Wrapped in Tears, Heartache and Pain( tied with a Ribbon of Selfishness)

The mom looked tired and stressed. The little girl was probably three years old.. smiling and  laughing and talking and singing. Innocence and joy danced in her voice as she belted out the words," Away in a Manger". .. my wife and I were in the booth behind them...enjoying our meal and our serenade .. It was almost Christmas and our little friend in the neighboring booth was our early gift..  a gift that was wrapped in tears, and heartache, and pain... the bow was a ribbon of selfishness.. but for a moment, our little friend boldly and bravely cast off that ugly wrapping.. and shined the Light of a Christmas Star..

I saw the wrapping of selfishness and sadness from the start.. it was the aura that hovered over their booth like a fog... it was all around them.. .the mom was doing her best to encourage her little singing star..her affirmations were uttered between sobs and tears as she talked with the man that was with them. The conversation told me that he was NOT the little girl's Father. He was NOT the Step-Father.. He was the Boyfriend...the one who tied the bow..while the mom held her finger on the ribbon.

" I just want you to know. Mama said she is cooking and we can get there anytime we want.. I told her that you like to sleep late on Christmas Day.." as the mom spoke these words the little girl continued to sing...." No crib for a Bed".......

" mama just said we can't spend the night there together.. you know how mama feels about that..."

" the little Lord Jesus lay Down His sweet Head".....

I glanced at the boyfriend who sat there eating his food in silence....as if he were a million miles away... but he was there.. he was busy.. sharpening a sword...

" the Stars in the sky...." before the little girl could finish the line.. a cruel fist pounded the table.... the connected booths vibrated as the boyfriend's anger was felt by all of us... he looked at the little girl and barked," let me tell you what YOU are going to DO. you are gonna sit there and shut up... ".. the words that spewed forth were vulgar and angry.. Evil was speaking.. berating innocence .. inflicting eternal wounds upon an already scarred and aching heart..

the little girl quietly cried... a "whimper" was faintly heard from time to time as they finished their meal in silence... My wife and I finished our meal in silence .. we left the restaurant before they did... on the way home we prayed for a miracle for this "family"... NO.... really we did'nt...  ACTUALLY we prayed that a MIRACLE would occur... and that they would BECOME a FAMILY..


Christmas is about family.. it's about children... it's about giving and love and all the good things... ALL the "GOOD" that is found in the Story of God's Love for Mankind...When that LOVE finds a home in the heart of any man, woman, or child .the wrappings of tears , heartaches and pain are cast off... the tight ribbon of selfishness is broken... the shroud of death and darkness is discarded... and the LIGHT SHINES...


Shine His Light this Christmas. Pray for the Children.EVERYWHERE..!.

THE DEMOCRATS, C.S. LEWIS, and EPISTEMOLOGICAL SELF- CONCIOUSNESS.

" If you dip into any college,or school, or parish, or family- ANYTHING you like- at a given point in it's History, you will always find that there was a time before that point when there was more elbow room and contrasts weren't so sharp; and that there's going to be a time after that point when there was even less room for indecision and choices are even MORE MOMENTOUS, good is always getting better and bad is always getting worse, the possibilities of even apparent neutrality are always diminishing."

                                                                                                            C.S. Lewis-
                                                                                                        That Hideous Strength

Down here in the country we heard that the Democrats decided to take the word " GOD" out of their platform... and I also heard there is a CLEARER, STRONGER support for abortion.... The quote from C.S. Lewis explains WHY this happened... there WAS a time in the Democrat Party when there WAS "more elbow room"; " contrasts were'nt so sharp"..... there was a time when PRO-LIFE , orthodox Jews and theologically conservative Christians could pull up a chair at the Democrat Party .... and let their voices be heard... that TIME HAS PASSED.... there is " Less room for indecision", "choices are even more momentous" ,"the possibilities of even apparent neutrality " have disappeared... The VOICES of the extreme left are dominating.. they have shouted down the blue dogs, the yellow dogs, or what ever you want to call them... It is a cry thats loud and shrill..." Choose YE this DAY who Ye will SERVE"....

The Christian Apologist Cornelius Van Til insisted that as time marches on... People will begin to be epistemologically self concious.. They will begin to act on what they KNOW( or what they THINK THEY KNOW)... they will begin to live consistently with their presuppositions.Now I am just an old goat barn cleaner.. so I have to break these jaw breaking words down a little.. I did a little thinking... consulted Mr Webster... and the best I can tell... all that means is this:   PEOPLE WILL START LIVING AND ACTING ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY SAY BELIEVE.


The Democrats believe that " God" has NO PLACE in political life or in Government.... they acted according to what they believe... they "voted Him out"

The Democrats believe that the baby in the Mother's Womb is NOT a person... They acted according to what they believe... they voted to proclaim their total support for abortion...


The time for sitting on the fence is over for the Democrats, the" Half hearted ", the "moderates", the "blue dogs", "yellow dogs" ;all those who believe in absolute standards of morality and ethics must now march in lock step with those of the extreme left.. those who adhere to a philosophy of situational ethics and relativism. This is the "PLATFORM" they stand on.... this platform is built of such weak and frail material-. the dregs and remains of societies and cultures long since passed.; Societies and Cultures that were built on the shifting sand of relativism and a rebellion against a culture of Life...

The Democrats are living and acting according to what they SAY they believe...

what about US??? what about those of us who claim to believe in absolute standards of morality?? those of us who SAY we believe in a culture of life...

will WE have the courage to really LIVE OUT what we SAY we believe???

May we be so blessed, so bold, and courageous...

                                       

I know that JESUS loves the Little Children- but He wants ME to LOVE THEM TOO???.

