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Sunday, Mar. 9, 2014
The Joy and Laughter of Lent (03/07/14)
March 5 was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, which is the forty days before Easter, minus the Sundays. Lent is a time of reflection of our Lord's forty days of temptation in the desert. (Matthew 4:1-11) Some believers have fasting days, others give up pleasures, while others battle a particular sin which particularly grieves them...
Not Safe But Saved (02/28/14)
One theologian recently reminded his readers that most false religions follow the same pattern: Someone has allegedly seen his god in some sort of supernatural way. The man immediately sets up an altar, calls the place "holy", and in the years to follow, people bring sacrifices to this altar in hopes their sacrifices would prompt their god to grant them favors or appear or speak to them...
On the Make and the Move (02/07/14)
Years ago, a pastor was criticized for taking his catechumen (students of the faith) to a cemetery as part of the day's lesson. I'm not sure what offended his critics, but it may have been the catechumen's most memorable of many lessons, past and future. ...
Forever Free (01/31/14)
It's doubtful that Jesus was really born on December 25, but since the universal Church recognizes that date, February 2 is the festival of The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Jesus. Forty days after a woman gave birth to a boy, she was to come to the temple and offer a sacrifice of a lamb and a turtledove or a pigeon (or two turtledoves or pigeons). ...
The Dickinson You Say (01/24/14)
The middle or high school teacher might admit to granting a smile and a compliment to the sweet student who wants an honest evaluation of her poem which she says is "personal" (subjective), i.e., can only be fully appreciated by its author. Being nice prevents hurting the student's feelings. Besides, the teacher may receive solace from none other than Emily Dickinson herself: "Tell the truth, but tell it at a slant--"...
The Best New Year's Resolution (01/03/14)
An older graduate student was recently asked why he believed in evolution. His response was, "Because I'm thinking person and I think on my own...I reject any man-made religion." When asked to provide some observable proof for Darwinism, he thought for quite some time, but could not give an answer. ...
Silent and Holy Nights (12/20/13)
Recently, the host of a nightly cable talk show slammed a church body for "having to be led, kicking and screaming...into the "real world", away from "archaic" (out of date) thinking. The Christian guest on the show responded with something like "that kind of ignorance can get you a show on CNN, but won't help you understand the basics about religion in general and anything about Christians at all." Many unbelievers erroneously judge themselves as capable of making purely objective, unbiased observations and conclusions. ...
The Advent Tree of Life (12/13/13)
When some people brought a paralytic man to Jesus for healing, Jesus saw their faith and said to the man, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." Further reading from this passage (Matthew 9:1-6), shows that Jesus is also trying to teach the blasphemy-accusing scribes a lesson. Jesus asked, "For which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? So that you know that the Son of Man has authority..." The paralytic man walks as Jesus commands...
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (11/29/13)
In an episode of the 1970s sitcom, Mary Tyler Moore Show, the main characters were Mary and her friend named Rhoda, who was also unmarried. One day, Rhoda made the comment that she hated getting letters from her mother. "Why?" asked friend Mary. Rhoda said that her mother always cursed her in her letters. ...
Life from the Mountaintops (10/18/13)
There is so much uncertainty living in this present place and age. There are so many people whose lives are in crisis or transition. And the reason many Christians simply do not know what to do or which way to turn is because they do not know what they believe...
All Cleaned Up (09/06/13)
Married and single people often see each other in a different light. Those who are married may see us single people as odd, perhaps difficult to get along with, and assume that we're lonely. Those in the single status sometimes view marriage as stifling, and those who cannot live alone as weak. ...
The Art of Life (08/30/13)
We Christians observe often these days how unbelievers offer support for their attempts to debunk Christianity by quoting early American atheists, like Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson (who some dub a deist). They end their arguments by resting their case on these men's opinions, as if these particular men of this particular era carry special authority or may even have the last word. ...
Whistling and Thistling (08/23/13)
A great theologian once bemoaned how difficult it is to serve our Lord and commented on a passage from the book of Micah, chapter 6, v. 8: "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Isn't that what being a child of God is all about--walking humbly before the Lord?...
