Guaranteed Seed

Matthew 13:23 is the last part of a parable that describes the effect God’s word has upon the hearts of men.

“And he that was planted upon the good ground is he that hears the word and understands it: who bears fruit and brings forth one hundred fold and sixty and thirty.”

I used to think that to be fruitful meant that I had to have some notches on my belt that represented people I had helped save from Satan. That is “converts”. So I was very motivated and can say that I helped lead many to the waters of baptism because I was worried that if I didn’t there might be a problem with my salvation.

What I see now is that God’s seed, that is his word, is perfect and when planted in the right soil conditions can’t help but be productive. It will produce… guaranteed… every time.

Just be a Christian. Live the life. Work hard to be just like Jesus Christ and you can’t help but be fruitful and productive. Our part is to believe and obey. God will take care of the rest.

A Different Kind of Race

Usually when you run a race you run just for yourself and ignore all the other runners unless they get in your way. The race that Christians run is a little different. In this race the runners help the other runners when they don’t feel like they can run anymore.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews was administering God’s chastening (12:7-11). That was part of his race… the responsibility that all Christians have for each other. To help the runners who don’t think they can keep on running. To re-direct the ones who are running the wrong direction. And to encourage them to finish the race by reminding them of all the others who had already finished their race.

The reality is if you are helping others… you’re running pretty good.

Run the Race

In Hebrews 12 we read that the life of a Christian is like a race. Not a race with one winner but more of a marathon type of race where you win by just completing the race.

These Hebrew Christians were failing in the race. They were carrying extra things with them that weighted them down and didn’t allow them to run freely. Their knees and legs were getting tired. Moreover they were getting distracted by sin and doubt. Some of their Jewish friends were encouraging them to re-route back into Judaism. It was attractive to them. The memory of it was better than the reality of it. And they had lost patience in the race. They thought the race would be shorter and easier. They thought that Jesus was waiting just around the corner to gather them up into Heaven. But every time they rounded the corner they just saw more race track.

The author encourages them to look at someone else who had run a race… Jesus Christ. He ran his race and had joyous times and hard times. He chose to allow himself to be nailed to a cross. He allowed people to verbally insult him. But he had *patience* and *joy* because he knew than in a few short days he would be sitting right next to God the Father himself. And whatever happened before that was hard but OK because the glory and happiness of eternity was waiting for him.

Sometimes we make this life bigger than what it is. It’s kind of like driving to Corpus Christi from San Antonio. San Antonio is a big city but when you’re watching it in your rear view mirror it gets smaller and smaller until you can’t even see it and Corpus gets bigger and bigger the closer you get to it.

Our race starts when we arise out of the waters of baptism and doesn’t finish until we take our last breath. Run to Jesus Christ and don’t let anything distract you or get in your way.

Evangelism Cap

This is a raccoon skin cap that I like to wear when it gets really cold. It draws a lot of attention because it is made from a real raccoon and the hat maker preserved the coons features on it (even the ears). Today after visiting some members Larry, Scott and I went to Starbucks before the evening services to drink a cup of coffee. A young couple walked in and the young man said, "that's an incredible hat". I let him try it on and his fiance took a picture. I introduced Scott and Larry and mentioned something about church. He asked where we went to church and I told him and asked him where he went to church? He said with a sad look on his face that they weren't going anywhere. I invited him to visit us at Parkway. He agreed. Sometimes you need a prop to start a conversation. Once the conversation is started you can usually figure out a way to turn it to God. Anyway now I call this cap my "Evangelism Cap".

Creating Closer families

A few years ago I created four private family Facebook pages; The family of Weldon and Nell Perkins, The Family of Charles and Naomi Norris, The Family of Clarke and Nellie Bedwell and the Family of Julian and Thelma Jackson.

I started with the Perkins family group because I wanted a format where we could share family stories and such like that we couldn’t share with anyone else because they might view us as martians or something worse. The world is really not ready to hear the shenanigans that go on in our family. My other motivation was to have a format whereby we could reconnect with each other and draw our family closer to each other (scattered as we are).

I then created the other family groups to help those families. The Norris family is my mother’s family. The Bedwells and Jacksons are Julie’s family. I do most of the posting on those pages, sharing old family photos and letters and things going on in our lives. Other members of the families have gradually started posting.

The end result is our families are closer. Family members have become “friends” on Facebook who have never met each other. When we had the big Perkins family reunion in San Diego this summer, I heard several people say to each other… “you know I have never met you but I feel like I know you because of our friendship on Facebook”.

This year we have gotten Christmas cards from family members that we have never gotten before. The in-laws of the Perkins family say things like “I have always wanted to be part of a big happy family”. Julie’s annual family reunion in Kansas has benefited. Many of them have told me… “thank you for helping to make our family closer”. Being the rascal that I am they take great pleasure in making fun of me. That common activity also makes them closer.

When we got together at my brother Greg’s house for thanksgiving the three Patriarchs (Me, Scott and Greg) each gave a message to our family. Mine was that the Perkins family was special, that although we might occasionally have “issues” with each other that we still loved each other and didn’t allow it to harm the family.

Everyone wants a closer happier family… build a private page and communicate a good message to each other. You might be surprised about how good it can get.