Imagine that you walk into a French hospital and you see a man dressed in white and he says he has the cockroach. Your first thought may be that he is an exterminator, but then you are informed that when the French talk of having the cockroach, they mean they are depressed. With this added information, you then understand that this person is likely a patient rather than an exterminator.
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It is amazing how a little additional information can change ones perspective. Often as I talk about the Bible, others will point out how there are so many different interpretations. I must agree that this is true. Since I preach through the Bible verse by verse there are occasions when I must admit that there are a number of views on a particular verse. Still, most of the Bible is quite straight forward. For example there is little room for variations of interpretation when declaring that lying, stealing and murder are sins.
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But what do we do with the areas that we are not quite so sure about? Like the illustration about the French cockroach, we must strive for as much information as possible and grasp for the original meaning and intent of words that are used in scripture, realizing that they were not originally written in English. Further, we need to get as much information as possible from the text. In other words we should not just isolate a passage, but we should look both at the immediate context as well as the rest of scripture.
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Imagine if you started to read the story of The Three Little Pigs but only read the first two thirds of it. You could easily come to the conclusion that any house that a pig built, a wolf could destroy. You would actually miss the whole moral of the story and end up replacing that moral with one that the story never intended. Sadly the same thing often happens with Biblical interpretation.
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I recently listened to an online sermon and I was exposed to such careless interpretation. The pastor pointed out that each of the 5 times the word “breeches” was used in the Bible, that it referred to men wearing them. His conclusion, based upon that information, was that women should never wear pants because only men had worn breeches in those verses. What he neglected to point out is that each of those 5 verses also referred to the priests. Based on his logic, only priests should wear pants. Further, he also missed another important piece of information. Every time the word “skirt” is found (10 verses), it always refers to men. Based on that preachers logic, only men should wear skirts.
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It has often been said that a person can make the Bible say anything they want it to say. The truth is, people try to convince others that the Bible is saying something different than what it says, but that does not change the actually text. The problem with some Biblical interpretation is that people try to manipulate the truth rather than just looking at what it says.
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2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The person who missed the moral of the Three Little Pigs, and the pastor who drew an unreasonable conclusion from the word “breeches,” had reason to be ashamed. I fear that often such foolishness is not the result of ignorance, but rather of manipulation. That is why all Christians, not just pastors, need to study God’s Word. It really can be understood.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Talking about God
Why am I here? What is life all about? For those who have trusted God and believe on Jesus Christ as their savior, there is a clear answer to that question. Isaiah 43:7 says, “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Revelation 4:11 states, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
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All things are created for God’s pleasure and as Christians we are created to bring glory to God. One of the ways to bring glory to God is to tell others about Him. “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.” (Psalm 105:1-2)
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Telling people about God involves making known His deeds and talking about His wondrous works. That means to tell people about the amazing things that God has done. As you do that, you get to fulfill your purpose in life as a Christian. You get to bring glory to God as you brag on Him.
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As Christians, it is important that we tell people that Christ has come to save us from our sins, but many people are not interested in that message because they do not even understand who God is and how wonderful He is.
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As humans it is only natural for us to want to bring others along to our way of thinking. For example farmers have debated with each other for almost 100 years about whether red or green tractors are better. Before that the debate was horses, vs. mules, vs. oxen. Today it is difficult to turn on the TV or radio without hearing a debate about who should be our next President. The point is, each side is trying to convince the other.
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Often we take the same approach with Christianity and sometimes it works, but other times people just feel like they are being harassed. I grew up running green tractors and if someone came and told me how stupid I was not to have used a red tractor instead, I’d probably sink in my heals and defend John Deere. On the other hand, if a friend started to simply tell me how much he liked his Case/IH and how fun it was to drive and then offered to let me come and ride with him, I’d probably take him up on the offer.
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I am not suggesting that we never enter a debate about the gospel, but there are times that it is obvious that those we are talking to are more interested in arguing than learning. With such people it may be more beneficial to simply talk about how wonderful God is and let them understand Him better before actually going on to the next step of showing them that Jesus came to die for their sins so that they could be reconciled to a wonderful God.
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Finally we must understand that it is not our job to argue someone into heaven. It is our job to tell them the wonderful good news, but we cannot force them to believe it. Some have even gone so far as to continually harass others other until they got them to pray a prayer. That is not the gospel. That is worldly manipulation that any high pressure salesman or bully knows how to use, and just because a prayer is said doesn’t mean anyone changed their minds.
