#because you know being the preachers kid—that has expectations. you’re at church on Sunday because your dad’s in the pulpit

[sailforvalinor]

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[imaginesmai]

Arvin Russell - Bad feeling

Requested by an anon, here it goes! I tried my best, hope you like ❤ Third time I post this, I swear I’m gonna burn Tumblr

Plot: Arvin is worried about Lenora, so he goes to you for advice. You don’t get too far before tragedy strikes the Russell house.

Warnings: SPOILERS OF TDATT, IF YOU DON’T THEM STOP READING THE WARNINGS AND THE FIC, that scene of Lenora’s death.

“So it’s just – throwing up? Nothing else?”

Arvin shook his head as he hid his hands in his denim jacket’s pockets. Looking around as if someone would suddenly pop out of the bushes, he confirmed that Lenora was just throwing up and complaining about feeling a bit bad at the stomach. You knew he hoped you could tell him the solution, even if you hadn’t seen the girl since she started feeling sick. No one had, because she had started feeling that way just before church, and Arvin had been the only one talking with her.

With the vague explanation he was giving you, you had a bunch of possibilities. Being the doctor’s daughter had its good things, like you could help as much as your father. You hadn’t gone to school, as your father had home-schooled you since you were four. So it was normal that Arvin had come to you about the problem with his step sister, who was his whole world and happiness.

��I don’t know, Arv. It could be a stomach bug, or maybe she’s coming down with the flu” you gave him a small smile, trying to cheer him up. “From what you’re saying it’s probably nothing, don’t worry”

“Nah, it’s somethin’. She’s been acting all strange lately, and she don’t wanna tell me bout it” Arvin scoffed.

“Maybe she found out what happened with those boys, and is processing it”

A laughing kid passed by running, followed by her older sister and his cousin. Arvin stood quiet until they were far away. He was trying to keep his voice down, because he didn’t want the whole town knowing about Lenora. The small graveyard before starting the Sunday’s mass wasn’t the best place to avoid it, but he couldn’t wait no longer.

“She already knows, it’s not that”

“Arvin” you placed a gentle hand on his chin, meeting his worried eyes. “I’m sure it’s just some teenage drama. Do you want me to visit her after the lecture?”

“Your daddy won’ mind?”

To erase his doubts, you briefly pressed your lips against his, and he finally relaxed. Everyone ran to the church a moment after, the preacher finally appearing. Grabbing his hand, you dragged him with you into the temple, choosing a bench in the end since the one his family had chosen was already full.

You didn’t have to look at him to know that he was over worrying things. Not only because he couldn’t stand the sight of the preacher because of what he did to his grandma, but because it didn’t matter how many times you assured him how Lenora was fine; he would still worry, that was who he was.

Arvin Russell and you met when you were just kids, kids who didn’t have many friends. You were well known for everyone, but couldn’t say a word without stuttering and only your father had enough patience to listen to what you had to say. Arvin was new to Knockemstiff, his parents dead. He was a shy boy too, who only talked with his step sister. After his grandma asked your father for help, he said the boy didn’t have anything wrong; just a huge trauma. So he gave you the task to talk to him and befriend the new boy, who turned out to be as patient as your father.

Since then, it was rare to see you without the other. You had started dating after he dropped out of highschool, and now you were saving for, when the right moment came, moving in together.

During the lecture, Arvin’s hand, trapped between yours, twitched uncomfortable. He shifted on his seat a few times, earning some glances from the surroundings. You tried to whisper him that he didn’t have to worry so much, but he didn’t listen to you; if anything, he seemed ready to run out of the church. He managed to wait until the preacher said you could leave in peace, and even let you say goodbye to your dad.

The good man just smiled at you and told you to be careful, asking if he was meeting you for lunch. Arvin, who was shaking on his feet, shook his head, so you told him you were grabbing something outside. Once in the car, Arvin drove past all the traffic signals in town.

“I hope they don’t have to scrape my body from the road” you chuckled nervously, and Arvin lowered the speed.

“Sorry darlin’. I’m just – ‘ave a bad feeling bout it”

“You know that she’ll grow up some day, right?” you moved from your seat, closer to him. “She’s gonna have kids, and a husband, and you’re gonna have to sit through family dinner without threats”

“Still a long way there”

“Oh, not so long” you tried to pry something from him that wasn’t worry. “Haven’t you seen the soft smile she has been carrying around? Bet she has someone in her head”

“She doesn’t – Lenora ain’t like that” he scoffed, finally driving in an acceptable speed. “She’s… uh, she’s Lenora. She doesn’t –“

“What? Get crushes and think about boys? You know that she’s turning fifteen in two months, right?”

“Not if I don’ think bout it”

The ghost of a smile appeared in Arvin’s face, and you high fived yourself. He always looked beautiful when he genuinely smiled, not in one of those usual frowns that he always carried around. To you, he looked younger and happier, and made a fuzzy feeling appear in the middle of your chest.

“You asked me out when I was fourteen, and one year later –“

“I’m fuckin’ throwin’ you out the road now” he cut you off, sneaking a glance at you. “Lenora is datin’ no boys”

“And does she know or are you planning on scare all of them away?”

