Boggs Unplugged

Life Ain't Fair

2009-04-16T12:10:00.003-04:00

Just a thought after a long hiatus...

There are so many people crying out for equality now days. The reality is that, equality is simply impossible! People are not created equally when it comes to their talents and abilities. We are only equal on the basis of the value of our humanity. All of these people groups that are trying to establish equality for everybody should adopt a philosophy that embraces fairness rather than equality. What many of these people are doing is compared to my efforts to be competitive with Michael Jordan in a dunk contest. There's just no way that I will ever be his equal! There's no way to create equality in that contest! It would be fair however, to allow me to enter the contest. That way I could be judged on my own skill, and he on his.(I know that would strike MJ's heart with FEAR!) The point is this, I shouldn't expect restrictions for him. Neither should I expect concessions for me. What I should expect is to be judged on the basis of my abilities to compete in that arena. And if that's the case, it is clear that I don't belong in that arena.

I will probably return to this later. But if all you are looking for is equality, you need to know,"Life Ain't Fair!"

Those Kids Are Crazy!

2009-02-02T10:25:00.003-05:00

Crazy Kids! I went to a youth conference this past weekend with some of the teens from BST. I had a wonderful time! We had good meetings, fellowship, and skiing. Even though I am still a kid at heart, my body reminded me several times that I am now far removed from being considered young. There were almost three thousand teens and youth workers gathered there in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The time there this weekend reaffirmed some things that I already thought.

> The youth of today are no different than any other when it comes to their desire to belong and have good friends. They love to be together.

>The youth of today are more radical about their faith than any other that I've had any association with. They are very comfortable with their identity as "Jesus Freaks."

>The youth of today are more passionate about what they believe than any that I've seen. They are not ashamed to express their great love for God, and the things of his Kingdom.

There is an opinion out there that pretty much relegates this post-modern generation of kids to a damned future. But before you put them all in a "hand-basket" on the way to hell, you may need to spend some time with them and find out what they are really all about. They are radicals for Jesus! "Those Kids Are Crazy," In the most wonderful of ways!

Disappointed

2009-01-20T09:58:00.007-05:00

Word was... it may snow. But it didn't happen! After all the build-up from earlier forecast, disappointment settles in once again. You may not understand what I'm talking about, unless you're one of those who live in the south and love to see snow come to our area. What started as a forecast of 1-3 inches of the white stuff, turned out to be a few flakes that amounted to the dust blown around in heavy traffic. Nothing! Nothing, but another disappointment for the snow lovers! I've gotten use to the feeling. The weathermen never seem to get it right when trying to forecast winter precipitation around here. The big build-up usually turns into a big let-down. Crushed! Torn! Heart-broken! Traumatised! OK, I may be over-doing it a little! But I love the snow, and it is disappointing!

I've learned that disappointment is lessened to some degree, if I lower my expectations. I try not to expect too much from things and people because they will, at some time, not meet my expectations. If the prognosticators are predicting a great season for my favorite football team, then maybe I should adjust my expectations a little less than the best outcome. If the weatherman forecasts 3 inches of snow, then maybe I should just be happy with a few flakes. I can lower the expectations on those things and people that are out of my control. That will lighten the blow a little.

The only problem with that approach, is that it can lead to a real losers mentality, if it is applied to everything in life. Especially when it comes to people. I will create a world that is filled with doubt and pessimism about everybody. Here are the people that are excluded from the Low-expectations club:

1)The people I really know. These are the people I've been close enough to, to see the potential in their lives. These are the ones that should be held to the standard of their God-given potential. High Expectations for you!

2)The people I've invested in. These are the people that I've given my time, energy, resources, etc.. These are expected to produce great returns. Not returns to me, but life in general. High expectations for you!

3)The people I look at in the mirror every day. ME! I should live with high expectations for my own life on a daily basis. Nobody knows what is in me any more so than I do! I know what God has done in my life. I should expect the best effort, the best attitude, the best outlook, the best productivity, etc. and so on and so on..... You get the picture? I know I will miss the mark somewhere along the way. But at least it will be unexpected to some degree! And nobody will be any more disappointed with me, than ME! High Expectations for me too!

I don't won't to live life with such low expectations that I never place any demands on my life or anyone else. That may soften the blow of life's disapponintments, but it will assure me of a life of under-achieving. And man...that would be a real disappointment!

Meanwhile...Let it SNOW!!

What A Wonderful Life

2009-01-13T11:24:00.002-05:00

I sometimes think something is wrong with me!! Am I the only one? I think the world around me sometimes lives with 3-D glasses. People make life much more difficult than it has to be. Seems like much effort goes into complicating life, when in reality it's meant to be much simpler. And simpler usually means happier! Here's some things that I think help keep it simple.

>Be Content. Find satisfaction in the job you have now. Look for the good in your husband/wife. Put an air freshener(new-car scented) in the old car you are driving. Be satisfied with the side of the fence that you find yourself at this time of your life.

>Be Consistent. Stop chasing every little fad that comes along. Stop changing your mind with every new philosophy that Oprah or Dr. Phil is pumping into the mainstream. Every new idea that comes along is not the ideal for your life.

>Be Considerate. Consider the other person before you consider your own. Think of the needs of others before you set out to satisfy your own. Put others before you. Live your life to better someone else's!

It's easy for any of us to get caught up in the disarray of our day. Life at it's simplest can get crazy sometime! But I'd rather live without all the self-induced complications. It really is a Wonderful Life!

PUMPED!!!

2009-01-06T14:27:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year! 2009 - It's hard to believe! Who would have ever thunk we would have made it this far? This time in history seemed so far away just a couple of decades ago. Some of you may remember the 80's pop song by Prince - "1999". Here we are, going on 10 years after the catastrophic entry into the new millennium. Remember Y2k? It was chaos, right? Not even a glitch!

The new year always brings us to a place of fresh starts. Another opportunity to do the things that you didn't get done last year. I truly hope that is a reality for your future, and not just another empty resolution. For some reason I am filled with excitement and anticipation as we start into the new year. With all of the doom and gloom that is being pumped into the conscious of our world through the media, you would think that there is nothing to be excited about. I can't really explain why I'm pumped about what's ahead, but I am!

Maybe it's because I'm just an eternal optimist. I am just the kind of guy that sees the glass as always being half-full. Nope!

Maybe it's because I'm so smart that I've got everything figured out. Even if the whole thing comes apart, and life as we know it changes forever. I don't think so!

Or, maybe it's because I have the right contacts that keep me up on the latest events, and I have the resources to confront whatever comes next. Wrong again!

I think the answer is really too simple! I am in relationship with the God of all the universe! And if he is with me, then what do I have to worry about? If He is on my side, then what do I have to be afraid of? What? You tell me what can rise up and take on my God, and have a "snowball's chance in hell?"

No wonder I'm so PUMPED!

Wannabe a "Want To"

2008-11-26T11:15:00.005-05:00

Man I love this time of year! In our part of the world, the cold, crisp weather is certainly a bonus to the holiday celebrations. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to spend a couple of days in neutral, before the high gear of the Christmas celebration kicks in. Surely you have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for my family. It is so easy to take for granted those that are closest to us. Take time to let your family know how grateful you are for them during this time.

I'm thankful for my friends. I've heard it said that you can count your real friends on one hand. The longer I live, the more I think this is true. Try to count your friends this Thanksgiving, and if possible, show them some gratitude for their friendship.

I'm thankful for the people who "want to." I know everybody can't be my "friend." But I have really grown appreciative of the people that are allowed to cross my path who truly have the "want to." They "want to" live life to the full. They "want to" live a life that makes a difference. They "want to" be a breathe of fresh air in a truly stifling world. They "want to" infect their world with an attitude that is encouraging and uplifting. They "want to" give back to the people of their world, not just take all the time. If you are a wannabe of the "want to's" then I'm thankful for you on this Thanksgiving Day!

Problems

2008-11-20T13:22:00.002-05:00

Bare with me. I'm having

some problems

with posting my blogs.

No More 'Mr. Niceguy' - 2

2008-10-21T14:01:00.008-04:00

I have had problems posting over the last month. Excuse the delay. Please read my last blog, if you haven't already, before reading this one.

Now, back to the subject of a college football coach. I have several thoughts as to why Tommy Bowden didn't get the job done at Clemson. You may care less about the subject in mind here, but I believe some of these thoughts are applicable to any walk of life. I'm expressing these only as a matter of opinion, so take it for what it's worth in terms of validity. But this is why I think he didn't reach his potential. So here goes!

1)He got comfortable. I think anybody can come to a place in life where they are simply satisfied with their state of existence. When that happens the, desire and hunger for improvement can be found lacking. Progress becomes a thing of the past. They become fat, settled, and satisfied! That's where a lot of people live.

2)He played safe. There are so many people who try to live life without taking risk. Those are the people that will never reach the potential that God has placed within them. You will have to get out of the boat if you're ever going to walk on water. But it will be risky!

3)Maybe He was too Nice. God never called Christians to just be "nice". Now don't take me wrong. Neither did he call us to be rude, crude, mean, and obnoxious. But, I think there are times that our actions may not be perceived as "nice". Just ask the money changers in the temple if they thought Jesus was nice that day he cleaned out the courtyard(See Mark 11).

I believe Tommy Bowden is a great man! Maybe he's just too nice to be a college football coach. We need more men like him! Maybe his next gig will be much better for him. But for now, it's "So long... Mr. Niceguy."

No more 'Mr. Niceguy'

2008-10-14T17:12:00.006-04:00

If you have read the blog before, you probably have picked up that I am a fan of the Clemson Tigers. Yesterday was a day that all tiger fans were either delighted, sad, or found themselves somewhere in between. Tommy Bowden, the head football coach for the last ten years, resigned from that position under heavy pressure from a disgruntled fan base. He has to take a severance package of only 3.5 million dollars. I don't know how he will make it on that meager income.

Maybe we should consider a food pounding for him next week?

I'm surely not trying to serve as the reporter for what is old news to most of you. But I do want to get something off of my chest concerning some of the comments and mindsets that I've observed over the last couple of weeks when it comes to people's opinion of a college football program and the fate of its coach.

First, is the thought that is out there that just because Tommy is a devout Christian, he probably can't be successful in a dog eat dog world like college football. Boy, what a slap in the face of any Christian who knows that God has called us to more than just attending a religious church service once or twice a week! That kind of thinking comes from the perception that Christians are supposed to be "soft." Milk-toast, pansy Christians. Well if you have that perception, then maybe you need to go back and study the life of Christianity's founder, Jesus Christ. You will find out that he was anything but "soft" or weak! He was a Man among Men, who had the strength to give his life for the world in an agonizing torturous death, even when he didn't have to. Tommy's Christian life had nothing to do with his inability to win a stupid football game.

