What About the Rest of the Story?

We just celbrated the Christmas holiday on the December 25. However, there are many trends that should disturb the dedicated Christian. How many of us listened and truly paid attention to the songs that were played over the radio, at resteraunts, or in stores? Did anyone pay attention to the lawn decorations or those that were sold in stores such as Wal-mart?

In many of the places that I shopped, I saw Christmas trees, ornaments for the same, lots of garland and tinsel, but almost nothing concerning the birth of our Lord in Bethlehem. I do not know that I saw one manger scene in the stores. Santa was very much in evidence in song and display, but no Christ child. Lots of lights, but no stable.

I listened to the radio, and I only heard two songs repeated on most of the secular stations. Those were 'Little Drummer Boy' and 'Do You See What I See'. Many of the more traditional Christmas hymns were sadly lacking, or if played, were only instrumental in composition.

The real problem is that we lost focus concerning the true purpose of Christmas. The birth of Jesus has no place in our understanding, without the knowledge that we are all sinners condemned to death. It has no context if one fails to consider the Cross, where Jesus took our curse and sins for us. Neither of these have any meaning without the resurrection and hope of His return.

Christianity has become so consumed with the commercialism that afflicts the culture, that it easier to see Jesus as the little babe in a manger, rather than the suffering Lamb being offered for our sins. It is easier to forget about Him at that point rather than face the truth about ourselves when we neglect to live by even His most basic precepts.

The reason that the culture does not enjoy the old hymns is simply that churches do not appreciate them any more. Both the secular and religious cultures have decided to write new songs that make us feel good about ourselves. There is no calling to account that we were the ones who caused God to come to earth as a man, bleed upon the Cross, and die in our stead. "Joy to the World', 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing', 'It came upon a Midnight Clear', 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', and many others remind us that we are sinners, Christ came to die to deliever us from sin, and that He is our Sovereign and Lord.

We enjoy singing the songs at this time of year, because they are filled with joy, hope, and love. However, it should always be remembered that only two Gospels dealt with His birth, but all four speak of His death. He said that His death was the reason that He came. He was born so that all men would have the opportunity to repent.

The truth of Christmas is the same as that of Easter. God was manifest in the flesh. He came to convict the world of sin while remaining pure. He then took our sins to the Cross and died. Three days later He rose from that grave so that we might know the hope of life eternal. He then walked the earth for many days and was seen by many of His disciples (far more than just the original 12), ascended to Heaven, and will be returning again as the Judge of all mankind.

The question is not what will you do about that babe in the manger, but will you submit to the King that was born on that day so very long ago? What will you do with the rest of the story?

Things for which I am Grateful

As Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow, I thought that I would take a moment and list a few things for which I am grateful.

1) I am thankful that Jesus Christ came to earth more than 2000 years ago to die on the cross for the sins of mankind, which paid for our redemption and salvation.

2) I am very thankful for the message of repentance, baptism in the wonderful name of Jesus for the remission of my sins, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Without this message, I would have never had a hope of the salvation that was provided for me.

3) I am grateful that I have received this precious salvation which has given me a pardon, but has also made me the heir of Jesus Christ, a child of the King of Kings.

4) I am thankful for the name of Jesus that I can call on when in trouble or in joy, and He will be there to answer me.

5) I am thankful for the Bible, the inspired Word of God, which shows me how to live my life in holiness and righteousness. It is a light to show me when I begin to stray from the right path, and it shows me how to live a life that is pleasing to God.

6) I am thankful for my Pastor and his wife who provide wise council and teach the Word. They give me instruction and clear direction so that I may walk this way more perfectly.

7) I am thankful for the various ministers that I have heard preach over the course of my life. There is always something to be gained when the Word is preached, no matter how long ago the preacher preached it. The Word is still as anointed and powerful as it was when it was first preached.

8) I am thankful for the Church which provides fellowship, comfort, strength, and aid when I have needed it. The Church is a very large and extended family. If a person is on a journey, they should be able to walk into in Apostolic church and be able to feel as if they are among family.

9) I am thankful for my Mom and Dad, also my Pastor and wife, who raised me to walk in the light of the Word. They have overseen my education and instruction in both school and the practicalities of everyday living.

10) I am thankful for friends with whom I can communicate and enjoy Christian fellowship.

I have much more to be thankful for, but I figure that this list will cover it for now. Let us remember that we need to always be expressing our gratitude for the many blessings that we have been granted, and never let us take these gifts lightly.

