Month: July 2014

Like, Heart It, Favorite

by Dale, posted in Christian Living

For all who are involved in some level of social media, these are well-known, well-used terms.  If there’s a Facebook status that you agree with or are willing to be a part of, you click “like.” I even see folks say, “I wish I could double-like this!”  On Instagram, if you see a picture that you love, has special meaning to you or you can confirm, you click the heart.  And, on Twitter, you click the star if the tweet is something that strikes you in a positive way.

Now, I realize there are one or two people in the world who are not involved in the world of statuses, touched up pictures and tweets! 🙂   Nevertheless, may I say that we all need to be “Like, Heart It, Favorite” people, especially if we are born again followers Jesus Christ.  Consider your position in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14), your relationship with God the Father (Romans 8:14-17, 28-39) and your future promise (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  Furthermore, think on these words of God:

Colossians 3:15 – And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

2 Timothy 1:16-18 – The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

We like to be around folks who are encouragers; people who are gracious; people who say things like, “That was a good job!” or “Thank you” or “Keep up the good work” or “Sure appreciate you!” or  “May I pray with you?” or “Let’s read some Scripture together and share a praise or two!” or other words of gratitude, affirmation and joy.  By the way, when someone does something for you or you catch them serving someone else, an old-fashioned but still modern expression of “Like, Heart It, and Favorite” is a handwritten thank-you note!!

Today, be a “Like, Heart It, Favorite” follower of Christ!  Brighten up your countenance (Psalm 42:5,11) and someone else’s, too!

Huffin’ and Puffin’

by Dale, posted in Health

Okay, I know I am going today “where angels fear to tread,” but I do so with a right heart and one that desires to help.  We were called upon to help at the last second yesterday with the teen trip to Dollywood Amusement Park.  Denise and I love Dollywood, but we certainly were not planning on spending our day at the park with all the other demands upon us.  Nevertheless, we are certainly glad we went.  These teens were so appreciative and are a barrel of fun to be with in such a venue.

What’s my point?  Well, it’s all the people I saw today struggling to get around the park (and I realize that many have legitimate health issues).  They huffed, sweat, hobbled, shuffled, gasped for air, struggled to take a step, or rode around the park in a motorized scooter.  Now, please, I fully understand, and am certainly grateful for all who truly need those carts.  My aim in this post is to sound an alarm to folks who are much younger than we are—-to do what is necessary to be healthy!!  So, so many people who passed me yesterday could not enjoy the day, even ride the rides due to poor health. May I make a few suggestions from a loving, encouraging heart?

  1. Exercise at least 30 minutes-a-day.  If you can’t run or do a regimen of cardio-exercises, you need to walk at least once-a-day.
  2. Watch what you eat!  Oh the junk food at DW, and it’s good, too!  Everywhere you turn though, you see people gorging themselves on unhealthy, fattening foods.  I know its taste is so alluring, but is it really good for your body? Is it really worth it over the long haul?
  3. Do not think you are past the point of no return, and have even said, “What’s the use?”  You got to where you are bit-by-bit.  That’s the same way you can lose that weight or build yourself back up—a little at a time.
  4. No one can make you exercise and lose weight.  This is a personal decision, but you  do need the help of others to spur you on!  You must decide that your lack of taking care of your body is a violation of the stewardship mentioned in 2 Cor. 6:19-20, and you want others to encourage you and hold you accountable.  (Romans 14:5-8)
  5. Be consistent.  It is so easy to start strong but not finish.
  6. Split meals with your spouse or children when you dine out.
  7. Speaking of children, please  do not let them start out young being overweight and eating junk food.  Please teach them what to eat and when.
  8. Also, I am not suggesting that you turn your food intake to simply tofu, humus, and toothpicks!  Enjoy ice  cream, cheesecake, biscuits and gravy, etc.  Just watch your portion size.  Remember, the first bite of anything you eat, that you enjoy, is always the best.
  9. You will rejoice, feel stronger, and be more useful for what really matters, the eternal things of Christ.
  10. If you are a pastor reading this, we especially need to take off the pounds or keep them off because of our testimony.  How can you teach your people to be more disciplined in their lives when you are not, especially in the area of what you eat?  How my heart grieves for men who a make a joke about being overweight and eating like there was no tomorrow.
  11. If you are not healthy, then do so, not only for the Lord, but for your spouse.  I’ll speak to the men on this matter.  You want your wife to look good, yet you don’t take care of yourself.  What is wrong with this picture?  What does it say to your wife?