Second, is the thought, even among Christians, that Tommy had his priorities out of order. He has made it clear over the last few years that he believed his calling was to help shape and form the lives of the young men that he had the privilege to coach in football. Man, what a noble concept! And for that, he has been criticized. What would happen if every Christian embraced that concept? Disciples maybe? That should be the heart-beat of every Christian! It's pathetic that Christians would find fault in a person using the platform that God has given him to influence another person with the character and virtue of his Christianty!

I do have my opinions as to some of the reasoning why this coach did not achieve the success that was necessary in this arena of our culture. I'll share those on the next blog! I think it may be of value to you even if you could care less about this whole scenario.

But for me, this is one way for me to say good-bye to "Mr. Niceguy!"

Catching Up

2008-10-07T15:19:00.003-04:00

I would like to think that there are plenty of you that have been lost without the blog. Maybe I would be surprised? But here we are again, with time passing by so quickly that it's hard to believe it is October. I love this time of the year! The cooler weather, along with hunting and football, is wonderful.

Here's my take on a couple of things:

1)The presidential election that is coming up is a really intriguing thing. The two most mentioned names, when it comes to the candidates, are Obamah and Palin. You would think that she is the presidential nominee. The choice that you make, come the first Tuesday in November, could have long lasting effects on the moral status of the USA, considering the possibility of replacing four Chief Justices over the next four to eight years. My hope is that believers will vote according to morality rather than their pocketbooks. Do I believe that one candidate has stronger convictions than the other when it comes to morality? PLEASE!!!!!!!

2)The economy in our nation is really at a critical point. We are truly facing crisis on this front, that has not been experienced in our land in the majority of our lifetimes. This could be the best of times and the worst of times all together. We are so pampered in America. It may be best for us in the long run if we have to cut back on some of the conveniences of our time. I know it would be an awful thing to have to be without, say ... cellphones. But believe it or not, we did survive without them. I'm not in any way trying to make light of a grim outlook. It's just that we could do with a lot less than we are used to.

"Shoot! I remember when we had to walk to school, in the snow, uphill - both ways, backwards, and in the dark!"

Maybe it's not so bad after all!

Manage Yourself

2008-08-28T09:37:00.005-04:00

I don't do this very often, but I thought it may be good to go back and pull some notes from the sermon this past Sunday. I have been in a series dealing with each persons struggle to become all that God intends for them to become. You can pick up the scripture basis from chapters 3 & 4 in the Gospel of Luke. I believe it is critical for a person to manage the life that they are given if they are going to reach their full potential. I'm sure that I picked all of these up from some of my reading, or listening to a sermon on my ipod. So hopefully this will help you Manage Yourself.

1)Manage your Emotions. Feelings will fool you. Stop allowing your emotions to dictate your life!

2)Manage your Time. Try to maintain some semblance of a schedule. You have 10,080 minutes in every week. Use them efficiently!

3)Manage your Priorities. Your priorities will determine how you spend your resources. Evaluate!

4)Manage your Energy. Make sure you are not spending your energy on things that are not a priority. You are not the Energizer Bunny!

5)Manage your Thinking. Don't allow clutter in your thought processes. Think on the good things!

6)Manage your Words. The power of death and life is bound up in your words. Be careful of what you say!

7)Manage your Personal Life. Take care of proper relationships. Value the people God has given you!

Managing your life is a full-time job. But if you will work at it, the progress you make will serve as a great reward. So get to it - "Mr. Manager!"

44...

2008-08-21T09:31:00.003-04:00

I had a birthday last week. I turned 44. I guess I fall into the middle-age category for sure now. I've never had a birthday bother me like this one. There's just something about those two 4's standing together that makes me feel like I'm supposed to be really "grown-up" now. I have maintained that I would love to always be a kid at heart. The reality is that as I think about 44, I recognize once again how fast life is passing by. You can't help but think about where you are in life, and all that you hope to still accomplish. I know it's not like I'm about to 'kick the bucket' or anything, but I do think about how near I am to receiving my invitation to be a part of AARP. Good Grief! Can you say midlife crisis?
My kids are growing up, my hair is getting grayer, and the letters are printed with poor quality in most everything I try to read(I am sure it is not a need for reading glasses; it is the poor job of printing nowadays.). Lots of things change as you move through life.
With the changes comes different challenges. Getting older is not nearly as bad as some people try to make it sound. Think about it. Baby sitters are not always required for me to have some time with my wonderful wife. With the gray, God seems to send more wisdom. And the bad printing thing, it just makes me more aware of our need to improve on the quality of American Made products(DON'T laugh at my denial). No, with age comes some of the finer things in life, and I hope to experience as many of those things as possible. 44 feels better already!

I'm Back!!!

2008-08-14T17:14:00.003-04:00

I'm Back!! To all the regular readers, sorry for the absence. To all of you who show up periodically, Hello again. To all the newcomers, where have you been?
I hope all of you have had a great summer. As always our summer was pretty hectic with different events, mission trips, baseball, and everything else. Our family had a great vacation at Myrtle Beach. We are finally far enough along that we know how to go and relax. Maybe that has a lot to do with the kids being older, and not being so demanding. We usually take a couple of weeks to simply do nothing except play in the sand, swim, and my specialty, eat! It's a great time to recuperate from the grind of real life.
But with the end of the summer comes a return to the norm of a routine of daily living. That's something that really becomes more of a longing as the new school year begins. I'm not one that just wants to get the kids back in school so they will be "out of our hair," but it does allow for us to operate on more of a regular schedule.
Hopefully you are in a place that you are geared up and ready to roll into the last third of the year. You know as well as I do that we will be singing Christmas carols before we know it. So set your course for the next few months. Get ready to move forward into the opportunities of the coming days. Make sure you are not settling into a rut, but a progressive routine. We'll finish 2008 out with a bang together! Let's Go!

Hot as Hell?

2008-07-09T17:16:00.003-04:00

I overheard a guy make the comment that I'm sure you've probably heard at some time or another; "Man, it is hot as hell!" - Really? You Think?
Probably not!
I know that summertime in the south can be right uncomfortable, but I think he may have been exaggerating a little. Or, he just might have been using the phrase as a 'form of speech,' but, it brings me to a point. What do people think about hell? Do they even believe that such a place exist? I don't mean to break out a "fire and brimstone" on you here, but I hope you will consider the thought. According to the Bible, these things have to be embraced as truth.

1)Hell is a real place. It was prepared for the Devil and his fallen comrades, not for man.
2)Hell is a place of eternal torment. Enough said!
3)Hell is a place of separation. Separation from God and all who you've ever known!
4)Hell is a place that you don't want to go! You can tell me to go there as much as you like! I'm not going!!!!

If you don't believe what the Bible says about this awful place, then you might as well mark the whole book up as a lie. But what it says is true! And just as true as what it says about hell, is the truth about heaven. That's the place you want to be! The only way to go, is to believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, and is the only way to heaven. Just ask him to forgive you and he'll welcome you in!
Otherwise you better hope what the guy said is true, and that it really is " ...hot as hell..." now. But, I'm afraid he was probably off a few thousand degrees!

Live Bullets

2008-06-17T13:39:00.003-04:00

Last night the baseball team, that I coach and that my son plays for, had what was called a "scrimmage." Only thing is, is that everybody else that showed up prepared for more of a real game. This is an "All-Star" team from the city league, so I guess I should have known better! The fans came out, the parents and grandparents were at their stations, the other team was in their full array. But, I wasn't ready. Therefore, our team was not really ready to face the live bullets, they were about to face. I showed up for a "gun-fight" with a pocket knife! The worst part about it was the effect it had on our team's confidence. I'm sure today they feel less than they really are. It's my job to make sure that they know better, and not allow the debacle to define who they really are.
That is what life is like many times. We allow the low points along life's way to define who we are, as well as determine our potential. The reality is that nothing could be further from the truth! Those low points are exactly that, "low points." You can not allow those points in life to become your ceiling!
Your worst performance can't nullify your best performance.
Your worst day can't keep you from your best day.
Your worst moment can't delay your greatest moment.
More than likely you will find yourself fully involved in a battle that you were just not ready for, sometime in the near future. One where they're using live bullets. You may find yourself beaten down pretty bad. But try to remember, you can still win the war!

Easy Street

2008-06-03T09:08:00.005-04:00

So, you want to take the easy way out? That's the normal response for the majority of people. It's just our nature to take the route that will lead to the "smoothest" ride through life. Avoiding as many of the challenges of life as possible. The only problem with that is, that way may not be the best way. And, it may not even lead you out! It may lead you deeper into the mess you're trying to get out of. I'm certainly not saying that is always the case. We can over-complicate matters at times. But there may be times that require you to go "over the river, and through the woods," instead of the smooth way that we all prefer. The Quick-fix might not be the Best-fix!

Here are some thoughts that may keep you from always jumping on what seems to be the easiest way out.

1)If your mess has been created over a long period of time(months, years, decades), then don't fool yourself into thinking that you can work your way out of it overnight. If you "worked" long and hard to get into the mess, you may have to commit the same effort to get out!

2)Remember that resistance will make you strong. The challenges that are being confronted in your life will grow you in the long run.

3)If your "way out" is to good to be true, it better be GOD! He has a way of working the miraculous in our lives everyday. Just make sure you're not taking the route that is simply appealing to the desire for "easy."

The Quick-fix will always be attractive. But it is usually not the route that leads you back to Easy Street!

Up-side Down

2008-05-27T16:37:00.000-04:00

How many times do we find ouselves living life at the mad pace of the world around us. We exist to consume as much as possible in our allotted time. Living life for ourselves has seemingly become the norm. Even in the "church" this mindset has gripped most of the "faithful."

I would like to challenge you to live life in a different mode. A life that is opposite of the trend that we see established in almost every arena of society. Can you live life "up-side down?" A life that goes against the grain of this selfish, self-indulging culture that we are caught in. A life that gives and not simply takes!

>Be a "lover" not a "hater." The world is full of "haters." Let love take over in your dealings with others.
>Be a Jesus-Freak. Really try to live your life by his example. Let his life be the example that you try to mimick in every detail.
>Be dependable. Regardless of where you find your life intersecting with others, be the one they can depend on. That's hard to find nowadays.
>Be Strong. Live by what you believe, not by what is accepted. The world needs to see somebody that lives by conviction.
>Be courageous. Step into some impossible situations and watch how God may use you. You'll never know until you try.

