Priorities

No trap here. Just curious. In what order would you place the following financial priorities of the church?
1. Care for the Pastor.
2. Necessary building improvements (ie. a new roof)
3. Unnecessary but desired building improvements (ie. a gymnasium)
4. Mission support

It's Time To Go

Does God ever lead His men by discouragement? Most of the time, a pastor does not resign and move on until the church is in disarray. Is this the way God is working?

Simple question. Very complicated situation. Just challenging your cranium to house activity, rather than just serve as the soil holder for your crop of hair.

Daddy's Challenge

I have two sons. Both seem to enjoy success at whatever they set forth to achieve. Whether in the arena of academics or athletics, few brass rings have eluded them. Now don't misunderstand, I am extremely thankful. Our boys, at this stage, enjoy their academic challenges, so their mother and I have little problem getting them to fulfill their obligations.

Our concern is making sure that they always give God the honor and glory. It is an easy thing to become high-minded when every step is a successful one. Do we want our boys to stumble? Absolutely not! But at the same time, problems breed dependency and we want our boys dependent on the Lord.

They are still young. Pride is not yet a serious problem. But it is coming I'm sure. I know that hard challenging days are ahead. But I do not want to wait until they are 16 to teach them the lessons they need in order to grow into the men God would have them to be.

So how do you help teach the "perfect kid" the lesson of humility? We've tried telling them they're stupid...but they are as smart as their momma. We've tried to tell them they're ugly...but they are as good looking as their daddy. What do you do?

You Better Get The Kids In The Book

Conney told me to address the issue of young children and the mentally getting to heaven. I normally ignore his commands, but I feel compelled.

Revelation 20:15 "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire"

It is commonly believed that a name is written in the book of life when one is saved. If this is true, when does the young baby ever get his name recorded? One thing I do know...if the name is not recorded, the lake of fire is his destiny.

What Was I Thinking?

Man, am I a goof. As a preface, let me say...I am sorry. I had no idea that the posting of the lyrics to "Simple Man" by Charlie Daniels would offend anyone.

As to whether or not this has tarnished the shine of my character's luster...you be the judge (if you consider yourself worthy). But anyone who knows me, knows how I live. What you see in my public life is exactly what you will find behind the doors of my private life. Perfect....No! Forgiven....Yes! Striving for the mastery....Always!

But I must at this point try to stomp out the proliferation of ignorance. So here is a little more information about the man, the song and the "word".

Charlie Daniels was raised in a christian home. He turned his back on his upbringing. He turned to the world and wrote songs centered on drugs and alcohol. But today's Charlie Daniels is a different man. Read this quote from him...

"I make no secret about my Christian faith. On stage I do a hymn and I tell the people that Jesus is my Savior and Lord. Many people misunderstand the Gospel message. They think that you have to be "good enough." People need to understand that they can never be "good enough." There was only one Person in the whole world who was -- Jesus Christ.
I try to get across the message: "You're a sinner, and I am too. When we accept the Savior who puts our sin under His blood, the sin is gone." It's as if that sin never existed. That's something that is hard to understand, but that's what the Bible teaches. You've got to accept it and believe that it's true, that it's the Word of God. The Bible is not just pretty words that someone sat down and wrote one day. The Bible is God-inspired. It is real."

Now, whether or not you want to be a fan is up to you. I never said that I was or wasn't. I simply posted the lyrics to one of his songs. I thought about this song at a moment when I was becoming increasing frustrated with the direction of our country. Are the lyrics "a little rough around the edges"? Absolutely! Do the lyrics cry out for a need of true justice...Absolutely! Was my posting these lyrics an attempt to proclaim a spiritual message...No! By the way, neither was my posting about a dog smelling like fritos, but it caused no uproar.

The word. Considering the context, the word "hell" in the song can have no reference to the place of eternal torment. How can a person be madder than "hell"? Have you ever been happier than "heaven"? According to Webster's 1828 the word "hell" also means "The place at a running play to which are carried those who are caught" or "A place into which a tailor throws his shreds". The online etymology dictionary also records that the word "hell" is used as "figuratively for "any bad experience" since at least 1374. As an expression of disgust, etc., first recorded 1678."

Do I use the word as a slang. No! I do not like how crude it sounds. Is it a sin? I'll let someone more qualified than I make that determination.

In closing, I titled this post "what was I thinking". Here's why. Instead of that old filthy country music station, I decided the other day to tune in to a "christian" station. While listening, an ad came on encouraging everyone to attend a "Rock and Roll Worship Leader Camp". As I ponder my choice to tune in..."What Was I Thinking".

Confused

I keep hearing terms like "Safe" or "Under the blood" when referencing young children. Would anyone like to elaborate, so that a simpleton might better understand?

What About the Kiddos?

When the Lord comes back and takes the saved to be with Him, what about young children and babies who have not been saved?

A Simple Man's View

These are the lyric's to the song "Simple Man" by Charlie Daniels...

