Memorial Day

I believe there should be more than one “Memorial Day” each year. It seems that to most Americans it’s just another “Official Holiday,” the “unofficial start of summer,” the end of the school year, a cookout. Sure, there is the passing mention of those who have fallen in defense of our country. There are stories on the news programs and in the newspaper and more flags than usual might be seen. But it doesn’t seem like it is enough or that the majority of us really, truly consider its depth of meaning.

I also believe the same thing is true with regard to the greatest sacrifice ever made…the death of Jesus of Nazareth on the Cross of Calvary so long ago. The vast majority of people may claim to remember; yet they fail to celebrate and meditate on its importance. The first century church came together on a weekly basis to commemorate this great event with a memorial supper. Far too many who claim to be Christians today continue to observe this memorial.

Friday I watched on as this year’s graduates from the United States Naval Academy received their diplomas. During the ceremony, the members of the graduating class were sworn into the Navy as Ensigns or into the Marine Corps as 2nd Lts. The new 1st Class Midshipmen then lead three cheers for “those who are about to leave us,” and the graduates, led by the class president, responded with three cheers “for those we leave behind.” On the last “hooray” of this cheer, the graduates tossed their midshipman caps into the air, to be recovered by spectators as mementos of the occasion.

Thursday I watched as my daughter Rachel Dooley graduated from the 8th grade and became a High School Freshman. Saturday evening Kristina Stewart graduated from Boone County High School. Jonathan Glass graduated from Freed-Hardeman University a few weeks ago and Deric Hutson graduated from Thomas Moore College. Congratulations to all of our graduates!

All of these things have reminded me that as a Christian there are a few things I need to always keep fresh in my mind.

Love: The love of family, friends, country and most of all Christ and what He has done, is doing and yet will accomplish in my life.

Thanksgiving: for all of the above.

Memorial: For those who have gone on before and those we leave behind but most of all
for the love of God and the greatest sacriice man has known (or ever will).

Commitment: To be faithful! To family, the church and country. It is hard work…but it surely is and will be worth it all!

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Accepting Responsibility

One of the characteristics that most people today have in common is their refusal to accept personal responsibility for things that they have control over.  It is not uncommon today to hear people give as their excuse for some failure in life one of the following:

1.         I did not know how to do it.

2.         I saw someone else do it that way and I thought it should be done that way.

3.         Someone told me so.

4.         I did not have time to read about the problem.

5.         Someone made me do it that way.

6.         I thought it was acceptable..

7.         Everyone else believes that is right.

There are many other responses given for failures in life by many people today just like these listed.  What is wrong with this list?  It simply is a dodging of personal responsibility and a failure to accept the consequence for a bad decision or a bad choice when called to account for the failure.

In most all secular pursuits today,  people are refusing to accept responsibility for their deeds, lifestyle, or economic condition.  This attitude of refusing responsibility for personal actions is also a problem in many congregations today.

The Bible tells us that our eternal destiny depends upon our acceptance of personal responsibility for the things we do and for the way we live.  Please observe the following Scriptural references that show personal responsibly is to be accepted if man is to please God:

Matthew  25:15-28 – “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.”  (KJV)

Hebrews  5:8-9 – “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

CONCLUSION:

In reality everyone is responsible for the choices that they make in every arena of life.  For every choice there are consequences,  therefore  when we accept responsibility for the decisions we make we will weigh the consequences before we make the choice.  To consider well our choices and the possible consequence is a Biblical principle that everyone should incorporate within their actions toward choices in life (i.e., count the cost or consider the consequence well before committing to a position),that is an exercise in personal responsibility.

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Is Social Drinking a Sin?

It’s all right if I have a beer or two in the privacy of my own home, isn’t it? It is not a sin to drink alcohol so long as I don’t get drunk, right? Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomachs sake, so it must be oaky to drink a little, right? How many times have we all heard statements and questions such as these? How many times have we ourselves asked these things? Well, the answer to all these questions is simple…No.