Now, again, I know that some folk have medical conditions that cannot be cured.  No matter, do what you can to be as healthy as possible.  Don’t give up!  To those who can’t say “No” to the temptations of food and laziness, I am begging you to take some inventory on your knees before the Lord.  I’ve been where many of you are today.  I love to eat; I love food; and I loved to “bat clean-up” with the leftovers on my wife and daughters’ plates.  Today, by the grace of God and making right, hard choices, 70 pounds are in my rear-view mirror.  I’d love to see you walk up an incline and not be winded  or bend over to work in your flower garden and not be worn out or be able to hike one of our many beautiful trails in this area or take the stairs instead of the elevator and be strong in the Lord!  No more huffin’ and puffin’ unless you just finished your first 5K! 🙂

So, what’s your plan?  Will you get started today?  Here’s a helpful article, Working Out.

The Joy of Summer!

by Dale, posted in Christian Camping, Christian Living

THE WILDS Sign

Since the summer of 1971, I have attended camp at the Wilds located near Brevard, NC (The Wilds Camp and Conference Center).  God has used this ministry to greatly impact my life for all these years as well as my family and church.  So, needless to say, I am excited for our juniors and teens to be going next week, July 21-24!!

The Wilds camp verse, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), is quoted at every meal and fleshed-out in every facet of camp life.  The camp’s mission statement is so intertwined through their programs and staff:  Using the unique benefits of Christian camping, we serve people by presenting the Truth of God with the love of God so lives can be changed to the glory of God.

This coming Sunday, we will be receiving a special love offering to be a blessing to our campers who attend.  We believe so strongly in the ministry opportunity of summer camping that we want to do whatever we can to help our young people not just turn our good but to be godly.

The following link (Teen Camp Video) will give you a 7-minute glimpse into last week’s Teen Camp.  Watch it, pray for the kids who are going next week along with sponsors, Andrew and Alli Isbell. Adults, after watching the video, you need to plan on attending an adult camp in the near future. You will come away changed because you have gotten away from all the distractions and have been presented the Truth of God with the love of God so your life can be changed for the glory of God.

 

The Waterfalls of THE WILDS

Have Ya Got the Time?

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, God's Word, Prayer, Renewal

There are many reasons why I love living in East Tennessee.   One of which is the down-home common sense bred in the hearts and character of many raised in these mountains.  Today, I have such a one who has agreed to let me share what the Lord gave him last week while studying the Word.  Wayne and his dear wife, Vickie, are dear members of our church and have gone through the furnace of affliction for the past six years.  These words are born out of a life that has been touched by the Master and continues to walk by faith and not by sight.  It is totally unedited just as he penned it.  Thanks, Wayne, for sharing your heart and letting me share with the readers today.

“Have ya got the time?”….I’ll bet its been a spell since you’ve heard that question. This day and time lots of folks have wrist watches, and most of the people have cell phones, so knowing the time is no problem.

Speaking of time, puts me in mind of the time Uncle Roby ordered him a pocket-watch from Sears and Roebuck. It finally come in the mail to Lansing NC post office. It had a fancy fob on one end and about 8-10 inches of gold colored chain with a genuine Elgin Pocket Watch, big as biscuit, on the other end.

Word gets around in Lansing pretty quick, so the next time Uncle Roby was in Walter Osbornes’ store, everyone was quizzing him about his new watch. Ole Doc Keyes up and says, “well Roby, what time is it”

Uncle Roby proudly pulls out his watch, flips up the lid and says, “there she be,” ..Ole Doc says, “well danged if it ain’t”…..neither one could tell time..such as it was in bygone days.

Now let me ask you, “have you got the time?”

We’ve got the time to get up on Monday morn and get to work at the correct time. We’ve got the time to stop and fill up the gas tank when the hand is close to the E. We’ve got the time to set down at the dinner table when suppers on. But, do we have the time to hear what God is saying…?

And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD: Gen 19:27.……Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Ps.55:17.….To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Ps.92:2.……I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Prov.8:17.…..