You may freak some people out when you try to live this kind of life. It would be a great thing today, to be accused of turning your world "up-side down!" Because it's obvious that "right-side up" is just not working.

"Stupid"

2008-05-20T16:25:00.004-04:00

Good Gosh! Somebody help me! The more I listen to the media and politicians these days, the more I think that there has been an infectious germ that some evil terrorists have released in the atmosphere. It causes an awful desease that's symptoms are becomming more and more evident in the society today. The dreaded desease is known as "stupid." There are "stupid" outbreaks everywhere you turn! There is an evident shortage of the common cure for this desease - 'common sense.'
You really see the affects of this disease in areas concerning things like:
>Same-sex marriage - Give me a break! Some parts are simply not compatible. Never were, never will be! Wake up people! I love you even if you are caught up in this lifestyle. But, it is still wrong, and a sign of "stupid" if you think it's not!

>Global Warming - Over the last 100 years, the earth's temperature has increased approximately 1 degree fareinheight. Could that possibly be the results of a geological cycle? I wonder how those temperatures would compare to 200 years ago? We do need to be better stewards of the earth's resources. But, most of us are being "Gored" with information that is not totally accurate. "Stupid!"

>Gun Control - Let's make sure that we get the guns out of the hands of people that will use them to kill another person. I'm sure that would deture the murderer from breaking the law by having a gun in his possession illegally. Get a brain! If a person is disturbed enough to kill another person, what would keep him from breaking gun-control laws? Take some 'common sense' for your "stupid" outbreak if you believe that.

>Relativism - The idea that truth is relative only to the context of an individual is a sure indicator that "stupid" is really eating you alive. If you believe that, then my "truth" is that if you are hit in the head with a hammer, that feeling is not really pain? You wanna try it? "Stupid."

There are so many more examples that could be used. Hopefully you get the point! Blog is a little long already.
I realize that most of you who read this blog have the same ideals as I do. I would ask that you maybe share this blog with someone who don't. Maybe we can get a handle on this epidemic of "Stupid." It will at least provoke the thought.

Better Off!

2008-05-15T15:58:00.003-04:00

When I consider all the arenas of life and society that I'm involved with, I have to ask the question, "Are any of them in better condition at my departure than when I arrived?" Are they Better Off because I have been there? Is the place and the people in better shape than what I found them?

We can all float through life and never really consider this idea. I would rather like to consider it, hoping that the world will somehow be a better place when I'm finished here. My life may seem to be a very small thing in the scope of all humanity, but I want it to be as "big" as possible.

I believe that has to be intentional on my part. I don't believe in the notion that "whatever will be, will be." I believe that there is a Great God, with a great plan for my life. Yet, I have to make a decision to be a part of that plan. I can go off and do my own thing! God will not stop me from carrying out my own will. He will send 'stop' signs along the way, but I can continue in the same direction, even if it is a dead-end road.

God allows me to cooperate with his will for my life. But that is really up to me. All of us have a purpose in life. Discovering that purpose can seem complicated at times. But, if and when that happens, you can be sure that the world will be Better Off because of it!

Control Freaks - Part II

2008-05-08T15:46:00.002-04:00

You see people who think it is their place in life to keep everybody else in line. Those are the people that can't be trusted with their own freedom. Usually they know, that within themselves they would abuse the freedom that others enjoy. In other words, they can't trust themselves! They just can't handle too much freedom. Take Fidel Castro or Saddam Husein for instance. Their abuses as evil dictators, reveal why they went to such great extremes to keep others oppressed and under control. They assumed that anyone who was granted the same freedom would use it as they did - to abuse others. The only freedom that a Control Freak will endorse is his own. I don't want to be a Control Freak.

These ideas Help Me:
- Never use my freedoms for gain, at the expense of others.
- Mind my business - I don't "need" to know everything anyway.
- Be responsible, regardless of what others do.
- Trust others with their freedom.
- If you are in charge of others, try not to micro-manage.

A famous man once said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Surely this would apply to all Control Freaks.

Control Freaks

2008-05-06T09:44:00.005-04:00

Sunday was a Great Day for Beech Springs Tabernacle! We honored our Pastoral Staff. Thank God for the people who have heard the call and given themselves to ministry in this capacity. We are blessed with some great people!

Sunday morning's message brought attention to the fact that we are called to maturity as believers. One of the marks of maturity for anyone, is revealed when a person has freedom and can manage it without causing harm to himself or others. We have to realize that we are granted freedom in this walk with God. Freedom comes with a great responsibility. Freedom comes at a price! That price was the life of Jesus Christ.

With that freedom, you are released from a life of control. God does not want to control your life, he wants you to be free! Free from religion, sin, bondage, addictions, etc.. He wants you to lovingly serve and obey him and his plan for your life. He will not try to force you into a life that you are not willing to live. Yet, there are people who insist on a life that is based on a "have-to" mentality, where their relationship with God is based on what they "have-to" do, instead of what they "get-to" do. I have to realize that God has given me the opportunity to serve and follow him. I "get-to," I don't "have-to." People who never come to this resolve, never know the freedom of the life that we can have in Jesus Christ. And since they never know that freedom, they never want anybody else to experience it either. They become Control Freaks! They want to be controlled, and they want to control everybody else.

If Jesus doesn't want to control you, then why should I?

More to come with next blog!

No 2nd's Please

2008-04-22T15:41:00.002-04:00

Last week after The Masters Golf Tournament, I happened to catch a replay of an interview that the media was doing with Tiger Woods. In that interview, he responded to a question about his feelings about not winning the tournament with this statement: "Well I didn't show up for this tournament to finish second." It was almost as if he wanted to make sure that everybody knew that he was not satisfied with anything other than a first place finish. It made me wonder how many times people settle for seconds when they were wired for first. I understand that everyone can't finish first place every time. But, do we come to the place that we are satisfied with less than the best for every arena of our lives? If so, we settle for second! Let this thought reach beyond athletics or sports. Tiger Woods is probably the best golfer in the world. But, I am the best Daddy for my children. The best husband for my wife. The best friend to my friends. Nobody can do those things as good as me. Because nobody is as good at being me as I am! Being the BEST looks like this:

B - Become! Become all that you have the potential to Be.
E - Expect! Expect greatness from your life every day.
S - Stretch! Stretch beyond your perceived limitations.
T - Try! Put out your greatest effort in all that you do.

Giving life your BEST leaves you with no regrets! Anything less than that will always leave you with regret and all the seconds in life. I've heard it said that another way to describe "second place" is "first loser." No 2nds Please!

Here She Comes Again

2008-04-14T15:02:00.001-04:00

To all my fellow Americans - Be advised, "Here she comes again!" Hillary has served two terms in the White House, and now she's bidding for another. I have no party affiliation, and no other political agendas than to elect people on the basis of their stand with moral issues as defined by Judeo-Christian truth in the Bible. Make no mistake about it, Hillary does not hold to the moral values that are found in the scripture. She's pro-choice, which means that she is supportive of the continued slaughter of unborn children. She supports same-sex marriage, which is the perversion of the most sacred institution within the human race, the family. Anyone who promotes these issues can not be considered legitimate in their public stance as an individual of genuine "Christian Faith." How can anyone who professes a belief in the Bible of Christianity, support these types of agendas? If you are so stuck to a "party" affiliation, that you as a believer can still support these types of candidates, you need to get your head out of your behind!

No, I'm not a Republican, a Democrat, or some right wing Independent of sorts. I'm a Christian! I've been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ! I do not believe that is a tag that I wear that gives me the right or the reason to "look down my nose" at the rest of the world. But, I do think that it should weigh heavy on my beliefs. And what I believe should affect how I behave. Even in the Voting Booth!

Keep Growing

2008-04-08T15:40:00.006-04:00

I spent several days last week in classes and seminars. I feel like there's always something to learn - always room to grow! Life is really about a continual learning process. The prophet Isaiah said, "...learn to do well."(Isa. 1:17) People learn and grow by a variety of methods.

>Intellectually - Some people don't like to put themselves in an environment where they are not the most knowledgeable in the crowd. Hang out with some people who know more than you do, about the subject you are in pursuit of.

>Experience - Place yourself in a position to experience life at a different dimension. There are times that your experiences will far outweigh your education.

>Resistance - The challenges of your life will many times become the most fertile ground for your growth and progress.

>Refusal - There must be a conscience decision made that says, "I refuse to settle and remain where I am right now!"

I believe the moment you decide to stay where you are, and stop growing and learning, is the moment you choose to give up on your destiny. That can happen when you're 15, 27, or 45! Or, you can still find progress being made when you're 45, 65, or 85! The choice is really up to you. But, I challenge you...KEEP GROWING!

Easter - WOW!

2008-03-25T16:00:00.005-04:00

I'm glad "He did it!" I'm glad he was willing to die for me, but even more so that he defeated death for me. Jesus is alive! I'm so glad!

Sunday was incredible! We went over the 600 mark(officially) in attendance for the first time at BST. Above that, there were close to thirty people that responded to receiving Jesus as their
Savior. Man, you talk about what fires me up - that's what I'm talkin'bout! Thirty people walked into the building Sunday morning, nervous and hell-bound. And, in less than an hour and a-half, they were new-born believers on their way to Heaven!

#$&% on the Devil! He can't stop the folks that you've prayed for and plead with from coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ! We serve a God that has made it clear, that it is his intention to save every person who will simply call on him. We are living in a great time! There are so many opportunities for us to reach out to a lost world. I've tried to train my kids to believe that whatever arena they find themselves in, they are the light of Jesus Christ!

I challenge you to step up to the plate and be used of God in the manner that he desires. Live out Easter every day! He lives and so can you! Live to the MAX! WOW!

He Did It!

2008-03-20T13:34:00.008-04:00

It's hard to believe that it is time to celebrate the Easter Holiday. Time is flying by! It seems it was only a couple of weeks ago that the kids were returning to school from their Christmas break.

Yet here we are on the eve of Good Friday, remembering the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us. When you think about the events of those final days, that Jesus had to live through, it really makes you consider the reality of our skewed perception of "sacrifice." In our society, there's just not much of that - "sacrifice." It will be required if we are to reach our life's mission.

What might that "sacrifice" look like?
1)Denial - You will have to deny yourself the pleasures to self. What feels good may not be right.
2)Discomfort - It is easy for any of us to settle in what is comfortable.
3)Loss - You will incur some loss in order to gain what is before you.
4)Rejection - People that you think would never walk away, will.
5)Pain - Not the kind that you feel on the surface.
6)Loneliness - You may find yourself in a place where no one else can go.