“I work fine by scarin’ them ‘way from you”

“But I only have eyes for certain Russell boy. She’s going to be more difficult”

Arvin finally gave you a belly laugh, and the sun shined brighter. You still had a few minutes in the car, which you filled by useless talk. He was insistent in treating you lunch, since you never accepted money for taking care of him or his family. Lunch with Arvin meant he had to work extra harder the next week to recover from whatever it took, but saying no meant him carrying you like a sack of potatoes to the café. You wouldn’t mind not eating anything, just a stroll around the woods with him was enough payment.

The conversation ended when the Russell’s house came into view. You let loose your seatbelt to reach in the back seat for you bag. It had the basics; some aspirins, bandages, alcohol, meds for the headache and the stomach, syringes and a thermometer. Arvin parked while you searched into it for the last object, that seemed to be buried deep down.

“I think I forgot the thermometer. You still have the one from your grandma?”

“You can look for it, I haven’ seen it” Arvin told you as he moved the car around.

“Damn, I hope she isn’t too –“

You didn’t finish your sentence as suddenly the car came into a stop and you were pushed forwards, with the bad luck of having your seatbelt off and slamming your head against the front part of the car. It left a throbbing pain in the middle of your forehead, a nasty bruise and some swelling in a few hours. Because you were too busy with the bag, you didn’t notice what made Arvin stop the car so suddenly.

The barn had its door open, something unusual since there were a few bad people who didn’t have problem in stealing from the humble houses. It let Arvin see what was inside, that turned out to be a bucket upside down. For a moment, he was ready to tell you to stay in the car or run to call for someone, take the gun for his father and search for any intruders. Then, he saw a body hanging from the ceiling and recognized Lenora’s dress.

He ran out of the car before fully stopping it, leaving you cradling your head. Your eyes lost focus for a solid second, everything turning blurry around and a feeling as if you were underwater. It was Arvin’s desperate scream that had you blinking yourself into the present.

“Y/N!”

The pure anguish on his voice made you stumble out of the car, your knees scraping with the rough floor when you couldn’t hold your balance. You held onto the vehicle until you saw what Arvin was screaming about. He had tears running down his cheeks, horrible sobs racking his body, that was shaking under Lenora’s weight.

You managed to get to him without falling again, messing with the end of the rope until it came loose. Lenora came crashing down on Arvin, who fell to the ground as his knees gave out. His whole body was shaking as he tried to sit right, cradling her head.

“Please, please” he cried out. “Lenora, wake up! Lenora!”

Prying the rope from her neck, you already knew the answer. There was a sickening blue bruise around her neck, with hints or purple. She didn’t move when you shifted her head and checked for a pulse.

Your fingers fell on flat skin.

-

There weren’t a lot of people in the backyard, not even the preacher, who had left shortly after the ceremony. The Russell expected him to stay for a bit longer, seeing the relationship between the young girl and him. He had been the only person who she talked out of her family, and they had been sure he was fond of her too. That came down quickly when he threw into the lecture that suicide was a coward way to go. Uncle Earskell had held Arvin the whole time, preventing him from throwing fists with the preacher; even if the man himself looked close to doing so.

Everyone left eventually, even your father, who had a business to attend. You hadn’t talked with Arvin since his grandma found you with Lenora’s body in the barn, but once your father left and said goodbye to the boy, you were forced to do so. You were dying to go home and lay in bed, sleeping off the throbbing feeling of the gash of your head. But Arvin had giving you a side glance, shy and pleading, and you told your father you would be meeting him later.

While they lowered the coffin, you stayed by Arvin’s side, eventually working your arm through his elbow in an attempt to comfort him. His grandma broke down and his uncle was quick to gather her into his arms, walking away so she could cry in peace. It was then just Arvin and you.

“I’m sorry, Arv” you whispered, rubbing his upper arm.

When your father, who had ran to the barn after being notified by a neighbour, confirmed what you already knew, you felt a crushing guilt it you. Maybe, if you hadn’t been so insistent in comforting Arvin you could have prevented it. Arvin always had a sixth sense to know when something was wrong before it actually happened. And you had ignored it.

“How’s your head?” he asked. You had never heard him sound so small unsure.

“Just a nasty bump and a small concussion. It’ll be healed in a few days”

“I didn’ meant for you to hit your head” Arvin confessed. “I’m so –“

“Hey, I don’t blame you” you turned around and looked up to his eyes. “No one does. What happened wasn’t your fault”

When tears rushed to his eyes you knew he had understood what you meant by it. He trapped you in a bear hug the next second, his whole body hiding between your arms. You shushed him when the first sob appeared, and then they appeared one by another.

Since you had found her in the barn, Arvin hadn’t cried. He had carried his body to the funeral’s parlour, had chosen the coffin when his grandma couldn’t even sit straight, and had put on a stone face through the ceremony. It was hard always being the strong one, to be so weary about everyone and never breaking down. He was glad he had you, so glad it only made him cry harder.

Grandma and his uncle went back to their house just before the sun came down, but you didn’t release Arvin. It was hard to explain how much he loved his sister, because everything he did or thought about was for her security.  

“Don’t leave me” Arvin suddenly said, making you go rigid with the express confession. “Please. Don’t – You’re the only thin’ I have left, and I can’t – I… I love you so much, that – “

“I love you too” you finished for him, the last sob breaking through. “And I’m not going anywhere. Not now or ever”

Arvin nodded against your shoulder a few times, interiorizing the words. The rational part of his brain that always worked before things happen, that was mildly drowned by the sorrow, was starting to understand that there was more about Lenora’s death to know that just a suicide. And he promised to himself, right there and then, that no one would ever take away another important person from him, not if he was around.

