Great Shock -Great Christmas!

We had a wonderful holiday with the family. I think it was the best in a long time, probably because we now have 3 small grandchildren. Addi and Levi were so excited. Hannah was smiling at everyone. We topped off the day with a real shocker. We talked to my dear Aunt Marie(Mom's sister, Marie Short who lives in Hurt, Virginia and my only aunt. She has been a widow for about 10 years and is a spry 82 years old) and she told us that she got an engagement ring for Christmas! She had told us she had been seeing a friend, Paul, from New York. She had also said many times that she wasn't looking for a man(Maybe one was looking for her.) They are planning to be married this spring. We really have something to look forward to in the new year. Of course we wish them the best.

Bargain Shopping- What Would You Do?

I love to find a bargain. Last week I found a John Deere lawn mower at Lowes(Wildwood) for a great price. The salesman said it had not been sold, but had a minor repair. We found that the flap assembly(where the grass comes out of the mower) was missing and I asked him if they would get me one. While waiting for him to see, another salesman told me that they would surely get me the part. The salesman then told me the dept. manager said they would not. I got agravated and decided not to buy the incomplete mower. Upon further reflection, I decided it was too good a buy to pass up. I went back the next morning and the mower was gone, but a similar one next to it was still there, missing the flap assembly that it had the day before. They sold the mower I wanted to someone else that same day, with the part from another mower. I am sure I will not get any satisfaction out of this, but do you think I should pursue it with the general manager? Since everbody is always calling such unfairness discrimination of one kind or another, maybe it was "fat boy" discrimination, or perhaps "preacher discrimination", or maybe even a "gray hair" bias. Think I should sue them? Any lawyers our there?

How Old, Again?

My dear wife Susan(who is and will always be older than me) really got a kick out of the latest attempt to deflate all of my ego. I dropped by her school library(which is by the way, new and beautiful)the other day and when she referred to me as Mr. Courington, one of her students asked, "Is that your Daddy?"
If I had enough hair, I would dye it(even though I took a vow several years ago not to ever do so). One vow I will not break (unless I go nuts) is not to get a toupee(Is that how you spell it? It somehow doesn't look right, and it never will!)
Guess I will just have to look distinguished.

How Old?

Since my late 20's I have enjoyed the benefits of having gray hair. Now I wish I had more gray hair. At first, I think I got a little extra respect from people who thought I was older than I was. In my 30's I started getting senior citizen discounts on occasion, especially when the cashier was real young. Now I can get some of them legitimately at age 51(next week 52).It is nice not to have to pay when ordering checks at the bank.
I guess I look older than my age now, considering that 2 people last week thought I was my Dad's(age 82) brother. Since the first one was an alzheimer's patient, I dismissed it, but the second was a nurse in the unit where Dad is in the nursing home. I might as well laugh about it as to cry though I am not really sure that a good sense of humor is helping me as much as I thought it might.
Anyway, at least I am not as old as Noah's grandpa, Methuselah. According to Gen 5 he lived to be 969 years old. One might think that he must have acquired a lot of wisdom in all of those years. But did you know that he died in the year of the great flood? We don't know for sure that he didn't die a month before it came, but we do know that one might live for decades, even centuries in this life and then be lost eternally. Then what will life have been worth?
I don't think that how old we are really matters that much. And however long we may live is short compared to eternity. I hope that you will join me in trying to live in a way that is pleasing to the only one that really matters- the almighty God.

