Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. ---Matthew 24:12-13
Consider if you will the postage stamp. Its total usefulness consists in its ability to stick to one thing until it gets done. I have not looked looked it up, but has the word, commitment, been deleted from the dictionary? Even postage stamps are useless without commitment, or as I like to call it... stick-to-it-ivity. I don’t see much of that today.
You may have heard the story of the hen and the pig walking past a country church one day. There was a sign in the yard that said: Ham & Egg Breakfast Sunday, 7:00 a.m. The hen said to the pig, “Sounds good, to me. Why don’t we drop by and make a contribution for the breakfast?”
The pig replied, “It may be just a contribution for you, but for me, it’s total commitment!”
Where have all our heroes gone? What ever happened to our role models? Where are the men and women of courage, character and commitment who forged ahead against overwhelming opposition to clear the way for others to follow? In the past, there were a few willing to make the sacrifice for the good of others. Today, there are practically none. Why?
In 1945, there were no Blacks in major league baseball. A young Black man of extraordinary talent and intestinal fortitude began to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Branch Richey of the Dodgers took the young man aside and gave him the following prophecy: “It won’t be easy. You’ll be heckled from the bench. They’ll call you every name in the book. The pitchers will throw at your head. They’ll make it plain they don’t like you, and they’ll try to make it so tough that you’ll give it all up and quit. But you won’t fight back either. You’ll have to take everything they dish out and never strike back. Do you have the guts it will take?” (Hal Butler, Sports Heroes Who Wouldn’t Quit [New York: Simon & Shuster, Inc., 1973], p.46)
Jackie Robinson did, indeed, have the “guts.” Not only did he survive, but he surpassed many of the game’s greats. In 1947, he was the National League’s Rookie of the Year, and in 1949, the Most Valuable Player. He is now a member of the Hall of Fame. Because Jackie was willing to “take the lick” to open the door of opportunity, many players of all races and ethnic groups are professional athletes today.
There was another young man several hundred years ago that was born in humble beginnings. His parents were slandered in the rumor mill because His mom was pregnant and not officially married. He carried the stigma of being an illegitimate child the rest of His life. He was born in a smelly stable among sheep and cows. He grew up with dirt under His nails and splinters in His fingers serving as a carpenter’s apprentice with His dad. He grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man until He entered the ministry at the age of thirty. Then He was driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil for forty days. When He came back in the power of the Spirit, the religious establishment slandered, mocked and tried to kill Him for over three years. He was misunderstood, ridiculed, mocked, mistreated, betrayed and ultimately crucified. And He never did a single thing wrong. While nailed to a cross, He even lost sight of His Father God. Nevertheless, He hung there. He never entertained the thought of coming down. For you see, it was not nails that kept Him on the cross. It was love. The first cousin of love is commitment.
Jesus could have called it quits and ended His suffering, but He was totally committed to His Father’s will as well as to you and me. He blazed the trail.
Watchman Nee once said,“Every suffering Jesus bore ripened into the fruit of obedience. No suffering of any kind was ever able to stir Him to murmuring or fretting.” Jesus never griped much less entertained thoughts of giving up.
How about you? What things in your life are most important to you? How committed are you to them? Are you willing to die for them? Is there anything that means everything to you? There are two kinds of people in the world: trail blazers and pathfinders. Those who take the road less traveled and those who take the broad way. There are those who make a difference, and those to whom it makes no difference. Which one are you?
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
The Graceline
This was written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio. Ms. Regina said: “To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more.”
This common sense, down-to-earth wisdom is too good not to pass along, especially since it stands in such stark contrast to the world gone brain-dead in which we find ourselves these days.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you are loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
I’ll add one more of my own.
Why are you still keeping score when God stopped keeping score at Calvary?
Blessings to you all who read The Graceline. I appreciate your listening to ramblings of a sojourner who’s trying not to miss the joy of life while searching for it. Carpe diem, Beloved.
