Mother's Day

Many of us are so blessed with either the presence or the memory of a godly mother.  Our mothers often were the primary teachers of values, skills and morals during our early years.  Each one of us could share lessons that we learned through our mothers' teaching or example.  I would like to share a couple of lessons I learned from my mother with you in honor of Mother's Day.

My mother taught me that every person had worth and was deserving of respect.  Whether we were going to see the President of the United States at a rally or buying a cup of coffee for a homeless man at a convenience store, my mom treated everyone the same.  I truly believe my mother is one of the rare people who never see race, gender, age, past mistakes or economic status in the people that she meets.  As I later became involved in ministry, I realized how important this example truly was in shaping my approach to life.

Another great lesson I learned from my mother is that trying your best is the important thing even if you don’t finish first.  Whether in class elections, school activities, grades or even in my health challenges, my mom was always quick to encourage and is my biggest source of support.  As you may already know, mothers often turn into dear friends as we become adults.

There may be those of you that don’t have great memories of your mothers.  Some of you may have few memories at all.  Don’t be discouraged.  Seek out godly sources of advice and friendship from mature Christians.  Allow these surrogate mothers (and fathers) to be a source of support to you.  The church is a family and it is at its best when it is caring for its members.  Remember to be thankful today and everyday for the great men and women who have shaped you into the person that you are. 
May God bless all of us by allowing us to use our lives as a positive influence on others.

 "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

~Antoine de Saint-Exupery in The Little Prince

"It takes all sorts to make a world."

-The Wind in the Willows

School starts back

When I was a child, one of my favorite experiences each year was the return of school in August.  I always enjoyed school and school activities and never dreaded the prospect of returning to the classroom.  August meant the start of preseason football, being assigned new teachers and seeing which friends were in each class.

When college arrived, I continued to look forward to the start of school.  After my freshman year, I always arrived back on campus early to help the new students move into the dorms.  It was always exciting to learn what everyone had done over the summer and to start the year together.

Best wishes to those, young and old, who are starting a new school year.  May you learn much and enjoy your experiences!

Missing the point...

I listened to a passionate sermon presentation on the Internet a little while ago.  The speaker was telling stories of anointing on the mission field and the dramatic need for preachers and ministers to feel the presence of God in their ministries.  Like most lessons, I didn't agree with everything contained in the sermon, but overall it was very uplifting and challenging.

My discouragement came when I began to read the comments on the sermon left by other listeners.  Two posters had gotten into an argument over whether or not the minister giving the sermon would have approved of the addition of a background music track to the sermon.  To be honest, I had not really even noticed the background music.  When listening again, all I could notice was the music.  Sometimes people are like that: the bring to the foreground what was never intended to be there.  I have been in worship services where a restoration or baptism occurs and instead of naturally rejoicing everyone present waits to see if anyone will clap or say "Amen."  The focus in such cases should not be on our response, but on the amazing event just witnessed. 

I was once visiting at a church camp and there were several baptisms that evening.  Some of the younger children began to applaud the baptisms.  In a particularly vicious comment toward the children, one of the men said we were not at a ballgame and clapping in that situation was not only offensive to some present but to God as well.  The emotion that the children wanted to convey was that of joy and celebration, but I doubt they remember anything except the rebuke.  Sadly, it is the only thing I remember about that baptismal celebration.

If you think this post is about background music or clapping, you have missed my point.  All I wish to point out is that the primary action in any situation is where the vast majority of attention should be placed.  Listen to what the man says and quickly dismiss an accent or style of clothing.  Witness what conversion and the communion really mean and overlook minor issues that surround the customs.  I never want it to be said of me that I majored in minors and minored in majors.  Let that phrase not be used about our lives in service to the LORD.

Childhood history

When I was a child, my parents often took me to national and state parks particularly those surrounding the Civil War era.  As a young child I became involved with Civil War reenacting and participated for several years as a powder bearer (Powder Monkey) for Company K of the Tennessee Artillery, C.S.A. based out of Fort Pillow, TN.  From the time I realized some of the political and social ramifications of the Civil War, I became self-conscious about "fighting" for the Southern cause.  I loved the camp life and the older men that participated each weekend and I learned much about history, but I also learned that some people had not learned from the mistakes of our ancestors.  As I grew older and learned more, my heart was torn between my modern day sympathies and the knowledge that had I been a boy in Tennessee in 1861 I would have probably felt differently.

No amount of study could erase the admiration I felt for Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, and yet, I also greatly admired Elisha P. Lovejoy, Frederick Douglass, Robert Gould Shaw and Abraham Lincoln.  My heart was divided at such a tender age over something that happened so long ago.  I still believe I would have struggled with secession as many in Tennessee did and given the climate of the times I am sure the choice of blue or gray would have been difficult and, in the end, perhaps deadly.

Enjoy some remembrances from the master of Civil War historians, Shelby Foote.