Halloweeen 2012

Today is Halloween. Last evening, the kids went and helped work a Trunk-or-Treat with the congregation. JT has been into watching the old sit com Happy Days. Based on that, he wanted to dress up like the Fonz. He told me he would have combed is hair different but did not want to show zits on his forehead! I laughed. Here he is all dressed up. It is scary to know he borrowed my leather jacket and it almost fits him well.

 

I almost cried when Kaylee said she did not want to dress up, but just wanted to go help with the kid games they had set up. She relates well to little kids and did a good job. I told her I wanted to take her picture anyway and she gave me her scary face. Here it is.

This year is diffeent from past years in that the kids were old enough to help put on the Trunk-or-Treat instead of going through and collecting candy. The youth group created a haunted hallway and JT worked in it. Kaylee helped with the little kid station with games and such. Shawna and I dropped the kids off and went on a date! I guess they are growing up!

-j

Walking with the Master

[The following article was written for a previous Presidential Election, but is relevant to the upcoming election as well. It was taken from The Chapman Challenger, October 27, 2008. It has been published on this blog before but is certainly fitting at this time.]

Do Christians Really Have a Choice in Casting Their Vote?
Todd Clippard

On November 4, the citizens of our great nation will elect a president, U.S. senators, congressmen, and other officials. Tragically, some professed Christians try to separate their “politics” from their responsibility to do what is morally right. I find it unconscionable how many “Christians” openly align themselves with candidates who support homosexuality, abortion, and other positions opposed to Bible doctrine. Despite claims that these are “political issues,” they were moral issues first. When politicians turn moral issues into political issues, the faithful Christian must support that which is biblically right. Christians have the responsibility to support candidates whose views are most closely in accord with God’s word.
Christians are to be good stewards (1Corinthians 4:2). To whom much is entrusted, much will be required (Luke 12:48). How then can a Christian support a candidate who openly supports an ideology destructive to righteousness and holiness? Sadly, I am convinced that no matter the amount of warning or scriptural pleas, many Christians will vote for candidates who will use their office to promote a godless agenda.
God ordained civil government (Romans 13:1-7). Christians are to obey the laws of the land and conduct themselves in an orderly and godly fashion (1Peter 2:13-17). We are expected to pay taxes and to pray for the leaders of the land (Matthew 22:17-21; 1Timothy 2:1-3). But no citizen is forced to vote; it is a right and privilege. However, our rights as U.S. citizens are superseded by our moral stances as compared to the law of Christ (Philippians 1:20; Hebrews 11:16). Support should be given to men and women of high integrity and moral fiber who will make decisions to help steer our country back toward God’s word. Too often, Christians vote based upon their family history or supporting a particular party or the perceived economic advantages of supporting a particular party. Such reasoning is faulty and shallow for one who claims to be a child of God.
When the subject of voting and morality arises, some turn defensive and say, “How I vote is nobody’s business but my own!” (In the 13 years I’ve been preaching, every person who chastised me for “preaching politics” supported candidates who promoted abortion, homosexuality, the lottery, etcetera). However, when one enters the voting booth, the only parties truly involved are not the voter and his political party, but the voter and God. We will stand before God one day and give an account for our actions (2Corinthians 5:10); this includes how we vote. Christians who vote for candidates who promote ungodliness are part of the problem and not part of the solution of getting our country back on the right track. How can one pray for the good of our country when he supports candidates whose agenda undermines the very foundation of our nation?
In this year’s national elections, two issues at the forefront of the political debate are homosexuality and abortion. One presidential candidate opposes abortion and expanded rights for homosexuals, the other supports all forms of abortion and favors homosexual marriage. In light of this, do Christians really have a choice in how to vote? May we elect our leaders in such a way as to invoke God’s blessing. “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

-j

It's Going to be Busy in the House...

With the holidays coming up, it is not uncommon for things to get busy. We will have a lot to blog about in the next few days! In this post, we will talk about what has been happening and what is planned on the horizon. In the words of Flo Rida, "Here. We. Go."