He wasn’t going to leave you either for as long as you had him.

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[electronicgrowth]

Can’t Get Enough Part 2

Hi friends! What do we think of Billie and Lee? How will Lee keep Billie? Only time will tell *evil laugh*. 

Summary: The two most stubborn people in Knockemstiff, Ohio have eyes for only each other. Lee Bodecker is determined to become the town’s next sheriff. He knows that image is everything. Billie Dechswaan doesn’t care about her image at all. All she wants is to leave Knockemstiff and never come back. But Lee has other plans for her. Both are far too stubborn to give up their own plans. What happens when they can’t get enough of each other?

Word Count: 1.9k

Billie awoke the next morning nervous. Not nervous that she was going to be pregnant, she may have been a small town girl but she wasn’t stupid. No, she was nervous because she knew she had crossed a line the night before. It was something she had dreamed of doing, for almost a full year. But she had plans to leave Knockemstiff and she couldn’t be deterred. She figured there was no sense in worrying about it for the time being. Knowing Lee Bodecker, she knew that he never paid a girl attention for very long. And she had to get ready for church. 

Being part of a family of eight meant that trying to pile everyone into the car on Sunday morning was an event. Wesley sat between his parents. And the three girls sat in the back. Joseph and Thomas sat in the trunk area. It was plenty big for the two of them. Joy fussed over her children. Straightening the boys ties and attempting to keep the girls’ dresses from getting rumpled. She had recently focused much of her attention on Billie. Billie was at the age where she needed to think about finding a nice fella to settle down with. John and Joy didn’t approve of Billie’s plan to leave Ross County. They knew she could find a nice boy in town and have wonderful grandchildren for them. 

Today Joy was especially grating to Billie. She thought about faking sick and skipping the church services. She didn’t know why her mother made the family listen to both services. They weren’t the same, but they were similar. Billie thought one service was plenty. But no, they had two every Sunday and Joy insisted that her daughters help serve lunch between the two services. The local women who could find some room in their budget to contribute a dish or two each week ran the lunches. She hated that everyone expected her to help. But she never put up a fuss about it. 

Lee awoke that same morning very excited. Excited about his future with Billie and today he would start to woo her. He knew the entire family would be at the Sunday church service. So, he went to the Sunday service and actively sought out the Dechswaan family. He saw Joy in one pew, she was toying with Billie’s dress. It’s white with pink flowers embroidered on it. Joy is obsessively running one hand over the dress, as if she think there’s wrinkles in the fabric. Billie looks entirely unamused. Lee walks over to the family as they’re starting to sit down. 

“Deputy Bodecker,” Joy beamed, “How are you on this fine Sunday?”

“Doing well ma’am,” he responds. 

“Good, good. Why don’t you sit with us today,” Joy grins, sitting down. 

“I would love to,” Lee smirks. 

“You and Billie can sit next to each other,” Joy suggests. He was used to mama’s shoving their daughters at him. What mama wouldn’t want a nice man with benefits to marry their little girl? 

Lee grinned to himself as he sat. If Joy was already trying to push Billie on him then this would be easy. Billie hesitantly sits between Lee and her mother. Lee’s legs spread open so his thigh brushes Billie’s. She strains to take a deep breath in. The air in the church was sweltering. You couldn’t expect much more from a stuffy church in Southern Ohio in June. 

Sweat was pouring down Billie’s back. She could feel her heart beating out of her chest. Lee moved his leg up and down so it rubbed on Billie’s leg. She wanted desperately to lean into it. The preacher asked the congregation to stand and sing. Billie stands with the rest of the family, she felt all the blood rush to her head. She stumbles back into Lee a bit. He rights her, he’s not sure what to make of her stumble and the intense blush in her face. She moves her hair off of her neck. She can’t feel the tips of her fingers, there’s ringing in her ears, and she can’t breathe. She starts to see little black dots hopping across her visual field. They’re halfway through Amazing Grace when Billie’s vision goes black and she collapses. 

Lee catches her before she hits the floor. There’s gasping and panicking. The preacher’s wife jumps to action.

“Let’s get her to the kitchen, we can get her some water,” she says, coming to the rescue. Lee carries Billie and Mrs. Dechswaan follows closely behind, ordering the other children to stay with their father to finish the sermon. Billie’s loss of consciousness is very brief, before they even get fully downstairs her eyes flutter open. She doesn’t fight Lee holding her. He manages to get her downstairs to the church kitchen, where he gingerly sets her on a countertop. 

“You feeling alright, sweetie?” Her mother coos with concern. Billie nods, not trusting her own voice. “I told you to eat breakfast,” Joy admonishes, handing her a glass of water provided by the preacher’s wife. Lee gathers Billie’s hair off her neck and starts to fan her with a church bulletin. If Joy wasn’t so concerned with her daughter fainting she might have noticed that such an action was too familiar. Billie sipped the water for a moment. 

“Thank you for catching me Deputy Bodecker,” she whispers. 

“Of course,” he responds.

“Mama, I just wanna go home,” Billie begs. 

“We can’t, honey. I’m signed up to serve luncheon between services,” Joy sighs. 

“Well, daddy or Joseph or Thomas could drive me home between,” Billie counters. 

“Honey, you know they’re going straight to that hog auction from here,” Joy says, clearly irritated that the three are skipping a church service. 