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Instead of trying to manipulate others, open the pages of scripture and read about the wondrous things God has done so you have something to tell others about. Look back on you own life and remember what God has done for you. Then share what you know about God with others and tell them that He loved us so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
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All things are created for God’s pleasure and as Christians we are created to bring glory to God. One of the ways to bring glory to God is to tell others about Him. “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.” (Psalm 105:1-2)
-
Telling people about God involves making known His deeds and talking about His wondrous works. That means to tell people about the amazing things that God has done. As you do that, you get to fulfill your purpose in life as a Christian. You get to bring glory to God as you brag on Him.
-
As Christians, it is important that we tell people that Christ has come to save us from our sins, but many people are not interested in that message because they do not even understand who God is and how wonderful He is.
-
As humans it is only natural for us to want to bring others along to our way of thinking. For example farmers have debated with each other for almost 100 years about whether red or green tractors are better. Before that the debate was horses, vs. mules, vs. oxen. Today it is difficult to turn on the TV or radio without hearing a debate about who should be our next President. The point is, each side is trying to convince the other.
-
Often we take the same approach with Christianity and sometimes it works, but other times people just feel like they are being harassed. I grew up running green tractors and if someone came and told me how stupid I was not to have used a red tractor instead, I’d probably sink in my heals and defend John Deere. On the other hand, if a friend started to simply tell me how much he liked his Case/IH and how fun it was to drive and then offered to let me come and ride with him, I’d probably take him up on the offer.
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I am not suggesting that we never enter a debate about the gospel, but there are times that it is obvious that those we are talking to are more interested in arguing than learning. With such people it may be more beneficial to simply talk about how wonderful God is and let them understand Him better before actually going on to the next step of showing them that Jesus came to die for their sins so that they could be reconciled to a wonderful God.
-
Finally we must understand that it is not our job to argue someone into heaven. It is our job to tell them the wonderful good news, but we cannot force them to believe it. Some have even gone so far as to continually harass others other until they got them to pray a prayer. That is not the gospel. That is worldly manipulation that any high pressure salesman or bully knows how to use, and just because a prayer is said doesn’t mean anyone changed their minds.
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Instead of trying to manipulate others, open the pages of scripture and read about the wondrous things God has done so you have something to tell others about. Look back on you own life and remember what God has done for you. Then share what you know about God with others and tell them that He loved us so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
Friday, July 27, 2012
When to be a Tattletale?
A few weeks ago I wrote a column about small towns and not gossiping. This led to a conversation with my wife about children and tattling. We do not want our children to be know as tattletales, but we do want them to report evil behavior. Many of the “bad guys” also realize children do not want to be know as tattle tales and they use that to their advantage, thus they are often able to convince children to cover up evil deeds that are done to them. Some of the most evil among them even try to convince the children that it was their fault that the sin occurred.
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Let us consider some scriptural passages as we try to sort out the difference between a child’s selfish complaints (what most people think of when they hear the term “tattletale”) and real sinful or dangerous situations that we must encourage our children to tell us about. I Timothy 5:13 says, “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” Look at the context of these tattlers. They are running around as busybodies telling others about things that are nobodies business. This is a far cry from a child telling his parents about a dangerous situation.
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For example, a few weeks ago I had just finished putting some shingles on a roof and had set my air nailer down as I picked up other tools. It was a careless move on my part because my 4 year old had been watching me use that tool and decided to pick it up. It was a valuable lesson for me as a father to be more careful with my tools, but it was also an opportunity to warn him about how dangerous this tool is.
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I hope he really does understand how dangerous that tool is and that if one of his brothers ever finds it in the garage and tries to play with it that he will tell us right away so that we could stop someone from getting hurt. This would not be a gossip issue, it would be a safety issue. I would not scold him for tattling at a time like that.
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What if a pedophile did something to one of our children. I would definitely want them to share that information as well. Children need to understand that if they tell someone that they will not be scolded for tattling. This brings to mind Luke 17:1-2, “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
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I hate to even think that anyone would put such a stumbling block in front of a child, yet we live in such a sin cursed world that even authority figures like coaches, teachers, pastors, and priests have done such deeds. I cannot help but think of the words of the Apostle Paul, “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” (I Timothy 5:20)
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It grieves my heart to hear of the cover up at Penn. State, but let us be careful that we not train our own children to cover up evil and dangerous behavior because they are afraid of being called tattletales.
