A Childhood Hero!

So, this is the day that we always knew would come and likely contemplated how the news would affect us.

I have often shared in sermon illustrations a part of my testimony that spoke to who my hero was when I was a young boy. All of my friends had heroes from sports figures to entertainment personalities and even some that were political.

I liked Bart Starr and Roman Gabrielle and Andy Griffith and John Wayne. But my hero was a man not known for sports, although he did want to play professional baseball. Nor was he known for entertainment, though he became a huge influence on many in the entertainment industry.

Ironically another part of my testimony is that I was not a reader growing up. In fact I was told in high school that I didn't know how to read. However, in junior high school, I checked out one book from the library and carried it with me almost every day. I even got fined a number of times for not turning the book in on time. As soon as I was able, I would check it out again and again. I wonder if any body else ever checked that book out.

This was fifty years ago and even then there was a biography of Billy Graham, my personal hero.

One summer, our church did bible school in a public housing development and I volunteered to help. I also carried newspapers to that same housing development every day. In the morning I was helping with bible school and in the afternoon riding through tossing papers on the porches. The kids in the neighborhood started calling me "preacher man" or "Billy Graham". I was probably about thirteen or fourteen at the time.

Later, people, usually people who didn't share my christian beliefs, called me "Billy Graham". I guess it was their way of insulting me but they had no idea that I wore that name like a badge. Still later people would call me that more out of respect than insult. 

I have had the privilege to represent the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in working with the World Wide Picture divisions for several years when they were producing Christian movies. I was invited to attend the grand opening weekend (one of two such weekends) of the Billy Graham training center at the Cove in 1988 I believe. There I met Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea. It was a great weekend. 

Also I have had Billy Graham's grandson speak in our church. But, unlike many preacher friends of mine, I have never actually met the man himself.

I just recently finished reading "Billy" which is a book of his early years and how he started out. I also just finished three days ago, reading George Beverly Shea's book "Then Sings My Soul."

Billy Graham has influenced millions of people over the years and maintained a multi decade ministry with the highest of integrity and respect. Now, as he was once quoted as saying, he is "more alive than ever." He is now in the place that he so passionately and humbly preached about.

Thank you sir for being such an influence in this young boy's life so many year ago. I can't imagine doing anything other than preach the gospel and I can't think if anyone who inspired me more.

So, I sit here today saddened that we have lost such a giant in the Christian world who directly and indirectly reached so many people with the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ. I also sit here today rejoicing with and for his family knowing he is now in a place more grand than our greatest imaginations and experiencing what he so passionately preached about for over seventy years. 

The NFL and I!

I have recently been called out by two friends regarding my continued viewing of NFL games. People who know me, know I am an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. In fact, I have been for many years since meeting Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lanier.

You may also know as of this writing the Chiefs are 5-0, making them the only undefeated team in the NFL. This is not something that has happened very often and is quite exciting for me.

Now many people are boycotting the NFL and I support them and applaud them for doing so if that is what they choose to do. I understand their motives. There are some things I have decided to boycott as well that have affected my life for doing so. NFL viewership has decreased sizably in the past few weeks as has their attendance. Again, I applaud those who are exercising their rights to make that kind of impact.

I will not even get into the discussion as to why these people are kneeling. I feel that if they truly want to protest and draw attention to their concern of racial inequality that is certainly fine and their right to do so. I just feel this is not the vehicle by which to do that. But that is as far as I'm going with that.

The reason these two friends called me out is because they both know how patriotic I am and how sappy I get when I hear any song about America. 

Here is something they may not know. I have stood at events for YEARS and shed tears, bit my lip, fostered my anger and even confronted disrespectful people. For years while I am standing there with my hand over my heart, fully erect in my stance and with tears in my eyes I have seen kids play, teens scoff and adults laugh and talk and eat and dink the whole time the anthem played. It makes me seethe. I didn't boycott the NCAA or professional sports because of the fans lack of respect.

I even had to research military protocol before because I saw men in uniform who were not covering their hearts or even saluting. I learned there is protocol I knew nothing of in the military and standard procedure that is their own show of respect and honor.

On August 17th of this year Northeastern High School was playing D. H. Conley (it was a Thursday night because of predicted rain on Friday) I was doing yard work that evening in my yard from which I can hear the game being announced at every home game. I was weed eating when I heard the national anthem begin. It wasn't the band because it was the first game of the season and I don't think school had even started yet. It was a recording.

I immediately stopped what I was doing and went to full attention. Holding my weed eater in my left hand and covering my heart with my right hand, I stood in my drive way facing the school. Tear in my eye, I begin to wonder what my neighbors must think but really didn't care. I listened to a beautiful rendition of the anthem that I later found out was a Whitney Houston recording.

Some times I stand up in my own living room and cross my heart for the anthem.

The flag, oh my goodness how I love my flag. I display American flags in my yard very often. Several years ago I began a little tradition on Memorial Day. I buy several flags and I visit the cemetery. I put a flag my daddy's grave and my father-in-law's grave and then I just walk around and look for random veteran markers. I don't go to the veteran's memorial section where there are already hundreds of flags, I go where there are no flags. I place American flags all over the cemetery and no one sees me. I go alone and I am often crying as I place the flag at a grave.

So, yes, I can see why someone might question my continuing to watch football on TV. But here is something you will not, can not question. You can not question my allegiance to my country, my anthem, my flag and fellow Americans who helped secure my freedom. 

Now, I run through the emotions when I see the way some of these football players act. I have lots of feelings about what they are doing. But let's use my team as an example. Last Sunday, as I understand it by looking up how our players reacted during the anthem, I found that two of them remained seated.

There are typically 53 dressed out players on the field. If two remain seated, than fifty one are standing some crossing their hearts some just standing still. I get to choose whether to boycott the two or appreciate and honor the 51. 

There are good men out there who do not feel the way the small group does. Why should I hold against the vast majority of my players what the small amount does?

