Prayer and Self Examination

As I’ve stated in Bible classes, I recommend getting up every morning and reading the Bible. Once you’ve got your mind straight go immediately to God in prayer.

One of the important things to be done in prayer is to take a deep look at yourself… where you have been, where you are and where you want to be.

In addition, critical self-examination is important. Make a list of all your short comings… like am I quick to anger, am I too negative, am I a know-it-all, do I listen to others, etc. This should also include the negative things people say about you… their perceptions whether they be true or false.

Once you know who you are then you can start working (with God’s help) on who you want to be.

It’s easy to find fault in others. Start with yourself. We have a powerful God.

Wear your Best for the Lord?

There’s a misguided concept among some Christians that when we come to worship services we should wear the best we have to honor God. Let’s think about that.

In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, the scripture states that Christian women should not be dressed with “gold and pearls, expensive clothing and braided hair but rather modestly that her good works might shine”. That verse, by the way, is not gender specific. The man should not be dressed in extravagant suits and ties and expensive things either. Why is that? Because expensive and extravagant dress, mask what we should really be showing… good works and humility.

Consider James 2:1-3, a man comes into the assembly “with a gold ring and fine clothing”. What happens? Brethern, impressed with what he looks like externally, honor that man and neglect the man who looks poor and we become respecters and profilers of God’s children.

I know for a fact that visitors have come into our congregation and felt like they couldn’t fit in with the church people because they felt different because they looked different.

God doesn’t want us to honor him with our clothing he wants us to honor him our hearts. Don’t hide who you are with expensive and extravagant clothing… because that’s all that some people can see.

Eldership: Understanding the Qualifications

The Apostle Paul gave criteria to Timothy and Titus by which men could be made Elders (Bishops, Pastors) in the congregations they worked with. The interesting thing to me is that these criteria or qualifications given to these two men are not the same and in some ways not even close. Let’s look at the differences.

A simplistic look would reveal that Timothy’s instructions contain 107 words while Titus’ instructions contain 87 words. Looking deeper into the 16 or so criteria given to Timothy only seven of these are replicated in the instructions given to Titus… one wife, sober minded, hospitality, No brawler, no striker, no love of money and faithful children. Some might say that since these are the ones held in common that perhaps they are the most important ones.

A lot of the attributes that are not exactly repeated are similar. For example, Timothy has “temperate” while Titus has “not soon angry”. However, there are some stark criteria mentioned to Timothy but missing in the instructions to Titus. For instance, the men Titus would be helping to qualify did not have to have a “good testimony from them that are without” not did they have to be “teachers”. Both attributes that Paul told Timothy but did not repeat to Titus. Hmmm.

In addition, the qualifications are different stylistically. To Titus Paul uses an antithetical device that we think of as not/but. Not self-willed… (5 things total) but given to hospitality (6 things total). This type of device creates a contrast to emphasize the positive things. It is only used once to Timothy… no brawler but gentle.

It may be that the qualifications were different because of specific problems in a given locale. Note to Titus Paul writes that the Elder must be able to “exhort and convict” (which by the way is not “teaching” but implies a high knowledge level) because of “vain talkers, deceivers, etc.” This is not mentioned to Timothy at all.

In summary, Timothy and Titus were given criteria that had some differences but which could be used independently of each other to select men in their respective congregations. Why were they different? Perhaps because of different problems in different congregations or perhaps because these criteria to select men were just generalizations to help in the process of selecting men.

Remember that most of these criteria are character driven and are not the only criteria to be used in the selection of men to become Elders… Knowledge and understanding of the mission of the church and the process by which Christians mature are critical criteria and perhaps so critical that most would realize that a man would not seek a job he didn’t understand… and therefore so obvious that they are not directly stated.

Elder Qualities

I’ve been studying the qualifications for Elders recently and thought it might be a good exercise based upon those studies to write down a few qualities that I would like to see in an Elder.

1. Someone who is a skilled and effective Bible teacher who inspires me with their knowledge and wisdom.

2. Someone who is not selfish but lives to help others.

3. Someone who can listen to both sides of an issue.

4. Someone who inspires me with their prayers.

5. Someone who sacrifices everything for the benefit of the congregation.

6. Someone who knows me and demonstrates personal concern and love for me.

7. Someone who has a marriage that inspires me and whose children love and respect them.

8. Someone who cares about the lost.

9. Someone who I can laugh and cry with.

10. Someone who I look up to and would like to be like.

11. Someone who believes the best about everyone.

My Mother

If you see me riding my riding lawnmower you might notice that I occasionally cry. I’m not sad about harming the grass but it is a time when I’m engaged in a mindless activity and can reflect on things. This morning I was reflecting on my mother… Naomi Geviene Norris Perkins. I guess growing up I didn’t really fully appreciate how special she was. We kind of got to grow up together. She had me 4 days before her 17th birthday.

A lot of people were always attracted to mom. She was always the most beautiful mom but the best part of her was her engaging personality. She was always full of life and fun. She made friends at the drop of a hat. . We lived all over the country (California, Utah, Alabama, Virginia and Texas) and she made life-long friends wherever we lived. Many people coming to Houston for treatment at MD Anderson stayed in the home of my parents. One summer two college students were selling dictionaries and they ended up living with us for a summer. We also had a foster child living with us for a while

She was always interested in things. She grew and cultivated African Violets, she designed and modeled dresses and she loved to cook. She was our Bible class teacher, our Den Mother and was active in the PTA. She would whip us when we were bad and laugh with us and hug us. There was a lot of love in our family. She taught us early on how to cut up a chicken. And she was hospitable. It seemed like every Sunday after church she and dad were bringing someone home for lunch. And every Thanksgiving and Christmas we had company.

She loved my Dad’s family. She called Dad’s parents “Ma and Pa”. All the nephews and nieces, because they couldn’t pronounce “Aunt Geviene” very well, call her. “Aunt Weenie”.

We never missed church… ever! In fact when mom was a new Christian and I was in the hospital to get my tonsils out… left the hospital so she could attend Wednesday night Bible study. Of course now she can’t believe she did that.

A lot of people wished my mom was their mom. And for a lot of them she was.

Mom is incredibly compassionate and forgiving and always wants to believe the best in people. Some people have treated her awfully but she forgives and forgets.

She has buried two husbands who loved and adored her… Bob Perkins and Darrel Roberts.

And now as she has aged and weathered all these years and can no longer live in her home. A home full of memories and treasures must be said goodbye to. I’ve hauled a lot of things to my home that some would consider junk but each item, like the old pogo stick, has a special memory for me. To say it’s traumatic would be an understatement. But the two most important things in Mom’s life are family and church. She’ll live just down the road from Greg and Kristi and many grandchildren and be able to go to church with them three times a week. And she’ll have family to take her to the doctors and care for her.

I have an incredible mom and today is her birthday. A large part of who I am is because of her and I know it very well. Happy birthday to an incredible Mom.

A Few Thoughts as I turn 61.

I turned 61 the other day. For perspectives sake when my Dad was 61 he was fighting cancer and had about a year to live. When my mom was 61 she was completing her first year of widowhood. No one had anticipated this huge change in their lives. It all started when Dad had a cough that wouldn’t go away and went to go see the doctor. Of course the doctor told him he had 14 months to live.

As I contemplate these things I realize I could wake up one day and have a doctor give me equally life changing and devastating news. I’ve got a year to live or Julie has a year to live.

So for me that means not to get too caught up in life and pleasure but to keep all things in perspective and live a life that emphasizes godliness and service to others.

Life is a big school and has taught me how to deal with the abrupt loss of an active parent at a relatively young age and now is teaching me the lesson of slowly losing a parent through the aging process.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

To Treat Well or to Mis-treat That is the Question.

