Yesterday I had a conversation with a lady that set me to thinking about the question, "What is authentic Christianity." Certainly I will not try to explore this subject very fully, but look at it from only one angle.
The lady's story was as follows. She was asked by some lady friends to visit their church and sing a solo during their worship service. She agreed to do this, but only on the condition that it met with the approval of the pastor whom she did not know.
She arrived for the service and took her seat. Soon someone informed her that the pastor wanted to meet with her in his office. She was glad to do so thinking that they would talk about when and what song she would sing.
To her surprise they never got to that point. Instead the pastor asked her a question that startled her He wanted to know if she ever wore necklaces. She responded that she does sometimes, even though she didn't have one on that time. She asked him what that had to do with her singing. He responded very adamantly that it had everything to do with it. He stated that he was suspicious that she does wear necklaces because he noticed that she had on a watch, a bracelet and wedding rings. He laid down the law in no uncertain terms that wearing a necklace was a sign of worldliness and unacceptable for a Christian. In light of the fact that she did not meet his standard of being an authentic Christian, he would not allow her to sing in HIS church.
Feeling so humiliated she intended to leave as quickly as possible, but as she walked down the aisle toward the front door, some of the ladies who had invited her there asked her what she was going to sing. Very upset by the stern reprimand by the pastor, she answered loudly enough that all present could hear her, "Your pastor said that I can't sing because I wear necklaces." Then she rushed out the door vowing that she would never again return to that church.
The question is, "Did that pastor represent authentic Christianity?" He truly had a strong dose of religion, but not authentic Christianity. I am reminded of Jesus' words to the Pharisees in Luke 11:42, when he scalded them in no uncertain terms, "Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe and mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet you disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others."
Authentic Christianity, like Christ shows grace and kindness. It doesn't major on minor issues such as wearing necklaces. S uch religious trivia could hardly be called Christian at all for it drives folks away, rather than drawing them to Christ. Who needs religon? Few people want it. Everybody needs authentic Christianity and many want it.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Mixed bathing
The themometer registered 96 degrees at hour house today, rather a scorcher for the last day of what has been an usually hot and dry summer. After visiting three of our Lafayette Church folks at RMC I headed to the YMCA to cool down in the pool. The pool was not crowded with only a half dozen swimmers, three of them being very small children with their mothers.
As I walked into the pool area I was greeted by a pretty young lifeguard. We greeted each other and I dived off the deep end of the pool and began swimming toward my goal of sixteen laps, a half mile, I was told. The water felt good and so did the nice breeze that was striking my body parts that were not submerged in the beautiful clear water.
My goal is to swim at least twice a week, though sometimes other pressing matters take predecence. I often dread hitting the water because it takes a great deal of effort for this 73 year-old to swing my arms and kick my feet to stay on top and move forward. During the summer vacation for the school children I didn't swim very often. It was quite a chore to avoid the children who always manage to get in my way. Sometimes the little children who are having a ball splashing and ducking and standing on their heads ask me if I am having fun. I answer by saying swimming was a lot of fun when I was their age, but now it is not as much fun as it is work. I enjoy teasing them by asking them not to splash water on me because it will get me wet. They look at me rather funny and wonder why I say such crazy things.
This brings me to the subject of mixed bathing. A friend of mine tells about a man at a Baptist Associaiton meeting making a motion that the body go on record opposing mixed bathing. Another gentleman spoke up and said, "And I think we should condemn boys and girls swimming together, too." That day has long past.
Boys and girls swimming together was not a common practice in my country farming community. Often we boys would go swimming in Mud River on Sunday afternoons in the summertime. There were plenty of girls in our community, but they didn't seem to want to swim with us guys. They probably didn't relish the idea of swimming in a river that lived up to its name. Had they gone with us you can be sure not nearly as much of their bodies would be exposed as is true of most girls and women today who take to the water or simply lie soaking up sunshine.
Anway, mixed bathing isn't regarding as such a great sin today. It is not frowned on by the most holy saints as it once was. I can't say I have ever preaching against it. I have preached against sexual lust and sex that is contrary to what God allows. He only condones sex inside of marriage. It is a beautiful gift when practiced as God intended. This is not meant to be a sermon. Having said that, however who can deny that the sexual revolution has negatively impacted our society. This is a much more promiscious generation than previous ones. We live in a sex saturated society. I think this accounts for auch atrocities as many babies being aborted or being born out of wedlock to young girls who cannot possibly take care of them, and many other things that are contrary to a healthy society. I hasten to add that the guys are as guilty as the girls.
