OK,
there is probably more pavement in that in that picture than exists in the entire county where I live--maybe even throw in the neighboring county, as well.
I do identify with the scene, though.
I just read an email from my niece and nephew. They are on their way to the Czech Republic to work with young adults. Their route lies through Florida, New York, South Carolina, Virginia, Indiana, Podunkville, and Gotham City. I just returned from a pastor's conference. I had a great time. Met with one of my favorite pastoral-buddies, heard some incredible preaching, and music, ate too much and was generally refreshed. Budget and location don't allow flying to such events, so the odometer read nearly 800 miles when I returned.
I'll do another 800 between today and tomorrow. This time I'll ride instead of drive. A buddy will be chauffeur. I'll get in at least 500 miles of study while he deals with the traffic. Thank the Lord for laptops. Part of the reason I'll be studying is to be ready for a trip to the other side of the world, where I'll work with friends in a Bible conference.
I had breakfast yesterday with a friend who will be in Bangkok before long. He's going there to meet his first grandchild. She'll be born a missionary--not to Thailand--she is a traveler, too. My associate and his young family, just yesterday, were discussing his plans to move to Asia. And did I mention the purpose for today's trip is to work with a organization that has people around the world--reaching, teaching, encouraging, and sharing the Good News that Jesus Christ lived, died and rose again.
Oh, and how could I forget? My sweet wife is headed out in a minute, not as far, but part of her trip is to touch the life of a lady whose life is a complication of miseries. "People need the Lord." With a large measure of truth, this woman recently told Kathy, "You are all I have."
So, you see why the picture seems vaguely familiar.
By this time a question screams out, "Why?"
Two reasons in this already too long STTA:
People do need the Lord. It is likely that there are people who as far as eternal hope could say about you, "You are all I have."
The primary command of the Great Commission is not to go. It is to make disciples. Generally, though, it does involves going.
That pastor buddy I was just with speaks of "stewardship of opportunity."
I can't do everything, but I need to take seriously the openings where I can make a difference that the Lord puts in front of me.
What are you doing with the opportunities that the Lord put in your path?

It's STTA.

TRUTH

"The truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth." It sounds like a line from an old courtroom drama, but I intend it as a summary of some reminders that I've been receiving over the past couple of days.
So much of our world attempts to function on opinions, relativity, desires, even whims, with no regard for the truth. I admit that truth is often a difficult thing to find, but too many folk have quit looking.
The Bible purports to be truth. The fact of its survival and continued relevance might indicate that it is worth a look.
Since Solomon--even before--people have been looking for some nails to anchor life in the midst of turmoil, and we certainly need some goads to get us off the dime. (Ecclesiastes 12:11) I'm one of the Millions who has found stability and encouragement in the pages of the Bible. I invite you to have a look.

God's Word:
It's STTA.

Way too often people think that the Christian life involves only subtraction--what we don't do, what we give up, and seek to take away. I was reminded this evening that view living as the Lord would have us live in this way is a sure route to failure. Passages like Colossians two talk about that which is added--chiefly a relationship of being in Christ and He in us, that is the basis of that which is taken away.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3) For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4) When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5) Therefore . . . (continue reading)" (Colossians 3:2-5, NASB95)

It's STTA.

THANKS MOM!

A little over sixty years ago Irene Merrell gave birth to her first-born, a son, me.
It is the first of many acts for which I am very thankful on this Mother's Day weekend. Thanks, Mom!
I grew up in the era when youngsters still got chicken-pox, measles, and mumps. Mom nursed me through all of them, plus a fractured collarbone, seriously messed up knee and an occasional broken heart. "I'm there for you." is a trite, often false, catch-phrase of our culture. In my life, though, in profoundly real ways, my Mom was there.
Unfortunately, my "Happy Mother's Day" won't be in person. Mom lives with one of my sisters. Thanks Sis' for being mom to Mom. Like many folk in her age bracket, Mom is dealing with some health issues. I hope to see her next month.

Not only to my Mom, but to all you ladies who make life so much better, and with cookies and milk to boot, Happy Mother's Day.


It is STTA.