A Stumbling Block

Romans 14:13, “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” If for no other reason but this one, social drinking is a sin. If you were to come into my home and see beer and wine in my refrigerator, what would you think? In verse 21 Paul then said, “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” If we know that we should be setting a good example and we don’t, what is it? “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

“Drunk” and “Excess” of Ephesians 5:18

Ephesians 5:18 states, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” To be “drunk with wine” is derived from the Greek verbiage meaning “to intoxicate” or the process of becoming drunk. When a person takes a drink of alcohol he has become intoxicated. Certainly every one has a different tolerance level and the blood alcohol level will vary. Yet the fact remains that after one drink a person begins to become drunk.

Now as for the word “excess” please read 1 Peter 4:4 and apply the same logic many do to our text. 1 Peter 4:4 states, “Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:” It light of the logic used by some in Ephesians 5:18 it would certainly be okay to “riot” a little as long as we don’t “riot” a lot! 2 Peter 2:13 states that those who “riot” will receive the reward of unrighteousness. Does it matter if it is just a little controlled, social rioting or an excess of such?

1 Timothy 5:23

Paul wrote to Timothy, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” Many have tried to use this verse in an attempt to justify alcohol as a beverage. It does no such thing; in fact it does quite the opposite. Timothy refrained from drinking wine and strong drink all together, even when sick. This was done no doubt, not only in order to set a good example, but as a matter of Christian purity.

We have made great advancements in recent generations in the medical field. If a doctor tells you today to “use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake” I would suggest a second opinion!

Don’t Be A Fool

Strong words indeed, but Proverbs 20:1 states, “Wine IS A MOCKER, STRONG DRINK IS raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Proverbs 14:16 tells us, “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” Those who are wise will avoid wine and strong drink.  To know what happens to the foolish we need only read what Jesus has to say in Matthew 25:1-13.

Conclusion

Psalms 75:8, “For in the hand of the LORD there is A CUP, AND THE WINE IS RED; IT IS FULL OF MIXTURE; AND HE POURETH OUT OF THE SAME: BUT THE DREGS THEREOF, ALL THE WICKED OF THE EARTH SHALL WRING THEM OUT, AND DRINK THEM.” What shall be of those who partake of that which the Lord himself has discarded?

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Tired of Backs and Fronts

Could someone please tell me why every year around this time we have Christian young people going to prom (or “banquet”). [And let’s not kid ourselves into thinking by changing the name to “banquet” it suddenly becomes righteous. Or just because it is sponsored by parents and not a “Christian school” does not change the fact that our kids recognize it as prom.]

Shouldn’t we be past this issue in the Church? I was hoping by now the cycle would have been broken. When will Christian parents stand up and be CHRISTIAN PARENTS–not worldly parents? Every year we continue to allow our children to conform to worldly standards rather than being transformed (Romans 12:2). How many people reading this right now are using mental gymnastics to justify their own children’s or grandchildren’s participation at the prom/banquet? Friends, that’s called situational ethics. We must remember that if it is wrong, then it is always wrong! (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

By the way, if I need to share with you why it is wrong, then the church is in much worse shape than I expected. I won’t go into the physiology of hormones and teenage boys on facebook, but Christian fathers probably remember enough to know that this is not a wholesome environment! Christian dads, what on earth are you thinking giving your daughter’s heart away so easily?

QUESTION DADS: If you owned a $250,000 sports car would you just toss the keys to
some hormonal 17 year old boy to take your daughter out for a ride? Well guess what, your daughter is worth MUCH MORE THAN THAT. You are giving your most important  possession away–your daughter–to a young hormonal teen, and expecting them to remain pure before God?! Have we lost our minds? Friends, cars are easily repaired, if broken. Young girls are not as easy to repair!

