Will You Pray?

Thank you.  Thank you for your prayers; I covet them.  If not for the prayers of the faithful, what could we accomplish.  Prayer does so much for us as Christians.  Paul describes the armor that Christians wear and emphasizes that that armor is incomplete if not for prayer (Eph 6:11-18).  Life has a way of bringing us down.  Satan is a master at pulling us away from what is right and good.  The cares of this world choke at us as weeds do vegetables in a garden.  But God has not left us defenseless.  God gives us the privilege to approach Him in prayer.  "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb 4:14-16- esv).

I ask you to do me a favor: Pray for me.  Pray for me to be effective as a minister, consistent  as  a Christian, responsible as a husband, an example as a father, and compassionate as a friend.  

Praying Always,

Scott

Real Power

Springtime in Alabama is a time of change.  Flowers bloom, trees bud, sun shines, rain falls, and occasionally a surprise in the form of a late snow.  This season presents quite a quandary, and not just for the weatherman.  Most of us face the issue of what to wear each morning.  We check the weather on television or even online, but we can never be sure if we are right.

Take, for instance, just this morning.  I chose to wear a light jacket on this  morning as I walked to deliver a message to my wife at the school and then to the Post Office before walking home.  During that short walk, the wind began to blow across my face and through my thin jacket.  I began to have negative thoughts about my decision to walk, and to question the reliability of the local weather forecast.  I felt as if the wind had a mind to blow my coat away, I pulled it a little tighter around me and began walking a little faster.

When I was approximately half way between the school and the Post Office, I began to get warm.  The sun decided to come out to play.  Oh how good the sun’s warmth felt on the back of my neck!  Oh how nice that warmth felt as I continued my trek!  By the time I reached the Hadder's Pharmacy I had to stop, not to catch my breath, but to take off my jacket.  What the wind failed to do with its force, the sun accomplish with gentle warmth.

This event reminds me of a certain fable concerning a conversation turned contest between the wind and the sun.  The wind in the fable did boast to the sun of its power, and did try and fail to remove a man’s coat by force.  The sun however prevailed, by warming the man so that he removed his own coat.

This story is like the story of God.  God, although He has the power, does not use this power to force us to do His will.  God in love, being love, gently warms our hearts through the sacrifice of His Son (John 3:16-17).  In another place John records, “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1Jo 4:9-10 – ESV).

This story also contains instruction for us.  How do we influence people?  Many times we try to force our opinions (correct or not) on others.  We feel or think we know what is best for them and we tell them so in no uncertain terms.  If we force them to listen and close our ears to their thoughts and beliefs, we can not lead them to truth, they only tighten their coats of doctrine more tightly around them and quicken their pace to get away from us.  What if, what IF, we tried to gently warm them with the truth of God’s love?  What if, what IF, we let God’s love flow through us and warm their hearts?  What if, what IF, we let our light shine on them instead of shining the light in their eyes?  Remember Jesus’ words, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Mat 5:16- ESV).   Look again to the context of John’s words in 1 John 4:

“We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1Jo 4:6-11 - ESV).

Take note of those around you, and let God work His power through your life, as you let your light shine, and act in love to those nearby.

The Original Undercover Boss

On Sunday evenings, when we get home in time, we watch a new "reality" show on CBS - Undercover Boss.  The premise of this show is simple:  A CEO of a major company such as Waste Management, 7-11, or White Castle sheds his suit and tie, dons a "blue collar," and then goes to work in entry level and lower management positions in the different departments of his or her company.  These bosses learn a lot about the companies they run and the people who work for them.  Of the three of four episodes we watched, these bosses began to empathize with their worker, they began to understand the stresses of lower wage employees and as a result are more open to listening to those employees and implementing changes to help.

This is not a new concept.  Who can forget Mark Twain's story, The Prince and the Pauper, where the young Prince Edward VI abandons the palace to switch places with his doppleganger, Tom Canty who lived in Offal Court on Pudding Lane.  The young prince's experience as a pauper serves him well after the death of his father, King Henry VII.

Even that story rings of familiarity.  A ruler stepping down and living as a subject to better understand them so to give them relief from their plight is a classic plot.  Paul records, "(Jesus Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." (Col 1:15-18).  Jesus being one with God was king of heaven, and came to earth as one of us to understand us and to save us from the plight of sin. That is why the Hebrew penmen records, "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb 4:14-16).