God Bless the players and staff that remain standing and respect the anthem, the flag and this country.

The difficult thing here is whether or not I have offended anyone at all for watching and celebrating my team play. I am even willing to stop watching if I receive a significant response saying people are offended. I would rather miss the game and show you my heart of Christ than to offend you over some worldly pleasure like football.

Remember there are some good Christian men out there on many of the teams who are doing all they can to share their faith with their fellow players. May I encourage you to join them in prayer that God may touch hard hearts because of obedient and loving servants who happen to play football for a living.

God Bless you all!

If I Say What I Think ...

If I say what I think, some will be offended, maybe even hurt...

If I say what I think, I will be labeled... (pick one)...

If I say what I think, I will be considered an alarmist...

If I say what I think, I will be condoning things...

If I say what I think, I will be condemning things...

If I say what I think, I will be "judging" somebody or something...

If I say what I think, I will be unfriended (removed from a list)...

If I say what I think, I might inspire someone (who knows?)

If I say what I think, I might inform someone (who knows?)

If I say what I think, I might help someone (who knows?)

This may be a good place to decide to read no further ...

Because here is some of what I think ...

I think the choices we have for president is a very sad and telling commentary on the state of our nation ... I think our country has followed the cycle of every democracy in history (200 years is usually when democracies eventually fall according to historians) which is as follows ...Bondage...Spiritual Truth ... Courage...Liberty...Abundance...Selfishness...Complacency... Apathy...Dependence... and then back to Bondage! (I think we have probably passed complacency and are well through the Apathetic stage)... I think we have swallowed lots of lies and deception ...

I think there is a dangerous spirit of unrest and anger in our country ... I think respect and humility is at a dangerous low in our country...

I think a culture that accepts an Intact Dilation and Extraction procedure for pregnancies beyond 20 weeks (or any time for that matter) should understand that The Sovereign God of the universe and the sole Giver of Life can not be pleased ... I think much of the good of the days of my childhood is a thing of the past ... I think some of the bad of the days of my childhood have returned ... I think aside from some great Spiritual revival, we are in dire straits... I think opening the door (literally) to the girls bathroom to any sick mind that may walk in under the guise of "identifying as a women" on any given day with evil thoughts and for evil reasons is another sad commentary on our country (A true transgender using the bathroom or dressing room does not concern me, I'm sure that has been happening without incident for a long time) ... I think the most important issue regarding the current election is The Supreme Court issue ... I think, that as disgusting and annoying and childish as Trump is, he is the best hope for a Supreme Court that will preserve the rights we have enjoyed throughout our existence...I think Clinton will be a very bad choice for America and under her leadership our decline will continue or worsen...However, I also think she will win this election...

Those are some things I think, here are some things I know ...

I know God is not shaken ... I know Jesus is our Hope and our Ever Present Help ... I know in pure perfection Jesus stepped out of Heaven to pay once and for all for mankind's sins and I know that "...as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believed in His name." (John 1:12) ... I know Eternity is near, and Through Jesus Christ, mine is secure and Holy and waiting for me ... I know Love conquers and heals ... I know "My Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness ... On Christ the solid Rock I stand ...ALL other ground is sinking sand..."

Some are looking to the donkey and some are looking to the elephant, but our real and only Hope is to ... Look to the Lamb!

[This blog is my opinion and is shared as such and does not necessarily reflect the thoughts or beliefs of all who are the family of Fellowship Baptist Church]

My Love For June

I love the month of June for the many topics she inspires.

High School graduation is a major one. Schools all across America will say good-bye this month to thousands of young people who are about to find out how good they have really had it.

Now I do know that not all young people have have it made as many have faced struggles that no kid should ever have to deal with. However, life is definitely about to change for many people. Saying good-bye to friends who have been there and helped you through some tough times and have laughed a thousand laughs with you is going to be very difficult.

Walking out of that school one more time, this time knowing that if you ever walk back in for any reason it will never mean what it has meant for the last few years.

There will be teachers who you owe a great deal to and others who you would like to unload on, but now they are in the rear view mirror.

So, to you, congratulations and Godspeed!

Then there is Father's Day. Woo hoo! Dads get their day! A new tie, a bag of kit kats and a home-made card. It's a great day! Maybe your favorite meal and definitely some "do-nothing" time.

Okay, that days over, next topic!

Summer officially starts. Hot days, rainy weekends, horse flies and grass to cut. Cook outs on the grill, days at the beach and longer periods of sunlight! Vacations, baseball and weddings. I always wondered why the most popular month of the year for weddings, where everyone seems to wear extra clothes, happen in one of the hottest months of the year. 

I love strawberries on a hot biscuit, fire-flies flashing in the dark and children playing outside. Shorts and flip flops and tank tops. Visits to the ice cream shop and cantaloupe and fresh peaches.

June also gives us Flag Day which doesn't seem to have the same bang it did years ago. I love the flag and I'm glad there is a day set aside just for Old Glory! 

June begins the time of year for Vacation Bible Schools in neighborhood churches and dinner on the grounds. Okay, if mind hits the ground I aint eating it but you get the idea.

One of my favorite things about June is how nicely she introduces us to July. I really love July. More heat, more cookouts, more flag and more ice cream. Thank you June!

Summer was always a favorite time for me. It was a time to sharpen and utilize my imagination. There were lots of wars to win and Indians to chase and villains to catch. Sometimes I would slow down long enough to catch a doodlebug or chase a butterfly and just hang out with my dog.

Later years were filled with pick up games and hanging out with friends and cruising the strip. If you lived in my home town, cruising the strip could burn, oh three, maybe four minutes. But it was great and all of those things live right in my mind never to be disturbed. They are a great asset.

June is also the  month of starting Summer Camp. I love summer camp and planned to go this year but our week for camp conflicted with family plans so I had to back out. But I have been to my share of summer camps as an adult and as a teenager. I have been the Camp Pastor for a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) camp of over five hundred teens and one with less than one hundred teens. I have chaperoned camps that were high energy and exhausting. I have played games as an adult that adults are not designed to play. 

