THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

This will likely be my final post for 2008. Tami and I are looking forward for a few days away by ourselves over the coming weekend and during the first few days of next week. Maybe this is a good time to stop and reflect on some things I've learned in the past year.

I have learned that children grow up far too quickly. Two of my daughters have gotten married this year (Emily in May and Brooke just last week). Our son, Josh, is a senior in High School. Our oldest daughter, Patti, has been away from home for several years now. I remember how often people would tell us when they were small, "they'll be grown before you know it." I confess that in those days of changing diapers, picking up toys and carrying around car seats and diaper bags there were sometimes thoughts of, "I'll be glad when they do grow up." But now that time has come and I look back with regret that I didn't take more time with them to enjoy many of the simple things in life like going fishing or taking a walk. I am thankful for the many fun things we have done together but oh, how I'd long to have just one more summer with them when there were about nine or ten years old. To each of my children may I tell you how much I love you and how proud I am of you. Being a "preacher's kid" has not been easy. Too often you have been held to a standard that at best has often been grossly unfair. I think you've all turned out, "O.K!" and for that I am thankful!

I have learned to love and lean upon my wife more and more. Though we've been married for twenty-eight years and dated for three and one half years before that I think the past year has brought us closer together in many respects as we've planned the girl's weddings, talked about family issues and spent time in conversation with one another. We try to have a "date" night each week where we go out to eat and talk. Sometimes we go to a movie or just to shop. Once every three months or so we try to get out of town together for a couple of days. This past fall we spent a Friday and Saturday wandering through antique stores and then driving through the colorful hills of north Arkansas. She is my best friend and I am thankful.

I have learned not to be too startled by statistics. Some preachers and churches gauge effectiveness merely by counting "nickles and noses." Our attendance at church this year did not increase. In fact, it probably decreased somewhat as some members returned to a former congregation from which they had originally come. Does that mean that no effective ministry took place? Were there no souls saved? Were brethren not strengthened and the bond of brotherly love enhanced? Many of the factors that produced strong numerical growth in our community and congregation just a few years ago have changed and we're going to have to recognize that and deal with it for the foreseeable future. I have learned not to panic but to continue on steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord - 1 Cor. 15:58.

I have learned that the most important thing I can do is to strive to be a man of God. At the end of the day and the end of the way it will not matter that I have preached for a 1000 member church or spoken in a host of meetings and lectureships. What will matter is whether or not I have been faithful to the profession of faith I made over thirty years ago that Jesus is the Son of God. He is Lord of my Life and I will live each day devoted to Him and His cause.

May you and your family be blessed with a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous 2009!

THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT!

FOR THE RECORD

Tami and I are collectors of old phonographs. We have three very old ones in our home plus a couple of old radios in my office and a 1970's console stereo in our guest bedroom. The old ones are a 1911 Edison Diamond Disc model, a 1915 Graphanola and a 1920's Columbia. All three are in working order and still play remarkably well. Through the years we have also collected a large number of old records. In the early days of phonographs each manufacturer made their own records which were not necessarily interchangable with other machines. Thus, the Edison machine only plays Edison records from the early 20th century. One unique thing about the Edison is the volume control that consists of a felt ball at the end of a cable. By sliding a control located next to the turntable the ball actually slides up into the hole of the horn thus muting the sound. Pretty innovative, huh?

Guests in my office will notice the large cabinet model radio / record player between my bookcase and window. It is a late 1940's Western Auto brand that belonged to my 2nd grade Sunday School teacher, Sue Richmond. When she moved out of her home into an assisted living many years ago I purchased it from her for $50. It, too, is functional. The console stereo at home is a Sears Silvertone purchased by my parents in the early 1970's.

A few years ago my daughter Brooke asked me one evening, "Dad, how do you play that record thingy upstairs?" "What!" I replied. I couldn't believe that a seventeed or eighteen year old didn't know how to play a record on a record player. That's when it dawned on me, "she's never operated a record player before." Her whole life has consisted of CD players, cassette tape players and ipods. I went upstairs and showed her how you could stack several albums on top of each other, hit the "auto" button and they would automatically drop into place. I hasten to add, however, there was no "shuffle" available.

I am conservative in my theology and probably more set in my ways than I care to admit. I wonder, however, if we're not guilty in church of trying to reach a Digital generation with old record player ways. My late and beloved friend, Jule Miller, wisely recognized before his death several years ago the need to transfer his Visualized Bible Study Series from filmstips to video and then to DVD's. Though the content of the series did not change, the method of presenting it had to change out of necessity.