You may remember that Jesus prayed, "Father if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; Nevertheless...". He was willing to face whatever was necessary to complete the mission. It is difficult for anybody to face the suffering that may be required in a place of sacrifice. I'm glad HE DID IT!

Mission Accomplished

2008-03-12T09:24:00.003-04:00

We are in the process of trying to get our house ready to place on the market to sell. If I have to do all of the painting it may never be ready! I hate to paint! I would rather take a beating! I did paint a couple of closet doors the other day, and they looked good. But, it took like 67 hours; or it felt like it anyway. The tedious process of painting is just a pain in the backside to me! Maybe I'll finish some day, or maybe someone will buy 'as-is.'

Most of us would probably agree to the fact that we admire a person who knows how to "finish the job." That tells us that this particular person is able to resist the temptation of giving up. I've often stated that it is alright to feel like giving up, if you simply just "don't."

As a matter-of-fact, you will find out you are keeping pretty good company in that group that "feels like" giving up.(Moses,Elijah, shoot even Spider-man and Daniel Boone.) Everybody feels like throwing in the towel every once-in-a-while. People give up on jobs, marriages, children, dreams, hopes,etc. nowadays.

Yet there are those that face the resistance, the trials, the troubles, and the processes, and still press through to the finish line. They accomplish the mission that is before them. They Finish Well!

Hey, I still hate painting, but I intend to see this project through to completion. Or until a buyer comes along that likes to paint. Either way the mission is to sell the place. Do you like to paint?

Mission Accomplished!

The Mission (continued)

2008-03-07T16:42:00.002-05:00

Most of us are still trying to figure out our mission at 22, 32, or even 42. At the young age of 12, Jesus had a distinct knowledge of the purpose for his life. That is an idea that is selling in bookstores by the millions today. But, maybe the discovery of our life's mission or purpose is not as complex as we seem to make it. Here are a few things that stand out about Jesus at this time in his young life.
You may want to refer to this passage: Luke 2:39-52.
He found favor. He lived within the realm of God's grace for his life. Many times we strive to find our life's purpose outside of what we've been graced for. That only leads to frustration.
He asked questions. One of the keys to discovering your mission/purpose in life is asking the right questions. Not only did he ask the questions, he listened to the answers. Now there's a thought!
He was affirmed in his Greatness. Those around him were "astonished." They recognized his wisdom and gifted-ness while he was still young. You may feel you have nothing to do with this aspect of your life. But I would encourage you to find a place and a people, that will recognize and celebrate your potential.
He was subject. Even though he was the son of God, he subjected himself to his earthly parents. Affirmation without submission to the authorities in your life lead only to an ego trip. The pat on the back may need to be a PAT on the butt every once in a while.

You have a purpose in life. The process of discovery may be a little more difficult for some. But, don't live another day without a sense of finding The Mission for your life!

The Mission

2008-03-05T12:51:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the absence from the blog over the last week. I would have never dreamed that I would find myself frustrated because I lacked the time to write for the blogs. I used to hate writing, but now I look forward to the time that I have to do this.

Last night I participated in the baseball draft for the local recreation department. My son, Eric Jr., will be playing for the 12 & under division,and I'm one of those baseball Dads that helps with coaching the little-leaguers. The "draft" can be right stressful at times when it comes to trying to decide the fate of the kids that will be a part of your baseball life for the next 3 to 4 months. You go into the draft with your list of prospective players that you would like to have on your team.

But, you can be sure of one thing, by the end of the first round of picks, your list is shot! Your dreams for those kids and their baseball destiny is over! All of the teaching and fundamentals long forgotten for those you missed on! (I know this is overly dramatic, but let me wax on brother!) Come'on, a 12 year old and their "baseball destiny." Get Real! A lot of these kids will never play baseball again in their future. Maybe, and I stress maybe, a small percentage of the whole league will play beyond their high-school days. In spite of the wild hopes and dreams of many of us baseball dads, that think our kids will one day be Major-leaguers, baseball is simply not part of their mission!

But with that thought, think about a 12 year old kid who had a clear understanding of his life and it's purpose. He understood his life would be one filled with adversity, challenges, and rejection. At 12 he realized The Mission. His name - JESUS!

Luke 2:49 - And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?"

Married Life

2008-02-21T10:43:00.004-05:00

I love being married! Gena and I hitched up on August 16, 1986. After 21 years of being married to the same woman, I can still say the institution marriage is a wonderful thing. I'm crazy about this wife of mine! I hear people from all walks of life(even Christians) degrade marriage. What a shame that their experience with this relationship has caused them to see their marriage as a bad thing. We celebrated ValentinesDay(The Lover's Holiday) last week. I hope you married folks had something to celebrate. Here are some ideas that may keep the celebration going.

>Make the Effort. Spend the time, energy, and money that you spent during the dating years. It's amazing how little effort is given to marriage.

>Keep the Romance. Practice your Love relationship. Hold hands, hug, kiss, etc.. You loved those things while you were Courting your spouse. Why did you stop?

>Protect the Union. Never allow anything to separate you from this treasured relationship. Busyness, temptations, work, even 'the kids,' can have a way of driving a wedge between you. The marriage relationship must be the priority of your life, just below your relationship with God.

If you want to see a picture of a 'Red-hot' marriage, there's a book you might want to read. The title of the book is "Song of Solomon." It is actually a sub-section of another book called "The Holy Bible." Surprised! You may find that book has a lot to say about Married Life.

Ridiculous!!

2008-02-19T23:27:00.005-05:00

I don't mean to just go crazy and rant, but I simply can't believe the federal government is taking it's time and our resources to investigate the use of steroids in Major League Baseball. Unbelievable! The last few days we have read in the papers and watched the TV news cover the investigation that was led initially by what is referred to as the "Mitchell Report." From what I have heard, "Mitchell" is retired from office in the House of Representatives. Yet we see now an official "committee" made up of active House members. My question is, "Do they not have more important items of national and international concern, than their inquiry as to whether or not Roger Clemens used steroids?" PLEASE!!!!! This is ridiculous, and needs to be addressed! I'm not in any way saying that the use of illegal drugs should be tolerated in any fashion. But what I am saying is that with all of the major issues going on in our world today, what does the U.S. House of Representative have to do with this? This is another clear indicator of the terrible imbalance that seems to pervade in our society. Multi-millionaires who dictate the "News" of the day, and the spending of tax dollars simply because they are screw-ups. Please tell me there are more important issues than this.
What can you do? You can voice your opinion to your representatives. Call your representatives and senators and let them know that you are outraged at the idea of federal representatives spending resources on such ridiculous issues. You can find the phone numbers of your elected officials in the "Blue Pages" of the phone book. Let them know - "This is Ridiculous!!!"

Core Values

2008-02-14T17:52:00.003-05:00

For today's Blog, I introduce John Chasteen, a guest writer. John is a Leadership Coach from Oklahoma. I think you'll find his work challenging and inspiring. Here's a link to his blog if you would like to check it out after reading this article:http://www.blogger.com/www.heycoachjohn.com. My next post should be out tomorrow. I'm going to be venting a little, so be warned!

Core values are essential to keeping your life on track
Core Values – everybody has them. As a matter of fact, we all live by them either consciously or subconsciously. They really are the driving force behind our lives.

Many of our core values do not originate from ourselves; they were given to us by others. I guess you could call them hand-me down values. Of course, others you formed as you navigated through life.

So you might be asking,” how does one define a value?” I define a value as “a distinctive set of core beliefs by which one measures his or her priorities in life.”

Values are an essential part in keeping one’s life on track. When we clarify our values, we begin to lay down a plumb line for all our decisions. They help us to navigate as we face future crossroads in our life.

Do you want to find your values? Here are a couple of quick ways to help you get started in discovering your core values and help you hammer them into a values statement:

1. Your values will always show up in the form of patterns in your life

Author and speaker Doug Fike says, “Life’s patterns are what values look like when lived out”. A pattern is something you are consistently doing because you have a certain value.
If you can discern patterns that crop up in your life, whether good or bad, then you can begin to understand the underlying values behind them.
Start with a list of patterns that seem to define your life.
2. Oftentimes your values can be described in short, simple one or two word phrases

For instance, notice the following short word phrases and see if you can see a values pattern: “Spirit-filled and led, intimacy with God, quiet time, prayer.” These are a few of the short phrases that I use to describe my values on Spiritual life.

Now, take any category like marriage, personal development, or family for example, and begin to jot down phrases, images, or a short series of words to describe the way you feel about it. In reality, these are your values.

Keep working on them, refining and rephrasing them for a more defined set of core values.

Conclusion:
I suggest you practice the above exercises in ten key areas of your life; they are as follows:
1. Spiritual life
2. Marriage/single life
3. Family and children
4. Work
5. Church and ministry
6. Financial stewardship
7. Physical stewardship
8. Personal development
9. Social stewardship
10.Recreation and hobbies
If you would like to see my set of core values in these areas, click on the “about” section in the upper left hand corner of this blog.
"Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life". Solomon - Prov. 4:23 NLT
Hope this helps!

Coach John

Works Cited: Doug Fike, Life Focus Resources, Transformational Leadership Coaching, 2005

Be Still

2008-02-11T10:26:00.002-05:00

I remember as a young child, there were many times I found my seat beside Mama on the front pew of the Church. As you know, boys will be boys, and I sure fit the bill. I struggled with being as still as the requirements called for in a chuch meeting. I had "ants in my pants," and if I couldn't settle down enough to get a little shut-eye while my Daddy was preaching, I usually invited the "wrath of Mama" sometime during the Church service. There were times that a trip outside was required where we would carry out our 'Hickory Dance' ritual(I always hated a switch!). But usually correction came with what I call, a 'twist-a-pinch', after I refused the warning to "Be Still!". Just in case you don't know what a 'twist-a-pinch' is, that's when you pinch a little piece of flesh and twist at the same time. I know - I was abused!(Truth is, I - just like most of you - probably needed a few more 'twist-a-pinches' in my time.) It was hard - and still is - to Be Still! Yet there are times when it is necessary. Why?
1>It's Safe! Too many times we find ourselves acting on our own without God. We are prone to get anxious, especially in difficult times, and get out of step with God. Remember, if you decide to step out there on your own, you are "on your own!" (Boy, that's Deep stuff, ha!)
2> It's Best! Remember when Moses is standing at the Red Sea, with the Egyptian army right on his tail. Moses said to to the people "...be still and see the salvation of the Lord."(Exodus 14) It was the Best option!
3>It's a Guarantee! When I can allow things to be set in God's hands and timing, I will always come out on the winning side.
For those of us that are a 'Type A', aggresive type disposition, Being Still is one of the most difficult things that we will ever do. I've screwed up so many things by acting on my own. Yet as I have maybe mellowed a little in life, I find that one of the greatest actions that I can take is the act of Being Still.
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."

