PastorTim

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING, OR IT SHOULD!

First off I want to say thank you to all who have voiced their opinion regarding a subject that is very dear to my heart. A subject that should need no definition at all but clearly needs to be appropriately articulated for some. A definition that at this point when clarified I am sure is very much appreciated by most Americans who firmly believe that marriage is defined as a relationship between one man and one woman! Every time I hear a comment on a cable news network by a well meaning politician, or a commentary by a talking head regarding the institution of Marriage my mind goes immediately to a phrase that I have rehearsed often in crowds both large and small as I begin a very sacred ceremony, “Dearly beloved we are gathered here together in the sight of God and the presence of these witnesses to join together this man and this woman in Holy matrimony. This is an honorable estate instituted by God in the time of man’s innocence signifying unto us the mystical union that exists between Christ and the church.”

 

Regardless of the host of opinions and in light of the personal like or dislike of others I am convinced that the sanctity of marriage far supersedes what some have attempted to define as marriage. With that being said and before I go any further allow me to say that the amazing God of the Bible that I love and serve has purposed in his heart to draw all men to himself, to Love them with and unconditional Love and that every living creature come into a right relationship with Him so that forever they may live in a place that He has prepared especially for them. Regardless of who they are, what they have done, His loving words reach out to compel, to correct and to save the world. As a Christ Follower I have that same love. So with the ever-increasing awareness that there are some in our country that desire to dictate what can and cannot be said from the pulpits of churches I am compelled to speak up. The stand that I take in regard to same sex marriage is really not based on my opinion for you see it is Jesus who said “Have ye not read that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.” Notice it was Jesus who called our attention to the concept of a father and a mother as a family unit. You will not find any other variation to that plan in all of scripture regardless of what the talk shows and network news anchors tell you.

          I am reminded of the sobering words of a German Pastor by the name of Martin Niemoller who in1945 wrote, “First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn’t speak up because I was a protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me”. Niemoller was eventually jailed for preaching against Hitler and standing steadfast for the truth of Gods word. One of the first to visit him in jail was a chaplain who was at the time still compromising to get along with the Nazi regime. When he saw Niemoller in a jail cell he said in a surprising tone. “ Niemoller, why are you here?” to which Martin Niemoller quickly replied, “why aren’t you?” Paul’s closing words in the fifteenth chapter of first Corinthians says this to us today. “There fore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Please know that I am aware that many do not fall into the category of not taking a stand, and to you I say, DON’T QUIT! Christ Followers must Teach truth and communicate Hope while being committed to allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us so that people that Jesus died for can come into a personal relationship with Him. My good friend Congressman Bob McEwen reminded me this morning, “Anthropologists and historians remind us that the two cardinal flags of the demise of every civilization were when life and sex were no longer sacred. The taking of innocent life and unnatural sex have marched together to unravel cultures. Will we stand with America's founder's and their appeal to Nature's God that has been the foundation of this the world's greatest fountain of invention, art, peace and prosperity?” Years from today may it be said of you and I that we stood in support of this God ordained Holy estate!

 

 

WHAT ARE YOU WEIGHTING FOR?

News flash! According to the Wall Street Journal, Larry, the Quaker Oats mascot who has graced the box of oatmeal you've stared at for decades, is magically losing what many wish they could erase in old age: his double chin. Yes, a skinnier, younger-looking Quaker now graces the brand's products. You'll now catch a glimpse of Larry's shoulders (making him seem strong, of course); he's gotten a haircut, which does wonders for his neck; and that plumpness and, of course, the double chin, are no more. "We took about five pounds off him," says the firm's VP. A few years back I was reminded of my need for a weight makeover. The setting was the Orange County convention center packed with ministers from all over the world. Meandering through the large exhibit hall I noticed a display of books, music and clothing, golf clothing to be exact. Tee shirts, hats and my personal favorite, golf shirts. Now I am a bit picky when it comes to colors and styles, not that the type of collar has a thing in the world to do with my golf game, but I do have a particular taste when it comes to a polo if you get my drift. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I saw it, a goldish orange color with just the right logo in just the right place, in fact I could hear it whisper, “buy me Tim, buy me”. So I sauntered over to the display table and began sifting through the stack. The sales lady, quickly spotting a cash payin customer hurried to the corner where I was admiring the sporting attire. "Can I put you in one of those?" she mused, "You sure can, I just need to find my size." She promptly questioned, “what size do you take?” to which I replied in a quiet mumbled form, “xl” “What” she asked, “XL” “sir you’ll have to speak up”… “XXXXLLLL!” I SAID LOUD ENOUGH FOR THE PEOPLE SHOPPING THE BOOTH NEXT TO ME TO CLEARLY HEAR! Allow me at this juncture to quickly change the subject and ask; is there anything in your life you’ve been putting off?