But I’m sure your situation is different. I’m sure there are no young men lusting over your daughter who is showing her back, or much of her front. No lust over your daughter, who is wearing clothes tight enough that the boys can count her moles! No lust over your daughter who is wearing a dress so short that it leaves little to his imagination. I’m sure that is the case in your situation!! Look back over at what the Bible says about lust (Matthew 5:27-30; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).

And older Christians, shame on us for commenting “She looks so pretty” when we see
images of our young ladies wearing immodest apparel, or dancing up against a guy. How
many older Christians are guilty of supporting these “young loves” rather than reminding them to not awaken love until the time is right (Song of Solomon 2:7).

Young people, do not friend me and then post your prom/banquet pictures, as your actions reflect poorly on the blood of Jesus Christ–and I’m not interested in seeing your cleavage. I’m happily married thanks! I would prefer you save those images for your husband! While many may tell you that you are beautiful, honest Christians will tell you that they are disappointed in you. Maybe every April we should post ads in the paper: Wanted, faithful Christian parents who taught their children why prom is wrong YEARS AGO!

Come on parents. Raise the bar!!! Come on Church. Let’s be a light to the world!

PS: And please don’t comment about it being only once in a life-time opportunity. Folks,
that is not justification for sin. Is that what you will tell Almighty God regarding your
parenting choices when you face Him on judgement? “But God, prom only comes around once or twice in a teens life?” “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4 Get some better priorities!

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I Pity the Fool

Sunday was April Fool’s Day– a day that many fill with mischievous pranks and innocent jokes. I still remember as a child listening to Mr. T boisterously proclaim, “I pity the fool!” It began with his role as the antagonistic boxer, Clubber Lane, in Rocky III, but it quickly became his well-known catchphrase thereafter.

The word “fool” occurs sixty-six (66) times in sixty-two (62) verses in the King James Version of the Bible. This word is translated from several words with several meanings. Solomon used this word forty-nine (49) times in his writings in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. The Hebrew words translated “fool” mean, “foolish, stupid fellow, dullard, senseless, ignoble, impious and presumptuous, usually in a moral or spiritual sense” (The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew & English Lexicon, pp. 17, 493, 614, 698). The Greek words mean, “foolishness, folly, senselessness, thoughtlessness, recklessness, without reason, reflection or intelligence, acting rashly, impious, godless, to be beside one’s self, out of one’s senses, void of understanding, insane” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, pp. 90, 420, 486). Taking this classic catchphrase, let us notice just a few examples of those who are fools as we apply it to humanity.

I pity the fool who does not believe in God! “The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good” (Ps. 14:1; 53:1). A fool is one who has no faith in God. He either did not have it or lost his faith at some point in life (cf. 2 Pet. 2:21-22). The Hebrew writer said, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). Our belief in the existence of God can come through the evidences around in this world (Ps. 19:1-6), and reinforced in the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Believing we came from fish because of the salt content in our eyes is foolish. Believing in atheistic evolution is much more preposterous than to believe in God and creation. When we eliminate God from our minds, our thinking becomes vain (Rom. 1:21-23).

I pity the fool who lives a covetous, worldly life! “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20). A fool is one who puts trust in riches, which leads to covetousness: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). We should seek first the kingdom of God (Luke 12:31). We should not put our money and possessions before God. Many spend much time working, leaving no time for God. Many place their priorities in possessions and recreational activities, leaving God entirely out of the picture. Our existence in this world is temporary (cf. Heb. 11:13-16); our possessions are temporary also. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7).

I pity the fool who asks needless questions! “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. But some man will say, ‘How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?’ Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die” (1 Cor. 15:34-36). A fool is one who asks needless questions. This context shows the lack of knowledge of the resurrection. One who asks needless questions lacks Bible study (2 Tim. 2:15). A lack of Biblical knowledge should never characterize us (Hos. 4:6). Yet, many disregard the instructions from their Father in heaven (cf. Prov. 15:5).

Therefore, are you a fool? I pity the fool!

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