Thanksgiving Everyday

“Thanksgiving" everyday? Who could stand it, with all that dressing and dessert, potatoes and pies? No, I am not talking about that "Thanksgiving". Of course, when Abraham Lincoln declared that an annual day be set aside the fourth Thursday in every November, he had more in mind than overindulging in our favorite foods. The day was to be "a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."(Lincoln). One wonders how many of our countrymen think more of God on that day than food and football.
But long before there was a "Thanksgiving Day," David proclaimed, "Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! " 1 Chron 16:8 (NKJV). Yes, it is God's deeds that should make us thankful people, every day. They do not just come upon us once a year, or occasionally. Psalms 68:19 says, "Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation." (Psalms 68:19). It would be more than difficult; yes, impossible, to keep up with all of the marvelous blessings that God gives us on a daily basis. We keep on taking and using what he gives us- material and spiritual blessings in abundance, and he keeps on refilling our plate each day. His supply is endless. He never says, "You are taking too much." He does not offer complaints that we are doing too little. Of course, we could never do enough to deserve all of His benefits. Consider, Luke 17:10, "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." It is his mercy that is everlasting. Psalm 103:17 says, "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children." As David said, he is the "God of our salvation." None would be saved but for his grace. We have him to thank for every blessing.

Have you benefited from God's blessings? Surely! Do you continually thank Him for his blessings?

It is sad to know that many today are like those described in Romans 1:21,
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God,
neither were thankful..." Instead, let us follow Paul's admonition,
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph. 5:20)

We're Proud of Our Veterans

Veteran's Day serves as a reminder each year of the great sacrifices made by those who have fought for our country. It is a day to give honor to those to whom honor is due(See Romans 13:7). All of the wars that have been fought to preserve our freedoms and safeguard our democracy have demanded payment of a great price by our soldiers. They have left their homes and families, their jobs, their places of safety to go into harm's way. They have done so unselfishly for the benefit of others more than themselves. In speaking of Jesus sacrifice, Paul said in Romans 5:7, "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die." Yes, they have risked and some given their lives. Those brave men who have fought for us are indeed worthy of honor.

But what about the spiritual veterans? Will we honor those who have fought in our wars and not show honor to those who have fought many battles to preserve and defend the truth. There are many who have gone before us who have sacrificed tremendously that we might enjoy a knowledge of our Saviour and that we might be in his kingdom and have opportunity to be saved. Do we show appreciation to these?
What about those who have taught us the gospel of Christ. Paul did not bring it up for his own benefit, but he reminded Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, "I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay--not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides." (Philemon 1:19) Perhaps it was your parents, or your preacher, or an elder or a dear lady who taught your childhood Bible class, but someone helped you to come to know Jesus. Have you taken the time to give any honor to them?
Paul reminded the young preacher, "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine."(1 Timothy 5:17). I am often reminded of the sacrifices that my own Dad made to serve as an elder in the church. I remember fondly those who labored diligently and stood for truth and helped me in so many ways, that are now gone on to their reward, in the Maytown church. I was a very young preacher when I came here and having those "veteran" elders by my side was invaluable. They wanted to do what was right in God's sight and what was best for every church member.

If you, like many of us, are second, third or more generation Christians, you have had those in your family who have paid the price of sacrifice and suffering to remain faithful to our blessed Lord. You are faithful because the "old folks" did not forsake the law of God. Have you thanked them?

Of course our gratitude is first and foremost to be to God. Were it not for our Lord's supreme
sacrifice, none could be saved. Peter said in 1 Peter 3:18, "For Christ also suffered once for
sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God..." One can not live long enough,
to honor him enough. But let's not forget to honor all of our "veteran saints" who have fought
the good fight of faith.
David Courington

Dear Santa- I Want A Time-out Chair

We know that children don't always know what is best for them, but they usually know what they want. Addi, my 3 year old grandaughter wants a "Time-Out Chair" for Christmas. She saw it in a Christmas catalog and Santa got a good laugh out of her stange request at Christmas Village on Saturday.
Paul, her Dad, said he thought she wanted it so she would not get any more spankings. That could be. Maybe she could learn a lesson from Brer Rabbit about how to get what she wants.
Every child may not want it, but they do all need discipline. Prov. 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." Also, Prov. 29:15 says, "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame." There are many types of discipline and different things work for different personalities, but all children need discipline. Some even ask for it.
Hebrews 12 makes it clear that even adults need discipline. We may not want it, but it is for our good.