I suppose that most men enjoy seeing pretty girls in their skimpy bathing suits. I confess to being guilty. Here is my attempt to deal with the temptation to look too long at their shaply bodies. I try to remember to pray for those girls or ladies. I pray that they will respect their bodies and remain pure. I have no idea if they have already violated God's standards by sinning against their own bodies. I pray that if they have they will stop, confess their sins and determine by the Lord's help to refrain from further sexual activity until they are married. I pray for the married ones to be faithful to their husbands.
I agree that women should dress modestly. You don't have to go to the pool to see those who are dressed inappropiately. Many don't dress like virtuous women wherever they go, so we men need to look the other way.
As I walked into the pool area I was greeted by a pretty young lifeguard. We greeted each other and I dived off the deep end of the pool and began swimming toward my goal of sixteen laps, a half mile, I was told. The water felt good and so did the nice breeze that was striking my body parts that were not submerged in the beautiful clear water.
My goal is to swim at least twice a week, though sometimes other pressing matters take predecence. I often dread hitting the water because it takes a great deal of effort for this 73 year-old to swing my arms and kick my feet to stay on top and move forward. During the summer vacation for the school children I didn't swim very often. It was quite a chore to avoid the children who always manage to get in my way. Sometimes the little children who are having a ball splashing and ducking and standing on their heads ask me if I am having fun. I answer by saying swimming was a lot of fun when I was their age, but now it is not as much fun as it is work. I enjoy teasing them by asking them not to splash water on me because it will get me wet. They look at me rather funny and wonder why I say such crazy things.
This brings me to the subject of mixed bathing. A friend of mine tells about a man at a Baptist Associaiton meeting making a motion that the body go on record opposing mixed bathing. Another gentleman spoke up and said, "And I think we should condemn boys and girls swimming together, too." That day has long past.
Boys and girls swimming together was not a common practice in my country farming community. Often we boys would go swimming in Mud River on Sunday afternoons in the summertime. There were plenty of girls in our community, but they didn't seem to want to swim with us guys. They probably didn't relish the idea of swimming in a river that lived up to its name. Had they gone with us you can be sure not nearly as much of their bodies would be exposed as is true of most girls and women today who take to the water or simply lie soaking up sunshine.
Anway, mixed bathing isn't regarding as such a great sin today. It is not frowned on by the most holy saints as it once was. I can't say I have ever preaching against it. I have preached against sexual lust and sex that is contrary to what God allows. He only condones sex inside of marriage. It is a beautiful gift when practiced as God intended. This is not meant to be a sermon. Having said that, however who can deny that the sexual revolution has negatively impacted our society. This is a much more promiscious generation than previous ones. We live in a sex saturated society. I think this accounts for auch atrocities as many babies being aborted or being born out of wedlock to young girls who cannot possibly take care of them, and many other things that are contrary to a healthy society. I hasten to add that the guys are as guilty as the girls.
I suppose that most men enjoy seeing pretty girls in their skimpy bathing suits. I confess to being guilty. Here is my attempt to deal with the temptation to look too long at their shaply bodies. I try to remember to pray for those girls or ladies. I pray that they will respect their bodies and remain pure. I have no idea if they have already violated God's standards by sinning against their own bodies. I pray that if they have they will stop, confess their sins and determine by the Lord's help to refrain from further sexual activity until they are married. I pray for the married ones to be faithful to their husbands.
I agree that women should dress modestly. You don't have to go to the pool to see those who are dressed inappropiately. Many don't dress like virtuous women wherever they go, so we men need to look the other way.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
On the Air Again
A totally unexpected word from Peggy's brother last Wednesday caught me by surprise. He reported that a disc jockey on his local radio station WRUS 610 AM Russellville, KY, had read on the air a portion of my sermon, The Blind Side. The fellow credited me as the author. Of course, I was very curious about how this had come to be.
