image: David Gunter // flikr.com

© B Scott McCown, 01.26.2012

Excuse me, but did not our Founding Fathers fight for freedom because they would not TOLERATE taxation without representation?!  Did they not take up arms because they refused to TOLERATE a king who oppressed them at every turn and closed their profitable ports?!  The United States began from healthy INTOLERANCE.

I know, I know that we have the right to free speech.  I know we have the right to the free expression of religion.  This is true tolerance.  This is the tolerance the Puritans longed for and that is part of the United States “Bill of Rights.”  But the tolerance preached today is something new, something different.  Modern tolerance is more akin to acceptance and agreement.

Tolerance then was the right to live your life the best way you saw fit.  Tolerance of the past allowed for you and me to disagree, but continue to live and work side by side.  Tolerance of that caliber is no longer our modern understanding.  The tolerance proclaimed today says, “You have to accept me and not speak against me.  If you tell me you disagree or that what I am doing is not right in your eyes then you are intolerant; and therefore you are wrong.”

Am I the only one who sees this definition of “tolerance” as intolerant?  Am I supposed to believe you can disagree with me and be tolerant, because you are sophisticated and open-minded, yet if I disagree with you, I am close-minded, unsophisticated, and intolerant?  You can tell me I am wrong, but I cannot contradict you?

Someone say it ain’t so!  Someone please help me understand!

- Scott

A classic Mr.Coffee at our Preacher's Luncheon

 About 7 of us traveled to Double Springs, Alabama and met up with about 15 other preachers and Church leaders for a monthly meeting.  These meetings vary in topic and focus.  This year, Vance Hutton asked three preachers with 50 years or more experience to speak to the rest of us. I found blessing in listening to the experience and wisdom of W.T. Allison, James Palmer, and Charles Bryan.  There were many great nuggets of wisdom they shared and I want to pass a few of them along.

W. T. Allison:

• He expressed thanks for his wife who lead him to Christ.  He said she may not have saved his life, but she helped him have a life worth saving.
• He was working for 3M when he began preaching and never thought that he would or could preach full time.  Of this he said, “You never know what direction God will lead you.”

James Palmer:

• “Who are you?” He asked.
• Are you are preacher, a Christian, an evangelist, or A MAN OF GOD?
• 1 Tim 6:11-14 – A Man of God: Flees from sin, Follows God’s will, Fights for righteousness and against sin, and is Faithful in his endeavors.

Charles Bryan:

• The mind cannot contain what the seat cannot endure.
• One privilege of preaching is drawing near to Christ as you grow.
• Make up your mind not to let someone else be better to you than you are to them.
• Everyone has the right to hear the gospel once!
• He shared the following quote:
•  ”It is impossible to embarrass an humble man.” (Jack Exum, Sr.)
• “Relationship is the most important thing, no relationship is the only thing.” (Paul Tarrence)
• “Roosters say, ‘cock-doodle-do’; folks up north say, ‘Yankee doodle do,’
  young girls say ‘Any dude ‘ll do’ and that is why there are so many divorces.” Paul Murphy.
• When asked if he would change anything.  Brother Bryan said, “My wife, Margaret worked beside me, helped me, and taught school all these years to ‘support my preaching habit.’  If I had it all to do over again, I would show her more appreciation.”

Preaching friends, Church leaders, Bible Class teachers, young Christians . . . take time to learn from the experience and wisdom of those whose service for the Lord exceeds your own.  They have much to share, if we will only listen.

- Scott

Is there Basketball in Heaven?

There are a number of great sports in the world some claiming to be national sports to particular countries or regions. Personally of all the sports that we participate in in the United States, none is more truly American and worthy of our participation than that uniquely Canadian-American designed game created by Presbyterian Minister, teacher, coach, and YMCA worker Dr. James Naismith. The game continues to evolve front Naismith’s original 13 rules, but the basics are the same.