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Let us consider some scriptural passages as we try to sort out the difference between a child’s selfish complaints (what most people think of when they hear the term “tattletale”) and real sinful or dangerous situations that we must encourage our children to tell us about. I Timothy 5:13 says, “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” Look at the context of these tattlers. They are running around as busybodies telling others about things that are nobodies business. This is a far cry from a child telling his parents about a dangerous situation.
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For example, a few weeks ago I had just finished putting some shingles on a roof and had set my air nailer down as I picked up other tools. It was a careless move on my part because my 4 year old had been watching me use that tool and decided to pick it up. It was a valuable lesson for me as a father to be more careful with my tools, but it was also an opportunity to warn him about how dangerous this tool is.
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I hope he really does understand how dangerous that tool is and that if one of his brothers ever finds it in the garage and tries to play with it that he will tell us right away so that we could stop someone from getting hurt. This would not be a gossip issue, it would be a safety issue. I would not scold him for tattling at a time like that.
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What if a pedophile did something to one of our children. I would definitely want them to share that information as well. Children need to understand that if they tell someone that they will not be scolded for tattling. This brings to mind Luke 17:1-2, “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
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I hate to even think that anyone would put such a stumbling block in front of a child, yet we live in such a sin cursed world that even authority figures like coaches, teachers, pastors, and priests have done such deeds. I cannot help but think of the words of the Apostle Paul, “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” (I Timothy 5:20)
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It grieves my heart to hear of the cover up at Penn. State, but let us be careful that we not train our own children to cover up evil and dangerous behavior because they are afraid of being called tattletales.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Do Not Oppress the Poor
There is an old saying that advises not to discuss religion or politics, yet here I am writing articles that always have some sort of religious message in them. Often within a religious discussion, politics also come up. “Social issues” are obviously part of politics, but even economic issues have a religious component to them.
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Though liberals and conservative Christians differ strongly on political issues, they share a common concern for the poor, or at least they say they do. The difference however comes in their approach about how to best help the poor. The scriptures speak extensively on these matters.
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For example, Proverbs 22:16 says, “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.” A liberal might look at that verse and think that the whole capitalist system is out to give to the rich and oppress the poor. The conservative may look at the same verse and wonder why liberals would want to take property tax money from poor homeowners to give to teachers who are making an upper middle class living.
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Part of the problem in the whole debate is man’s preoccupation with riches. Some are preoccupied with getting others riches through stealing, begging, or legislating. Others are preoccupied with earning their riches through hard work. The scripture makes it clear that there are more important things than riches. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1) Those who steal or oppress the poor for riches have given up their good name.
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In our country there are many people who live below the poverty level yet still have extra food, sufficient shelter, and a lot of clothes. There are others who have almost nothing. If a healthy young man is collecting welfare, driving a nice car and talking on his I-phone, isn’t he oppressing the poor little old widow who is too weak and elderly to work and who may have to sell her tiny house because the property taxes are too high? Isn’t the government thus oppressing the poor to give to the rich?
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The scripture is clear that we should help the poor. “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” (Proverbs 19:17) “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” (Proverbs 21:13)
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The problem is that many who claim to be poor really are not. They just do not have enough cash flow to satisfy all their pleasures and they are envious of those who do. Proverbs 21:17 warns, “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” If you think you have the right to get a free handout so you can take a vacation to Disney World or go out drinking, don’t be surprised if you really do end up poor.
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Further, if you are too lazy to work, don’t blame someone else for your poverty. “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” (Proverbs 19:15) “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” (Proverbs 20:4) “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.” (Proverbs 20:13) “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” (Proverbs 21:25)
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Instead of envying the rich and suppressing the poor, we as Christians should make sure we are not lazy and we should work hard, NOT so that we can buy whatever we want, but so we can have some extra to help others. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28).
-
Though liberals and conservative Christians differ strongly on political issues, they share a common concern for the poor, or at least they say they do. The difference however comes in their approach about how to best help the poor. The scriptures speak extensively on these matters.
-
For example, Proverbs 22:16 says, “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.” A liberal might look at that verse and think that the whole capitalist system is out to give to the rich and oppress the poor. The conservative may look at the same verse and wonder why liberals would want to take property tax money from poor homeowners to give to teachers who are making an upper middle class living.
-
Part of the problem in the whole debate is man’s preoccupation with riches. Some are preoccupied with getting others riches through stealing, begging, or legislating. Others are preoccupied with earning their riches through hard work. The scripture makes it clear that there are more important things than riches. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1) Those who steal or oppress the poor for riches have given up their good name.
