Happy Holidays!

“Happy Holidays!”  I am more than certain that you will hear that soon, if not already.  The very phrase is an irritant to some.  They equate this greeting with a “war on Christmas,” and they are offended that folks don’t say the word Christmas.

            I get it. The truth is, in some places there is a war on Christmas. Quite frankly, it is a war on Christianity itself.  But the fact is that those of us who are Christians are probably not going to win this so-called culture war.  Not at this point. 

            Still, I want to share a couple of things with you that I hope will be an encouragement to you as you celebrate the season. First of all, if someone says, “Happy Holidays” to you, please don’t snap at them. It is possible that they are under orders to do just that.  It may be a person who is working a temporary job to provide food and presents for their family.  The thing is, if you say something mean-spirited to that person, you are hurting your testimony for the Lord. So, please be patient.

            Second, I want you to consider this. Do you know the meaning of the term, “holiday?”  Think about it a minute.  Holiday means holy day.  So, when someone says to you, “Happy Holidays,” they have indeed said, “Happy Holy Days,” even if they do not realize it.  Ironic, huh? 

            My wife has the best response I’ve heard yet.  She amazes me with her patience and attitude. Anytime she hears the phrase, “Happy Holidays,” she courteously and joyfully responds, “Thank you. And Merry Christmas to you.”  As Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” I’ve never yet seen anyone react angrily to her gentle and kind response.

            So, I say it again. “Happy Holidays.” And God bless us every one!

Favorite Time of the Year

I think I’ve told you this, but I love the holiday season.  From the week of Thanksgiving through Christmas is my favorite time of the year.  Where we live it is prime time for golfing and fishing, two of my favorite pastimes.  It is also a time when the leaves change their colors, and God paints the most beautiful picture across the landscape of the north Georgia mountains (my wife and I spent a couple of days cruising there this past weekend). 

            But it is also a bustling time of activity as we decorate, shop, attend special events, and plan for family and church gatherings.  My wife and I do several things to celebrate the season.  There are church dinners and special programs, specifically our choir cantata which will be on December 17.  We have made it a tradition to attend the Christmas show at Savannah Theatre each year.  And this year we will travel to Jacksonville to hear Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas concert.  And I haven’t talked about shopping for three granddaughters, quite an exercise for me given that I raised two sons.  I haven’t the slightest of ideas what a teenage girl wants these days. 

There is added stress at this time of year, and it can be exhausting.  But in spite of it all, I love the holiday season. Why? Because, at least with these two holidays, they help me to worship the Lord. Obviously the Christmas season reminds us that God became one of us and dwelt among us. Jesus is God in the flesh. His birth changed everything. And don’t remind me that December 25 is an unlikely date for His actual birth. I know that. Doesn’t matter. We need to celebrate it some time.

            But I must admit that Thanksgiving remains my favorite holiday. No gifts are exchanged.  A great meal is enjoyed with family.  And we give thanks. God is good.  His love endures forever. He is faithful to us.  And so, we give thanks. 

            Whatever else you do this season, remember to be thankful. 

Feasting

Tonight I will enjoy my first holiday feast of the season.  Our church will have its Thanksgiving Dinner.  Have I mentioned that Baptists like to eat?  There will be turkey and dressing, of course, and the ladies (and men) of our church will provide all manner of yummy sides and desserts for the occasion.  I’ve been a Baptist pastor now for more than 41 years. It’s a wonder that I don’t weight 300 pounds.

            We hope this will be our last big meal together in our old social hall.  We are closing in on the completion of a new one directly across the road from our sanctuary.  Even as I write these words electrical power is being connected to the building, and air conditioner units are being installed.  This building is the result of a lot of prayer, hard work, and generosity on the parts of the folks at Shellman Bluff Baptist.  It has been a dream for a long time, finally coming to fruition.

            I know there are some who wonder why you would go to such expense and trouble for a kitchen and a place to eat.  Why is a social hall so important? I don’t understand all of it, but I know that the Bible speaks of many times and places when the people of God gathered to eat.  Feasts and festivals fill the Old Testament. And on at least two occasions Jesus fed large crowds, performing grand miracles to do so.