Mom and Dad Update

Most of you know that we had to make the difficult move to Cherry Hill nursing home with Dad about a month ago. He had improved from his fall and is walking around quite a bit. He seems to be in fairly good spirits and one of the aides told us he played his "French Harp" for quite a while one day last week. Taking everything into consideration, he seems to be adapting very well and the folks at Cherry Hill have been super thus far.
Mom is staying with us most of the time. Jasmine stayed with her at our house last week while we went to the mountains. She is doing fine and spent her day today paying some bills and cooking cornbread and turnip greens. She is enjoying going with me to Ladies Class on Wednesday and seeing the grandkids and great-grandkids a lot more than she was accustomed. I know she would like to be home, but I think she is quite relieved in a way not to be under so much stress with keeping up with Dad. Some of us have been getting her over to see Dad at least every other day.
We are very thankful that everything is working out so well thus far. One could never ask for better parents than mine. I hope I can be half as good for my kids.

Bear Bait?

The fall colors are great in the Smoky Mountains, as you can see from my new profile picture. We had a great trip to Gatlinburg last week, staying at the very top of Ski Mountain. It was "Cold"(that was with a capital "C") the first part of the week. But not cold enough for the bears to be hibernating. I first noticed paw prints on the dumpster about mid-week, then trash spilled everywhere from a dumpster a few hundred yards down the hill a day later. On Thursday night about 10:30 we were coming back up the mountain and spotted a large, shiny black bear about 200 yards from the house we were renting. He ran away before I could get the camera out for a picture. On Friday we saw a truck pulling a bear trap up the road, I am sure to move the bear to less populated area.
I wonder how many times as a young boy I looked intently into those mountains hunting a bear. We usually made a trip to Virginia each year and went through the mountains. It was exciting then just to look for bears and Indians.
Well, it was extremely exiting on Saturday before daylight when we were preparing to leave the house when I heard all kinds of clanging and banging in our dumpster about 40 yards below the house. I told Susan to get back inside, realizing how close we were and with 2 bags of stinky garbage ready to be deposited on our way out. I figured the bear would eat that first, then lick his lips as he gazed upon the fat preacher(I hear they are great bear bait). You should have seen how fast we moved getting back in the house. Then I realized that we had left the car doors open and the trunk with food inside. I shined my flashlight but couldn't see the dumpster, but I still heard noise, so I quickly went out, closed the doors and trunk, and ran back inside.
Imagine my chagrin when I looked out the door and saw a man walking up the hill who had just deposited his trash. How dumb could I be? But I did feel somewhat justified as we drove away and got about 100 yards down the hill, when we saw where the bear had been in yet another dumpster. Yes, thar's bears in them thar hills.

Comments Please

A few weeks ago I changed the template on my blog to make it easier. Little did I know that that template changed my settings so that you could not leave a comment on my blog. Sorry for blocking you out! It should be fixed, but if you have trouble leaving a comment, let me know by e-mail at davidwc78@wmconnect.com