-
In our country there are many people who live below the poverty level yet still have extra food, sufficient shelter, and a lot of clothes. There are others who have almost nothing. If a healthy young man is collecting welfare, driving a nice car and talking on his I-phone, isn’t he oppressing the poor little old widow who is too weak and elderly to work and who may have to sell her tiny house because the property taxes are too high? Isn’t the government thus oppressing the poor to give to the rich?
-
The scripture is clear that we should help the poor. “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” (Proverbs 19:17) “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” (Proverbs 21:13)
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The problem is that many who claim to be poor really are not. They just do not have enough cash flow to satisfy all their pleasures and they are envious of those who do. Proverbs 21:17 warns, “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” If you think you have the right to get a free handout so you can take a vacation to Disney World or go out drinking, don’t be surprised if you really do end up poor.
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Further, if you are too lazy to work, don’t blame someone else for your poverty. “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” (Proverbs 19:15) “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” (Proverbs 20:4) “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.” (Proverbs 20:13) “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” (Proverbs 21:25)
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Instead of envying the rich and suppressing the poor, we as Christians should make sure we are not lazy and we should work hard, NOT so that we can buy whatever we want, but so we can have some extra to help others. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28).
Friday, June 29, 2012
Loving Small Town Neighbors
I love living in a small town. Our boys just got a new sandbox and it seems like the whole town is celebrating with them. Before we even got the lumber to build it, we had told the boys what we were planning and they started to tell nearly everyone they saw that they were getting a sandbox.
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It did not take long for word to spread about our boy’s excitement. Then when we finally got the lumber, numerous residents were able to pass by and see that we were starting some sort of project. Thus more people saw what was happening. Then as we were building it and filling it with sand others stopped by to share the joy our children were experiencing.
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What really made the project special is that I had started to build the sandbox before ordering any sand and once it was built a local businessman heard about it and offered free sand that had come from a hole he had dug for another project. Furthermore, some friends not only delivered the sand, but they dumped it into the sandbox for us.
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One of the complaints I have heard about small towns is the lack of privacy and that everyone knows your business. I’ve always lived in a rural area, so I’m used to it and not bothered by it. We must realize that there is a huge difference between malicious gossip and a caring community. The news about our sandbox was not gossip and it led to a great blessing for us.
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I am so thankful to live in a caring community that knows about joyful events in our lives and is excited about celebrating those joys with us. I enjoy that the lady who was out for her walk saw the boys helping us carry boards for the sandbox and then cared enough to ask about it later. I enjoyed the excitement on her face as she realized how much fun the kids would have playing in the sand.
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I have spoken to people who have moved from a rural area into a big city and they do not even know their next door neighbors. I would not want to trade the love and joy that comes from our neighbors being part of our lives for the lonely privacy of other areas. The first and greatest commandment is to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
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As we show love for our neighbors and get involved in their lives, we must have the discernment to understand that there are certain things that we learn that should be kept private and there are other joys we should share. Our love for them should drive that discernment. For example there is a huge difference between sharing exciting news about a new sandbox verses sharing scandalous news about the fight you overheard your neighbors having.
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If the news you are sharing about others is meant to wound them, that is gossip and is not showing love for them. Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
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In small towns we are able to share a lot of news about each other and that is a good thing as long as it is not news that wounds. Rather than being discouraged that everyone knows your business, let us live in an upright manner so that it doesn’t matter that they know what we are doing, and then enjoy the love of community. At the same time realize that none of us are perfect, and be careful not to share private information that could hurt someone else.
-
It did not take long for word to spread about our boy’s excitement. Then when we finally got the lumber, numerous residents were able to pass by and see that we were starting some sort of project. Thus more people saw what was happening. Then as we were building it and filling it with sand others stopped by to share the joy our children were experiencing.
-
What really made the project special is that I had started to build the sandbox before ordering any sand and once it was built a local businessman heard about it and offered free sand that had come from a hole he had dug for another project. Furthermore, some friends not only delivered the sand, but they dumped it into the sandbox for us.
-
One of the complaints I have heard about small towns is the lack of privacy and that everyone knows your business. I’ve always lived in a rural area, so I’m used to it and not bothered by it. We must realize that there is a huge difference between malicious gossip and a caring community. The news about our sandbox was not gossip and it led to a great blessing for us.
-
I am so thankful to live in a caring community that knows about joyful events in our lives and is excited about celebrating those joys with us. I enjoy that the lady who was out for her walk saw the boys helping us carry boards for the sandbox and then cared enough to ask about it later. I enjoyed the excitement on her face as she realized how much fun the kids would have playing in the sand.
