Cleopas, Why the Sad Face? ( The Very First Easter Sermon)

                                   Easter is a GREAT DAY to be a Church....

                                           you know.. lots of people show up-people you haven't seen since Christmas... or since cousin Betsy's wedding a few months ago... or Uncle Harry's funeral. Lots of "CYNICS" like to make jokes about people who show up for Church only  on Easter and Christmas..Some "church folks" think it's sad that SOME people show up for church only on certain days...ok.... THINK ABOUT THAT ONE FOR A MOMENT.. REALLY???????

.. the truth is..

 it's not a "joking" matter..

it's not "sad"

its a GLORIOUS wonderful day WHENEVER people gather together to sing Praises and Hear the Word preached...

it's a BEAUTIFUL BLESSING... cuz.....

  It's one of those Sundays when the "church people" go the extra mile... to make sure there's plenty of parking...to make sure all the greeters and "welcomer's" are at the top of their game... it's the day when Pastors , Sunday School teachers, and Children's Church leaders make sure that the Gospel is presented... that the Good News of God's Love for sinners is proclaimed loudly and boldly . We want to share the encouragement of God's Word with those who are hurting... We want to remind them that the God who created them came to earth as a Man, He kept the whole law for His people- He suffered the punishment for our sins.. yes.. ON EASTER.. THE CHURCH GETS TO BE THE CHURCH...

we are blessed to PROCLAIM BOLDLY... this Man Jesus.. the Jesus of the Bible.. WAS EITHER  a LIAR, a Lunatic, A Legend, or .. HE WAS.... and IS LORD( thank you C.S. Lewis) ...

and if HE was and IS LORD.. then HIS resurrection gives US HOPE.... He has conquered Sin and Death... through Him... we can KNOW the creator of the Universe,,, and we can take comfort in the fact that whatever is going on in the WORLD,, around us... and in our lives.. HE IS IN CONTROL.. He never leaves us nor forsakes us...

our Message EVERY Easter( YES.. EVERY DAY) should be like the one that Jesus preached on the very First Easter...

on the VERY FIRST EASTER .. Jesus burst forth from the grave... and whats the FIRST THING HE DID?? He decided to Take a WALK ( LUKE 24).

he came alongside two of His disciples who were feeling QUITE HOPELESS... they didn't recognize Jesus.. He asked them , " what are you discussing while you walk along??  One of the disciples named Cleopas said" You must be a stranger to Jerusalem?? haven't you heard about Jesus of Nazareth?? what happened to Him?? we had HOPED that He was the one who would redeem us.. but.. they crucified Him... and His body is gone from the tomb...

Cleopas was disappointed... feeling Hopeless.. He looked  at what was happening ALL around HIM.. Fellow disciples denying Jesus.. many of them Running in fear,,- sadness and confusion EVERYWHERE.. Jerusalem was not a great place to have an " Optimist Convention"... No reason for" HOPE..."

Then Jesus preached the FIRST EASTER SERMON......He encouraged them from Moses and the Prophets( the Old Testament Scripture).. He reminded them that the Savior had to suffer these things for His people,.... yep.. Friday sure didn't LOOK LIKE A GOOD FRIDAY.. it seemed like a TERRIBLE FRIDAY.. but. Friday made Sunday possible... God is TOTALLY IN CONTROL... No matter what the NEWS IS in town... no matter the disappointments,.. the hopelessness that those disciples felt could not compare to the GLORIOUS HOPE of The Resurrection.. and ALL the events that surrounded it were part of God's plan....THERE IS HOPE....

no matter what is going on in the world.... around you.. or in your life...  because  Jesus rose from the Dead.... THERE IS HOPE....