As a teen camp was always lots of fun and many great friendships were fashioned in those experiences.

But there is one camp in June that sticks out above them all. It was in 1969 (the best I can recall) and it was in the hills of North Carolina. It had been a fun week filled with lots of adventures. This particular event happened on the last night of Camp as we would return home the next day. No doubt by design that was the night that we attended an out door chapel service by the lake with a fire and a cross. We did that every night, but this night, the last night is when they shared a very specific message. I do not remember a word that was said or who said it that night. But I do remember a tugging at my heart and an inability to stay put as I moved from my split log bench and walked to the front where the fire and the cross was. It was that night that I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.

My life has not been perfect and I have messed up many, many times. My life in Christ is a work in progress and His incredible grace is more than sufficient to cover all my failures. 

But since that hot Thursday night in June about 47 years ago my life has not been the same and my eternity is set and secure!

So I wish you a Happy June

A Time of Remembering

Okay, so it has been quite a while since I last wrote a blog and I think today is a good time to try and get back on track.

Today, of course, is Memorial Day in our country and for many people it means a day off of work. For many, it also means a day of celebrating, cooking out on the grill, enjoying games and the beach and the family and so many other things. Outdoor activities have been somewhat altered due to the wet weather and lack of sunshine in our area. However, a day off just the same

Truthfully this is day is much less about the things listed above and so much more contemplative of the reality of the cost of the amazing freedoms the fine folks of the U.S.A. have enjoyed for so many years. Originally it was called "Decoration Day" and involved women from both the North and South decorating the graves of their War Dead in the 1860s just after the Civil War.
It grew from that with each war over the years and has since become a National Holiday. A day to remember the brothers and sisters and moms and dads and sons and daughters and cousins and neighbors and all the thousands of others who gave us  the wonderful gift of freedom and opportunity.

A few years ago, I don't remember exactly when, but I started what has become my own private tradition of honoring this day. I bought some American flags and visited a local cemetery. I began by placing a flag at my father's grave and my father-in-law's grave and then just started hunting for random graves of former members of the armed services. Neither my father nor Dawn's father died while serving our country but they both served and are now deceased. Likewise it may well be that many of the random graves I have chosen over the years have held men and women who served but may not have necessarily  died while serving. Nonetheless, they all served at some point in their lives.

It has been interesting and also meaningful for me to walk through the cemetery and find markers that indicate past service to our country. Once my eye catches a marker that identifies the occupant as a service member I read the dates of their births and deaths and the branch of service if provided. Then I begin to imagine something about the individual. My imagination is quite healthy and I have created many stories in mind that may or may not even come close to reality.

Today, I came across two graves side my side. They were graves of two young men, one was nineteen and the other was twenty one. They both were born in the late 40's and died in the 60's, both having served during the Viet Nam era. I wondered what their stories were and why they were buried side by side. I will likely never know. I thanked them for their service, whispered a prayer for their families if indeed they have any and then gently placed a flag in their honor.

At some point I decided to stray from my pattern of visiting just my father's grave and father-in-law's grave and all random graves beyond those two. I began searching for the graves of a few men who had touched my life along the way who had also served our country at some point. All of which served during WWII as my daddy did. First was my childhood Pastor, Dr. R.W. Kicklighter (buried beside his wife Helen who was also a veteran). Next I found Scott C. Callaway, my high school band teacher who taught me much more about life than just music. Finally I found the grave of Melvin R. Daniels who was buried five years ago yesterday on Memorial Day weekend. Melvin not only served our country but he also served as a N.C. Senator and Mayor of Elizabeth City. He became a dear friend to me and I was honored to serve as a pall bearer at his funeral.

I know my tradition doesn't touch the world but it does indeed touch me and fills my heart with gratitude and pride in these men and women known or unknown by me.

I cannot salute in an official fashion having never served but from my heart I salute and from my eyes I contribute a tear of thanksgiving and humility.

May God have mercy on the United States of America and thank you to all who have served!   

The Capsule

Yesterday, I wrote about the Elizabeth City Boy's club and it's influence on my life. Obviously, I have many stories I could tell as do hundreds of other boys. Some years ago, I don't know how many, the club was changed to be the boys and girls club so no doubt there are many stories to be told now by girls as well.

There is another fairly strong connection to me and that particular building. I was quite mortified Thursday when I rode by the building and saw that the corner stone bearing the year 1963 was missing. Behind that stone was a capsule that was placed there when the building was completed. In the capsule were various items to identify the year and the events of that year for posterity. In 1987 the capsule was removed during a 50th year celebration and some things were added and the capsule was returned to the wall and resealed.

That capsule has significance to me because my daddy made it. I actually remember the day daddy came home and told us about the capsule.

Today, I saw it on the front page of the paper. I was very happy to know that someone had retrieved it and they had shared the contents with the current Boys and Girls Club members.

I don't know what the plans are for the capsule itself but I would love to own it. I have a small museum in my office at the church with lots of personal belongings as well as other things I have accumulated over the years.

In that museum is a section dedicated to my father which include two pairs of his old tin snips. I guess it is possible that one of those was used to create this capsule, who knows. I have inquired and hope that I may gain possession of the capsule. If not, I truly hope they display it somewhere for anyone who desires to see it.

It is a simple round box made from metal, I would imagine copper. Nothing fancy or elaborate, just a piece of my daddy's labor that has held a special place in city history for almost 50 years!

The End of an Era, Again!

This morning I sat in my car a few minutes and watched the heavy equipment operator as he was methodically disassembling a building that was built in 1964.  I don't know anything about that man or what his feelings were about that particular building. After all, he operates heavy equipment, he has a job and he was doing it.

Me? I was dying a little. He doesn't understand. He is driving his bulldozer/crane-whatever-monster machine right into a major part of my life. Removing large beams effortlessly and dropping them outside in a pile.

