So, What Happened on YOUR Way Home from Church? (part two)

Baby/Parent Dedication

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me... Psalm 23.4

Yesterday we left a man hanging, literally! You'll remember the story. It was not your ordinary Sunday afternoon drive home from church!

As we (myself, my wife and a van load of kids) headed back to the scene of the crime in progress I was trying to justify putting my passengers in jeopardy. Immediately in front of me I noticed that a car with a couple of big burley guys had also made the quick U-turn. I hoped that they were those "Angels unawares" that Hebrews talks about, those angels who come to the rescue during ugly situations. They weren't, or at best they were hesitant angels if angels at all. They actually looked more like "Hell's Angels" as I think about it!

Anyway, I pulled over and quickly exited the van to notice that on my approach the two "thumping thugs" had high-tailed it. They'd hopped on a bike and split the scene. The beaten man had staggered to his feet and was crying, "I can't go after those guys! I want to go after those guys!"

This guy looked strangely familiar. Despite his bloodied head, face, T shirt and his glazed eyes, I recognized this guy!

[Flash back]

September 20, 2009, a young couple stands in front of our small congregation with their newborn baby boy. It was Faith's first baby dedication. The man and woman were both new to the faith. We had talked to them about the meaning of dedicating their little one to the Lord sharing that in fact this event was more of a "Parent Dedication" than a baby dedication. This couple, to date, had experienced a tragic life in many different ways. However, this afternoon they both agreed that they were ready to take this solemn vow. Both stated that they wanted to raise their little one into a new life and in "The Way of Jesus Christ."

[Flash forward]

Just over six month later here I stood looking into the drunken and bloodied eyes of that very man! These six months had revealed his heart. There had been no saving faith change in his life. He had indeed chosen a path but it wasn't God's it was his own. His path had lead to drink, drugs, fighting and tragedy and at this very moment he was bloodied and helpless.

Where does your path find you today? Were there great plans to become something for the Savior. Were there vows that have never been fulfilled? I have always said that until death comes there is always a chance to change ones ways. However, I have discovered that the Bible says differently. One example is in Genesis 6.3 where God says, "My spirit shall not always strive with man..." There is a limit to God's patience. Don't test it! He places a limit on our waywardness. The difficulty comes as we try and stretch the limits of His grace and tread into darkness without becoming damaged. I believe that it was Bob Jones Sr. who once said, "Sin will always take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you plan to stay, and cost you more than you ever thought you'd pay." Please dear friend heed those wise words today and turn from your mutiny.

I'll finish my story tomorrow.

What Are You Worth?

What are you Worth? Have you ever thought about what you are worth? In investing circles there is a term used to gauge this exact question, it's called Net Worth. You take all of your assets, like property owned, funds in your bank account, clothes, jewelry, car, etc.. You total all of these things. You then take everything you owe, like mortgage, car loan, and credit card debt, and you subtract these items from the first total. This gives you your net worth. That number represents where you are financially. Most people never stop to think about this number because they don't understand anything about it. They never have two nickels to rub together. They live from hand to mouth and know (or at least believe) nothing will ever change so, they fall into the "daily grind" mentality. Psalm 49 should be a great encouragement to such as these. The sons of Korah write about them. These sons write about all of us. They call all people everywhere to listen to their wisdom. Bo...

Tottering!

I was watching my one year old grandson, Brandon, today. He had on some baggy little shorts, weird flip-flops over his socks, and he was tottering. It made me think about how I often feel these days. Funny how that when we are little and "innocent" and tottering in our baggy pants, with our little potbelly sticking out from under our t-shirt we look precious. When we are older and tottering in our low slung trousers and the same potbelly, we looks pathetic! I guess that the two drastically opposite points of view are based on the viewer's chronological perspective. Brandon is growing and I'm dying. He is cute because the little guy has a lot to learn and we love to see him progress. The old guy has already had his chance at learning and what he is progressing toward is not quite so much fun to ponder. When I have these weird thoughts I praise my God because He never lets go of my hand whether a tottering little guy or an old one. And I found this verse to prove my po...

The Circumcision Advantage

What a title right? I'm thinking of Romans 3:1 where Paul asks, "What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?" This was always an avoided subject in Sunday school, especially in a mixed class. We didn't use the "C" word. Too wierd. Paul is bringing up this topic for good reasons. He wants to show that the Jews definitely have had a great advantage during their history. In the next verse he tells one of them when he says, ... "First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God." The first jew talked to God in person. God chose Abram to be the father of many nations and to bring the blessing of the Messiah to the world. The Old Testament is the story of the Jewish nation. God dealt with the Jews throughout the ages of the time before Christ. They were the chosen. But in all that blessing they ended up crucifying the Messiah. With all of their advantages the Jews came short of the ideal....

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