Thinking and Remembering

Today our nation takes time to remember. Time to reflect on the lives of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we enjoy. You may have members of your family, parent, grandparent, aunt, sibling, or uncle who gave their life for my freedoms. If so this day means of much more for you thank for many others.

There are many freedoms we all hold dear, many personal freedoms and I am certain that there are specific freedoms you appreciate more than others. For me three freedoms afforded by our government stand out as important to me.

1. The right to assemble peacefully.
2. Having freedom of speech. We are allowed to disagree with government and voice our differences.
3. The freedom to worship God as I understands scripture to teach. That is the Freedom of Religion.

When speaking of the freedom we have in Christ, Paul says, ” . . . . Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Gal 5:13. Peter makes a similar statement in 1Pe 2:16, “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover- up for evil, but living as servants of God.”

Brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors, Freedom does not mean we are freed to do as we please, but we are free to live for God. Thank you again to all who stood for and sa rig iced for us to retain these freedoms.

- Scott

Summer Series at Parrish

In less than one month, our annual Summer Series will begin at Parrish Church of Christ.  This year we continue our new tradition of changing our mid-week services to Tuesday evenings for the nine (9) weeks of Summer Series.

Our theme for the Summer is “Raise Me Up!” and each lesson for our Summer Series will be from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 -7.  Here is the schedule for Summer 2012:

Speakers for Summer Series 2012

We’re Back

I apologize for being absent for a week, maybe you missed me.  My study was having internet issues and alternated using my study at the house and the one at the building.  Having a mobile week or more, and adding end of the school-year events at my son’s high school and my wife’s elementary-middle school and I was relatively busy.

There is also something “new” in my corner of the world.  Three weeks ago, I began getting together with one of our young parents, two of our deacons, and a young man from our area and “jamming” in a “southern-rock” band.  We have a few songs we play decently and now have a couple of guys who are going to try to step-up to the mic — literally — and attempt sing to our noise.  We are having fun and a do not foresee a career change or an album (or iTunes listing) anytime soon <grinning sarcastically>.  I did post a clip on YouTube (see below).

However, there is something we do every week that is important to playing together.  Jim (our keyboard player), Rick (bass guitar and guitar), and I (guitar) will tune-up.  Jim will play the following notes one at a time so Rick and I can tune our instruments to the keyboard (E, A, D, G, B, E).  Once we are in tune with each other, we can play.

The urban-legend circulates in print about a shepherd in Montana 83 years ago who wrote the NBC symphony in New York telling them of his problem.  He lived alone tending sheep away from the rest of the world.  He was an amateur violinist and listened to the symphony each Sunday afternoon on NBC radio and like to play along.  Through the years, his violin became badly out of tune, and in his isolation he had not way to tune it and asked if they could help.  The story says that on Sunday afternoon, June 18, 1939, at the beginning of the NBC Symphony program, a loud and clear “A” note sounded out across the airwaves and a shepherd in Montana got in tune.

Whether the above story is factual, composed of different elements of true events, or completely fiction there is still an observation that compares with the band I am in getting in tune and our need to get our  lives in tune.

Jeremiah records that man is not able to direct his own steps, the Psalmist records and Paul quotes that “none is righteous” that we all sin.  But God sent out a loud and clear note in the form of His Word (John 1:1-14)  The standard is there (John 12:48), it rings true and clear.  All we need to do is get in tune.

- Scott

Here is our fist jam session:

Marriage Matter Monday – Man and Woman, Man and Man, or Woman and Woman

I am currently in an online discussion with a friend who is homosexual and in a committed homosexual relationship.  He is understandably upset at the current political climate, specifically with Southern States that continue to ban homosexual marriages.  From his perspective, I understand his frustration, I may not agree — that is why the discussion, but I understand.

One valid observation he and others make is that many “Christians” who speak loudest against homosexual marriage (and many politicians who are using this agenda and the reaction to President Obama’s statement for political gain) are on their second, third, or even fourth marriage or they are guilty of violating the marriage covenant by having affairs.  Some may also be guilty of having sexual relationships before marriage (which is also a sin according to God’w word).  Brethren,  this is a serious matter.  How can we expect others to listen to us, when we do not follow Christ’s teaching ourselves?

