Random Day Celebration

I’m unofficially designating today as Random Day. Actually, many of my days are pretty random, as are many of my thoughts. So why don’t we spend the next few moments together in this column celebrating Random Day?   

First Random Day topic: Community Block Party. Can I just say a big “Thank you!” to everyone who came last Friday night? We had a great time and hope you enjoyed the event. We had nearly 60 volunteers from the church serving in various ways, and I am blessed to pastor such a giving group of believers. There would be so many people to thank for going above and beyond that I would be afraid of leaving someone out if I began naming names. So let me again say how grateful I am for all your help.

I would, however, be remiss if I failed to give a shout out to Ray, Cindy and Bob – the New Jerusalem Singers – for blessing us with great gospel songs throughout the evening. I need to also give a word of thanks to Bob and Sarah Jane Swaar for providing the train rides. You are two of the most pleasant and patient people I’ve ever met. 

And to all who came whether by yourself or with your family, we are so glad you were there! I hope you sensed the grace of God and His joyous presence among us. If you don’t attend church regularly, let me invite you to come and be our guest this Sunday morning. We would love to welcome you.

Random Day topic No. 2: Father’s Day. I was happy to recognize so many men in church this past Sunday for Father’s Day. Guys, you have the responsibility to lead your families in the ways of the Lord. Thanks for taking that lead by making worship a priority in your life, and I trust that each and every day you’ll set the pace by investing time in the Word of God and prayer, by living a life of integrity and by showing this confused world what it means to be a true man of God. I’m praying for you, men. Stand strong!

Random Day topic No. 3: The deal to free U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for the release of five of the Taliban’s top operatives from Guantanamo Bay prison. Wait, that’s old news now. Nevermind.

Random Day topic No. 4: Benghazi. Wait, that’s old news, too. Isn’t it? What about the IRS scandal, Obamacare or the VA nightmare? Eh, not today.

Random Day topic No. 5: The World Cup. Does anyone around here even follow hockey? Just kidding. I don’t personally have any interest in the Stanley Cup, either.

Random Day topic No. 6: Vacation Bible School. Parents, mark your calendar for the week of July 20-24 for the First Baptist Church’s VBS. This year’s “Agency D3” theme will invite children to come discover, decide and defend the truth about who Jesus really is. Those who have finished Pre-K through completion of 6^th grade are welcome.

Random Day topic No. 7: Leviticus. I’ve just re-read the book of Leviticus. It’s in the Bible. There’s probably a reason we don’t spend a lot of time reading through Leviticus. Allow me to sum up the main theme for you, in case you haven’t taken the time to read it, or just don’t really want to. God is holy, and He demands holiness from His people. That kind of personal holiness may have looked differently to the people of Israel than the way we’d apply it to ourselves today, but the truth remains. Because God is holy, we must likewise deal with our sin and strive for to live holy lives in Christ.

The bad news is that we can’t do it on our own – believe me, I’ve tried, and can’t. But the Good News is that Jesus came to take away our sins once for all time when He offered Himself on the cross as a sacrifice for sin, and He is in the business of making holy those who come to Him through faith. And He certainly does the job well, if we’ll trust Him to do it for us. There’s nothing random about the way God works. 

Exploring the Character of God

What’s your perception of God? It seems everyone has some opinion. Some think of Him as a frustrated and angry God just waiting for someone to step out of line so he can zap the miscreant with a bolt of lightning. Others view God as an older grandfatherly type who doesn’t want to bother anyone, who thinks it’s great when people decide to show up at his house, but understands if you can’t make it. And, of course, some just don’t think of God at all. It’s easier to live life the way they want to live it if they can find a way to try to shut God out of the picture altogether. 

But opinions are cheap. They’re worthless, really, if not grounded in truth. If, in my opinion, I think water ought to boil at 211 degrees and freeze at 33, my opinion means nothing. I’m only showing myself to be ignorant and foolish for rejecting the truth and believing a lie. Truth triumphs over my opinion.

So it is with our understanding of God. The truth about God according to the Bible trumps every opinion we can come up with. The existence of God, or the character, nature and attributes of God are not up for debate. And the sooner we come to grips with the God of the Bible, the better.