This common sense, down-to-earth wisdom is too good not to pass along, especially since it stands in such stark contrast to the world gone brain-dead in which we find ourselves these days.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you are loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
I’ll add one more of my own.
Why are you still keeping score when God stopped keeping score at Calvary?
Blessings to you all who read The Graceline. I appreciate your listening to ramblings of a sojourner who’s trying not to miss the joy of life while searching for it. Carpe diem, Beloved.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Graceline
Do you know how much Jesus loves you? Do you really? I don’t think anybody can comprehend fully how much He loves us.
Ponder with me for a minute. Shame is a primary obstacle to our relationship with God. Guilt is different from shame. Guilt says I DID something wrong. Shame says I AM wrong. Shame leads to hopelessness. Shame is a deep feeling of contamination, uncleanness and yuckiness. Shame causes you to feel like you don’t belong; like you’re not supposed to be here. A feeling that you have to work twice as hard to get ½ as much accomplished. Shame makes you feel like a caterpillar in a butterfly world.
Shame comes when the important people in our lives curse our identity. This brings on a fear of abandonment, of being all alone, and of not being taken care of. Shame comes whenever you have been held accountable and have been made to feel wrong for things beyond your control. Shame is what Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden of Eden when they believed the lie of satan. He told them that God cared nothing for them, and they believed the lie. Mankind has been running from God ever since and hiding behind the fig leaves of hypocritical masks and false pretenses.
We all suffer the effects of shame to some degree, some more than others. When you grow up in a shame-based family (which we all have to some degree), the following unspoken rules are in effect:
1. Always remain in control of all behavior, feelings and circumstances.
2. Always be right and do it right. Never make a mistake.
Perfectionism rules the family, and there is no room for a learning process.
Nothing can be tainted, spoiled, flawed or outside the plan.
3. When rules #1 and #2 fail, and things get out of control, get angry and BLAME
someone (others, God or yourself).
Children are held responsible for the parent’s anger.
4. Deny everyone in the family 5 basic human experiences. It is wrong to:
• FEEL. (It is wrong to feel sad, lonely, fearful, etc.)
• PERCEIVE. (What parents say is right... period!)
• NEED. (Always be self-sufficient. Don’t bother anyone with a need.)
• BELIEVE. (Parents, or other important people, tell you “truth.”)
IMAGINE. (You have no right to imagine anything. A lifestyle of stuffing and denial of every “wrong” experience deep inside is established.
5. Always maintain secrecy regarding anything wrong.
6. Never acknowledge a mistake or make yourself vulnerable to anyone.
7. Don’t trust anyone. Relationships are erratic and unreliable.
Have you been shamed? There are two basic manifestations of a shame-based identity: a feeling of worthlessness, or a need to be independent and self-sufficient.
Worthlessness is manifested in the following ways:
ü Anger when circumstances seem to be out of control.
ü Fear of emotion. Fear of experiencing feeling, or getting out of control.
ü Difficulty saying “NO” to people.
ü Fear of failing. Fear of trying new things.
ü Frequent depression.
ü Compulsive sin or addictive habit.
ü Need to succeed in order to be accepted.
Self-sufficiency is manifested in the following ways:
ü Isolation and difficulty making close friends.
ü Avoidance of getting into a position of need or dependence.
ü Great difficulty in asking for a favor or help.
ü Being a much better “giver” than “receiver.”
ü Being fearful or uncomfortable being part of a small group without being the leader to control the group or withdrawing and not participating at all.
ü Feeling tolerated rather than chosen.
ü Having been the recipient of a gift, feeling the need to repay.
Do you remember the song that goes like this: “When a man loves a woman, she can do no wrong. Turn his back on his best friend if he puts her down?” When you are in love, you never see the faults of your beloved. She is the most beautiful, wonderful, blessed thing in the universe. Don’t you remember what it was like to be in love?