Now for my friend, I would remind him that just because others are sinners that does not give me (or him) license to sin where we want too.  In an effort to make my point to all involved (my friend and to those promoting the protection heterosexual marriage even while they abuse it) I ask all of us to consider the following event from Jesus’ life as recorded in the John’s account of the Gospel.

Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (Joh 8:2-11 – ESV)

This story appears to be specific to heterosexual relationships outside of marriage.  Jesus tells those who are about to stone her to look at themselves first and see if they meet the qualifications as judge.  (BTW – if she was caught in the “very act” where is the man?)  Then Jesus tells the woman that He is not condemning her and then to stop her sin.  Here are some quick observations:

• She was guilty of sexual sin – specifically adultery – a sexual relationship outside of marriage.
• Jesus, in so many words, is telling those about to condemn her to death and to hell that she deserves a second (third or fourth) chance to do what is right.
• Jesus takes this opportunity to teach these men to think hard about how they would want to be treated if they were the one caught in this sin – (the Golden Rule).
• Jesus gives the guilty woman the opportunity to keep living – Jesus offered Grace when others would not.
• There is a difference between stating that an activity is sin and judging (condemning) the one who practices that sin.
• There is an important statement from Jesus we cannot over-look.  He told her  ”from now on sin no more.”

There is a question for all of us to consider:  What if she were caught with another woman?  What if? I believe that Jesus would have responded the same way.  My point to Christians who pounce on the sin of homosexuality without considering the many sins of heterosexuals – THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE!  Both are sin.  If you speak against one, speak against both.  If you are guilty of one, I would be very cautious about judging, lest I be just as harshly judged (Matt 7:1ff).

Admittedly, I do not have all the answers or even a good start on the answers.  My goal, as I tried to communicate to my friend is to get all of us who are sinners (which is all of us – cf. Rom 3) to come to a realization that we need the forgiveness of our sins offered by God’s Grace found in the good news (the Gospel) of Christ (Rom 1:16; 2Th 1:7-9; 1Cor 15:1-4; Rom 6:1-6) .  This is the ONLY hope any of us has (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

- Scott

Radically Christian – Fools for Christ

My writing today is not here.  Wes McAdams, author of The Treasure Chest of Grace asked me to guest blog this week – you can read my submission HERE.

- Scott

Growing Closer to the Savior

Austin Taylor penned the following lyrics in 1911.  They are some of the most

Image: hymnalcollector.com

meaningful to me;

“Closer to Thee, near to Thy side, Closer dear Lord, I would abide;

Hold me in Thy embrace, ‘neath every smile of grace,

Grant me, Thy child a place Closer to Thee.”

The Greeks wanted to see Jesus.  Parents brought their children to see and be near Jesus.  A woman with a disease physicians could not cure, wanted only to be near enough to Jesus to touch his garment.  There is something about Jesus that draws people in (John 12:32). Do you long to be closer to the Savior?

Here are SIX ways you and I can grow nearer to the Savior:

1. Pray.  Take time each day to talk to the Father through His Son.
2. Learn from Jesus.  Read the story of His life as recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
3. Meditate, reflect on His life, His teachings, His mission, and His sacrifice.
4. Sing His praise.
5. Associate and assemble with His people on a regular basis.
6. Be His child (Gal 3:26-27).

- Scott

Reflection

This week in our reading as a congregation we are reading the last five chapters of Matthew.  The last three chapters are Matthew’s record of the last few hours of Jesus’s life.  In these last hours, Jesus reveals to the disciples that the end is near.  The elders of the Jews step up their plot to stop Jesus.  Jesus celebrates the Passover with his disciples and gives new meaning to the meal as He institutes a new supper for His Kingdom; one that will help His disciples remember the significance of what He is about to suffer and why He would suffer.  Before the meal, Judas makes an agreement with the elders to betray Jesus.  After the meal, Jesus reveals that the disciples will abandon Him in His hour of need, Peter promises allegiance, but will deny knowing Jesus three times before the night is over.  Then Jesus prays for relief, but submits to God’s plan.  Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss then the mockery of trials begins that ends with the release of a criminal named Barabbas and the crucifixion of the innocent – Jesus.  But that is not the end of the story.  The rest of the Good News is that He did not remain in the tomb.  The angels tell the women who came to anoint the body of Jesus that Sunday morning, “Go and tell the disciples that He is risen, just as He said!”  Matthew’s account ends with Jesus telling the disciple to tell others this great message.