“I could take her,” Lee offers.

“We couldn’t impose,” Joy argues. 

“No, really. It’s quite alright. I was going to duck out between services anyway. I have a shift down at the station,” Lee promises. 

“Mama, just let him take me,” Billie urges. Joy looks at Lee, studying him.

“If you’re sure, I would really appreciate you helping us out,” she exhales. 

“Of course. It’s no problem,” Lee smiles. 

“Alright,” Joy allows, “Thank you Lee.” Billie slides off the counter and onto her feet. The four sneak back up to the main level. The preacher’s wife and Joy go back to the chapel for the remainder of the service. But Lee leads Billie outside with a tight grip on her arm. He opens the passenger door for her, before going around to the other side of the car.

“Thank you,” she murmurs as Lee starts the car. 

“You feeling any better?” He asks, eyes straight ahead on the road. 

“Still a little light-headed, but yeah,” she says. 

“You scared me there,” he tells her. 

“I’m sorry,” she apologizes. Lee nods. He’s silent for a moment. 

“I wanted to chat with you about the other night, actually,” Lee says. 

“Are you going to lecture me?” Billie wonders aloud. 

“No,” he laughed, “I just want to make myself clear going forward.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, I would like to start dating you,” he responded.

“Huh,” Billie hummed. 

“You’re a beautiful girl and you deserve someone who can provide for ya and treat ya right,” Lee murmured. 

“Sounds like you’re ready to settle down.”

“I am. The sheriff’s gotta have a lady on his arm.”

“And you want me… to be that lady.”

“I do. You’d be good at it. Already help serve Sunday luncheon and you could volunteer to work with the little kids during one of the services. Until we have our own babies, of course.”

“I think you’re moving too fast, Lee. I intend to go my own way for a time. I want to experience the world.”

“Baby,” he shakes his head, “The only experiences you need are right here. I can give you a good life. Once I’m sheriff, anything you want I can get ya. The fanciest house. The prettiest dresses. I don’t care. We’ll be so happy.” Lee stops the car, they had finally arrived back to the old farmhouse that Billie’s family lived in. Billie’s eyes are wide. She seemed almost panicked by what he had to say. 

“Uhmm, do want to come in? Have a glass of lemonade?” She asked, politely. 

“Of course,” he smiled. He was glad that she was already catering to him. She’d make a pretty little wife. He followed Billie up the steps of the house, she stumbled a little and he caught her by the elbow. 

“Thank you,” she sighed. She opened the door and led him to the kitchen. The table where the family ate was scuffed and scratched, all the chairs were mismatched. He would buy her a much nicer dining room set. He sat and waited for her to join him. She gathered two glasses and a pitcher of lemonade before sitting down at the table. She poured them each a glass. Lee drank from his glass deeply, while Billie sipped. 

“I appreciate what you’re saying Lee, I really do,” she began, “But I really want to go to college. I want to be a teacher and live in a big city.” 

“I know, honey. But my plan is better for you. You don’t have to work. You just gotta take care of me,” he explained. It was simple to him. He couldn’t fathom what it was that she wasn’t getting. Billie was quiet. 

“Didn’t you have fun last night, sugar?” He asked, his voice was gravelly and low. 

“I-I did,” she answered. Lee reach his hand over to rub her thigh. 

“I could love on you like that every night, baby,” he told her, “Wouldn’t that be nice?” Billie nodded dumbly. It did sound nice. Her heart was beating quickly again. She fought to control her breath. Was he going to do that again? Right now? Part of her really hoped so. 

“Well, we don’t have to get married anytime soon,” Lee reasoned, “We can take it slow and maybe next summer we get married. Just give me sometime to prove to ya that I can treat ya right, okay?” Billie nodded again. Lee leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. 

“I gotta head to work, baby,” Lee downed the rest of his lemonade, “Let’s meet tonight. Go through your woods over here and I’ll pick you up, okay?”

“Alright,” Billie nodded. She didn’t know why she was agreeing. 

“Good, I’ll see you at ten, then. Now give me a kiss and walk me out,” he commanded, standing up. Billie stood and reached up on her tippy toes to kiss Lee. He was at least six foot and she was just five feet five inches tall. She pecked his lips. But he wrapped his arms around her, and held her to him. He deepened the kiss, running his tongue against hers. She kissed him back eagerly. Her tongue fought his for dominance. His hand snaked down to her ass to palm it. He pulled away from her with a gasp and released her. Billie walked him to the door and pecked his lips a second time. 

“Bye,” she smiled. 

“I’ll see you tonight, baby.” She watched Lee drive away before closing the door. She went back to the kitchen to clean the two glasses, before slinking up to her bed. If she was meeting Lee tonight then she would need to get some sleep. 

@greeneyedblondie44

[markrmorrisjr]

I grew up fundy, I’ve had to face it. I’ve tried to put all kinds of spins on it, conservative, mainline traditional, but facts are facts, and although I didn’t see it, and still don’t remember my parents or grandparents as cruel, or hateful in any  way, that’s what it was.

From the time I was born until the age of fourteen, my dad was a Church of Christ preacher. I never experienced any kind of racism, or bigotry, toward anyone who came into the congregations where he preached, or in our home. Everyone was welcome, no matter their heritage,  status, “orientation” or “lifestyle” ( I use these terms in quotes, because this is the language that was used to describe the “others”) they were always treated with love and respect and we tried to help everyone we could.