The Storm Cloud of Jesus Christ (08/16/13)
It must be annoying to parents to listen to us non-parents and our idyllic view of having children. Despite being told of the tears to which children can bring parents, those of us who have never had children often see only joy, with the only possible sadness being watching them grow up and leave the nest, bad news for those who love them...
Shooting and Filling in Blanks (08/09/13)
Shooting and Filling in Blanks If you're a reader of the writings of early twentieth-century British Reformed teacher Oswald Chambers, you may have struggled with his March 15 devotional writing (from "My Utmost for His Highest"--I've mentioned this before). ...
Hide and Seek, Christian Style (08/02/13)
If you're a believer, you know how important it is to read God's Word on a regular basis. The false god of the world, the devil, has one plan for all--to separate us from God. He has the whole world at his disposal, for now. It's more than a human can bear on his or her own, as we are sinful by nature since Adam and Eve's original sin against God. Right after they sinned, they hid from God, the result of using their own judgment which the serpent had promised them...
Just who are you, Lord? (07/26/13)
Some time ago, I mentioned that we believers know or will come across some Bible passages that make us squirm or present what appears to be something contrary to our understanding of God and Who He is. I'm not talking about the passages about sin, death, and hell, as those passages do prick our consciences, but we believers do understand and accept them as God's righteous nature. ...
Laying It All Out (07/19/13)
Years ago, in my know-it-all, but Biblically ignorant past, I was asked a question about the Book of Hezekiah. I said that I did not know the answer, but I would go look it up. The questioner giggled and my face turned red as he informed me that there was no "Book of Hezekiah". ...
Who is that Masked Man? (07/12/13)
Some time ago, a friend of mine got out of a scrape and joyfully declared, "God is good!" I asked him that if the situation had not turned out to his liking, would that mean that God is not good. Of course, I have the exact same response. Every human being is masked in heart and mind. ...
Forgive and Forget-Him-Not (07/05/13)
We Christians accept forgiveness of our sins from our Lord. That is a faith foundation. But forgiveness is not something we can keep as a possession of our own, but must share it with others. And I do mean "must" because forgiving others is not an option for the Christian. But forgiving others is probably the most difficult task with which believers struggle, for various reasons...
Smiting and Smitten with Jesus (06/28/13)
When you have a moment to yourself this weekend or perhaps next week, sit down with paper and pencil and write down the names of your enemies--and I mean your real enemies, the kind you'd like God to "smite", as the psalmist wrote in Psalm 3, verse 7, according to the King James Version. If you're a Christian, I'm guessing your enemy list is or will be blank, too...
Grasping Jesus (06/21/13)
One of many Christians' favorite Scripture passages is Paul's description of the life of the believer in Galatians 4:1-7. In verse 6, God is address as "Abba, Father" which offers a comforting image of God in the context of an earthly father--providing for our needs and protecting us. ...
Father Worthy (06/14/13)
At the risk of annoying you parents out there, this non-parent is going to say what I'd do if I was a parent. I really believe that being a parent is the toughest calling there is because I've heard many good parents say that. I also recall what a challenge I was as a child...
June Harvest (05/31/13)
Ever been to church and sung a hymn or recited a psalm and felt that you're just going through the motions, that whatever is going on in the church is not relevant to you and your life? Most of us have felt that way. In my own youth, I wondered what the heck a "sheave" was and why would anyone be deliriously rejoicing about bringing them in? Read Psalm 96 and see if it has the same effect on you. ...
The peelings of paint and wedding bells (05/24/13)
Ah, tis the time for weddings, as it's almost June. There are few occasions I enjoy more than a wedding, either as their pastor or as a guest, and it's not (only) because I love white cake. I love weddings because they are happy events, where everyone is happy. Yes, we do know that the mundane of life, such as house repairs and hard-to-love new relatives will present challenges, but weddings are joyous events, most assuredly when they are done for the glory of God...
Pentecostal Joy (05/17/13)
Judas (not Iscariot) asked Jesus why He was revealing Himself only to His disciples and not the whole world. Jesus kept right on teaching: "...if anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him." Then, Jesus promises a peace that the world cannot give. ...