         For some it could be a project around the house. For others perhaps it’s a trip to take, or even a doctor’s visit you procrastinate with. These in themselves are things that need to be done yet for whatever reason we push them to the backburner in our lives. I love the story of the farm boy who accidentally overturned his wagonload of corn in the road. The farmer who lived nearby came to investigate. "Hey, Willis," he called out, "forget your troubles for a spell and come on in and have dinner with us. Then I'll help you get the wagon up." "That's mighty nice of you," Willis answered, "But I don't think Pa would like me to."  "Aw, come on, son!" the farmer insisted. 

"Well, okay," the boy finally agreed. "But Pa won't like it." After a hearty dinner, Willis thanked his host. "I feel a lot better now, but I just know Pa is going to be real upset." "Don't be foolish!" exclaimed the neighbor. "By the way, where is he?" "Under the wagon." My kind of humor! However when it comes to issues of the soul, it is no laughing matter.

In the book of Acts Paul found himself sharing the Gospel before a governor by the name of Felix. When the governor indicated that Paul might speak; Paul addressed the governor with courtesy sharing his faith in Jesus Christ, which began to speak to the heart of this leader. Paul said “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.” First notice that Felix Made No Decision Though He Knew The Facts. “But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” We quickly see that Felix habitually postponed the decision even when he knew what he knew he needed to do. He made the decision not to make a decision even though his mind was informed with the facts, the text says, “having more accurate knowledge of the Way,” Felix had a passing knowledge of the facts of the gospel. Secondly we see that, He Made No Decision Though His Heart Was Stirred. The outcome was that Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” A scholar once surveyed the Scriptures to discover the most significant words in the entire Bible. He wanted to find the saddest word, the happiest word, the most emotional word, and so on. When he came around to the Bible’s most dangerous word, he identified it as tomorrow. If there is something in your life that needs doing, don’t wait till it’s too late! 

 

 

 

 

LET US PRAY

Now that’s a phrase I have used a time or two in ministry! At the beginning of a service, before a large gathering, in small groups and in funeral homes I have invited hundreds if not thousands to join me in a time of prayer to God. As a proud American I have always been blessed to read of our nation’s founding fathers reliance on God’s grace and strength especially in trying times. In the year 1774 King George of England decided to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party. He imposed the Boston Port Act, March 7, 1774, effectively closing the harbor to all commerce, intentionally ruining the economy. Surrounding towns rallied by sending food. William Prescott, who later commanded at Bunker Hill, wrote: "Our forefathers passed the vast Atlantic, spent their blood and treasure, that they might enjoy their liberties, both civil and religious, and transmit them to their posterity... Now if we should give them up, can our children rise up and call us blessed?" Upon hearing of the Boston Port Act, Thomas Jefferson drafted a Day of Fasting & Prayer resolution, which was introduced in the Virginia House of Burgesses by Robert Carter Nicholas, May 24, 1774, being supported by Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee and George Mason. It passed unanimously! The King's appointed Royal Governor, Lord Dunmore, was so upset by this Day of Fasting & Prayer resolution that two days later he dissolved Virginia's House of Burgesses castigating them for calling on God instead of the King. Virginia's colonial leaders led by George Washington immediately went down the street and gathered in Raleigh Tavern, where they recommitted themselves to the resolution and they voted to form a Continental Congress. On the day of the appointed fast, June 1, 1774, George Washington wrote in his diary: “Went to church, fasted all day.” This was the first recommendation of a General Congress by any public assembly, though it had been previously proposed in town meetings at New York and Boston. A resolution to the same effect was passed in the Assembly of Massachusetts before it was aware of the proceedings of the Virginia Legislature. The measure recommended met with prompt acceptance throughout the colonies, and the fifth day of September next ensuing was fixed upon for the meeting of the first Congress, which was to be held at Philadelphia. This effort culminated in an historic gathering on September 7^th 1774 at Carpenters hall in Philadelphia where the meeting began with the reading of Psalm 35 and prayer led by Rev. Jacob Duch’e the Pastor of Christ’s Church.