Justice and the Death Penalty

Warning! This is a pretty serious subject for this blog. While I like to include some humor when possible, there is nothing humorous about the death penalty. The Birmingham News used to be a very conservative newspaper. I have read it daily since before I was a teenager. Even as a youngster, I would venture out of the comics and read the editorial page at times. Today the News carried another article on the op ed page against the death penalty. You will find many articles opposing the death penalty in the News now days, which would not have been the case in years gone by. The reasoning given in this article for opposing the death penalty was a common one and perhaps the most persuasive that opponents offer. That is that there are occasionally innocent people who are executed. Of course, we would never favor executing innocent people- who would? In truth, I am never in favor of anyone being executed. I would rather that we lived in a society where people were never killed at all and where there were no repeat offenders of violent crimes. But that is not reality.
This article showed its bias by not mentioning the fact that there are hundreds, even thousands of innocent people killed every year by murderers, who are never punished for their crimes. Why is there so much concern for the innocent person who is put to death with the death penalty, and so little concern for the victims of crime?
Here is my opinion- there is a failure on the part of many to understand the very principle of justice. Justice is what our whole “Criminal Justice” system is all about. Justice means that if someone commits a crime, there is a fair and just punishment given for that crime. IT MUST NOT BE A CRUEL AND UNREASONABLE PENALTY OR IT IS NOT JUST! BUT IT MUST BE A PUNISHMENT THAT FITS THE CRIME, OR JUSTICE IS NOT SERVED!
God is always fair in his justice. Speaking of murder, God’s word says, “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13- NKJV). We can likely agree that murder should be punished, but what is a fair punishment? A just God’s answer is found in the very next chapter, “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.” (Exodus 21:12).
Much more can be said on this subject, but the basic principle of justice is that one must pay a price that is in keeping with the damage he has done. The death penalty is a just penalty for crimes that take innocent lives. Speaking of the government, in Romans 13:4, Paul said, “For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” The government is in the punishment business. It should do its job faithfully and fairly.
Frankly, I am glad that I am not in this business. I am in the business of showing men how they can receive forgiveness from the almighty God for the sins that they have committed. Thank God, Jesus paid the price for our sins. If we will have faith in Him (John 8:24), turn from our sins (Acts 2:38), confess Him (Romans 10:10), and be baptized into Christ (Acts 22:16), we will never have to pay the eternal penalty for our sins, because Jesus, an innocent man, died on the cross to pay for your sins and mine.

Hello Out There

The fall leaves are beginning to turn a bit and things are going pretty well on Hathcock Drive (My Aunt Ree once called it Hockypock.) To those of you who check this blog regularly, thanks. I haven't written much lately because I think I have a case of canthelpititis. I get that occasionally. The creative juices seem to be barely flowing through my veins. Perhaps it is that nice cool air and those melancholy afternoons, or maybe it was that Auburn game last Saturday that did it? I'll write more later.

Importance of Walking

My friend, Eddie Nagle, sent this to me. I don't know the author, but I wish I had had it this morning at 6:30 before I got on the treadmill! I hope you are having a great day!

Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $5000 per month.

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. Now she's 97 years old and we don't know where she is.

I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there.

I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing.

I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.

The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.

If you are going to try cross country skiing, start with a small country.


..............And last but not least,

You could run this over to your friends but why not just e-mail it to them!

School Shootings Again!

School Shootings Again!
What Is Wrong With Our Country?

It is hardly shocking news anymore to hear that there has been another shooting where innocent young lives are snuffed out. Last week, the news in Birmingham was of a young baby, shot in its mother’s apartment while it slept. In the last few days, we have heard of three school shootings with many lives taken. We might like to think that it won’t happen in our community, but if it could happen to a remote, one room school of Amish children in rural Pennsylvania, couldn’t it happen anywhere? And the sad thing is, this is just one example of the horrible things that are happening in our country. The murder rate is increasing, there is concern of sexual predators in every community- nothing shocks us anymore.
The cry goes out, “Why can’t the police do something? Why aren’t the churches doing something? What is wrong with our schools?” We could go on.
While the news media highlights these events, the government promises to study the problem and fix it with more policemen and more prisons, and the masses either ignore the problems or think they can solve them by worrying and complaining, we must realize that not much is truly being done to get to the source of the problem and fix it.
We should ask, “What is the real problem?” Some will answer, “corrupt politics, poverty, or lack of education.” I would beg to differ. These things may contribute, but they are not the cause. You see, the problem is the same one that has plagued mankind from the beginning- lack of respect for God which leads to lack of respect for one’s fellow man.
Long ago man was given some rules to follow which began, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. [3] You shall have no other gods before Me”(Exodus 20:2-3). Every problem of man begins with a lack of respect for the almighty God. Following these verses are the rest of the Ten Commandments, which all teach respect for God and respect for our fellow man.
One might read the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and think that they could not be made more simple, but Jesus, the Master Teacher simplified God’s laws even further when he was asked what was the greatest commandment in the law, replying, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' [40] On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."(Matthew 22:37-40) Think about it- no matter what laws God might give, they are of no value unless men respect God. The same is true today in regards to the laws of our land. Lawless men don’t care what law you pass. If men had respect for God and his law, they would have respect for the laws of our land(See Romans 13). They have no respect for God, and it follows that they have no respect for law or their fellow men.
Instead of trying to pass more laws, putting more money into school security, hiring more policemen and building more jails, what not go back and try what has worked since the beginning of time- respect for God. Our joy will come back when we remember that, “…He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves…”(Ps. 100:3). Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”.
But we have a real problem here. You see, a nation cannot pass a law making God our Lord. This is done on an individual basis. The first part of Psalms 40:4 says, “Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust,” Are you that man? Most people are not. If you trust God and follow Him, you will obey his laws- all of them- and follow Him daily. You will not allow you selfish interest to override your love for God and your fellow man.
Yes, the problems of our land can be solved, but not without God. What can I do? Respect and obey God, pray for His blessings, and teach his Gospel to those you meet so that they can become men who trust the Lord.