I am glad God understands me.  Praise God for sending His Son, Jesus, to provide for my deliverance.

Scott 

The Man I Desire To Be

Four years ago, as I was completing a Masters' Degree in Ministry, our instructor (Paul Tarrence) assigned us at simple project.  That project was to reflect on the Man we Desired to be.  I wrote this list then and occasionally pull it out to look at it, today was one of those days.  I reflected on how I am becoming that man and admit I am still a work in progress.

The Man I Desire to Be

• Above all a servant of God.
• A man who is a leader in service to others.
• A man focused on the needs (physical, emotional, and spiritual) of his family.
• A person with the financial security to be generous in giving to the Lord and in helping others with their needs.
• A fried to all I meet.
• A man of God's Word in reflection and action.
• A man motivated by a pure heart.
• A man of ever deepening faith and trust in God.
• A living testimony of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
• A man Christ-like in attitude and behavior.
• A teacher of teachers and a disciple of Christ discipling others to reconciliation with God through Christ (2 Tim 2:2; 2 Cor 5:18ff).
• A man aware of and sensitive to the thoughts and emotions of others, yet not allowing the values or misunderstandings of others to change my core-values that have their basis upon and in the principles of God's Word.

What would your list include:  List the attributes of the Person You Would Like to Be.

Scott 

What is the Church of Christ?

Admittedly, I feel completely inadequate to publish an answer. But with all the discussion, SPIN, and rhetoric circulating around Kenneth Starr's acceptance to take over the Presidency of Baylor University and the storyline that he will place membership with the on campus Baptist Church, I felt it was time to cautiously chime in. The answer I will give is mine and not necessarily the answer of every one who holds membership in a congregation claiming to be the Church of Christ

First, allow me to quote from Frank S. Mead, Handbook of Denominations in the United States, 5th Ed, (Nashville:Abingdon Press), 1970. "There is a distinctive plea for unity at the heart of the Churches of Christ -- a unity that is Bible based.  It is believed here that the Bible is the "beginning place" in and through which God-fearing people can achieve spiritual oneness" (p 85).  "They disclaim being a denomination, but claim to be nondenominational with no headquarters, no governing boards, and no clergy" (p 86). Mead lists numbers of colleges, universities, and lists a few publications in Texas and Tennessee then stresses, "Since all official status in these institutions is lacking, none of them being authorized to speak for the entire church, their conformity in ideas and teachings in all the more remarkable" (p 87).  Elsewhere in the article Mead mentions the concept of congregational autonomy with each congregation being governed by her own elders and deacons. (Mead lists, W.E. McClenney, B.W. Stone, and Earl I. West as sources for his information p 238.)

With this article as background let me give MY answer to the title question: "What is the Church of Christ?"

First while consisting of many congregations scattered around the world, the Church of Christ is universally one as she is: 1) the Body of Christ - Eph 1:22-23; 2) the Bride of Christ - Eph 5:21-33; Rev 21:2; 3) the Household of God - 1 Tim 3:15; and 4) the Kingdom of Christ - Col 1:13) among other descriptive terms.  Notice that each term is ultimately singular: body, bride, household, and kingdom; thus individual congregations made up of individual Christians are what comprise the universal singular Church of Christ.

I suppose the second point should answer who is a part of this universal Church of Christ?  Going back to God's word we find that those who are in Christ by faith have put on Christ and become part of God's family through the promised Seed of Abraham (Gal 3:26-29).  Here, I think is a particularly sticky issue.  In my past I have made too much of an argument about baptism and not enough about faith.  Let me be very precise in my wording; each individual that is a part of the house of God is saved by God's grace through faith (Eph 2:8-10).  Without faith man cannot please God (Heb 11:6).  However, what is truly faith?  Faith is not mere mental acceptance of facts.  Faith is trusting obedience.  Faith that does not submit to God is not faith.  Those that put on Christ by faith in Gal 3:26 were those who were put in Him when by faith submitted to immersion to contact His blood.  Paul tells the Romans Christians he was glad they had obeyed from the heart the standard of teaching that saved them (Rom 6:17-18).  That standard of teaching that saved them was the same doctrine that Paul taught the Corinthians - (the Gospel - 1 Cor 15:1-5; Rom 1:16).  That good news that saved was the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus as Christ.  Paul explains the Roman's faithful obedience to that gospel in Rom 6:3-6.  ALL the individuals world-wide who are en christo (in Christ), and ALL the assemblies of those individuals, are the universal Church (Body, Bride, Kingdom, Household) of Christ.