In 1775, the Continental Congress asked the colonies to join in prayer, seeking wisdom as they faced the responsibility and opportunity of building a new nation. As leaders of that young nation assembled in 1787 to craft a Constitution, Benjamin Franklin implored the framer’s to pray for guidance, famously declaring, “The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men.” Decades later, during a time of national turmoil, President John Adams declared “a day of solemn humiliation, fasting and prayer,” asking citizens of all faiths to pray for America’s protection from danger. Later, as civil war tore our young country apart, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of national fasting and prayer, saying “It behooves us ... to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray to the God that made us.” During World War II, with our troops locked in battle on the beaches of France, President Franklin D. Roosevelt led the nation in prayer, “As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.” You see, a national day of prayer and fasting is not a new and novel concept, in fact it’s principle can be found in the scriptures beckoning us to trust in the one who made us. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” And you know what really challenges me each and every time I read that verse? It’s that God’s intention in this promise can only be realized when I being a part of God’s people respond in obedience. As we remember and observe another National Day of Prayer may we be found trusting in and relying upon the God who has not only blessed us in the past but who wants to bless us again today. Allow me to close with the last verse of the Star Spangled Banner, “Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”  …Amen

 "Rev Duch'e praying at the first Continental  Congress September 1774"

 

"Francis Scott Key"

 

 

DEAR GOD, WHY DANDELIONS?

As you read my writings you come to know that I am a Pastor, hence a believer in Jesus Christ. So it stands to reason that I am also a firm believer in the Genesis account of creation and that fact being established I firmly believe that God created each and everything that was and is and ever will be…AMEN. And furthermore let it be stated for the record that I believe in the absolute wisdom of God and that His ways are higher than ours, His ways are better than ours and His design is perfect. But I have to admit that I have recently questioned God’s handiwork. It’s one of those things that you think of, especially this time of the year. One of those things, I just don’t understand. DANDELIONS! WHY DANDELIONS? Most everything else makes sense to me. The unique animal kingdom, the vast and beautiful landscapes He has placed before us. Even people, make sense some of the time. BUT DANDELIONS? WHAT’S UP WITH THAT? Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), also known as lion’s tooth, puffball, blowball, and monk’s head, is a major problem in turf, ornamental plantings, meadows, pastures, and alfalfa. The Dandelion was introduced from Europe and has been used as a potherb and medicinal plant since Roman times. It has a high vitamin and mineral content. Mature leaves are often dried and used to make a mild tea. Roots are often used to make stronger tea or dried and used for various medicinal purposes including a mild diuretic. Salads, and wine are also made from the leaves and flowers. YUCK! Two days ago I mowed, trimmed and manicured my yard for the third time this year…… and now THEY’RE BACK! So as I begin to wallow in my dilemma, different scriptures begin to spring up in my mind. Verses such as  “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting”.  Or, “Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds; lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled.” Warnings about seeds fit well here don’t you think?

Here’s a verse though that I found in 2 Corinthians chapter 9, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” Could it be that these questionable creations of God can teach us a lesson or two about our faith? Think with me here. First notice that these darling little fellows have very deep roots. Remember the old Scott’s commercial that has the guy pulling a Dandelion up in his front yard and the roots reaches all the way to where a Chinese man is pulling on the other end? Deep spiritual roots in fact are a trait of a solid believer in Christ. How about this, there are always more of those yellow blooming critters there than you think? Christians have been categorized in the past few years as a fading breed. But in fact today around the world Christianity is growing to an incredible number. Let me tell ya, there are more than you think and certainly more than you will hear about on the nightly news.

