Remembering a Dream!

Remembering a Dream

I had a dream.  Most nights I have dreams.  The dreams do not always stick in my morning recollection, they seem to vanish with the dawn.  However, this dream or set of dreams I do remember.  They were memories and desires of my youth.

When you dream, do you remember your dreams?

When you dream, do you remember your dreams?

In one portion of the dream, I was playing catch with my father.  We had a nice long stretch of grass to play catch on.  The dream was more or less a memory.  It was late in the day, we were throwing the ball.  My age was probably about 10/11, his about my current age now, mid-thirties.  Funny just saying that is a revealing statement, but that is for another write up.  I remember my father wearing a dark Green T-shirt.  Even the mustache he used to wear sticks out in my mind.  The stretch of grass we played on did have a drawback.  About 15 feet behind each of us was a downhill slope.  If it turned out that one of us made a bad throw or missed the ball, chances were we would have a bit of a run to regain the ball.  Heh… there were some frustrating times I am certain for my father as my young arm would toss the ball wildly at times.

In another portion of the dream, I was playing in a little league baseball game.  The dream was very clear, but this time it was more a memory of feelings and desires rather than actual occurrences.  The satisfaction of getting to go up to bat.  The joy of not swinging at a pitch that was called a ball.  I could smell the dust of the field and see it splattered on home plate in front of me.  Admittedly, the memory of the cockiness that I knew I was going to get a hit was in my mind.  Then came the pitch.  I hit it, it went back, back, and Wow! a homerun!  Back in those days, I hit lots of “run homes”.  This was a term we used when you hit the ball and due to the errors of the other team you were able to run all the bases and score.  However, history serves me well in noting I never did hit a home run.  The only thing close would be backyard whiffle ball with a fence 15 feet away.  Still, the joy and accomplishment even upon waking up and remembering the dream of the home run rests with me at this moment.  Something I was always reaching to obtain, but never quite grasped.

Sometimes, it is hard to differentiate between memories and fantastical dreams.  An instance may have seemed so real, but yet, it never occured except in that sleep world.  How our fears, excitement, stresses, achievements, and longings mingle in our head.  Even in the daytime, when we think back upon our childhood, we only grasp slight glimpses here and there and ponder, “was that they way that situation happened?”.

How our head can rush with memories of our lifetime, both in the day and night, awake and asleep.  Memories for some that may have occurred 80-90 years ago.  Still, try as we may, despite millions of memories, we do not recall each one.  We don’t even recall the majority of the happenings of the days of our lives.

Jesus states the following in Matt. 12:36:

And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Paul gives us these words in Romans 14:11:

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God.  So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.

The apostle John in Revelation writes in Rev 20:12:

And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Our minds may not remember all the behaviors, emotions, and activities which we were involved in 80 years ago, 20 years ago, last week, or yesterday; however, God does.

Psa 139:1-4 … O Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Jehovah, thou knowest it altogether.

God knows what was  a dream and what was a reality.  There will come a day in which he clears our mind so that we can see the sum total and individual parts of our being.  Are we ready for that day?  What will we remember when we stand before His throne?  No doubt, we will be humbled.  All will be humbled to be before such purity and holiness.   Therefore, these thoughts come to mind, while the mind still functions here:

Pro 27:1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Mat 6:33-34 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.   Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Psa 26:2 Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; Try my heart and my mind.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

I note all those to say this: According to the great power of the Word of God we shall be judged according to His knowledge of all that we have done.  We ought not worry about tomorrow or be concerned about yesterday.  Rather, each day, while we have consciousness of our actions, we should take a clear look at ourselves and do what is right in the sight of the Lord.  If we falter, we have an advocate in heaven (I Jn. 2:1), but this is based upon the His authority and our obedience to His commands.

Act 3:19-21 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

May God bless you in your dreams and in your waking hours.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Remembering a Dream!

The Stench of Sin

What is that stench?

One week after moving into our new home, my wife became concerned with a new revelation. She had been out on our deck, enjoying a sunny spring day, when a pipe sticking three feet out of the ground began to spew bubbles. My reply? “Oh, it’s no big deal.”

Do you eliminate the stench or embrace it?

Do you eliminate the stench or embrace it?

Ever notice, when folks have a problem on their hands, they often do not realize it? Or they minimize the problem, so they do not have to address it?

Amos 4:10 – “I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have carried away your horses; and I have made the stench of your camp to come up even into your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah.”

The children of Israel had a stench problem. The scripture tells us, that even their nostrils noticed it. Yes, the problem was noticed, but what was done about it? It was ignored.