That being said, there was a fair bit of proselytizing, which only makes sense in the circumstances, but never any condemnation from them toward anyone that I witnessed,. Regardless of their beliefs. Maybe this is why I was able to hide from my own concerns for so long. There was never any doubt that they believed whole-heartedly that without a meaningful conversion experience to Christ, everyone was lost and going to a literal, real hell.

I know what some of you are thinking, what kind of monsters were they? But, you likely have had some beliefs in your life that you were forced to reconsider, and I fully believe, had they lived long enough, this would have been one for them. My dad admitted at the end of his life that I had convinced him that hell definitely wasn’t what he’d thought. But, that’s a story for another time.

About the time I turned fourteen, my dad’s theology changed, but not necessarily for the better. We dived headlong out of the mega conservative, no instrumental music in worship, COC, into the hotbed of the Charismatic Renewal in 1985. Rock bands, and tambourines, if you couldn’t speak in tongues, you might not be saved, kind of places. The Sunday services would run for hours!

From there, I ran through the gamut of “non-denominational” churches, but everywhere I went, a certain arrogant ignorance pervaded the leadership.  Most of them had only a rudimentary knowledge of scripture. Which, for a COC kid was appalling, after all, we basically treated the Bible as a defacto minister of God. It was inerrant, and perfect in every way, after all, it was just up to us to study it hard enough to suss out the answers.

There’s a certain level of death to intellectual curiosity that comes with accepting that the Bible, is, in your mind, inerrant. Although this is a relatively new idea, in the scheme of things, it has been pervasive through most of American Evangelical Christianity for the past century or so. Even in places where it wasn’t considered quite as literal and concrete as I’d been taught as a child (6 literal days of creation, and so on) those ideas were almost never expressed from the pulpit. There was a tacit understanding that the book was the book, and whatever it said, and whoever was in charge agreed to interpret is as meaning, stood.

So, what’s so wrong with that? Well, I don’t know all of the answers to this question, but here are ten things I picked up on later in life that led to a whole bunch of questions that ended up with me thinking there is no hell, and gay people are okay with Jesus and maybe a lot of the other rules we made for ourselves didn’t make a whole lot of sense, and the whole thing was really about being good to people in the first place.

Here they are, the ten things they never told me.

The best description of God in the Bible is a metaphor.

That’s right. We’ve fought wars over these poetic understandings, though. So, they must be able to be understood and taken literally, right? See, the idea is this, God is so big (and if there is a single intelligence behind the universe, it would have to be) that we simply cannot understand, and so, we have to resort to metaphorical language to compare God to things we can know. God is ineffable in essence. But, if this is true, why did I see so much anger for people who insisted on seeing the feminine in the divine, or had another name for God?

God is not a man.

At best, the divine is a blend of genders. It says so right in the first two chapters, but we overlook that and default to father, although he’s also described as animals, a woman, forces of nature, and even inanimate objects. As science begins to unfold what it means for humans to have gender, they are discovering that even on a measurable level, there is very little evidence for the strict binary definitions we’ve applied until very recently. To me, this binary understanding has been used primarily to hold half of the population in check. Yes, women, you’ve been robbed of your rightful place, because some guys decided that some other guys, who wrote all this stuff down, said guys were put in charge by the head guy himself, God, and it’s not true.

There’s very little history, outside of the Bible itself, to back up much of what is in it.

Sorry, whatever they told you at Bible college, might need to be reconfirmed, as awful as it sounds a whole lot of lies have been told to prop up doctrine. I don’t know a lot about this. It is true there is as much evidence for the existence of some of the personalities in the Bible as for other historical figures, but much of what is told within its pages cannot be confirmed through other historical records.

Almost NONE of the source texts come from “original” languages.

In many evangelical circles there is this belief that if you get to the "original" language of the Bible you can make more sense of it. In some cases this is true. It's been mistranslated and misinterpreted. In other places, additional words have simply been made up to make it make what the translator thought was good sense. So, what is the truth

The OT was rewritten into other languages, and then translated back into Hebrew. The Greek that the NT scrolls were written in was not the spoken language of the people who wrote it. Many of them spoke Aramaic, it's believed. Linguistically speaking it’s a stew, and that’s before you even get to the oral tradition being handed down for generations before many of the books were written, or the translation challenges of converting mostly dead languages into somewhat modern English equivalents.

There's more than one "canon" of the "Holy Bible

To say that the “canon” (group of books included in the Bible) of scripture is inspired (directly selected by the Holy Spirit) is a confusing, and misleading statement. There have been many. Hell, there are still many groups of books claiming the title of Bible. Right now there is the 66 book canon of the mainline protestant church, the 73 books of the Catholic Bible, which by the way, has the claim of being older than the protestant, just by history and logic. And the Eastern Orthodox canon contains 81 books, and is said to be the oldest canon in church history. So, which one was inspired? Even these canons are disputed.

Not all of the Biblical authors are necessarily who I was taught they were.

For example, Paul seems to have penned the lion’s share of the New Testament. But, some of what has his name on it, most scholars believe, may have been penned by one of his own disciples, using his name to gain authority. As to the ancient texts, some of them have never had an author attributed to them.

Not everything in the Bible is scientifically accurate.