The psalmist says of Him: “For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land” (Psalm 95:3-5).

Upon the Lord’s deliverance of the people of Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sang this song: “Your right hand, O Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble…Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:6-7, 11). 

When David was rescued by the Lord from the hand of Saul, he burst forth in praise: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior – from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies” (2 Samuel 22:2-4).

When Jesus asked His followers who they thought He was, Peter exclaimed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). And the mighty King of kings, the One who is the true God in the flesh, affirmed Peter’s great confession of faith.

If only we understood more about the holiness of God. If only we learned more of His greatness and majesty. If only we could grasp something of His glory. If only we realized His goodness and mercy, His righteousness and justice, His love and faithfulness and wisdom and grace.

How quickly we would see our sin and our utter unworthiness to stand before Him. How quickly we would seek the salvation that He offers in Christ Jesus and run to Him for mercy. How quickly we would offer our lives in joyful obedience to His will. How quickly we would want to please Him by living in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ Jesus. And how quickly we would find in Him richer blessings of joy, peace, hope, satisfaction and purpose in life beyond anything we’ve ever known.

Let me invite you to join us at the First Baptist Church in Petersburg for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. over the next several weeks as we explore the character of God, and allow the Almighty to reveal Himself in truth as we seek Him in His Word.

Who'd like a free lunch?

Who said that there’s no such thing as a free lunch? I understand the concept, but I beg to differ. And if you come to our annual Community Block Party this Friday night, June 13, from 5-8, I think you’ll agree with me. We are geared up for a great evening to enjoy the company and conversation with our neighbors, while providing fun and entertainment for the whole family.

And, yes, it’s all free. The cotton candy, Sno-cones, popcorn – they’re all free. The hamburgers and hotdogs? Free. The face painting, carnival games and bounce houses? Free, free, free. Even the music of the New Jerusalem Singers? Yes! It’s free! As is the petting zoo, the cake walk and the dunk tank.

And the good news is that you’re invited to come and enjoy it all! We’ll be set up on the corner of 7^th and Sangamon in Petersburg, right in front of the First Baptist Church, just one block west of the only stoplight in town. No tickets, no admission charge, no kidding. It’s all free for you.

God has generously blessed us with the free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus, and we delight in sharing His love with our community. Truly, the best things in life are free.

Of course, that free gift of eternal life did indeed come at a price. In fact, it cost Jesus his life on the cross. It’s only free to us because the price for our forgiveness from sin and our righteousness in Christ has been paid in full. As the old song goes, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.”

That means there’s nothing you or I can do to buy our way to heaven. There’s nothing we can do to earn it, nor is there any amount of good deeds we have done or could do to deserve it. God’s standard is perfection, and none of us measures up, no matter how good we think we are. It doesn’t matter that you’re a better person than your obnoxious neighbor or lying co-worker. It doesn’t matter that you’re a good citizen, a proud veteran, a decent parent or a charitable giver. We’re not perfect.

Rather, what we really do deserve is death. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). That means that because all of us have sinned against God, we deserve to face His righteous and just wrath against sin. And no one has the charm or wit or power to escape His judgment.

But the good news is that God also loves us with an incomprehensible love. He doesn’t want any to perish, but desires that all would come to repentance. In His love God sent His Son, Jesus, into this world to live the perfect, sinless life that none of us are capable of living. And when Jesus gave His life on Calvary, it was the righteous dying for the unrighteous, the spotless Lamb of God absorbing the full and fierce force of God’s wrath against sin, so that we don’t have to. So that we, though guilty, could go free.

Why would anyone not receive the pardon offered by God’s grace in Christ Jesus? Why would anyone not acknowledge his sinfulness before a Holy God, repent and believe the good news of Jesus? Why would anyone not receive Jesus as Savior and Lord of his life, and enjoy the abundant and eternal life He alone can offer? Why would anyone not run to Jesus, unloading the guilt and shame of sin, experiencing the white-as-snow washing away of sin, and trusting in the mercy and grace and peace and love and joy and hope that’s found in a personal relationship with the King of all kings and Almighty Savior of the world?