Much of who I am today was molded to some degree in that building. It wasn't my home or my church but it was a place where I spent many, many hours of my childhood and quite a few as a young adult.

It was the Elizabeth City Boys Club on Ehringhaus street.

I remember attending the Boys Club on main street in an old building that was also used as the Elizabeth City Police department. The boys club, I believe occupied two floors, the second and third floor of this old building. But the gym was possibly on the first floor but only assessable to us by going up stairs from the outside entrance and then back down some stairs on the inside.

Then some property was bought on Ehringhaus street. I remember in 1963 they had a special celebration on the empty property. We roasted hot dogs over open fires and played lots of games.

After the building was built, I spent many hours playing ping pong, pool, basketball, boardgames and dodge ball and so many other things. There was a library for reading and a shop for building things and a TV room and a game room and of course a gym.

I can still smell the fresh popcorn and hear the sneakers squeaking on the gym floor and the constant slapping of the ball on wooden paddles and the whizzing of the woodcutting saws. I can hear the shouts of competition and the storytelling and the laughter of boys of all ages.

One particular night we were having our annual Christmas party and it came to the time of giving away prizes so we were summoned to the bleachers in the gym. They drew the name for the flashlight and I did not win. Then the radio and I didn't win it either. My hopes of winning were over because I certainly was not going to win the bicycle. In fact, when they called my name I just sat sadly on the top bench waiting to see who won. Somebody must of smacked me or something to get my attention. "YOU WON!" What? "I won? I won!" I jumped off the bleachers and ran out to my new red bike. They told me to ride it around the gym in front of every body and I almost forgot how to ride a bike all of a sudden.

My whole football career happened right there on that property one day. Yep, my whole career in one day. During practice, someone stole my watch  and I got mad and quit football. Shame really, I probably could have been a great football player. After all, I weighed in at about 115 as a senior in high school.

Later in life, I began coaching basketball at the boy's club and had some pretty good teams. In fact one of my boys is now the High School basketball coach at a local high school. (He must have forgotten everything I taught him).

Well, another part of my past is by now flat on the ground and soon to be hauled away. Makes it a little tough to ride by there now.

But I still hear the sounds and smell the smells and am grateful for Mr. Don Helms and Mr. Rose and David Hodges and so many others who invested in me and hundreds of other young boys over the years.

Farewell 2012

2012 brought so many challenges and changes to my life.

I found myself at the end of the earthly journey of numerous people this year. Soul after soul slipping into eternity. Most of these were softened by the reality of an eternity awaiting them in Heaven. Some of these people I was closer to than others. Many touched my life in incredible ways. My life is richer indeed for having had them in it.

I had two very special family members that I also had to say good-bye to. Many people would not understand me making that statement, thinking I was a little eccentric or something. Because I refer to my dogs. Tess brought security and companionship and joy to us for 15 years and Ginger entertained and blessed us for 10 of those years. Losing them within 3 weeks of each other was difficult.

Then there were two special friends who came into our lives over the years. One was almost 40 years ago and the other about 10 years ago, Eddie Piper and Stephen Hill who died within 24 hours of each other in August. Eddie in his 70's and Stephen was 50. I received the news of both of them when on my way and arriving at Florida when Chip was first diagnosed with Cancer.

Then three months later, Chip succumbs to that horrible disease. I was on my way to the airport to fly down to be with him when Teresa let me know his journey was done here. I spent the following week in Florida and Georgia with Teresa and Claire and Ben and Sarah. Part of me died that week and not one day goes by that I don't feel that gaping hole in my life. I have never had anyone touch my life as this man did. Tears appear as I write these words.

So then, I welcome 2013 with the hope of a different kind of year.

2012 was not all bad as many wonderful things happened as well. I witnessed many people being blessed in various ways. Ending our church year with an amazing December including 3 baptisms on the last Sunday night of the year.

I am healthy with a healthy family and a wonderful church and a great little dog...okay, a chihuahua.

I wish for you a wonderful year ahead. God bless you all. My hope for you is that you "...Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness..."

A Place I Visit!

There is a place that I visit occasionally and I really hate going there. When I go, I make every effort not to get to far passed the door and I try very hard not to stay any longer than I have to.

Some people go more often than me and some go deeper into the place and some stay much longer and there are even some who never do come out.

As far as I know, though I had heard about that place for years, I don't recall ever going there until just a couple of years ago. I really don't know what caused me to start visiting and I have been there several times since the first time. There was even a time in my life that I was a bit critical of people who went there and stayed to long, obviously I was unaware of the draw.

This time of the year seems to even be worse there than normal and yet has a greater draw to go in than any other time of the year.

In fact I visited there this morning prior to writing this blog and have been more in the past few weeks than probably any other time period for a while. This morning, I decided to stand at the door a little longer and pray for those who go more often, in deeper and stay longer and I hope my prayers helped some to turn around and get out, at least for a while and hopefully for a very long time. My ultimate prayer would be that they never have to ever go back and while I was at it, I prayed that maybe I wouldn't have to back either.

I also never thought I would ever talk about it out loud and many, maybe most who go, don't want to talk about it and do not want anyone to know they have been there.

In fact, you may even be surprised that I go to this place. After all, I am a preacher and the regular person out there would probably cringe to think that a person in my position would ever visit such a place. So, this blog is somewhat of a confession if not a testimony.

The place is a dark place and has a strong grip. I admit, I don't go near as much or stay near as long as many, I just would like to never have to go again.

At this point, some of you are waiting for a humorous twist to this story. You think I am speaking of the shopping mall at Christmas or a nursing home or a deacon's meeting or something of that nature. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

This place is called "Depression". Now, understand, my visits would likely be considered mild compared to so many others and I hope it never goes beyond that. But even at mild, it is not a place I enjoy. It hurts, it drains, it pulls you into ugly places.

Sometimes, circumstances and events help carry you there and they try to force you to stay.