Dear Father, Thank you for this great news.  Thank you for suffering through your Son, the innocent one, the punishment due the guilty Barabbas – me.  Thank you for graciously setting me free in Christ.  Father, may I always have the courage and boldness to declare the offer of freedom your provide through this great sacrifice to all mankind.  May I see the opportunities before me to spread this good news.  Give me the strength to live in Lour Love and to walk in Your Path.

In Jesus Name,

- Have a great day.

- Scott

Marriage Matters Monday

Marriage in the Mind of Christ

Through the years traditions change when it comes to weddings.  When I first started preforming wedding ceremonies, the bride did not rehearse, on the day of the wedding, pictures were taken after so that the groom did not see the bride until she walked down the isle, and Unity Candles were in fashion.  Now every bride rehearses, the couple takes pictures before the ceremony, and sand and salt ceremonies replaced unity candles and rose ceremonies.  Traditions also differ between cultures and especially what is cultural through the centuries.  A First Century Jew would not be familiar with our customs and traditions and we struggle to understand theirs, but we get a glimpse of a typical wedding during Jesus’ time in Matthew 25:1-13.

Here is how a typical wedding would take place:

• The groom would take the initiative and travel to the home his prospective bride.
• The woman’s father would begin negotiations with this prospective groom concerning the price the groom would pay to marry his daughter.
• When they agree on a price, the groom make arrangements to pay.
• Once the bride’s family receives payment the marriage contract (betrothal) is binding, although no physical union takes place.
• This contract sets the bride apart for her betrothed (fiance).  They will drink from a cup blessed by prayer, symbolizing their contractual relationship.
• The groom returns to his father’s house separated from his bride for a 12 months.
• During this time period, the bride gathers her belongings and prepares for married life.
• The groom uses this time to prepare a place for his bride in his father’s house (on his land).
• At the end of this twelve month period the friends of the groom escort him at night to the home of the bride.
• The bride expects the arrival of her groom, but does not know the exact time or day.
• One of the escorts would shout to announce the arrival of the groom.
• The groom receives the bride with her female attendants and returns to his father’s house.
• The bride and groom enter the bridal chamber (the room he prepared) and enter into a physical union that consummates the marriage.

When I first came across this material a few things came to my mind.  First there is a lot of preparation that goes into this marriage.  There is a seriousness to the contract of marriage that I think is missing in our current Western Society.  I am not suggesting we have to go to the same lengths that the cultures of the First Century did, but I do think, we need to do what we can to make marriage the special and wonderful relationship that it is supposed to be. The second observation is not related to our physical marriages but to the Church as the Bride of Christ (Eph 5:32).

Notice:

• Christ left His Father’s home to come to earth to select His Bride (Eph 525-28)
• Christ paid a great price for the Church – His own blood (Acts 20:28; 1Co 6:19-20)
• The Church is set apart (holy, sanctified) for Christ (Eph 5:25-27)
• The Church drinks a cup with the Groom as a symbol of that covenant (1Co 11:25)
• Christ returned to the Father after sealing the agreement (Acts 1:9-11)
• Christ is preparing a place for the Church in His Father’s house (John 14:1-6)
• We are currently separated from Christ in a physical sense (Phil 1:21-23)
• Christ will have escorts when He returns who will announce His return (John 14:3; 1The 4:16-17; 2The 1:7-9)
• The Bride (Church) will go with the Groom (Christ) to His Father’s house  to ever be with Him (1The 4:14-18)
• Christ’s union with His Bride (the Church) will take place in heaven for all eternity (Rev 19:7-9; 21:9-10).

Sources:

1. “Marriage.” The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, ed. Isaac Landman (New York:UJE) 1948.
2. “Betrothal” The Jewish Encyclopedia, ed. Isidore Singer (New York:Funk and Wagnals) 1907.
3. George  Eager, “Marriage.” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Ed. Jas. Orr (Grand Rapids:Zondervan) 1986
4. Emma W. Gill, Home Life in the Bible (Nashville:Broadman Press) 1936
5. James Neil, Everyday Life in the Holy Land (New York:Cassell and Company, Ltd.) 1913
6. J. Jeremias, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. Gerhad Kittle, trans. and ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, IV (Grand Rapids:Eerdmans) 1967.

