The
Chaplain’s Corner
November 21, 2000
“Without inspiration the best
powers of the mind remain dormant, there is fuel in us which needs to be
ignited with sparks.”
~~Johann Gottfried
Von Herder
Stuffing
by David Smith
Ecclesiastes 6 is undoubtedly one of the most
unlikely candidates in Scripture for the “Best Passage for Devotional
Meditation” award. We’re warned with the opening words that the writer is
about to share something that “weighs heavily on men” (vs.1) and concludes
with the uplifting thought that a man’s life consists of “few and meaningless
days” (vs.12).
Sandwiched in-between are thoughts that do
little to give us a warm buzz. Thoughts like how God grants some men lots of
stuff, but doesn’t give them days to enjoy them (vs.2). Or how no matter how
much stuff a man gets, he still isn’t satisfied (vs.7). Sameness, weakness,
oppression and useless talk is the stuff that fills up a man’s life (vs.10).
And if you’re still seeking for a ray of light, not to worry, the thought you
may have been better off if you hadn’t been born rather than have to deal with
all this stuff ought to seal the darkness for you (vs.3). After all, we’re all
going to die anyway (vs.6).
Whew. No wonder all this stuff “weighs on
men’s hearts.” If you fill your head with this stuff, it sort of makes it hard
to get up in the morning, doesn’t it?
But before we flee to the radio for some
distraction, turn on the tube for some entertainment, get on the phone to fill
up our head with more talk or surf the Net a bit to find something new,
perhaps we ought to pause and consider what we wish to be distracted from
considering. There just might be some truth here we need to hear.
It is truth that no matter how much stuff we’re
thankful for at Thanksgiving or how much stuff we want and get at Christmas,
stuff is not what makes life. We can’t take the stuff with us; there are no
closets in a casket. So why live for “stuff?”
It is truth that we will all leave this world
someday. To live a life that isn’t meaningless, I need to live with my exit in
mind. I dare not spend the bulk of my “few days” essentially focused on
acquiring more stuff I don’t really need and can’t take with me. And
veiling it with the thought that I’m working to get the stuff “for
my children” simply distracts and detracts from the most important things I
can lay up for my children like relationships and community.
It is true that this world is filled with
meaningless talk and senseless oppression, so I ought to do something about it
one life at a time... however I can... wherever I am... and whoever I’m with!
Such is the real “stuff” of life — to make a bit of a difference how I can,
where I am, and who I’m with. After all roses grow best in a dung heap. You
say, “This world is dark and stinky?”
Fine, you may be correct But don’t allow that to become an excuse for
you not blooming.
lStuff. Don’t let it fill your heart or rule your life. Most
important of all, don’t let it crowd out the real “stuff of life.” Because
someday you will die. And then what?
The Fall
Gradowith Poems – http//www.geocities.com/fp5699/
What holds you back from Christ the Lord?
Why must you turn away?
In love He calls you through His word
Prepare, while still ‘tis day.
There’ll come a time when it’s too late
To be made free from sin,
So start the race, and do not wait,
The journey to begin.
Just hear, believe, repent, confess,
Be buried with the Lord;
The Savior waits your soul to bless,
He says so in the word!
He gave His life that we might live,
To bring us to the light,
To heal our wounds, our sins forgive,
And save us by His might.
It’s up to us to make the choice
Between the right and wrong;
If we choose ‘right’, we shall rejoice:’”
“Singing redemption’s song”
But should we choose in sin to dwell,
Spurning His gracious call,
The life beyond we’ll “spend” in hell:
Sad victims of the fall.
Come – in God’s glory share!
Electoral College is Vital
Should Americans do away with the Electoral College and pick their
presidents by a direct vote? It
will never happen, an expert in Constitutional government says.
…The Electoral College is being attacked as an anachronism, but it
is needed today, says Gary Amos, assistant professor of government at Regent
University, a conservative Christian school in Virginia Beach.
Christian principles and practical experience dictate that the present
system stay, he told Religion Today.
…Amos provided some history related to the purpose of the Electoral
College. The United States never
was intended to be a democracy, in which the people govern directly, he
explained. Instead it is a
republic, in which power rests in the voters but is exercised by the
representative they choose.
Congressmen and Electoral College members are expected to be people of noble
character who act in the national interest, not solely on narrow regional
interests.
…The Constitution also is intended to make sure that cooler heads
prevail in a crisis, Amos said. It
wisely includes a number of procedural checks and balances to restrain the
people from acting rashly based on “the fever of the moment.”
…That cautious outlook reflects a “healthy Puritanism,” Amos said.