Looking Back and Looking Around, at Greece:

In many ways we can look back to Greece to see where our civilization came from. Unfortunately it may be that we can look there, now, to see where we are going.
The last I heard three people had died in riots in and around Athens, and a number of buildings have been burned or damaged. I'm not a political analyst, journalist, or economist, but it looks like the issues are pretty simple and straight-forward:
The country is broke. Without a massive amount of money from the outside, Greece will cease to exist as a nation.
Many Greeks are not willing to go along with the spending cut-backs that are necessary for the bankrupt government to receive aid from nations like Germany.
Unfortunately, I see a tendency here in the U. S, of A that could lead to that kind of action--in fact in limited ways it already has. Rather than people asking, "What is right?" too many folk ask, "What do I want?" I heard George Will give the frightening statistic that a majority of Americans had absolutely no personal interest in seeing our Government be fiscally responsible--they were on the receiving end. I heard Paul Harvey say, one time, something to the effect that once the citizens of a nation figure out they can vote themselves a raise there is little hope of that nation surviving.

A basic principle of Biblical morality is that we need to think of the needs of others and not focus only on what we "need." (Philippians 2:4)

I fear we are seeing the unraveling of a nation because people are ignoring that concept.

Are we far behind?

It is STTA.

Thanks for the Compliment:

I won't go into all the reasons behind the statement, but a young lady paid me a profound compliment just recently. She is at a point in her life where she is making an important decision--stepping up to a new level of commitment in her walk with the Lord. There was a choice about who would be involved in this step. Basically she said, "Howard is my Pastor. I want him to be involved."
That brings joy to this gray-head.
Two lessons:
When we step into places of service where we can make a difference in people's lives, sometimes we actually get to make an impact. You will never have the reward if you don't step up.
Second, there are probably folk in your life who have had a major impact. Trust me, if you let them know, it will make their day.

It's STTA.

The Reverends:

I almost never call myself "Reverend," or sign my name "Rev. Howard Merrell." It is certainly not that I am ashamed of the designation. On the contrary--I hope in the right sense--I am very proud to be a part of that privileged few, who shepherd God's people, teach God's word and seek to challenge the church to move forward with God's program in this age.
The ranks of we "Men of the cloth," though the cloth of preference is likely to be denim, has been recently expanded by two.
Rev. Brandon Lomasney grew up in the Covington Bible Church. It was my privilege to do the wedding ceremony for his mom and dad. Brandon graduated from Word of Life Bible Institute and Liberty University. He was recently ordained by Temple Baptist Church, here in Covington. Shortly after becoming a Reverend, Brandon also picked up another title, husband. Congratulations to he and Samantha.
Actually, I can't call Jacob Morse Reverend just yet. As the old saying goes, though, "It's all over but the shouting." Jacob came to our church after a profound tragedy. Jacob's birth-father murdered his birth-mom, and is now serving a life-without-the-possibility-of-parole sentence for his crime. Jacob was a confused eight-year-old when his Aunt and Uncle began the process of becoming his mom and dad. Jacob is likewise a graduate of Word of Life and Liberty University. He is currently on staff, as Pastoral-Intern, here at Covington Bible Church. He, his wife Crystal, one-year-old daughter, Kiera, and another little girl to be born in July, plan to serve the Lord with Word of Life Korea.
Jacob was examined by a group of pastors and Christian leaders this past Saturday. In particular I enjoyed the fact that two CBC missionaries--guys we had ordained in recent years--Fred Stromberg and Pink Davis, were able to participate in the ordination council, via skype. In spite of the fact that the previous week had been one of great emotion and stress--Jacob's dad was involved in a life-threatening car wreck on Tuesday prior to Jacob's examination. In fact we weren't sure that we could proceed until Thursday--Jacob answered the questions offered by the council in a more than satisfactory manner. These eight leaders found Jacob to be of sound testimony and belief, and a man who is capable of handling the word of God effectively. Their recommendation was for the Covington Bible Church to proceed with the ordination of Jacob. We'll be doing that Sunday, May 9, at 3:00 PM. You are invited. A reception for the Morses will follow.

I was privileged to be these guys pastor as they grew through childhood, teendom, and young-adulthood. In particular both these guys were part of a Sunday School class that I was privileged to teach when these guys were in seventh and eighth grade. In a track meet passing the baton in a relay-race takes but a second. Passing the torch to the next generation of Christian leadership takes years.
Run guys! Run hard! Who's next?