You're probably saying, wow, no kidding? (sarcastically) It is obvious that there are gaps in the understanding of the writers, and some of their observations are plain illogical. But, and here's the thing, we had a 1954 set of World Book encyclopedias as a kid and I wouldn't want to use that as a text book in a modern science class either. So much of the understanding has changed. Honestly, this point only matters if you're expecting the Bible to be completely infallible.

Surprisingly, however, the same pattern claimed as the biological order of ascendance in evolution by Darwin, is the same order used in the Creation Myth in Genesis. I remember a serious debate in our house when my brother found out that whales are not fish and my father attempted to defend the idea that the whale Jonah was “literally” swallowed by, was both a whale and a great fish, as the Bible states. To me, most of these are simply errors in understanding from the author’s point of view. After all, most people still thought of the world as flat, although the Bible describes it as round. But, I don’t need the Bible to be scientifically accurate in every point. Most historical philosophical texts have similar inaccuracies.

The idea that the Bible is perfect is new

Yep, it started less than a hundred years ago, which is funny. You'd think the earliest followers of this book would have been turned onto the fact that it was perfect, unless, maybe, it's not.

I was never told this. I doubt my father ever knew it. Different schools of theological understanding tend to insulate themselves to preserve their way of thinking. You’ll find that two Biblical scholars, both trained to similar levels of education, may have completely different understandings of what the book means on many points and often have never even been confronted with opposing views. The other interesting thing is this, I’ve rarely met a Bible professor who found the Bible to be as black and white as it was nearly always presented from the pulpits I heard it taught from.

There are even problems with the doctrine of "Divine Inspiration"

The idea of the divine inspiration of the Biblical writers doesn’t gel with the idea of free will. Either God creates automatons, even temporarily, to act as mediums ( a practice strictly forbidden in scripture) to transcribe the history and thoughts of God, or men do it willingly. If the former, then what the hell? And was that same possession present when all translation, interpretation, and transcription was done? If not, how would you assume that all of these men (they’re always all considered men) get it all perfectly right, without inserting a single opinion. But, then, we’re given a glimpse into this by Paul, at least once when he tells us straight up this is my opinion, not God speaking.

The Bible’s inerrancy is not only unprovable, but it simply doesn’t matter.

Here’s why. After being in church, literally, since the third day of my life, I’ve come to this conclusion, it does not matter one bit if the Bible is perfect or not. Well, of course it does, some will say, otherwise, we might be living a lie. Well, here’s the thing, you might anyway, even if it’s perfect. Why? Imagine this.

There is an atomic bomb in your front yard. Unless you defuse it, at some point in the future, no one knows exactly when, it will take you and everyone you know out. Never fear! Instructions for defusing this bomb have been delivered. But, here’s the thing. They were written by someone who never saw this bomb. Two thousand years ago. With their untechnological minds. In a foreign language they didn’t speak. That’s not all. Then it was translated from these ancient texts, then transcribed many times, and finally, it was made into an “interpretation” of the original text. But, if you are not precise in every single detail of your defusal process, BOOM!

So, you call in the experts. They can help, right? They’ve devoted their entire lives to studying these instructions and teaching these instructions. They arrive and immediately begin to argue. Why? Because they all have a different idea of how the bomb should be defused and all of them show you in the instructions how their way is right. One says you open the bomb first, then pray, then defuse. Another says, no, pray only, God will defuse the bomb. Another says, dunk the bomb in water, pray, then defuse. And they all have followers who espouse their method. Because, if you don’t get this right, they’re all doomed.

Finally, they resort, not to the original texts, but to commentaries based on other’s understanding of the texts, to solve their disagreements, but this just leads to more disagreements. What do you do? The instructions are perfect, you know that. But, now you’ve got three different versions of them, and tons of peripheral information explaining them and the more you try to make it make sense, the less it does.

That’s why it simply does not matter if the Bible is perfect, infallible, or inerrant. Because, even if it were, we cannot come to a common understanding of what it means.

So, what is the Bible? To me, it’s simply a journal. It’s a journal of men and women who dedicated their entire existence to unravelling the God puzzle, understanding who the creator is, and what our relationship to the divine should be. It records their mistakes, their broken ideas, their imperfect observations, and some of the results. It encourages us to good things, and where it does, we should follow it. Then it has some horrible advice, which is proven wrong. Where this is true, we should learn from it.

But, how do you make peace with all of this? Simple. I’ve come to understand that the bomb (hell) does not exist. There is no lake of eternal fire. God doesn’t torture people eternally for deeds committed on a finite time line. In fact, the Bible doesn’t even say that. But, that’s a story for another time.

[buggie-hagen]

Sermon for Reformation Sunday (10/25/20)