New Sights of Spring (05/10/13)
Spring is in full bloom now, literally. The bootheel of southeast Missouri is filled these mid-May days with purple and yellow irises; soon the lilies and daylilies will be dazzling our eyes. While gazing at the delicate, sword-shaped, and curved-edged petals of the Oriental lily we Christians might see why Harriet Beecher Stowe is quoted to have said, "Flowers are the sweetest thing God ever made." But we also know that this earth has been corrupted with sin. ...
Plain Living (04/26/13)
Before His death and resurrection, Jesus was almost always dogged by some Jewish religious people of the Abrahamic covenant who questioned Him about everything--mostly about who He was. At the time of the Feast of Dedication, while walking in the temple of Jerusalem, some of them asked Jesus directly, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." (John 10:24)...
Our Perfect Resurrected Life (04/12/13)
Every year, during Passover week (which is also Holy Week for Christians because it was Passover week when the Lord was crucified), ABC television network rebroadcasts the 1956 (and best, in my opinion) version of the movie, "The Ten Commandments". It is not 100% Biblical, but has a lot of fill-in for the parts of Moses' life that are not in the Bible. ...
The Revolutions of Jesus Christ (04/05/13)
Easter is here. It is a season which is forty days long because that's how long our Lord walked the earth following His resurrection from the dead. Easter ends with Ascension Day, commemorating His ascension into the clouds. It's always on a Thursday (this year May 9). It's a good time to reflect on how revolutionary our Lord's defeat of the devil, the world, and the flesh, including yours and mine...
His, Yours, and Mine (03/29/13)
If you've ever been in the House of Representatives chamber of the U. S. Capitol, you saw that the front rostrum is framed by a pair of fasces--a symbol containing tied bundles of wooden rods with an axe head protruding. It is supposed to represent authority and power amid unity of a people. Its history can be traced back to the Etruscans of the western Italian peninsula circa 500 BC. It was used in the Roman Republic and Empire as well as the Italian Fascists of the 1930s AD...
Crushes on Jesus (03/22/13)
The book of Amos is filled with dire judgments from God to His chosen nation, Israel. God had had enough of their rebellion. Amaziah, the chief priest (and lackey to King Jeroboam ben Joash) had declared the temple at Bethel to be "the king's temple" and the "temple of the kingdom". Amaziah is playing gatekeeper at the temple, told prophet Amos to get lost--God's Word had no place there. (Amos 7)...
Old songs, new songs (03/15/13)
Notice more birds singing these mornings? We like to think that they're serenading us, but I asked a woman who knows a lot about birds why they sing. She said that it is basically for two reasons--territorial claims and finding a mate. The singing is about survival, not generous, joyous regaling...
Picture of Perfection (03/10/13)
In the early 1960s, there was a short-lived television show called, "Window on Main Street". The main character was a writer who had an office at the town's newspaper that overlooked the main thoroughfare through town. The writer even had a balcony out on which he could step and observe the goings-on in town, which provided stories for his weekly column in the paper. ...
The Light of Lights (03/01/13)
A pastor shared a story about two hunters who suddenly came upon a bear. They were so startled, that they dropped their guns and ran for cover--one up a tall tree and the other in a cave. Suddenly, the second hunter came darting out of the cave and almost straight into the bear, then quickly doing an about-face, he ran back into the cave. ...
Lenten Bank and Trust (02/22/13)
Thirty or so years ago, a popular, oft-repeated phrase among the Reformed was, "If Christianity was a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" Some Christians are too quick to roll their eyes at such a question, probably muttering something like, "works righteousness--bah humbug!" But salvation by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ is neither an abstract principal, nor is it a call to turn the faith into a self-satisfying excuse for ignoring the needs of others or dismissing God's strict standards of holiness. ...
Elementary Lenten 101 (02/15/13)
Lent is here, so it's a good time for an elementary review of life in general. You and I need this more than once a year although the Christian is reminded daily by standards of goodness of our Lord and how it contrasts with the way we and the rest of the world are. ...