Things have been going well overall in the family of N. JT ended up with a staff infection on his leg which required a visit to the doctor who eventually lanced it. He is on medication which the doctor put me on as well simply because I have been a little sick and have had a splenectomy. It seems we have been passing around a little sickness as Shawna has it now but I think all will be well soon. There are more blessings in life so we don't let the sickness bring us down. JT was able to go with the youth group on some kind of terror adventure last night in honor of Halloween so he is doing fine.

Shawna has been busy at work enjoying her job but still enjoying the commute even more! She is getting ready for some reaccreditation at the school so she has been thoroughly busy lately. She still works hard and keeps the house up and dinner on the table. She has been having a cough lately but seems to be getting over it now. We hope so!! She is still working hard on her paper and it is moving along (maybe not as fast as she would like for it to move).

Kaylee has been learning to play the flute and getting pretty good at it. She has been healthy lately for which we are thankful. She still has a lot of personality and is our little social bug. She has been working hard lately to take care of her parents when they have been sick and has an ability to relate to little babies. She is always thoughtful of others and wants to pray for so many people at bedtime. She had a good report card this last time and has been working hard in school.

I too have been working on the big paper and it is moving along decently well. Work has been real busy as another worker in the office has been out and the rest of us have been working hard to make up the work in his place. He is dealing with his mother who is near the end of this life so we are mindful of his situation. I also have been working on a project at home which Kaylee and I started. We are scanning a lot of our old photos into the computer to have them in a digital format. So far, I have a couple of mission trips from the mid-nineties and our dating days as well as our wedding completed. It is going to be a long project but I think it will be worth it in the end. Kaylee is enjoying working on it with me. I think she is enjoying my stories associated with the pictures as well as seeing her parents look so young!

Next weekend, Shawna and I both have to work some and we have a retreat at a nearby facility with the congregation we attend. The weekend after, Kaylee and I are off to St. Louis to see Straight No Chaser in concert. The weekend after, the family is off to another state for my father's 60th birthday. My sister will be turning (...insert number here...) the same day but I don't think that will be the emphasis that weekend! Then, the weekend after that we will be returning to the same state to Shawna's folks for the holiday. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year! I have so much for which to be thankful. All of this will make for a busy November and then Christmas and the New Year will be upon us. Whew! "Here. We. Go." And it looks like we will have a lot to blog about.

-j

Walking with the Master

“I Want to Help, But How Can I?”

In John 15:19, Jesus taught an interesting principle: His followers are not of the world but rather called out of the world. Evangelism is the process whereby Christians today call the lost out of the world to an upward call (see Philippians 3:14). Obviously, those who are being converted have a past, a not-so-great-looking past, a past that is marred by sin. Part of the conversion process is to repent of these past sins and strive to live a life that is sin free.
The very need for salvation is because all have sinned (Romans 3:23). Try as they may, Christians are going to stumble and fall from time to time. Speaking to Christians, John wrote it this way:

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:6-9).

It, of course, stands to reason that those who are young in the faith and need the milk of the word will fall more often than those mature in the faith. In the process of one being converted, it may be revealed that they have done criminal actions, are addicted to pornography, do not uphold their household responsibilities, are depressed, or a whole host of other things which the devil uses to tempt mankind. It might be difficult for Christians to know what to do when such is revealed among people they are studying with, whether they are potential converts, new converts, or even long-time Christians who have struggled with such things. Some may say statements like: “I want to help but how can I help?” or “I want to help but do not know what to do.” There are many things the child of God can do and should do to help those who are struggling.

First, the Christian must do something. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus spoke of the day in which He will separate the sheep from the goats. He spoke of the sheep helping Him in time of need and of the goats ignoring His need. The goats responded by asking when they knew He was in need. In verse 45, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” The point is that when Christians do not help others in times of need or distress, it is the same as not helping Jesus Himself. It is true that some will have problems beyond some Christians’ experience or expertise. There are times when the child of God may not know what to do. It is equally true that ignorance does not excuse the child of God from doing anything. What can a person do?

