Category: Christian Living

A God-Ordained Cancer Journey, Now Over

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Death, Heaven, Hope

Last evening, our brother in Christ, fellow-discipler, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, Tom Craig, left the night here to enter into that eternal day.  He left behind the weeping and entered into morning joy (Psalm 30:5).  He exchanged the crushing pain of cancer for the cheerful presence of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:1,6-8).  And, not too very long from now, we too will join him and the millions in the presence of our Lord (Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  In the meantime, please intercede for his wife, Kim, his daughters, Aimee, Allie and Anna, and the dear folks of Oak Ridge Baptist Church.

Tom, we praise God for you.  Soon, we will once again praise God with you.

A God-Ordained Cancer Journey

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Church, Death, Faith, Hope, Prayer

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To hear the diagnosis of cancer is like trying to hold on in the midst of an 8.0 earthquake.  The sounds of that word sends rippling emotional effects through your mind and body as well on upon all those around you.  Imagine what effect it would have on a congregation when they find out that their relatively young pastor has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Such is the case of Oak Ridge Baptist Church, Oak Ridge, TN.  Pastor Tom Craig is weakening physically day-by-day, yet in the midst of it all, ORBC, along with the Craig family are being strengthened moment-by-moment by the awesome grace of God.

One the members of ORBC, Brad Zockoll, has been giving us a very transparent glimpse into this church’s journey with their dear, beloved pastor.  Today, I share with you the link, august-week-5-the-hollowness-of-cancer.  Please take the time to read Brad’s comments from Week 5 as well as the prior posts.

Intercede for Tom & Kim and the congregation of ORBC.  Learn from them as you read these posts.  Praise God for them and with them.

Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life (Psalm 119:49-50).

Oh, Those Precious, Pious Statements – Part 2

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

Illustration by Rachel Ternes

What would the following men have said if a dear, well-meaning individual said to them, “Well, you know, the Lord won’t put on you more than you can bear”?

Elijah

And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. (1 Kings 19:7-8)

Job

“Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? For now I would have lain still and been quiet, I would have been asleep; Then I would have been at rest.  (Job 3:11-13)

Paul

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  (2 Corinthians 12:7-8)

If I read these passages correctly and there are many others, it sounds like to me that the Lord did put on these men more than they could bear!  Truth is, God does give you more than you can handle because He wants you to depend totally on Him.  Think about this lame, spiritually sounding phrase against the backdrop of these passages of Scripture:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.  (Matthew 11:28-30)

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.  (2 Corinthians 1:8-11)

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

These passages address this erroneous statement of  the Christianese language.  God does put upon us hardships and trials that are too hard for us to handle.  He does so to develop Christlikeness in us (Romans 8:28-29) and a dependence upon God alone.

Psalm 18:1-3 — I will love You, O Lord, my strength.The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised.

Oh, Those Precious, Pious Statements

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Prayer

Satan is a great deceiver.  Man is often so gullible. The devil loves to get us believing statements that sound so good, but are so deceitful and untrue.  They may partial truth, but are not completely true.  For instance, have you heard anyone say or have you said:

“Just follow your heart.”

“God works in mysterious ways.”

“Money is the root of all evil.”

“Cleanliness is next to godliness.”

“To thine ownself be true.”

“Spare the rod, spoil the child.”

“God helps those who help themselves.”

“God needed another angel in heaven, so He called him/her home.”

“The Lord won’t put on you more than you can bear.”

There are many others, but these are not to be found in Scripture.  The one I want to dwell on for a moment today is often said at the point of frustration, exasperation, and hopelessness, “Well, I guess all we can do now is pray!”  Have you really given thought to that statement?  What are you really saying?

This statement is a declaration of the following:

1.  “I’ve tried everything else, and it didn’t work, so I guess we can pray now.” This is making prayer a last resort.

What does Scripture say about this?

Philippians 4:6-7  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2.  “I have looked everywhere except the Lord and His Word for the answer, for the great need I have, but finally after much searching, I recognize I better come to God.”

What does Scripture say about this?

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

James 1:5-8  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

3.  “Well, I don’t have any other options. Guess I’d better pray.”