The old saying is true - "the message never changes but methods must change." Perhaps in doing so we will learn new and better ways to communicate the record of God's Amazing Grace to the people of today's generation.

THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

My preaching friend, Dan Williams, in El Dorado, Arkansas, writes the following timely article...

For the past twenty-three years I have been trudging down to the gym several times a week to pump iron, bike, and swim laps. Don’t think I report that boastfully: on the contrary, I’m not trying to bulk up or become the next governor of California or anything like that. It’s just that I have to battle an inherited disability: you see, eating runs in my family. I long ago made the unpleasant medical discovery that unless I regularly engage in some sort of activity that will elevate my heart rate and cause me to break a sweat, all those calories I consume will show up in places where I don’t want them.

Since I have been a regular gym rat for more a decade, I know what to expect this month. Every January the gym is filled with the New Year’s crowd. You know, those folks who have awakened from their holiday sugar binge and made their New Year’s resolutions to become healthier. The sudden surge after January 1 often causes delays when I want to get on my favorite Nautilus machine, but I don’t become too upset. I have learned to simply wait a few weeks, and the crowd will thin out again. It happens every year.

My personal observation in the gym seems to be typical of human nature in general. Fewer than half of all New Year’s resolutions last six months, according to a study by psychology professor John Norcross of the University of Scranton. I haven’t done any research myself, but I have developed a tentative hypothesis to explain his findings: I believe people give up on their New Year’s resolutions for the same reason they desert the gym – they arrive at the unwelcome discovery that making beneficial improvements in our life is hard work.

Few New Year’s resolutions involve eating more candy bars or taking more naps or running up a higher debt on our credit cards – those things are easy. We set personal goals because we want changes in our life that are positive, and the positive changes we desire are, by definition, difficult, or we would already be doing them.

My hypothesis is probably too obvious to win any research grants, but it does help to explain why Jesus candidly cautioned would-be disciples that following him is not easy (Luke 9:57-62). Since the Lord wants everyone to be saved and will never turn away a sincere seeker (John 6:37), I must conclude that Jesus issued such warnings to prevent disillusionment. Our Master knew full well that the “time of testing” would come for each one of us, and consequently some would fall away (Luke 8:13); that is why he wants us to be prepared for difficulties and stresses that success comes by “persevering” (Luke 8:15). And, of course, on the Cross Jesus set the ultimate example of perseverance, so that by considering his example we would “not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

So, have you been tempted to give up on your faith, to “quit church,” to withdraw into spiritual isolation? Have you hit a rough patch in the road and now you are questioning your faith? I wish I could give you some easy answers, but the Bible says nothing about easy discipleship. Following Jesus, like any other positive change is our life, is hard work. Please don’t ever think it is easy – just remember, it’s worth it.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up” – Galatians 6:9.

–Dan Williams
College Avenue Church of Christ

El Dorado, Arkansas

GO KIDZ WORSHIP

This Sunday at church we'll be announcing a new ministry that will begin January 11th. It's called, "GO KIDZ Worship." On that Sunday the preschool kids will have the opportunity to go to the Family Life Center each Sunday morning for a fun time of learning about God, Jesus and the Bible. I think it's a great idea and I stand firmly in support of it. What a great opportunity this will be for these kids to be involved in something that is geared to their particular age group during this hour. And what a blessing this will be for their parents, especially those who are visiting, to be able to come in the auditorium and worship attentively including being able to hear the sermon.

I know, I know - not everyone is going to like this idea. Some will say, "well, in my day my momma made me sit through church and that's the way it oughtta be!" My momma made me sit through church too and I'm thankful for it!. But my friend we are living in a very different time whether we like it or not. In many cases today, these young parents don't even bother to come to church in the first place if there is no child care available. And for those who do many spend the hour feeding the children cheerios out of a tupperware bowl, letting them draw on attendance cards or play between the pews. If you don't believe me, just ask our custodian.

So for me - the answer is obvious. I'm all for making this a productive time for all of those involved by helping out moms and dads and instructing these precious little ones about Jesus. Our elders are for it. I'm for it. And, I sure think God is for it, too.

THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT!

PREACHERITUS

Years ago I asked a Methodist preacher friend in a small town where I lived why he moved every couple of years. I remember his reply very well. He said, "we don't want people thinking that the church belongs to the preacher. We want them to know it belongs to God." As I'm sure you suspect, I certainly don't agree with many tenants of the Methodist faith. However, from personal observation I think there is some merit to what he said.

