Month: June 2014

Brian, the Brain-Food Man

by Dale, posted in Christian Living

Country Cookers Kettle Korn

Last Thursday while enjoying a day at Dollywood Amusement Park, Sevierville, TN, with Pastor’s Pals and their parents, we ate our supper next to the Country Cookers Kettle Korn Shop.  We were all drawn to the bibbed-overalled man stirring the large pot of corn in the kettle.  He was a tall, lean gentleman with a voice that drew you in. Although it was evening and the temperature was still hot, this man in his long-sleeved shirt and sanitized protection gear stirred his kettle with vigorous strokes and a joyful work ethic.  He sang and/or spoke to almost everyone who came by as well as laughed and encouraged the other employees at his stand.  When he wasn’t making a new batch of corn, he was inviting people over to try a free sample of what he called with a chuckle, “brain food.”  He’d say, “Come on over and get you a sample of some brain food!  Oh, yes ma’am; here, try some braaaaiiinnnn food!”  Then with a chuckle and a huge grin, he’d say, “Get you a handful of happiness!  Oh, yes, more happiness!  Join the brain food party!!” While pouring out a new batch of kettle corn from his pot, he would repeatedly say, “Another bowl of blessings!  Yes, another bowl of blessings!”  We waited for his last batch of the evening, fresh caramel corn.  Wow!  So very good! As we sat nearby enjoying his “happy food,” he clocked out, walked over to our table, gave us a hug and a goodnight blessed greeting, and joyfully headed for home!

Indeed, there were many wonderful moments throughout the day at Dollywood, but Brian made a real impact on those of us gathered around his kettle korn shop.  Have you been in the Word this morning soaking up the “brain food” so you can distribute “handfuls of happiness” today to those who come your way?  Will you be singing and praising the Lord along the way as you choose joy even in your “hot work” environment?  Will you be thankful for every “bowl of blessing” that God sends your way?

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. (Ps. 4:7)

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Ps. 16:11)

May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! (Ps. 20:5)

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. (Ps. 27:6)

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Ps. 32:11)

God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. (Ecclesiastes 5:20)

Now that’s real “brain food,” “handfuls of happiness,” and “a bowl of blessing”!!

Immediately

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Evangelism

As a parent, you find yourself using the adverb “immediately” on many occasions while speaking to your children.  “Please take out the trash, and do it immediately.”  “You need to come inside immediately.  Supper’s ready.”  “I expect you to clean up your room immediately.”  Immediately means “at once; instantly; without any intervening time or space.”  Some synonyms are instantly, now, promptly, this very minute, on the spot, here and now, and without delay.   Those words clearly describe the desire of a parent’s heart and the timely action that is follow in the lives of their children.

This word is used often in the book of Mark in connection with the Lord’s actions and commands.  One instance in particular is found in Mark 1:16-20, And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.  When Jesus called, they responded immediately, instantly, promptly, on the spot.

Is my response immediate to Christ’s commands and calls?  Or, do I sanctimoniously say, “I need to pray about that.”  I do not see anywhere in Scripture that I need to pray about obedience to the Lord. Since His way is perfect (Psalm 18:30), and He is God in all His attributes, character, and glory, I must obey immediately; I must act immediately.  As a father, I expected immediate response from my girls.  Perhaps our children would learn to respond in a more immediate fashion to us their parents if they saw us responding immediately to our Heavenly Father.  Can you hear your Father say, “Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46)?

On the Back Porch

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Renewal

One of the blessings of living in the country is the quiet. I realize that I risk sounding like an old man, but I have always liked quiet.  And now you are laughing if you know me because I am a talker, a preacher, and have a strong voice.  I want my music turned up in my car so I can sing along, and I love the sound of 35 or more cars chasing each other around the track at Bristol Motor Speedway on a hot August night. Nevertheless, I really like quiet.  The reason I hike and run is to enjoy the quiet.  Most of the places my wife and I “get away” are places of quiet. That’s one of the reasons I love my back porch, which is where I am seated right now. Many times when my wife and I are eating out here, I will look at her and say, “Listen.”  A sound can barely be heard.

This world is full of noise.  People generally are uncomfortable with quiet.  They can’t sit still for more than 10 minutes.  The TV has to be on, the children screaming at the top of their lungs, and the dogs carrying on like it’s a full-moon.  So, when you consider being quiet, it makes most folks uncomfortable.

Caleb’s legacy is mostly one of being a genuine man of faith (Numbers 13-14).   There is a time mentioned in chapter thirteen that causes me to want to stand up and salute Caleb.  The ten spies have returned with their evil report of the land and created a disquieted heart in the people of Israel.  We read in Numbers 13:30, Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”  Way to go, Caleb!  You did the best thing for those folks.  They needed to just be still and listen.

