Dedication:

Something To Think About, Dedication:

I know a guy who literally wore the paint off of his car by polishing it on a weekly basis.  A lady I knew thought she was having a heart attack.  She immediately flew into cleaning her house so that if she died--a good probability--those who came to her home to visit wouldn't think she was a bad housekeeper. DEDICATION! Here is a question that only seems random:  We know what ambivalence is.  Maybe you don't care.  If someone is very ambivalent does that really mean they are less ambivalent?   I'll let you sort that out.  It is clear that it is possible to be dedicated to almost anything, even nothing. Something will fill your life. The Apostle Paul asked with incredulity,   “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” (Romans 6:16, NASB95) If I say, "I can't get out of bed?"  What is my master. When I claim an inability to stop (you fill in the blank), am I not saying that that particular habit is my master? Most folk are dedicated to something.  For far too many that to which they are dedicated is essentially nothing.  It seems, though, that what their "master" lacks in substance, they make up for with fervor of devotion. OK, make a jump with me.  This is Veteran's Day.  From Valley Forge to Afghanistan it would be hard to find a group that is a better example of dedication to something worthy of one's allegiance than those who have served their nation--often in harms way.  As you go about your business today you'll see American flags on display.  When you see one, give thanks for those whose dedication to a worthy cause gave us the freedom we enjoy.  If you see a serviceman/woman, thank them.  But then go on and ask yourself, "To what am I dedicated?" It's Something To Think About.

Pain--Body & Relationships:

Something To Think About, Problems:

An old navy saying goes something like, If you aren't leaving a wake behind you then you aren't underway.  A while back I preached a couple of messages on a controversial matter.  At the end of my presentations I observed that some folk, from both the right and the left, were upset.  A friend wisely observed, "You probably got it about right."  I sure hope so. Many of us have an automatic response that kicks in any time trouble, or relationship problems are on the horizon--avoid it, makeit go away, get rid of it as soon as possible. Trouble in relationships, misunderstandings, etc. though, can be like pain in our body.  Have you noticed that frequently when you have an injury the people who first see you don't give you anything to kill the pain?  I'm sure there are a number of reasons for that--reasons that I, not being a medical professional, don't understand--but I have heard one reason is the pain is an essential indicator of the problem.  When the examining physician shows up he/she will ask, "Where does it hurt?" Sometimes the physician will even probe with her/his hands and ask, "Does this hurt?"  They will ply the suffering patients like, "On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate this pain.?"  "Is it a sharp pain, a burning pain, or an ache?"  I have vivid memories of one such exam though it was decades ago.  I still remember my gasping, wincing reply, "YES!"  in response to the Dr. pressing a place on my shoulder and asking, "Does it hurt here?" In both physical maladies and relational issues before one just makes the pain go away, he should ascertain what its cause is.  Broken bones and relationships hurt.  They should hurt.  Asking and answering the "Why?" question can add to the pain, at least for a time, but it can be a necessary part of the diagnostic process.  Just walking away from a painful relationship may prevent one from an opportunity to learn, grow, and come out on the other side a better person. It's Something To Think About.

Praying and Praising

Something To Think About, Praying and Praising:

My co-pastor and I have been working through a series on prayer recently.  In part we have been dealing with some of the idiocy that is taught about the subject.  The view some folk have of prayer would cause it to end up being like one of those face-offs of wizards or witches that sometimes occur in fantasy movies.  The bearded ones, pointy hats in place face off and hurl lightning bolts at one another to see which one really has the most power.  Many folk think the power of prayer is me learning the proper power-techniques so that I can get God to do what I want.  So we've got prayer warrior A naming-and-claiming, rebuking the forces of foul weather, and praying through for sunshine for the Sunday School picnic.  Meanwhile right next door prayer-master B has grabbed hold of the horns of the altar and won't turn loose until God sends rain for the corn. Do we really want to live in a world where God suspends His omniscience, in order to use Hisomnipotence to do the bidding of creatures who are inherently selfish and who are horribly limited in what they can see in terms of both space and time? In the model prayer Jesus says that we should pray, "Thy will be done." Surrender. Prayer is not my manipulation of God.  It is my submission to Him. The great wonder and mystery is that God chooses to use our prayers to accomplish His will, and when His plan unfolds we are in a unique position to praise God for what He has done.             For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction . . . but [God] . . .delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.  (2 Corinthians 1:8–11)  The end result of the kind of prayer taught in the Bible is not me talking God into what I want, it is me entering into what God is doing, and praising Him for it. It's Something To Think About.