            There is something about sitting at the table with others, eating a meal, and sharing good times that builds community.  Families are stronger when they sit together for a meal. And a church builds fellowship in this way.

            And by the way, from what I read in the New Testament, there is coming a great banquet to whom God has invited us when He sends His Son back to earth. One day we will sit with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and enjoy the ultimate feast with the saints of God.  I look forward to that day. But in the meantime, I will enjoy dinner tonight with my church family as I anticipate that great day in the future. 

Building Patience

As I write this morning I am watching a variety of workers come and go across the street as they work on the building we hope to occupy in the next few weeks.  It will be a social hall, complete with both indoor and outdoor kitchens, a large pantry and another large storage closet. It is something our church has needed for some time.

            I’ve been watching the construction for most of the year.  The process of building fascinates me. Perhaps this is because I did construction work during the summers I was in college.  I’ve pushed wheelbarrows filled with concrete blocks and mortar. I’ve nailed boards and carried shingles up ladders. 

            Many of the techniques have changed. I used a twenty-ounce Plumb hammer. Today they use power hammers.  Much more efficient I am sure, and no smashed thumbs. 

            Many things are still the same. Construction is hard, hot work.  And it takes time.  And because of that time we must learn to be patient. 

            From the day our church voted to build I have been anxious to eat the first meal in the new social hall.  As the foundation was poured I thought about frying fish in the screened outdoor facility, knowing we wouldn’t have to fight off as many bugs.  And so, as Ioften say to my wife, “I’m patiently waiting patiently,” all the while not truly exhibiting that patience I claim.

            The Bible speaks often of patience, and even declares that the Lord is patient with us. The word is sometimes translated, “longsuffering.” Isn’t that a great definition for patience?  We actually do suffer long as we wait.

            And yet, our patience helps us to grow.  I want to learn to be more patient, but I’m too often frustrated as I wait.   I pray that the Lord will enable me to trust Him enough to be patient as He continues to work in my life. After all, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 1:6). You can count on it. 

The Lemon Tree Part 2

A couple of years ago I told you about my lemon tree. I called it my “Charlie Brown Lemon Tree.”  It was a gift from some dear friends that we planted in the Spring of 2021.  In the fall of that year it produced seven lemons. This, in spite of the fact that it was less than two-feet tall.  Quite frankly, it had not grown in height or width since it was planted.  Then, last year was the same. This time there were six lemons, but the tree was still less than two-feet tall. 

            Last winter we had a hard freeze.  For several nights I covered the little tree with a blanket. Once the freeze ended, it looked bad. I was afraid I had lost it.  But then there were blooms in the Spring. And the leaves were bright green.  Still, it had not grown.

            So, I did what several folks had advised me to do. I broke off every bloom. I did not leave any.  Well, here we are in late October, and there are no lemons on the tree. But…the tree is almost four-feet tall. It has spread nearly that wide.  It has new growth and looks extremely healthy. Still, no fruit this year.

            My little tree reminds me of some truths in the Christian life.  There are times that we must sacrifice in the short-term for long-term gain.  We are not to live only for today. No, in fact we are not simply living for tomorrow. We are living with eternity in mind. And that will change your perspective on everything. 

            The truth is that I will not know for sure if I have done the right thing with my little tree until next year, or even further into the future than that.  But I want the tree to be healthy, not simply to produce a few lemons now. I want it to be strong enough to bear the weight of a good harvest in the future. And I want that for my own life as well. I want to finish well.  I pray that for you, too. Let us live our lives with eternity in mind. 

The Gospel Truth

It’s funny the things people believe.  I am often amazed, amused, and alarmed at what some people say the Bible teaches.  For instance, “God helps those who help themselves.”  Not found in the Bible. Not a biblical concept.  In fact, the Bible teaches the exact opposite. God helps those who realize that they are helpless, and they need a Savior. 