Now as Mead observed, these congregations are autonomous (self-governed).  Basically, that means what we do at Parrish may differ in someways from how they do things at Malibu, Baltimore, Nashville, London, Edinburgh, Kiev, or Jasper.  We may see some things as acceptable that others do not.  Some of the things they accept may not be acceptable here.  Sometimes these differences are merely cultural.  Sometimes these differences are simple matters of opinion.  However, there may be times when we think a Biblical issue is at the center of our differences. When the issue is considered by one or both to be a matter of doctrinal importance, lines of communication should allow for civil discussion.  If we come to an impasse, we may choose to limit cooperative fellowship.  That should not mean that each think the other is "hell bound and determined."  Such should simply mean we choose to work along side of those we feel are more like us.

Ultimately, God and Christ will judge each congregation (consider the Seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2 & 3 - God judged each individually), and they will judge each individual.  Maybe that is what Paul had in mind when he wrote, " . . . work our your OWN salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12, emphasis; SMc).  You and I as individuals will stand before God on our own.  We will face judgment as to whether we as an individual were in Christ and lived in sanctification and holiness (1 Thess 4:3-7).  Each eldership will give account for the congregation they served (Heb 13:17).

I am a Restorationist.  I believe that we must all go back to God's word for life and godliness.  I believe as many before me that we must set aside denominational nomenclature and return to purely Biblical ideas and principles.  I believe there is room for division in opinions or expediency. I believe mutual understanding of Biblical doctrines provides unity whereas disagreements in doctrine limit fellowship.  I believe that as long as humanity is involved there will be differences that seem insurmountable.  I believe we should teach the truth as we understand truth, allowing for folks to disagree, while continuing to hold fast to healthy spiritual teaching (sound doctrine). I believe in the end of time God will sort out who is and who is not His children.  I believe I must do my best to follow God and to teach others what I learn.  I cannot force them to agree with me, but I must share what I see is God's plan.  To do less would be irresponsible on my part.

Now let the comments flow!

Scott

Top Ten Ideas to Help Destroy the Local Church

The home office is feeling quite sarcastic this morning and provides us the following top ten list:  Top Ten Ideas to Help Destroy the Local Church.

10. Be irregular or at least habitually tardy in attendance at Bible Classes, worship, and other activities.
9. Talk critically about church leaders in public, around other members, and to your family.
8. Be apathetic in you singing.  Please do not move you mouth and never demonstrate emotions when you sing.
7. Do not come prepared for Bible Classes and worship when you do attend.
6. Talk about where you attend in terms of "they" instead of "we;"  As in, "Do you know what 'they' are doing down at the church?"
5. Constantly criticize and look for opportunities to complain or to think the worst of the church or other Christians.
4. Do not study your Bible at home or anytime you are away from the assembly.
3. Do not be "ready to give an answer" for the "hope" you have of inheriting eternal life.
2. Do compartmentalize your life into sections such as: a) Private Life, b) Public Life, c) Church Life, and d) Family Life.  Do not let these separate lives cross over and merge.
And the number one idea to help destroy the local church is  . . .
1) Expect others to do more (contribute, work, etc.) than you are willing to do.

Seriously, take each of these ideas and do the opposite to help the local church grow!

Scott

George and Alice

Fellow blogger and preacher, Trey Morgan wrote earlier this week about Rules for Potlucks. His story of sweet potatoes reminded me of an event from early in my work as a minister.

I was still in college at Faulkner University and traveling every weekend to work with the church in Bay Minette, Alabama. On the weekends I would stay with different members who would also provide my meals (I gained a lot of weight the 18 months I worked there). One older couple regularly (about once a month) had me stay in their home. George & Alice were a great example of a loving couple. They had no children of their own and were in their 60's. George had retired from the Forest Service and Alice had stayed home taking care of their aging parents for most of their marriage. Alice was a southern cook and homemaker; walking into their home was like walking into the pages of Southern Living Magazine. The meals she prepare and the table she set could have graced the cover of any hospitality or food magazine.

The only thing she made that I did not like was a congealed salad. A gelatin based formed food product served on iceberg lettuce . . . and she made some every weekend I stayed. My southern upbringing taught me to eat what was offered, so every meal I was with George and Alice, I choked down my “salad” with a smile, before enjoying the field peas, chicken dressing, fried okra, etc. If Alice went to the trouble of preparing a dish I was gentleman enough to eat it.