Listen, God is calling... (02/08/13)
A very popular phrase today says "God has plans for you". Sometimes, we erroneously go by emotions, telling ourselves that we "feel that God is speaking to me". But God isn't the only one who "speaks" to us. Is it God who tells us men to give that young female a second longing look and fills our minds with improper thoughts? Or is it God who tells some women that they are justified in hating other women of whom they are jealous?...
Growing up in the Boonies (02/01/13)
I've heard adults lament that after they had grown up and moved out the house, their mothers had cleaned up their rooms and tossed their toy boxes, contents and all. It was like a period placed at the end of a sentence: childhood was over. Perhaps we adults miss the "simpler times" mainly because we didn't have to pay the bills and someone who loved us dearly worried if we merely sneezed. ...
Genuine Yada, Yada, Yada (01/25/13)
The traditional Church Year begins in December with Advent, the four weeks of preparation for the celebration first coming of our Lord. After the twelve days of Christmas (or mass--worship of Christ), January 6 begins the Epiphany (revelation) of our Lord which focuses on the visit and subsequent worship of the Lord by the Magi and the Baptism of our Lord...
Tongue Bitten Faith (01/18/13)
The following has probably happened to you, or you've witnessed it: you pass a car, muttering to yourself something not pleasing to God about the other driver, but the next thing you know, the other driver is sitting in his car right beside you at the next red light. It happens to me too often as I pull into Kennett from highway 25 South and never (!) miss that north red light...
The Calls of Winter (01/11/13)
The holidays are over now, but winter so far hasn't afforded many of us the peace that we imagined. Happenings in life interrupt our plans for meditation, reading, and quiet evenings at home. Solomon's Ecclesiastes lists of "a time for" reads easily this time of year (chapter 3, verses 1-8) but our tendency for spiritual narcissism prompts us to put ourselves into every picture of the reign of God in this fallen world. ...
The Path to the Epiphany (01/04/13)
There was a recent news article about a neurosurgeon who had always discounted his patient's "near death" experiences as their mind's creations while gasping for life. But his own "near death" experience that has convinced him that there is a life after death. When asked if he had become a Christian, he denounced the idea that there was any one particular path to the truth. He implied that all paths will lead to heaven...
Ringing in the New Era (12/28/12)
Got plans for ringing in the New Year? Got the hotel reservation, the tux back from the cleaners, and your tickets ready for your trip to Memphis or St. Louis? Or maybe your New Year's Eve will be like last year--at home and in bed by 10:30 because you've seen years come and go and you find all that holiday's hoopla a bunch of hooey...
Known Associates (12/21/12)
We often think of the prophets of the Old Covenant (or "Testament", another word for "covenant") as ancients. It may startle the reader when the prophet Micah refers to the "ancient" times long before him, as we picture his days of old. But of course, his generation was the latest of generations in their days. Micah lived during the time of Isaiah, and we have evidence that they knew each other quite well. In fact, Micah quotes his contemporary in 4:1-3 (from Isaiah 2:2-4)...
Keeping Advent (12/07/12)
You may have seen old TV shows and movies in which the characters put up and decorated the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. For many of us, that practiced seemed odd, having the tree up for only a day or two and then taking it down. Of course, that's because we have been conditioned to literally buy into the secularist version of Christmas: tinsel, spending money, sappy songs of fireplace-roasted chestnuts, and sleigh rides on snow-covered woodlands on bright, moon-lit nights...
The Advent Driven Life (11/30/12)
You and your spouse may have a December tradition of driving around residential neighborhoods at night to look at the Christmas lights. You don't need a spouse to do that, though. It's relaxing just to get in the car and drive around looking at fellow citizen's efforts to bring beauty and joy to their part of God's creation. To those of you who have gone to great efforts and expense to decorate your house, we Christians thank you, or we should...
Those Longing Looks (11/23/12)
Earlier this month, we changed our clocks, and next week, we'll change our calendars--the traditional church calendars, that is. The non-festival part of the church year, Pentecost comes to a close and we focus on Christ's return. The new church year begins December 2 this year, the first Sunday of Advent, the season of anticipation of the birth of God Incarnate to save us from our carnal selves...