Some preachers with big egos seem to think they own the church. They feel it is their place to make the decisions, throw their weight around, lead the eldership, dictate to the membership and draw disciples unto themselves by whatever means they have available to them. I'm fully convinced that some people are much more converted to a particular preacher than they are to the Lord, Himself. I had an aunt who was particularly fond of a certain well known preacher. We used to tease her by saying we thought she believed he was a part of the God-head, Himself. It was hard for her to begin a conversation about the Bible or anything to do with church without saying, "well, brother so and so says." We all laughed but at times you had to wonder.

We preachers need to be reminded occasionally that not a one of us is indespensible. Truth be told - most of us don't have nearly the following we like to think we have. I heard one man say recently that he could take such and such a number with him to start another church anytime. Not only do I doubt that to be true I also find it to be pretty arrogant. The apostle Paul put the matter into proper perspective when he said, "I planted, Apollos watered but it was God who gave the increase" (1 Cor. 2:7-9). Every preacher has a role to fulfill - a time to plant and water then let God bring the increase. I pray that all of us who preach will remember that we are merely "servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Cor. 4:5). Let's never forget that it is God who brings the increase - not us. May that reminder help us to keep our egos properly in check.

That's The Way I See It

FATHER OF THE BRIDE PART 3

Well, here I am a week and a half away from the wedding of my youngest daughter - my last one to marry. Am I ready for this? Not on your life. Of course I wasn't ready for the other two either but this one - my youngest - is particularly difficult.

I suppose I'm starting to ask all of those questions I've heard so many people say through the years. Questions like, "where has the time gone?" and "how did they grow up so fast?" Of course our youngest child, our son Josh, is still with us but only for a little while. A senior in High School this year he is already making plans to head out of town to college next year.

Are Tami and I ready to be "empty nesters?" It certainly sounds strange. And yet, I'm looking forward to reclaiming some of that spontaneity we had back in our B.C. years (B.C. = Before Children). Above all I am hoping that my children will continue to pursue the life God wants for them. I pray for them to put Him first in all things. I pray for them to love their spouses and raise their children in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord." I pray that God will bless them in every way.

I'm going to take a deep breath, put my hand on my wallet and plunge right in to the events of the next ten days. What a thrilling ride it promises to be!

That's The Way I See It!

GRACE IN ACTION

A PREVIEW TO THIS SUNDAY MORNING'S MESSAGE:

At a religious conference, theologians and scholars were in a spirited debate about what is unique regarding Christianity. Someone suggested that what set Christianity apart from other religions was the concept of incarnation - the idea that God took human form in Jesus. Another suggestion was offered about resurrection. The belief that death is not the final word. That the tomb was found empty.

Then, as the story is told, C.S. Lewis walked into the room wearing his tweed jacket with his pipe clinched between his teeth and his arm full of papers. He was a little early for his presentation so he sat down and took in the conversation, which had by now evolved into a fierce debate. Finally during a lull, he spoke up asking,. “what’s all this rumpus about?” Everyone turned in his direction. trying to explain themselves. They said, “We’re debating what’s unique about Christianity.” “Oh, that’s easy,” answered Lewis. “It’s grace.” The room fell silent and Lewis continued on to say that Christianity uniquely claims God’s love is extended to us freely. He doesn’t love us because of what we do or how good we are. He doesn’t love us because we deserve to be loved. He loves us because of who He is.

Of all the gifts God gives us there is none greater than the gift of God's grace. The Bible reveals that God longs to forgive us of sin. He is willing to completely forget all of the mistakes in our past and is eager to give us a fresh start in life coupled with hope for the future.

In my opinion Lou Holtz is one of the greatest football coaches of all time. I was a freshman at Harding University (then Harding College) in 1977 when Holtz became head coach of the Razorbacks. He later went on to coach a National Championship team at Notre Dame. Several years ago Lou Holtz became the head football coach at the University of South Carolina. He inherited a team that had won only a single game the previous year. During his first year they were even worse—they didn’t win a single game.

The next year as the season began Holtz did something unusual. He passed out paper to the players and coaches, told them to write down all that they didn’t like about themselves and about one another. He told them to write down any failures, weaknesses and grudges that they harbored. After doing that he led the team outside where he had dug a hole in the ground. He then had everyone throw their papers in the hole and then take turns with the shovel burying them. The were gone for good - never to be brought up again.