Yes, it cost Jesus his life, but it’s a free lunch for you. Will you receive His offer of salvation?  

Come and join us Friday night for the Block Party. Who doesn’t like free?

Dear Graduate, Here's my prayer for you

To the graduating class of 2014: May your passion for what is right be a blazing fire in your life, and may the pathway of wrong be a road you avoid at all costs.

There is still such a thing as right, and there is still such a thing as wrong. Do what’s right, and don’t do what’s wrong. That’s pretty simple, but it’s my prayer for you.

In our culture, however, the definition of the terms has been muddied in recent years. Let me take a quick shot at clearing up the waters.

Live a life of integrity. Pursue the things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Follow the way of righteousness, faith, love and peace. Treat others with compassion and kindness, humility and patience. Be quick to forgive. Be trustworthy, respectful and grateful. Look for ways to serve others, help the poor and encourage the weary. Last time I checked, these things are all still right.

But avoid all forms of sexual immorality, impurity and greed. The world may promise that these things will bring pleasure, but it’s wrong. Any fleeting pleasure you feel will be gone in a heartbeat, while the guilt and shame hang around like an unwanted guest who can’t take a hint. Stay away from your so-called “friends” who urge you to join them in their foolish schemes and evil deeds. Don’t follow along with the crowd when they plunge into the flood of wild parties and destructive behavior. Don’t give yourself to drunkenness, hostility, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, quarreling, slander, lying and causing divisions.

Do you know what “YOLO” means? My family and I were on vacation at Panama City Beach a few years ago when I first saw this term on T-shirts and hats at some of the local shops. It’s an acronym for “You Only Live Once,” but in context, for those who ascribe to this philosophy (especially while on Spring Break) it means, “I’m about to do something really, really stupid!”

Dear graduate, I’m urging you, and praying for you, to passionately live for what is right and be quick to reject every wrong path. I don’t want you to do something stupid that will lead to your demise, but to follow the way that’s right and leads to your good.

But you’re going to need some divine help to do it. Your greatest resolve and most tenacious self-determination will not be enough. The prince of this world – Satan – is too formidable an enemy for you to battle in your own strength. You cannot win. And, sadly, many aren’t even trying to fight anymore. But the stakes are too high to give up or give in.

The good news is that God is more than willing to give you all the help you need to enjoy life by living it the way He intended – doing things the right way – His way. Here’s how: Receive Jesus as the Savior and Lord of your life. When you give your life to Christ and let Him live in you and through you, your life will be richer and more meaningful and more satisfying than anything you could ever imagine.

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). He will not only give you abundant life here and now, but He will also give you everlasting life in heaven. You don’t have to do anything but believe.

As I pray for you, graduate, I pray that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened to see the greatness and glory of Christ Jesus, to turn from every wrong and sinful path, and to delight in following Jesus, the One who makes our passion for living the right way a blazing fire.

We need a values fix

Last Saturday I was mowing the yard when I began smelling burning rubber. That’s never a good sign, especially when accompanied by a sputtering mower. I didn’t stop right away of course, because I only had a little lawn left to mow, and if the thing would just hang in there for five minutes I could finish the job and make the yard look great. Needless to say, that didn’t happen. The transmission belt was done, and so was my mowing for the day. You can’t run a mower with a frayed, worn, broken belt.

Nor can you run a nation with a frayed, worn, broken values system. The rubber is burning and the motor is sputtering. We’re not going to get the job done of keeping this country great if our once-strong moral values are reduced to threads. But that’s exactly what’s happening right here in America, in case you haven’t noticed. 

Latest case in point: last week the St. Louis Rams made Michael Sam the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL. Upon his selection, an emotional Sam turned to his boyfriend and kissed him for the entire ESPN viewing audience to witness. 

The reactions to the kiss have been mixed. One former Super Bowl champion wrote via Twitter that he felt this was inappropriate, considering younger children may have been watching the draft. He says he has received death threats against him and his family for his comments. 