Does someone need to quiet you?  Have you been still enough today to hear the voice of God speaking?  Have you been tethered to your cell phone doing most of the talking? Has someone come to you with gossip, and you’ve had enough courage and desire for quiet in your own soul to say, “Shhh.  I don’t want to hear it.”  Much of what disquiets our heart is what we hear from the lips of others and from our own sinful heart.  This morning or sometime today, will you find your “back porch” and be still.  Enjoy the quiet and meditate on these four scripture passages:

Psalm 107:30 – Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.

Psalm 131:2 – Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Proverbs 17:1 – Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

Ecclesiastes 4:6 – Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

Our God is Victorious

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Praise & Worship

cross victory

Psalm 40:3 says, He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  That is exactly what the Lord has done for me since returning from the Spiritual Leadership Conference in Lancaster, CA.  Each night of the meetings, the choir would sing, Nothing Ever Can; Nothing Ever Will.  I have played it over and over again at my computer, sang it while walking along, humming it, and meditating on the richness of its text.  What a special blessing to sing it this past Sunday morning in ourmorning service.  Added to that joy was a college student on the second row signing the lyrics.  Below you will find the link to the song and the words.  No matter what you may be facing today or in the future, this song will challenge, calm, and charge your heart.  Because our God is always victorious, we can say as 2 Corinthians 2:14, Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place.

Link: Nothing Ever Can, Nothing Ever Will

(The song begins after the brief prelude piano music)

Lyrics:

1) Every power on earth and in heaven

Is a shadow in His light,

No authority, law or government

Challenges His sovereign might.

 

His reign and rule have no boundary,

All that is, His hands have wrought.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord our God.

 

2) We are well aware we were orphans once,

Bent and broken in our shame,

Then He sought us out and adopted us,

Now we bear His royal name.

 

Every sin or crime we have ever done

Is no match for Jesus’ blood.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord, our God.

 

3) We are rescued out of darkest night,

Freed from Satan’s evil hold

And the kingdom of our Savior’s light

Is our soul’s eternal home.

 

Though the enemy tries to steal and kill

What the death of Christ has bought

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord, our God.

 

Bridge

Our God is victorious,

He always wins! He always wins!

In love He reigns over us,

He always wins! He always wins!

 

4)  We, the Church, declare: Jesus Christ is King,

For He conquered death once for all.

We will live in light of His victory

Following His gospel call.

 

And when the story ends we know Jesus wins,

For His power cannot be stopped.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord, our God.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord, our God.

(Ross King)

A Drive Through the Country

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Heaven

Last evening after church, Denise and I drove home through the country.  That is our favorite route . . . through the country.  As we drove out of Jonesborough with our windows down and the sunroof opened, we were captured by the gorgeous sunset.  The view was spectacular!  The quiet drive and surrounding rolling hills were calming.  How appropriate for the evening.

You see, Denise and I were on our way home after the evening service and a visit in the hospital with a man very dear to us and the ministry of our church.  How it hurts my heart to see him currently unable to get out of bed and walk.  How difficult this is for a man in the twilight of his years. How difficult for us as well.  He has walked many-a-mile in his lifetime.  He has walked his farmland, over the roads through Johnson City and Boones Creek, through the country, many times from his car to Neyland Stadium and back, into the foyer at church and down the aisle looking for that visitor or church member that he could share a smile and a warm welcome, and through the door of his home with many, many guests following him to eat at his dinner table.  He has walked through many storms of life, heartaches, church trials, and political disappointments.  He has always been by my side as a mentor, supporter, and encourager in the ministry whether he agreed with me or not.  Over the years, I have never wondered if he would forsake me or turn on me.  He has been a faithful friend through it all.

How often my wife and I have driven through the country with Rod and Hope. He is an open history book of the lands around us.  I have learned much from him.  As the years begin to wind down and the sun begins to set, his future is as bright as the sunset last night because he, like us, is headed to a city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews11:10). This will be a ride, not through, but to a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:16).  Until that day, we will keep taking those drives through the country knowing “I will rise when He calls my name, no more sorrow, no more pain.”

The Celebration Continues

by Dale, posted in Marriage

California Trip 5-5-14 705

The  Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “celebrate” as 1) to do something special or enjoyable for an important event, occasion, holiday, etc.; 2) to praise (someone or something) : to say that (someone or something) is great or important.  Today, Denise and I celebrate 33 years of marriage!  We will certainly do something special and enjoyable today because marriage is great and important!  As a matter of fact, marriage is great and important every day, not just on Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day and Anniversary Day.