Primary Text | Romans 3:19-28

---------------------------------------------------

Dear People of God,

         What sparked the Lutheran Reformation was how we answer this question, “How do I know I have a gracious God?” What defines Lutheranism is how we answer that question—“justification by faith.” Justification by faith is the core tenant of the Reformation and more importantly, of the gospel. Now that is has been over 500 years since the beginning of the Reformation people have begun to question if its central tenet—“justification by faith” is of any use in our day and age. It’s not a new question though. There have always been and will always be people opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Lutherans, we confess that justification by faith is the core message of the gospel—that God embraces us by grace through faith whenever we believe that Jesus died and was raised for us. The gospel is a message that takes salvation out of your own hands and puts it where it belongs--God’s hands. Some have concluded that no, justification by faith is no longer relevant because people are no longer preoccupied with the question of “How do I know I have a gracious God?” My counter to this would be that the gospel of justification by faith is eternally relevant because it is the very Word of God to the world. “The Word of the Lord endures forever” as St. Peter says (1 Peter 1:25). The ongoing relevance of the question “How do I know I have a gracious God?” is seen in the ongoing problems faced by humankind.  One such problem that saturates each of our lives is the question “Am I good enough?” It is a question we all ask ourselves. Beware when you catch yourself asking this question! I say beware of this question because the devil has an interest in how you answer this question. He wants use it to bind you and to tie you up. The question takes on a myriad of forms: Am I fit enough? Am I healthy enough? Am I loveable enough? Am I good enough at my job? Am I good enough to have friends? Am I a good enough mother, father, grandma, grandpa, son, daughter, brother, wife, or husband? Am I a good enough church-goer? Am I good enough Christian? Am I a good enough at loving God and loving my neighbor?

The problem with “Am I good enough?” is that it is an attempt to validate ourselves by the Law. There are two ways to answer this question by our own powers and both ways are wrong. One way we answer this question is to say, “Of course, I am good enough, I think I’m a good person, I do this and that, I feed the hungry, I take care of the poor, I kiss my kids to sleep at night. How can that be wrong? How could I not be good enough?” Answering the question this way is a trap because it is self-righteousness. It looks at the yardstick and deems itself to have measured up to it the task. To do this though, is a self-delusion. And when one has played the game like this, it will lead to pride. When a person has given themselves even a drop of righteousness by their own doing, they have abandoned Christ—and have decided they have no need of him. And now they must constantly play the game of holding the yardstick up and judging themselves because when one has broken even the smallest commandment, they have broken all the commandments. This game, which is pride, only leads to death. The other way we answer this question is to say, “Of course, I am not good enough, I can’t do this or that, I am not loveable, I will never live up to my expectations, or the expectations of others.” To answer the question this way leads to despair. It’s the same game as before, because when we answer this way, we are still using that yardstick of the Law to determine our worthiness.

The question of “Am I good enough?” can only be properly answered with the Word of God—"For ‘no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20). You see here with one fell swoop the yardstick of the Law you’ve been using to measure your “good enoughness” or rather “righteousness done by our own abilities” is shred in the woodchipper and is of no use to you anymore. When it comes to the question, “Am I good enough?” the yardstick of the Law will always say “No.” No one truly has the power to keep the Law. The Law is not there to be a measuring stick of our own goodness, but to show us how not good we are. And ultimately, it is there to drive us to the gospel—that is, to Christ. Christ alone is our righteousness. It comes from him, we ourselves have no righteousness of our own. Rather, the scriptures attest about God, “He himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.” Here God is saying to you, “I am the righteous one, I am the one who makes you righteous, I am the one who says you are good enough. But this good enoughness is my doing, not your doing, because now my righteousness has become your righteousness, and this is “effective through faith” (Rom. 3:25). It is not we who have died for our own sins, but it is Christ who died for us, and was raised for us. And in this way, by his blood, God has “passed over the sins previously committed” (Rom. 3:26). Faith, which is the work of God, receives this promise of forgiveness of sins, and therefore has obtained righteousness not by a person’s own powers, but by God’s powers made known in Jesus Christ.

I recently listened to a podcast about a theologian who spent time as a Lutheran pastor in Washington Island—a small island of 700 people in Lake Michigan off the coast of Wisconsin. One of the first people he ministered to was a man who was a light house attendant. His job was to light up the waters so the ships in danger of sinking didn’t sink. He did this for 60 years along with his wife. Not only did he work there but their home was in the lighthouse. Because of the nature of his job, him and his wife rarely saw other people. One of the ways they would pass the time is to play poker. His wife hated poker, but because of who she was, she was willing to grant her husband this concession. Now the man said that a couple years before his wife had died, and he never recovered from it. He said since then he felt like “a shell of a man.” By the time the pastor was sent to minister to this man he was on his deathbed. He was not just physically in dire straits, but was also spiritually in dire straits. The man described his wife as a saint and knew that she was in heaven. He was deathly afraid he would be apart from her the rest of his life. This troubled him because he was certain he was going to end up in hell. When asked by the pastor how he survived 60 years in a lighthouse away from everyone else he said he got by through poker and drinking. He admitted he drank his life away. He admitted there was nothing about him that was good enough. The pastor said, “It’s quite clear to me you have made your confession now.” And, he said, “You are now playing poker at the end of your life and the person you are playing with is the devil himself. And, now, you have to turn and speak to him in a particular way. Because when you’re playing poker with the devil himself what you have to do is bluff. And, when you bluff, you are now actually going to turn to the devil and say, “You know and I know I have absolutely nothing in my hand, and nevertheless now I’m going to speak to you as if I myself have the winning cards. Because I am going to play Christ, I am not going to play my hand. And in this particular way I am now going to learn to speak back to the devil.” So, the man responded to the pastor, “You do know that’s cheating, right?” And the pastor laughed and said, “Of course, it’s cheating. This is how you now actually step out of the world of the Law of card playing and actually become a preacher or hearer of the preaching of the Word.” And the man said, “The only way I can actually make it into heaven, and be there with my wife, is if you are right. When you come as a preacher you can give me the absolution, free me from this game, and actually stand before the devil himself and say, ‘I am cheating you out of my life and I am doing it on account of Christ.’”