Beloved, as a child of God, you are the BRIDE of Christ. He is crazy in love with you. He only has eyes for you. He loves you so much he laid down His life for you. But you don’t believe that, do you? If you did, the realization of such fantastic love would transform your life and turn you into a butterfly instead of a worm. You have believed the lie of the devil and you’re crawling around in the dust of shame trying to keep from getting stomped. How’s that working for you?
Don’t you think it’s time to start believing the TRUTH? What do have to lose except your shame. Feel the exhilaration of your soul as you listen to the TRUTH:
Hebrews 13:5 AMP--- For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not,[I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down ( relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
Jeremiah31:3 MSG--- GOD told them, "I've never quit loving you and never will.
Expect love, love, and more love!
He’s talking about YOU, you know. Can you think of anything more frustrating than to love someone with all your heart, and they just won’t let you love them? It’s true. You can only be loved as much as you allow someone love you, no matter how much they love you.
He’s waiting to love YOU, Beloved. What are you waiting on?
Ponder with me for a minute. Shame is a primary obstacle to our relationship with God. Guilt is different from shame. Guilt says I DID something wrong. Shame says I AM wrong. Shame leads to hopelessness. Shame is a deep feeling of contamination, uncleanness and yuckiness. Shame causes you to feel like you don’t belong; like you’re not supposed to be here. A feeling that you have to work twice as hard to get ½ as much accomplished. Shame makes you feel like a caterpillar in a butterfly world.
Shame comes when the important people in our lives curse our identity. This brings on a fear of abandonment, of being all alone, and of not being taken care of. Shame comes whenever you have been held accountable and have been made to feel wrong for things beyond your control. Shame is what Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden of Eden when they believed the lie of satan. He told them that God cared nothing for them, and they believed the lie. Mankind has been running from God ever since and hiding behind the fig leaves of hypocritical masks and false pretenses.
We all suffer the effects of shame to some degree, some more than others. When you grow up in a shame-based family (which we all have to some degree), the following unspoken rules are in effect:
1. Always remain in control of all behavior, feelings and circumstances.
2. Always be right and do it right. Never make a mistake.
Perfectionism rules the family, and there is no room for a learning process.
Nothing can be tainted, spoiled, flawed or outside the plan.
3. When rules #1 and #2 fail, and things get out of control, get angry and BLAME
someone (others, God or yourself).
Children are held responsible for the parent’s anger.
4. Deny everyone in the family 5 basic human experiences. It is wrong to:
• FEEL. (It is wrong to feel sad, lonely, fearful, etc.)
• PERCEIVE. (What parents say is right... period!)
• NEED. (Always be self-sufficient. Don’t bother anyone with a need.)
• BELIEVE. (Parents, or other important people, tell you “truth.”)
IMAGINE. (You have no right to imagine anything. A lifestyle of stuffing and denial of every “wrong” experience deep inside is established.
5. Always maintain secrecy regarding anything wrong.
6. Never acknowledge a mistake or make yourself vulnerable to anyone.
7. Don’t trust anyone. Relationships are erratic and unreliable.
Have you been shamed? There are two basic manifestations of a shame-based identity: a feeling of worthlessness, or a need to be independent and self-sufficient.
Worthlessness is manifested in the following ways:
ü Anger when circumstances seem to be out of control.
ü Fear of emotion. Fear of experiencing feeling, or getting out of control.
ü Difficulty saying “NO” to people.
ü Fear of failing. Fear of trying new things.
ü Frequent depression.
ü Compulsive sin or addictive habit.
ü Need to succeed in order to be accepted.
Self-sufficiency is manifested in the following ways:
ü Isolation and difficulty making close friends.
ü Avoidance of getting into a position of need or dependence.
ü Great difficulty in asking for a favor or help.
ü Being a much better “giver” than “receiver.”
ü Being fearful or uncomfortable being part of a small group without being the leader to control the group or withdrawing and not participating at all.
ü Feeling tolerated rather than chosen.