Speaking shamefully about my own sex, we men are kind of funny when it comes to a stench. Nearly every guy when confronted about possible body odor, has lifted his arm… and yes… took a whiff! “Nah, I smell fine”, he will say and onward he will go. Even if we notice a bit of odor, we will just try to spray deodorant on the problem and go about our business, rather than take the time to shower and solve the problem properly.

Regarding the bubble/pipe problem, a few days later my wife informed me we now had our own sewage laying out in the yard. The pipe, as it turns out, was not just directly connected to the washer, but also the sinks, dishwasher, and yes… the commode. There was something about being confronted with my own fecal matter that made a switch in my head flip over. “Ah, I have a problem. I need to correct it.” Yes, the thought also came to my head, “Maybe if I just spray the area vigorously with a hose on occasion, no one will notice.” The image of my darling wife’s reaction, made me choose a more appropriate action. I called a plumber/septic “professional”.

Israel, from the scripture above in Amos, had a stench problem due to sin. Throughout their history, their foolish attempts at problem solving fell widely short of success. Seeking out soothsayers was not a solution. Seeking out false god’s was not a solution. Trying to become like other nations was not a solution. Ignoring the problem of their sin, hoping it would go away, was not a solution. What they needed was a sin “professional”.

John 1:29 – “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

Jesus is our sin “professional”.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 – “Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.”

Dead, rotting items cause a stench. Adam and Eve were warned from the beginning:

Genesis 3:2-3 – “And the woman said unto the serpent, Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.”

Moments later, man would begin to stink from the smell of sin.

Isaiah 50:2 – “Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst.”

From Isaiah, we see that fish began to stink because they were out of water. Thus, they died. Without the living water, man will die.

John 7:38 – “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.”

My darling wife alerted me to a septic problem. If I had not been made aware of it or I had chosen to continue to ignore the problem, it would have gotten much worse. It would have gotten to the point where the home would have been unlivable. Yes, that point was in the future, but how far in the future? We just don’t know.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 – “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”

Some day, our Savior is going to come. It is in the future, but when? Will we still have our stench problem? Will He come sooner, rather than later? It behooves us to seek the sin “professional”, before he finds us and destroys the stench rather than moves it.

John 16:8 – “And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

From a physical standpoint, smokers often do not realize the stench with which they fill their environment. Pet owners often do not realize the animal smell that can pervade their homes. Those in sin, often are oblivious to the situations in which they are involved. They are much like the frog when dropped into the cool pot of water. It seems like a great environment. However, as the water is slowly heated up, and the environment becomes dangerous, the frog does not notice. Before he knows it, the frog has lost his life.

Christians are blessed by God to be watchmen. They are folks who alert others to the stench that sin creates. It is the duty of watchmen to inform the souls of the world. It is Christians duty to teach about God’s will and Christ’s cleansing power!

Hebrews 9:14 – “how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Do you have a stench problem? Are you infecting the environment around you with the smell of sin? Are you jeopardizing the souls of your family, friends, and acquaintances? Dear friend, here is that warning. Turn to the Word of God. Seek out the cleansing blood of Jesus. Discover what His will is and how you can be a sweet smelling fragrance unto Him.

Ephesians 5:1 – “Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.”

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Stench of Sin

Heaven or Earth?

Heaven or Earth?

Christians want to go to heaven! Why stay on earth?

Christians want to go to heaven! Why stay on earth?

There is a song entitled, “I’ll live in Glory” that is sung at many congregations. Its first line reads “I’d like to stay here longer than man’s allotted days”. The reference is to staying upon the earth. Many people, including myself, have said, “What!?!” The reason for this response is that we want to go home to God. We are tired of living in a world of sin, jealousies, violence, hatred, and evil. Don’t worry, there is nothing wrong with this response. It reminds me of the words of Peter regarding Lot and his deliverance from Sodom and Gomorrah:

• 2 Peter 2:7-8 – …Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their lawless deeds):

Lot wanted to be free from the sinful atmosphere which surrounded him. But he is not the only man in the Bible who felt like this, Habakkuk a prophet of old had a similar response:

• Habakkuk 1:2-4 – O Jehovah, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? I cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save. Why dost thou show me iniquity, and look upon perverseness? for destruction and violence are before me; and there is strife, and contention riseth up. Therefore the law is slacked, and justice doth never go forth; for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore justice goeth forth perverted.

These men old longed for the purity and holiness of God. Indeed, our senses should be appalled at the wickedness which surrounds us day after day. Romans 6:23 tells us: “All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God…” Yet, Christians have left this lifestyle in seeking something better.

• Colossians 3:5-14 – Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; for which things’ sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things; but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him: where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.