The Importance of Convictions: Part 1

I have given much thought to this topic, especially as it relates to our current political situation.

I will commence by stating that I view myself as a Conservative first and a Republican second. This is based on my convictions of what is both good and right. I understand that not everyone will agree with me on all points, but there are a number of factors that I believe must be addressed concerning the future of the Republican party and the fate of our nation.

For the last several years, I have listened as members of the Republican leadership have bemoaned the fact that the conservative Christians had such a major influence over the party and focused heavily on 'social issues' rather than economic issues. However, these individuals are the same ones that have chosen our last two Presidential Candidates, and both have lost. The only question remaining is why?

The simple answer comes down to conviction. If one has a firm belief, it is called a conviction. The Democratic party has for the last 100 years advanced their agendas leading us ever toward a socialistic economic situation and gradual societal change. As they achieved one objective, they naturally shifted their gaze to the next logical step. Thus, the radical ideals of Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, and the others in the early eugenics movement, have become institutions of the Democratic Party.

Where have the Republicans been?

The Republican leadership has always been more concerned with maintaining the status quot rather than actually attempting to make a change. Thus they only attempt to maintain governmental control and influence at the point that they acquired power rather than attempting to decrease its size and scope. This is because they do not actually believe what they say. The leadership of the Republican party lacks any principled convictions. Thus, when they 'compromise' with the Democrats, the Democrats gain 60-70 percent of what they want.

The deepest conviction of the Republican leadership is that they must be liked by those who they perceive as being the ones with power and authority. Because the Democrats stand by their convictions (even though they are always 'evolving'), they project the power and authority that the Republican 'leadership' desires to cooperate with in hopes of gaining their approval. That they must appeal then to a constituency that also has taken a firm stand on their convictions in order to win, but which places them in the place of unpopularity in the circles that they wish to associate, frustrates and angers them.

In recent years, they have begun to manipulate their power and influence to alienate the one constituency that has placed them in positions of influence over the last 40 years. This can be seen by the ever decreasing turnout by the 'Evangelical' voters.

Senator John McCain has long been more interested in the friendship of the Democratic Party rather than taking a strong stand on conviction. This has lead him to support 'campaign finance reform' in a bill that bears his name, agreeing to pass only a few of President Bush's court appointments in return for not using the 'nuclear option' in preventing the Democrats from using the filibuster on those nominees, and many other similar incidents.

Governor Mitt Romney has long been criticized by both sides for his vacillation on the issues dealing with homosexuality, abortion, governmental healthcare, and many other issues. His stands sometimes seemed to change by the year. This vacillating did not help him in this last election as many of the more conservative voters remained at home.

House Speaker John Boehner has recently decided to attempt another 'compromise' with the Democrats on issues such as Obamacare and taxes. He stated that he did not know of any Tea Party Caucus even though a number of influential members are currently involved therein. He also has sought to compromise, only to be hindered by the members of the House who came to power in 2010.

As long as the Republican party refuses to take a stand and develop convictions, is willing to cease playing 'nice', and unwilling to make a plan for moving the nation in their direction, they will always be the weaker party, and eventually they will place themselves in a minority status for the next 100 years.

A Thought About Winter

I have been contemplating my approach to this final season of life. As the weather has begun to turn, the days grow shorter, and the atmosphere becomes increasingly frigid, it seemed to be the right time to conclude my thoughts concerning the seasons of life

Winter is the time of year when the days become shorter, There are things to be done, but there is less time to get them accomplished. The fields are allowed to lie dormant for the most part. The ground is barren, and very little grows. It is a time when disasters seem to be greater than at any other point, All that is desired is the comfort of the indoors where one may take refuge from the harsh, biting, frosty wind.

This is much like the final twenty years of life. This is the time when people who have worked all their lives retire, and some begin to travel extensively. Medical bills become more common, and grow increasingly more expensive as the body begins to shut down. The work of raising children has been completed, and now the grandchildren are being raised. People come who desire wisdom and knowledge, because of the past experiences that have now been had. The body ceases to function the way it did, which makes it easier to stay in one place for longer periods of time. As time passes, and more friends and acquaintances depart this life, it begins to make one long with an ever increasing hunger for God to call an end to the sojourning here.