ü Having been the recipient of a gift, feeling the need to repay.
Do you remember the song that goes like this: “When a man loves a woman, she can do no wrong. Turn his back on his best friend if he puts her down?” When you are in love, you never see the faults of your beloved. She is the most beautiful, wonderful, blessed thing in the universe. Don’t you remember what it was like to be in love?
Beloved, as a child of God, you are the BRIDE of Christ. He is crazy in love with you. He only has eyes for you. He loves you so much he laid down His life for you. But you don’t believe that, do you? If you did, the realization of such fantastic love would transform your life and turn you into a butterfly instead of a worm. You have believed the lie of the devil and you’re crawling around in the dust of shame trying to keep from getting stomped. How’s that working for you?
Don’t you think it’s time to start believing the TRUTH? What do have to lose except your shame. Feel the exhilaration of your soul as you listen to the TRUTH:
Hebrews 13:5 AMP--- For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not,[I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down ( relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
Jeremiah31:3 MSG--- GOD told them, "I've never quit loving you and never will.
Expect love, love, and more love!
He’s talking about YOU, you know. Can you think of anything more frustrating than to love someone with all your heart, and they just won’t let you love them? It’s true. You can only be loved as much as you allow someone love you, no matter how much they love you.
He’s waiting to love YOU, Beloved. What are you waiting on?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wednesday Bible Study Returns
On Wednesday, November 4th, we will have Bible Study in the sanctuary from 6:30 to 7:30 pm like we used to have it. A lot of people have not CONNECTED with a small group yet. So many people are missing the blessing of being a part of a GRACE Group. I will continue to help you get CONNECTED. Call me anytime and let me help you find your group.
Supper time at the church is later now... from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
We will be studying Romans 5 thru 8. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BIBLE. There will be no notes. Bring your Bible and a pen to write notes in your own Bible. See you on the 4th.
Supper time at the church is later now... from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
We will be studying Romans 5 thru 8. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BIBLE. There will be no notes. Bring your Bible and a pen to write notes in your own Bible. See you on the 4th.
The Graceline
I performed a wedding ceremony this past Saturday at the same time my Clemson Football Tigers were playing the Miami Hurricanes. Of all the blessings Papa has given us in this technological age, TiVo has to be the best of them all. I recorded the game and planned to sit down and watch it after the wedding. My daughter, Kia, called me right before the ceremony began and asked if I was watching the game. I said, “No! I’m at a wedding and don’t tell me anything about it. I’m TiVo-ing it. I don’t want to know the score!”
“It’s really exciting!” she said.
“Thanks, Kia. I appreciate that,” I responded sarcastically.
We arrived home later that evening. We usually leave the TV on to keep Gracie company. As I take my coat off and head to the closet, I hear a sports announcer say: “What a game down in Miami this afternoon! Clemson pulls it out in overtime, 40 to 37!”
My heart sank. Watching a sports event after you know the score is a little bit like kissing your sister… not very exciting. Nevertheless, Wanda and I decided to watch it anyway just to see how them mighty Tigers survived the hurricanes down in Miami. Via the blessing of TiVo, we ran thru the commercials and the time between downs. We would watch the play and then fast forward to the next. It was great.
In the overtime, Miami got the ball first and kicked a field goal. Miami 37, Clemson 34. Clemson’s first two plays net them a yard loss, and it was third down and eleven on the twenty-six yard line. I looked at Wanda and said, “If I didn’t know we had already won, I’d be a little bit nervous right now.”
In this exciting game, there were like eight ties and/or lead changes. It was back and forth. You know, kinda like life. Sometimes you’re ahead, and sometimes you’re behind. Sometimes the breaks go your way, and sometimes they go against you.
In the game of life, I’d be a little bit nervous, too, if I didn’t know that because of Jesus we had already won the game. Jesus overcame sin and death on the cross and rose from the grave to assure our final victory. I don’t care what the score is now. The final score will be in favor of those who put their trust and faith in Him.