            I’ve heard many other statements attributed to the Bible. “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”  “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”  And then there is my all-time favorite. “Let your conscience be your guide.”

            I know many people who quote Jiminy Cricket’s line to say that they will listen to their conscience, and follow their heart. Yes, that’s correct. That quote does not come from the Bible, but from the lips of Jiminy Cricket.  A fun story, but not a source of true theology.

            In fact, this line is far removed from what the Bible says.  Consider the words from Jeremiah 17:9.  “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can It’s funny the things people believe.  I am often amazed, amused, and alarmed at what some people say the Bible teaches.  For instance, “God helps those who help themselves.”  Not found in the Bible. Not a biblical concept.  In fact, the Bible teaches the exact opposite. God helps those who realize that they are helpless, and they need a Savior. 

            I’ve heard many other statements attributed to the Bible. “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”  “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”  And then there is my all-time favorite. “Let your conscience be your guide.”

            I know many people who quote Jiminy Crickets’ line to say that they will listen to their conscience, and follow their heart. Yes, that’s correct. That quote does not come from the Bible, but from the lips of Jiminy Crickets.  A fun story, but not a source of true theology.

            In fact, this line is far removed from what the Bible says.  Consider the words from Jeremiah 17:9.  “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”  Do you get that?  The prophet says that we cannot trust our hearts. Our hearts will lead us astray. Our consciences can be seared to the point that we will justify all kinds of behavior.

            We are living in a time when a philosophy known as “relativism” has taken center stage in so many lives. You confront that philosophy when you hear someone say, “Well, that may be true for you, but it’s not true for me.”  No. The fact is if something is true, it is true.

            We believe that in science.  The law of gravity is always true.  Other laws of physics always apply. But the fact is that God’s moral laws do not change either.  Don’t let your conscience be your guide. It will lead you astray. Rather, let God’s Word guide you. It will always take you where you need to go.

Baseball

The baseball playoffs begin this week.  I know many of you are consumed with football, but I am a baseball fanatic (and yes, I spelled that out to be more accurate).  More specifically, I am an Atlanta Braves fan.  And I am blessed to be married to a very patient lady.

            Over the last 30 years we have taken vacations that have coincided with where the Braves were playing. We’ve seen them play in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Cincinnati, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Chicago.  We watched John Smoltz outduel Greg Maddux (before he became a Brave) 1-0 in Wrigley Field.  To this day, that is my favorite baseball game I have attended.

            Of course, the World Series championships in 1995 and 2021 are among my favorite memories.  I started playing baseball at the age of 6.  I played tee-ball in Doraville, Georgia all the way through high school, and I have also umpired and coached. My dad once said that umpiring youth league baseball was the best training I had to become a pastor. 

            From the age of 8 through age 14 my dad was my coach.  I know I’m biased, but he was the best baseball coach I ever had.  We won several championships over the years. From one of those championship teams (age 12), three of the 12 players on the team are currently Baptist pastors.  He told me that was his greatest accomplishment as a coach.

            When I think back to the different things I have done, perhaps the most important ones are those that have impacted the lives of others.  Today, as I consider the 41 years I have been a pastor, perhaps the most satisfying thought is that there are men whom I mentored who are now serving as pastors in Vermont, Texas, Puerto Rico, Statesboro, and more than one in the Pembroke area. 

            Paul wrote of fighting the fight, finishing the race, and keeping the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).  I pray that I will be able to do just that. Perseverance is essential in a 162-game baseball season. It is even more important in life.  May we stay with it until the Lord calls us home!

A Job Well Done

Recently my wife and I renovated a section of our front yard. It had been an island of plants surrounded by grass all the way around. Unfortunately, the grass was only healthy on one side. There were patches of grass all the way around, but it didn’t look good.

            So, I dug up several sections of grass and transplanted them in places that needed attention. And then we expanded the island, taking it all the way to the circle driveway in front of the house.  All told we tilled up the ground, dug holes and planted 42 new plants in that area. 