I ain't nothin' but a simple man
They call me a redneck I reckon that I am
But there's things going on
That make me mad down to the core.

I have to work like a dog to make ends meet
There's crooked politicians and crime in the street
And I'm madder'n hell and I ain't gonna take it no more.

We tell our kids to just say no
Then some panty waist judge lets a drug dealer go
Slaps him on the wrist and then he turns him back out on the town.

Now if I had my way with people sellin' dope
I'd take a big tall tree and a short piece of rope
I'd hang 'em up high and let 'em swing 'til the sun goes down

Now I'm the kinda man that wouldn't harm a mouse
But if I catch somebody breakin in my house
I've got twelve gauge shotgun waiting on the other side

So don't go pushing me against my will
I don't want to have to fight you but I dern sure will
So if you don't want trouble then you'd better just pass me on by

As far as I'm concerned there ain't no excuse
For the raping and the killing and the child abuse
And I've got a way to put an end to all that mess

Just take them rascals out in the swamp
Put 'em on their knees and tie 'em to a stump
Let the rattlers and the bugs and the alligators do the rest

You know what's wrong with the world today
People done gone and put their Bibles away
They're living by the law of the jungle not the law of the land
The Good Book says it so I know it's the truth
An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth
You better watch where you go and remember where you been
That's the way I see it I'm a Simple Man

A Few Good Men

Last night I had the privilege of attending an awards ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base. Among the attendees were some of the "higher brass" in the area. Bossier City's Mayor, the Base Commander and numerous Colonels and Captains were in the room.

I never served in the military. I always had a longing to, but God had a greater plan for my life. But I do come from a family rich in military heritage. My dad is a Vietnam vet. His dad was a World-War 2 vet. My mom's dad was a World-War 2 vet. So I do have a fair knowledge of the military and their protocol.

The banquet last night was a mixture of both military and civilian personnel. The ratio of attendees was about 90% military and 10% civilian. Upon arrival, everyone walked around socializing with one another. After a while, my wife and I found the table with our names on it and sat down to keep Grandma Pearl company(She can't stand for long periods). Shortly thereafter, I noticed something. Me, my wife, and two other civilians were the only people sitting. All military personnel, dressed in their "mess blues"(which is the equivalent of a civilian tuxedo), were still standing and socializing. One young Sergeant, who was to sit at our table, was standing behind her chair. It was blatantly obvious that she wanted to sit down...but she couldn't.

Military protocol demands that at a military meal, no soldier sits until granted permission to do so.

Then, after the arrival of the base commander, who was running late(what could he have possibly be doing that was more important than banqueting), all soldiers were granted permission to be seated.

Some loathe the military and its life. (A subject to be considered another day) But I admire the discipline, in regard to his relationship to commanding officers, of a soldier. He does what he is told to do. He doesn't have the privilege of an opinion...he does what he is told. I wander if these verses fit?.........

2 Timothy 2:3-4
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

One extra note...Bossier City's Mayor, Lorenz Walker was the keynote speaker. He said, " Do you know what politicians and diapers have in common? They both need to be changed often...and for the same reason."

Undisciplined, Dunce or Dingy?

What is wrong with me? I can study until my mind collapses from fatigue, yet I still have trouble with retention. I have been exposed to, and use, all of the memory techniques available. I do find some benefit with associational memory, but soon after I not only forgot that which I intended to remember, but also that which I associated it with.

So, I have to figure out what the problem is. Maybe I just lack mental discipline. Although it would be painful to admit, it is a possibility. I do have a lazy nature (most of us do) but as far as my studies are concerned, it is extremely rare for me to be preparing at the last minute. I am usually prepared well in advance. But I will confess that my mind is as factually sharp as a butter knife. Some people can retain dates, and names and facts with relative ease, I do well to remember my name. But I do not have any trouble with analytical thinking. My mind is sharp in analysis and quick thinking. So if you ever need an explanation for something, just ask, I can usually figure it out...just remember though, that five minutes later I may forget that we ever had a conversation.

Maybe it is not a lack of discipline, maybe I just don't have it. Some people (Bro. Michael Reese) for example can remember everything. If you ever want to know who preached in chapel on a particular Wed. in 1986, call him, he'll remember. I can barely remember 1986. Some people have it...others don't. Maybe I'm just a little dunce-like in this area.

But there exist one last possibility I would rather not mention, but for honesty's sake feel compelled to do so. Maybe I'm dingy. Dingy is defined as a slang word meaning crazy or insane. But it is usually used in describing a person who misses some of the simpler things. Remembering a few facts for a test seems simple enough, but boy do I have trouble with that.

Quite embarrassed is how this syndrome leaves me feeling. Taking a simple test of straightforward facts and bombing even though I prepared...embarrassing. Forgetting people's names...embarrassing. Kissing the wrong woman on the cheek and telling her you love her (thinking it is your wife)...embarrassing. (Don't call the professionals, I'm just kidding about the last one).