"My Right to Privacy"

2008-02-04T17:27:00.000-05:00

Continuing with some thoughts on the last blog, "A Public Character," I wanted to suggest some of my thoughts and helps in maintaining a proper private life. We all face the urge to "let things go" sometime. I challenge you to take these steps to strengthen your private life.
Live with a certain degree of transparency. We live such private lives in today's society. No wonder it is easy to cover our character flaws. No one is allowed "inside" anymore. Open the door to your life to others. If I have nothing to hide, then why hide?
Find someone to keep you accountable. I'm not talking about a personal support group that acknowledges like flaws. I'm talking about someone who will 'bust your butt' when you get out of line.
Realize that your private conduct ultimately affects my kids. I hear people make the comment - "what I do in the privacy of my own home does not affect anybody but me!" That's Bull! What you do in the privacy of your own home eventually walks out the door with you or your kids into the public sectar where my kids live. No one "lives to themselves."
Stop justifying your actions. One reason people live different lives in private is this sense of entitlement. They feel justified in the oversights and indulgences that they entertain in their private life. They "work hard" and they "pay the price" in public and feel they deserve a recourse in the privacy of their own lives.

I realize that we are in a complex society that has placed so many demands on our lives that there are neccessary outlets. Yet those outlets can not be allowed to influence our character or conduct. I write this blog from the perspective of my own personal battles and challenges, recognizing there are limitations on my "Right to Privacy."

A "Public Character"

2008-01-31T09:56:00.000-05:00

A few years ago, unbeknownst to most people, President Bill Clinton passed a new notion along to the people of this nation, especially our nation's youth. What was that new notion you ask? The notion that a person can seperate his private life from his public life. His affair with Monica Lewinski became the focal point of the media and the source of every commedians jokes. And while we all laughed at the jokes, a subtle change was taking place. Now, its almost as if a new mindset has been established concerning this issue in our culture. One that says, "as long as you can play the part in the public, what happens in private really doesn't matter." What foolishness!! What is happening in private will ultimately determine what happens in public! So in other words, your private life affects others. No one lives "to themselves." The true character of a person is defined in the confines of privacy. The place that no one can observe the conduct or actions of a person. Yet we are observed. How?
>God Sees! The Bible reminds us that there is nothing hidden from God. That means your thoughts, motives, how you treat your family, what you watch on TV, what you read, etc.. God Sees it all.
>People See! Jesus taught us that the sins that are committed in private will be shouted from the housetop - Or CNN, ABC, FOX, or the local news! Just ask Bill if you don't believe it.
>You See! It's almost impossible to hide from yourself. The closest thing to that is the worst kind of deception - It's called self-deception.
I will continue with this thought in my next blog. But, may we all recognize the need to live a private life that we're not afraid of having exposed. Your private life matters. It will ultimately determine your "Public Character."

Simple

2008-01-28T15:43:00.000-05:00

It is amazing as to how the Church is perceived as the "food bank" in our society today. I, for one, believe that the government has had to intervene in acts of benevolence, that the Church should be taking care of. According to an article on ChristianityToday.com, the Christians in America kept 143 billion dollars in the the tithe(1/10 of an individuals income) to themselves last year. Enough money to feed every hungry person in the world right now. Just imagine the tax cuts that our government would be able to allow if the Church could take that 143b and create a legitimate "welfare" system.

If I were in charge of that system, here's a few guidelines that would be introduced.
1)Provide for the Orphans. The children must be a priority. Take care of the children who have been subject to the loss of their parents.
2)Provide for the Widow/Widower. Take care of those who are not capable of pursuing an income. Honor and respect the elderly.
3)Provide for Single Parents. Make resources available to them such as childcare, continuing education, job training, etc.. Empower them to rise above poverty, and have a healthier self -image. What an example for the kids too?
*Warning - The next three guidelines are a little more extreme. If you are a mamby-pamby, just..."love everybody and be nice" person, STOP reading now!
4)Starve the Lazy. The Apostle Paul told the Christians at Thessolinica "...If you don't work...You don't eat!" Seems fair to me!
5)Get Rid of the Infidels. If there are parents that refuse to try to provide for their children, then away with them!
6)Work'em. That's right! Put those lazy rascals in a work camp and let them earn their keep. Just imagine how clean our highways and towns could be if we provided the employees to do the work through the "No Work-No Food" camps.

Almost a perfect system, ha? You may think that I am being a little over-simplistic, but don't we complicate things anyway! Many of our world's problems have very simple solutions. You see how easy it is to solve the problem with welfare. All it would take is to get every American Christian to start tithing. How Simple is That?

Crash!!

2008-01-23T13:18:00.000-05:00

Crash! It happened once, can it happen again? The crash of the stock market that led to the era known as The Great Depression. They called it "Black Tuesday" - October 29, 1929 - the day the market hit the lowest point in its history. With what has happened this week with the stock market, you can't help but wonder if something like those events are in the near future. Most of you take note of the market in your retirement funds or something like a 401k. That's where it makes the most sense to those of us that are not experts in the stock market. Just "Show me the money!" Who cares about points, The Dow Jones, etc.? The "account balance" is the indicator of how the market is fairing. (It would probably be good, in your health's best interest, to not check the balance this week.) With this in mind let me ask, what would you do if our economy collapsed, and life as we know it in America, changed in a 24 hour span? Hard to imagine, but a conceivable reality!

Here are some things that I must consider with this reality.
Life is Fragile. Life can change without a moments notice. Remember 9/11 and how our lives were interrupted by the terrorists that day. If you have ever been through personal tragedy, you know exactly what I mean when I say "life is fragile." One phone call can change your life forever. There are no guarantees to what tomorrow may bring.
Trust. In whom have I placed my trust? It's easy to say we trust God in the abundance that we enjoy in this great nation. I hope that I could trust Him like Job, when everything is lost. My trust can not be in money or the things that make me comfortable.
Perspective. God help me to live life with an eternal perspective. When I live only for the here and now, the pressure and anxiety can be overwhelming. God is always working for my eternal good.

If you don't know me personally, you may think I'm a real pessimist - Which is the furthest thing from the truth! I'm not getting ready to write "The Late Great Planet Earth" - Vol.2. But, I am a realist, and only God knows what the future holds. I hope we all live into a "...happily ever after...". But, if things do go "CRASH!!", with God on my side, everything will be alright!

For Goodness-sake!

2008-01-18T16:05:00.000-05:00

I heard a startling statistic the other day. Only about 15 million of the over 60 million Evangelical Christians in the United States voted in the 2006 elections. That is actually less than 25% of the total. You may be asking - "What is an evangelical Christian?". Without getting into the beliefs or the factors that may determine that, let me say that group includes most every protestant denomination, and ones with like doctrines, in the USA. Probably 95% of the Christians that you know fall into that group. That is a sad turnout of people who supposedly believe that Jesus is the hope of this world. Just for comparison with a people-group that would fall on the opposite end of the spectrum of Evangelical Christians, the Gay community turned to vote to the tune of 92% in those same elections in 2006. No wonder the politicians listen to them so much. Here are some suggestions for you that are not voting.
1)Go VOTE! Get registered if you are not already. It's as easy as going to your county offices and signing up. Get your butt out there and VOTE.
2)Vote Morals! Vote for candidates who vote right on moral issues according to the Bible. That's right - The Bible - It's the standard for what is right and wrong. Stop listening to the media outlets, look at the candidates voting records and vote accordingly.
3)SHUT-UP! That's right, Shut-UP! If you are not taking your God-given responsibility to vote, then why complain about the politicians, the government, or taxes. You are allowing these things to happen if you do not vote.
4)Get Ready! There are major changes coming in this nation if people like you "non-voters" continue in your same old ways. Changes for the worse, so "get ready!"

If you are a voter, please share some of these thoughts with someone you know who doesn't vote. Maybe they have that "..what's the use..." mentality. Their vote does matter! Proverbs 29:2 says "...when the righteous rule, the people rejoice." I understand that there are no "saints" running for an office right now, but there are some candidates who vote right. I'm not asking you to try and elect the guy that you think will pad your pocket with some extra cash. I'm asking you to vote for righteousness, for goodness-sake!

Feeling Better

2008-01-15T23:07:00.000-05:00

I have been battling through some sickness over the past week. Nothing like living with "crud" in your lungs. I ran a fever several days, and man, talk about a wimp - Here is ONE! I can deal with most of the symptoms that come along with this kind of stuff, but if a fever comes along..."mama"....I'm a big baby! I'm sure many of you know exactly what I mean, whether you admit it or not. I'm sorry for the inactivity on the blog, but this stuff has been kicking my backside. This is what I have been doing to deal with this stuff.
>Keep on Keeping on...I don't know if this is the right thing to do or not, but I feel better if I can stick with my routine as much as possible. Again, this might not be the best road to recovery, but it works for me. Go ahead, stick your finger down your throat, you'll feel better!
>Walk well...I believe the word declares that we were healed when Jesus took stripes on his back for our infirmities. Does that mean you will always see the manifestation of your healing immediately? No. But you will never see your healing if you don't recognize that it has already been paid for.
>Get a Shot...Man, I didn't think they gave those "hip-bruisers" any more. But when the nurse came in with that needle and said "..bend over...", I gladly obliged! "Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights." That includes a good shot of medicine.
I hope none of you have to face any of this "junk." If you do, do what is best for you to get past it as quick as possible. I probably waited a little longer than I should have to seek a doctors help, but there are a lot of people that probably take off to the doctor too quick. Maybe I'll find the right balance one day. One thing for sure right now, I'm feeling better!

Resolute

2008-01-08T23:32:00.000-05:00

Well here we go! The first full week of the new year is the time to set all of the resolutions in place. Read more. Eat better. Exercise. Pray more. All good things that I need to do in the new year. Question is, will those things actually happen? Maybe? Here are some thoughts that help me in reaching resolutions or achieving goals.
1)Keep the long term in mind. We live in a 'drive-thru' world, and waiting is one of the most difficult things in the world for most of us. Patience is a virtue. Remember Galatians 6:9 - "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Don't Give up before your season arrives.
2)Don't let failure be your end. It is so easy to give up when we fail. If you do drop the ball along the way, pick it up and keep going. Resilience is a must in this thing called life. Your ability to get back up is key not only this year's resolutions, but in every area of life.
3)Will-power is not enough. What happens when it runs out? As much as we try to live with a mentality that says, "...roll up your shirt sleeves, and git-r-done...", will-power will run low! You will need strength from above. God's grace is sufficient for everything in your life. Look to him when you're running a little low on "will-power."
I hope that you are able to live into all of your new year's resolutions. If not fully, look for increase and improvement in those areas. Increase your knowledge of the word, lose a few pounds, improve your health-habits, grow in Christ, become a better parent, be a better spouse! All good ideas. Be RESOLUTE!