-
I have spoken to people who have moved from a rural area into a big city and they do not even know their next door neighbors. I would not want to trade the love and joy that comes from our neighbors being part of our lives for the lonely privacy of other areas. The first and greatest commandment is to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
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As we show love for our neighbors and get involved in their lives, we must have the discernment to understand that there are certain things that we learn that should be kept private and there are other joys we should share. Our love for them should drive that discernment. For example there is a huge difference between sharing exciting news about a new sandbox verses sharing scandalous news about the fight you overheard your neighbors having.
-
If the news you are sharing about others is meant to wound them, that is gossip and is not showing love for them. Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
-
In small towns we are able to share a lot of news about each other and that is a good thing as long as it is not news that wounds. Rather than being discouraged that everyone knows your business, let us live in an upright manner so that it doesn’t matter that they know what we are doing, and then enjoy the love of community. At the same time realize that none of us are perfect, and be careful not to share private information that could hurt someone else.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Bugged by Those Annoying Bugs
The last week in June, First Baptist Church in Bancroft will be hosting Vacation Bible School for grade school children. The theme this year is “Bug Zone: Transformed By Our Big God!” Just as a caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly, so are we transformed when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
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Though I like the theme for our Bible School this year I do not necessarily like bugs. That word “bug” has multiple definitions. It can mean an insect or even an arachnid. It can also mean to pester or annoy. Both these definitions fit quite well with what we call bugs.
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A while ago our two year old woke up crying and pointing to the corner of his crib and saying “bug!” Evidently a fly had bit him and he was scared. A few weeks after that we were outside in the evening and ended up being bugged by mosquitoes. No doubt about it, bugs bug people.
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We even have examples of bugs bugging people in the Bible. God sent bugs as one of the plagues upon the Egyptians during the time of Moses. “And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.” (Exodus 8:24) God later sent hornets against Israel’s enemies to drive them off the land. “And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.” (Joshua 24:12)
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Bugs are small, but they can do a lot of damage. Grasshoppers, or locusts as they are often called, can destroy crops. “The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;” (Proverbs 30:27) The moth and worm can do much damage even in small numbers. “For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.” (Isaiah 51:8)
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The next time a bug bugs you, realize that no one is immune from the effects of bugs. “The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.” (Proverbs 30:28)
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Though bugs are terribly annoying, we can learn valuable lessons from their persistence. “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)
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Let’s face it, bugs are not the only things that bug us. We face many annoyances in life, but as we do, we need to learn and grow through those annoyances rather than letting them be an excuse for sin. In other words we need to trust God’s power to transform us through our trials just as he transforms a caterpillar into a butterfly. James 1:2-4 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
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Though I like the theme for our Bible School this year I do not necessarily like bugs. That word “bug” has multiple definitions. It can mean an insect or even an arachnid. It can also mean to pester or annoy. Both these definitions fit quite well with what we call bugs.
-
A while ago our two year old woke up crying and pointing to the corner of his crib and saying “bug!” Evidently a fly had bit him and he was scared. A few weeks after that we were outside in the evening and ended up being bugged by mosquitoes. No doubt about it, bugs bug people.
-
We even have examples of bugs bugging people in the Bible. God sent bugs as one of the plagues upon the Egyptians during the time of Moses. “And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.” (Exodus 8:24) God later sent hornets against Israel’s enemies to drive them off the land. “And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.” (Joshua 24:12)
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Bugs are small, but they can do a lot of damage. Grasshoppers, or locusts as they are often called, can destroy crops. “The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;” (Proverbs 30:27) The moth and worm can do much damage even in small numbers. “For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.” (Isaiah 51:8)
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The next time a bug bugs you, realize that no one is immune from the effects of bugs. “The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.” (Proverbs 30:28)
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Though bugs are terribly annoying, we can learn valuable lessons from their persistence. “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)
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Let’s face it, bugs are not the only things that bug us. We face many annoyances in life, but as we do, we need to learn and grow through those annoyances rather than letting them be an excuse for sin. In other words we need to trust God’s power to transform us through our trials just as he transforms a caterpillar into a butterfly. James 1:2-4 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Friendship Shouldn't Excuse Sin
When I was in High School I had a friend who was a perpetual liar. He had such a reputation for going far beyond exaggeration that people who know him well knew that his word could not be trusted.