Eventually, we all know that death is the conclusion of our life here on earth. All that was done is now complete, and it is time to stand before God. However, for the Christian, it is now Spring and Summer for all of eternity. First, we will be rewarded for all of our works here on earth, but there is no longer any sowing or reaping that we must do. While there will be duties and responsibilities that Christians shall have, we shall be forever at our peak of physical and mental ability. We will be forever entranced with the wonders that God has laid out for us.

No one knows for sure what that day shall be like when we reach the other side, but we are told that it is beyond anything that we can anticipate. As Paul wrote, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (I Corinthians 2:9)

Let us therefore use the seasons of our lives to the best of our ability so that we may hear Christ say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of thy Lord."

A Contemplation of Autumn

To continue with the theme that I have been using on the seasons of life, we now journey into the season of life that we may compare to Autumn.

This is the season that the wind blows bitterly and frost will cover the ground at night. The leaves change from green to reds, yellows, oranges, and browns. They take their leave of their lofty perches and whirl to the ground, and in the fields the harvest is ready to be reaped.

So it is with this season of life, the change is as gradual as all the others were. Initially the only noticeable change is that those seeds planted in the children during their Spring have started to emerge and show what they shall someday be. Gradually, the hair moves from its initial vibrant appearance and color to the grays and whites of the wise elder, even as the trees begin to see their leaves change.

The seeds of discipline, work, and faith now start to be harvested. It is now that we start to see what the youth has become in full manhood. The loss of those who were in their Winter months now becomes acute as the realization sets in that they are no longer the ones who bear the torch. Instead, those in their Autumn have now risen and are to guide the ship safely, until they in their turn hand off the responsibility to the next generation.

This is a time of great activity as those in this season start desperately laying up for their Winter. This is the time when the wise or foolish financial decisions of their young adulthood become critical.

The days grow ever shorter, the children move from late Spring toward mid-Summer, and a new generation is born into the Spring to be led and guided by those who are now advancing rapidly into the latter years of their life. There are still seeds that will be planted, but the results will not likely be seen by those doing the planting now. They will likely have departed before they see the depth of their influence over the lives that are now coming into the world.

And so the cycle continues every drawing closer to when the health is more fragile, the joints and bones begin to ache, and along comes the honors of a life that has been well lived, or the infamy of those who did not do well. As the chill winds of Winter begin to blow, that harvest that has been laid up finally begins to be enjoyed in the respect, reverence, and wisdom that only the journey through these seasons and all of their turmoil, chaos, and confusion can bring.

Thoughts About Summer

In my prior entry, I summarized the concept that we each have between 70-80 years of life. I then elaborated on the first 20 years of life which I termed Spring. I shall now discourse on the next 20 year time period which would be the Summer of life.

When we think of summer, we often picture long days with beautiful warm weather, lush green grass, trees with their branches filled to overflowing with leaves, and fields filled with grain that is starting to ripen. This is also much the way it is with the summer of our lives.

In the early days of Summer, it does not appear to be so different than Spring. There is still much learning and maturing that is taking place. However, now the learning is more practical than theoretical as the learning achieved for the last 12-14 years must now be applied to life. This is possibly the most dangerous time of life as all of the prior structures are often removed from the young person. This leaves them open to temptations that might not have been so prevalent in the years prior.

This is the time when the seeds that were planted during the first twenty years start to blossom and become truly apparent. Those tendencies have now become habits, which have now influenced the character of the young man or woman. However, they no longer have the refuge of being a youth to protect them from the realities of life. Now their actions will have the longest reaching consequences. This can be seen in the number of people who have become become attached to addictive substances during these early years.

This is when the young person will generally be in peak physical condition, and able to do the most with the strength and ablitity that God has given them. However, this is when the body will often suffer the most neglect and abuse, which will then be felt as the seasons of life progress. Thus it is best to remember to take care of what God has given before it is gone. Not for nothing did the Bible say that the attractiveness of youth is strength.

Because of these other factors, much of the travelling that a person will accomplish will be done before the age of 35. This is the time when the bonds of maturity are yet loose enough that the young person can just pick up an go. This makes it a time of great discovery and fascination. This will eventually lead to the next great discovery of a young person, the finding of that one person that they wish to spend the rest of their life with.

So this is also the time when young people truly start desiring to find their life long mate. This is evident by the very simple fact that all most all first (and hopefully only) marriages occur during this time. Then, most of these new couples will have children, and all before they have reached 30 years of age. There are those who get a later start, and others for whom it seems that such things are not to happen. However, this is true for the majority of people.