Matthew 25:42-45 demonstrates a principle that when we do good for other people it is the same as doing good for Jesus Christ. For example, if we go visit a widow… it’s like visiting Jesus. If we buy someone a hamburger… so forth and so on.

Acts 9:4-5 demonstrates a similar principal… when we mistreat other people it’s like mistreating Jesus. For example, you let a widow wallow in loneliness, ignore the hungry, etc… you did it to Jesus. Jesus I’m too busy and important to waste time on you. OK, generally we get those principles but as is sometimes said “the devil is in the details”.

It’s easy to help a kindly well-kept old lady who has fallen on a run of bad luck. Why? Because she kind of looks like Jesus. But how easy is it to help someone who looks bad and smells bad or who because of a low I.Q or mental illness or drug cooked brain continually makes bad decisions? Maybe, who is in some ways, like a modern day Lazarus. Could that be Jesus in disguise?

Whether we treat someone well, ignore them or mistreat them the reality is that they are Jesus Christ. Don’t ever forget that because Jesus won’t.

Selecting Elders in the New Testament

Before we can select Elders in our day and time it is imperative as students of the Bible that we understand how Elders were selected in the day and time of the early church.

One thing is clear to me… they were not selected by the congregation as we typically do today.

Paul instructs the young Evangelist Titus to “appoint Elders in every city” (Titus 1:5).

Paul also gives the young Evangelist Timothy authority to determine which Elders should receive financial support from the congregation (1 Timothy 5:17) and he gives him authority (not the other Elders) to receive “accusations” against an Elder (1 Timothy 5:19)

In fact, Paul was doing just what he instructed instructed Titus and Timothy to do… He and Barnabas “appointed Elders in each church” (Acts 14:23)

In conclusion, in the New Testament Elders were selected by knowledgeable, spiritually mature men (Evangelists) based upon qualifications (1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1) given by the Apostle Paul.

God Wants Us to be Healthy

God wants us to be healthy. He instituted food laws in the Old Testament that were designed to make his people Israel enjoy good health. In Deuteronomy 7 God promised that if his people would obey his laws he would “keep you free from every disease”.

In Daniel 1 we find young Jewish captives who were commanded to eat the King’s food (Babylonian). They negotiated a food trial and were able to pass the trial because God’s food was better for them than the food of Babylonia… they were noticeably healthier than the others and therefore better servants to the King.

We no longer live under the Old Law but God still wants us to enjoy good health. 1 Cor. 6:19 states that we are to “honor God with our bodies”. 1 Tim 4:8 states that physical training is profitable for God’s people.

Why would God want us to enjoy good physical health? Perhaps the most important reason is that we are better servants when we are healthy. When we feel good and look good we are happier people. Happy people have fewer anger issues and more friends. Happy healthy people are more confident about spreading the good news of salvation.

Part of being healthy is eating the right kinds of foods. I know the bad (healthy) foods don’t taste as good as the good (unhealthy) foods but good, healthy and productive servants taste better to God than bad, non-productive servants do.

Prepare your hearts and bodies for service to God.

Training at the Lord’s Supper Table... Hans and Willie

There are several good things about using “waiting on the Lord’s Supper table” to train men to serve the congregation. Let me illustrate that for you. We have a member (Let’s call him Hans) who was a little nervous to stand in front of the congregation. However, in talking to Hans we told him he could be in the outside position and not have to lead a prayer or read a scripture or anything else… just pass out trays. He agreed. After a while I asked him if he would serve at the inside position and say a prayer for the cup. I explained, he wouldn’t have to read a scripture or make any comments. He could even write the prayer down and read it. He agreed and did that for a while. Now on his own he serves on the inside, saying the prayer for the bread, reading scripture and making meaningful comments. Training is a process.

Let’s use another example (we’ll call him Willie). Willie had been a Christian all of his life but was extremely nervous about speaking in front of a large group. His Bible knowledge was excellent. He had a good brain and knew how to use it. He started on the outside… got comfortable and evolved into a great speaker at the Lord’s Table. Every time he made comments at the Lord’s Table the congregation’s eyes and attention were focused on him… you never heard the same thing twice out of him. In my opinion Willie was at the top of my list for inspiring the congregation at the Lord’s Table.

Hans and Willie were trained to serve the congregation at the Lord’s Table. Their talent was discovered, trained and honed by starting them out small and letting them grow.

Handicapped Christians

In Acts 6 we read of a “Daily Ministration” whereby the church provided food necessities for Christian widows. I find this interesting because during this time period Christians were able to perform miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit. So why did people have to sell their lands, etc. to purchase food for Christian widows? Why not just take a fish or a loaf of bread and miraculously transform them into 1000 fishes and 1000 loaves?

The answer to this question lies in God’s purpose for his people. God wants his people to be transformed into humble selfless people. That can only occur when his people have a spirit of compassion and sacrifice.

If human beings use God’s (miraculous) power to feed the widows then that’s God doing the work and leaves the aforesaid Christians weak and underdeveloped. We become strong and more like Jesus Christ when we do our own work.

So although Jesus used miracles to provide for food and other needs, that was never the plan for the new church. In the age of the early church miracles (worked through Spiritually empowered people) would only be used to draw attention to God and his powerful word. Otherwise we would be handicapped Christians relying on the “crutch” of God’s special powers for the mundane things of life. God took away that “crutch” so we could develop into the kind of people he intended us to be… exact copies of Jesus Christ.

Even today we can be handicapped if we rely on the preacher or the elders or the deacons or our husband or our wife or other Christians to do all the spiritual work. That’s a spirit of laziness, of spiritual atrophy and spiritual ineptitude and a very poor caricature of Jesus Christ. Let’s get to work.

Elder Qualifications Retrospectively

A study of qualifications (Apostle, Daily Ministration, Elder, Deacon, Widows in Deed), reveal that the respective qualifications are applicable to the specific work being qualified for.

For instance the qualification for an Apostle was that the individual had to have been in the company of Jesus from the time Jesus was baptized until the time he ascended into Heaven. Undoubtedly he had to have other attributes as well but this was the distinctive one as related to the work of an Apostle, i.e., he was to give personal testimony about Jesus Christ.

So then, when we consider Elder qualifications they should be interpreted as how they impact the Elder’s “work”. For instance most of the Elder qualifications relate to his character. That’s relevant to his work because according to Eph. 4 he is to help Christians grow into the very image of Jesus Christ. He cannot do that unless he has first done it in his own personal life.

In addition, the man must be the husband of one wife. Why? Because the marital relationship mimics the relationship between Christians. In marriage the two become one flesh by mutual sacrifice and subjection. That’s the same process in becoming “married” to Jesus Christ, individually and collectively (Eph. 5). If the Elder hasn’t experienced that process in his own marriage then he is scarcely qualified to instruct others in the spiritual marriage process.

The man must have children and have successfully parented them. Fathers don’t give up on their children. Like the father of the Prodigal son, he may not tolerate bad behavior but he is always ready to forgive and restore. In a congregation of believers sometimes it is easier to just get rid of an unruly member but a “father” works to the best of his ability to correct an unruly son. Job prayed for his children and sacrificed for them just in case they might have sinned. Imagine what it would be like to have an Elder in a congregation who expressed genuine care in the same manner.

Qualifications are germane to the work of an Elder and should be studied in that light. First let’s understand how God wants his Elders to work within the church and then perhaps we can understand the qualifications better.

Friendliness vs. Hospitality

Parkway is a pretty friendly congregation but friendliness is a subset of Hospitality and is not equal to Hospitality. Hospitality is bigger than friendliness.

We’ve been talking in our Elder qualification class about hospitality and understand that although hospitality is an imperative for Elders it is required of all Christians. Here are some suggestions for being hospitable to new members.