This Is It!

2008-01-02T14:52:00.000-05:00

'2008' - WOW! I thought Jesus' return would have already taken place by now. But, here we are, continuing in the work that he has called us to do. I remember back in the early 90's, I would stand and boldly proclaim the eminent return would take place before the end of the decade. I really believed that! The only problem is that either I was wrong, or we've all been "Left Behind". So here we are, entering the last third of the first decade of a new millennium. What should we do?
1)Seize the Day! We've been given another benchmark for life with the new year. Don't squander the opportunity that has been given. In Ephesians 5, the Apostle Paul encourages us to "... redeem the time, because the days are evil." Don't blow it!
2)Look for Open Doors! This could be the year that the "big break' that you've been waiting for is really about to happen. If the door opens, be ready to step in!
3)Live the unprecedented! Don't wait for the things that you can always relate to past experience. One of the greatest deterrents in life can be living with the safety net of precedent! God may want to do some things in your life for which there are no precedents.
4)Start and stay clean! "God's mercy is new every morning," according to Me and Jeremiah. (And believe me, We Know!) Realize that you can have a clean slate to work with in God's economy. Don't let the past hold you back!

Let's get after what God has for us in the New Year! Who knows what the next twelve months may have in store for us? Well, God does! But, he will allow us to go through the process of discovering it all. So here we go, full throttle into the New Year of 2008. In the word's of the old song by Kenny Loggins - "...This is it...make no mistake of where you are..." - Hard to believe, but true!

It Is What It Is!

2007-12-19T14:05:00.000-05:00

A group from our church went into one of South Carolina's maximum security prisons the other day, to minister to the inmates during the Christmas season. Because of the giving of the people here at Beech Springs, we were able to carry in gift bags and serve a meal to the guys as well. The appreciation that was shown from the inmates was very genuine and in some ways overwhelming. I could not help but think about those men and their situation, in comparison to my life. Here are a few things that may have made the difference between us.
1)Choices
One bad decision on their part could have resulted in a backlash of destructive life patterns. Smoking one joint, taking one drink, or engaging in one bad relationship could have started the down spiral. By the way, bad choices may not always pertain to drugs, alcohol, and wild friends.
2)Parents
How many of those guys were from broken homes? Maybe there were no parameters placed on their lives during the formidable years. I'm glad I had parents who would 'bust my butt' when they caught me stepping outside of those parameters.
3)Caught
Yes, Caught! A lot of you are just like me. I deserved some "time" for some of the things that I participated in. Don't take this to mean that I was some hardened criminal. I'm not a fugitive! I have had some dark days back there, and unlike some of those inmates, I never got caught.
4)Grace
If not for grace where would I be? Where would you be? God has blessed my life. He's given me so much that I never deserved! "To whom much is given, much is required."

You may not like to think of yourself as being so closely related to the "criminals."
But, It Is What It IS!

Don't Miss Christmas

2007-12-14T23:50:00.000-05:00

With all of the effort to be politically correct and non-offensive in the day we're living in, let me take a shot at being just the opposite. I've had my fill of this idea that the term "Christmas" may be offensive to some within our society. I realize, that for the greatest part, with the readers of this blog, there is a slim chance that the "offended" may show up here. But maybe this will give you a little room for mercy if you run into some of the crowd that scowls at the greeting, "Merry Christmas!"
There are plenty of people that miss the reason for the "holiday" season. They never stop to recognize the Christ of the Christmas celebration. But, if you read the story of the first Christmas, you will see there were many people who missed the first one! The reasons that they missed that first Christmas, are the same reasons people miss the celebration of Christmas today. Consider these:
1)Herod: He was too busy building his own kingdom to recognize another. How often do we focus on building our own empires instead of building up the Kingdom of God? How often do we do that even in the 'church world' today?
2)The Innkeeper: Business must have been booming during the time of the census. The innkeeper was so busy building his own riches that he failed to even recognize the riches that another had to offer. Who had time for a baby? How often do we fail to recognize the gift of the Christ child in the midst of all the 'booming business' that comes along with the Christmas season?
3)The Chief Priest and the Teachers: They were too busy perfecting their religion to discern the invitation to relationship. The Magi(Wise Men) even inquired of them as to the place that the messiah was to be born, yet there is no evidence the religious crowd set out to search with them. God sent his son to a manger so that we might have relationship with him. How often do we look AT the baby in the manger but look OVER the relationship that he longs to have with us?

You see how easy it can be to walk right past the manger, and never recognize the extraordinary event that is taking place. We do the same thing when we're caught up - too busy to disconnect with the rat race that we are in - to stop at the manger and worship the King. Jesus is there waiting for your full attention. Don't Miss Christmas!

Heroes Needed!

2007-12-11T17:03:00.000-05:00

Superman. Spiderman. Even Santa Clause! Everybody is looking for a hero. Do you know where to find one? In Hollywood? On Wall street? Maybe the Sports World? Any of the aforementioned arenas usually turn up nothing. Positive role models are hard to find there. What makes it even worse is the fact that most of the news that comes from those arenas is simply not "hero stuff." What about you, do you have the "stuff" that heroes are made of?
Jesus taught us what the "stuff" is.

1)Being right in the wrong. In a culture of twisted religion, Jesus spit in the face of the self-righteous, and welcomed the unloved, the unaccepted, and the unthinkable.
2)Small was Big. Jesus lowered himself to humanity, and became a "nothing" to become my "everything." Remember that the next time you're trying to be "something."
3)Life is Death. The Living had to die so that the Dying could live.
4)Giving Gains. Hold on to what you got and you'll lose everything you've got coming to you. Let it go, and get it all!

I realize that the terms may be a little vague, but think about it in the light of His life. Jesus is the ultimate Hero! Before you disqualify yourself from the possibility of stepping into that role -Hero - remember he said his disciples would do even greater things than he did. And, Lord knows, and I think you'll agree, there are some Heroes Needed!

That's Funny

2007-12-06T16:37:00.000-05:00

A joke for you. I hope you can laugh!

Drunk in the Rain
A man and his wife are awakened at 3 o'clock in the morning by a loud pounding on the door.
The man gets up and goes to the door, where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a push.
"Not a chance," says the husband, "it is 3 o'clock in the morning!"
He slams the door and returns to bed.
"Who was that?" asked his wife.
"Just some drunk guy asking for a push," he answers.
"Did you help him?" she asks.
"No, I did not - it's 3 o'clock in the morning and it is pouring out there!"
"Well, you have a short memory," says his wife.
Can't you remember about three months ago when we broke down, and those two guys helped us? I think you should help him, and you should be ashamed of yourself!" The man does as he is told, gets dressed, and goes out into the pounding rain. He calls out into the dark, "Hello, are you still there?"
"Yes" comes back the answer.
"Do you still need a push?", calls out the husband.
"Yes, please!" comes the reply from the dark.
"Where are you?" asks the husband.
"Over here on the swing!" replies the drunk.

Now that's funny! The Bible says that laughter is like taking medicine. It will cure what ails you. Laughter will do you good!
Sometimes it's hard to laugh in the world that we live in. True laughter is born out of a merry heart, and a merry heart is conceived when a man comes to know that God truly loves him. His love will help you laugh.

1-Laugh at yourself and all of your deficiencies. Everybody has them. Don't take yourself too seriously.
2-Laugh at others and all of their oddities. Go to the mall or someplace where people are in motion. Watch their mannerisms and expressions. Even God has to be amused.
3-Laugh at life and all of its comedies. There may be some situations that are humiliating at the moment, but if you will allow it, they will become some of the most hilarious moments of your life later.

Laugh out loud! It'll do you good.

Party...

2007-12-04T11:23:00.000-05:00

Party! Anybody old enough to remember Cool and the Gang's - Celebrate good times...come on! I love this time of year and all that comes with it. The decorations, the cold weather, and yes, all the partying. God's people should be the greatest at partying, the way I see it. If you read the Bible, you will see that the people of God knew how to celebrate. There were times that their feast would last for two weeks. We need to take from their example. Let's celebrate the greatest event that has ever taken place for humankind. It's Christmas!

Here are some of the ways my family and I will celebrate Christmas over the next few weeks.

1)Food! You had to know that one. There are some things that are only available for consumption during the Christmas Holidays. Bring on the Desserts!

2)Gather! We try to gather with family and friends as much as possible during the week between Christmas and New Years.

3)Chill! There are some days that you need to plan to not have a plan. Just hang out!

4)Give! It's a lot more fun to give than to get. Buying "surprise" gifts for someone is great!

5)Play! We love to play games and watch a funny movie during the holidays. I recommend Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation. PlayStation or Scrabble. And I will fight if I lose! I hate to lose!

I hope this gives you some ideas for celebrating with your friends and family, as you celebrate Jesus' and his arrival on planet earth.
Hey all you Christians out there, Let's Party!

"Followerable?"

2007-11-29T22:10:00.000-05:00

I thought I would do something that is not the norm for today's blog. Wednesday night I teach an adult Bible study in our church. From a practical standpoint, I thought that some of the stuff, from this past Wednesday, may be good for the readers.
In Ephesians 5:1, we are encouraged to "...therefore be followers of God." In some of the newer translations, it uses the word 'imitators' instead of 'followers'. In other words, we are called to imitate or mimic God - God copycats. We are to act just like God. Boy, that's a challenge! Before you throw in the towel and give up on that notion, look a little bit closer. The phrase "..be ye therefore..." carries with it, the necessity of a process. The statement could actually read like this: "So make sure you are continually in the process of becoming an imitator of God." Man, that helps me realize that I'm on my way to becoming more like him! And for me, that has been a long and enduring process. Hey, I realize that some of you "saints" out there were so close from the start that you did not require much processing, but I did.
Why is it important to mimic God? Because that's the only way many people will ever see him - through your life. I hope you do feel some of the responsibility of that if you are a believer. You need to be "followerable". As you follow him, maybe you will lead someone in the right direction.
How does that work?

1-Let your walk match your talk. Like I read somewhere, "God forgives and forgets, but people keep scrapbooks."

2-Act right! You know how to act in a restaurant. You know how to act at work. Begin to ACT like God.

3-Be Real! People despise hypocrites. If they know you're real as a human being, and they see your passion for God, they want trip over your flaws.