I thought this would be a good time to ask you to pray for those who suffer this condition. Also, I would like to encourage you to attempt to be a little more understanding if you see someone going there or standing there. In addition, you may even be able to help a little beyond your prayers, by being more discerning and maybe a little more sensitive and a little more kind.

My prayer for you is that when you see this place, you can simply keep on walking by and thank God you are not walking through the door and then whisper a prayer for those who are in for a visit.

Where Have all the Children Gone?

I was a bank robber that no lawman could catch and many met their end by virtue of my amazing ability to out draw and out shoot anyone. However, that all ended one day when I called out the wrong man. I made the first move but before my gun was out of the holster, I felt the hot lead passing through my body. Dropping to my knees, my life flashed before me as I was falling forward. The blazing fast sheriff returned his gun to his holster and then jumped up and down screaming... "I won, I won!"
We both laughed as I jumped up and said "Yeah, this time...let's go again!"

No blood, no gruesome entrails flying from my body, just a simple "Bang, bang" and I was down.
In fact, sometime the guns weren't guns at all, they may be a stick or piece of wood or something else I could hold in my hand and stick into the top of my pants when I wasn't "shooting".
Virtual reality for us was a well played imagination.
Trucks, tanks, motorcycles, race cars, mountains, trains, horses...anything you could imagine became a reality as long as you needed them.

We never dreamed of sitting in the house all day playing gruesome, vulgar, destructive video games. When cowboys and Indians were over, we grabbed a ball and bat or found a basket to shoot file shots or a field big enough to play football. Or we jumped on our bikes and raced through the neighborhood.
If we did sit inside and watch TV, it was some silly cat chasing a little mouse or a talking bear stealing picnic baskets or a blue horse that had a quick draw.

I wonder how many hours our children spend playing horribly realistic video games winning points by strangling or beheading or blowing off a head or stabbing or torturing the so-called enemy.

Then the so-called realistic TV shows on network television, you know, all the Detective, medical, police, investigative dramas. Many have pushed the envelope as it relates to language and visuals that are too realistic to handle. Then move over to some of basic cable shows and the language deteriorates and God help you if you watch the premium channels like Showtime or HBO.

Who are the highest paid people in our culture? Entertainers, musicians and athletes. I am not trying to degrade them as I enjoy each of those categories. However, we put our priorities in areas that promote self indulged attitudes and aspirations.

Our society has chosen now to turn our backs on biblical principles and God instituted and ordained family models and the sovereignty of human life. We have decided as a people that character means little to nothing and that respect for other people is almost non existent.

Even down to the grade of customer service you can expect now days in Lowe's or Wal-Mart or most fast food chains and on and on. Sorry to offend anyone, but I struggle with dumping my money in these places while being treated like I'm a bother. But it all goes right back to our attitudes and our values in this time period of our existence.

So, when we spend hours watching television reports about horrible incidents that occurred in Connecticut on December 14th or the 22 children that were stabbed in China on the same day, we shake our heads. How can anyone be so sadistic. Really? What exactly can we expect to produce with the kinds of values and convictions we have demonstrated in our entertainment, our self indulged ideals and our lack of respect for one another.

We have cried long enough "God Bless America" (or any other society), we must now begin to bless God. Unless we return to His values and His desires our hope on this earth is swiftly disintegrating.

The peace of God can be ours when we first make Peace WITH God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

God Forgive us of our trespasses!

And Then The Tears

On Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 I left my house early in the morning to catch a 7:30 flight in Norfolk to Orlando.
My dearest friend was about to make his journey home...his eternal home. Hoping I could arrive prior to his departure, I little more than made it out of my own city, than at his normal 5:00 a.m. devotion time, he went ahead and had his devotion time with God in person.
That really was best, because his wife and their two children (his oldest son was not there) were there together in those final moments and that's as it should of been.
So later that day, I arrived and was able to hold his family and love them. Later still, I was able to see my friend, whose tent was peacably displayed for a private viewing for his family and I. I hugged him, thanked him and kissed him and whispered to an unhearing ear, "I'll meet you on that beautiful shore." Those were the words to a song he had sung to me a few times on the phone...before he was even sick.

We celebrated his life in The Villages, Florida two nights later with around 75 people with several asking Jesus into their hearts. Three days later, we celebrated again in Rome, Georgia with maybe 250-300 people again with several asking Jesus to come into their lives. Seven days later we had our final service in Chesapeake, Virginia celebrating this wonderful man's life with between 600-700 people present, all of which was a wonderful testimony of the people whose lives this 60 year young man had touched.

Through all of this, I enjoyed sufficient strength from the Lord as a pastor and friend when ministering and loving on others. That strength was a gift and should not be confused for a lack of love or caring as anyone who knows me would realize (I'm kind of a cry baby).

Yesterday, I was relieved apparently of a good measure of that gift of strength ... for yesterday I cried and then to cover all bases, I cried some more. In fact, I was introduced to last night's sleep with a wet face and a broken heart. Not for my friend ... but for me! Selfish, maybe ... but it is his fault. He's the one who came into my life and made sure I never stopped learning to be who God wanted me to be.

One is blessed to have had such a friend and I am thankful.

If I Die Before I wake

If I die before I wake,
Nothing here will I take.
But lots of things I'll leave behind,
For they were borrowed and never mine.

If in fact, I were to die,
Without the chance to say good-bye,
Just look around and you will see,
Something to remind you of me...

A Reese wrapper or a diet coke,
A crumbled page of some tired ole joke,
Or on my desk, a bible worn,
Pages brown & marked & torn.

Or look up at the birds in the trees,
Or stand out in the summer's breeze,
Or listen for the ocean's crash,
Or look at my grave-stone dash.

Or listen to "It Is Well",
Or to the sounds of Christmas bells,
Or a lively Southern Gospel tune,
Or just stand and stare at the moon.