A current Miami Dolphins player, Don Jones, also tweeted that this behavior was “disgusting.” The Dolphins quickly reprimanded Jones, fining him an undisclosed amount of money, and barred him from team activities until he completes “training for his recent comments made on social media.” 

So let me see if I’ve got this straight (no pun intended). If I exercise my First Amendment rights to speak out against what I believe is a disgusting behavior, I am risking a fine from my employer, ordered to take “training” to either change my mind about what I believe is right and wrong, or at least to keep my mouth shut and by my silence give approval, and probably receive death threats against me and my family. 

You might also remember the Mayor of Chicago vowed to keep Chick-Fil-A out of town because their values didn’t align with Chicago’s values. This was after COO Dan Cathy publicly affirmed traditional marriage. You’re not allowed to believe same sex marriage is wrong in Chicago and still expect to do business.

Then there was the flap regarding Phil Robertson’s comments about his belief that homosexuality is wrong – even quoting the Bible as his source! – which led to the A&E network temporarily dropping Duck Dynasty after a public outcry against Phil. 

You need to know there’s also a bill in the U.S. Senate instructing the government to monitor and analyze speech in media looking for anything it considers “hate speech.” While purporting to prevent those who might “advocate or encourage violent acts or hate crimes,” S.2219 is also believed to be a tool for silencing those who speak against homosexuality, whether on a church’s website or posts on your individual Facebook page. 

Some people, not surprisingly, are offering Michael Sam their gleeful support. President Obama said this: “The President congratulates Michael Sam, the Rams and the NFL for taking an important step forward today in our Nation’s journey.” 

There’s a lot more than a transmission belt burning up in America, and the issue of the normalization and acceptance of homosexual behavior (and the silencing of those opposed) remains at the forefront of our cultural disintegration. 

If I don’t get that mower fixed, the yard will soon be a mess. Likewise, if we don’t get our values fixed soon, this nation will be a wreck. Thankfully, God still offers forgiveness to all who repent of sin and turn in faith to follow the ways of Christ Jesus. His value system never wears out.

It's Time to Pray

I don’t think we can even begin to imagine the blessings that God would be willing to pour out upon a people who truly seek Him and pray for His will to be done. The Bible is loaded with prayer promises, such as Jesus taught: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7). 

And since God is all-wise, all-powerful, loving, faithful, merciful and gracious, His will in every situation is always for the best – for our good and for His glory.  

So why is it that we don’t pray more persistently and more passionately for His will to be done? I am convinced that individual lives, families, communities, states and nations would be much stronger and healthier if we would call upon the name of the Lord. Perhaps we’re facing such perilous times because we have not asked God for help. 

Rev. Billy Graham once said, “Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one ever bothered to ask.” 

It’s time to start asking. Let me invite you to come out and pray on Thursday, May 1, at 12:00 noon on the west lawn of the Menard County Courthouse for the National Day of Prayer. Let us call upon the Lord, asking for His help and healing. 

I want to share with you a prayer written by Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham and 2014 Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. May these words reflect our own hearts’ desire for our Father’s will to be done: 

Lord of the Universe. Lord of this planet. Lord of the nations. Lord of our hearts. 

On this National Day of Prayer, we look to You…

In the darkness, You are our Light. 

In the storm, You are our Anchor. 

In our weakness, You are our Strength. 

In our grief, You are our Comfort. 

In our despair, You are our Hope. 

In our confusion, You are our Wisdom. 

In time of terrorism, You are our Shield. 

In time of war, You are our Peace. 

In times of uncertainty, You are the Rock on which we stand. 

We make our prayer to You using the words of the prophet Daniel: 

“O Lord, You are the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments. You are merciful and forgiving. You are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame because we have sinned against You, and done wrong. We have turned away from Your commands and principles. We have turned away from You.” 

Yet You have promised in 2 Chronicles 7, that if we–a people identified with You–would humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, then You would hear our prayer, forgive our sin and heal our land. 

So we choose to stop pointing our finger at the sins of others, and examine our own hearts and lives. We choose to acknowledge our own sin–our neglect and defiance and ignorance and even rejection of You. This day we choose to repent. 