Here are a few more things we can learn from this colorful little plant. One is a truth for living and the other is a cold hard fact. First the truth for living. I don’t know of another posy that more proudly displays its colors and spreads it’s influence than the good old Dandelion! One day the yard is plush and green, the next day you are blinded by a brilliant yellow glow, and after the bloom has faded, it still isn’t over. The dainty white puffballs wonderfully form at the top of each stem only to be moved by the wind to spread their powerful message throughout the world around them. Christians should stand out where the Lord has planted them brightening up the world around them every day, as well as displaying a willingness to be led of God to spread the message they possess within them to their sphere of influence. Sounds almost like an evangelistic program doesn’t it? No I’m not loosing my grip on reality, I’m just trying to come to grips with this little botanical wonder my heavenly father has created. Lastly now the cold hard fact that grows more apparent every day. Just as dandelions have become the arch enemy of every lawn groomsmen of our day so is the tide of popular opinion often found swinging an unfavorable direction when it comes to Christianity. I will admit there have been a few goofballs and knot heads who have claimed a relationship with Jesus Christ and have made quite a mockery of Christianity. But the truth also remains that there is a countless number of true Christ followers who are blooming and re seeding the world today. So blossom and grow!

 

 

TREASURES UNSEEN

Seeing as this is my first stroll down Grandpa lane I felt a keen sense of obligation to purchase my darling little granddaughter a new wagon because if for no other reason, every child needs a wagon. So in taking this obligation seriously I began to consider the issue of safety and the need for said wagon to provide as much protection as possible for the precious cargo it would carry. Hey, you never know when a little tykes coupe will come barreling around the corner of the house! So with that in mind I realized that ordinary department store wagons just wouldn’t do. I needed to go to the next level, I’m talking the Home Improvement warehouse level! They don’t call me Tim the tool man for nothing! I soon found myself sitting in a parking lot searching and sorting through the many used, slightly used and unused gift cards stored in the console of my Malibu. Upon entering the store I soon found the cream of the crop. A fancy little number that any professional landscaper would love to have in their arsenal of yard implements. Overkill maybe, but hey I had a gift card! So I strolled up to the counter and whipped out my trusty gift card. Now this particular card was given to me by friends a year or more ago and I had even forgotten that I had it! Not remembering how much it was worth or if it was even still valid I handed it to the cashier and braced myself for the dreaded balance due. But wait, not only was there enough on the card for the wagon but there was $24.00 and some odd cents left. It was a $100.00 card and I had forgotten it was even there! Well Kairi loves her new wagon, papaw loves pulling her around in it and to top it all off I still have some money left to spend! Maybe my wife could use a new shovel, uh, never mind. The point is I had a treasure I didn’t even know I had. Now that reminds me of an old song written years ago by a sweet lady by the name of Ann Ballard. The chorus goes like this, “BUT OH ITS NOT WHAT YOU SEE, THAT MAKES ME A KING, MAKES ME A KING. FOR TO ME I'VE EVERYTHING, ALL THAT I NEED, ALL THAT I NEED, I'VE TREASURES UNSEEN.” The scriptures remind us that “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Oh what treasures God has in store for us. Unfortunately we sometimes overlook or even forget they are there!