All of this being acknowledged, there came a time in my life that I realized, that I agreed with the phrase: “I’d like to stay here longer than man’s allotted days”. In a moment, I will tell you why. However, think for a moment about a man who desired to stay longer up on the earth than God had allotted for him. His name was Hezekiah. He was King over Judah. 2 Kings 20 and 2 Chronicles 32 records how he became ill to the point of death. He was told by God he would die. However, he prayed to God and God gave him 15 years more of life. In 2 Chronicles 32:25, we read: “But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem.” Fortunately, Hezekiah humbled himself again, but we must be aware that if we have more time, we are also subject to further temptation.

Now, why did I come to agree with the phrase, “I’d like to stay here longer than man’s allotted days”, although I do not want to be surrounded by the sin of the world longer than I have to endure it and I realize with each passing moment “sin is crouching at the door” (Genesis 4:7). The truth is I began to fear for my children. My job is to mentor and develop them to be strong in Christ.

• Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

It is my job to make certain that they learn what they are to do in Christ. It is my job to let them know He loves them and died for them. This is something that will be with them forever, it will not depart. It doesn’t matter what manner of trouble they get into, God’s truths will be with them to guide them out of it, when they cling to Him. I want them to have the best opportunity for everything to turn out right during and at the end of their lives.

• Ephesians 6:1-3 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

With a promise like this from God, how can I not want to extend my days to be here for my children? Of course, as my children have grown, other realizations have become apparent. Someday, they will likely get married. I pray for their future spouses. I pray for their godliness. And yes, I pray for my grandchildren. I want to see my grandchildren.

• Proverbs 17:6 – Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.

Indeed, as with my children, I want to raise righteous grandchildren. I want to establish generations of family committed to serving God. “I’d like to stay here longer than man’s allotted days”.

Certainly there is conflict present in wanting to be with God and wanting to be here for family. However, the Bible puts this conflict into an even clearer picture. Consider the words of the apostle Paul:

• Philippians 1:21-26 – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Paul too wanted to be with Christ. To die would be gain for him. He would receive the reward of eternal life with the Father. Yet, he understood, there was work to be done. It is not just work for your children and your grandchildren. We have the blessing of sharing the gospel to all those who would receive it if we live. We will be able to provide an example and encouragement. The promise of eternal life does not go away, because we are here continuing to “fear God and do His commandments” as He desires us to do.

• John 4:35-36 – …Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes , and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.”

These things being said, only God knows what day is our last. Whether we are here on earth a great number of days or a short span according to man, let us not forget our purpose to follow and glorify Him. Let us love our God, our family, our neighbors, and appreciate and understand the brevity of our days.

• James 4:13-15 – Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”– yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Heaven or Earth?

Unity Together or Apart

Unity Together or Apart

Here are a couple of sayings with which you may be familiar:

  1. “If you want something done, do it yourself.”
  2. “Never ask someone to do something you aren’t first willing to do yourself.”

    Unity can be broken by many actions.

    Unity can be broken by many actions.

As humans, it seems we always have an opinion about how others can improve their lives.  The other person could go to college, work harder, study more, aim higher, make better financial decisions, etc.  Yet, how often is it that criticism given by someone who is not willing to engage in the same activities?  Note:  This is not the same as criticism from someone telling you not to engage in something destructive, though they have never done so themselves.  We are talking about someone giving you advice which they themselves are not willing to follow.

Folks in the Church are often guilty of these same actions.  They instruct others to sing, yet, they do not sing.  They instruct others to study, yet, they do not study.  Advice is given, yet the advisor ignores their own advice.  There are a few churches that I know of who speak of unity among the brethren.  They have actively discouraged the multiple congregations in their town and area for not being in one location under one body of elders.  The congregations are small and close to dying, most without elders, and they all agree doctrinally.  Yet, they will not unite together under one roof.  Gossip has started.  Frustration has mounted.  Hurt feelings have resulted.  What are the limitations?  The most significant factor is the fact that none want to sell their (paid off) buildings.

Jesus in speaking in Luk 18:22-23 stated:

… One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. But when he heard these things, he became exceeding sorrowful; for he was very rich.

Jesus speaks in those verses to the desire of man to hold on to his physical possessions, rather than moving forward in serving Christ.  The congregations we are examining here are holding to their physical possessions.  None is willing to take the first vulnerable step and commit to putting a for sale sign on their lots.  None are willing to strive for unity in the name of Christ, due to their inflexible human desires.  Sadly, much pain is felt from lack of unity.  Men qualified as deacons and elders cannot be appointed.  Brothers and sisters are building “made up” animosity with one another.  Even the issue of race is being mentioned.  All of this from good kind people, who have glanced briefly away from Christ.