Next, he can pray for them. The words of Paul ring clear: “…pray without ceasing” (1Thessalonians 5:17). More than that, a casual look through the life and letters of Paul in the New Testament confirms that he was a praying man. Prayer should be the first response of the Christian in any situation. If a child of God cannot help in any other way, he or she can help by praying with a young married couple who is struggling, young parents who have a baby with Down’s syndrome, or a teenager involved in gangs. Prayer is a first response backed by action or belief that God will answer the prayer.

Then, the Christian must accept them. The natural human response to something that is different is rejection. It is easy to imagine certain rejection statements like “I don’t want to be around that person because he used to be an alcoholic” or “did you know that John Doe cheated on his wife?” Be it clear, the Christian cannot accept the sin. God cannot even look upon sin (Habakkuk 1:13). Christians have a responsibility to deal with the person who knows their sin and refuses to change (1Corinthians 15:33; Ephesians 5:11). Yet, in the end, every person on the planet can relate to sin because all have sinned (Romans 3:23). The great news is the gospel has the power to reform people, to take them out of sin (1Corinthians 6:9-11). Ostracizing a penitent person involved in or tempted by sin is hypocritical (see Matthew 7:2-5). Further, it is man’s projection of his own thoughts regarding the severity of sin — saying one sin is worse than another — when truthfully all sin will condemn (Romans 6:23).

Also, the Christian can help them. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” The process of evangelism is simply calling one out of the world of darkness. Christians need to help people see accountability and take responsibility for their actions. There are ways to help others to “walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). The faithful can help the erring and the lost to make the move from foolishness to understanding or from dissipation to being filled with the spirit (Ephesians 5:15-21). This passage teaches it is not enough to stop doing wrong but that one must start doing right. In fact, the path from doing wrong is to do right (see Ephesians 4:28). The faithful can help the addict to find meaningful replacement for his actions. The faithful can help the grief-stricken to find purpose in life. The faithful can help the busybody to be busy in the work of the Lord (1Corinthians 15:58).

Finally, the Christian might have to find help for them. Not everyone is a counselor. Not everyone is a psychiatrist. And there will be situations which Christians encounter which are beyond their ability. The solution in such cases is to find the services which are available. The Christian can be aware of programs in the area. The Christian needs to find people who can help them through anxiety, violence, relational struggles, or whatever other challenges may be facing them. One person cannot do it all. Cooperation of the whole church is necessary. Maybe the faithful needs to refer the struggling couple to a godly marriage seminar or help them find a good counselor. Paul spoke of such cooperation in converting the lost: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1Corinthians 3:6). The church needs to work together to help her members grow (Ephesians 2:19-22).

As it turns out, the “I just don’t know what to do” response many make is just an excuse. There is plenty the child of God can do to help the possible convert, new convert, or struggling Christian in their times of need. Christians today need to follow the example of Jesus and help call them out of the world. Christians need to be motivated to rise to the challenge to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). The children of God need to do all they can to “rescue the perishing, care for the dying.”

-j

Another Week ... Another Update

This past week, my brother and I have been on fall break. So, I got to spend pretty much every minute with my brother. We can pretty much tell how that went! We like to fight but had a pretty good week of not fighting.

Also, this week, my parents had to go to work. Almost every day, my Dad came home early sick. He took one day off completely. He says he might be a little bit better now but he still sure likes to cough! Ever since Mom went back to work she has been working non-stop! STUPID STATE REPORT!!! It will be done soon, so she says...but probably not soon to me.

-j&k

Prayer Request

This past week, my grandmother had surgery on her shoulder. So, over the weekend, the family went up to see her as my Dad and brother went to see Bill Cosby. My mother and I stayed home with my grandmother and took care of her. She is doing well but can barely do anything. So, please keep her in your prayers. Here is a picture of us at a past family Christmas.

Love you, Mamaw!

-k

Walking with the Master

In the past, I have published several of my articles here and want to resume the practice. From now on, the articles will be published under the heading of "Walking with the Master."

“Give Me a New Religion!”