One weekend, Alice had been busy preparing a meal for a family in need and did not take time to make a congealed salad. When she apologized, I accepted her apology by confessing my dislike for it. Alice laughed and said, “I wish I knew you didn't like that stuff. I can't stand it myself. But you ate it first every time you were here so I thought you liked it.”

Although I think we both needed to work on our communication skills, we were doing something right. We were following what Paul teaches in Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” We were trying to demonstrate love.

Scott

Thoughts on the Second Mile

Matt 5:38-41, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Important to for us to remember that before we can start a second mile, we have to finish the first. The first mile is our obligation, so the question is: Are we willingly going the first mile?

Consider three obligations of Mile One. 1) Forgiveness: In Matt 18:21-35 Jesus says we are to forgive our brother seventy times seven times. Some of us stop way short of 490. 2) Love: Jesus says the world can recognize His followers by their unconditional love – John 13:35. I wonder how many of us struggle to love our brethren the way God commands, or do we truly love our neighbor as ourselves? 3) Service: God demands our service in at least four areas: Service to God – Eph 2:10; service to the other Christians (the Church) – Eph 5:21; service to our family – Col 3:18-21; and service to our employer – Col 3:22-25.

Jesus tells an interesting parable in Luke 17:7-10, “"Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'? Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'” If we do only what is required, what have we done? Only what we had too. If we only do what is required we only went one mile and have not even begun Second Mile Service.

To go the Second Mile is to go beyond my obligation. In these same three areas we can decide if we are going the second mile in: 1) Forgiveness: Am I willing to forgive even before I receive an apology? Do I go to them and provide an opportunity for them to ask for forgiveness? Can I forgive sacrificially like Jesus on the cross and Stephen as the Jews were stoning him? 2) Love: Will I love even those who HATE me? Will I demonstrate love for and to my enemies? Roman 5:6-11 teaches that Christ demonstrated love to us when we were a weak conquerable enemy. Will I like Jesus, love sacrificially. 3) Service: Serving those who can and will return the favor is easy. Am I willing to serve the lazy? To I in Christian patience serve one who is a taskmaster? Can I with a Christ-like heart serve one who is ungrateful? Will I go the second mile and serve sacrificially?

Are we truly going the Second Mile?

Scott

An Attitude of Gratitude

Every now and then preachers get opportunities to speak at other congregations. Many congregations in our area have "Summer Series" where they have visiting speakers each Wednesday night. I have had the opportunity to speak at a few of these each summer. Sometimes there are responses, other times just comments after the lesson. Recently, I received a card in the mail a few days later. I want to share what this sister in Christ wrote.

"Scott, Thank you for being a part of our summer series, I'm not sure I want to thank you for your lesson on 2nd Mile. The face I see in the mirror is not what God sees. I'm afraid He is very disappointed in my actions as His servant. But you are so right - we have to go the 1st mile before we can go beyond to the 2nd mile.

Love You, (name withheld)"

What stood out to me was this dear sister's honesty. I must confess, while developing the lesson on Going the Second Mile, that she references and even while preaching it, I was and am completely aware of my own short-comings in the area of Second Mile service.

How are you at going on to and through the second mile?

Scott

Links to a Blog about Alcohol and Christians

today I want to simply give you links to follow. Joe Palmer wrote a series of lessons on Alcohol and the Christian. I encourage you to take a look.

The Sin of Drunkenness

Scriptures on Wine and Drunkenness

Can a Christian Drink?

Can I Support This Even if It is Not a Sin?

Does the Bible Forbid Drinking Alcohol?

Keep reading.

Scott

Fourth Marvelous Hero - Esther

166 at VBS last night! We have had four great nights of VBS and I am looking forward to tonight as we wrap up VBS 2009 and announce our theme for VBS 2010. Now on to today's hero . . .

Esther. Esther was a young Hebrew girl raised by her cousin in exile. Eventually, Artaxerxes, King of Persia is in need of a new queen. He decides to launch a year-long competition to select his new queen. Esther is eventually chosen to be that queen.

Yet, this is not the answer to her people's plight. There is an enemy at the gate or to be more specific, the enemy is at the king's side -- Haman by name. Haman despises the Jews, specifically because Mordecai (Esther's cousin) would not bow to him.