            Two things stand out to me about this work. First, boy was I tired after two days of digging holes and spreading pine straw and watering everything that was planted.  The old body can’t go as long as it used to, nor does it recover as quickly as it once did.  So, I have to pace myself.  And I have to rest more the next day.

            But the second thing is just this.  There is great satisfaction in work that is done well.  I am aware that the Bible, in the book of Genesis, declares that work will be hard and that it will cause us difficulties at times. But I hope that you see this. It is God’s will that we work.  Our lives are better, and we are more fulfilled when we find something to do that is meaningful to us, and helpful to others.

            I know that the day comes when we retire from full-time employment. But there is never a time in this life when God says, “Stop. Sit down. Let someone else do it.  You are done.”  Even when you can do nothing else, you can pray.

            My grandmother prayed for me in the early days of my ministry.  She was basically bedridden for the final two years of her life. But she told me that she spent much of her time in that bed lifting me up to the Lord.  Oh, the blessing of having a praying grandmother.

            I challenge you to continue to serve the Lord. Don’t quit. Don’t give up.  Be faithful to the end.  You reward will be worth it. 

"The Heavens Declare"

So, Saturday will be the first day of fall.  I hope you have your firewood cut, the propane tanks full, and your jacket at the front of the closet. Oh, wait.  That’s right. We live in coastal Georgia.  Odds are we will not need our jackets for a while.  I heard someone say that we only have two seasons: summer and February.

            The fact is that things do change here, even if not as dramatically as they did when I lived in Michigan.  Leaves will fall off many of the trees.  Grass will slow in its growth.  And there will be changes in temperature.

            I’ve had the privilege of living in south Louisiana, metro Atlanta, the upper Midwest, and now in coastal Georgia.  And I have often enjoyed the mountains of north Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina for vacation.  Each place has its own special beauty. In each place you can see the hand of God.

            “The heavens declare the glory of God,” David begins the 19th Psalm.  And it is true. As we view creation it should be clear that there is an uncreated being who is greater than what we see, and who is responsible for all of creation. In Romans 1 Paul indicated that there is more than enough evidence for the reality of God.  Again, we read in another place in the psalms, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God.’” 

            But there is indeed a God, and He is glorious and marvelous beyond measure. He is more than we can conceive, and He is worthy of our worship and service.  And the grandest truth about this God is that He loves us, and He has made a way for us to know Him. 

            I’ve given my life to the service of this matchless God.  He is worth more than anything else I have owned or known.  I pray that you will know Him.  I promise you this. If you seek Him, you will find Him.  He wants to make Himself known.

Golf and the Christian Walk

            I enjoy playing golf. I have always been competitive, playing baseball, basketball and softball in my younger days.  I am far from an accomplished golfer, but I enjoy trying to improve.  It is the hardest game I’ve ever tried to play.

            Golf is fascinating in so many ways.  I can hit a great shot, one that is equal to any hit by the best pro in the world.  That’s not bragging.  I’ve made three holes in one. 

            But then…oh, I can hit some awful shots.  Two of my favorites are the shank  and the “duck hook.” The shank goes right off the club at two o’clock, usually less than 50 yards.  I’ve been told the cause, but I try not to listen to the explanation. It’s too painful to hear. For me, the “duck hook” looks like a small plane coming in for a landing at a hard left angle.  Most of the time those balls are never retrieved from either the pond or the woods. 

            Here’s the deal with golf and me.  My greatest consistency is my lack of consistency.  I will smack one ball right on target, high and majestic, and everyone in my group will say, “Good shot.”  And then I will hit one of those shots, and everyone in the group will say, “Oh,” or they will simply look away so as not to make eye contact.  Good shot, bad shot, good shot, horrible shot…it’s really not the best way to play the game.

            My golf game is similar to what James describes as the way some talk.  He writes, “Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” And then he concludes, “Brothers, it ought not to be so.”  James is telling us that we should not speak out of both sides of our mouths. We need to be consistent. 