                                   Happy Easter from Mr. Callaway's Little Presbyterians
                                         

ADRIAN'S HUNGER- Reflections on the Monterrey Vision Trip

He looked like "just a boy"  ..this humble handsome young man of God-. his hair neatly styled,,, his suit.. his tie.. the shine of his shoes almost mirror-like. Yes, His entire appearance spoke professionalism, order, and determination. His young beautiful smiling wife stood by his side at the Lectern. All of us seated at the conference table were ready to hear about their ministry- and how we might be a part of the work that the Lord is doing in Mexico. The Power Point presentation began.. the binders were filled with information on Church plants, training opportunities, ministry partners, and statistics. There was no question in my mind- the people who welcomed us to Monterrey are seeing TRANSFORMATION.. they are on a mission,,.. a RESCUE MISSION.. they are living their lives in a special way..

Adrian told us about hearts filled with fear, frustration, and futility. He told us a little of his story- how that just six years ago, he existed in a world of drugs and "cutting".. his soul hungered for fulfillment, his body screamed for healing- he had run from HOPE and Healing for so many years...then.. in a treatment facility, he remembered the Good News of the Gospel.. that Jesus Christ came to this earth to forgive us of our sins... to heal us... and to set the captives free.. He realized HE NEEDED the FREEDOM that Christ can give... He remembered the promise of Jesus," Come unto me.. and I will give you rest.."Jesus came to Adrian.. rescued him... and recruited him FOR THE RESCUE MISSION- that's how " Proyecto Alfa" began

later that evening, Pastor Andres hosted us in his home- and shared with us the way his ministry trains and mentors church planters and leaders. His vision is one of TRANSFORMATION- partnering with people like Adrian and Michelle .. the little stream that flows from the threshold of the Temple is becoming a deep and wide river, the leaves of the trees that line it's banks are for the HEALING of the NATIONS... the leaven of the Gospel is traveling throughout the culture of DEATH bringing LIFE to EVERYTHING it touches.. the Mustard seed is growing into a strong and mighty tree.. the largest in the Garden... providing refuge for all those who seek forgiveness and healing in the Savior... CPI is sowing the Seeds of Good News...

as we sat at the table, a delicious meal was served to us- and Pastor Dale, Spenser Gray and Maria and I were blessed to be at the table with Adrian and Michelle.. we heard MORE of His story.. he said,
" when I was living in the prison of darkness and pain.. I NEVER DREAMED I would be set free... I never dreamed that God would give me a life filled with such LOVELY blessings.. my beautiful wife.. my lovely children.. this joy and peace that Jesus gives... this healing... my ONLY desire is to see others cry out to the Lord for forgiveness of their sin.. and to be healed,....to come to know the one true God...
                      after we finished dinner.. we continued talking and visiting with ministry leaders and friends- Adrian told me that the REHAB center where he was staying when He came to Christ DISCOURAGED HIM from talking about JESUS healing HIM and saving HIM...at one point.. threatening to take away his food if he didn't stop sharing,,,, he didn't stop sharing Jesus... he went HUNGRY... they dismissed him from the center,,, and God began equipping him for the rescue mission

            Adrian is NEVER HUNGRY THESE DAYS.. he is feasting on the Bread of Life.. the thirst in His heart has been quenched with the Life giving WATER of God's Spirit.." Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after Righteousness.. for they shall be filled"
          Pray for the Ministry of CPI.. as they train Church leaders.. plant churches... and partner with those like Adrian and Michelle. sharing the Saving , Healing, transforming power of Jesus Christ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             



Seasoned Souls

Seasoned Souls



staring out windows,glass doors, and rusted screens
they wonder, they remember- they dream
they sit in their easy chairs
on cushions of fear
the summer is too warm
the winter is too cold
the hill is always too steep

once .. it was not so
but now...
the day begins- counting out pills
One, Two, three, four
Time is always there- needing to be killed
with TV game shows and "stares" out the door

walkers with wheels are no substitute
for strong legs and daring hearts
crutches and canes
can break and fall apart

the front step is too high
the rusted rail is too low
the porch is too shaky
if only they had known....

they sit in their easy chairs
on cushions of fear
staring out windows, glass doors, and rusted screens

the young walk past
singing songs of laughter
and selfish cold hearts
they can not see
that soon they will be...