What does Scripture say about this?

Psalm 18:6, 16-19  In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.  He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.

Often, the Lord does bring us to a place where all option are removed so we will depend upon Him, and Him alone!

Here’s the correct response to all of life, to all unanswered questions, to all needs, to all difficult situations, to all prayer burdens and to every situation:

Psalm 16:8-9 I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.

Psalm 18:1-3 I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.

Matthew 6:33   But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Genesis 1:1  In the beginning, God . . . .

Today, drop the pithy, pious statements of the Christianese language, and speak the truth to yourself.  Run to Christ in prayer all day long; not as a last resort!!

Straight Up Truths

by Dale, posted in Christian Living

Families, churches, places of employment, schools, government, and every other facet of life have it.  You cannot avoid it unless you live on a deserted island by yourself (even then it’s still possible).  What is it?  Conflict.  My post for today is simply to ask you to read the following passages of Scripture and answer each question:

1.  Where do conflicts originate?

James 4:1-4   What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

2.  When handling a conflict/disagreement, how can you tell if you or the other individual(s) are responding from their flesh or from the Holy Spirit?

Galatians 5:19-23  Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. . . .22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control;

3.  What is a biblical way to handle conflicts?

James 4:6-10   But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Be sure to record your answers in your journal.  One final thought—if  a cup of coffee was bumped, what would come out of the cup?  Obviously, coffee.  When you are bumped in life by someone else, what comes out?  (See Galatians 5:19-23 for your answer.)  What’s the answer?  (See James 4)

A Quiet, Peaceful Date in East TN

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Marriage, Renewal

Picture

Pack your picnic basket with your favorites.  Take a blanket, camera, a book, and ears to listen.  Leave your cares behind and head on up to Unaka Mountain Overlook.   My wife and I have sat all alone on the picnic table and watched the sunset.  Absolutely beautiful!  By the way, I recommend that you do not take the family car on this trip!

Directions: From I-26 take the Unicoi exit (#32). At the end of exit ramp turn east towards town. At the stop sign, turn right onto Route 173/Unicoi Road (which is also known locally as the Erwin Highway) and proceed for 0.7 miles. Follow the signs pointing to the Cherokee National Forest by turning left onto Rt. 107 (Limestone Cove Road). Drive 7.8 miles, turn right on Red Fork Road (it’s also referred to as Unaka Mountain Road). Reset your trip odometer and proceed up the mountain. I’ve listed below some of the things to experience on Unaka…(listed in the order you’ll find them — with mileage listed as distance from Hwy 107):

Red Fork Falls (1.2)

Clear Fork Falls (2.2)

AT Connector Trail (4.9)

Stamping Ground Ridge (6)

Horseback Ridge (6.3)

Unaka Mountain Overlook (7.2)

Unaka Flat Rock Overlook (7.2)

Trailhead to Unaka Mountain Summit (7.9)

Deep Gap (9.3)

Beauty Spot Gap (9.8)

Beauty Spot Overlook (10.2)

AT Crossing (11.3)

Indian Grave Gap (Hwy 395) (12.1)

For a more detailed explanation of directions, check out Unaka Mountain Overlook

Directions courtesy of  appalachiantreks.blogspot.com

 

Sometimes, you just have to get away!

Barbeque Sundae

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Marriage

Marriage is a wonderful grace gift from the Lord (Genesis 2:18-25; Ephesians 5:18-33).  How blessed I am for the Lord to guide me to my right woman almost 35 ½ years ago.

Our first outing was a pure friendship date and nothing else.  My first “crush” on a girl was in the first grade, and all through elementary school, it was “will you go with me?” questions. Then I continued to date through junior high and high school always hoping I would marry my “childhood sweetheart.”  When I arrived at college, it was a “wow moment” when I realized there were three girls to every one guy on campus!  By the time my junior year rolled around, I was done with the dating scene.  Too many heart breaks, too many tense moments, too many temptations, too many “crash-and-burn” dates, and I had had it!