Resolution, could be biblically met in two distinct ways.

1) Talk about Unity and be willing to follow through on the words spoken.

2 Cor 1:18 But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay.

2) Do not speak of the topic of geographic unity anymore and instead work together in unity in separate locations serving God together.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

In all that we instruct, we must first be willing to do the very same words we say.  If not, we create pain, damage, and disharmony among others.  This is true both in the church and in the world.  In doing so, we will lead by a solid Christian example and others will be willing to follow the wise words which we speak.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Unity Together or Apart

Your Inheritance

What is Your Inheritance?

Moonbeam, Gandolph, Honey, Melody, John…

There are three specific names a man is given in his life. These names will have an effect on him. If he maintains his name and does not change it, a man can affect the aura of his name and what it comes to mean.

what is the inheritance of your name

What is the inheritance of your name?

The first name a man is given is his last name. The name he inherits, his family name. It is said that the best inheritance a person can leave is a good family name. To keep one’s family name untarnished should be the goal of all good sons. To make it stand out as one of honor is the responsibility of every generation. During each generation a family name may end up having more influence later than when it began. Take for instance Gates. This name, as all names, has a particular amount of influence. Yet, once it became associated with Bill Gates (Billionaire), the name carried even more influence. Other such names could be Kennedy, Carnegie, or Ford. Of course, influence is not necessarily a good thing. Imagine having the family name Manson, Bundy, or Hussein. These are names that became rather infamous for their murderous lineages. Life can be very hard because of a name. Life can also have many blessings because of a name. Perhaps this gives understanding to the foundation of the saying, “It is not what you know, but who you know”. Multitudes once flocked to the name Obama when it was popular so they could reap the benefits of “who they knew”. After it became apparent the name Obama was not so advantageous with which to be associated, the same folks flocking to it were distancing themselves as far as they could from it. The following Biblical passage comes to mind: Job 19:19 – All my familiar friends abhor me, And they whom I loved are turned against me. Yes, the family name can wield influence, but ultimately, it will be defined by the third name discussed in this article.

The second name a man is given is the name his parents choose for him. Parents often try to choose names they feel signify success: Jordan, Barak, George, or Reagan. Others choose names to make a statement. Consider the following: Heaven Lee Gates, Summer Salters, Crystal Shanda Lear, Adolph Hitler, and Arian Nation. Yes, these are all names folks have chosen within the last decade to make a statement in their children. Of course, it appears some statements are made out of fun, but others are quite a bit more serious. There is a song that was sung by Johnny Cash entitled “Boy named Sue”. Because of the name Sue, the man with that name had to deal with a lot of grief. The name a parent chooses for their child should go deeper than trying to make a political statement or get a good laugh. In the scriptures there are a great number of names with deep meaning. Consider: Adam (man), Methusaleh (He died and it is sent [the flood]), Noah (comfort, rest), Abraham (Father of many), and Immanuel (God with us). Of course, these names were the essence of who these men were. As with a man’s family name, the name a parent chooses for his child is most ultimately defined by the third name given to him.

The third name a man is given is the one he gives to himself. The name a man builds for himself is based upon a multitude of actions, yet, one moment, one action can redefine how a man is known. Many know the name “Joe Wilson” now because he yelled out “You Lie” when Barak Hussein Obama made an address to congress regarding the issue of health care. Some people, based on that action, may hold the name of Joe Wilson as a strong voice willing to denounce falsehoods at any level. Others may now hold the name in a negative light, not because Mr. Wilson spoke the truth, but because they associate it with a lack of civility. Apologies can be made, but sometimes that will never take away the association with the action. Judas was an apostle of Christ. For this he should be known for many good and wondrous activities. Unfortunately, his betrayal of the Savior of mankind completely overshadows any good he might have done. Yes, he returned the money he took for such a heinous deed, yet, this did not remove the consequence of tainting his name forever. A good name takes much work and cultivation throughout a lifetime. It takes diligence to keep it respected. No man keeps a good name through a life of ease and slothfulness. His words, his kindness or lack thereof, his industriousness, his success and mistakes, these are the type of items which will determine the character of the name he wears.

How have you built your names? What do they represent to others? If you have children, what inheritance are you leaving your children with your names? How will they treat the names you give them? Do they understand the importance of keeping a good name? Do they understand they are the authors of what their names will come to mean? Impart to them the wisdom of Solomon: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).

What does your name mean and what do you want it to represent?

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Your Inheritance