Yes, If I die before you do,
Know that I really cared for you,
And that my earthly work is done,
And now I'm with the Father's Son!

When did God become a Republican?

A friend asked two questions on facebook a couple of days ago. Though I respect the individual and admire his accomplishments in life, I did sense a tinge of sarcasm (he may refer to as satire)in his inquiry. However, I an going to attempt to offer an honest answer to his questions. #1- When did "Conservative" and "Christian" become synonyms? First of all, I understand his scepticism here and agree that just because you are one, does not necessarily make you the other. The word Conservative is defined in Webster's dictionary as *traditional ... maintaining existing conditions or views. The word Christian was first used by the enemy of the church and was not a compliment and referred to believers in Antioch as followers of the way of Christ. So if a person is a follower of Christ and accepts the bible as final authority they will hold to the traditions of sanctity of life and traditional marriage that is defined by Christ Himself.Evidence of this is found in Mark 10:6-9 where he said "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his Father and Mother and cleave to his wife; and the two shall be one flesh, so that they are no more two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together let no man seperate." I am saying that if a Christian holds the view that the bible is true then they are maintaining existing and traditional views which is the definition of conservative. So maybe that could be the connection of the two words. Again, I am not saying they are synonyms but they do have a connection based on that logic. #2- When did God join the Republican Party? Obvious jab there but that's okay. You would be hard pressed I believe, to find a president that did not at some point quote the bible and express their belief in God. Jimmy Carter quoted from Micah and later explained what it meant to be "Born again". Lyndon Johnson quoted Solomon. Even good ole Bill Clinton expressed his beliefs as a Southern Baptist. Again if you hold to the biblical beliefs of the sanctity of human life (I saw a clip yesterday that someone posted on facebook of George Carlin who accused all pro-lifers of being women haters and he simply dismissed the sanctity of unborn human life), traditional marriage as stated by Christ Himself in the above reference and the work ethic that is plainly stated in scripture, you are not likely to be a Democrat(or at least hold to the Democratic platform). That of course does not make God a Republican. No He has not joined the party. He is unafilliated but we as individuals get to choose whether or not we affiliate with Him and at what level we take Him at His Word. There are people with challenged intelligence and wisdom (two different things) on every side of the political fence. It concerns me that because I consider myself a conservative and a Christian, I am attacked from so many directions as being a hater, intolerant, racist, homophobic bigot. Hope this helps with my friends questions, at least as an explanation of possibilities of the use of certain labels. Bessings.

"TRUTH IS"

I notice on facebook, and this seems to be mostly from the younger people, something called "Truth is" when someone starts with those two words and then shares something about someone else. It is usually a positive or encouraging statement. So "Truth is", life changes. That covers it really, life, all of life changes. Sometimes good, sometimes, not so much, but all the time, it changes. When I was a teenager, I spent hours on Friday nights "cruising" the local streets. Somtimes it was alone but mostly with one friend or another or even several. Seems the more we had in the car the more roudy we got, not bad, just a little loud, harmless(for the most part),fun. Haven't cruised late on Friday nights much in the last 35 years. But I did this past Friday night. I was waiting for some news on the health of a friend and when the news finally came, it was simply "not the good news we had hoped for...details later". You might as well of slammed a 2 X 4 in my gut. I sat on the couch, numb. Finally, I asked permission to leave the premises. I know that riding out on a Friday night at my age after 11:00 might not sound like the best idea, but for me, it was my theoropy. I still live in the same town I have always lived in. Almost fifty seven years and I am the only one in my family who never left. So, I have this thing I do on special days like Holidays and such. I simply drive around "my" town. Passing by places I lived and played and worked and grew. Houses, buildings, playgrounds, etc. In fact, I seldom ever visit cemetaries where the people I love are buried. In stead, I drive pass places that remind me of them. Places where memories spring forth that provoke smiles or tears or warmth or maybe even sober reminders. So Friday night, I simply "took my pill" ... I drove around "my town". Smiling here and tearing up there and remembering all in between. My theoropy includes houses that are gone, trees that have grown, parks that are no more, roads that have changed and expanded, stores that have closed, new places that replace the old ones. I remember favorite eating places and hangouts. I remember bicycle rides and blocks I jogged around and sidewalks that were my stage for performing life at it's fullest. The friend that I was thinking about when I left the house ... I drove by the place I remember first seeing him ... I drove by places that reminded me of him, houses he lived in, our favorite eating place that is no longer there, the front door of the house that served as an annex for a church where I stayed all night for a 24 hour prayer vigil when he first came into my life. I smiled, I laughed and I cried ... then I came home. Life is better and richer for me because of my friend. Life changes ... love strengthens ... tears cleanse and God is good ... All the Time! And "That's the Truth"!

Can I eat a Pig?