 Not too long ago, a brother and I were studying the Bible with someone. We shared with him things about salvation, worship, righteous living, and other biblical topics. Toward the end of the study, the gentlemen expressed concerns about some conclusions we had shared with him from certain Bible passages. He made statements like, “We don’t live in the same culture as when the Bible was written” and “I don’t think we need to interpret the Bible so literally.” While it would be nice if this man were alone in his thoughts, these kinds of statements about the Bible are growing in popularity every day. The fact is, interpreting and understanding the Bible is not left to the subjective nature of man (Jeremiah 10:23). Many today are attempting to change things in the name of new times and progress. Yet, when considering what the Bible says, it is still right to seek the “old paths” (Jeremiah 6:16).

Some today are advocating a change in the way the church worships or assembles. In 1Corinthians 12-14, Paul discusses the use of spiritual gifts. Specifically, he discusses how to use them in the assembly or when the church was meeting together. The Corinthian congregation was not using the spiritual gifts for the mutual edification of all (1Corinthians 14:26). The Corinthians were exalting one spiritual gift above another (1Corinthians 12:12-31). Some were elevating themselves above others and looking at what looked good to themselves and not what God desired. To correct this problem, Paul showed them how a body must work together, each member doing its part, for the benefit of all. The way in which this is to be accomplished is to acknowledge that the assembly is not about what man wants but rather about what God wants. 1Corinthians 14:37 says it clearly: “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.”

The original attitude of the Corinthians regarding the assembly has been taken to an extreme in current culture. Many today are asking, “What can I get out of worship?” They are advocating changes in the way worship is conducted. They are ignoring what the Bible says regarding worship (John 4:24) and trying to find self pleasing worship styles.

A casual look at 2Corinthians shows a congregation which could handle rebuke (2Corinthians 7:2-12).  Paul gave them some instructions regarding this and other problems in 1Corinthians. He then acknowledged their repentance in 2Corinthians. Unfortunately, some today want to change things with little or no regard for what the Bible says. They will not accept rebuke. This is evidenced by some other statements they might make: “I know what the Bible says but…” or “I am not sure this is scriptural but I want to do it anyway.”

Another area where people want to change religion is the area of salvation. The book of conversions, Acts, is clear about what a person needs to do in order to be saved. Acts 8:26-40 either directly states or implies all the steps of the gospel plan of salvation. The eunuch heard the word of God as Philip declared it to him. He believed as shown in his readiness to obey it. He repented of his sins is seen in how he was ready to abandon Judaism and follow after Christ. It is directly stated that he confessed Jesus and was baptized. It is even implied that he lived faithfully because “he went on his way rejoicing.” Some in the Bible did not follow after Christ the way Christ instructed them to do so and condemnation awaited them (Matthew 25:31-46).

Just as there were people in the time of Jesus who thought they were saved and were not, there are people today who are thinking the same thing. Many want to focus on believing God without obeying God. Some want to deemphasize baptism and emphasize feelings of the heart. They are focused on what they want and how they feel and not on what God said. James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Christians are to be doers. Christians are to be doers of the word, not of what they want to do.

A final area where people want a new religion is the matter of God’s instructions. 2Samuel 6:1-5 shows how David had some disregard for the instructions of God. He helped to build a new cart which would help to transport the ark of God. God, through Moses had already revealed how the ark was to be transported (Exodus 25:12-14). David did not obey God and Uzzah lost his life for it (2Samuel 6:7). It is interesting that God had given the command as to how the ark was to be moved many years before David moved it. The passing of time did not change the way in which the commands were to be followed. David disobeyed and God was not pleased with it.

Likewise, there are many today who are showing little or no regard for the instructions God has given. He has revealed to man how to worship. He has revealed to man how to live righteously. He has revealed to man what the work of the church needs to be. Indeed, He has given mankind “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2Peter 1:3). Yet, some today want to worship with the mechanical instrument of music when God authorized only vocal singing. Some are advocating a new morality in which it is acceptable to lie, cheat, and commit other immoral acts which God has not authorized. Some choose to use the church as an entertainment venue and are doing such with no scriptural authority. In essence, what these people are doing is spiritually building “a new cart” for which they have no authority to build.

