book about someone saying they died, went to heaven and came back.... we need the Preaching of the Word, and the Work of the Holy Spirit who gives us a new heart.. I know that Heaven is real.. The One who gave His life for me is there... He tells me every day in His Word that He has gone to prepare a place for me.. if it were not so. He would have told me....

We do'nt need another "story" about someone who died and came back to life..... There is ONE who REALLy did that.. He is seated at the Right hand of God the Father Almighty.. He's not sitting on the couch with Brian and Gretchen and Steve....

SHARING THE GOSPEL AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS- The SUPPORT LETTERS WILL BE ARRIVING SOON!

It's about that time! The buttercups are no longer whispering! They ae standing TALL and they are SHOUTING! Reminding us that SPRING is on the WAY! Spring is the time when students start feeling the fever.. they are marking off the days .. anxious for the school year to end! Graduations, parties, cookouts.... the young people have a fever and the only prescription is :...???? NO.... NOT MORE COWBELL... the "restlessness" they feel can only be relieved by a MISSION TRIP.... Yep... it's the truth... Lots and lots of people will be sending YOU a letter.... asking you to PRAY and TO CONTRIBUTE... and YOU should feel privileged that you can participate... The money that you give will be used to touch someone's heart with God's Love... Thats ALWAYS a wonderful thing.... it's NEVER a bad thing.... send the envelope back.. with a check enclosed( give up the Starbucks for a couple of weeks and put that money to good use in the Kingdom of God) and by all means PRAY that the Lord will use the young people of the church in fulfilling the Great Commission!It's also important to lift up the Mission Trip leaders and Pastors.... they have a tough job....

As you pray for the Mission Trip leaders, Pastors, and participants, ask God to do the following:

1.) Pray that the leaders will make sure that ALL MISSION TRIP participants have BEEN BAPTIZED, and that they are communing members of the local Church.. It's not good to be carrying out the Great Comission .. if you have not received ALL the BLESSINGS associated with the GREAT COMMISSION! Leaders... let me ask you something.. IS BAPTISM IMPORTANT??? Jesus said it IS.. IS Church MEMBERSHIP important??? I think we know the answer.. Baptism and Church membership should be THE PRIMARY requirements for Mission Trip participation

2.) Pray that everyone that participates in a Mission Trip will believe God will do GREAT THINGS ! Lives WILL be changed because they show God's Love to others!" Did I not tell you that if you would believe, you would see the Glory Of God"

3.) Pray for youth group teams who will be working with children this summer on their mission trips.. many of you have seen the photos of children that mission teams work with every summer.. you know the stories behind the photos... so many children dont have loving parents, they do'nt have anyone to really love them.. If the young people of your church are going to work with children this summer... they need LOTS of prayers and encouragement...

4.) Pray that the the youth will understand that there are children RIGHT HERE.. in their OWN CHURCH who NEED THEM... the Lord Jesus wants them to use their gifts to minister to the children in their own local congregation... It's important to go to Judea, Samaria,and the ends of the earth to share the Gospel and build relationships... but how bout HERE?? in your " Jerusalem"??? let me ask you this ,young person- when's the last time you worked in the nursery??? when's the last time you helped out with Children's Church?? When's the last time you stopped in the hallway at church to say hello to a little one??? They NEED YOU.. and you NEED to share your gifts with them... When you come back from your mission trip this summer... start looking for ways to bless the children of your OWN church:)

well..... thats about all the crumbs from this poor man's table that I could find.... remember, I am praying for all of you.. Pray for me.... and pray for the children....everywhere.......

A DONKEY'S JAWBONE, A THOUSAND PHILISTINES, AND A GLASS OF CHABLIS( WELL, SAMSON COULD DREAM COULD'NT HE?)

Recently in my Sunday School class, I told my students the story of Samson. Now "my" boys and girls are true covenant "kids", they have grown up hearing the Bible Stories, so I have to dig a little deeper so that we can learn a little more( thats right, " WE".... they teach me MORE than I could EVER teach them, Why do ya think I started hanging out with the little ones?") SO..... I gathered them around me, we got out the Clay Callaway picks and shovels and we started diggin....

I explained to them that the Angel of the Lord appeared to Samson's mom and dad and told them that they would have a son- AND that he would be a Nazarite. Samson would be set apart for the work of the Lord. He could not cut his hair AND he was NOT to drink any wine .... or eat raisins.... or grapes... Samson was to have NOTHING to do with anything that came from the Vineyards of the land.... All little Jewish boys and girls have understood for thousands of years that Wine, grapes, raisins.. yes,. the Vineyard itself is a symbol of God's BLESSINGS. It is a reminder that the Lord has given you the land, you are to work and rest and find joy in your life as you culitvate your vines..!.. Remember this: NOMADS do'nt have vineyards... they have NO REST... the prohibition against Samson drinking wine was not because he was a member of  the First Fundamentalist Church of Zorah.... it was because as a NAZARITE, he was to DENY himself the USUAL blessings that God's people enjoyed.... He was to never forget that he had a special calling upon his life. God had a  job for him to do.... He would enjoy the REAL blessing when his "job" was completed....

We "visited" with Samson! We saw him as he killed the Lion- We  marveled when Samson captured the 300 foxes and tied their tails together, set 'em on fire and turned 'em loose to burn down the Philistines crops... One of my boys shouted, " Samson was cooler than a super-hero Mr. Callaway" .....