As a result of a statement I made on facebook, two friends of mine (who admittedly do not share my views) asked [respectfully] that I address the issue of the Old Testament and it's relevancey to today.I am grateful for their desire to hear my thoughts and hope I can make some sense for them. The question that came up dealt with the fact that in view of the same-sex marriage issue, many people are quoting from Leviticus chapter 18 where the view there is quite harsh on the issue. So if we take that literally, what about the dietary laws set in chapter 11 and the purity of blood issues (women's monthly visitor... ok, I know that's corny, but hopefully you smiled a little)and there are many other things that could be added to the list. Now, please understand, I am not a scholar or even a theologian but simply a lifetime student of the bible and I confess to you there is much I do not fully grasp & likely will not until I am made whole in eternity. Remember in Exodus, the book that preceeds Leviticus in our bible, Moses, by direction from God, has led His people from Egyptian bondage and are heading to the promised land. (Took them a while to get there due to there own lack of trusting what God had promised). In that time, God presented the commandments to Moses and then gave Moses specific instructions on constructing a tabernacle (which by the way means "tent" or "residence"). The tablets (10 commandments) were placed in a box (an ark, which means box) and on top of it were golden cherubim facing each other and that is called the mercy seat. The ark was placed in a special place in the tabernacle (of course the tabernacle was portible) and that is where God would meet with the priest when they would sprinkle blood on the seat for the atonement for sin. The tabernacle (and later the Temple) would become the place where God would dwell and meet with the High Priest on behalf of the people. The people we are referring to here are the Israelites who God had chosen. Remember it began when He made a covenant with Abraham and promised him a promised land...Caanan...Israel. Now, in Leviticus, God is giving instuction to Moses and to be passed to the Israelites on Holiness and purity. Understand at this point God is setting up standards for the Israelites that will set them apart from all other people groups (again they were His chosen people). These laws would not be easy and they may not make sense to our culture, but they were meant to be exclusive in their purpose of identifying and blessing the Jewish people. (By the way, there were provisions for non-Jews to become converts into that chosen people group...but that's for another day) So in Chapter 11, God deals with physical purity and he lays down the dietary laws. In Chapters 12 and 15 he refers to blood issues including the woman's purification period (which aint a bad idea to me...just saying... smile again). The important thing here is to remember these laws were specific to the Jews. Other people groups were not held to these standards. Then Israel shunned God for so long, constantly disobeying His desires and refusing His Blessings ... an example is the very journey in Exodus ... God promised the land, sent them to it, they sent 12 spies to check out the land and 10 came back with negative reports and refused to go in... 2 reminded them of God's promise,,,they wanted to kill the two positive spies. So they wandered for 38 more years (total of 40) in the wilderness... none of the men above 20 years old at that juncture made it into the promised land 40 years later except the 2 positive spies. That is indicative of how the Jews treated God and His cammands. There are 400 years of seperation from the last book of the Old Testament to the New Testament. 400 years of silence from prophets. The New Testament ushers in a major change God's plan. The focus is now starting to move off of the Jewish people. The Jewish leaders were not happy with Jesus' teachings and actions that seemed to go against the laws they knew (Now there were many laws that the Jews themselves had made up and were enforcing that did not come from God) . They even conspired to have Him stopped and killed if necessary. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 that He did not come to DESTROY the law but to FULFILL it. So all that the law had been designed to do ... act as a mirror for people to see their condition, He now came to complete by offering Himself as the final and perfect sacrifice. In Mark 7:18&19 Jesus removed the dietary requirements that had been established in Leviticus. "...Thus He decalred all foods clean." (King James says "purifying all foods") [My quotes come from the NASV by the way... just a little more modern translation than the KJV] Then God affirms this new idea to Peter in Acts 10:15 when He tells Peter not to call what He had provided unclean. So, why would God change His mind about this? Good question. Remember, God made a covenant with the Jews and gave them boundaries (commandments) by which to lead them towards holiness. In Leviticus 11:44&45 He says "I am the lord your God. Consecrate (set apart) yourselves therefore and be Holy, for I am Holy, and you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on this earth. For I am the Lord (First time He has said this) who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be Holy for I am Holy." HERE IT IS... After this statement, He says those words "I am the Lord your God ... be holy as I am holy." about 50 more times in Leviticus. The issue is seperation from all sin and a lifestyle of seeking holiness. In Luke 19:41-44 Jesus entered Jerusalem which represents all of Israel and wept over the city because the nation of Israel never got it. At that point all things changed. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice to atone for sins once and for all. No more need for sacrificing animals as Jesus fulfilled all of that requirement. Now Jesus establishes His church and says the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. This does not mean the Old Testament is not relevant, it very much is. But the rules of seperation and purity for mankind is now found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus says in John 14:6 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me." Those are His words and leave no room for any other so-called diety. John 1:12 is also very clear where it says "But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." Romans 10:9&10 says "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (John 1:12) for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. So this is why I originally said on facebook that if I believed the bible to be true, and I do, wouldn't you be mad at me or hurt if I did not share it with you so you too could have eternity with Jesus. And if I am wrong then how much worse off is my life...none! But if you are wrong, how much worse off is your life and the answer to that terrifies me. Now in closing, so if Jesus fulfilled the O.T. requirement of dietary laws and animal sacrifices in the New Testament doesn't that apply to homosexuality as well? The answer is clear as you read from the New Testament in Romans 1:24-28. It not only supports the O.T. teaching on the subject, it clarifies it. I absolutely detest the idea of anyone abusing and physically attacking homosexuals. I would never ever, stand by and allow that to happen in my presence without involving myself. I have held the hands of many homosexual friends during their times of grief and will do so again. But I will also never support it as an acceptable lifestyle because of my biblical belief. I hope this helps to at least shed some light on my position and my heart. Thank you ladies for asking. One final thought... Paul tells us of a "peace of God" we can have in Philippians 4:7 which is made available to us whe we have made "peace with God" in Romans 5:1 ...by faith through Jesus Christ. So, I wish for all who read this ...Peace! P.S. The answer is yes! I can eat the pig... okay I would be better off perhaps if I didn't...but I can.

I Believe!

I had some things on my mind and decided to write a blog to find that it has been exactly a year ago today since my last blog. Wow. So, I thought I'd just share some random thoughts... here we go ... I believe Jesus Is God and He is eternal, past and future ... does that make me an idiot? I believe in Creation and a young earth ... does that make me ignorant? I believe marriage is clearly outlined in the scripture as being between 1 man & 1 woman ... does that make me a bigot? I believe that Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven ... does that make me narrow-minded? I believe that I am supposed to live out my beliefs in love ... does that make me weak? I believe I am supposed to follow God's commandment to share the message of salvation ... does that make me arrogant? I believe we are living in the last days ... does that make me an alarmist? I believe that God can save anyone on earth who ask Him ... does that make me naive? I believe Hell is real and Heaven is too ... does that make me gullible? I believe that I can respect others but should not compromise God's Word is doing so... does that make me inflexible? I believe that I am a sinner saved by Grace of which I do not deserve ... and that makes me very Grateful! God Bless [P.S. By the time I sent entered this post it is the next day... see first sentence]

America Wins!