Thursday afternoon I called the station. Big Daddy Bobalu himself answered the phone. I introduced myself and told him I was appreciative of him using my sermon, but I wondered how he got it. He first explained that at a given time in the afternoon he does an inspiration program. He found my sermon on the internet, he explained. He would read the remainder of it on the two following days. How it got on the internet I do not know. I do send sermons every week to some people over the internet. By whatever means he got ahold of it I felt honored.
As I pondered this I thought about my radio ministries through the years. My first broadcast was over this very station. This jockey's father had started this station back in the early 1950's. When I was a college freshmen a close friend, a fellow preacher boy and I shared aweekly 15 minutes preaching time on this station. We alternated weeks. It cost us the huge sum of $6 per week.
Several years later I was pastor of First Baptist Church of Jamestown, KY. A Baptist preacher opened a new station between Jamestown and Russell Springs. He invited me to teach the International Sunday School lesson every Sunday morning from 8:30-9:00 at no cost. He said it was a public service program. I did this for four years. It required hours of study every week, but it was very profitable. Sometime before I left Jamestown the station manager said that it was the most listened program on the station. I was astonished at that news, but very humbled and thankful that I could teach the Word of God to the radio audience. Almost every week I met people who told me that they listened regularly. I was flattered when a teacher of a men's class said that he recorded it and played to his class. I did not think that was a great idea, but what could I say? After serving the church for five years I answered the call to First Baptist Church of Griffith, Indiana. To this day I think the Sunday School lesson on radio was perhaps my greatest accomplishment there. I hasten to add that it was not me, but the Holy Spirit speaking through me. Since I wrote out the lessons, I still have copies of most of them, though I haven't read one of them in a long time.
During my 18 1/2 year pastorate in Griffith I off the air. In 1990 we moved to Providence where I served six years as pastor of Victory Baptist Church. I returned to the air-waves since the church broadcasted it worship services on WHRZ 99.7 FM. Since it was Sunday evenings from 7 to 8 o'clock we taped the morning worship service. Only God knows how large the listening audience was or the effect these services had on the listeners. Again a large number of people said that they listened. The same station gave the pastors in town a fifteen minute daily devotion time. I spoke on that program a great deal.
When I left Providence my radio ministry came to a halt. If my speaking from behind radio microphones touched people's lives and brought some to the Lord and helped God's children grow stronger in their faith, I just praise the Lord. God is good! I am amazed that he could use me. I thank Him and all who made it possible for me to be on the air.
Even if one of my sermons was read over the air by a disc jockey in Russellville, KY, I am humbled that he chose one of mine. Not knowing that it was going to happen I am glad to have been on ther air again.
Thursday afternoon I called the station. Big Daddy Bobalu himself answered the phone. I introduced myself and told him I was appreciative of him using my sermon, but I wondered how he got it. He first explained that at a given time in the afternoon he does an inspiration program. He found my sermon on the internet, he explained. He would read the remainder of it on the two following days. How it got on the internet I do not know. I do send sermons every week to some people over the internet. By whatever means he got ahold of it I felt honored.
As I pondered this I thought about my radio ministries through the years. My first broadcast was over this very station. This jockey's father had started this station back in the early 1950's. When I was a college freshmen a close friend, a fellow preacher boy and I shared aweekly 15 minutes preaching time on this station. We alternated weeks. It cost us the huge sum of $6 per week.
Several years later I was pastor of First Baptist Church of Jamestown, KY. A Baptist preacher opened a new station between Jamestown and Russell Springs. He invited me to teach the International Sunday School lesson every Sunday morning from 8:30-9:00 at no cost. He said it was a public service program. I did this for four years. It required hours of study every week, but it was very profitable. Sometime before I left Jamestown the station manager said that it was the most listened program on the station. I was astonished at that news, but very humbled and thankful that I could teach the Word of God to the radio audience. Almost every week I met people who told me that they listened regularly. I was flattered when a teacher of a men's class said that he recorded it and played to his class. I did not think that was a great idea, but what could I say? After serving the church for five years I answered the call to First Baptist Church of Griffith, Indiana. To this day I think the Sunday School lesson on radio was perhaps my greatest accomplishment there. I hasten to add that it was not me, but the Holy Spirit speaking through me. Since I wrote out the lessons, I still have copies of most of them, though I haven't read one of them in a long time.
