I am sitting here getting ready to go to the funeral for Bro. Dwight Bird. Bro. Bird was never a man of notoriety in our national work. But he was a good stick. Let me elaborate.
A while back a preacher-friend and I were discussing the increasingly liberal paths the Lord's people seem to be taking. Both of us were concerned and we were deliberating the ways in which we might help to curb these trends. After a while we both concluded that the course of many of the Lord's people and His churches is like a raging river which is out of control.
My brother then stated that there was little we could possibly do. That's when I told him that we needed to be "sticks in the mud". "Stick in the mud" has long been a term used to describe someone who was unwilling to "change with the times" or "go with the flow".
I went on to explain to my friend that a "stick in the mud" is not going to reverse the course of a stream. But if you can put enough sticks in the mud, it sure will slow down the process of erosion.
I thank God for some of the erosion slowing sticks I have known. Thank you Bro. Bill Pickard, Bro. Don McCormick, Bro. Ken Price, Bro. Willie Knight, Bro. Dwight Bird. Thank you men for being "sticks in the mud".
12 Days (Day 12)
8 years ago
8 comments:
He sure was. I'll miss him.
Well, you're a stick in the mud, that's for sure. So that makes one more.
Instead of being a stick, we should be a tree (Psalm 1).
Bloom where you are planted and God will bless!
P.S.
Thank the Lord for all of the preachers and teachers who are not after any of the noteriety. Those mostly bi-vocational pastors who are having an impact in eternity on countless numbers and these conservative Bible loving (King James) men will get their recognition one day in Heaven!
I also want to express my appreciation for those who have gone before us who are "stuck in the mud." I have a profound respect for them and hope I can learn much from them.
Well... I find myself between two straights. I'm not bound to tradition for tradition's sake, but tonight after returning from a youth conference in the ABA (whose name I will leave off,) I feel almost as though I don't fit in on either side. I am somewhere in the middle. #1 agitator - other versions of the Bible. #2 agitator - Openly acting the opposite of humble at a so called "worship" time. #3 agitator - The adults and those older than me acting younger and immature than I do. It is hard to tell your youth group "We don't behave that way, so stop" and then all of the sudden, a youth pastor of another church is doing the same thing like being thrown up on top of people's hands during a so called "worship" time just before a sermon. Well, I guess I feel lonely, not quite a stick in the mud, but not cut out for the liberal ABA crowed either.
James,
I am sorry to hear that you were subjected to that. #1, If I had witnessed what you did, I would not feel that I had been to a worship service; #2, I am becoming more appalled by what is happening among the youth in our ABA work; #3, I am not tradition simply for tradition's sake either. I am traditional because those before me have stood and are still standing on the truth of God's Word about doctrine and practice (both are essential) and do not believe in garbage like that.
Why does it surprise us that churches have become more liberal in this day and time? People are more liberal therefore the churches have become that way as well.
My daughter went to a concert a while back in Bossier. There were several different bands, christian bands. I'd much rather her want to go to this sort of concert than a hip-hop, or country, or whatever. It's not the music that's offensive, it's the time and place it's allowed. I listen to the Hill, a christian station here in Monroe, now some of the songs I wouldn't sing as a special in church on Sunday. Just that some are not appropriate to sing before a worship service.
Most of the ones that choose to follow this trend are wanting more money in the door.
It's not anything new, black people have been doing this forever.
It isn't so much that I'm surprised by the liberal atmosphere of some things. It just bothers me that so many who want to use new music or hold conferences or fellowships among youth seem to do everything wrong. It almost makes it appear as though music, or youth conferences, or even youth work is negative. Anyone who has been to LBYF knows newer music, and the conference/fellowship idea can be used in a very godly fashion. I think anyone who would come to our church would see how contemporary music, and even a different order of service can be employed in a fashion which helps direct minds to true worship and help to humble the minds of the youth and hopefully get them to begin seeking to see an Almighty righteous and perfect God.
Basically, I just wish most youth workers in the ABA wouldn't put our youth on a path down a road which leads to destruction and false religion. It may send some to Hell, cause others to do nothing for God and casts a bad light on the ABA and ABA youth work.
I just wanted to tell you that Sis Betty read this while she was over today. She appreciated it.
She also read the hunting with the cuzzes one and got a good laugh.
I told her your posts may not be as good as mine, but they're ok. lol
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