MASKS

Something To Think About, Masks:

I don't know, maybe it's just the view from where I sit, but it appears to me that dressing up in a costume and wearing a mask has gotten bigger among adults than it used to be.  It might be an accompaniment to the move away from Trick-or-Treat and toward events like Trunk-or-Treat.  To get into the spirit of the events, lots of adults assume the role of somebody or something else.   I don't remember stores selling adult costumes back in the day.  I've noticed ads for them a couple of times lately. Whether the number of adults "dressing up as" is really more than it used to be or not, it is clear that a lot of we grown-ups are working really hard every day to not let others know who we really are.  That's not all together bad.  An employee who is angry at his boss probably ought to keep that hidden until he gets it settled.  Otherwise she/he will have to assume a new role--unemployed.  And please take note that I'm only saying this might be a good idea for a short time.  Ultimately the answer is not to cover your anger but to deal with it and become not angry. I've worn masks.  It's hard work.  Every day, every moment, one must make sure that the masquerade is properly adjusted.  You tend to not look folk in the eye, because then they are looking in yours.  You can't disguise what shines--or fails to shine--out from these windows to the soul.  Since the getup I've adopted isn't really me I have to put out a lot of effort.  I can't really live life.  I end up being like an actor assuming the role of a character who is living life.  It'll wear you out. Some folk have the mistaken notion that Christianity is just a new role, a new way of appearing, a smiling mask in a frowning world.  Here is the good news from the Bible.    “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”  (2 Corinthians 5:17, NASB95)   It's not a way of acting.  Christianity is new life that begins on the inside at the very core of my being.  As you help your kids or grandkids "dress up" this week, maybe as you yourself assume another role to help others have fun, ask yourself, beneath it all, who am I.  That is the level where Jesus Christ wants to meet you and change you.  Find out more below. It's Something To Think About. Here is a site where you can find out about Jesus Christ and His plan for you.  You'll find several opportunities to explore.  If we can help you, let us know. 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 -

You Bought What?!

Something To Think About, Are we upset in the wrong direction?

Breaking Bad is one of the most popular series on television.  It's the story of teacher who becomes a major force in the methamphetamine market.  I've never watched the show, but critics say it is well done.  It has received a number of awards. A toy company recently decided to make action figures of the main characters in the series.  The model of the main character, Walter White comes complete with a gun and a duffle-bag full of money and blue crystals. At first the dope dealing dolls were carried by Toys-R-Us, but after a petition stirred up negative publicity, they pulled them from their shelves.  I'm not sure if it is the official version, or a bad Breaking Bad toy, but I found Walter and Jesse, complete with hazmat suits, on Ebay. At first, like the Florida mom who started the petition drive to get Toys-R-Us to stop selling the dolls, I was upset with the retailer.  After I thought about it a while my thinking began to shift.  I still don't think it is a good idea, on any level, for a retailer to sell such a product.  However a bigger question began to loom in my mind.  Instead of asking, "Why would anyone sell that?"  I began to ask, "Why would anybody buy such a thing?"  Especially, "Why would any parent buy such a thing for their child?" Dad, Mom, retailers aren't responsible for the spiritual, ethical, moral health of your children.  You are. It's Something To Think About.

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

Thoughts on Christmas, #4, Where Will You Be This Christmas?

Something To Think About, Christmas, #4 Where will you be for Christmas?

For all of my life Christmas has involved traveling. I grew up in a post-WW2, Baby-boom families.  Dad, a Southern boy, had gone North shortly after the war to seek his fortune and raise a family.  In the process he separated himself and that young family from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  We often traveled South for a quick trip around Christmas.  On a few occasions some of our relatives would brave a trip to the frigid North to celebrate with us.  Sometimes we'd visit someone else from the diaspora, or they us.  I'd say well more than half the time Christmas involved somebody spending all day, or night, in a car or on a train.  When my boys were growing up we were always a day's travel from at least one set of their grandparents, and now my sons and their families are of at the fringe of what sane people drive.  Of course grandparents at Christmas aren't always in their right mind.  :) Over the years gasoline has been one of the major Christmas related investments in my family. Numerous times, though, when we would be on our way home from a yule odyssey my wife would comment about a particular family member.  "I never feel like I can get close . . ."  Packing presents in the trunk, keeping the snow boots from smashing the pumpkin pie, staying up all night to get there Christmas morning, those things are all doable, but bridging the gap that existed between my wife and this loved-one, even though they were both in the same room, just never got done. Most of what I've had to say, this week, about Christmas has gone in the opposite direction of the way our culture tends to celebrate the holiday.  Here is an area where, at least in part, the popular view of Christmas is right.   Christmas is about family. This Christmas make the most of family.  Don't let the busy-ness of the season keep you from reaching out to those you love, and who love you.  Gasoline and plane tickets can help bridge the miles, but it takes an act of the will to open your heart to those around you.  It's worth the effort. 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.  covingtonbiblechurch.com