sitting in their easy chairs...
on cushions of fear

AN OPEN LETTER TO CHRISTIAN PARENTS( TRUTH NUMBER THREE IS A TOUGH ONE)

My LOVELY bride and I have been married for 29 years... the Lord has tremendously blessed US in so many ways.. our two grown children are  at the top of the blessing list.. don't worry... this isn't going to be a " brag- a-blog" about how wonderful our kids are.. I do that all the time... ;) this is more of an admonition blog... a warning blog.... or as we in the "church world " say.... a word of " exhortation"( that's a nice way of saying... " listen to me... cuz I am about to tell you something you need to do...:) well... in this case... I want to tell you WHat NOT TO DO....

LIKE MANY PARENTS... we taught our children All the " basics"  of the Christian faith... you know... stuff like :

1.)God loves you and sent JESUS to keep the Law for you and to suffer for your sin

2.)His love is a free gift... He loves you with all His love.

3.) Whatever He calls you to do... He will equip you.. He will guide you... He will provide.. no matter what your life's calling turns out to be...whether you are a doctor lawyer janitor or missionary.. He will work it all out according to His plan

Maria and I taught our children these truths...our church family taught our children these truths....we were thankful that "truths 1 and 2" took root... and The Father lovingly gave them new hearts so that they could REST in His love...

But... when it came to "truth number three".???....well......

My greatest fear... ( although... I would have NEVER ADMITTED IT) WAS that they would BELIEVE " truth number three)... because... deep down in my heart... I didn't believe it... especially the "MISSIONARY " part...I mean.. after all... missionaries lots of times have to raise their own support... it's a tough job...we have all heard the stories...

" the THING THAT I FEARED THE MOST CAME UPON ME"- CLAY CALLAWAY( the day his daughter told him she was going into full time ministry )

" the thing I FEARED the most came upon me AGAIN) CLAY CALLAWAY( the day his SON TOLD HIM HE WANTS TO GO INTO FULL TIME MINISTRY)

 I had it all planned out... Hannah would graduate from college.. get a job teaching school...and ministry could COME LATER... I TOLD HER "my" plan. ... she saw between the lines...she saw the subtitles of the language of fear that I spoke... the words scrolling across the bottom of the screen said the following: " get a REAL JOB... WITH A SECURE PAYCHECK.. MAKE SOME MONEY AND DO MINISTRY LATER...OR PART TIME"

My lines betrayed my heart... a heart of unbelief...

I had to confess... repent... and believe truth number three...

When I STARTED BELIEVING IN OUR FATHERS LOVE AND PROVISION..we saw many miracles... Our daughter felt that she received " my blessing" for the Lord's calling upon her life... yep... she had to raise her own support.. the Lord provides each and every month.. miracle after miracle unfolds before our eyes... the students that she works with are being reminded of the greatest gift of all.. the love of our Heavenly Father... those who support Hannah in her ministry with their prayers and financial gifts feel blessed to be able to give and partner in the spreading of the gospel... They believe truth number THREE... THEY UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS..

He really is our Loving Father.. He always provides... HE WANTS US TO TRUST HIM..

SO PARENTS... BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU TEACH YOUR CHILDREN... THEY WILL REALLY BELIEVE IT.. EVEN IF YOU DON'T...

" but seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.. and all these things shall be added unto you"

Next post: a report on what our son John Calvin is doing... He believed truth number three as well......:)

DO children "BELONG" to their Parents? ( Where do the Goat kids Belong?)

" We haven't had a very collective notion of" these are our children".. so part of it is we have to break through our kind of private idea that kids BELONG to their parents, or kids belong to their families, and recognize that kid's BELONG to whole communities, once it's everybody's responsibility and not just the households, then we start maker better investments" - Melissa Harris Perry MSNBC host speaking of the need for increased spending on public education.