What must you know and do in order for your marriage to be a continual celebration?

  1. Marriage is a grace gift from the Lord.  After salvation, being married is the second greatest blessing of my life.  God’s grace brought us together, and His grace has truly sustained us, empowered us, and blessed us abundantly.  Neither of us deserves to be married, but what a precious grace gift Denise is to me.  By virtue of salvation and marriage by grace, I am, yes, better than I deserve!
  2. Marriage requires daily renewal.  As I look back over the years, it’s the little things done each day that have added up to a rewarding, fun, celebratory marriage. We cannot live today off of yesterday’s blessings.  We have daily renewal via such things as . . .
  • Often holding hands and each other
  • Kissing often
  • Often telling each other “I love you”
  • Never leaving the house without a kiss, hug and a “I love you”
  • Sharing what the Lord taught you each day from His Word
  • Sending texts and Voxer messages stating our love for each other
  • Notes left on the steering wheel in the car, in luggage, on the bathroom mirror
  • Holding hands and praying before we drift off to sleep
  • A look of care, compassion, love, and passion
  • Compliments about the meals she has prepared as well as making our house a home
  • Praying together at meals and when one is bearing a burden
  • Taking time out to just hold each other with no words spoken
  • Opening the car door for her and always seating her at the table
  • Finger dancing in the grocery store when we hear an old love song
  • Coffee in her favorite mug first thing in the morning
  • Sharing in the joys of a lost soul coming to Christ
  • A reassuring squeeze of her hand in happy and sad times
  • Walking down a country road
  • The Andy Griffith Show
  • Serving the Lord and each other
  • Just loosening up, having a good laugh, and refusing to be a “fuddy-dud” or “tight-wad” or “get old early”

Thirty-three years ago at 7:00 p.m. in Sumter, SC, we celebrated as my Dad performed our wedding at Temple Baptist Church.  We celebrated when I kissed her at the altar. We celebrated as I carried her through the doors of the fellowship hall for the reception.  And the celebration has continued, even through trials and triumphs.  We definitely will celebrate again today because marriage is great and important.  To God be the glory for the great things He has done!!

imagesCAO7TB9M

The Verbs of Your Life

by Dale, posted in Christian Living

In 2 Kings 17 we read about Israel’s demise under King Hoshea and its deportation to Mesopotamia under the direction of Assyrian king, Shalamaneser. The king of Assyria then sends Babylonians and Arameans to repopulate Israel to make the areas more manageable and loyal to his leadership.  What interested me as I read were all the action verbs in 2 Kings 17:6-18 that describe the sins of Israel which led to their captivity.  Just look at some of them for a moment:

  • Sinned against the LORD (7)
  • Secretly did against God what was not right (9)
  • Burned incense in all the high places (11)
  • Refused to hear (14)
  • Hardened their necks (14)
  • Refused to believe (14)
  • Rejected God’s statutes (15)
  • Became vain (15)
  • Went after the heathen (15)
  • Left all the commandments of the LORD their God (16)
  • Sold themselves to do evil (17)
  • Provoked God to anger (17)

Wow!  These are just some of the verbs in this passage.  When I completed my reading, the thought came to my mind, “What verbs would describe my relationship with God at the end of my life and, even more so, today?”  Looking back over that list, the following comes to mind from Hebrews 11:

  • Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice (11:4)
  • Enoch pleased God (11:5)
  • Noah prepared an ark (11:7)
  • Abraham obeyed (11:8)
  • Abraham looked for a city (11:10)
  • Sarah received strength (11:11)
  • Sarah counted Him faithful (11:11)
  • These all embraced the promises (11:13)
  • Abraham offered up Isaac (11:17)
  • Moses chose suffering for righteousness sake (11:25)
  • Moses forsook Egypt (11:27)

Do some inventory today.  Ask the Lord in prayer to reveal the verbs that describe you.  Be honest.  Write them down.  What needs to change?  “Repent” and “confess” would be some good verbs to begin with so you could please, obey, embrace, etc.  Then as you dwell in this land, you will be loyal to your King  (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Victory For Prayer

by Dale, posted in Faith, Prayer

Last week, my wife and I had the joy of attending the Spiritual Leadership Conference 2014, Lancaster, CA.  Every service and every workshop was a gift from the Lord to worship and be trained.  Tuesday evening’s service was a tribute to the power of prayer and courage as the mayor and city council of Lancaster, CA, were recognized as well as the freedom legal counsel for their part in a recent Supreme Court Ruling.