As one acquires the responsibilities, maturity sets in, and life becomes more settled. Thus by the time 30, or mid-summer for our purposes, arrives, it finds the young family stablized and growing. It is from this point forward that life falls into the routine and stresses of providing and caring for the family. All of this takes time, patience, and constant learning and adjustment.

After the height of the summer, the days begin to shorten though not noticiably at first. That which once came easy now takes more work, and that which might have been fun even ten years earlier loses its appeal. Now being parents, they are caring and guiding others through those turbulent years of spring when all is either glorious or catastrophic. The seeds that were sown in youth now start to truly be made manifest as the time draws ever closer to their harvest.

All too quickly the turning comes, and no longer is it Summer, but now the cool, brisk breezes of autumn can be felt in the air.

A thought about Spring

I was enjoying the warmth of our late afternoon yesterday, and my mind reflected on a dramatic presentation that Bro. David Norris gave concerning the seasons of life at the 2007 Illinois District Campmeeting.

I am going to run with the concept on my own.

Psalms 90:10 reads, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years...

I am going to assume that most people are going to live to be nearly 80 years old. I do this for ease of division into a life consisting of four seasons. According to my calculations, that gives us twenty years per season of life. Each one is unique and brings with it its own challenges, turmoils, and troubles.

 The overall pattern is the same, however each individual is as unique as any given year. For some the seasons will start or end earlier. Not all have the same experiences. Some winters are colder, other springs warmer, or fall may seem like a second summer. But everyone begins with Spring. And this is where my thought begins.

This would be the first twenty years or so. This is when all most of the learning is done. The fulness of growth has yet to be reached, and the full attaining of strength and ability is as yet only potential. The greatest advances are actually made in the first two or three years of life in a child. This is the time when they learn to crawl, stand, walk, run, talk, and eventually engage in communication.

The next several years are spent exploring the world around them. It is at this time they start understanding the full ramifications of cause and effect. They learn that the world is not fair, and not everything will go their way. They have little concept of danger, and so do things that (having lived through the same things) an adult would not.

This is the time when thoughts, opinions, beliefs, behaviors, dispositions, and morals are taught. Their experiences during this time will permanently mark them in ways that only later reveal their nature. This is why the Bible states that parents should raise their children in the right ways.

The storms that blow through the life as they hit late childhood and early teen years are often the 'roughest' that they will face. This is because along with being a time of growth and progress, this is also a time of very intense change. Perhaps the greatest changes in life are during the first twenty years. This creates chaos and confusion for the young person. However, for many as they emergence from their late teens, the storms and chaos ease and though transitions remain, they are now equipped a bit better to handle it.

This is the time when most people will choose to either walk with God or leave the church. Studies have often shown that by the time a person has reached the end of high school, it is obvious which direction that they are trending. This does not mean that all is without hope, but it is far more difficult from this point on.

This is often the time when preachers are called and their training begins. Most preachers receive their calling between the ages of 10-20, although this is not true for all, and some may run from it for years before yielding. good habits in the study of Scripture and doing the work of God plant the seeds for a lifetime of service.

This is the time when success or failure is planted. The care that is taken in the spring planting will be shown in the harvest. If a parent is not careful by their example, the children may be lost. Good teaching during this period is key.

A Time of Reflection over 2011

As the end of the year approaches with incredible speed, it seems that it is a good time to look back over the past year and reflect. This last year has seen both advances and setbacks, just like all other years.

Anthony and Bridgett were united in marriage in January.

Phillip and Kat were joined in marriage at the beginning of April, and my cousin Alisha married Justin at the end of April.

 We had Bro. and Sis. Traylor come through earlier this year and preach for a few days. The preaching was excellent.

We had one family leave our church in July, but we had our first fifth Sunday in July, and a great time was had.

I bought a new car in August, went to a wedding in Michigan at the beginning of October, and went to Mantle Conference in Kansas City at the end of the same month.

I went to my Aunt and Uncle's house for Thanksgiving, while my Mom and Dad went to Kansas City to be with my Phillip and Kat.

In December, we had our annual Christmas banquet/party, visited my Aunt, Uncle, Grandparents, and cousins for Christmas, and are now in Jefferson City, MO visiting my Grandma and other family for New Years as we could not get together over Christmas.

I pray that everyone has a safe and happy New Year. May Jesus Christ be nearer to you this year than He was last.