            I would love to be more consistent on the golf course. It would make the game more enjoyable.  But even more I want to be more consistent in my conversation.  I want to be true.  I want to be kind.  I want to be godly.  I pray the same for you. Let us be careful to be more consistent in our walk with the Lord.  Keep this in mind. People are watching.

Sing to God

            I love to sing. I grew up going to church and singing with my parents. I particularly remember singing along with my mother. She said she sang alto. Actually, she could not read a note of music. But she had the innate ability to harmonize with the melody. And so, I learned to do the same thing.

            Later on my parents insisted that I take piano lessons, and eventually I played the saxophone in the band.  I sang in the youth choir, and even served in two small churches as minister of music while attending college and seminary.  I still enjoy singing in our church choir.

            Music is very important to the church, and for good reason. The Old Testament is filled with instructions to sing. One of the Old Testament books, Psalms, is nothing more than a hymnbook.  And in the New Testament Paul told the church to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. 

            In too many of our churches worship has become a point of controversy rather than a point of unity. That is a shame.  Music in all of its forms can bring glory to God. There are great old hymns like, “How Great Thou Art,” and “Holy, Holy, Holy,” that help us worship the Lord. And then there are marvelous contemporary songs like, “How Great is our God,” and “Is He Worthy?” that do the same thing. 

            I do not believe that God spends time thinking, “I wish those people would sing such and such song.” Rather I believe He is pleased when we lift our voices in praise and worship, no matter the style of song. 

            I’ve been reminded more than once that there will be no need for preaching in heaven. I will be out of a job. But there will be singing. 

            Whether you sing in tune or not, may I encourage you to sing with your heart to the Lord. The psalmist wrote, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” God is pleased as we worship Him in song. Let us put aside our differences and unite our hearts in worship.  That honors God and blesses His children. 

Gifts

This column is not intended for true confessions, but I have one to make to you.  I  am artistically challenged.  I can’t draw.  I can’t paint.  I don’t work well with clay.  I’ve never considered the possibility of sculpting.  To be honest, I don’t even take very good pictures.

            I admit to you that there are times when the green-eyed monster rears its ugly head when I see the talents of others.  I am amazed at the beauty of a painted portrait.  When I see creative artwork I wonder why I can’t do something like that. 

            Perhaps you feel that same way when you hear someone sing or play an instrument.  Maybe you are jealous of someone who can swim or run faster than you can.  Or maybe you would simply like to be able to bake a delicious pie.

            Whatever it may be, we all have something we wish we could do.  Some are gifted cooks while others have a green thumb in the garden.  Some sing like beautiful songbirds while others paint.  And you may wonder if you have any gift to offer at all.

            The Bible makes it clear that God gives gifts to all of His children.  Paul describes this for us in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.  There are many gifts, and I am of the opinion that the lists in the Bible are representative rather than exhaustive. Each believer has at least one of these gifts.  Therefore, you cannot honestly say that you have no gifts..

            Some gifts are used more publicly than others. But make no mistake about it. Every gift matters.

            I think if I could emphasize just one biblical truth to Christians and churches this might be it.  You are gifted, and your gift is important. You can use it to bless others. You should not envy what others have and do, for yours is an essential part of the church, too. 

            Here’s the deal.  When you and I use the gifts God has given to us, the church is blessed and built.  And we make a powerful impact on the world around us.  I encourage you to do two things. First, discover your gift, or gifts and practice using them. And then, rejoice as others do the same.  As we turn away from jealousy, and cheer each other on, the church will grow, and God will be glorified. 

True Christianity

Billy Graham was perhaps the most influential preacher in the 20th century. I’m not sure how many people heard him preach, but it was surely in the millions.  Dr. Graham’s pet phrase was, “The Bible says…”  He understood that the authority for his message was the Word of God revealed in Scripture.

            Billy Graham had his critics.  There were the fundamentalists who disagreed with his willingness to work with all churches.  Those on the other end of the spectrum were dismayed that Dr. Graham believed the Bible. One liberal theologian said, “I fear that Billy Graham has set back Christianity some 100 years.” 