- Share a meal with the new members. Either at home or in a restaurant.

- If you can’t share a meal make some cookies or give a small gift along with saying something like… “welcome to the congregation”.

- Since new members are new to town recommend Auto repair shops, Doctors, Dentists, restaurants, etc.

- Give your cell number to them along with saying something like… “If you’re ever in a bind or just want to talk… call me”

- Find them on Facebook and send a “friend” request.

My goal is that every single member of the congregation would act hospitably to our new members.

God Has a Plan For Me

There was a fellow who did amazing things in the New Testament and the people who saw these amazing things attributed them to the “power of God which is called great” but they were wrong.

The person who did “amazing” things was Simon the Sorcerer of Samaria (Acts 8). Simon did his amazing things through the power of Satan. His motivation was power and money.

I see people today who, no matter what happens, be it great tragedy or great fortune attribute what has happened to God. “God has a plan for me”. “It was God’s will”. “God wants me to be happy”. God. God. God.

The people in Samaria were fooled by Simon’s sorcery and thought his power came from God. Their problem was they didn’t understand the character and nature of God and were fooled by their own ignorance.

2 Corinthians 11:13-14…

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

If you want to know who is working in your life make sure you know who God is through the dedicated study of his word. Otherwise Satan, who has a plan for you, will make a fool of you.

Our Daughter

I attended my daughter’s wedding today. Her mother and I thought she would never get married. Our friends have made the comment before that she would have a hard time finding a boy-friend because she is intimidating. In high school one of her teachers made the comment that they had never known a young lady as self-assured as Lauren. Add to that her intelligence (she graduated #23 in her class) and keen wit and charm and you might could understand why a young man would be intimidated.

Lauren used to say she didn’t want to get married because she didn’t want anyone telling her what to do. She and her best girlfriend agreed that they didn’t want to change who they were just to catch a man.

Her mother and I are quite humorous in our own right but she has surpassed us both. Most people like to just sit around and listen to her.

She has been successful in her career. After graduation from Texas A&M University she came home and a temp agent placed her in an apartment leasing job for a major corporation. She was #2 in the nation in leasing that year. When she applied for a higher job within that same corporation and was turned down she asked me what to do. I told her to quit that job and find another one. She did but they wanted to keep her and gave her a job at the corporate head-quarters in which she excelled.

She is a young lady of the highest moral caliber. For her birthday one year she asked for all the Bible lesson books that Robert Harkrider had written and then jokingly wondered if they came with a Robert Harkrider action figure.

And then one day not quite a year ago she attended a Halloween party in the Austin area and a young man saw her and saw that wherever she went she was the center of attention and everyone was laughing and having fun around her. And that young man knowing only her name and where she worked tracked her down and sent her an email. The rest is history.

One of the preachers where they attend joked with Clark about the challenges of getting married to Lauren because of her strong mindedness. The young man told my daughter that was exactly why he loved her.

Today at the wedding I walked her down the aisle and gave her to that young man and I cried… unashamedly I cried.

Lauren wanted to make sure one thing was read at the wedding…

Ruth 1:15-17

Then she said, "Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law. But Ruth said, Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me"

She never planned to change anything about herself but her mother and I can see that this young man’s love is already changing her. We rejoice in who she is and who she will be. Thank you God.

My Last Letter

I wrote this June 23, 1998. Dad died July 8. Those were some hard days.

Dad, Dad, Dad, I feel so helpless. I wish there was something I could do for you. I write these things to you because I’m afraid I would be too emotional in your presence, even now I’m teary eyed. I didn’t know I could hurt like this. This is new for me. I’ve been thinking back to when Grandpa died, I don’t remember how you acted at that time, but I know you must have felt like I am feeling now. I’m sorry you had to go through that.

Some things are etched in my memory… the phone call I got at work from Mom telling me there was a spot on your lung. The day we were there for your surgery watching the nurses wheel you away from us. You seemed so alone… so helpless. The day I called from the car phone to check on your lab results… Mom told me you only had 18 months to live. That was a Wednesday… I had to pull the car over. The look on yours and Moms faces at Mom’s 60th birthday party.

Perspective is such a funny thing. When they said you had only 18 months, I was shocked, 18 months is nothing. In February when you had to go back to the hospital and you looked so bad I begged the Lord for 18 months. Now when I hear that you are struggling to breath, I’m begging the Lord not to allow you to suffer.

When we were in Mexico last year and Julie was worried about our passports not being in order, Lauren said “Don’t worry Mom, nothing ever goes wrong when Dad is with us”. I believed that for a while. Now I wish it were true.

I’m sorry for the pain and hurt I caused you and Mom when Julie and I got married. I wish we had done it differently.

You have been a great father, I have no complaints. No bad memories. I’ve always felt loved. I’ve always respected and admired you. I think your best attributes are your love for Mom, your patience, your intellect and your great judgment.

You have always been around. I have always known that if I were ever in any trouble that you would be there. I want you to know that I will be there for our family. I will take care of Mom. I will take care of Grandma. I will do whatever I can to make our family closer.

I know you are going to Heaven Dad, if you can’t make it then none of the rest of us have a chance.

Thanks for everything Dad, thanks for our family, thanks for giving Mom the birthday party. Thanks for being you.

Love,

Rob

The Power of a Wife

Dear Geviene,

I have put off writing to you because I prayed so hard that I would never have to send it... but God had other plans. I have not spent a lot of personal one on one time with you and Bob. However for about 10-12 years I heard “Perkins Boys” stories. Then we came back to San Diego and I met other people with more Perkins stories. Some stories were crazy, demented and strange, but most were wonderful, kind and loving. Finally I met the two of you, but very honestly, my deepest love for you came via very short visits and mostly from the love and respect that so many people that I hold dear; Dottie, Charlie, Nita, etc., have for you, Bob and your family.

I also want you to know how much Durwood loves Bob. I can’t seem to speak of him in the past, as all of us still love him and look forward to seeing him again.

On one of Bob’s visits to San Diego he went to Los Angeles with Durwood, as they both had business there. When Dur returned he told me a wonderful story and it just affirmed my convictions about you as a wife. Bob and Dur were discussing their youth, early years of marriage and the church. Bob said that early in your marriage you sat him down and told him that your family was either going to serve the Lord... or else and he was going to have to shape up. Bob gave you the credit for straightening him out (He being the one “raised in the church” not you). You in my mind started Bob on the journey he has just completed, the greatest adventure ever and the wonderful peace of Jesus.

I just pray for more wives like you. If so, the church would have more great men and families like yours. Durwoods visit with Bob was profoundly good for him, as he still struggles with certain demons, and Bob’s faithfulness and your service to Bob deeply touched him... and me.

I just wish you every good blessing and we look forward to seeing you in San Diego in the near future. I send you my love and regards but mostly my admiration for the wife that you are. May we all have your courage and love.

Love to you

Estelle

From Uncle CB to Dad

Bob, I have prayed for your recovery every day and my plan is to keep it up as long as it takes.

Beyond praying though, I have thought about you every day. I can still see you up on the roof wearing that blue hat scooting along the ridge. The kind of spirit that keeps it all in perspective and goes about its business. You have been through a lot recently and even with all the great love and support you are getting... it’s got to be tough. I can only imagine what it would be like.

I have known you the great majority of my life (and I’m old) and next to my father you have been the most important male in my life. As I was growing up and observed you... the way you lived your life... you provided a great role model. It may have taken me a little longer than most but I did get it. You provided me a better example than my father did. You and my mother were the two most important people in developing my path to God and I am so thankful for that.

I saw in you an example of how it could be... no... how it should be. Not that anyone is perfect but that being human with flaws... you could still lead a life of honesty, integrity and fun.

None of us knows what the future holds, one day is about all we can count on. I just want you to know I have a picture of you on my heart and I will carry it as long as I live.