From Calm To Chaos

From Calm To Chaos
Could it be that after only a few weeks of blogging that I have finally found out how to change my time stamp to Central time? Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

Time Right?

Imagine. After only a few weeks of blogging, I think I finally discovered how to set the time stamp so that my posts would be in central time. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

Dad To Cherry Hill

From Calm To Chaos: Chaos, Not Calm
Dad was moved from the hospital to the nursing home at Cherry Hill Healthcare on Tuesday. All is going well so far. The folks there could not have been more kind and helpful and he seems to be adapting pretty well, though his mental condition continues to be quite a bit worse than before he went to the hospital. The facility is very nice and clean as could be. It was only built a few years ago. I have visited a lot of nursing homes and this one does not have the one thing that stands out most in my mind when I think of them- the bad odor. It smells good from one end to the other.
Mom seems to be adjusting well to being at our house. We have been quite busy up until now. Thanks for your interest.

Chaos, Not Calm

From Calm To Chaos
I haven't "blogged" much this week. This has been one of those weeks of more Chaos than Calm. My Dad, who has Alzheimer's, fell last week and Mom fell as well trying to get him up. He is now in the Hospital at Walker Regional and plans are to move him to Cherry Hill Healthcare at Forestdale next week. I would appreciate it if you would remember him and our family in prayer.

Are You Listening?

From Calm To Chaos
Perhaps you heard the late Bro. V. E. Howard preach, either in person or on the radio. He had a very popular radio program that became known by his constant reminder as he spoke, "Are you listening?" This is a question that we need to ask more of ourselves. I once attended a class on counseling called "Human Relations." It concentrated on the idea of carefully listening to the one that you are counseling, and making sure that you heard what he "really" said. I guess I already knew it to some extent, but that class taught me that it was not easy to be a good listener. I have heard a lot of people say such things as, "My Mom(or child) just won't listen to me," or "My husband never hears a thing I say. He has 'selective' hearing," but I have never heard someone admit that they are a poor listener. Do you wonder why?
In fact, it may be quite an insult not to listen to what another is saying to you. The other day I wrote to my congressman about a matter of concern to me. I strongly disagreed with a bill that he had sponsored. I got back a very cordial letter thanking me for writing and saying that the congressman agreed with me, that is why he sponsored the bill. Obviously, neither he nor his staff read my letter. The letter added insult to injury. Why? Because he tried to give the appearance of concern, but he did not take the time to listen to my concerns. It would do us all well in our families, in the church, and in other relationships to give our listening skills a check-up. One cannot obey the "Golden Rule" (Matt. 7:12) if he does not listen to others closely enough to acknowledge their concerns.
Another passage of scripture that we should consider here is James 1:19, "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." The "swift to hear" part goes along with the "slow to speak." Often we are too busy talking to listen. Another thought here is that hearing has something to do with our anger. How many times have you been angry about some matter that was just a misunderstanding? Listening more carefully can help to resolve many difficulties.
On a personal note, many people have physical hearing problems. I am one of those who has a hearing loss in one ear. It usually doesn't show up until I am in a noisy place(like a church lobby). The doctor tested my hearing and said a hearing aid would do no good. Sometimes those who cannot hear well fail to inform others of the problem, but there are those who do not speak loudly enough to be heard.
Yes, it is a problem when we fail to hear each other, especially if we won't listen to those who are close to us. Consider Proverbs 1:8, "My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother." Of course parents need to hear their children, as well, that they might know how to teach and correct them.
But it is an even worse problem when we fail to hear God. Since faith
comes by hearing(Rom. 10:17), one may be lost because of a failure to listen. Jesus often
said in Revelation 2 and 3 to the seven churches of Asia, "He who has an ear, let him hear."
Are you listening to the word of God, or have you neglected to hear it?
A serious pronouncement is made about that in Proverbs 1:24-26, "Because I have
called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no has heeded, 25 Because
you have ignored all my counsel, And would have none of my reproof, 26 I also will laugh at
your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you.(ESV)" We had better listen to God.