If there is a sport played in heaven, basketball might just be it. After all, what other sport has goals that are up in the air and not actually on the playing field? Is not this like Paul talking about reaching the goal of heaven (Phil 3:12ff)? In basketball do teams “press” on through the oppositions’ pressure. In basketball you must be vigilant to the schemes of your adversary. And most Biblically, basketball may have its stars, but it is truly a team sport. Successful teams cannot rely on a single player. Teams must work in unity as a body having the same mind.

This observation of the body is one that became very personal during a small pick-up game this week. Suffice it to say, that when my knee complained during the game, I had to stop. The past few days have had me limping and wincing. Thanks to a steroid shot to the knee, I am much better today. This personal experience reminded me of 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, where Paul takes a few moments to compare the church to a body. In summary, Paul says each part has a role, some more visible and some less obvious. Some roles seem more valuable than others, but each role has value to the body. Back to basketball. When I played in Jr. High and High school the bookkeeper kept up with fouls, points, shooting percentages and assists. This with high numbers of assists may not get their name in the paper, but if not for those selfless individuals passing the ball at the right moment, others could not score. My personal highest scoring game came in 10th grade when I would break to the basket and a fellow player would feed me the ball right at the goal.

This week however, I remembered 1 Cor 12:26, “If one member suffers, all suffer together.” my departure from the game ended the game. My knees rebellion made walking difficult for me and now my hip hurts from having to literally take up the slack for my knee.

What do you think?

- Scott

From the Home Office in Parrish, Alabama — Top Ten Keys to a Great Marriage!

Amy and Scott in Oakman, AL February 2011

1. Optimists look for partial solutions even if an entire solution is not available.
2. Optimists derail negative trains of thought.
3. Optimists look for ways to be appreciative.
4. Optimists imagine success in their endeavors before they begin.
5. Optimists are cheerful even if they cannot be happy.
6. Optimists think they have an almost unlimited propensity for growth.
7. Optimists focus on and strengthen love into their lives.
8. Optimists accept what cannot change.
9. Optimists constantly work toward renewal (cf. Rom 12:1-2).
10. Optimists know that God will work things out for good when they diligently seek Him (Rom 8:28).

- Scott

The Italian Cruise Ship, Costa Concordia capsized this past weekend off the coast of Tuscany and may sink into 224 feet of water. Internet reports are claiming only five deaths and 15 passengers not accounted for (missing). While the second tragedy has considerably less loss of life, it is still a tragedy. Both shipwrecks were avoidable.

Captain Edward J. Smith of the Titanic, ignored warnings about sea ice and trying to reach New York ahead of schedule orders the ship to increase speed through the iceberg filled waters. This error resulted in the Titanic striking an iceberg that created a large gash in the hull that filled the ship with water causing the ship to sink. There was also a delay in ordering evacuations, that may have contributed to additional deaths.

Similarly, Captain Francesco Schettino made a decision to alter the ship’s programmed course, allegedly to wave to a friend who was on shore. This maneuver placed the ship close to a 120 foot ledge that made a hole in the ship. The ship took on water and began to list. Reports say this captain also delayed the abandon ship order.

There is a difference. Captain Smith of the Titanic went down with the ship. He would not leave as long as there were passengers on board. Captain Schettino is a survivor of the Costa Concordia. He chose to leave the ship while passengers were still on board. I do not know the motivation behind his decision. Someone may have given him information that the passengers and crew were all accounted for and were to safety. I do not have all the information.

This does however make me question our current society. There seems to be a prevalent attitude of “all for self”. There seems to be a mentality that does not accept blame or even the consequences of our action. (I am not saying Schettino deserved to go with the ship, I am saying his actions maybe a symptom of a moon selfish mindset. Future investigations will determine the reason for his actions.). There are other events that demonstrate my point, this most recent event just brings these thoughts to mind.