In response to our heartfelt repentance, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Father of Jesus Christ, in keeping with all Your righteous acts and according to Your promise, turn away Your anger and Your wrath from the United States of America. Hear the prayers and petitions offered to You on this National Day of Prayer, as we give You our full attention. Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. 

For the glory of Your Name hear our prayer, forgive our sin, and heal our land. 

We ask this in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ who offers us salvation from Your judgment, forgiveness for our sin, and reconciliation with You through His own blood shed on the Cross. Amen.

Jesus - our only hope of glory

A 16-year-old sophomore in Pennsylvania calmly walks into school and stabs 21 people. Another fatal shooting spree at Fort Hood leaves four dead and 14 wounded.  Some madman opens fire on a Jewish community center and an assisted living facility killing three. Every day there’s breaking news of another spree of violence. 

Then there’s the alarming problem of increased human trafficking (slavery) not just in a few third-world countries somewhere else, but right here in our nation. There are gambling addictions, drug and alcohol addictions, pornography addictions and who knows what other addictions that are destroying lives and tearing families apart. 

There seems to be an unquenchable thirst for sexual immorality, impurity, lust, jealousy, quarreling, selfish ambition, dissension, anger, hatred and falsehood that has seeped into and taken over our cultural mentality, and it’s crumbling our foundations and rotting out the very walls that have held this nation together, strong and secure. 

We are in a mess. What in the world is going on?! 

Could it be that we’re simply suffering the effects of what happens when a culture becomes godless and jettisons biblical values? When sin goes unchecked and people do whatever seems right in their own eyes? When we reject the ways of the Lord and applaud the ways of the wicked? That is why – more than ever – we need to return to the hope of the gospel of Christ Jesus. And we’d better do it sooner than later. 

Don’t expect Washington to get it all figured out and straightened up. Neither laws nor politicians can change the wickedness of men’s hearts. Don’t wait for Hollywood to recognize the moral poison it’s spewing out and decide to clean up its act. The media wouldn’t even produce the kind of garbage they do if viewers weren’t craving it. Don’t think higher education holds the key to getting the ship back on course. Many of our nation’s leading universities are awash in atheistic thought and immorality. 

What we need is Jesus. In the words of Christian rock band Petra: “When will this world see that we need Jesus? If we open our eyes we will all realize that He loves us.” He is our truly only hope. Without Christ, we’re done. We’re sunk. If we don’t repent and get right with God through Jesus, we’re only going to see the chaos and confusion and violence and immorality escalate exponentially to our grave destruction. 

It’s only by God’s patient, loving grace that we’re not already feeling the full brunt of His displeasure. But if we continue to flaunt our sin in His face, it surely won’t be long until we are completely undone by His judgment. 

Church, I’m calling us to get on our knees and humbly seek the Lord and turn from our own sins first and foremost. How can we expect God to bless and heal our land if we’re not seeking His face and following His ways? How can we possibly expect the lost to come to Jesus if they don’t see Jesus living in us? 

And I’m calling us, church, to rise up and proclaim the gospel of Christ Jesus. Pastors, lead the charge for the sake of the kingdom! Don’t compromise the truth at the risk of offending someone in your congregation, but unleash the Word of God in all of its grand and glorious and life-changing power. Call your people to repentance and holiness in Christ. Tell them they’ve spent enough time already doing what pagans choose to do, and plead with them to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires, and to walk in step with the Holy Spirit in the light of God’s life-giving Word. 

This Sunday – Easter Sunday – is the perfect time to proclaim the meaning of the cross and the power of the resurrection. The world needs Jesus, our only hope of glory. 

I Will Embrace the Cross

 In case you haven’t received an official invitation yet, let me invite you to join us at the First Baptist Church this coming Sunday morning, April 13, at 10:45 as our choir presents the Easter cantata, “I Will Embrace the Cross.” Yes, it’s only Palm Sunday, but the message still sings. So, if you don’t already attend a Christ-centered church that preaches the gospel in all its grand and glorious truth, we’d love for you to be our guest.

We’ve had a good time learning the songs in this musical. The energy of celebration and worship in a few of the numbers has even led some of our altos to raise theirs hands in the air, which is a bold expression of praise for many Baptists.