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After completing High School my lying friend went to work for a farmer who farmed right across the road from one of the fields I farmed. During the fall of the year one of the farm radio shows would ask farmers to call in with yield reports. Since this man had been a friend of mine for years I recognized his voice when he called in and I also knew that I could expect him to lie. He was running my neighbor’s combine right across the road from where I was harvesting and as I listened to the radio, I could see how full his combine got in the same distance I had traveled. By comparing the level of corn in his combine and mine, I had a pretty good estimate of how well the field was yielding, and sure enough, he lied.
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If you were to call my friend a liar, I could not argue with you. Further, I would not try to convince you that lying is okay simply because I have a friend who lies. Sadly, some people try to convince us that certain sins are okay simply because they have friends and family involved in those sins. This is especially true of homosexuality.
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A lot of things are sinful. That is why Jesus died and rose again- because we are all sinners whether gay or straight. What makes the discussion on homosexuality so difficult is that most people are willing to admit that lying, stealing, slandering, murder and so many other things are wrong, but want to ignore what the Bible says about homosexuality.
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At the same time, we must never forget that just like any other sin, if a person trusts Christ and really repents, it will be forgiven. We must also remember that we all struggle with sin. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Some people struggle with pornography, others struggle with alcoholism (drunkenness), others struggle with covetousness (greed), and some struggle with homosexual desires.
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Think of it this way, if a married man has a desire for a woman other than his wife, does it make it okay for him to sleep with her? No! It is wrong because it is adultery and God makes it clear that adultery is a sin. Some would argue that this is only wrong because the wife could be hurt in this situation, but even if the husband was able to do it without the wife ever finding out, it would still be wrong! The point is, it is wrong because it is sin. The same is true of homosexuality.
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Now if a person has homosexual temptations, but admits that acting on them is a sin, then I see no reason to treat it different than other sins people are tempted with. But if the person has the temptation and says there is nothing wrong with acting on it, then they are denying the scripture.
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I understand that not everyone is a Christian. For some of you my arguments really are not applicable unless you eventually come to the point to finally agree with what God has said, but for those of you who believe on Christ, you should believe the Bible, and it is very clear on this specific sin. That doesn’t mean we do not care about friends who are sinners, but let us not make excuses for their sin no matter what it is. Let us also recognize that we are all sinners and not make excuses for our own sins either.
-
After completing High School my lying friend went to work for a farmer who farmed right across the road from one of the fields I farmed. During the fall of the year one of the farm radio shows would ask farmers to call in with yield reports. Since this man had been a friend of mine for years I recognized his voice when he called in and I also knew that I could expect him to lie. He was running my neighbor’s combine right across the road from where I was harvesting and as I listened to the radio, I could see how full his combine got in the same distance I had traveled. By comparing the level of corn in his combine and mine, I had a pretty good estimate of how well the field was yielding, and sure enough, he lied.
-
If you were to call my friend a liar, I could not argue with you. Further, I would not try to convince you that lying is okay simply because I have a friend who lies. Sadly, some people try to convince us that certain sins are okay simply because they have friends and family involved in those sins. This is especially true of homosexuality.
-
A lot of things are sinful. That is why Jesus died and rose again- because we are all sinners whether gay or straight. What makes the discussion on homosexuality so difficult is that most people are willing to admit that lying, stealing, slandering, murder and so many other things are wrong, but want to ignore what the Bible says about homosexuality.
-
At the same time, we must never forget that just like any other sin, if a person trusts Christ and really repents, it will be forgiven. We must also remember that we all struggle with sin. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Some people struggle with pornography, others struggle with alcoholism (drunkenness), others struggle with covetousness (greed), and some struggle with homosexual desires.
-
Think of it this way, if a married man has a desire for a woman other than his wife, does it make it okay for him to sleep with her? No! It is wrong because it is adultery and God makes it clear that adultery is a sin. Some would argue that this is only wrong because the wife could be hurt in this situation, but even if the husband was able to do it without the wife ever finding out, it would still be wrong! The point is, it is wrong because it is sin. The same is true of homosexuality.
-
Now if a person has homosexual temptations, but admits that acting on them is a sin, then I see no reason to treat it different than other sins people are tempted with. But if the person has the temptation and says there is nothing wrong with acting on it, then they are denying the scripture.
-
I understand that not everyone is a Christian. For some of you my arguments really are not applicable unless you eventually come to the point to finally agree with what God has said, but for those of you who believe on Christ, you should believe the Bible, and it is very clear on this specific sin. That doesn’t mean we do not care about friends who are sinners, but let us not make excuses for their sin no matter what it is. Let us also recognize that we are all sinners and not make excuses for our own sins either.
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