"I Think You Have Fleas"

Can you imagine my daughter Kim's shock when her new doctor examined her and then seriously remarked, "I think you have fleas." I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall. Well, no, Kim doesn't have fleas but she did kid me about them after last Sunday night. My sermon was about staying far from sin, instead of seeing how close you can get to it. I illustrated by talking about Crocodile Hunter and how his always getting so close to danger led to his death. Then I used 4 passages in the New Testament that speaks of things we should "Flee". That is "Flee sexual immorality(1 Cor. 6:18), flee youthful lusts(2 Tim 2:22), Flee these things(1 Tim 6:11), and 'flea'(sp)idolatry"(1 Cor.10:14).Yes, "Flea" is what I put on my beloved powerpoint. Kim about had a come apart, along with Rachel Garrison and some others. Kim kidded me about it and even left a note on my blog.
Well, Kim had an appointment with Dr. Williams, the same doctor I have used for years, an hour and a half after I had one on Tuesday. He is a fine man with a great sense of humor and delighted in helping me with this little practical joke. I told him that Kim would take it well, and she did, after realizing just what was going on, and no, that she did not have "fleas".
The moral of the story- "Don't mess with the preacher's "fleas", please." If the spell checker didn't catch them, neither should you." Have a great day.

ICYC "Great Roof" Singing

From Calm To Chaos
If you love to sing like I do, you don't want to miss the "Great Roof" Singing that is coming up on September 23rd from 6:00 p.m. until ? at Indian Creek Youth Camp. There will also be a fish fry costing $7.00(Children $4.00) starting at 4:30 p.m. We plan for this to be an annual event. If you are a "blogger" who is interested in the camp, would you please put a note about this on your blog? If you want more information you can contact Clay Custred at claycustred@yahoo.com. "Is any merry? let him sing psalms."(James 5:13).

I Say No To "Fried Green Beans"

One of the dieters best friends has to be green beans. As I recall, they have 20 something calories in a whole cup. And in spite of my dear daughter's hatred of all beans(Will she ever grow out of it?), they taste great! Even with some seasoning thrown in, they don't have many calories. And now, TGI Friday is advertising a new appetizer- Fried Green Beans. The ad shows them coated with some kind of breading, and dipped in something(I don't know what it is, but I guarantee it is fattening. This may be the best new food item since the invention of ketchup, but I am just saying no.
I like broiled shrimp, but fried is better. Grilled catfish is great, but fried is finer. Why is nothing as good as fried? And now, for the safe and Weight Watcher approved green bean, to be fried. I am just not going to try it. Pass the french fries, please.