Love.

C.B

Acts 6:1-7. Problem #2 in the Early Church

In spite of all the euphoria associated with the rapid growth of Christianity there were problems. However, these problems, instead of stunting the growth of Christianity, pushed it forward.

The first problem was when Ananias and Sapphira lied about their monetary gift to God. God chose to kill them for that sin.

The second problem, found in Acts 6, was when Christian widows from a “Grecian” Jew background were discriminated against in favor of Christian widows from a “Hebrew” Jew background. It was a potentially devastating problem. After all the unity of the believers is the primary evidence for the deity of Jesus Christ (John 17). This feeding of these widows on a daily basis was a ministry of the church. The church provided food and serving tables for the food. As a ministry it was no less important than the “ministry of the word” that the Apostles were engaged in. James 1:27, states that “pure religion” was taking care of widows.

Whoever was in charge of this ministry previously had failed but the Apostles chose not to identify them or castigate them for obvious reasons. The Apostles could have taken charge and designated seven men to take on this ministry but chose not to. Instead they let the congregation of believers choose the men and gave qualifications as a basis for the decision. The Apostles leadership method was one of building the team and developing individuals.

The report of the neglect of the widows obviously would have been known by the greater Jerusalem population. So too was the solution and as a result the numbers of new converts grew at a phenomenal rate and included many of the Jewish priests.

Let’s not pretend that problems in the Lord’s church go un-noticed by non-Christians and let’s solve our problems so that God’s name is glorified and the church is made stronger.

Shared Family

Dear Bobby Lane,

On a day that honors fathers, I want you to know I think you’re the best. You continue to teach me so much in the way you live your life. I’m so thankful you and Geviene allowed us to be part of your family. I always wanted a family like yours. One in which the parents loved each other, are committed to each other, their family and the Lord.

Thank you so much for being an example for me and Fritz and especially for our children. What a priceless gift you have given all of us. It’s so nice to have a place to come “home” to. I love sitting between you and Geviene in church and when you hold my hand during the prayer. Again... thank you.

It’s been so hard to watch you battle this horrible disease. I can’t stand the thought of you hurting. I’ve been amazed at how well you’ve handled it all. The surgeries, soaks, pills, treatments, drops, juices and shakes! Yet through it all your faith in the lord has been constant. When I think of 1 Cor. 13:7, I think of you.

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Thanks you for loving me, “my family”, and for sharing your family with us. You are my hero, and I love you dearly.

Sunshine

Living Memories

July 11, 1998, three days after Dad passes

Dear Geviene,

Bill just asked why I wasn’t sleeping. I didn’t really have an answer, but I got up to put words on a page, I hope there’s some meaning in them when I’m through.

For months my family has prayed for yours and when I would hear Grant pray for “Bro. Perkins”, it made me sad that he didn’t really know him and also glad how the circle of life flows. Someone who was so real to me was also real to my son, but in a very different way.

I felt comforted today. The service was so comforting to me. Words were expressed so well what echoed in my brain of memories. I was a kid – just a girl who had friendships and fun in your home. But I too – took away much more than the fun. As an adult, as a parent, as a wife, I draw from all those experiences. I know that I always will too. I have them so clearly in my head & my heart. As much as Arlene & Robert, as much as Robert & Martha, you and Bob are examples for me. I thank you for that.

It was good to see the family. I‘m sorry I wasn’t able to stay & visit. I’m so glad you broke in the line before the service – I needed that hug! But as I saw them & heard them speak and pray, it became clearer to me... Clearer like when I would read a fantastic article that Greg had written in a church bulletin; clearer as I heard a beautiful prayer while visiting in Corpus; clearer as I sat by a grand-daughter at a tea & listened to the childish conversation, clear that he will continue in the lives of those who he has touched... His family the most – but me in a small, yet big way. Maybe it was big because of where I was in my life; I soaked up a lot. I am so glad.

I am sorry for your loss. It is great. I know you’ll find peace in Christ & through him. The memories will be a comfort too – wherever your walk now takes you. They will not fade. My memories will continue to guide me & encourage me. Thank you. I just wanted to let you know what I felt. The love & appreciation I have for you & your family. You will continue to be in my family’s prayers.

May God comfort & strengthen you.

Much Love

Ruby

Faithful Love, Quiet Mercies and Unknown Kindnesses

Dad was sick for about a year before he finally passed. During that time a host of letters, cards and emails came through. I asked mom if I could have them and since she is down sizing she passed them to me. I cried most of the time as I was reading through all of it. I am publishing a few on our family page because a lot of my nephews and nieces were so young when Dad died that they don't remember him very well. My parents were incredible people. How lucky for me and my brothers.

June 21, 1998 (18 days before dad passes)

My dearest Bob and Geviene, words are very hard to come by when your heart is so full of gratitude. When someone has helped your family in so many ways it seems “thank-you” is inadequate. However, I came across a couple of lines on a book that brought you both to mind immediately.

When I was so tired I didn’t think I could move and I had no idea how I was going to clean house and care for our brand new child, Geviene and Carolyn came through the door and answered all my prayers. It was a small thing to you, but it was a mountain to me. Not only did you care for my physical needs but you also set an example of Christian love that has been with me from that moment. While that seemed like a mountain the next problem you solved was a whole mountain range. When we lost our home and everything else your offer to buy our house was wonderful and such a load off our shoulders. It made it much easier for us to get back on our feet knowing you were willing to help. Jack had a hard time understanding such love and kindness from outside his worldly family. It was a wonderful example for us both.

Through the years, with 3 growing children, you have been a great resource for love, examples, words of wisdom. For all this I thank you from the depths of my heart.

The book I was reading was “Good News from North Haven”. It is a fictional account of a small town and the members of a small Presbyterian church. The author is a Presbyterian minister and it’s a mix of churches and people he has dealt with. In a chapter entitled “The Little Things” he comes to a wonderful conclusion about how important little things are- “They are important because the mark a man or woman makes on this world is most often a trail of faithful love and quiet mercies and unknown kindnesses.”

This is you my dear friends. I hope the remaining time will bring you comfort and peace and that we will meet again in a far better place. With deep affection and gratitude.

Dixie

I've changed a few names.

Facing Death with Gratitude

I was in Houston this week-end helping mom prepare to move and was going through some of Dad’s papers. I ran across a package of printed emails that were sent to him when he was sick. I heard that Dad kept a Gratitude Book but have never seen it but here is an excerpt that Mom quoted in an email she sent out.

Feb 9th

- I’m grateful for Geviene who cares for me so much.

- For the book I am reading

- For friends who care for me

- For God who has always loved me

- For the cancer which has showed me how much I have been blessed

Feb 13th

- A family who enjoys laughing together

- A God who answers prayer

- Reminders of those who are praying for me

- Lunch with Scott’s family... loving grand daughters

Feb 14th

- Hearing and laughing at Rob joking with the nurses

- Rob’s progress at the clinic

- Cards and sentiments that people write in them

- News that a patients lung tumor was not malignant

Feb 15th

- Worshipping God with Geviene and Greg (in his room)

- Finding the right scripture

- Going to Scotts for lunch

- Talking with Walker

Preparation for Prayer

I don’t know about you but I don’t pray very well unless I have prepared myself for prayer… both in private and public prayer.

Personally, I don’t like to open worship services with a prayer. I like to pray a little deeper into the service when I have had time to sing a few songs and reflect on the words, and the needs of my brothers and sisters in Christ, etc.

Also, in private prayer if I think “oh I need to pray” and start praying then those prayers tend to be short and routine. If I can begin my day by reading from God’s word or by reflecting on my blessings or problems then my prayers have more depth to them.

Holy people of old prepared themselves for prayer by fasting and wearing humble clothing.