Consider a person accused of child abuse, who claims abuse as a child lead them to a life of abuse. A person who suffers from alcoholism laying blame on a diseased alcoholic parent. A student who shoots fellow classmates because he was the victim of bullying.
Where is personal responsibility?
Why do we have to be like Adam and Eve who blamed God and the Serpent for their choice to eat the forbidden fruit?
Why do we have to be like King Saul who blamed the people for his taking spoils when God said not too?
Why can we not be like David who realized his sin was before God and admitted his sin?
Why can we not be like Joseph who ran from temptation, because he knew he was responsible for his own actions?

Remember, you have a choice. You have the right, the ability, and the responsibility to control self. Remember there is no one to blame but you. My mom used to tell us, “Nobody can make you do anything, but die.”.  Mom, you are right.

- Scott

Here are their suggestions along with my comments:

1. Respect your children’s mother! Amen and amen. Children need to know their parents love and respect each other. This will form the foundation of their own marriage in years to come.
2. Spend time with your children. That day almost 15 years ago seems like yesterday. Now that little bundle of joy wears shoes two sizes bigger than me and looks me in the eye when we are standing. In just four years he will be away at university. Take time to be with them and enjoy playing and being active together.
3. Earn the right to be heard. Talk with them while they are young. Talk about difficult subjects that are age appropriate. Offer to help and help them with their struggles now and they will turn to you in trust later.
4. Discipline them with love. Children need limits to keep them safe and to help them grow. Set those limits and lovingly enforce them in appropriate ways.
5. Be a role model.. Your children will naturally look up to you when they are young. Be a GOOD role model of what a father and husband should be. They may not tell you so when they are teenagers, but they will still admire you in someway especially if you are consistent when they are young.
6. Be a Teacher. Parents, you are your child’s first and primary teacher. Do not rely on the school or church to be your children’s only teachers. Teach them about right and wrong and encourage them to always perform to their best ability.
7. Eat together as a family.. This gives your family the opportunity to debrief their day. You can talk about the good events and the emotional events; all the ups and downs of their daily activities. This gives you opportunity to listen to your children and therefore to know them. Which in turn gives you the right to offer guidance. They also hear about your day and how you cope with daily events.
8. Read to your children. Amy is an elementary school teacher. She teaches young children who are new to reading. She can tell which children have parents that read to them. These children are better prepared to read and want to read because they see a love of reading modeled in the lives of their parents. Our son is nearly 15 and we still read the Bible aloud to each other in the evenings. He is also and avid reader who inspired me to become a more regular reader.
9. Show affection. This is not easy for some men, but we need to demonstrate love to our children. Hugs and kisses are great when they are little. As they mature, expressions of affection need to change. They will let you know how they want you to show love. Andrew still “half hugs” me goodnight, but that is about it. We show affection in other ways including doing things together, the occasional fist bump, and things like that.
10. Realize a father’s job is never done. I know my son will leave the nest long before I am ready for him too. Even when he is grown and he begins his own life and eventually a family of his own, if he is anything like my dad’s second son, he will still look up to his dad and look to him for love love and advice.

BTW, thanks Dad for being a great example of all of these things.

-Scott

Sometimes I get frustrated, loosing my cool when things don’t go my way.
Sometimes, I rush into a plan and don’t take time to pray.
Sometimes, I neglect to include You in all the events of my day.
Sometimes, to the snares of the devil, that oar of old I fall prey.
Please forgive.

In Jesus name.

- Scott

• I Love Him because every time that Roman scourge tore His flesh leaving lacerations, they were not rightfully His, but He took them for me.
• I Love Him because the pain from every thorn from the crown that pierced His head was not His, but He took it for me.
• I Love Him because every inch of flesh severed by the spikes nailing Him to the cross were not for His crimes, but mine.  He took them for me.
• I Love Him because the ridicule he endured was not for His inconsistent living, but for mine.  He took it for me.
• I Love Him because the blood that poured out from His spear-pierced side did not atone for His sins (for He had none) but for mine.  He took it for me.
• I Love Him because He first loved me and on that rough-hewn cross, a man called Jesus, the Word of God that became flesh, took it for me.

I Love Him and I long to be near Him.  My favorite hymn expresses this desire clearly:

- Scott