When we receive God’s grace in our lives that’s exactly what He does with our sins and failures. He buries them. He forgets them fully and completely. He never digs them up. He never retrieves the file. They are gone! Deleted! Forever! The Psalmist put it like this in Psalm 103:11-12— “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

God wants you to know precious friend that He is willing to forgive and forget the sins of your life. However you have messed things up He is willing to give you another opportunity. Whatever you’ve said or done or thought He’s eager to wipe it away and forgive it completely, totally and eternally.

That's the Way I See It.

BECOMING GODLY

Attached to the computer screen in my office are six words written on a "sticky note." The words are, "Righteousness, Godliness, Faith, Love, Endurance and Gentleness." They come from 1 Timothy 6:11-12 where Paul urged his young friend, "Flee from all of this (referring to the foolish, harmful desires mentioned in vss. 9-10), and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

There is a huge difference between being successful by worldly standards and being successful according to God's criteria. Frankly, I haven't always recognized this as I should have. For a long time I believe I was far more interested in being a "success" with regards to being a well known preacher for a large church who was sought after to speak across the country for various programs. I've been blessed to enjoy some measure of that but let me tell you - it's futile. You can never "keep up with the Jones's." Sure, there's a sense in which it's an exciting ride but there's no long term fulfillment in success merely for success's sake.

Now that I'm in the latter half of my life I suddenly find myself much more interested in success according to God's criteria. In fact - God never asks for our success. All he asks for is our faithfulness. This quote that recently came my way speaks to my desire.

We become godly as 'holy habits' such as love,
joy, and peace fill our character so that we do the
right thing at the right time with the right motive,
instinctively ... without thinking about it. ...
Spiritual formation does not occur by direct human
effort, but through a relational process whereby we
receive from God the power or ability to do what we
cannot do by our own effort. we do not produce the
outcome. That is God's business."

Life With God : Reading the Bible for Spiritual Formation
by Richard Foster (HarperOne, 2008), p.155

My prayer for each of you is that your success will not be measured by worldly standards alone. May it be the true faithfulness of a Child of God who lives and loves in relationship with others.

That's The Way I See It . . .

WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE

THIS IS MY WEEKLY BULLETIN ARTICLE FROM THE OAK LEAF - 12/2/08
The ebb and flow of life affects each of us. That’s true on a congregational level, too. Within any congregation there is a constant influx and outgo of people. I’ve been witness to this for the past thirty years. Just as we are happy and excited when people come our way we are also saddened when people leave our midst to worship elsewhere.

Though our spirits are sad when individuals leave we should not be surprised, nor should we be angry or upset. People come and go for a variety of reasons, often reflecting their own particular spiritual needs at the time. In fact, on several occasions I have actually encouraged people to worship somewhere else when it seemed that their spiritual life would be better served by doing so.

Recently several of our precious families have returned to their former church home in Olive Branch. I am thankful that they have been able to do so. For most of them that church is their “home” congregation and it was only due to some difficult circumstances some years ago that they felt compelled to leave there. We wish these families “God speed” and pray for every good success in carrying out His will. It’s my hope and prayer that they along with all of us will work together to have the type of relationships that the Lord would desire for sister-congregations to share with each other.

Of course there are also occasions when individuals leave under circumstances that are less than ideal. Most churches struggle with a “back door” problem. As new members are ushered in through the front door others are dropping out and leaving, often unnoticed, through the back door never to be seen or heard of again. This is a sad and tragic situation indeed.

Quite frankly, we at Goodman Oaks are not immune to this situation. In the past three years we have had a number of new families and individuals come to work and worship with us. You would expect, given such a constant increase of new members that our number in attendance and offering would be consistently rising. This is not the case. In fact, over the past three years we have remained at an average of 725-750 most Sundays with an offering that has remained around $20,000 per week.

As members of this church all of us bear a portion of responsibility for this situation and all of us have the opportunity to be part of the solution. This was addressed by our elders recently when they asked all of us to be more alert to those who sit around us and take notice when someone is not present. Give them a call or let one of our Elders or church staff know.

The longer I live I become convinced of an overriding principle that is true in every area of life. IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS. Our relationship with family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ and above all, God. Church is not about buildings and budgets. It’s about people. A church where people truly care about each other and look out for one other is a church that will go a long way towards locking the back door and retaining its members.
Let’s be that type of church!

“Around The Oaks!”