The First Time, a second view:

Something to Think About First Times, the second time:

A bit of balance about first times. Two statements that stick in my mind: My pastor when I was growing up, who later became my Father-in-law, used to speak about folk still being "forked end down."  By that he meant they weren't dead yet. One of the hardest working people I ever knew, a business woman who was a charter member of the church I pastored, used to say, "You can't begin any sooner than right now." I put both of those together to make an "X," as in "X marks the spot."  If you are still forked end down then you still have opportunities.  You can mourn about all the chances to make a difference youmissed, or you can survey the ways you can move the needle in the right direction right now, and step up.  You'll never begin any sooner. Get busy. It’s STTA.

The Backside of the Superbowl & the front end of the Gospel

Something To Think About Opportunities:

I'll be watching the big football game on Monday morning.  I just mixed up a batch of muffins for Superbowl breakfast and I’m waiting for some friends to come over.  When I mentioned online that I’d be watching the game this morning, one friend mentioned that I should avoid looking at Facebook, so I wouldn’t see the game’s outcome before I watch it.   No need, the game is live on Monday morning on this side of the globe. It is one of those reminders of how big, and small our world is, all at the same time.  Just this morning I read a note from a friend and colleague who is headed to Germany.  Yesterday I listened to a young man from Germany preach here in Palau.  Oddly I, a guy who only speaks English, preached in the Palauan service while my Deutsche friend spoke in the English service.  The unprecedented ability to circle the world that globalization brings, gives us opportunities never seen before in the history of the world. Well, maybe. In God’s providence, three hundred years before Christ was born, Alexanderconquered the Mediterranean world, and beyond.  Because of him from Spain to well into the Middle East, from Africa to Southern Europe, people understood—many spoke—Greek.  The Romans had established a system of roads unlike anything the world had seen before, or would see again for more than a thousand years, and they established a reign of peace that was likewise unprecedented.  By the time the last Apostle, John had died, the Gospel had penetrated Africa, all of the Mediterranean nations, as far east as India, and some say as far north as England.    We are still profiting from the incredible effort of that first hundred years. In the First Century of the Third Millennium we have opportunities that are greater than any since that first explosive hundred years.  I’ll enjoy the Superbowl with my friends, but as I, in Palau, watched soldiers standing at attention in Afghanistan, and heard fans in California cheer for them, I ask myself, what are we, the prosperous, wired and frequently flying body of Christ doing with what God, in His providence, has given us.   It’s STTA.

Thoughts on Christmas, #5, Let's Redeem Christmas

Something To Think About, Christmas, #5 Where will you be for Christmas?

In a letter I recently wrote to some fellow pastors I, tongue in cheek, suggested that, in light of our current celebration of the holiday, perhaps Christmas should be renamed "Santa-mas, Gift-mas, or Party-mas."  If I had been sincere, I would be four-hundred years too late.  Early Seventeenth Century Puritans called the celebration "Foolstide,"  and forbade its celebration.  Hugh Latimer is reported to have said,  "Men dishonor Christ more in the 12 days of Christmas than in all the twelve months besides." I'm gray-haired enough that I could assume the curmudgeon role and start a campaign to persuade Christians to cease and desist all Christmas celebrations.  If I did so, I'd be put in the rogues gallery along side Ebeneezer Scrooge and The Grinch. I think the Apostle Paul gives us better advice about Christmas, though.  Well, he really doesn't say anything about Christmas, but he does say that we ought to make the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:16).  The opportunities that Christmas presents are many and obvious.  In my humble opinion, Christmas is a time ripe for redeeming to the Glory of God. It is the day we celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world. It commemorates an integral part of God's plan for complete victory over all the evils that plague us and this world we live in.  Romans 8, Revelation 11:15, andIsaiah 65:25 are all made possible by the Babe in the manger, pictured millions of times in art, music, Christmas cards, and cretches. Be looking for ways to redeem Christmas, so you can point folk to the Christ, Whose birth we remember, and Whose life, death, and resurrection change lives. Look below for information on two ways we can help you do that. It's Something To Think About. We would love for you to make the Live Nativity a part of your Christmas Season.  It is a very family friendly activity. Click the picture for more information.   November 17-24, CBC will be a drop-off point for Operation Christmas Child  shoe box-gifts.  covingtonbiblechurch.com