Belong- definition- (THE FREE DICTIONARY by FARLEX- )

                             1.) to be the property or possession of
                              2.) to be bound to( a person, place, or club) by ties of affection, dependence, allegiance, or membership
                              3.) to have a proper or usual place

      when the MHP video hit the internet... those of us who consider our selves RIGHT wingers started SPEWING.. and as we say down here in the southland.., we started spewing a right smart.. I mean after all... here this woman seems to be saying that children dont REALLY BELONG to their parents... or to their families... well... I started studyin a right smart  on this here notion...... I took some time off from cleaning the barn to do a little googlin.. yep.. we git WI-FI down at the barn. and wouldnt ya know it?? I found  a dictionary... yeah.. look up there( or thar) ^. no .. a little HIGHER....

            well... if we use definition NUMBER ONE... we have to say that KIDS DONT BELONG to PARENTS, FAMILIES, OR COMMUNITIES. children are NOT PROPERTY.. they are NOT OWNED by anyone except the CREATOR GOD.

           If we use DEFINITION NUMBER TWO-.. we have to say YES,,, "kids" belong WITH their Parents, IN THEIR FAMILIES, and TO WHOLE COMMUNITIES...

          The QUESTION is: " who has the PRIMARY RESPONSIBILTY to raise, nurture, educate, and care for any child??? Which "entity" has been given that charge by the Triune God??? OF COURSE.. It's the FAMILY... the Family was instituted BEFORE THE CHURCH... and before GOVERNMENT FUNDED educational systems....

           OK.. thats all.... I gotta get back to the Goat barn... one of KIDS broke through the fence. he thinks he belongs in the other barn with the SHEEP he is such a young little kid... easily influenced..... I hope he does'nt get confused by hanging out with them.. before ya know it... he will forget that he's really a goat... he'll start acting like a sheep...and would'nt that be a collective shame???


                                                                       

A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM.( Valentine Lessons)

My wife and I work in Children's Ministry. I lead the Children's Church Team and MOST Sunday's I am not in the congregation with the " old people"..I am with the little Presbyterians.. leading THEIR Worship Service.. singing the hymns and Praise songs and reminding them that God's Love is a FREE GIFT- and that HE loves them with all HIS Love.. what a blessing to have such a joy-filled calling..  yes.. SOMETIMES.. I am in the service with the "old people".. and ok.. a little CONFESSION HERE : while the congregation is singing the songs.. I am looking down upon them from my place in the Balcony.. "checking on" some of my FORMER Little Presbyterians.. the children who have grown up under my ministry.. and watching the ones who will be with me in the Children's Worship in the years to come.. 

Yesterday.. there I was watching from my lofty perch.. my old eyes wandering to and fro .. looking for those who USED to be LITTLE Presbyterians.... yep.. there on the platform I see young people playing their instruments and lifting up their voices in song.. ALL for HIS Glory.. , helping the congregation to Worship.. My heart is warmed and my eyes are watery..

Then I see those who will be joining me soon.. Little boys and girls still small enough to be held in mom and dad's arms as the congregation stands and sings Praises.. Little Voices... proclaiming His Goodness... Little Hands raised toward heaven... ready to receive the Blessing that Jesus PROMISED them: " Let the little children come unto me and forbid them not.. for of such is the Kingdom of God"... I saw a sermon being "played out" before my eyes....

a darling little brown haired angel was being held by her mommy.. raising her hands.. singing His Praises...
she stopped singing.... then she leaned close into mommy's ear.. and whispered something... Mom leaned down to the pew with the little one.. and the tiny precious hands grabbed something from the seat of the pew... and held it up high as she began singing and praising again...   It was a Valentine Heart that she had surely made in Sunday School that morning... she held it up toward Heaven each time a Praise song was sung..
 
I know what the little Girl whispered to mommy... yep.. I could'nt hear from my place in the Balcony.. but my Heart told me... the little one whispered..' Mommy.. I wanna give my Heart to Jesus"...

Watery Eyes... and a Warm Heart.. Happy Valentine's Day