Hence, the first outing with Denise was as I said earlier, a friendship style date.  My Chevrolet Impala had a bench seat, which always begged for your date to sit next to you. But on this evening, I did not even ask.  She sat on her side, and I drove.  No stress; just us being ourselves.  You see, Denise too, had gotten tired of the dating scene as well.  We went out for supper and bowling.  We had a blast!  We were just two people having fun with no expectations or strings attached.

The reason for such a good evening was our attitude toward dating.  Having heard some solid teaching on the doctrine of right man and right woman from Genesis 2, we began to believe in the sovereignty of God to bring His mate for both of us.  His way is always perfect (Psalm 18:30), and He can orchestrate life so much better than we could ever imagine.  So, with calmness in our hearts, we both had a great time that night.

Yes, we continued to “go out” and realized that God was directing this relationship.  Our dating years were so much fun!  After I graduated from college, we were married.  Now after thirty-three years, we’re still having fun!

You are probably wondering where the title “Barbeque Sundae” comes into this story.  Well, it’s simply this.  We have found a quaint restaurant near us in Limestone, TN, known as Old Pilot Hill General Store.  They have a unique entrée on the menu known as a Barbeque Sundae which is delicious barbeque, beans, and slaw all layered and served in a mason jar.  Recently, because Denise and I are still dating, we drove to the country, sat outside on the large porch, side-by-side, and an enjoyed a quaint meal, the quiet and each other!

When you wait on God’s best, work every day at your marriage, and keep dating, it’s like a Barbeque Sundae—-it all goes together!  And it’s good!!

Nothing Ever Can, Nothing Ever Will

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Hope, Joy, Music, Praise & Worship, Suicide

After a long week of sharing my heart and hopefully some help concerning the subject of suicide, I want to end the week on a high note; a note of hope; a note of promise!  We have been singing this song in our congregation since the middle of June.  The lyrics have stirred our hearts, given us hope, and pointed us continually to Jesus Christ!  Rejoice in the truths, raise your hands in praise, and drop to your knees in submission to our God Who always wins!!  Worship here: Nothing Ever Can, Nothing Ever Will

 

“Nothing Ever Can, Nothing Ever Will”

Ross King

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!

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.

The More I Do It, The More Exciting It Gets!

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Church, Discipleship, Evangelism

“The more I do it, the more exciting it gets, and the more I want to do it!”  These are the words of an older gentlemen who has captured the vision and passion of Christ for lost souls.  He is one of many in our church who because of Christ’s last words (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15) are joining the ranks of an empowered community of believers who are commissioned for the gospel!  As a matter of fact, the man mentioned above and a deacon went visiting after church last night and saw a dear lady trust Christ as her Savior!

This has been an awesome summer of conflict, conviction, challenge and change in my life!  We have seen some interesting things take place at our church of which surprised many, but God has used it to strengthen His church and prepare us for His ministry, the Great Commission.  During my first trip to the Spiritual Leadership Conference in Lancaster, CA, back in June, the Lord convicted and challenged me about having a greater heart for the His harvest (Matthew 9:36-37; John 4:35).  Upon returning, the Lord led me to have all of our adult Sunday School classes and Teen Class study Dr. Paul Chappell’s book, Out of Commission. We are currently in the middle chapters of this book, and it is being used of the Holy Spirit to convict, challenge and change.  This is a final piece of the puzzle after studying Trellis and the Vine and The Exchange.  We even have an old “out of commission” truck in our parking lot to remind our folks of how we need to change to being Great Commission people.  This past Thursday through Saturday, businessmen from our church gathered at Elijah’s Harbor, Greeneville, TN, with other businessmen to learn how to use their business opportunities to be more an evangelistic center on mission for Christ. How marvelous it is to see the ministry of BCBC change from an inward focus to outward and upward focus of discipleship going-and-teaching (Matthew 28:18-20).  We have had our adversaries, but the grace of God is always greater!

Just as our brother said, “The more I do it, the more exciting it gets, and the more I want to do it!”  That excitement is growing because our mission is one of light and life!  The most exciting event in life is watching a soul be delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son, through faith in the cross work and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13).  Yes, it’s getting more and more exciting!!