During my 18 1/2 year pastorate in Griffith I off the air. In 1990 we moved to Providence where I served six years as pastor of Victory Baptist Church. I returned to the air-waves since the church broadcasted it worship services on WHRZ 99.7 FM. Since it was Sunday evenings from 7 to 8 o'clock we taped the morning worship service. Only God knows how large the listening audience was or the effect these services had on the listeners. Again a large number of people said that they listened. The same station gave the pastors in town a fifteen minute daily devotion time. I spoke on that program a great deal.
When I left Providence my radio ministry came to a halt. If my speaking from behind radio microphones touched people's lives and brought some to the Lord and helped God's children grow stronger in their faith, I just praise the Lord. God is good! I am amazed that he could use me. I thank Him and all who made it possible for me to be on the air.
Even if one of my sermons was read over the air by a disc jockey in Russellville, KY, I am humbled that he chose one of mine. Not knowing that it was going to happen I am glad to have been on ther air again.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Atypical Tuesday
I might call yesterday my typical Tuesday, but since I desire to put the Lord in charge of my days I don't have typical days. Who knows what He has in store for everyday? Nothing exciting happened, at least most folks would not think so. But I see it differently!
Arising from my slumber and sleep I fixed myself a breakfast consisting of cereal and fruit. Then I began my Bible study digging into next Sunday's Sunday School lesson about knowing what you believe and being able to explain it from 1 Peter 3:15-17; Acts 21:40-22:10. This is a much needed lesson for believers since many don't have an adequate understanding of the Christian faith, cannot share it with unbelievers, nor can they give a testimony that would validate their relationship with Jesus Christ.
I love our one Adult class that I lead at Lafayette. We have some new people attending who contribute to the spirit and discussion. Peggy's children's class was back on track with five wonderful children. Praise the Lord! He loves the children and so does Peggy!
Before noon I traveled a mile and half down to Marketplace to get a few grocery items. A lady I did not know greeted me at the checkout telling me that I looked like a prominent medical doctor down in Providence. We had an interesting converstation about that. I told her that when we lived in Providence many people made that mistake. Even though I have been gone from there for 13 years occasionally it still happens. I could get side-tracked and relate several stories about that, all fascinating to me. Once I was uptown Providence when a young teenage girl that I did not know walked by and greeted me quite cheerfully. I barely spoke to her. She turned to her friend and with disgust said, "Why, he didn't even know me." I realized that she thought I was the good Doctor. Later Iwrote an article saying that I am honored to be called Dr. Cole, but my desire was to look like Jesus Christ. I certainly hope people can see Christ in me.
Returning from the grocery I gased up my car. A fellow sitting in another vehicle spoke to me. His enthusiasm made me wonder if he knew me. I went over to talk with him and he said that he did not know me and I did not know him. We had a brief conversation and I shook his hand and thanked him for lifting my spirits. I needed his reminder. I am attempting to cheer people by speaking with a kind and cheerful voice, sometimes mixed with a tad of humor. But I certainly am not Bob Hope.
At 1 o'clock I visited a young man in the county jail whom I have visited several times. He is a tall handsome fellow, a delightful young man. He is hoping to be released this week and says he will be in our services next Sunday with his grandmother. I am hoping to see him there. He is excited about getting his life back on track with Jesus. We have had some honest discussions about what that means. He is willing for me to mentor him using, Survival Kit for New Christians. If we do, it will be a wonderful 11 weeks venture.
From there I journeyed out to the church field where I enjoyed four home visits. One was in the home of a beautiful couple ages 85 and 82. They both suffer from failing health, but manage to be bright and cheeful even when they are physically below par. They are so easy to visit. I would love to take a hidden recorder and save some of their great stories. Several years ago I learned about "energy takers and energy givers." Nobody wants to be around "energy takers" since they will drain your energy and depress you. This couple are "energy givers." One leaves their presence invigorated and refreshed. I thank God for this couple and other folks like them. That is how I want to relate to others.
I got home just as a fellow was arriving to install a new light switch in our laundry room. Yesterday morning Peggy had heard it pop rather loudly when she turned on the light. Amy knew a man from her church who is a handyman and had done some electrical work for her. She gave me his number and I had called him about noontime. He said he would come out at about 6 PM. He and I drove up at our house at the same time. As he replaced the switch I learned that he too is a pastor of a new beginning church in a nearby town. As he was ready to leave I asked about his charge, but he said his work was free. We had a friendly argument and I finally persuaded him to take the money I handed him. After all, he is a young man and surely needed it. Peggy and I are older and well provided for by our gracious heavenly Father during these sunset years. Besides that Peggy talked with him about another project she may need him for in the kitchen.