Haman, in retribution, convinces Artaxerxes to declare the elimination of the Jews. Mordecai learns of the plan and eventually convinces Esther to go before the king at her own great peril and speak for her people. She does and after a couple of dinner parties, tells the king her life and the life of her people is in danger because of Haman. The king turns on Haman and God through Esther saves his people.

There is a very interesting statement in Esther 4:13-14. Here Mordecai sends word to Esther concerning her hesitation to go before the king. "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (ESV). This is a statement of God's ways and means.

Joey Sparks spoke the adults about Esther and in a very eloquent way discussed our tendency to ascribe things to God and His plan for us that God may not be specifically concerned about. Notice what Mordecai says to Esther " . . . if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place . . ." Mordecai was not 100% sure Esther was the one, but he knew she had to try. Sometimes we say or think, "this is God's plan." You may be right or you may not be. The lesson is this: God's plan is for me to always do what is right and to serve Him in my life, whatever I might do and where ever I might be.

What are your reactions to Esther? Mordecai? Haman?

Guest Blogger asks a serious question

Today's blog is an inquiry from my older brother, Doug McCown, who serves as an elder in the congregation were he attends. I'll add my answer and his to below the question and let you add yours as comments.

Please think about your worship to God...what things distract you? Discuss what you do to put these distractions aside as you worship. Also, discuss what you can do to help others keep their focus on God.

Please keep these comments focused on the actions and not on any particular person. (i.e. Don't say, "Doug never buttons his top button when he wears a tie, so it gets crooked." instead say, "crooked ties and unbuttoned top buttons really distract me from worship.) Please feel free to tag others when you start responses. As you read each of the responses - think what you do to distract others and how you can overcome that.

Doug's answer: One of the most distracting things to me is "bathroom calls or water breaks" during a short one-hour service. Obviously, I can easily dismiss these issues with children under 5 and elderly with incontinence - but others distract me. It is especially true when I can predict the exact time in worship that this will occur. What do I do to prevent this from being a distraction??? I try to avert my eyes, but I have already been distracted. I try not to think about it - and it often works and allows me to refocus.

Scott's answer: 1. Internal distractions of my thoughts. These may concern things I think I need to get done or things I forgot to do. As a preaching minister, sometimes I am distracted toward what I am about to say when I should be focused on the song, prayer, sacrifice of Christ, etc. To get re-focused requires me to "pinch" myself internally and concentrate ore on what is going on at that moment in worship

2. External distractions for me tend to be adults and older children who should have better control, getting up too frequently to refresh or relieve themselves. Again as a preacher, this is not fair to me, I cannot leave for the restroom during my own sermon ;-).

Well what about you?

Tattoo My Face, Pierce My Ear, My Nose, My Tongue, My . . .

Not long ago I went to a restaurant and had concerns when the wait staff assigned to my table had a tongue stud induced speech impediment, something gold protruding from the side of a nostril, and a gold loop through their left eyebrow. This event can left me wondering how sanitary can all that be? Especially a pierced tongue. If a waiter or waitress does not care appear to care about their own health, why should I think they care about mine?Maybe you have similar concerns . . . or not.

I admit that the preceding thoughts are just that . . .thoughts. They are my thoughts and that is all they are ultimately worth. Recently someone asked what the Bible says about tattoos and body piercing. After giving it some thought, I wanted to share my answer. Let me begin by saying that this article concerns multiple piercings and not an earring or two. It concerns what some call "body art" and not a personal tattoo.

What does the Bible say about piercing and tattoos?

There are two Old Covenant passages we should look at as we begin to find an answer. These two passages are part of the Laws God gave to Israel through Moses. They served a purpose for the people then and have a principle that applies to us.

• Exodus 21:5-6 – "But if the servant plainly says, `I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,' then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever."(NKJV)

• Leviticus 19:28 – "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." (NKJV)

Exodus 21:5-6 is a law concerning masters and slaves. If a slave chose to continue in his master's service after being offered freedom, his master would pierce his ear signifying perpetual servanthood. The slave volunteered to be a servant for life. This passage has no specific application to the body piercing that is part of our culture. This passage does however teach us the depth of dedication we should have for our Lord and Master. Compare Romans 6:16-18 where Paul tells us that we are slaves of the one we obey.