The newness of anything has an appeal for the simple fact that it is new. Sometimes, people disregard old clothes, dishes, or other items that which may work perfectly well. The items are thrown out simply because they are old. The newness of something has the appeal. When it comes to spiritual matters, however, the goal does not need to be to focus on what is new but rather on what is right. God’s methods for worship, salvation, and other instructions may be old, but they are still right.

 

“Stand in the ways and see,
 And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
 And walk in it” (Jeremiah 6:16).

 

-j

Estrogen-free Trip

Every so often, JT and I try to take a guys' trip. Sometimes, we go alone. Sometimes, we go camping with others. This time, two fathers and two sons went to see Bill Cosby.

 

To start, we stopped by the Bass Pro Shop and the boys did not think I would climb into this tent and let them take my picture! I was proud I could fit!

 

 

Stanley was our chauffeur. He does not like his picture being taken but this is also a normal look for him. He is laid back, not quite as high-strung as me!

Here we are at the show waiting. We had decent balcony seats.

You will have to trust me this is Bill Cosby. I did not have my camera and my phone would not zoom in but we were there and had a great time.

After the show, we went and enjoyed a dinner at Red Lobster. I ate too much and have to work it off now!!

Great times. Great trip. Great family. Great memory. JT would want you to notice he dressed up in his tuxeedo for the event!

 

-j

Another week in the house

We will start with my week. Well, I went to school and glad it's over for the weekend. This weekend, we all went to the eye-doctor. I found out I don't have to wear glasses for a whole month. Ya!!!!!!!!! My flute learning is going well. I could not make a good sound a month ago but now am starting to do better. A lot of practice has helped.

Bubba is caught up in school after taking a week off. He got a good report from the eye-doctor and continues to have good eyes. He and some of his friends are starting a young preachers' club. He really enjoys giving devotional talks and leading in worship. He eats everything in sight and got a new bed this past week which really changed the look of his room. He continues to do well in tae kwon do. He really is a good big brother and I am starting to learn how to tell him that.

Mom just completed another phase of a huge project she is working on with her co-workers at work. The project itself will not be completed until November but it is moving along. There was no change in her eyes but the eye-doctor (a good friend of Mom and Dads') sure likes to talk to Mom! Mom got her eyes dilated and had to have Bubba help her tell the difference between a salt packet and pepper packet from a restaurant! Her question to Bubba was, "JT, does this say, 'salt?'" Everyone laughed really hard. Mom will get even next year when the rest of us have to get our eyes dilated! Mom and the doctor talk a lot but really don't talk much about eyes, if you get my drift! She really is a great Mom who took me to one of my favorite restaurants (Olive Garden) yesterday! We had a great time.

Dad got a great report from the eye doctor who lessened the strength of his prescription, said the blood-pressure in his eyes is better, diagnosed his eyes in better condition, and said a lot of it is probably due to him losing weight. Dad was really happy about that! Dad has been taking care of us while Mom has been working late every night. We are all ready for Mom to come back! Especially me!! Dad took JT to his favorite restaurant yesterday (Genghis Grill) and they both were crazy happy! (or maybe just crazy!).

-k

A Young Man

Last Thursday, JT had a youth group function. I took him to the church buidling, dropped him off, and told him to text his mother and me when he was ready for us to come get him. He agreed. This is a usual arrangment these days. So time passed and Shawna and I were starting to get somewhat concerned we had not yet received a text. Shawna called JT and this is how it went:

Shawna: Hey Son, are you ready for some to come get you?

JT: Oh, don't worry about it. Alex said he would give me a ride home and we are at the gas station getting gas. Alex will bring me home as soon as we are done here.

Shawna: Okay. See you in a little bit...

And then Shawna relayed the conversation to me and we sat in silence. DEAD. SILENCE.

When did our son get old enough to have friends who drive?...?

Time marches on...

-j