 

Unless you subscribe to The Atlanta Journal Constitution, you probably missed the story that was in the May 17, 1987 edition. A rock hound named Rob Cutshaw owns a little roadside shop outside Andrews, North Carolina. Like many in the trade, he hunts for rocks, and then sells them to collectors or jewelry makers. He knows enough about rocks to decide which to pick up and sell, but he's no expert. He leaves the appraising of his rocks to other people. As much as he enjoys the work, it doesn't always pay the bills. While on a dig many years ago, Rob found a rock he described as "purdy and big." He tried unsuccessfully to sell the specimen, and according to the Constitution, kept the rock under his bed or in his closet. He guessed the blue chunk could bring as much as $500 dollars, but he would have taken less if something urgent came up like paying his power bill. That's how close Rob came to hawking for a few hundred dollars what turned out to be the largest, most valuable sapphire ever found. The blue rock that Rob had abandoned to the darkness of a closet is now known as "The Star of David" sapphire which weighs nearly a pound, and could easily sell for $2.75 million. Boy that beats my $100.00 gift card any day!

Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” History records that the body of David Livingstone was buried in England where he was born, but his heart was buried in the Africa he loved. At the foot of a tall tree in a small African village the natives dug a hole and placed in it the heart of this man who they loved and respected. If your heart were to be buried in the place you loved most during life, where would it be? In your bank or at the office? Where is your heart? Or better yet, where’s your treasure?

 

 

 

WHY DIDN’T THEY EAT THE DAFFODILLS?

If I got my love of antiques from my Grandpa Henson, my mom’s father, I certainly inherited my love for flowers from my dad’s father. My Grandpa Cecil loved flowers and so do I. Lilies of all shapes and sorts as well as blooming trees and shrubs permeate my landscape. This brings me to an episode from late last summer as I sat on my porch swing sipping coffee with my sweet wife. I remember hearing, I know this sounds crazy, I remember hearing crunching! I mean crunching like Bugs Bunny chewing on a carrot kind of crunching. And what’s really crazy is that it was coming from one of my flowerbeds! I had noticed my breathtaking Hosta’s which blanketed the ground under our bay window looking a bit different. More mulch, or was it less Hosta’s? What’s up doc? As we watched the beautiful broad leaves wiggle and disappear it became apparent that a subterranean critter of some sort was enhancing their diet by adding my gorgeous Hosta leaves to their dining fare. I was convinced that we were probably victims of a visit from a adorable little ground mole. All I could think of at the time was “Why don’t they eat the daffodils?” They were more plenteous and for some reason at the moment I was willing to sacrifice all my daffodils for my beautiful Hosta’s! I have tried every goofball "remedy" and tried every half-baked idea to rid myself of these little pests. Such as, thorny rose branches, broken glass, red pepper, bleach, mothballs, human hair, WD-40, noisemakers, and even various poisons! Dealing unsuccessfully with ground moles is one thing, dealing unsuccessfully with sin is quite another.

In the letter that Paul wrote to the Ephesians church we find this reminder, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Did you happen to catch what Paul was saying? When we come to faith in Jesus Christ it is not because of anything that we can do. It is by faith and not by works. You know, that seems to go against everything that our culture teaches us doesn’t it? From the time we are young we are taught to strive and work to achieve, but when it comes to accepting Jesus Christ as our personal savior, working just don’t get it. We have to come to him by faith. Oh we can try it on our own, but the sin problem can never be fixed by us. It has to be fixed by Him. I remember the stories and sermons that I have read by the great Uncle Buddy Robinson, a Nazarene evangelist from years past. In one particular sermon he used an illustration about the Moth and Sin and I think it would fit nicely right about now. Uncle Buddy would go into detail and describe the things that sin and the moth have in common. For example, a moth works noiselessly. Have you ever heard a moth chewing on that favorite sweater of yours? Probably not, and sin is the same way. It doesn’t announce its presence, but quietly and noiselessly it works away destroying the life that it feeds on. Secondly, the moth doesn’t care how precious a garment is to you. In fact it will devour the most costly and sentimental item without regard for its value. So does sin destroy the lives and testimonies of those it can infect. But here’s where it gets good, Uncle Buddy would always remind everyone that a moth cannot work on a garment that is being worn. And so sin cannot dominate a life that is wholly devoted to Christ. So let me ask you today, has the sin problem been handled in your life? Or is sin handling you? Is there anything that is eating away at your life or experience with Christ? Trust in a remedy that never fails, Jesus Christ.

 

"Before the underground assault!"