Hey Ya'll.. its time again for some crumbs from the poor goat barn cleaners table. but let not your heart be troubled.. I love sharing...

can you believe that Summer is almost over and school will be starting soon??? It's been a great summer for Church Activities.. you know.. Vacation Bible School.. Mission Trips.. Maybe you got some letters from folks asking you to "partner with them in sharing the Gospel and building relationships".. Maybe you supported with your financial gifts and prayer.. what a Blessing.. The Lord will Bless that GIVING...

I always enjoy the thank you letters from friends that I have "partnered with".. Lots of times they will include photographs of the children they blessed with God's Love.. Sometimes... I want to send a letter back to them.. and say.." I want YOU to join me in sharing the Gospel and building relationships... not just for a few days for the summer.. but for year-round.. -enclosed are pictures of the children we will be working with.. I have enclosed YOUR CHURCH  PHOTO DIRECTORY- You recognize the children??? Yep... Thats right.. they are the children who run past you in the Church Lobby while you are talking to your friends... they are the CHILDREN OF YOUR CHURCH...and they NEED YOU and YOU NEED THEM...


In our Church, we baptize our little children- Other churches have "baby dedications" No matter what YOU do... ALL Faith communities PROFESS to be just that: a COMMUNITY... there is Privilege and Responsibility that is goes along with it...

when we baptize a child- the Minister asks the congregation if THEY will promise to assist the Parents in raising the child in the" nurture and admonition of the Lord"... Hmmmm..???. Now I am just a feeble minded Goat Barn Cleaner... but I think I can think of some ways to HONOR that VOW...

NURSERY( rocking chairs are fun... and reading books with BIG LETTERS and Pictures is EASY)

Sunday School- I really love the CREATIVE excuses that people give for NOT wanting to teach Children's Sunday School: I am too old, I don't have the gift of teaching, I really need to be in the Adult Sunday School.. blah blah.. ok.. I have heard ALL the Excuses for people NOT WANTING TO HELP OUT IN CHILDREN'S MINISTRY and as the YOUNG PEOPLE say, I am gonna break it down for ya brother.. here's what they REALLY MEAN:

      1.) I really enjoy arguing about Supralapsarianism for the 6789th time...it gives me chill bumps when I slap down a sub-lapper...

      2.) I have been reading lots of stuff from the confessions, Calvin, Luther.. the adults NEED me to enlighten them.. I am way above teaching children...

     3.) I  don't like being around children

     4.) I do'nt want to be around children(.. Yep... I think I found an itch.. so I will keep scratching)


      The SAD thing is... EVERYONE says AMEN.... everyone raises their Hand... and says they will help nurture the children in the Faith... there is NO ASTERISK in the Book of Church Order...

     The Saddest thing is... and this is a little secret.. psssttt. I ain't supposed to tell ya this.. but I will... IT's EASY to get folks to TEACH ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL... after all... lots of folks been studying greek and hebrew and Calvin and Luther... they can't wait to lay it on ya....


    But the children of your church run past you in the Hallway. you don't notice them.. you are busy talking with your friends., you are arguing about supralapsarianism for the 8765th time, or....
planning your mission trip to some other state... or some other country... to share the Gospel and build relationships.. with OTHER children....

  

NOT COUNTING STEPS( NOT LOOKING AT THE FLOOR)

My wife and I got bit... yep... it's true. It does no good to pretend it didn't happen.. We have been infected... we have a FEVER and the ONLY PRESCRIPTION is MORE...... DANCING...!! Yep.. we are now OFFICIALLY part of this sub-culture that at one time seemed so mysterious and frightening .. not "scary movie" kind of frightening... but  the " I could NEVER do THAT" kind of frightening...and THAT kind of FEAR is the WORST.... it held us back from so much JOY.. .. and I am going to tell you how it all started....( ok... now the picture gets blurry and wavy ... cuz I am going back in my mind to the past- stay with me on this....)

I am part of an Alumni group that started getting together for dancing and fun a few years ago... Maria and I have always LOVED dancing.. but we did'nt know how...and the GOOD thing is... THAT HAS NEVER STOPPED us from getting out on the floor.. My lovely Mexican Bride grew up with lots of music and dancing in her home.. FIESTA was a priority in her family.. so... She has always been ready to have a good time- FIESTA does a foxtrot in her heart every time she hears music.. no dance floor ever frightened her...

as for me....

I started performing when I was a teenager in rock bands, and  in local shows here in our little town. it did'nt bother to me to be on stage... and yes.. I was the resident Elvis impersonator..and ya know what that means... I was never afraid to move around and look  totally RIDICULOUS while in the spotlight.. I really was'nt afraid of a dance floor either...

So what was the FEAR....???


We were AFRAID of what it would take..... to LEARN HOW TO REALLY DANCE.... we had lots of EXCUSES.. here's a few of  'em... in no particular order:

              Excuse # 367- we do'nt have time- we work too much
              Excuse # 287- we are old
              Excuse# 78  -   we are old( yeah... that one kept popping up over and over)


the Excuse Recliner was kinda comfortable... it was safe... and it did'nt require a lot of effort to enjoy it... so there we sat... in our  His and Hers Excuse Recliners... every Friday and Saturday night.. TV remote and lap top on the Lamp Table... THEN... we met "THEM"....


The " THEM" was a group of  special Friends who are REAL DANCERS...many years ago they decided to be disciplined... to learn how to REALLY dance.. and because of that... They dance with REAL JOY- they do'nt have to look down at the floor, they do'nt have to count their steps... Joy and FREEDOM are in every Twirl and step.. Maria and I want that... and we are on our way...we are growing every week...

we have a long way to go in this pursuit.. but we are blessed ... sometimes... every so often.. that magic happens... and we don't have to count our steps... we don't have to look down...

and it's PURE JOY... and for that we are forever grateful to our Dancing Friends...

Cha Cha Cha....

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???