Am I An Indian?

Last week, as usual, I picked the boys up after school. Hayden was sitting in the back seat and Hunter was in the passenger seat. We are heading home and we are having our usual discussion about their day. What did you have for lunch? Did anyone in your class get in trouble? (The last question is simply a bait to allow the boys the opportunity to confess)

I looked over at Hunter and he had already started on his homework. He likes to start on his homework before we get home so he will have more time to play baseball in the yard. He was working on something to do with Indians.

He asked me a couple of questions and then I proceeded to let him know that my great-grandmother was full-blooded Indian. After hearing this news, the floodgate of questions was opened. After a while he started trying to figure out how much Indian blood he had. After I told him that I was 1/8th Indian, I tried to explain to him that he was 1/16th Indian. He looked over at me with a funny look and said, "No, Daddy. How many quarts?"

Do You Remember?

I posted earlier what I would miss about some of my instructors. Here are a few things I'll remember about some students.
Jared...your wrong.
Mark...iron your shirt.
Josh...Arkansas stinks.
Alex...turn your chair like the rest of the class.
Martin...go back to Texas(you can leave your wife and kids here, they're sweet).
Tommy...awesome guns.
Tim...the boogey man
Justin...have any holes in your wall?
Joey...check your britches.
Micah...want some fish?
Wayne Lee...Deacon/Calvary.
Josh L...what did you tell the husband when counseling him?
James...buy a used car, not new one.
Jonathon...wake up
Jessie...country
Cole...how can 2 totally different sounds come from the same box?
Richard...poked anyone lately?

Noon-Time Recollections

How'd you like that title Bro-in-law? Well, I'm done. I have finished my seminary course at LMBIS. This Friday, they will bid me farewell at the commencement exercises. I do not expect to see tears in the instructors' eyes. But I might produce one.

I love LMBIS. I have spent more time within her walls than the average student. Some might accredit this to my lack of intellectual acuity, but I would rather say it was simply the result of my life choices. Whatever the reasons, after completing my first year in 1986, I have now seen the waving of the checkered flag.

I am forever indebted to those men and women who work at the school. I have been blessed to sit at the feet of men who love my Lord and His Word. Not once has my mind been impregnated by force with doctrines, but it has been challenged to let the Word of God speak. Not in the LMBIS voice, but in God's.

I am blessed to live close to the school. They may graduate me, but they have yet to ban me. So the glow of my balding head will be lighting the halls of the school in the days to come. Some may graduate with a belly full of school and disappear for years to digest their intake. Me, I'm still starving. I want more!

I want more of Bro. John's bashing my use of the English language. I want more of Bro. Wager's attempts at explaining to me the beauty of the construct state of Hebrew nouns. I want more of Bro. Joe's banging his head against the board in disgust because some student just made the same Greek translation mistake again...for the 10th time. I want more of Bro. Jim's taking role on the last day of school(By the way, it was a scheduled day of school). I want more of Bro. Wooley's infectious optimism and attitude(he will be missed). I want Bro. Don to still call me a dumb preacher.

But most of all, I want more of the sweet fellowship.

Blow Your Nose

Sounds like it is time for some Claritan. Someone needs to take something to help unclog the organ of discrimination. The vast majority of these posts have been double-dipped in sarcasm. Can't you smell it?

The brethren who roam the same woods I do relate to one another with knee-deep, roll ya britches up sarcasm. Are we serious about the stands we take? Yes. Do we roll it up in double-battered chimichanga of personal insults, before we serve it to each other? Yes.

If you don't like it...don't sit at our table and try to eat with us.

I love it! I love the way, Snyde, Carter3, LLL, Slim, ArchBishop, Bro-in-law1, Bro-in-law2, Mikey Matty, and Neally fuss with one another. We are waiting on you Harry. Join in.

Smells like someone got their feelings hurt on another site. If an attack on your views is the cause, either change your views or learn to deal with it. If you feel like people were mean to you, go find another playground. I say this because I personally know every one of these men. They are good men who would never intentionally offend someone. What we do here is the nature of our relationships with each other. We play a little rough with each other. We have fun doing it. So no offense is meant by this, but if you can't run with the big dogs, that's OK. I'm sure there are plenty of Chihuahuas wanting to play.