THEN, we saw Samson pick up the Donkey's jawbone and kill a thousand philistines.... I told the boys and girls.." Can you imagine how much work that was???? to kill all those enemies with a Donkey's jawbone.. can you imagine how tired and THIRSTY he was..... then BEFORE I could continue with the story....  One of my boys said, " I bet Samson was thinking... ' okay Lord, I just killed a 1000 guys with a donkeys jawbone, NOW CAN I HAVE SOME WINE????'........

See what I mean.... I thought about that the REST of that Sabbath day... Now it's true that Samson did'nt get the wine... the Bible tells us that he said he was thirsty and God gave him a spring of water to quench his thirst..... but... my little teacher was on to something.. ya see.. he knows how all of US "get" after "doing something special for God"..... he knows that after a challenging time in our life.. we look to God to "bless" us with that blessing that has eluded us.... " Hey God, I been denying myself, working hard, made it through this trial and tribulation... it's time for a sign of your blessing.... where's my bowl of grapes??? where's my box of  Sun-Maid raisins.... where's the glass of  Chablis?????

Samson never planted a vineyard. He never held a corkscrew in His hand. Donkey's jaw bones are for killing Philistines- not for popping corks off champagne bottles.... but Samson did get the ULTIMATE blessing- After falling asleep at Delilah's house, the local Barber made a housecall and that was all she wrote- Samson became a prisoner of the Philistines and was blinded... when they brought him out to make fun of him at a party, Samson prayed to God to bless him with His prescence- and to help him destroy the philistines... you know the story.....

Samson believed in the One true God Of Israel who promised to send a Savior. Samson is in Heaven and we will see him in the new heavens and the new earth.... we will feast with him and the other Saints at the marriage supper of the Lamb.... I want to sit near Samson... and watch him.... and I want to hear Luke tell Samson.." NOW..... you can have some wine......."

TOP TEN SIGNS YOUR CHURCH HAS SEEKER SENSITIVE CHURCH GROWTH OBSESSION

HERE YA GO-
                       10.)  Your Pastor NEVER wears a suit, and he wears his Shirt-tail hanging out
                         9.) Your Pastor wears a necklace.... and everyone can see it
                         8.) You are certain that even the Early Church had a slogan( oops- I mean vision statement)
                          7.) You believe that "Power-Point" is in the Bible
                          6.) You refer to the front of the sanctuary as a " STAGE"
                          5.) Your Pastor uses "props" for His Message
                          4.) You have a Praise Team whose planning meetings include wardrobe color coordination
                           3.) You have  Hymnals that no-one ever uses- everyone looks at the "screen"
                           2.) Drama is considered to be consistent with the Regulative Principle of Worship

................ and the Number One SIGN that  your church has seeker sensitive church growth obsession...... : YOU SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH POINTS 2-10

THE CHILDREN's CHAIN GANG AT CHURCH- LESSONS IN KOINONIA

Dallas is all BOY.He is a little younger than my First graders . He's one of my special friends- a bundle of energy  and a bounce in his step.... always ready with smile. It's easy to tell that he loves being with his friends at Opening Assembly every Sabbath morning. I lead them in singing hymns, praise songs, and  a short lesson- our lesson  ties into our catechism question for the day....after all we ARE good Presbyterians... A Sabbath Day without Catechism is like a day without sunshine... :)

I always encourage the children as they make their way to their Sunday School classes. Dallas had answered all the questions correctly last Sunday... He wisely reminded all of us that God Loves us because of what Jesus Did for us... He reminded us that we ca'nt do anything to "make" God love us any more.. or any Less... Heaven is a free gift... In other words, Dallas reminded us of the Gospel... After assembly, I told  him "Dallas, you are becoming a strong disciple, your  faith is growing, and you are doing a GREATjob reminding us about what the Bible teaches... then I asked Him, " How did ALL that HAPPEN???"..... without hesitation he looked me right in the eyes, showed me that gigantic smile and said...," It's all because I sit in a CHAIN OF FRIENDS!!!"... a little puzzled ( it comes from too many years hanging out with adults), I asked," What do you mean by that??" He said," You saw it... you see it every Sunday... we have a chain of friends.. we all sit together.. side by side... we are close... THATS why we are becoming strong disciples"....

Now If I had asked an adult " " How'd you come to learn that??" or " How is it that you have grown so much in your faith?".... I suspect I would hear something like," WELL, I have been doing an exhaustive study of Calvin, Luther, Knox.... I read all the Puritan commentaries...OR " I have a degree in Theology, did some seminary work..... you know the things adults say.... sometimes they miss the answers because they want you think they are super-theologians.... it's about something THEY DID.... Those adults.... Lets pray for them..

Let's pray that they understand what Dallas understands- The answer is the "chain of friends( i.e. Brothers and Sisters in Christ) who "sit" together,"side by side", "staying close to one another" ! They support one another, they exhort one another, they encourage one another in their faith.... they live in KOINONIA. sharing with /sharing in the preaching of the Word, prayer, and the sacraments... this is the answer that Scripture gives us- you know ... yep there's LOTS OF "ONE ANOTHER" scriptures- love One another, be patient with one another, encourage one another, Thats how STRONG DISCIPLES are MADE...

SO..... The next time you get your feelings hurt , and want to go sit in the corner by yourself  ... DO'NT DO THAT!!!!..... go BACK  to the Chain of Friends.... because thats the place where your faith is made stronger.... Back on the chain gang......