 

HIS VIEW OF YOU

I divert this week from my normal humorous approach to writing in honor of the sacredness of the season. For millions of Christ followers around the globe this coming week is the crux of who we are and how we are defined. Holy week allows us to journey together once again along the path that our Lord and Savior took purposefully on his way to Golgotha’s brow where he would give his life, a ransom for all mankind. What makes this week special to many and to myself as well is the final journey into Jerusalem, what we call the triumphal entry. Luke records it this way, “And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest… And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.”

The news travels from one person to another, until finally when Jesus was ready to enter the city, great crowds had collected on both sides of the road. Excitement prevailed throughout the whole city and as Jesus rode in he saw many faces. Perhaps Bartimaeus was there, a man who had received his sight, no longer in his beggar’s rags. How about Zacchaeus? He had paid back his debt to society, & had made his peace with God. And the lepers, their skin had been cleansed & now they were rejoicing for the healing that the Lord had given them. Maybe Jairus’ daughter was there, back to life again after experiencing death. Lazarus & Mary & Martha & Mary Magdalene, they were all there! Their lives reflected the love that was in their hearts for this man who had taught them, molded them and changed them. I imagine that Peter walked with chest expanded enjoying the throngs & the cheers of the crowd maybe with one hand on his sword just in case something went wrong thinking to himself, "Maybe it was worth it to leave the fishing nets & boats after all." Jesus knew that just over the horizon was the cross, looming like a monster ready to consume Him. But Luke tells us that in spite of it all, Jesus still "...set His face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem."

          I wonder what He finds when He looks into our faces?  Does He see people concerned about many things? About income taxes, about job security, about health, or lack of it? Does He see people who are so busy doing things, so busy that they never bother to consider those things that are eternally important? Does he see people who recognize Him for who He is? You see, that day he wept because they missed Him. Oh they saw him with their eyes alright, but they missed seeing him as Messiah. How could anyone miss Jesus you say? A headline today caught my eye, Atheists sue Pennsylvania for declaring 2012 'Year of the Bible' A national atheist and agnostic group is suing Pennsylvania lawmakers for passing a resolution that declares 2012 as "The Year of the Bible." MyFOXphilly reports the Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a federal lawsuit on Monday arguing that the Pennsylvania House's declaration is unconstitutional. The resolution, which was authored by State Rep. Rick Saccone, passed unanimously in January. The lawsuit names Saccone as one of three plaintiffs, and claims the resolution is tantamount to the state endorsing "state-sponsored religion." They also claim to take issue with content in the Bible, including "violent, sexist and racist models of behavior that FFRF members find personally repugnant." "(This content) potentially could encourage persons who rely on them to act in a manner harmful to them and others," the lawsuit claims. Saccone has said the resolution is meant to recognize the impact the Bible has had on the U.S. and on the state, and does not inhibit anyone from believing or not believing in any faith. "Most citizens don’t remember that a joint session of Congress passed a similar resolution signed by President Ronald Reagan on February 3, 1983, declaring that year as the Year of the Bible in America," When Jesus turns & looks into our faces, into our lives, into our world, what does He see and how does he feel? 

 

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

There have been times in my life when I have over looked the obvious causing discomfort, missed opportunity and perhaps even pain. A coffee table to the shin, OUCH! Missing the expiration date on my driver’s license, EXPENSIVE! Leaving my car window down overnight, and it rains! EEWH! You get the idea, and I suppose all of us have missed a signal or two from the third base coaches box in our lives, but there is still that lingering frustrated feeling that sticks in that area between the ears reminding you that I could have had a, well you fill in the blank. I had one of those “I could have had a V-8” moments while in Kansas City for a series of meetings. I arrived at the hotel late on Thursday evening, tossed my luggage on the floor and sat on the bed, only to find myself sitting on one of the hardest beds I had ever landed on. My workbench back home would have been more inviting I believe. It was late and I was tired so I gave it that old college try and toughed it out. Seven hours, or seven rounds later the mattress was declared the winner as the circles under my eyes could attest. A busy day of meetings and then back to the hotel for a rematch. This time I decided to use all the comfort items provided me in the room and put them to work. The comforter, pillows, anything soft would do as the rematch began. A little better sleep perhaps but in the end the bed would take the rematch. Saturday morning dawned and after admitting defeat once again I saw it. At first I thought to myself, this couldn’t be, there is no way I missed this. Oh, on so many levels this is embarrassing! There on the floor beside the bed laid the control to the sleep number bed I had been wrestling with for the past two nights! As two lost nights of restful sleep vanished before my eyes I was reminded that there are worse things to loose than a little rest.