Sure, there are times when I look at the scoreboard and get discouraged. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever catch up with all the bad breaks and busted plays going against me. That’s when I remind myself that the victory is already won. When it’s all said and done, we will stand with Jesus in His victory. He will wipe away every tear and right every wrong. And then as the Clemson Alma Mater says: “Then the Tigers roar will echo o’er the mountain heights.” Or should that be, the Lion of Judah? Either way, we don’t need to get nervous since we already know Who wins the game.
“It’s really exciting!” she said.
“Thanks, Kia. I appreciate that,” I responded sarcastically.
We arrived home later that evening. We usually leave the TV on to keep Gracie company. As I take my coat off and head to the closet, I hear a sports announcer say: “What a game down in Miami this afternoon! Clemson pulls it out in overtime, 40 to 37!”
My heart sank. Watching a sports event after you know the score is a little bit like kissing your sister… not very exciting. Nevertheless, Wanda and I decided to watch it anyway just to see how them mighty Tigers survived the hurricanes down in Miami. Via the blessing of TiVo, we ran thru the commercials and the time between downs. We would watch the play and then fast forward to the next. It was great.
In the overtime, Miami got the ball first and kicked a field goal. Miami 37, Clemson 34. Clemson’s first two plays net them a yard loss, and it was third down and eleven on the twenty-six yard line. I looked at Wanda and said, “If I didn’t know we had already won, I’d be a little bit nervous right now.”
In this exciting game, there were like eight ties and/or lead changes. It was back and forth. You know, kinda like life. Sometimes you’re ahead, and sometimes you’re behind. Sometimes the breaks go your way, and sometimes they go against you.
In the game of life, I’d be a little bit nervous, too, if I didn’t know that because of Jesus we had already won the game. Jesus overcame sin and death on the cross and rose from the grave to assure our final victory. I don’t care what the score is now. The final score will be in favor of those who put their trust and faith in Him.
Sure, there are times when I look at the scoreboard and get discouraged. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever catch up with all the bad breaks and busted plays going against me. That’s when I remind myself that the victory is already won. When it’s all said and done, we will stand with Jesus in His victory. He will wipe away every tear and right every wrong. And then as the Clemson Alma Mater says: “Then the Tigers roar will echo o’er the mountain heights.” Or should that be, the Lion of Judah? Either way, we don’t need to get nervous since we already know Who wins the game.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Parenting GRACE Group
Our final Parenting Class, Loving Our Kids on Purpose, will be held in the sanctuary this Sunday evening, October 18th, from 5 to 7 pm. Mrs. Linda Cripps, a family counselor will be with us to answer specific questions you might have. Don't miss this opportunity even if you have not attended thus far. Please join us.
I know I shouldn't be disappointed, but I am saddened by the lack of response we've had. We have had at most 24 parents and grandparents attend. This is really good stuff. We had quality childcare and we have fed them every week except week one when we had 18 kids.
I really thought we would have 100 people attend this class. The parents who have attended have testified to the benefit of this series. Maybe you didn't know about it. Maybe we did a poor job of advertising. Maybe the time was not conducive. I don't know.
Anyway, I would like to hear from you as to what you would like for us to offer in the way of Discipleship and Bible Study. If we offered more on Parenting, would you be interested? I look forward to hearing from you.
I know I shouldn't be disappointed, but I am saddened by the lack of response we've had. We have had at most 24 parents and grandparents attend. This is really good stuff. We had quality childcare and we have fed them every week except week one when we had 18 kids.
I really thought we would have 100 people attend this class. The parents who have attended have testified to the benefit of this series. Maybe you didn't know about it. Maybe we did a poor job of advertising. Maybe the time was not conducive. I don't know.
Anyway, I would like to hear from you as to what you would like for us to offer in the way of Discipleship and Bible Study. If we offered more on Parenting, would you be interested? I look forward to hearing from you.
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