Singing a new song (11/16/12)
If you've ever successfully been through a drug abuse program or known someone who has, you have experienced or witnessed what is probably the closest thing to heavenly joy in this life. One man likened his recovery from alcohol abuse to emerging from a dark cave in which he had spent decades. He especially loved Psalm 142. He said that David was singing "his song"...
Hear ye, hear ye... (11/09/12)
Chapter 19 of the Gospel of Matthew records the encounter Jesus has with the rich man. In the last verse of that chapter Jesus said, "But many who are first will be last, and the last first." Next He tells the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. ...
Crowd Scenes (11/02/12)
The traditional church year calendar is on its last page now. From All Saints Day (November 1) until Advent, the church focuses on Christ's return. Advent, the four weeks before Christmas,--starting December 2 this year--begins the new church year. It makes sense. What began in Bethlehem will be completed with Christ's return, the fulfillment...
Blitzes and Ditzes (10/26/12)
A celebrity who has a reputation for being an airhead once explained, "Ditzy is having the courage to ask. Ditzy is not editing yourself." Of course, she's right. Most would rather fake understanding than risk looking dumb by asking questions. We do edit ourselves for the sake of reflecting our desired self-image to others. Of course, it is bogus because first, God sees us as we are and He is the ultimate judge and second, everyone else is not nearly as dumb as we think they are...
The Dukes and Dutchesses (10/19/12)
You may have school-aged children or drive by a school at the beginning or end of the school day and reminisce about your own days at that age. Most of us would not want to go back to that age--way too much insecurity masked by the bravado. If you're a man, you may remember the flying fists, and you ladies may recollect the "cattiness" of fellow females, as one young lady recalled her school days...
There, there... (10/05/12)
If you're a Christian and wringing your hands over the national descent into moral decadency, re-read this week's article title and consider yourself consoled. It may not seem very consoling, but Christians should not be wringing their hands. What we are witnessing is a collision of contradictory truth claims that have laid side by side but are anything but parallel or equally true. ...
States of Humiliation (09/21/12)
Some years ago, I met a man who was writing a book on humility. I immediately quipped, "I'm proud of my humility!" The writer laughed, but it occurred to me that instead of asking him some questions and learning from him, I put myself on stage and he was my audience--not exactly humble of me, was it?...
Out of the Mouths of Babes (09/14/12)
We've all heard that "talk is cheap" and "sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you". We learn by around age five that those sayings just aren't true. Words can wound. Psychologists tell us that we're already wounded by that young age, and it's more likely that the damage was done by words, sometimes by parents or siblings, and sometimes by peers and friends. It hurts the five year old to learn that other do not love her as much as she loves herself...
Family Secrets (09/07/12)
We Christians know that God desires that all come to faith in Him. (1 Timothy 2:4) But right after He told them the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3b-9), His disciples ask Him why He talks to the crowds in parables. Jesus told them that He shares things with His disciples that He doesn't with others. ...
Dancing in a Doll House (08/31/12)
You may remember from your high school days reading the play "A Doll's House", written in 1879 by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. If you don't remember it, here's a brief summary. From a then-contemporary setting, the character Nora lives a rather superficial life as a plaything or object of amusement and pleasure for her husband, Torvald. ...
Basket Cases (08/03/12)
Things are tough out here, job and money wise. In the 50s, 60s, and 70s you didn't need much post-high school education--you could get a job in factory that paid well. Our prosperous post-WWII era has passed. Europe and Asia recovered from the war; we're no longer the only economic force in the world. But one thing has not changed--success usually starts from the humble bottom, but many are too prideful to start there...
On the Lookout (06/15/12)
Summer's almost here. School's out and the kiddos are no longer charming and annoying teachers. Teachers are rewarded by being with some sweet little ones who are trying to figure out what life is all about. But teachers also have one of the toughest jobs dealing with some heartbreaking examples of neglect and some irresponsible children of irresponsible parents...
Signs and Wanderings (06/01/12)
Years ago, I loved listening to the sermons of the Southern Baptist pastor Rev. Dr. Adrian Rogers from Memphis. Although I disagreed with him on some issues, I could tell that he really loved the Lord. His confidence in God's Word and pure joy in the faith inspired me...
Timothy Matthew
Living in the Word