It seems like early and in the morning is a common time to hear from God. Some of my best times with God has been early in the morn. Its quite, its peaceful, the business of the day has not started. My Bible in my lap, the Spirit of God in my heart. He reveals to me my short-comings and then His wonderful forgiveness. He reveals to me His will, and then that my will should be lined up with His will. Most of all, I guess, is He revels His love for me. So, try it one morn, get up a little early and seek Him…ponder on that a bit and remember…O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; Ps 63:1.

What an Adventure!

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Faith, Men
Last night while eating supper in a local Lawrenceburg, Indiana, restaurant, I had no problem hearing the conversation of five men at a nearby table. They, too, were out-of-towners and in the area on business. Their ego level was at a fevered pitch! They were doing what men love to do—talk about their exploits, their trips, their adventures, their accomplishments—and all accompanied with laughter and big words (fortunately no swearing)!! Now, before I go any further, I am a man, and the point of this blog is not a negative swipe at my own kind! Easy now.
As I overheard bits and pieces of their triumphs, my mind was drawn to the greatest adventure of life; the most daring of all exploits; the trip of all trips; the primo race of life—–living as a sold-out follower of Jesus Christ who walks by faith and not by sight! As you read Hebrews 12:1, your mind is set on the great cloud of witnesses. Then the writer takes you to the summit, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). We are exhorted to continually keep our gaze fixed on Jesus, turning from all other distractors. He is the Author, Originator, Leader, Guide, Pioneer, and Finisher, Perfecter, End, Completer, Goal of our faith. As the NLT translates it, Jesus, on Whom our faith depends from start to finish. Where all others failed, Jesus succeeded! Jesus conquered sin, death and hell! He is now seated at the Father’s right hand, the place of ultimate authority, the place of full joy, the place of eternal pleasures!

We are running a race that has already been won! We are following in the footsteps of the Ultimate Champion! He is our Supreme Reward! Even in the worst of times, we can walk by faith and not by sight because the Captain of our salvation is the Leader and Completer of the Faith and our faith. You will be misunderstood, mocked, maligned, and misjudged, but preach the Gospel, stand for Christ, go where He calls you, stand tall for Him, go against the humanistic current, lead your family for Christ, pray boldly, sing loudly, study the Word fervently, give freely, and live by faith!!!!! Now, that’s adventure living!!!

By Faith

 

The Ministry of Music

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Music, Praise & Worship

Yesterday, not too long after arriving in the patient’s cardiac ICU room, he was telling me about his love of ministering in a local nursing home and using music to bring a smile to otherwise lonely people.  As he told me his story, his own countenance brightened.  I can only imagine him singing and leading those dear folks in song, especially the ones about heaven!

Many times over the years, Denise and I have had the joy of ministering by the bedside of a dear loved one or precious church member in the hospital or their home.  In recent years, we have often ended our visit by singing a hymn or gospel song.  I remember once, a dear lady who was in the ER struggling to get her breath, and we began to sing very softly, “When peace like a river attendeth my way.  When sorrows like sea billows roll . . . .”  Later on we sang, “We have a heavenly Father above.  With eyes full of mercy and a heart full of love.  He really cares when your head is bowed low. . . . “ As we moved through those songs and on to others, there was a certain calmness that came over the room.

In the midst of their battles with cancer, my parents loved to hear the songs of the redeemed.  We often played a CD of invitation hymns that ministered to my dad’s soul in a very special way.  For my mom, a dear family in our church provided an iPod for her to listen to the piano music of Rudy Atwood as well as some of her other favorites.  In the wee morning hours, sometimes, there would be Mom fixing her ear buds so she hear the songs of grace and promise.  That was new fangled gadget for her! J

Today, this week, be a blessing to a downcast, hurting soul.  Give them a CD or an iTunes card.  When you stand to sing in church, do so joyfully so the folks around who may need encouragement will be uplifted as you sing from your heart to the Lord!

Psalm 100

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

2 Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

3 Know that the Lord, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;[a]

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

5 For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

Ephesians 5:19 – Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord

When God Is Near

Praise God For Music!

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Music, Praise & Worship, Trials

How grateful I am that God created music!  Since I can remember, music has been a big part of my family.  My mom was an excellent pianist having played since she was six years old and learned the style of Rudy Atwood.  My dad sang, which was a chore to him.  I will say that he learned to play the radio quite well. 🙂   I played the trumpet and treble clef baritone in the band, and my wife played the clarinet. My oldest daughter plays the piano and my youngest daughter is multi-gifted as she can play several  instruments.