As I conclude and look back on my Tuesday, I trust that God led my steps and I pray He blessed some folks that I encountered as they blessed me. If so, God be praised! Who knows what today may hold? If I keep my eyes and thoughts on Jesus, it won't be typical either.
Arising from my slumber and sleep I fixed myself a breakfast consisting of cereal and fruit. Then I began my Bible study digging into next Sunday's Sunday School lesson about knowing what you believe and being able to explain it from 1 Peter 3:15-17; Acts 21:40-22:10. This is a much needed lesson for believers since many don't have an adequate understanding of the Christian faith, cannot share it with unbelievers, nor can they give a testimony that would validate their relationship with Jesus Christ.
I love our one Adult class that I lead at Lafayette. We have some new people attending who contribute to the spirit and discussion. Peggy's children's class was back on track with five wonderful children. Praise the Lord! He loves the children and so does Peggy!
Before noon I traveled a mile and half down to Marketplace to get a few grocery items. A lady I did not know greeted me at the checkout telling me that I looked like a prominent medical doctor down in Providence. We had an interesting converstation about that. I told her that when we lived in Providence many people made that mistake. Even though I have been gone from there for 13 years occasionally it still happens. I could get side-tracked and relate several stories about that, all fascinating to me. Once I was uptown Providence when a young teenage girl that I did not know walked by and greeted me quite cheerfully. I barely spoke to her. She turned to her friend and with disgust said, "Why, he didn't even know me." I realized that she thought I was the good Doctor. Later Iwrote an article saying that I am honored to be called Dr. Cole, but my desire was to look like Jesus Christ. I certainly hope people can see Christ in me.
Returning from the grocery I gased up my car. A fellow sitting in another vehicle spoke to me. His enthusiasm made me wonder if he knew me. I went over to talk with him and he said that he did not know me and I did not know him. We had a brief conversation and I shook his hand and thanked him for lifting my spirits. I needed his reminder. I am attempting to cheer people by speaking with a kind and cheerful voice, sometimes mixed with a tad of humor. But I certainly am not Bob Hope.
At 1 o'clock I visited a young man in the county jail whom I have visited several times. He is a tall handsome fellow, a delightful young man. He is hoping to be released this week and says he will be in our services next Sunday with his grandmother. I am hoping to see him there. He is excited about getting his life back on track with Jesus. We have had some honest discussions about what that means. He is willing for me to mentor him using, Survival Kit for New Christians. If we do, it will be a wonderful 11 weeks venture.
From there I journeyed out to the church field where I enjoyed four home visits. One was in the home of a beautiful couple ages 85 and 82. They both suffer from failing health, but manage to be bright and cheeful even when they are physically below par. They are so easy to visit. I would love to take a hidden recorder and save some of their great stories. Several years ago I learned about "energy takers and energy givers." Nobody wants to be around "energy takers" since they will drain your energy and depress you. This couple are "energy givers." One leaves their presence invigorated and refreshed. I thank God for this couple and other folks like them. That is how I want to relate to others.
I got home just as a fellow was arriving to install a new light switch in our laundry room. Yesterday morning Peggy had heard it pop rather loudly when she turned on the light. Amy knew a man from her church who is a handyman and had done some electrical work for her. She gave me his number and I had called him about noontime. He said he would come out at about 6 PM. He and I drove up at our house at the same time. As he replaced the switch I learned that he too is a pastor of a new beginning church in a nearby town. As he was ready to leave I asked about his charge, but he said his work was free. We had a friendly argument and I finally persuaded him to take the money I handed him. After all, he is a young man and surely needed it. Peggy and I are older and well provided for by our gracious heavenly Father during these sunset years. Besides that Peggy talked with him about another project she may need him for in the kitchen.
As I conclude and look back on my Tuesday, I trust that God led my steps and I pray He blessed some folks that I encountered as they blessed me. If so, God be praised! Who knows what today may hold? If I keep my eyes and thoughts on Jesus, it won't be typical either.
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