So tonight two country music singers face off against each other in a major competition. Someone wins and someone loses and the season will be over...end of story!

Well, maybe it is the end of that part of the story but there is more to the story and it may well turn out that tonight's competition may just be the beginning of a new story.

I know not everyone watches American Idol and I also know some people struggle with the title itself and I understand that. We shouldn't have idols even though we all ... oops, that's a different subject for some other blog.

However, this show is about undiscovered young talent having an opportunity to compete and to show their abilities to the world. Some very successful entertainers today are a result of this show.

Now to the more of the story part of this article. This is the first time that the final two contestants have been specifically country music artists. They are both from the south, one from North Carolina and the other from Georgia. They are the youngest two contestants to be in the final. They have outlasted older and more experienced performers to be where they are tonight.
Also, they are both being referred to as Christians and very conservative in their lifestyles.
They were favored at the audition stage and have endured to the last show together as young, family oriented, Jesus loving teenagers who are setting an amazing example.

Now that in itself is worth talking about, but lets look at the rest of the dynamic of this story.

Week after week after week, American Idol has brought on some of the edgiest , sexually explicit and might I say raunchiest performers to try and sway the voting audiences to elevate that garbage as what America wants to hear. Scantly dressed, girating and grinding and just plain vulgar is how I felt many of those acts came across. I was watching the show to celebrate the young talent and the producers are making sure to soil the whole thing with stuff I find offensive.

And, at least for this year, it hasn't worked! America has screamed out loud "Give us Scotty and Lauren". They have done so by casting record high votes to insure these two young, clean and highly talented perfomers have a chance to show their gifts and bring glory to God in doing so. In fact that is what Scotty is quoted as saying "I just pray that God will use me on stage. I do everything for His glory, because He is the reason I am here."

Well said Scotty and well done to you both! No matter the outcome tomorrow night... America wins!

Passion

What word can be applied to all of the following scenarios?

Commitment to one's occupation
To the point of pushing all else aside.

A desire for sexual sensation
Until fully complied.


An hatred for an opposing posture
to the point of violence and disrespect.

A love for all of nature,
to enjoy, record and protect.


A delight in certain food,
which makes waiting almost painful.

A determination to be rude,
arrogant, haughty and disdainful.


A burning to right a wrong,
and to be there at all cost.

A desire to live out a song,
and in love allow self to be lost.


Power to control all things,
and have others to you to bow.

Humility and all that it brings,
and respect for others to vow.


Curse the conviction of others,
and desire a great physical loss.

To die to make men brothers,
as Christ did on the Cross!


There is one word that can be used,
to answer the original question.

That word can not be confused,
all of the above fall under "Passion".


We are all passionate about something and it is not always a positive and lovely thing. Check your heart and your passions and the effort you make in living your passion out. Jesus was passionate enough to die for us. May we be passionate enough to live for him.

Challenging Times

So, it's been an interesting week.
Our president decides that laws on the books that were established by senate & house votes and signed into law by a Democratic President only apply if he says so. So he instructs his Attorney General to ignore a law on Family Values. King Barack Hussain Obama... unbelievable.

Out of nowhere, at least I didn't see it coming, is this obsene increase in gas prices. Check out the gas companies profits for the last couple of years and see how you feel about those increases.

Are we the people just crazy or what?

There is an amazing amount of unrest happening around the world today. Eygpt & Lybia have been the most news worthy adding to all the current hotspots in the world.

Some dude moves to the U.S. and plans to kill a bunch of folks in Texas, including a former president.

Have you noticed the weather lately. Some of the most active weather patterns and events this winter then we have had in years. Included in that is the fact that one day you can wear flops and shorts and the next you are doning a scarf and leather coat.

States across our country are taking hard stands on difficult issues and are faced with problems we never dreamed of. Many are simply facing what would put a family economy in bankruptcy.

Road rage is unbelievable and very very frightening.

TV commercials today would have been listed as "soft porn" just a few years ago.

On and on I could go but you may start to feel that I am practicing for a position in the National Pessimist Organization of America, but really all I'm trying to say is... "Redeem the time for the days are evil..."
Be ready ... be watching ... be praying ... be sharing ... and be close to God through His Son... for the time surely draweth nigh!

Blessings

The Precious State of Life

How tortured must a soul be to come to the place where they are convinced they have but one option?

With our normal eyes in place, life is a beautiful thing. Surely there are distractions, obstacles, road blocks and even a roadside disruption from time to time. Those things tend to shape us, sharpen us and shake us into being what we are designed to be.

With normal eyes we see flowers and birds and the smiles of children. With normal eyes we see the cracks in the walkway and the bumps in the road and the ice-cream stand on the corner. With normal eyes we see the outsretched hands of a friend, the gentle wave of a neighbor and the rushing wave of the sea shore. With normal eyes we see the evil of the world and are warned, we see the comfort of the Word and are warmed. With normal eyes we see the rock in front of the mower, the glass too close to the edge and the remote control.
It is never all too easy and without it's challenges, but yes sir, life is beautiful as seen by normal eyes.

But then there is that turn from focus. Whatever the cause and whatever the staying power of the longivity of being out of focus, the ability to see life's beauty begins to fade. Something inside changes.

Each of us could draw up long lists of reasons that people under various circumstances would chose to end their own story. No matter our list and no matter their reasons, the unfortunate truth is their story does not in fact end. In many ways it may just begin and now they would have no input to the remainder.

For those who remain, their is no end or perhaps an end that doesn't end and that just doesn't seem fair. But what good would assigning new guilt be to one who can no longer recieve it and surely did not need it had they chosen to stay.

My heart aches for those who remain. My prayer is for gentle showers of forgiveness, peace and even joy to rain down on the dry, broken spirits of the hurting.

May our thanks be to God for His attitude that says "Come unto me all you who labor and are heavily burdened and I will give you rest."