Prayer is important but not just praying for the sake of praying. Prepare yourselves for prayer. I’ve got a feeling that God doesn’t want to hear prayers recited from memory but rather prayers generated from the heart.

Thoughts on Romans 11:5-14

“What then? that which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened” (Romans 11:7)

Israel was seeking for salvation from God but did not obtain it because they thought they could acquire it through the “works” found in the Law.

The Elected (not the rejected) were able to obtain salvation because they accepted God’s grace (Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11)

“According as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day” (Romans 11:8)

The “spirit of stupor” was given to those who were seeking salvation by the works of the Law and in doing so rejected God’s grace (Jesus Christ). God did not make them stupid so they couldn’t accept Christ, they had already rejected Jesus because they could not see past the Law. He allowed them to steep in their stupor.

If Paul who wrote this truly believed that God was hiding Jesus Christ from the Jews he would not risk his life teaching in their synagogues on a daily basis.

God himself tried to trump this “spirit of stupor” by extending his grace to the non-Jews to create a “spirit of jealousy” (Romans 11:14) to open their eyes so they could see Jesus Christ.

The non-believing Jews would become jealous of the Roman Christians as they saw their spiritual blessings transferred to Roman (non-Jewish) Christians. Things like the Apostles, miracles and other wonderful things from God.

Impressive Obituary

I read obituaries every day and a few stand out. Dauris Granberry was one of our clients who I did a lot of cattle work for. I was impressed with her even before I read this impressive obituary.

Dauris Ann Jackson Granberry “flew away to heaven” March 9, 2011. Her giggling, girlish sense of humor was present with each conscious breath. She told each attending nurse or aid how handsome or pretty and wonderful they were, for a Southern Lady is always gracious. She taught her children that even when you have been slighted it is far better “to heap coals of kindness” upon the heads of those who irritated or vexed you than to berate them or be rude. “Besides,” she would say with an impish smile and wicked little twinkle in her eye, “it works better!” Dauris Ann was a strong, independent woman. A wonderful photographer, a knowledgeable rancher and a great lover of birds and wildflowers, a catcher of frogs, tolerant of snakes and a lover of all the outdoors. She was more at home in a sea kayak than a Cadillac, scuba gear than a cocktail dress, or a pair of jeans and a chambray work shirt holding the nasty, manure-laden tail of a calf about to be branded than at a ladies luncheon. All her cows were named, in a code that she and her soul mate, Bill, had contrived together. They could trace the lineage of a heifer back generations just by hearing the name. Bill, having a day job, left the day-to-day ranching operations to her. If the phone rang during supper, and it was someone calling about an ad for young bulls for sale, Bill would say, ”Hang on, let me get the expert on the phone”, and he would hand the phone to Dauris Ann.

She gave her children and grandchildren humor, a love of literature, and a strong streak of rebelliousness. She had her picture taken in front of the White House while standing on her head. It wasn’t political, it was just fun! She taught that you did things because they were right, not popular; you were polite, not because someone one earned or deserved it, but because you had to look in the mirror sooner or later, and you owed it to yourself to treat the world the way you wanted to be treated. If they didn’t deserve it, well, see coals of kindness above. She was a Cub Scout den-mother, and an (almost) tireless chauffer to gymnastics, little league and football practices. Once we could drive, and turn on the stove without burning down the house, she announced that she was resigning as a short-order cook, and she would fix what she and Bill wanted and, if we wanted something else, we could rustle for ourselves. She ensured that we learned to cook by fixing brussel sprouts, green beans and a host of other “healthy” stuff no self-respecting teenager could stomach. Sometimes, we felt a little sorry for Dad and snuck him something good!

She taught all the neighborhood kids how to ride their bicycles. She put on puppet shows, put up tents in the backyard, served gallons of Kool-aid to all the galloping hordes in the neighborhood. (Real cokes were reserved for trips to the ranch-limit two per day!) Bad grammar cost you a quarter. She did not give much of an allowance, but she and Bill paid anyone willing to work minimum wage. A lot of bicycles, air rifles and movies were paid for by money earned working cows or cleaning fence lines or hauling, stacking, or feeding hay, building fence, shredding pastures or any of the other numerous chores that stack up on a place.

Our little bird has flown, and her soul has joined the spring migration.

Is Homosexuality a Sin?

I’ve been disappointed lately in the number of Christians, including our President, who have come out in support of Homosexual marriage. It tells me that they either don’t respect what the Bible says or they are not well informed about what it teaches.

The teaching against Homosexuality is just as clear as is the teaching “not to kill”…

“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22)

“Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13)

Both of these things are sins against God and unless repented of will result in eternal condemnation. Christians who don’t speak out against such things are just as guilty.

The Bible is clear about how God expects his people to live but clearly some people won’t take the time to find out.

A Few Thoughts about the Book of Esther

- When King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to attend his banquet wearing her crown to display her great beauty, he was entirely within his rights as a King and a husband. It was a state function and she was to attend in her capacity as a Queen (wearing her crown).

- There is nothing in the text that even suggests there was anything improper in his command.

- Queen Vashti ignored an official request made before a multitude of people at an official banquet. Her behavior could not be ignored.

- Queen Vashti’s refusal to appear is in stark contrast to Queen Esther’s reluctance to appear before King Ahasuerus. At one point Queen Esther had not seen her husband in 30 days because he had not asked for her.

- Haman, the King’s second in command, had a plot to exterminate all the Jews. If Queen Vashti were still Queen he would have had no opposition.

- God dethroned Queen Vashti and elevated Esther to take her place as Queen and protect his people.

- Esther and her fellow Jews were Jews who decided to stay in Persia and not be repatriated to Judea.

- One lesson from the Book of Esther is that God protects his people wherever they are. Even if they decide to stay in a foreign land.

- How many wives and concubines did King Ahasuerus have? Who knows? King Solomon had 1000 wives and 300 concubines.

- Now we see why King Ahasuerus made it a crime punishable by death to approach him in his inner court uninvited. If you have over a thousand women and their children in your harem you might like some alone time.

- King Ahasuerus was about 36 years old when he became King. 39 years old when Vashti ignored his command. 43 years old when he married Esther. The time spent between Vashti and Esther was four years. Ahasuerus was busy invading Greece during this time. Ahasuerus and Esther had been married about 5 years when Haman plotted to kill all the Jews.

- Esther was not involved in a beauty contest where there is one winner and everyone else goes home. They were all concubines of the King except Esther who was wife and Queen. They would live the rest of their lives in the King’s Harem.

- Esther was a willing participant in the Queen contest.

Moral Courage in the Book of Esther

In the Book of Esther we are introduced to King Ahasuerus (Xerses I) of the Persian Empire. We find in the story that King Ahasuerus commands Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, to come before him so he could show off her great beauty. This was not merely a command from a husband to a wife but a command from a King to a Queen. She refused to come before him.

Keep in mind that a Persian Queen could not, of her own will, come to the King under the penalty of death. Even when Esther became Queen she was afraid to come before her husband without being summoned and at one point she hadn’t seen her King/Husband for 30 days. Queen Esther was afraid to come before Ahasuerus without being summoned... Queen Vashti ignored Ahasuerus when she was summoned and invoked his great wrath. Who was the better wife?

So this caused a huge problem in the court of King Ahasuerus... the Queen ignored his command in a very public setting. Everyone knew it was a problem and knew the disastrous consequences. People follow the example of their leaders and rebellion against a King and a husband could create problems with citizens in general and with families specifically. So the wise men of the day advised King Ahasuerus to command that since Queen Vashti refused to come into his presence that she would forever be banned from his presence and also lose her Queen-ship. In addition, an edict would go out throughout the land that wives should respect and honor their husbands.