Try those things out and people might find you "followerable".

Rivalry Week

2007-11-27T15:57:00.000-05:00

For those that don't know, I'm a huge fan of college sports. In particular, a huge fan of college sports in the form of the Clemson Tigers. There's a purity in the competition at the collegiate level that the professional sports just don't have. This past weekend was labeled as rivalry week in college football, and my beloved Tigers came out on top in their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. What else would you expect when a chicken tangles with a tiger? Yet after all the emotion and bickering between the fans, I have to ask the question, "does it really even matter?". I mean, here I am 3 days after the 'big win', and life continues on about the same as at it did last week at this time. I'm not any richer, wiser, or slimmer! Too many people live and die with the wins and losses of their favorite team. Believe me, I've "been there and done that." I like to win as much as anybody! But here are a few things to remember in our Sports saturated culture:

1)It is a game! Most of us are only spectators. Remember that the next time you refer to a win or a loss in the first person. "We" didn't win! "We" watched!

2)Sports are great for developing people and disciplines. Try to take the life lessons that can be learned from them. Don't allow them to lessen life!

3)Enjoy it when you come out on the winning side, realizing that will not always be the case. If you can't handle success, you probably won't have much of it!

Hey remember, if your team comes out on the losing end, it's not the end of the world. There's a great God who will determine that. There's a lot more to life than a ballgame. It's taken me about 43 years to really get a handle on that, and I hope you can arrive at that place a little earlier than I did. It really helps remove that bitter taste of Rivalry Week.

Thanks!

2007-11-20T15:07:00.000-05:00

What are you thankful for? The good, the bad, the bold, and the beautiful. Yes, even the bad produces some good sometimes. I'm glad God said, "in" everything, and not "for" everything give thanks! Because there are some things and people that I'm probably not very appreciative of. But, whatever situation they or it places me in, I will be thankful. Come on and try it, BE THANKFUL! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!

It Still Hurts

2007-11-14T14:14:00.000-05:00

As we enter the Holiday season, one thing that I face now is the reality of how life changes. People that have been such an important part of your life, are not there anymore. And boy, how the holidays bring that reality home! Over the last decade, I have experienced the loss of three of my family members. As I move further away from their departures, I have to admit It still hurts. The laughs and sounds of their voices are still very clear, but only in my memory. My Grandfather's Santa-like laugh, my Father-in-law's nasal voice, my Niece's girly giggle would be wonderful to hear during the holidays, but that will have to wait. So wait I will, until we are together again. It is so wonderful to know that what we know as life, does not end here. The great Apostle Paul wrote, "...that if in this life only we have hope, we are of men most miserable." I could not live without that hope! This life is so fragile and can change within seconds. The people that we love so much, can be taken with or without warning.
I think that people in ministry are sometimes perceived as being bullet-proof. A pastor like myself, can be viewed as without weaknesses or pains that the real world has to go through. But let me tell you from my own experience, we are real people in the real world! I know that many of you experience the same kind of grief that I'm talking about, especially during the holidays. Our sorrow is not as devastating because of the hope that I have in Christ. We know this is not the end, but it still hurts!

"...kiss my..."

2007-11-13T01:25:00.000-05:00

"After all that punishment I had dealt the beast that day, all I could think was, 'after this is over, I need to kiss my ass'." This may be what the story would have read like in the King James Version, had Balaam's recounting of the event to others, been recorded in Numbers 22. The Bible says that he smote the animal over and over in an effort to make her move in a direction that God was against. The story tells us that Balaam entered a conversation with the ass, saying "...if I only had a sword, I would have killed you." In reality, this man's beast saved his life - and what did the animal receive for it? You guessed it - a real ass beating! Now don't go and get your religious devil's riled up too quick because of the "play" on words. There's a powerful point here if you will see with your heart.(By the way, there are several great sermon titles afforded here if we allowed for the true vernacular of the KJV. Here are a few: "Hauling Ass", "The Talking Ass", "Stop Beating Your Ass", and my personal favorite, "Kicking Your Ass!".) This donkey was perceived to be an obstacle for Balaam and his own plans. Yet the stubbornness of the donkey prevented Balaam from walking into sure peril. The Angel of the Lord said, "if she would not have turned back, I would have slain you, and saved her life."
I wonder how many times in our own lives we have faced perceived obstacles, that in reality, is the providence of God at work in our lives. How many times have we stubbornly forced our way past resistance, only to find out that the grass, on the other side of the fence that we hurdled, was not that great after all? You see there are times that God is watching out for your best interest even when you're not really aware of it. Many of those times we even question God as to why He's saying "NO" - when obviously, to us anyway - "YES" would be so much better. That promotion, that new car, that girl or that guy was the thing that would have fit perfectly into our plans. "Lord,I need it my way, and right now! Those donkeys that are in my way and keeping me from getting to where I want to go, need to be shot!" Not so quick there young fella'. God may be keeping you from a mistake that could cost you the rest of your life!

This may help:
1)Perceived obstacles may be the exact opposite of your perception. These may be the stepping stones or the open door to your most beneficial opportunity.
2)Try to discover the source of your resistance. If it's God, I'd advise you to STOP!
3)Hold On! The thing you are 'hating on' right now, may be the thing you love the most later.
4)Look Again! There may be more to it than you see initially.

I hope the point is taken well. Believe it or not, I'm NOT encouraging the use of slang. I'm not trying to be a wise-guy or disrespectful in any way. But what I promise to do, as best I know how, is to be real with you on these blogs. I hope this is an attention-getter! There are so many life's lessons that we sometimes miss or overlook in the scripture. You may say I could have gotten the point across another way, but, one thing for sure, you won't ever forget this one! The blog where the Preacher said... "there may be times that I need to 'kiss my ass'."

The Biggest Loser

2007-11-12T14:42:00.000-05:00

I couldn't help but laugh at myself Tuesday night as we sat eating a late supper, while NBC's reality show "The Biggest Loser" was being aired. There I was - with one of my favorites for supper - KFC's fried chicken and a double order of mashed potatoes and gravy.(Don't forget the scratch-made biscuit!) A BIG man's meal, with all the calories and fat that is recommended for my next 27 meals, all in one!
If you don't know the show, it's basically NBC's version of "Survivor", with weight-loss being the goal of the participants/players. They are put through rigorous exercise routines and placed on calorie-pinching, habit-altering diets. I've yet to see any of KFC's "original" included in the meal plan!
So, what I'm I laughing about? Here I am, needing to lose a few pounds(tons) myself, and I'm being entertained by this grueling training-camp that these guys are going through. No food, tread-mills, stair-climbers, and every kind of torture they can impose on these poor people.(I've always said that the first stage of Hell will be 100 yrs. on a stair-climber. Folks you don't want to go there!) I'm laughing at the fact that I'm willing to be entertained, and even pulling for these people that are doing something that I desperately need to be doing myself. That's the world we live in today. A lot of spectators and commentators that are judging and critiquing everyone else on something they should be doing themselves! I mean, com'on Eric, "get your fat backside off the couch, and do a little stair-climbing yourself." It surely wouldn't hurt to get a little exercise. It may be that I'm in denial, but I'm not even going to go there - the "diet" thing - Who needs one anyway?
Do you see my point? How many of us sit by watching someone else do the things that we know we should be doing ourselves? Maybe it's something at home that we know we could do, that goes undone; something at work, school, or even our church. Maybe we sit back and criticize everyone who is involved doing the thing, while not lifting a finger to help make things better. If that's the case, I'll guarantee you one thing, you're the Biggest Loser! Get off the couch and help make a difference - It all starts with you! Who knows, you may make it to the next round?

Dog-gone-it!!!

2007-11-07T13:44:00.000-05:00

I picked up my first real penalty last Saturday while coaching my son's little league football team. A 15-yarder for unsportsman-like conduct. Yeah baby, I did it right! I'm not exactly proud of the penalty, but it wasn't 'uncalled' for to be 'unsportsman-like'. That referee had it coming anyway. All I was asking him was, "Can you sleep with the call you just made?" - Fair question, right? I mean, if you feel like you made the right call, then sleep away. But if not, then toss and turn your way to a red-eyed tomorrow morning. He deserved it anyway!
Now, for the record, that's not really the reason I provoked the guy to throw the yellow hankie. What got me in trouble was the fact that I was standing beyond the coaches' box, on the field of play. Maybe the yacking was what got his attention, but the reason for the penalty was the violation of the parameters of the designated area for players and coaches. I remember the sinking feeling that hit me at the moment the "ref" reached for his back pocket, for his little yellow "snot-rag"(sorry, I'm still a little miffed). Dog-gone-it! It almost cost us the game! But, I had crossed the line, and I knew it.
Have you ever been there; at a place where you know you've crossed the line, you've gone too far, or said too much? Maybe it was a few more words than was needed to get your point across, or a thought that you held a little longer than you should have. Too far, and you knew it the moment you indulged yourself in the self-gratifying act. Does it still make you feel a little queasy to think about it? You see, we all know that there are parameters that need to be recognized in our every day life. Parameters for every arena of life. One of the most important attributes we can possess through life is the ability to discern the boundaries. And when you see the line, dog-gone-it, don't cross the thing! The penalty may cost you the game.

Rolling Back Time...

2007-11-04T00:48:00.000-04:00

Rolling the clock back one hour every Fall is something that I always look forward to. That one hour just seems to be so special, a gift that adds to the crisp newness that the cooler weather always brings with it. If one hour feels that good, I wonder what days, weeks, or years would feel like. What if you could roll back time to last week before the argument with your spouse and live the week over? What about 5 years, before you left the job you've regretted leaving ever since? Most all of us would love the chance to get a "re-do" in one area of life or another. Shute, I'd like to get a "mulligan" on a lot of stupid things that I've done over the years! One of the greatest discomforts that we all deal with is living life with regret. We all experience regret over some event or choice that we wish could have been different. If we could only go back and do it again. But, we'll all have to settle for the hour we pick up every fall. Yet God does promise us in Joel 2:25 that He will restore the years that the locusts and the canker worm have destroyed. You may not be able to roll time back, but you can have a new start. All of us have the opportunity to become a new creation in Christ. I don't think they'll come up with any kind of "daylight saving time" that will roll back years or even days. But, God can do more for you than simply rolling back time. He'll give you your whole LIFE!