          Listen to Jesus words just outside of Jerusalem on his last visit to that city, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” I hope that you can sense the gravity of these words. Jesus has just been welcomed into the city by a robust and noisy crowd that would quickly loose their enthusiasm. They would turn on him and the record of what would happen next is preserved for us in the Gospel accounts. What is heartbreaking in this tearful account is the fact that Jesus came to this people with their best interests in His heart, because of love for them, because He wanted the Fathers best for them and yet they would miss who He is entirely. Awaiting them was grace, peace and eternal life and yet they missed who He was and why He came, and it broke His heart. Still today His heart breaks for those who miss who He is and why He came.

History tells us that Queen Mary of England made it her practice to visit Scotland every year. She was so loved by the people there that she often mingled with them freely without a protective escort. While walking with some children one afternoon, she went farther than she had planned. Dark clouds came up unexpectedly, so she stopped at a nearby house to borrow an umbrella. “If you will lend me one,” she said to the lady who answered the door, “I will send it back to you tomorrow.” The woman didn’t recognize the Queen and was reluctant to give this stranger her best umbrella. So she handed her one that she intended to throw away. The fabric was torn in several places and one of the ribs was broken. The next day another knock was heard at the door. When the woman opened it, a royal guard who was holding her old tattered umbrella greeted her. “The Queen sent me,” he said. “She asked me to thank you for loaning her this.” For a moment the woman was stunned, then she burst into tears. “Oh, what an opportunity I missed,” she cried. “I didn’t give the Queen my very best!” Royalty came to earth and mankind looked the other way. The King of Kings reaches out to every man in love yet the responsibility of the response falls to the individual. Loosing a good nights sleep is a shame, loosing a soul is unthinkable and the added anguish is this, "It doesn’t have to happen!" Grace and forgiveness is closer to you today and much more valuable. Look around and find the grace that is available to you! Don’t miss your opportunity. 

 

A WAY WITH WORDS

A few years ago I found myself in Augusta Maine where I was speaking at a Pastors event. Upon arrival some of the attendees remarked that I looked nothing like the Tim Throckmorton they knew who just happened to be a local sportscaster in Bangor. So I asked the audience, “who do I look like?” One dear sweet lady spoke up and said, you look like Mike Douglas but you talk like Jimmy Dean! And I thought they talked funny!   Sometimes it’s not the accent, but the reality that in different parts of our beautiful country words can mean different things. According to the soon-to-be-published final volume of the Dictionary of American Regional English, words are a many splendid thing. For Example, in Wisconsin a bubbler is a drinking fountain, in Tennessee and Kentucky a dry-land fish is an edible mushroom. Heavy rains can be categorized as toad stranglers in the deep south, fence-lifters in the Ozarks and duck drowners. Also what you call a carbonated soft drink, whether soda, pop or coke, provides a clue about where you grew up. I just love words don’t you?

I am told that of the over 800,000 words in the English language. 300,000 are technical terms. The average person knows 10,000 words and uses 5,000 in everyday speech. A journalist knows approximately 15,000 and uses around 10,000. That leaves a lot of words that never see the light of day. Words however are very important. Listen to this story. Professional golfer Tommy Bolt was playing in Los Angeles and had a caddy with a reputation of constant chatter. Before they teed off, Bolt told him, "Don't say a word to me. And if I ask you something, just answer yes or no." During the round, Bolt found the ball next to a tree, where he had to hit under a branch, over a lake and onto the green. He got down on his knees and looked through the trees and sized up the shot. "What do you think?" he asked the caddy. "Five-iron?" 
"No, Mr. Bolt," the caddy said. 
"What do you mean, not a five-iron?" Bolt snorted. 
 "Watch this shot." 
The caddy rolled his eyes. "No-o-o, Mr. Bolt." But Bolt hit it and the ball stopped about two feet from the hole. He turned to his caddy, handed him the five-iron and said, "Now what do you think about that? You can talk now." "Mr. Bolt," the caddy said, "that wasn't your ball."  You see, words are important.