You see King Ahasuerus understood something the President of the United States and its other leadership does not understand; the foundation of a great nation is its families. If the families are weakened and re-defined... the nation is weakened. If families are strong... the nation is strong.

Imagine if the leadership of modern nations should send out a proclamation like King Ahasuerus did stating that “every man should be the master in his own house” (Esther 1:22). That takes moral courage and foresight, something that is lacking in our day and age.

A Morning Prayer

Thank-you, almighty God, for granting me another day to breathe on this earth, to feel the sun on my body and to look upon your wonderful creation.

I think I lived sin free yesterday. Did I honor you yesterday? I did say some encouraging words to someone who was down hearted. Please examine my heart and if you find some impurity bring it to my attention. Help me to live this day without sin and to live honorably in your sight. Be with my mother and with Julie’s mother. Thank you for your power of healing that you’ve granted to my cousin Mark. Thank you for my wife and all of my family.

Thank you for bringing Walker and Jo-Len together and for blessing them and me with their children. Protect my grand-daughters. Thank you for blessing my daughter with a man of faith.

Be with my brother who is struggling to become a man of faith. Thank you for David and Gus as we work to lead the congregation. Bless us with wisdom and insight.

Help me to be a better teacher. Help me Lord as I study to increase my knowledge and give me vision to see what is revealed in them. Bless me with wisdom and spiritual insight.

Say hello to all my loved ones and tell my father that I love and miss him. Thank you for Jesus Christ who has meant everything to me. It’s because of his blood that I’m your son and it is in his name that I pray.

Dedicated Prayer

The prophet Daniel had a regular schedule of prayer. He prayed three times per day on his knees. The enemies of Christ are also engaged in regular prayer… the Muslims pray on their knees five times per day.

“… our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the powers, the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness…” Ephesians 6:12

The Soldier of Christ fights on his knees in prayer. Dedicate yourself to the fight. Pray with regularity. Practice the art of prayer and become proficient at it. Defeat the Soldiers of Satan.

Broken Windows Theory and Sin

“The theory states that maintaining and monitoring urban environments to prevent small crimes such as vandalism, public drinking and toll-jumping helps to create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness, thereby preventing more serious crimes from happening.”

It is well recognized among law enforcement officials that when small crime is ignored it leads to large crime. That goes against the idea that some have which is to ignore the small crime and focus on big crime.

You see similar attitudes about sin… ignore the small sin (white lies, immodesty, selfishness, bitterness, jealousy) and come down hard on big sins (Homosexuality, murder, adultery, theft). Take for example sexual impurity. God wants his people to be sexually pure… no sexual intercourse except for between a man and a woman who have exchanged marriage vows. The small things that could lead to the big thing include; immodesty (the revealing of too much skin or clothes that are too tight revealing too much anatomy), physical contact (kissing, sitting in laps, touching private places) and inappropriate speech (of a sexual nature). In the case of sexual impurity if we control the small things usually the big thing will be controlled too but if we don’t then pretty soon God’s laws on sexual intercourse are violated and you find people becoming living together sexually or having multiple sexual partners or exploring sex homosexually.

A rock thrown through a window can lead to home invasion, theft and murder and small sin can lead to huge sin. Focus on the small sin and protect yourself from things that you never could have imagined yourself doing.

Reasons Why God Doesn’t Answer Prayer (James 4:3)

A mistake Bible students sometimes make is to read a passage superficially or fail to consider other relevant passages and make inappropriate applications.

Take 1 John 5:14, for example… “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us”

A superficial reading might lead one to believe that we can pray for “anything” and fail to consider that the “anything” is modified by “according to his will”

That’s why you see people praying for things like winning the lottery or that a boy or girl might “like” them or for one’s favorite sports team to win or for someone we don’t like to suffer misfortune.

This type of prayer reflects poor Bible study.

Consider James 4:3 “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures”

It is not “according to God’s will” that we pray for things that are self-serving. It is “according to his will” to pray for the necessities and not the extravagances of life.

It’s important that we become good Bible students so that we can make the proper applications of God’s word. God will not answer silly prayers and I suspect is insulted by them. Let’s make God proud of us in our prayer lives.

Why God Doesn't Answer Prayer. Isaiah 58

In Isaiah 58, God’s people are described as being eager to know and understand God. They prayed to Him every day. They prepared themselves for prayer by fasting and humbled themselves even in their clothing by wearing sack cloth and ashes. And yet they noticed and complained that God was not listening to their prayers and they didn’t understand why.

God reveals that he was ignoring their prayers because they were ignoring Him. Among other things they were not keeping the Sabbath Holy. They were doing whatever they wanted to on the Lord’s Day. In addition, they were ignoring the needs of others and only taking care of themselves.

It’s not enough just to pray every day and have the proper form of prayer. Something else is needed… obedience.

How about today? Does going to church mean anything? Is it easy to miss church services for any reason? Are we keeping ourselves sexually pure? Are we looking to help others who have needs? Do we dishonor God in our speech?

Don’t expect God to listen to your prayers without first listening to what God has to say. The communication goes both ways. Listen to God and obey him and your prayers will be answered bountifully.

Reasons Why God Doesn’t Answer Prayer

One of the reasons God doesn’t answer prayer is because sometimes we pray for things that are under our own control. The scriptures say, “If a man won’t work neither let him eat”. Imagine this, there is a fellow who has the ability to work but he won’t, instead he prays to God for food. God is not going to answer that prayer for food because the man has the ability to provide for himself. That’s the easy one… how about these?

- A husband prays for a stronger marriage with his wife but is unwilling to follow God’s instructions to him as a husband. He’s selfish, unloving and doesn’t care about the needs of his wife. He always places her second. Will God grant him a stronger marriage in spite of his rejection of God’s Laws on marriage? Probably not.

- A man goes to the doctor and is diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. The doctor tells him to lose 50 pounds, change his diet and exercise more and sends him home with the appropriate medications. The man prays for healing but does not follow the doctor’s instructions. He goes to the cafeteria orders a chicken fried steak slathered with cream gravy, has sides of mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese and ice cream for dessert. Then he sits down on the couch and watches TV. Will God answer his prayer for healing? Probably not.

There are several reasons God doesn’t answer prayer. One of them is that God won’t help us unless we’re willing to help ourselves. Follow God’s instructions and if you still have needs, pray to God and prepare to be richly blessed.

Thoughts on Turning 60

I turned 60 this year. When my mom was 60 she went with my Dad to find out why he was coughing. They told them he had stage 3 Adenocarcinoma and had 18 months to live and they couldn’t help him. That was in 1998. What a shock. I try to imagine how I would handle similar news if it was Julie. Mom went into full “save Dad” mode. Doctors, medicines, prayers, and non-conventional therapies… staining Dad’s feet with some purple concoction. I don’t know who had it worse… mother or dad… probably mom.

I try to imagine if I was Dad and maybe I only have two years to live. What would I do with that knowledge? Julie tells me that I’m healthier than Dad and will live a long time. Maybe.

I was 44 years old when Dad died and it seems like yesterday. I thought mom was too old to remarry at 60 but I was 44… how silly. Dad’s younger grandchildren don’t remember him. I have two grand-daughters who are my life. I want them to remember me. I want them to cry their eyes out at my funeral. I want to go to Heaven but I really want to live and grow old with my wife and see my daughter marry and have children and be surrounded by kids and grandkids on holidays.

I pray every day on my knees and I pray that Pa’s girls will be protected and I thank God for my wife and my parents, my uncle and my aunts and my brothers and my cousins and for all of our children and I also pray for those who have passed on… family and friends.

God’s in control and I’m OK with that… I don’t have to understand it but I want to live circumspectly on this earth. I want to prepare myself. I want to feel and understand the pain of my parents so I’ll be better prepared when it’s my turn.