We are typically hands-in-pocket singers, perhaps daring occasionally to tap fingers on the pew, maybe do some light clapping along or even uttering a sporadic “Amen” if a particular song grips us in a special way. So if you see us raising the roof you’ll know the Spirit’s moving!

You’ll also hear in this cantata some deeper, personally reflective songs that God has used to draw us to worship with grateful and sincere hearts. There is one called “Your Blood Covers It All” which powerfully reminds us that what Jesus did for us on the cross covers “all my sins, all my shame, all my secrets, all my chains.”

How can we think about the suffering Jesus endured for us without being moved to brokenness and repentance? How can we ever question His love for us, His unceasing mercies or overflowing grace? How can we possibly choose the paths of sin when Christ has given us new joy, new peace, new satisfaction and new life?

This is the good news of which we sing. This is the simple, yet life-changing gospel message that we want the world to hear. The apostle Paul says it this way:

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for ours sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5).

Paul never got over what Jesus did for him. Paul knew that he was unworthy to be called an apostle. He was a self-described “chief of sinners.” He was a blasphemer, persecutor and violent opponent of the church. But all that changed when the grace of the Lord shone into the midst of his darkness, because Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners and transform them into trophies of His grace.

Like Paul. Like the thief on the cross and the tax-collecting thief Zacchaeus. Like the immoral woman at the well, and the “woman of the city,” and the woman caught in the act of adultery. Like the demon-possessed and the blind and the lepers and the lame who believed in Him. Like you and like me and like whosoever believes in Jesus for salvation, turning away from sin and turning in faith to the One whose blood shed on the cross offers forgiveness and mercy and everlasting life and eternal joy.

Friend, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). That’s why we sing! That’s why we celebrate! Jesus has saved us and changed us so that we’re no longer walking in darkness, but by following the One who is the light of the world, by taking up our cross to follow, we’re walking in the light of life!

Why not come to Christ today? Don’t wait. Don’t keep making excuses. Don’t let your past keep you in darkness. The blazing light of heaven’s glory is shining for you now. His blood covers all your sin, and the His victory over death has been won. It’s time to follow Jesus and declare with Him, “I Will Embrace the Cross.”

Studying for Transformation

 I realized three years ago that I’m not really smarter than a 5^th grader. Tyler was then learning things in school that I could not remember ever knowing. I must have been absent the day they learned which composer wrote the “1812 Overture” or which ancient city-states were involved in The Peloponnesian War.

You probably know these answers without Googling, but attending Lincoln Elementary School in Robinson, I’m more likely to remember the scores to our kickball games at recess than remembering how to figure out answers to questions like: “If a fraction has a common denominator of 5, what must the numerator be to make it a unit fraction?” I also recall that in 5^th grade I received the only paddling I ever got in school, but that’s a story for another article. 

Tyler’s now in 8^th grade, and after watching a portion of a recent junior high scholar bowl match, I’m definitely out of my league. See how you do on some of these (a sample of junior high questions, but not necessarily from that tournament). 

• Sunlight causes the potato to turn green and produce what poison?
• What body does the moon Triton orbit? 
• Who carved Stone Mountain, but is better known for his work on Mt. Rushmore?

I think I must have missed some days in 8^th grade, as well. But I do know that our boys basketball team made it to the 8AA IESA State Championship Game with an undefeated record, where we lost in overtime to Dixmoor Rosa Parks. I had a front row bench seat for the whole season, being among the “Minute Men” who got to play the final minute of most games because we were often ahead by a safe margin. It was a memorable year on the basketball floor; I just didn’t really learn much in the classroom.

There are so many things I wish I would have paid more attention to in school. I would especially love to know more history and world geography. I never got into science, but now I wish I could talk intelligently on that level. I took two years of German in high school, but it’s one of those use it or lose it skills, and since I’ve never been to Germany or have any occasion to use it, it’s gone. If I’d have taken Spanish I would surely have more opportunity to keep that language fresh. 