Halloweeeeen

2007-10-30T15:09:00.000-04:00

We used to have a lot of good, clean, scary fun around this time of the year. I remember we always had a spook house in the basement of the church that I grew up in. Maybe that's why we had all those feuds in the church, all those "bad spirits" that we invited into the church every October 31st. No wonder we had so much fighting! Maybe I'm being a little sarcastic here, but there are times we probably give way too much credit to the enemy's camp.
Don't misunderstand what I am saying, I do believe that there are more blatant attempts by the powers of darkness in the context of society today than ever before. But, I also see that we in the Church have sometimes over-spiritualized a lot of things. Remember, the Bible says that our adversary is like a "roaring" lion, not a "biting" lion. Maybe we have become such alarmists that we are afraid of the forces that really are not a threat, and friendly with some forces that could do real harm. If we were as aware of some of the things that flow through the airways and fiber-optics as we are of a carved pumpkin, then there would probably be more trashed monitors and TV's laying around the dumps. Don't be afraid of all the spooks and goblins that might be lurking around on Halloween night. But, BEWARE of all the 'tricks and treats' that might show up on any given night! Fight the fight, and Keep the Faith!...and to all the ghosts and monsters out there on Halloween...I Say....BOOOOO!!!

"Streaking"...

2007-10-26T16:10:00.000-04:00

I don't know how many of you are old enough to remember a cultural phenomenon that occurred back in the 60's and 70's, called "streaking". The 'hippy' generation of that day was known for disrobing, many times leaving nothing on except a pair of Converse sneakers, and running through a crowd at a sports event or some public arena. Many times their actions were motivated by a sense of protest to something that was taking place in the government or political scene of that day. I'm sure that for the greatest part, you probably never had any dealings with such a crazy idea. I can't say that I am totally oblivious to this mad trend that swept through our nations youth in that era, being one of them. I owned a pair or two of Converse tennis shoes in my time. Being a mischievous little boy at the time, we would have a try at this notion every now and then, just to keep up with the teenagers in our neighborhood. It's scary now to think of some of the things that we participated in, really not realizing the dangers many times. I realize this may be a silly way of doing it, but there's a point I'm trying to make. There were a couple of streakers in the Bible. One was Isaiah, who was ordered to prophesy for three years, with not even a fig leaf. The other is found in a story that is a little more popular with most of us. It comes from the book of II Samuel. In chapter six we read the story of David and his returning of the Ark of the covenant to the city of Jerusalem. The story tells us that David uncovered himself as he danced before the ark, which represented the presence of God. He literally danced with such vigor that he lost his clothes. David "streaked"! His praise to God was so passionate that he was stripped of his royal robes. All of his pride, dignity, and his clothes were lost. I wonder how often we "streak" before the Lord. No, I'm not advocating stripping as a new form of praise! But, it would probably bring a fresh approach in our worship if we would lose the pride and dignity that we clothe ourselves with. Let's grab our spiritual tennis shoes and go "streaking"...for Jesus!

LOST!!!

2007-10-23T09:01:00.000-04:00

Most Christians come in contact with hundreds of people every day that are lost and on their way to hell; and, for the most part, those Christians really don't give a #&#?@! What bothers me the most about this, is that most of you are bothered by the second statement that I made more than you are by the first statement. It would really bother you if I would have pecked out an expletive. I hope this is of some "shock value" to some of the people that are reading this blog. The sad truth is that many Christians are more interested in self preservation than they are with the lost that they cross paths with every day. We live in a day that people are inundated with more information than ever before. Yet, with all of the information, people have more questions than answers concerning the issues of life and its meaning. The answers that they find are many times the wrong answers, propagated by vain philosophies and teaching. Jesus said those are like blind people being led around by the blind. They are Lost and have no knowledge as to where to turn to find direction. Those are the people that we, as believers, have been called to reach out to.
But, Do you care? Do you care enough to be the life of Jesus Christ to a Lost, hell-bound world? Or, does your Christianity consist of a life that focuses simply on survival? Save yourself while everybody else goes to hell! If that's the case, you're probably a little aggravated with me right now.
I hope this post has ignited some emotions within your life. You may think it is unnecessary to use a ploy like the one used to start this post. I hope that you do get a little 'rattled' with these thoughts. But, more than anything, I hope you are upset over one thing - The Lost!

By The Numbers...

2007-10-17T14:46:00.000-04:00

Most everybody knows something about the life of David, the giant-killer, who became the second king over the Kingdom of Israel. He's the one who had a real heart for God, but got himself in hot water more than one time with the true sovereign over Israel. One of my favorite stories about someone else's trouble is found in I Chronicles 21. Now don't pretend that you never indulge yourself in another's misery every once-in-a-while. You know it makes you feel better about your own short-comings!
The story tells us about David and his big idea of taking a census of all of Israel. The scripture actually alludes to this being a seductive move that Satan pulled over on David. Either way, David failed in his decision. The taking of a census does not seem to be a big deal on the surface. Yet God saw this as an evil act on David's part. Why???
(1)David had a need to know his empire's strength. Any time you begin to guage your ability to accomplish God's purpose through human strength, you've began to think more highly of self than you should. David's act was like a man standing in front of a mirror and flexing his muscles, all the time thinking to himself, "Boy, you look GOOOOD!".
(2)David had begun to derive his confidence from the size of his army rather than God. It was not neccessary for David to know the number of fighting men that were in Israel. Just ask Gideon!
You see, any time we begin to adjust our faith by the numbers, we limit what God can do. Our success is never determined by the size of our army, our church, our denomination, or our pocketbook, but rather by the size of our God. You can live life by FAITH in him, or you can live it by the numbers.

Appreciated...

2007-10-16T17:59:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday was Pastor Appreciation Day at Beech Springs. As always, this day was a very humbling yet rewarding day all in one. There were so many of the folks that showered my family with gifts and notes, that it really becomes overwhelming at times. I guess we all have to wonder at times if we are really making a difference in any one's life. Because the reality is, that is what life is really all about. Our greatest discovery on this journey called life, is when we find that niche that brings purpose and meaning to this time that we are granted on earth. Purpose is realized when you make a difference for someone else. Jesus is the epitome of this life. He came to give his life away for others. We now have great appreciation for what he has done for us. I hope I show appreciation to him by the way I live my life, the way I give my worship, and the way I follow his example. "God, help me to live my life like him!" Live life for others, like Jesus has. Live for your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your fellow-workers, etc.. One man asked the question, "If you were not here, who would miss you the most?" Those are the people that you are living your life for. You may spend your time, money, energy, and love on those people. But, don't feel like you are "spending" your LIFE on them, you are "investing" your life in them; and as undeserving of it as we may feel sometime, you will find your life appreciated!

Born With "it"...

2007-10-11T15:35:00.000-04:00

Another day, another headline, another lead-story, and so-on and so-on... . Everywhere you turn there is another case of someone with the 'I can't help-its'. "I was, born 'that way' - I was born with 'it'." The 'it' is the source and cause that, "makes me what I am and gives me the right and excuse to do whatever I have to do. Besides I really don't have a choice because 'it' came with the package people, and regardless of the damage that 'it' may cause to me, my family, or anyone else as far as that matters, that's the way 'it' is."
As ridiculous as this argument seems, this argument is "winning out" throughout our world today in the mindset of people, if not in the courts of our land. We have labeled 'it' with a lot of nice apologetic terms like addiction, sexual origin, chemical imbalance, etc.. It's the peel of the reason as to why people act or live in a particular manner. It's the excuse that people use for the lifestyle that they choose. My question is, what is the limit? Where do we draw the line and say, "now let's just be responsible"? I mean come'on, Michael Vick may have just been born with 'it' - "pitbullia" (Defin. - The uncontrollable urge to watch pitbull dogs fight until death, with the euphoria of making great profits from the money wagered if your dog wins.). I was born with
'it' - "roadragia"(Defin. - The uncontrollable need to drag you out of the car and beat the devil out of you for tailgating me, especially when my kids are in the car with me.) You see the reality is that everybody was born with 'it'. 'It' may hide in darker corners for some more than others. But if the light ever exposes that corner, we will all discover that there are urges and temptations that must be kept under restraint by everyone. We are all victims of 'it'. Another name for 'it' that's not nearly as popular these days is SIN. We were all born with 'it'. Thank God that he loved us even when we were born with 'it' and he's done something about 'it'.
There is great remedy for 'it' of the humankind. There is a pill that you can take to help you with the uncontrollable urges that are caused by 'it'. I'm not sure of the pharmaceutical name for it, but here is the generic name: it's spelled -
"R-E-S-P-O-N-S-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y".
Take Some when the urge hits you!!

Are You Scared...?

2007-10-09T15:07:00.000-04:00

Today's American Christian culture is one that in many ways taught us that we are here to stay safe, and preserve ourselves in this wicked world that we live in. We are frightened by the aggressiveness of our counterparts in religion, lifestyle, and values. Let me ask YOU,... ARE YOU SCARED??? Are you scared that they may find out that you are one of those fanatics that believe Jesus really is the only way? Are you scared of the thoughts, philosophies, and ideals that may challenge what you 'say' that you believe? Are you scared of the people that are engulfed in a society of intellect and greed? Let me encourage you, don't be a "Scaredy-Cat"! God never intended for Christianity to become a sub-culture within the culture. His intention was that we become a counter-culture that would stand face to face with the sources of intimidation within our society. Look at the Christian leaders in the book of Acts! They stood up with boldness in the midst of aggressive opposition. Opposition that had crucified their "ring-leader" just a few weeks prior.
We back down too easily in a day that the world desperately searches for what's in you! I've often asked the question recently, "Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?". If you do believe that Jesus is who he says he is, then stop allowing the world around you to back you into a corner as if you are facing a grade-school "bully". Hey, I'm not advocating going out and looking for a fight, but... "I ain't scared!"

Blogging...

2007-10-04T14:16:00.000-04:00

Who would have ever "thunk" it? Boggs blogging! In an effort to keep up with the "techno" age that we live in, I have decided to start a blogg that will simply add a personal touch to the ministry here at BST. I hope to be able to share small insights that I gather along this journey that we know as life. The blogs may consists of simple life's events, devotional thoughts, or even contraversial subjects, as we try to discover all that God has prepared for us along this journey. I want to share from my life as a Husband who is madly in love with his wife of 21 years, a Father who feels that fatherhood is my greatest responsibility, and as a Godly Man who faces the challenges of a very complex society. Some of my blogs may seem silly or oversimplistic,
but hey, that's me! As you visit, hopefully there will be those days that you leave scratching your butt(whoops...I meant head), or feeling really challenged, or even angry if nothing else. I'll try to post 2 or 3 blogs per week, maybe more as I become more technologically advanced. There will be guests bloggers fom time to time as well. The grammer won't be great, but it will be better than most of yours.HA! So Let's Do This thang. Boggsblogs are on their way!