God Hates Divorce (Malachi 2:10-12)

Malachi 2:10-12 reveals to us that God hates divorce. That’s not like me hating Beets. I do hate beets and refuse to eat them but when God hates something he goes a step further… he punishes the Beets (so to speak).

Malachi reveals that the people were weeping and wailing because God didn’t pay attention to their prayers or favor them with blessings. They were perplexed because God was not being a “God” to them. The reason for this was because God was a witness when marriage vows were exchanged and they were breaking their vows and divorcing each other. God is faithful as a witness.

Something that is lost in wedding ceremonies today is the fact that the guests are there to witness vows and hold the married couple accountable to their vows so that when the day comes when a young couple are considering divorcing and breaking their vows the human witnesses can remind them of what was done and said on their wedding day.

God is faithful and accountable as a witness… he punishes people when they divorce. Their lives are not full of blessings.

I hate Beets and won’t eat them but I don’t go out and find a field of Beets and hoe them down. If God hated Beets that’s what he would do. Honor your vows. Don’t divorce so you won’t end up like a field of hoed up Beets.

Two Requests of God

In Luke 22:31-34 two requests are made to God and he answers both requests in the affirmative. Satan asks God for permission to test Peter’s faith and Jesus, knowing that Peter would fail, asks God that Peter’s faith might endure the failure and become stronger.

Keep in mind that Jesus could have requested that Satan not be permitted to test Peter. That would be consistent with Jesus’ actions when Satan tested Jesus after fasting for 40 days in the wilderness… he rejected every request that Satan made. But Jesus didn’t do that… he needed for Peter to be tested and to fail so that he could become stronger.

Jesus informed Peter what would happen and by doing so gave Peter tools to resist Satan. The tool of knowing the test was coming and the tool of knowing the result of the test.

After the failure Peter could reflect back on Jesus’ care for him and understand that the failure was completely his… Peter ”owned” the failure… it was all on him.

Jesus also prepared Peter by telling him not to be too overwhelmed by the failure but to use the lesson he had learned to strengthen the faith of others. He had a job to do.

Lessons for us.

- God may allow Satan to tempt us.

- Temptation and failure can make us stronger.

- Jesus is in our corner praying that our faith will survive whatever temptation Satan throws at us.

- If Jesus can pray for Peter to have stronger faith then we can follow his example and pray for the faith of our fellow Christians.

- Faith doesn’t rest. It works for the benefit of others.

- Satan won the initial contest with Peter but lost every single one after that.

Opened Eyes

I was sitting in the pew this morning with my eyes closed and listening to the prayer being given for the cup and my attention was stimulated because the prayer being offered was not your usual prayer. I started wondering, who was leading the prayer? At first I thought it was Walker who I consider to have a gift for prayer but the voice was not right. As the prayer went on I thought… this is truly a wonderful prayer and I opened my eyes. Thank you Cody Cargile for opening my eyes.

Parable of the Bad Farmer

There was a farmer who inherited his Dad's farm after his Dad passed away. His Dad loved farming and hard work and made a good crop every year. The son however didn’t share his dad’s love or passion for farming.

Oh… he liked being called a farmer but instead of spending his time out in the fields he liked to dress up in his boots and hat and go down to the coffee shop and talk with some of the other farmers. He also liked big shiny tractors so he traded in his Dad’s old tractor for a newer model with air conditioning and GPS.

He didn’t really care too much if his crops failed because he had crop insurance. In fact since crop insurance would return about 75% of the estimated value of the crop… instead of praying for rain he would pray that it didn’t rain. He could live on the 75%. He wasn’t the farmer his dad was.

The Lord’s church needs leaders who love the church like Christ loved the church. The church needs leaders who are innovative and actively engaged and have a passion for servant leadership. You can grow a good crop with the right kind of leadership.

Prejudice in the Early Church

During the early days of the church the Apostles had set up a “daily ministration” that included “serving tables” for widows. This probably would have been a central location where widows could come and be fed by members of the church. During the course of this problems arose between two classes of widows; “Hebrew” widows and “Grecian Jew” widows. These were Christian widows of course but the “Hebrew Widows” would have been converts from Jews who had been raised in Judea and the “Grecian Jew Widows” were those who had lived outside of Judea. In general, those Jews from Judea thought they were better than the Jews who were from other countries. They were prejudiced.

The problem was that some thought the Grecian Jew Widows were being discriminated against at meal time. How might that happen? Well it might have been true. Maybe the Hebrew Widows were getting the best tables or getting a bigger serving portion. Maybe they were getting seconds and the Grecian Jew Widows weren’t. Maybe those serving were more amiable toward the Hebrew Widows than the Grecian Jew Widows. Or maybe it wasn’t true at all. Maybe the Grecian Jew Widows were just very sensitive.

Wherever the problem lay… it was a problem and needed to be addressed and the Apostles offered a solution that everyone agreed with. Sometimes in the church today we have similar problems. Let’s do our best to not even give the appearance of discrimination but if there’s a problem that we can’t reconcile lets discuss it with the leaders of the congregation and hopefully we can find a solution that everyone can agree with.

The Three Sisters

I found out recently that my ancestry includes Native Americans. My people were accomplished farmers and believed in planting three inseparable plants together; Corn, Green Beans and Squash… called The Three Sisters. They planted beans with corn because beans are nitrogen fixers. Beans take Nitrogen from the atmosphere and add it to the soil thus fertilizing the corn plant. The squash have big broad leaves which serve to shade the soil and inhibit the growth of life sapping weeds. At the time of harvest my people would have good crops of corn, beans and squash.

This is similar to the needs of a new Christian. He needs the association with plants that can help him grow and make him better. Some Christians can help new Christians by helping them learn about God and give advice and encouragement. Other Christians can serve new Christians by providing them with new beneficial associations that replace the old sinful friends who have a tendency to pull new Christians back into their old destructive life styles. In addition, something wonderful and mysterious happens… the older, more mature Christian becomes energized and stronger… synergism.

Christians are mutually responsible to each other so God’s crop of people can grow and be plentiful and be fruitful. What a wonderful plan God has… don’t neglect it.

Parable of the Farmer

There was an old farmer who really knew how to farm. He could make a crop when no one else could. Part of it was that he was a hard worker. His wife was up and had breakfast made before day light so he could get in the fields early. He usually had a big noon meal and took a nap right after but was back at it and worked while there was still light in the sky. He wasn’t afraid of sweating or getting dirty.

The other part of his success was he knew his land. Oh, he had some land that anyone could make a crop on… the soil was deep and rich and low and caught the excess rain that ran off. Sometimes he liked to just go and watch it grow. The rest of his land was a bit more challenging; some of it was on a hill and didn’t retain much moisture. On some of his land the soil was thin and weak and if he didn’t catch a rain at the right time his crops would dry up and blow away. On that land if it got too dry he would have to haul water to save the young plants until a rain came.

The other part of his land was next to a brush patch and tended to be a little weedy. If he didn’t get out and hoe those rows four times during the growing season the weeds would out compete his crop for moisture, nutrients and sunlight. The old farmer was the right mix of hard work and understanding how crops grow.

In this parable the savvy Farmer is an Evangelist, Elder or any Christian who is interested in the souls of others. The crop in the weak soil is the new Christian who hasn’t developed the deep tap root of faith… he needs a little help and protection until he can develop. The teacher devotes time and energy teaching about God and giving encouragement and support during stressful times that can be potentially overwhelming.

The crop in the weedy soil is the new Christian who has the wrong friends who pull him away from God and encourage a life of pleasure seeking. In this case the teacher points out the destructiveness of that type of lifestyle and encourages other members to reach out and build relationships with this new Christian… replacing those old friends.