By the way, how did you do with the questions above? Here are the answers to the 5th grade questions: 

• The "1812 Overture" was written by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. 
• The Pelopponisian Ward was primarily a conflict between Athens and Sparta.
• If a fraction has a common denominator of 5, the number 1 must be the numerator to make it a unit fraction. 

And for you 8th grade scholar bowl challengers, here you go:

• Sunlight causes the potato to turn green and produces the poison Solonin. 
• The moon Triton orbits Neptune.
• Gutzon Borglum was the man who sculpted Mt. Rushmore.

It’s never too late to learn, I know. I could spend time studying any or all of these subjects. But my passion for the past 15 years has been studying the Bible. I’m nowhere near where I want to be in my understanding of the Scripture. In fact, the more I learn the more I realize how much more there is to know. But I love digging into the Word of God and seeing what’s there. Not just for the sake of information, but for transformation. 

The Bible is unlike any other book. It is living and active, convicting and challenging, exposing and encouraging. Far from being a dusty old collection of myths or fairy tales, the Bible is more relevant today than every latest self-help best-seller on the market. It is truth. It is enduring. It is unchanging. The Word of God stands forever. 

It is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. It brings heaven’s blessings to those who follow in its ways. It revives the soul, makes the simple wise, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, warns against sin and leads us to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. God uses it to prepare and equip His people for doing every good work. 

Let me encourage you, friend, to read, study, meditate upon, memorize, pray through, and follow the teachings of God’s Word. You may not become a scholar bowl champion, but you will celebrate with thanks to God for the victory that is ours through our Lord Jesus Christ! 

Are You Ready?

 I admit it. I am one of those people who went to the store right before the winter storm came and got some milk and other essentials, like ingredients for tacos. Don’t give me that look; you were there, too. Everybody was.

That’s all right, though. I mean, you never know. This winter weather has been pretty unpredictable. I’m just thankful we have a grocery store in town. And while our church, along with several others, was cancelled Sunday morning, guess who was open? County Market.

I hope you don’t think less of our commitment to come together for worship, when County Market opens up for business while we close for the day. But it was the wise decision for us to make, and I’m sure they felt staying open was the wise decision for them. After coming in early to the church building Sunday morning to survey the situation and make some phone calls, I also stopped at the store for some donuts on the way home. I’m glad they were open. Yeah, I’m one of those people.

Okay, so a friend posted a picture on Facebook that showed some lady with a full shopping cart ready to unload groceries in her car in a snowstorm. The caption read: “People: Tell them bad weather is coming, and they prepare! Tell them Jesus is coming, and they do nothing.” And I thought that’s about the way it is.

We believe the weatherman when he says the storm is coming, but do you believe the preacherman when he says Christ is coming? 

"Well, when’s He coming?” you ask. Good question.

Here’s the answer. “Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2). In others words – rather, in Jesus’ own words, He said: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44).

The point, obviously, is that we don’t know when He’s coming, which means we must always be prepared. There is no radar that can track His movements and forecast His arrival. It would be foolish to even try, though some fools have attempted to predict dates of His second coming, and failed.

But we can see the signs and know that the time is drawing near. Some of these signs, as Jesus says in Matthew 24 include: many who claim themselves to be Christ and deceive many people; wars and rumors of war; nation rising against nation, kingdoms against kingdoms; famines and earthquakes in various place; extreme persecution and hatred of Christians; many who will turn away from the faith and betray and hate each other; many false prophets appearing and deceiving people; increase of wickedness; the love of most will grow cold; and the preaching of the gospel to the whole world.

You know what? It looks like we’d better start paying attention to the signs.

Friend, I urge you to get ready for the coming of the Lord Jesus. I’m not talking about getting an extra gallon of milk or some taco sauce, either. I’m not talking about making sure you’ve got enough gas in your car or seeing that the generator’s working.

I’m urging you to get on your knees before a holy and righteous God and plead for His mercy. I’m telling you to recognize that because of your sin, you need the salvation that Christ Jesus alone offers to rescue you from the coming storm of God’s wrath and judgment. I’m warning you to repent from your sin and believe in Jesus, who died on the cross in your place, so that you will not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus is coming, and He’s coming soon. Are you ready?