In 2009, the City of Lancaster was sued for opening city council meetings in prayer.  Rather than bowing to the pressure of this liberal organization, as many other cities have done, Mayor Rex Parris (pictured above) and the city council took a stand for prayer.  The lawsuit spanned for more than two years and was argued in two courtrooms.

On July 12, 2011, the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles ruled in favor of the City of Lancaster.  On November 8, 2012, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled in favor of the City of Lancaster, upholding the right of religious leaders to invoke the name of Jesus when opening meetings in prayer.

In a 5-4 ruling announced May 5, 2014, the Supreme Court of the United States held that opening prayers in open government meetings was not in violation of the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.  This applies, according to the court, even if the prayers are overwhelming Christian.  Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the court, “The inclusion of a brief, ceremonial prayer as part of a larger exercise in civic recognition suggests that its purpose and effect are to acknowledge religious leaders and the institutions they represent, rather than to exclude or coerce non-believers.”

When determining whether or not prayers must be generic or so general that no one would be offended, Justice Kennedy said, “The First Amendment is not a majority rule, and government many not seek to define permissible categories of religious speech.  Once it invites prayer into the public sphere, government must permit a prayer-giver to address his or her own God or gods as conscious dictates.”

May I encourage you to pray much for your governmental leaders?  Do not have a “well let’s just fold up the tents and go bury ourselves in the sand” attitude!!  As long as we are on earth, we can pray and spread the gospel because of our Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ, seated at God’s right hand! Let’s be courageous on our knees and on our feet!

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1 Timothy 2:1-5).

Information Source:  Spiritual Leadership Conference 2014 Material; Baptist Bible Tribune, June 2014

God Writes the Best Stories

by Dale, posted in Evangelism

Sunday night after church, the New Adults SS Class headed on over to Jason’s Deli for some fellowship.  After awhile, three young men came in and sat down near us.  I said to my wife, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that was Thomas that I met at Sam’s Club last Friday night.”  The longer I sat there, the more convinced I became.  Finally, I went over to their table and engaged them in conversation.  There sat Thomas.  Wow!  The Lord had made a connection for me again!  We talked drag racing and the results of the days events.  Thomas shared with me that he had given the tract to John Force, and then I was able to share a tract with the three men.  Wow!  Awesome God!!

What are my “take-aways” from this continuing saga that has been such a blessing and an encouragement?

  1. Odds mean nothing to God.  He is able to do more than we could ever think! (2 Kings 3:18; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20).
  2. Be soul-conscious everywhere you go.  Always be ready to turn every conversation to the Theme of themes.  Let the Christ in you speak through you to point someone to Himself, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
  3. Have strong faith when you pray because your faith is based upon an omnipotent God (Job 42:2; Psalm 33:6; Matthew 7:7; 21:22).

What opportunities are you pursuing right now to share the Good News?  How’s your faith in prayer?  Are you soul-conscious?  God is able.  God is faithful.  He knows how to write the story and put the right characters in the right place at the right time!

Such a Light Thing

by Dale, posted in Evangelism

If you read my blog from this past Friday, I told you about an opportunity that I let slip away at the Tri-Cities Airport on Thursday to at least give a gospel tract to NHRA Funny Car Champion, John Force.  Friday morning, I cried out to the Lord for another opportunity.  When you really think of it, since I am not attending the race this weekend in nearby Bristol, and even if I was, why would anyone let me near this man?   As I read 2 Kings 1-4, I wrote in my journal all the times we see the mighty acts of God described in those four chapters.  Even 2 King 3:18, Elisha says, This is a light thing in the sight of the LORD.  He will give the Moabites into your hand. What seems impossible to us is a light thing in God’s sight.

Are you ready for this?  While walking out of Sam’s Club last Friday night, who was pushing a large cart of items to a Ford van but a man wearing a shirt just like the one John Force was wearing on Thursday.  I asked him, “What is the chance you will be talking to John Force?”  He said, “100%!”  I couldn’t believe it but here was Thomas, one of his team members!!  I told him my story, gave him a gospel tract, and he promised that it would be delivered!   I certainly don’t know about John’s spiritual condition, but I just wanted the opportunity to place the gospel in his hands.

Tears came to my eyes as I walked back to my car.  “God, how wonderful, gracious and kind you are to answer my prayer!”  Futhermore, He showed me that He indeed is not willing that any perish (2 Peter 3:9)!  What seemed impossible to me was a light thing to the LORD!!

Who do you want to reach with the Gospel?  Seek the LORD, call upon Him, and watch Him work!  It’s not a light thing to Him!