            Of course, the media went to Dr. Graham with this report. His response was classic.  “I’m sorry to hear that.  It was my intent to set it back some 2000 years.”

            As Christians and churches, we do want to follow the original teachings of Jesus. We want to live out first century Christianity. But how do we do that?  Some argue for the “old hymns,” forgetting that many of the old hymns were written in the 1800’s.  They are indeed old, but they do not go back to the days of Jesus. Some say that we should have only the traditional musical instruments like the organ and piano, again forgetting that neither Peter nor Paul ever saw either one. 

            The problem with all of these ideas is that we are not really at the heart of true Christianity.  The methods and music we use change. They always have.  The songs we sang in the 1970’s were not the songs they sang in the 1600’s. 

            But the message of Christ and His Gospel are still the same.  God became flesh and dwelt in our midst.  Jesus lived a perfect sinless life and died in our place as a sacrifice for our sins. He was raised from the dead, and He will come again at the proper time to complete what He started.  It is all quite simple, and yet it is all quite radical.  Still, we trust Him to do what He promised.  That is our only hope.

No Cell Phone?

Recently I went to the golf course late one afternoon. No one was with me. The golf course was almost empty when I arrived, and by the time I finished mine was the last car in the lot. 

            When I first arrived, I realized I had forgotten something.  I did not have my cell phone.  For a moment I tensed up.  I was going to be gone for three hours without any mode of communication with others. Oh, the humanity!

            It took me a moment to compose myself, but then I finished putting my bag on my pushcart and walked to the first tee box.  I swatted my first ball down the fairway and played my round.  Guess what!  The world did not come to an end.  I probably enjoyed my uninterrupted round more than I should have.  And I recalled the fact that twenty years ago I never had a phone with me when I played golf, went fishing, or attended one of my sons’ games. I survived without one for the first 38 years of my life!

            We have become so dependent on our electronic devices that I wonder if we have lost our ability to rely on God.  Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not going into an old man rant that phones and tablets and such are of the devil. 

            But I need to remind myself of two things. First, only God can truly help and save me.  I must learn to depend on Him in all that I do. Second, I’m not nearly as important as I sometimes think. I’m not a doctor who needs to be ready at a moment’s notice to perform a transplant surgery. And I’m not the patient in need of that new organ.  I’m simply one of God’s children who needs to walk with Him every day. He does not need cell service in order to reach me. He is available to me at all times. 

            The words of Proverbs 3 remain true. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Prayer Needs No Password

I recently heard the story of woman receiving a phone call from a scammer.  Trying to frighten her he declared, “I have all of your passwords.” Her response? “Really? That’s great. I’ve got a pen and paper. Go ahead.” 

            We laugh because we can relate.  Not long ago I was locked out of one account for sixty days because I made too many attempts at logging in with wrong information.  It was not a fun experience. 

            I wonder how many passwords I have.  I started to count, but then I got dizzy.  And then I got discouraged. And then I got frustrated. You know the feeling.  I can’t even remember all of my user names, much less the passwords. And the older I get the more of them there are. 

            There is one area where no password is necessary. That’s when I talk to God.  We call it prayer, and it is the most important communication we can have.  God has invited you and me to speak to Him at any time. We can come when we are joyful.  We can come when we are downtrodden.  No matter our circumstances, God has invited us to come to Him with our hurts, our needs, our joys and our victories.

            I am so grateful for that.  I don’t have to log in and remember 1 character, 2 numbers, 3 capital letters, and the color of my first pet or the name of my first car.  Or was that the other way around?

 I simply call out His name, and He is there. He has promised never to leave me nor to forsake me. He has promised to hear when I cry out for His presence. 

I do not pray as often as I should. I do not pray as often as I wish I did. But even when I miss an appointment with Him, I know the Lord is listening when I call on His name. I never get a busy signal. I never get voice mail. He is there, patiently waiting to hear from me.

Don’t forget to speak to the Lord today.  You need that time with Him.  Prayer is a powerful means of communicating with the all-powerful and all-loving Creator of all that exists.  The Lord is waiting to hear from you. So…what are you waiting for? 