- Scott

Full Coverage

Many years ago I came across a leaflet entitled, “Eternal Life Insurance Policy.”  Since then a few other versions have temporarily crossed my desk.  I am sure that if I searched the desk in my study at home and the one at the building and I looked in the right filing cabinet, I would find a copy of one of those policies.  I bring this up because I found an old clipping from a bulletin this morning that had a poem by H. H. Hover that reminded me of these policies.

Full Coverage

I have an insurance policy

Written in the blood of the Lamb,

Sealed by the cross of Jesus,

Redeemable wherever I am!

The Company will never go bankrupt,

It is bonded by God’s promise true;

It will keep every word of its contract,

Exactly what it says it will do.

I don’t have to die to collect it,

No premiums do I have to pay;

All I do is to keep God’s promise

And walk in His holy way.

No collector will ever come calling,

It was paid on Calvary’s tree;

It insures me for living and dying

And for all of eternity.

Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly, (John 10:10).”  ”I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).”  ”Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2:10).”

Are you covered by Christ? – cf. Gal 3;26-27.

- Scott

10 Things to Teach Your Children

From the Home Office somewhere off the road between Parrish and Oakman comes today’s list of Ten Things to Teach Your Children.  As a parent of a teenager, as a former Youth Minister, as a former assistant Jr. High Basketball coach, and as someone married to an Elementary School teacher, these things come from my experiences – both good and bad . . .  We should teach our children:

1. To Love Reading.  Teachers may give students the basic tools to read, but if

Andrew (left) on a 5th Grade Field Trip (2007)

parents do not read to children when they are young and model a love of reading, teachers fight an uphill battle.  If you do not want your child left behind, teach them to love reading.

2. To Pray.  Children should learn early that God cares for them and watches over them.  Teach them to spend time telling God about their day and their needs.  Give them an example of prayer, let them see you pray and pray with them and for them often.

3. To Be Grateful (Thankful).  Ingratitude is a bane of current society.  Too many people have a sense of entitlement and are not grateful for what they have.  Teach your children to say, “Thank you” to those who provide needs and gifts.  This would include God.  Demonstrate this thankfulness in your conversations and prayer.  Tell your spouse “thank you” for what they do and let your children hear you say that.

4. To Pay Their Way.  This is a second anti-entitlement point.  Not everything in life is free, nor are you (they) entitled to everything.  The wisdom of our Founding Fathers is evident in the statement that we are only entitled to the freedom of the PURSUIT of happiness, not all the things we think will make us happy.  (Washington, are you listening?)

5. To Read God’s Word.  Our public education system owes its existence to early settlers and colonists wanting their children to learn to read so that they could read the Bible.  God’s word is a great guide to life in general and the ONLY guide to life eternal.  Read to, with, and in your children’s presence.

6. To Love God.  Jesus said this is the greatest commandment.  The Israelites were to bind this before their eyes, talk of it on the road, and write it on the door posts.  Teach children to know God loves them and how to return that love.

7. To Love Others.  Jesus said this is the second greatest commandment.  This is really what the “Golden Rule” of treating others the way you want treated is all about.  Again it is imperative that we model this love to our children.

8. The Importance of a Committed Marriage.  Countless hours of research exists that show the importance of a committed marriage to the well-being of children.  This is one point you definitely should exemplify.  Let your children see how important your husband or wife (their dad or mom) is to you.  In fact, let them know that your relationship with their other parent comes before your relationship with them.

9. To Encourage (Be Complimentary).  We live in such a negative world.  We need more people like Barnabas (Acts 4 – 5) who will work to encourage others.  One way we can help our children be better at encouragement is to encourage them in their pursuits.

10. To be Humble.  Children enter this world egocentric.  They cry when they have needs – feeding, changing, physical contact, etc.  We should meet those needs, but as they mature physically, mentally, and emotionally we should gently guide them to understand that they are NOT the center of the world or even the family.  I am not advocating a throw-back to “don’t speak until you are spoken too” mentality of years gone by, but children do need to learn that others are important (see #’s 3, 4, 7, and 9 above).  Humility is important to successful marriages, success in all relationships, and in our approach to God.

What else should we teach our children?

- Scott