Leviticus 19:28 is in the context of warnings of idolatrous worship. God gave Israel laws that prohibited them from imitating the ceremonies of those worshipping idols. The mutilating of the body in this passage is how many cultures mourned for their dead. They would cut their skin to show sorrow to their gods and neighbors. The tattoos were symbols in memory of the dead. (Pulpit Commentary, Vol II, p. 289.)

Again there is no specific correlation to our present culture of piercing or tattoos. The message for us is that we are "called out," separate from the world. Compare Deuteronomy 26:18 and Titus 2:14. Like Israel whom God called out as His own Special people, so are we as Christians today. We cannot allow ourselves to be molded by the world. This thought does speak to tattoos and piercings. Who am I trying to be like? Who am I molding myself after? Am I imitating God or the world?

Now we need to turn to the New Covenant. Paul talks about jewelry in 1 Timothy 2:9-10. " . . . Women adorn (yourselves) in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works."

Paul is contrasting the worship of the true God with worship of idols. Worship of idols was a social event. Participants wore their best to impress each other and to impress the gods. Paul is telling Christian women that godliness and good works are more important to God, not how much gold they can wear. This passage teaches that we are to always be modest in our manner of dress. We (men, women, boys and girls) are not to dress to attract undue attention to ourselves. We live life to give glory to God and not to self. Peter says the same thing to wives in 1 Peter 3:3-4.

So what does the Bible teach about body piercing and tattoos? It says very little. What can we say then? Is it wrong to pierce my ear, nose, eyebrow, tongue, etc.? It is sinful to cover my body with tattoos? To answer in one word, "yes." Yes, if I am doing it to draw unnecessary attention to myself. It seems that the motivation behind today's cultural tattoos and piercings is to get attention. It is ostentatious, self-serving, and rebellious in nature, and that is what makes many tattoos and piercings wrong.

A Really, Really Big Word

Pnuemonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. That is one of the longest words in English. Everett Smith coined this word in 1935, he was trying to come up with a word that would be the longest in the English language. His efforts paid off; according to online dictionaries, pnuemonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is a pulmonary disorder caused by inhaling microscopic silicon ash to the point that the ash accumulates in the lungs and causing breathing problems, including hyperventilation, coughing, and increased susceptibility to tuberculosis. You know the chronic form of this disorder by another name - Black Lung Disease.

Well, Mr. Smith I have another word for you: “pnuematheonagonepiosporeuomaikatalogosaletheia.” Alright, I admit that my word is more Greek than English. But I think it is a good word none-the-less, and maybe it will catch on. I think my word is descriptive of who you and I should be. Come to think of it, since I am suggesting that we live up to this word, you may want to know what my word means. My word to describe you and me comes from studying and applying

• Romans 8:14, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God,”

• 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light . . .”

• 2 Tim 2:15, “. . . rightly handling the word of truth.”

Pnuematheonagonepiosporeuomaikatalogosaletheia means: Spirit of God led children walking according to the word of truth. I believe the apostle Paul would agree with me. Do you agree?

- Scott

source: http://tinyurl.com/qfbxws

Happy Earth Day to You!

What a beautiful day we are having in my part of Alabama. Cool this morning with highs reaching 75 f.

April 22, 1970 was the first Earth Day celebration in modern history and 29 years later we are still here. With Earth Day in mind, last night I helped (really watched) my wife bake a single layer 18 inch round cake and decorate it to look like the Western Hemisphere for her 1st grade class' Earth Day activities. I think I will show up at school today somewhere around recess!!!!

I am not an extremist in the area of environmentalism, I do not carry an EPA membership card. However, for the last 20 years I spend time encouraging young people to take care of the earth. I do not do this out of fear of global warming, I am old enough to remember being taught in elementary school that the earth was heading to a new ice-age. My understanding is that the earth has cycles of warmer and cooler periods that last for decades, centuries, or even millennium. That being said, I still think we are to do our part of keep the earth.

I believe Christians may need to step it up a bit and not be wasteful but good stewards of the earth God gave us. Take note of these instructions from God to man, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (Gen 1:28) "Subdue and have dominion" do not have to have negative connotations, they could very well mean to "cultivate and take care of." If that is the case, and I think it is, God commanded us to care for our temporary home planet.

So today, Earth Day, remember the blessing God has given you with a home created for you, then remember that He left you in control to make sure she is there for future generations if He chooses for time to remain.

Scott