Change

Well, tomorrow is my birthday.  Almost halfway through my sixties, I suppose I can enjoy life for a  couple of more years.  But after that I reckon I’ll go check myself into a home, because clearly life will be over, right?

            Do you realize how much you thought that to be true when you were younger?  I mean, when you are a child, anyone over the age of thirty is old. But sixty?  That’s ancient beyond belief. 

            I’m trying to grow older gracefully and graciously.  I don’t want to be the old guy hollering at the neighbor children to get off my lawn.

            There are certain aspects of growing older that I’ve accepted.  I can’t run up and down a ball court for two hours any longer.  I can’t even jog a mile without paying for it.

            Change often causes pain for the older generation.  We like things the way they were when we were younger. We are comfortable with those things.  Why change?  That can be the songs on the radio or in the church.  It can be the proliferation of technology. Quite frankly, I don’t want to register and pay for everything online.

            But there are aspects of technology that I truly enjoy.  Automatic climate control in my car, especially when I can crank it remotely, is a wonderful thing. And my wife’s new car has heated and cooled seats!

            The truth is that things change, and they’re only going to change more.  I am told that my next car may not even have rearview or side mirrors.  Rather blind spot will be eliminated by cameras that allow me to see all around my car.  I hope I can adjust to that change.  Maybe I will figure out how to use Uber before then.

            When everything is changing around me it is comforting to read that God never changes. He is always the same…always faithful, always trustworthy, always there.  The fact that God does not change does not mean that He is the stubborn old man who refuses progress.  No! It is a reminder that He is already perfect in every way. He is God.

            God is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That is a comfort in a world that is changing faster than we can register.  You can trust Him today. 

Christmas Shopping

 Only 149 more days until Christmas!  Have you finished your shopping?  Right!  But let me tell you a true story.  Several years ago, about this time of year, I was on the phone with my mom.  In a giddy voice, said to me, “I’m through Christmas shopping!”  I couldn’t believe it.  Mind you, I’m not that guy who heads to the mall at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.  December is a jam-packed month for a pastor.  I can’t wait to the last minute.

            A few years after this conversation, Mom had another idea for celebrating Christmas early.  In July of 2004 she was diagnosed with brain cancer and told she had six months to live.  She lived until April of 2005, but she was determined to enjoy her final Christmas.

            So, on Thanksgiving Day  2004, our family gathered at Mom and Dad’s house for Christmas dinner and the exchange of gifts.  We played Christmas carols, emptied our stockings, and celebrated.  It was a precious time I will never forget. 

            Mom was determined that she would not miss her last chance to enjoy her grandchildren.  She wanted to see their faces when they opened envelopes with checks larger than any of them had ever seen.  She wanted them to remember her as the generous and loving lady that she was.  She refused to wait until it was too late.

            Is there something that you have been delaying that needs to be done? Do you need to take action now?  Procrastination will not fix the problem. It will only delay the inevitable.  Jesus once said, “Behold, today is the day of salvation.”  He was reminding His listeners to do today what they know they should do.  Tomorrow may not come.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.

            This lesson applies to trusting in the Lord. It applies to forgiving that annoying friend or family member. It applies to any number of areas in all of our lives.  I encourage you to take action today.  It’s always the right time to do the right thing.  Celebrate Christmas at Thanksgiving if you must.  But don’t put off for tomorrow what needs to be done now.

The Heat!

One of our main topics for conversation at this time of year is the heat.  Temperatures in the nineties, and humidity to match.  It can be a dangerous combination.  I don’t need a “heat index” to tell me I need to sit down and have another glass of sweet tea.

            But I am reminded of something I did eighteen years ago this month.  My family moved back to our home state of Georgia after 14 years in the upper Midwest.  We lived in Indiana and Michigan home during that time.

