Change

This past weekend the descendants and families of Louise Dixon converged on Henderson, TN. The reason for this pilgrimage was to celebrate Louise Dixon's 100th birthday. She is in good health and mind. She is the matriarch of the family as she has outlived her husband, the former H. A. Dixon, by some thirty plus years. The event was great and the community and friends responded by visiting with her on this special day.

As I reflect on this celebration I thought of the many changes that have taken place during her lifetime. During part of her life many did not have electricity in their home, no television (had not been invented), no indoor plumbing, no cell phones, microwaves or OnStar. There were no interstates, cruise control or remote control. In her life she has seen the development of commercial air travel, a man walking on the moon and the rise and fall of Communism.

The odd thing is that I don't see Nanny as one that is happy about change. She just lived in a world that was always changing. She adapted. She adjusted. We all have to. So why don't we do that with our world when it comes to telling them about Jesus? You don't plow a field with a team of mules anymore and we can't preach, teach or even do church the way we did. Just to clarify for those that might worry - don't change the message, but put it in a package that the world will at least look at.

Nanny is doing well. She should be proud of her legacy. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have big shoes to fill. Be Jesus to the world the way she was, but do it your way. If you do, God will be proud.

Sid

What Kind Of Shape Are You In?

James 1:12 God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

During the depression a man lost his farm, as many did. Shortly after losing the farm, his wife died. Everything that he cares about is now gone. All he’s got left is his faith and that is about gone.

He said that one day he was walking downtown and sees some men working on a stone church. And one man caught his interest as he was working on a triangular piece of rock. He asked the man what he was doing. The worker pointed up to the steeple and said, do you see that little hole up there? I’m shaping this down here so that it fits up there. He said that as soon as that worker said that he knew that God was talking to him.

Are we working down here so we can fit up there? If we do, God will be proud.

Sid

The Town Crier

In our little town of Salem, Indiana, we have a section of our paper called the Town Crier. People can call the paper and leave a message on their answering machine. The paper then transcribes these messages and there you have it - The Town Crier.

Great idea! People getting to express an opinion. The American way - freedom of speech. The problem is that there is anonymity. That means you can say what you want without any accountability. You can say what you want about anybody (there is some editorial done by the paper). That is our society.

Unfortunately, this mentality finds its way into many churches. We use the "well, I was told" or "someone came to me and said . . .", and we promote our ideas, agendas or events without accountability. This "secret informant" gives us the anonymity that we want, if ever there is fallout.

Whatever happened to going to the person and looking them in the eye? What happened to getting all the facts before we give the other guy down the road? It's easy to say what you think, when no one calls your hand. But God does. In Ephesians 4:29 Paul tells us, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

I hate when Paul gets me right between the eyes. Be careful what you say for God is listening. Praise him and he will be proud.

Sid

Surprise, Surprise!

Adversity is inevitable, be prepared.

Helen Hayes was not noted for her culinary talents. One day, in an experimental mood, she retired to the kitchen to put the finishing touches on her dinner preparations.
"This is the first turkey I've ever cooked," she had warned her family. "If it isn't right, I don't want anybody to say a word. We'll just get up from the table, without comment, and go down to the hotel for dinner."
Several minutes later she returned to the dining room, where the family had expectantly settled around the table - wearing their hats and coats!

Sometimes we have to be realistic and have our hats and coats on. Be prepared. The Good Book says in Ephesians 6:15 NLT "so that you will be fully prepared."

Don't be surprised at what the world does. That is why we call it the world.

Sid

God Is Bigger Than Phil

How many of you recognize the names of Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks? When they were in their prime, they were considered two of the top comedians in the United States. They had a comedy routine that was called the "2013 Year Old Man." In the skit, Reiner interviews Brooks, who is the old gentleman. At one point, Reiner asks the old man, "Did you always believe in the Lord?"

Brooks replied: "No. We had a guy in our village named Phil, and for a time we worshiped him."

Reiner: You worshiped a guy named Phil? Why?

Brooks: Because he was big, and mean, and he could break you in two with his bare hands!

Reiner: Did you have prayers?

Brooks: Yes, would you like to hear one? O Phil, please don't be mean, and hurt us, or break us in two with your bare hands.

Reiner: So when did you start worshiping the Lord?

Brooks: Well, one day a big thunderstorm came up, and a lightning bolt hit Phil. We gathered around and saw that he was dead. Then we said to one another, "There's somthin' bigger than Phil!"

The Bible states and believers have experienced that God is big. He is the Creator. He is the Almighty. He is the Beginning and the End.

In the Message Ephesians 6:18 says, "In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open."

We have to stay alert, but we do not have to stay afraid because our Father is in the delivery business.

Sid