Music has been a strong guiding force and source of encouragement as well as “setting the atmosphere” in our lives many times.  Music has shown up in so many venues of our life such as in the car, at church, around the table, at a concert, while washing the car, driving through the countryside, on a date, on the back deck, running early in the morning, etc.  Music has touched us in so many ways from excitement, tears, raising a hand or two accompanied with a shout of praise, exhortation, foot tappin’, and on and on.

Due to a year of many trials in all “shapes and sizes” (James 1:2), music has found a common resting place in our hearts to encourage, edify and strengthen us.  Here’s one song that I often hear as I run.  It is one that folks in our church have found to be a “song in the night.”  Let the words minister to you today, and thank God for music!

I’ll Never Forsake You

Job 35:10  But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night.

Psalm 32:7  You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Psalm 119:54  Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage.

304 Songs In June

by Dale, posted in Music, Praise & Worship

While checking my email, I saw a subject line from Pandora entitled, “304 songs in June.” I clicked on the post and was informed by Pandora how many songs I listened to during the month, which was my go-to-station, and that I like 61 songs enough to give them a thumbs up!  Sometimes it’s a bit scary to know that the internet sometimes knows more about me than I know of myself. 🙂

Let’s make a spiritual application here for a Monday.  When the month of July comes to an end, how many songs will you have sung to the Lord?  What will have been your go-to-station—music that fed your soul or your flesh?  How many songs will you have given a thumbs up of rejoicing; hands raised in the air?  God wants to hear you sing!  He’s listening!

Psalm 95:1-2  Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Psalm 100:1-2  Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!

Psalm 147:1  Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

Acts 16:25  At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,

Colossians 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

God Wants To Hear You Sing

Pals Brigade

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Discipleship, Evangelism

Without question, a Jr. Burger from Pal’s is always a winner!  How dare them build an eating establishment so close to our church!! 🙂  Now, this blog post is not about a brigade of church members heading to Pals for a burger after the evening service on Sundays or Wednesdays.

The June 20, 2014, edition of the Knoxville News Sentinel, carried an article entitled “Pvt. Smith’s rescue strikingly close to ‘Saving Private Ryan’” (News Article). Within that story was mention of the Pals Brigade of World War I fame in which there were “some 9 million soldiers” killed.   These pals battalions of the British Army were made up of men who enlisted with the promise of serving together with family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.  As a result, “it was common for families to lose more than one son.  Communities sometimes found that a single skirmish could wipe out a generation of their men.”

After reading the article, I was deeply moved at the desire of these men to serve together with their family and friends, even with the looming threat of death, and to be known as the Pals Brigade.  As “Pals” they fought and died together for the cause of freedom. They gave up their liberties for each other to be pals in the fight.  They gave up their homes to join their pals in the war.   After all, they were a part of the Pals Brigade.

In his speech to encourage men from Liverpool, England, to join the Pals Brigade, the Earl of Derby said, “This should be a battalion of pals, a battalion in which friends from the same office will fight shoulder to shoulder for the honour of Britain and the credit of Liverpool.”  Two days afterwards, 1,500 men had joined the brigade and in the next few days, three more battalions were formed.  Near the end of 1914, fifty towns had formed battalions and larger towns formed several.

Every local church needs to be known as a Pals Brigade made up of born again individuals who would join with their blood brothers (Romans 5:1-11), family members (Romans 12:5; Ephesians 1:5; 4:25) and co-workers (2 Corinthians 5:20) to serve and fight together for the lost souls of men and women!  There’s the Adult Sunday School battalion, the Teen battalion, the Senior Saints battalion, the Deacons battalion, and the Pastoral Staff battalion.  They are trained in the boot camp of prayer and are striving together for the Gospel!  As Paul exhorted the church at Philippi, Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27).

You know, if a “Pals Brigade” does go down the street after church for a hamburger, they are not going to Pals just to eat. They are going side-by-side, striving together, looking for someone to hear the gospel.

The man instrumental in starting our church, Dr. Gillis Partin, wrote:

Souls for Jesus,is our battle cry

Souls for Jesus, we’ll fight until we die!

We never will give in,

While souls are lost in sin!

Souls for Jesus,is our battle cry!