It is influenced by the theological concept, emphasized in the
Protestant Reformation, that people are naturally sinful and need limitations,
he said. Many of the founders
believed that Americans needed not only a Savior for their souls, but a
government that restrained their predisposition to “political vice.”
…The Electoral College is part of those wise governmental
restraints, Amos said.
…The founders also were aware of the need to prevent any single
economic class or geographic area from being so strong that it could dictate
national policy. They worried that
larger-population states would do just that, and wanted to build in protection
for smaller-population states, Amos said.
…In the Electoral College, states get as many votes as their total
number of representatives in the U.S. Senate and House.
That gives smaller-population states a slight boost in importance since
they get as many votes for their senators, one each, as every other state.
…In the current election, Democrat Al Gore won the few
large-populated states on the East and West coasts while George W. Bust
carried the many less-populous states.
The Electoral College did its job, giving the less-populous state a
slight nudge that happened to help Bush.
…No matter how loud the outcry against the Electoral College,
especially if Gore wins the popular vote but loses the presidency, the system
won’t change because it takes a ¾ vote of the states to amend the U. S.
Constitution, Amos said. Most of
the 30 predominately lower-population states that Bush won won’t give up their
rights and allow the 19 states that Gore won to “run the whole country from
here on out,”
~from Religion Today
http://religiontoday.crosswalk.com/CurrentNewsSummary/
"God doesn't need much from us
to accomplish His plan for our lives. Focusing on our human predicament may
paralyze us because the situation may appear humanly impossible. But
concentrating on God and His power will help us see the way out. Right now you
may feel unable to see through your troubles. Focus instead on God, and trust
Him for the way out. That is all He needs to begin His work in you."
GOD'S A.P.*
Day!
*Associated Professionals
[One day
this fall] a group of well-deserving people got flowers, lunches, gifts,
cards—and thanks for service. It was National Secretaries Day—no, there’s a
new name for it now: Associated Professionals Day. Someone, somewhere realized
that a secretary does far more than just type, answer the phone and look
pretty. She’s a responsible part of an important team in whatever profession
she serves; she’s not an “extra”; she’s an essential!
And so are
you...for you too are an A.P. - you’re God’s Associated Professional - you
work for Him. Moms, dads, singles, seniors, kids, teens join the pastors,
missionaries and paid professional ministers of our world—for all who minister
for the Lord are on the roll. We serve the King—with pride, honor and
distinction.
The honor?
Sometimes it’s not recognized—no one sees you behind the scenes praying,
working and doing your part. Sometimes it’s not appreciated—no one pats your
back or says, “Thank you.” But know you are seen and appreciated by Someone
unseen; your service is recorded where it counts! And the pay? It’s out of
this world!
Know
someone--besides yourself--who's working hard for the Lord? Why not thank that
person TODAY—they’re on the team with you, working for the CEO of Heaven’s
Courts! Let’s support one another and serve Him with a smile today! HAPPY
“God’s A.P. Day” every day—from the King whose you are and whom you serve!
Scriptures: “...thy work shall
be rewarded, saith the Lord (Jeremiah 31:16).”
“Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1
Corinthians 15:56).”
|
"For I know the plans I have for you,
says the Lord. ,They are plans for good and not evil, to give you a future
and a hope. In those days when you pray I will listen You will find Me, If
you seek me in earnest." Jeremiah- 29-vs-11-13
|
"God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is
right, even though I think it is hopeless."
--Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
Humility of mind is to
be accompanied by humility of motive.
Why do we preach? What do
we hope to accomplish by our preaching?
I fear that too often our motives are selfish.
We desire the praise and the congratulations of men.
We stand at the door after the Sunday services and feast our ears on
the commendatory remarks which some church members seem to have been schooled
to make, ‘Fine sermon, pastor!’
‘You really blessed my heart today!’
To be sure, genuine words of appreciation can do much to boost a
discouraged preacher’s morale. But
idle flattery, and the hypocritical repetition of stock phrases (irrespective
of the real quality of the sermon) are damaging to the preacher and repugnant
to God.
~John Stott, Between
Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching in the Twentieth Century (Grand Rapids,
Michigan:William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Join Us!
Community Bible Study
When: Every Thursday Morning @ 10:00
Where: Spirit Wind Church
Downtown Glen Rose
Teacher: Mary Alice Kelly
Study, November 30th
“Did Paul Really Teach About Women,
What We Were Told that He Taught?”
For further information or a ride, call the church office, 897-2075
or Mary Alice, 364-2586
Mary Alice Kelly – P.O. Box 237 – Iredell, Texas 76649