            The day we moved into our rental home in Pembroke was the hottest day of the summer.  I mean miserable!  Between the paid movers, members of our church, and my family, I have no idea how many gallons of water and Gatorade we consumed that day.  It was tough

            Still, I had made a vow to the Lord. I promised Him that I would not complain about the heat, no matter how bad it got.  I spent eight Februarys in Michigan.  No matter what anyone else says, I’ll take August in Coastal Georgia over February in Michigan any day of the week, and twice on Sundays. 

            But back to my vow.  I promised God I would not complain about the heat.  I’ve kept that promise. But to my shame, I’ve complained about other things.  Like the children of Israel long ago, I have found fault with the marvelous and matchless provision of God.  I have not been satisfied.

            The Bible tells us to, “Delight in the Lord.”  He is good. He is all that we need.  And yet, too many times we find ourselves longing for what others have. We are jealous and envious, failing to realize that God has provided for us what we need. 

            I want to be more thankful.  I want to learn to be content, just as Paul was.  “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in Glory,” he wrote to the Philippians. I pray that we will realize that is as true today as it was then.

Happy Birthday

We celebrated the birthday of the United States of America yesterday.  I remember the celebration of the bicentennial in 1976. I was a rising senior in high school.  Today, I suppose you could say that I’m still a rising senior.

            Please allow me to offer thanks to those of you who have served our country.  I consider it to be the greatest place to live on earth.  We have so many freedoms and opportunities that we take for granted. 

            And yet…ours is not a perfect country. Consider this. Some of the very folks who wrote and signed documents that declared that all people are created equal also owned other human beings.  They said one thing, and they clearly believed it. But they didn’t always live by those principles.

            Paul spoke of a similar thing in Romans 7.  Most of us would agree that the apostle was a great man. He was a preacher, a church planter, a missionary, and a man who provided us with a great example to follow.

            Still, as Paul discussed his own life he said these words.  “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”  Here’s what I think Paul is saying. Even though he was a committed follower of Jesus, there were times in his life when he simply did the wrong thing.  He still committed sin.  And it frustrated him. 

            People sometimes refer to Christians as hypocrites, and there are times when the descriptor fits.  We do fail. We do behave in ways that we should not. We do choose the wrong path.

            That is why the Gospel matters so much. God has offered salvation and forgiveness to us that is free. We cannot earn it.  We simply trust in Him.

            It is true that our forefathers did not perfectly follow the principles they put forth in our founding documents.  To this day we do not live by them as we should. And the same thing is true in our faith. We do not perfectly follow biblical teaching.

            Still, God is good. He forgives and He guides.  We can trust Him. 

Worship and Rest

Summer officially began this month, but here in southeast Georgia it is safe to say that we have been there a while.  The temperature, humidity, and thunderstorms are all present and accounted for, and the many activities of summer have begun.

            In our church we have finished Vacation Bible School, and I’m hearing the same refrain over and over. “We won’t be there this Sunday, pastor. We’re going to the (lake, beach, mountains…you fill in the blank) for the week.” 

            Our Sunday school and worship attendance goes down this time every year in what we commonly call “the summer slump.”  I used to fret over this phenomenon, wondering what I could do differently to ensure that attendance stayed strong in June and July. 

            I don’t have those same worries today.  After all, a couple of weeks ago my wife and I were on the Gulf of Mexico for several days of “R & R” ourselves.  We sat on the beach and by the pool, visited some historical sites, ate at several fine restaurants, and I hit a golf ball a couple of times. 

            The truth is we all need time away.  We all need breaks. God knows that.  If you will remember, He planned for us to take one day a week for rest and worship.  He set the example for us by creating in six days, and resting on the seventh.  God did not need to rest. But He knew that we do, and so He both told us and showed us what to do.

            We need a day each week to relax. But we need as well to gather with other believers in worship.  We need not be legalistic by having a list of activities from which we must refrain on this day. But we need to take the time to step away from the regular and persistent chores of life so that we might experience the presence of God each week in a new and powerful manner.

            I encourage you to protect this day for worship. Enjoy the Lord and all He has done for you.  You will accomplish more in the other six days if you keep the Lord’s command to, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.”