Jesus' Disciples Had Hard Hearts

From Calm To Chaos
Thought you might like to read my bulletin article this week. You may access past articles at:

www.sylvanspringschurchofchrist.com

The Bible tells of many who had hard hearts. Zedekiah is an example of one Old Testament king who had a hard heart, “And he also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear an oath by God; but he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord God of Israel.” (2 Chron. 36:13). Moses encountered this with Pharaoh in Exodus when he hardened his heart. The law of Moses permitted divorce because of the “hardness of your hearts”.( Matthew 19:8). Jesus often met those with hard hearts. We know of unbelievers that Jesus taught and did miracles before, that remained unbelievers, because their hearts were hard. A good account of this is in John 12:37-40. “But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, [38] that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" [39] Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: [40] "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them." Paul encountered this same thing in Ephesus in Acts 19:8-9, “And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. [9] But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.” In teaching the gospel today we meet those who will not hear because they have hardened their hearts. We expect this.
But what we may not expect is to find Christians who have hardened their hearts. If we studied Jesus disciples, we would find that even they, at times, had hardened hearts. We read in Mark 6:52, “ For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.”
In Mark 8:17 we see, “But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?”. Yet again in Mark 16:14 we read, “Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.” Even after the resurrection had taken place, the Apostles allowed worldly thoughts to harden them to the point that they did not believe that Jesus had come forth from the grave. This was serious.
There are many lessons that we can get from this, but the one that stands out is that we really need to be on guard lest we allow our own personal feelings, experiences, and temptations, to harden us to the truth. We need to continue to work and pray that our heart will be soft and receptive to the gospel of Christ. It is easy to look at God’s word and apply it’s lessons to everyone else. It is difficult to see ourselves and change our actions and attitudes.
The writer of Hebrews gave a warning that all of us would do well to heed, “but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13). David Courington

Pigs Gone Wild

From Calm To Chaos

We all hear, and probably tell, a lot more bad news than good. We lament that all of the "TV and newspaper news" is bad, but what about the news that we tell? Sometimes we tell more bad news than we realize.
In Mark 5 there is an account of a man who had multiple demons that the Lord cast out of him and into some pigs that then ran into the sea. No doubt, if that had happened today the headline would have been "Pigs Gone Wild" instead of "Man Healed By Jesus".
The man who had been healed wanted to stay with Jesus, but He would not allow him to do so. Instead, He told him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”(Mark 5:19). Have you told a friend about Jesus lately? The next verse says, "And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled."
Although the miraculous healing of diseases passed with the apostles and those that they layed hands upon, Jesus still saves! You can come to him through faith(John 8:24), repentance(Ac. 2:38), confession(Rom. 10:10), and baptism(Mark 16:16). That's the good news for today, and every day!
Have you told any "Good News" lately?

Did I Start A Family Feud

From Calm To Chaos
It was great to have much of the family over for Labor Day. Paul cooked some fantastic hamburgers while I went to get Mom and Dad. Everyone seemed to have a great time, but at the end of the day I helped contribute to one of life's great mysteries. That is, "What happens to a person between the time they are a parent and they become a grandparent?" I first began to ponder this years ago when I spanked one of my children at a family gathering and my grandfather began to cry out loud, said he couldn't stand it, and went outside on the porch.
As the Kelseys were about to leave last night, Addi came in and ask me in the way only a grandaughter can, "'Namps, can I borrow this and take it home with me?" In her hand was an old bugle that I got at a flea market for a couple of bucks. I told her that I wanted it back and asked her how long she wanted to borrow it. At age 3, Addi always has a ready answer and her reply was "Six Days." The question is, "Six days from now will Paul and Kim still love me?"

The "Crocodile Hunter" Is Dead

In case you haven't heard, the "Crocodile Hunter", Steve Irwin has been killed while filming on the Great Barrier Reef. Ironically, he was filming a segment for a series titled "Ocean's Deadliest." He provided a lot of interesting entertainment as he took so many risks. I was sorry to hear of his death.

A great lesson in life should not be ignored here. If a man spends his whole life seeing how close he can come to dangerous things, instead of seeing how far away he can stay from them, he will eventually get hurt.

Spiritually speaking, many people fail to follow the many admonitions to "Flee". Consider these verses, "Flee these things"(1 Tim. 6:11), "Flee sexual immorality"(1 Cor. 6:18), "Flee idolatry"(1 Cor 10:14), "Flee youthful lusts."(2 Tim. 2:22). Getting as close as you can to sin, will eventually be deadly.