God used words to create. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters he called Seas: and God saw that it was good.” Over and over in this first chapter of the Bible we are told that “God said”, and boy when God said, things happened! But did you notice it was all good?

Located toward the end of the book of John we find these words,  “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” God wonderfully inserts in his book, for all of us to hear, the intention behind all that is written. That we might have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our words hold great significance. What we do with them, how we use them, what we say and how we say it. But perhaps more important are the words of God. What we do with them, how we use them and how we respond to what God says. A businessman well known for his ruthlessness once announced to writer Mark Twain, "Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the 10 Commandments aloud at the top." "I have a better idea," replied Twain. "You could stay at home and keep them." What are you doing with God’s word today?

 

WHAT JUDAS KISSED GOODBYE

If you travel to the battlefield of Saratoga in New York where in 1777 two battles of the Revolutionary War took place. You will notice on that battlefield an obelisk or pillar standing as a monument to what happened there. At the base are four deep niches for the bronze figures of the generals who fought there so heroically. The first contains the figure of Horatio Gates while the second contains that of Philip Schuyler. In the third niche we see the figure of Daniel Morgan, but when we come to the fourth we see something unusual. The fourth niche is empty. This one was for a general whose performance during battle merited honor. However, he later committed an act of treason and his name became associated with being a traitor rather than a hero. Yet at the base of that empty niche, we can see the name of this general engraved in the stone. His name is Benedict Arnold, and that niche will stand forever as a monument of one who went from heroism to treason. Now to Judas. One might have said, why Judas, Keep your eyes on that one. In fact, after the brilliant uprising for independence of 164 BC that was led by Judas Maccabeus, the name Judas bristled with rugged heroism. Judas was the only selection of the disciples who would have made sense to many onlookers. After all, he had a good business sense about him. He was energetic, very involved, who could imagine he had any ulterior motives? Listen to Matthews account, “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.” As we absorb this story there are some lessons that stand out clearly. For example, Association with Godliness is no guarantee that we will become Godly. Now don’t get me wrong, joining and attending a church is healthy. However associating with the church will not nourish the soul any more than merely sitting at a table in a restaurant will nourish a body. Also we see that Moral corruption in secret is deadlier than visible corruption. No cancer is deadlier than the one that goes undetected. 

Thirdly, Satan and his demons are looking for any opportunity to work against the Church. This is why Peter warned, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walked about, seeking whom he may devour:” Never forget, when the devil is done, he destroys his tools. No sorrow can compare to the remorse of one who discovers too late he’s misunderstood Jesus and His Love. Matthew records for us…“And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”

So with all that said, what did Judas kiss goodbye? First off, Judas kissed goodbye the best friend he could have ever had. You just think you’ve got friends. The best friend you can find in this world could inevitably let you down. But in contrast, Jesus is a friend that will stick closer than any brother you can have. Someone said a friend is someone who really knows you and still likes you. The truth is Jesus really knows you, and he really loves you. Don’t kiss that friendship goodbye. Notice also that Judas kissed goodbye his only hope. Just what was Judas motivation anyway? Money, an alliance with Rome, A little nest egg for the future?  Lets me ask you, what is your motivation today? Lastly, Judas kissed his eternity with God goodbye. Many are doing this today, all around the world. And some are doing it with a kiss, with affection. Today I would like to challenge each of us to take a step back and ask ourselves the question. Am I endanger of kissing anything goodbye? No matter who you are, you need a friend, you need hope, and you need the Lord! Don’t kiss him goodbye.