Bro. Truth. Awesome. Keep your anonymity. You've got us all guessing. I love it. Hope you can handle eating with us.

Not Exactly Poker

Do you buy raffle tickets if the money is going to a good cause?

Do I Want That Face on My Book?

Dealing with Facebook. If you have a "friend" whose page has some inappropriate comments, should you revoke their privilege as being listed as one of your friends?

What's Up With The Steeple?

This question is posed by one of my boys. Why do churches have steeples? I know I could look it up, just figured some of you quick witted brethren might have fun with this one.

A Message from a Burrito

I love camp. But to tell you the truth, things have been mighty quiet around here. Bro. Doug has been busy getting everything ready for your arrival. From building repairs to landscaping, he keeps things looking good. Bogg Springs is a beautiful place to spend a week at camp.
There were a few of us burritos left over from last year and we’ve been in this freezer just waiting for Spring to come. Bro. Doug has gone out and brought in some new boys. Supposedly, they are “better than ever”. They claim to be made from the choicest meat from the best of the herd. Every year…same old story. These new burrito boys are no better than we old ones are. We’ve been around for years. It reminds me of the boys at camp every year thinking they can beat the preachers…same old story.
But enough about me. You folks will be coming to Bogg Springs Youth Encampment from Monday, June 29th through July 3rd. The fee for camp this year is $77. That’s quite a deal for a week’s worth of meals like me.

We look forward to seeing you at camp this year.

Signed,
Last Year’s Camp Burrito…that’s still talking to you.

You asked For Questions...You Got Um #5

Do God's people still have "gifts?"

You asked For Questions...You Got Um #4

Why did Abraham lie about Sarah being his wife? Was it the right thing to do?

You asked For Questions...You Got Um #3

Why do people claim "God has convicted me", as their reasoning for believing something? Isn't conviction a word that carries a negative connotation.

You asked For Questions...You Got Um #2

Why was it that the only question Pharaoh asked Jacob was "How old are you?"

You asked For Questions...You Got Um #1

What is proper attire for worship services at camp?

Snyder Made Me Do It

At the behest of Bro. James, I ask this question...Does Jesus tarry His coming?

The Three Amigos...Wilkes Style

Recently, much mention has been made of my family. Most of the attention has been focused on the relationships between three men...myself, Bro. Michael Reese and Bro. Jason Hebert.

For the benefit of those who are ignorant, all three of us are Pastors of Missionary Baptist Churches. Michael married my sister, Karen. Karen is the middle child in our family and as such, she claims irreparable damage. She was lost in the middle.

Karen...Poor Karen. Middle Child Syndrome. Michael married her knowing she had this problem. So I am forever indebted to him for his willingness to take on the responsibility of caring for one who has an issue for which there is no cure.

Jason married Cindy. Cindy is the youngest of us kids. The baby. You know what a commitment a baby is. They need an extra dose of love and care. I will always be thankful for Jason's extra helpings of love and care he doses out toward her.


Often the entire crew makes road trips together. All 13 of us. These trips are usually to the national ABA meeting. These trips are not for the faint of heart. We have saved a life on the concrete of I-20 (literally), had van problems in the Guadalupe Mountains, made repairs in the parking lots of El Paso, searched for tire shops in the boondocks of Alabama, been broke down in Daytona, been on the wrong side of town in Kansas City and suffered through an attack of the scours which demanded stops at every exit.

But the good stuff is found in the relationships between myself(the Navigator), Michael(the Driver) and Jason(the Chef).

As the Navigator, I line out the itinerary for our cross country excursions. I am Good. I know exactly what time we will arrive at our destination. I set allotted times for rest breaks and meals. You must train your bladder to function according to my itinerary. Unscheduled "potty" breaks are unacceptable.

Michael Reese is our primary driver. After we get him "booted up" (getting his mind focused to the task at hand) he does quite well. We do have occasional trouble with his hard drive going into hibernation. As a result, you can be guaranteed at least one u-turn during every trip.

Jason Hebert is our chef. Although he never actually cooks anything on our trips, he is the one who plans our meals. He is probably more diligent about his responsibilities than anyone else. Before he has swallowed the last bite of food on his plate, he is already discussing what eating establishment will be our next destination.

One might ask, "What do the wives do?" I'll answer that question as soon as my wife quits yelling at me.

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".