The crop in the deep, rich soil was just a joy to watch. These are the new Christians who don’t need a lot of help. The love of God springs up in their heart and with great energy their faith grows in leaps and bounds. The teacher loves watching the power of God’s word on deep and rich hearts.

Like the farmer, God’s people can accomplish a lot through hard work and understanding what it takes to protect a crop and get it to grow. No one ever said it was going to be easy.

How to Discover and Develop Talent

The Parable of The Pounds (Luke 19:11-27) has two stories going on in it. The one we’re interested in has a master giving 1 pound each to 10 of his servants. The master is going on an extended trip and tells his servants to invest his money and when he gets back there will be an accounting to see how they did.

When he gets back we see only the results of three of the servants… the two most profitable ones and the guy who did the worst. The star of the class was the fellow who invested his pound and made 10 more pounds. The master was very happy with him and praised him and put him in charge of ten cities.

The second guy took his pound and made five more. The master put him in charge of five cities.

The last guy was governed by the fear of losing his investment principle and instead of investing it… hid it and preserved it for his master. The master was very unhappy with him and punished him by taking the pound away from him and giving it to his star performer.

How to Discover and Develop Talent.

1. People have to be given an opportunity to perform. In this story the master did not judge the abilities of his employees. He treated them all the same. They all started on the exact same footing and had the same opportunity.

2. When a responsibility is given to someone there has to be an accounting or evaluation process.

3. Finally, after the evaluation process those who have performed well need to be rewarded (positively reinforced) and those who have not performed well must be reprimanded (negatively reinforced).

The master gave opportunity to 10 of his employees and discovered a really high performing individual who he groomed to be even better. He also discovered an employee who was a disaster.

This may sound like advice on how to run a business but it is really about God’s people and the Church.

The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

Lazarus was a beggar. I don’t know how he came to be that way… maybe the same way people become beggars today; Poor economic times, destructive life styles, mental illness, who knows? Lazarus was alone in the world with no one to help him. He was incapacitated and had skin sores and was hungry. Only the local dogs had compassion upon him… they licked his wounds. There are two Lazarus’ mentioned in the New Testament. The other one had two sisters and when he died there was much sorrow and many tears. When the beggar Lazarus died he went to his grave unloved, unwept, and not missed.

The rich man on the other hand liked to dress nice and lived in “mirth and splendor” every day. He had a lot of friends and five brothers who loved him. I’m sure at his funeral there were many tears shed and accolades spoken… and yet the rich man ended up in “Hades”.

You see, the rich man had a low opinion of beggars and after a while beggars just become a part of the landscape… like a fire hydrant. He probably thought Lazarus had “earned” his condition (like that makes a difference) and he wasn’t going to support Lazarus in his poor choices. That thinking kind of makes sense but that thought process landed the rich man squarely in the fires of Hell.

I’m sure when Lazarus was born he was a beautiful little boy and his mom and dad were overjoyed to have him but somewhere along the way Lazarus lost the ability to work, lost his family, lost his health and lost the capacity to be liked. In the Hebrew language names mean things and Lazarus’ name meant something… it meant “God has helped”. I’m reminded of Jesus’ words… blessed are the poor who are in a relationship with the Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. God does help.

Someone told me they kept a supply of Whataburger gift certificates in their wallet in case they came across someone who looked hungry… not a bad idea.

A Precious Wife

When we moved to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1982, Elmer Moore was preaching at Parkway. He gave me a Thompson Chain Reference Bible with the above note in it. I didn't think too much about that note in 1982 but when I pulled out that old Bible today for the first time in years, the caption really pulled at my heart. Here was an old fellow who apparently had lost his wife after 44 years of marriage. And as he reflected on how much she had meant to him he decided to honor her by honoring the thing that was so dear to both of them... Our Lord Jesus Christ. Brother Blake had provided these Bibles and told Elmer to give them to young men who had a zeal for the Lord. What a great gift... and great example.

Uncle Rob

Was the Good Samaritan Saved?

In Luke 10:25-37, in a discussion with Jesus, a Jewish lawyer correctly states that to inherit eternal life one must do two things; love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.

Then the Lawyer (true to his profession) asks, “Just who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus tells the familiar story of the Good Samaritan. There are three major characters in this story and they are not there by accident. One is a Jewish Priest and the other is from the tribe of Priests. They represent the best of Jewish faith… they possess the truth and they practice the commandments of God faithfully (John 4). The third is a Samaritan who practices a corrupt version of Judaism. The Samaritan does not possess the truth nor does he practice it correctly.

And yet in the story of the “Good Samaritan” the righteousness of the Samaritan surpassed the righteousness of the other two… He truly loved his neighbor.

So who of these three characters is saved according the two things that must be done to inherit eternal life? The Priest and the Jew from the tribe of priests have the truth and have the correct religious practice but fail miserably when it comes to “loving their neighbor”. The Samaritan practices a corrupt version of Judaism, so by definition he is not, “loving God with all his heart” and yet he excells in “Loving his neighbor as himself”.

The correct answer would be that none of the three were saved. To be saved we must love God by doing his commandments and by demonstrating love to our fellow man. We don’t get half credit… it is not enough just to be “good”. Let’s be sure in our pursuit of eternal life that we do everything God asks of us.

The Old Testament in Romans

I find it interesting that the letter to the Romans contains more than 60 quotations from the Old Testament. That is interesting because the majority of Christians in Rome were from a non-Jewish back ground. And yet Paul makes extensive use of the Old Testament to a people who were totally ignorant of the Old Testament before they were introduced to Jesus Christ.

For comparisons sake we usually say that the Gospel of Matthew was written to a Jewish audience because it contains 64 references to the Old Testament. That makes sense because the Jews knew the Old Testament.

I submit to you that the reason Paul used so many references from the Old Testament to the Roman Christians was because they were very familiar with it… they were converted to Christianity through the teaching of the Old Testament. In fact, when the Gospel is referenced in Romans 1:16 it is referencing the Gospel (or good news of salvation) revealed in the Old Testament.

The “righteousness of God” (Ro. 1:17) that is revealed from “faith unto faith” is revealed in the Old Testament as God dealt righteously with faithful men like Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David, etc.

The “wrath of God” (Ro.1:18) that is “revealed from Heaven” is revealed in the Old Testament as God dealt with righteous wrath against Sodom and Gomorrah, Egypt, the destruction of Jerusalem, etc.

Paul uses over 60 quotations from the Old Testament when he writes the Roman Christians because they had been taught extensively in it. The stories of the Old Testament were their stories, the heroes of the Old Testament were their heroes. Abraham was their father and Sarah was their mother.

Sometimes, in my opinion, we over emphasize the New Testament and under emphasize the Old Testament and relegate it to children’s classes. To do so would be a mistake. After all, the faith of the Romans that was famous world-wide was based upon the teachings concerning the good news of salvation found in the Old Testament.

Happiness and Sorrow

Julie and I were at a gathering last night and I saw an older couple (probably married 50 plus years) who I know on a casual basis. A friend told me that the wife had gone into the hospital for a cardiac procedure and had nearly died. He added that at the time he was pretty sure she would pull through but he wasn’t sure her husband would. My friend told me the man was so shaken and overcome with worry for his wife that he couldn’t even talk.

I watched the older couple and while everyone else was gathered around tables, playing games and having fun… they sat off by themselves just holding hands and looking at each other and saying a few words to each other and smiling at each other. And I thought I saw in him happiness and sorrow. Happiness that the thing he treasured the most in this world, his wife, had been given back to him and sorrow that it was just a preview of what was to come.

It was a learning moment for me that things don’t last forever and to treasure the moments with each other and perhaps be a little more patient with each other.

There are a lot of great things in this life but unfortunately a lot of sorrow too. Thank God there is something better waiting for those who believe in Jesus Christ.