Just A Thought

I heard a man on the radio the other day refer to someone as a "blabber." It got me to wondering- Is there really much difference between a "blabber" and a "blogger?" What about a "booger?" Bet you can't say "Blabber, blogger, booger" three times fast.

Hmmm. What kind of thought did you expect? It's Saturday and a holiday weekend and I am "off" today.

"John Done Burned Down The Liquor Store"

I woke up the other day with this song on my mind from the CD, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?". I could not get that phrase and tune out of my mind. I have no idea why I thought of it, because I haven't even listened to that CD in a while. Maybe it was because I talked to John Brown for a while the night before. He is a good friend and brother who likes to sing some crazy old songs, but he is not the John that burned down the liquor store.
Well there are lots of other things like cares and burdens, hurts, past sins, evil thoughts... that we have a hard time getting out of our mind. One way to do that is to put someting good in your mind instead of the bad. Paul said, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phillippians 4:8) I am writing a sermon on this and might post some other thoughts later.

Bandit On The Loose

Well, since Susan wants me to embarrass myself and one of the things I wanted to do with this blog was put some funny things here to brighten someone's day, I will go ahead and tell this. We have a delightful(usually)dog named Bandit that is a Border Collie. He has a fair amount of room to run in our fenced back yard, but not as much as he would like. Though he has dug a huge hole under the steps that is undermining the concrete landing by our deck, he never has tried to dig out. But you had better not look the other way if you open the fence. Which I did the other day while cutting the grass. I thought it was great fun that he got out a couple of months ago when my good friend, Marty Glenn, went in to feed him while we were away. But is was not nearly as funny as I thought when I had to try to catch him. I chased him until I got tired(which was not very long). He went out of sight going down Hathcock Drive to the main street. I decided I had better get in the car so I went up and down hollering for him. I came back up to the house and saw him going behind our neighbors house, so I parked the car. Thinking he would give up soon, I waited and kept approaching him and calling each time he ran by-which was a bunch of times, but he would never look my way. I even went in and got a drink of water, poured some out so he could see it(boy was it hot, about 95), then tried to entice him with some of his favorite dog biscuits, all while he looked the other way running everywhere. Since his tongue was now hanging out(mine too), I thought Bandit might come to me if I would set down. Of course that did not work either. I lumbered up and that is when I got the most brilliant idea that finally led to his capture- I would chase him on the riding lawn mower until he finally gave out. It was quite a pursuit, reminiscient of the time they chased OJ in his Explorer. He didn't give out, but he did go into a corner at the neighbor's house where I blocked him in with the mower. It think this all took a total of 45 minutes. You can't imagine the look on my neighbors face when they came out to see what was going on as I had my mower running, parked right up against their house and was trying to pull Bandit back as he was going wild barking at their pit bull(who was barking back wildly and who is also in a very poor fence. I was scared of that dog, but not about to give up now. Luckily, the fence held and even though his collar came off as I grabbed him. I carried him home, though the house, and finally to the fenced back yard, where he is still residing at this moment, I hope. If you think there was any humor in this, wait til I have time to tell you about Daryl chasing his Jack Russell up and down the street with a hubcap chained behind him. Whoooeeee!

Up At Midnight

Why I am up after midnight putting the first post on my blog, I do not know. I am just not too sleepy tonight. Of late I have been going to bed about 9:30-10:30 p.m. I don't know why this is either. A 30 year old college habit of going to be no earlier than midnight has been with me until the last few months. I guess since all of the kids have moved out it is a little calmer around the house at night. But then too, it might be that I am just more tired out at night since I get up earlier. That is another old habit that has changed of late. I have a hard time sleeping much past 6:00 a.m. on most days. Could it just be that I am getting older? Not a chance. In fact, since I now have 3 grandchildren, I am feeling much younger a lot of the time. Now let me tell you about my grandchildren--- naw, I am getting sleepy now and that would take m 'til at least past 1:oo a.m. just to get a good start. Besides, I might take away from Granna's blog. Have a good night and may God bless!