Dear people, it is not on account of the Law that you are good enough, that you are righteous enough, that you become worthy. Do not play the card game of “Am I good enough?” It comes back to the central question of the Reformation, “How do I know I have a gracious God?” The answer is justification by faith. Where God forgives you your sins on account of Christ, and is received through faith. Here is the absolution, here is the message that will free you from yourself: By grace, through faith, on account of Christ, apart from the works of the law, your sins are forgiven. Amen.

[ahopkins1965]

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10 Things You Didn't Know about Billy Graham

Rhonda Stoppe

Speaker and Author

2020

12 Jul

As we mourn the loss of the beloved Rev. Billy Graham, we think about the great impact he made for the Gospel and the wonderful man he was:

What comes to mind when you hear the name of this evangelistic legend? For me, it’s the memory of attending a Billy Graham Crusade held in a massive stadium filled with people.

After hearing Graham powerfully preach the gospel, I knew he was being used by God to call sinners to salvation. Thousands flocked forward as the choir sang, Just as I am without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me…

Years later in San Antonio, Texas, my husband and I took our youth group to hear Billy Graham during one of his final Crusades. I was in awe as Graham shared simply and clearly the call to repentance and surrender to Christ. I thought, who is this man who speaks with such authority? How did God bring him to this place?

I recently did a little research on Billy Graham’s story, and I’m excited to share with you:

10 Things You Didn’t Know about Billy Graham.

Photo credit: Youtube.com

1. He Learned Responsibility at a Young Age

Billy Frank (his name as a boy) was raised on a dairy farm near Charlotte, North Carolina. He was the oldest of three children, so many of the farming chores landed on his shoulders. Seven days a week, morning and evening, it was Billy’s job to milk the cows, which meant waking at 2:30 each morning.

For two hours, Billy would milk twenty cows, and then shovel away the manure. Once he completed those tasks and fed the cows fresh hay, it was time for Billy Frank to head back to the house for his own breakfast.

Can you imagine how tired this young boy must have been? There were times he could barely keep his eyes open at school, but a good game of baseball on his lunch break always revived Billy for the rest of the afternoon’s classes.

Photo credit: ©Flickr- Richard Bromley

2. His Mother's Godly Influence

Billy Graham’s mother was a devout Christian. For the early part of his upbringing it was apparent to Billy that his mother, not his father, was the one most concerned with training the children in religious matters.

For example, his mom was the one who insisted the family regularly attend church each Sunday. And if for some reason they could not attend, she would gather all three of her children around after dinner to read them a Bible story.

Because his mother understood the importance of placing God’s Word in her children’s hearts, each day she assigned a Bible verse to the children that they were to memorize while walking to and from school. Wow––right? Think of the countless souls saved because of this godly mom’s influence in the life of her son. If you’re a mom, please ponder her example. Are you doing all you can to give your kids a godly foundation? (For help, my book: Moms Raising Sons to Be Men is a great resource.)

Photo credit: BillyGraham.org

3. He was a Wiggle-Worm

As a five-year-old boy, Billy’s parents brought him to hear the famous evangelist, Billy Sunday. Sunday had once played center field for the Chicago Whitestockings baseball team. Although Billy loved baseball, all he remembers about that day was how long Billy Sunday preached, how extremely hot it was, and how much he wiggled throughout the whole sermon. Billy’s father had warned him to stop wiggling or the evangelist would call out his name from the pulpit. Even still, it was all Billy could do not to fidget in his seat. 

Billy’s mom called him a “mover” and had once even taken him to the doctor to try and discern what was the matter with Billy that he had such a hard time sitting still. The doctor assured Mrs. Graham that her son was perfectly normal, and encouraged her not to worry because “It’s just the way he’s built.” (So if you’re the mom of a wiggle-worm, don’t lose heart. God can use kids who fidget to do amazing things for the Kingdom!)

Photo credit: ©flickr-GaltMuseumArchives

4. Witnessing His Grandmother's Death Had a Profound Influence on Him

When Billy was only 13 years old, his father’s ranch hand came in the middle of the day to pick  he and his sister up from school. Since this never happened, Billy knew something was terribly wrong at home.

Billy was sad to learn his grandmother was ill to the point of death. Billy liked Grandma Coffee and enjoyed when she would tell him stories about the American Civil War. Her husband, Billy’s grandfather who died before he was born, had fought in that war, losing both a leg and an eye in battle.

His little sister, Catherine, reminded Billy that their grandmother would soon be going to heaven to be with Jesus. As the family sat around Grandma’s bedside, she bolted up in her bed declaring that she could see Jesus with his arms outstretched toward her. And with Him was her husband––completely whole with both eyes and legs! With that final declaration, Grandma Coffee breathed her last breath.

 

Photo credit: BillyGraham.org

5. He was Deeply Affected by His Father's Transformation

Witnessing the transformation in his father after a near death experience was a pivotal point in Billy’s own pursuit of spiritual matters. Soon after his grandmother died, Billy’s father’s face and jaw were crushed and disfigured from an accident on the farm. The family did not expect him to live.

As time went on and his father’s health did not improve, Billy worried he would have to quit school to help take care of the family farm; however, Billy’s dad did recover. His face would forever be deformed by the accident, but Billy couldn’t help but notice that his dad’s spiritual condition was transformed as well.

Soon, Billy’s parents were holding prayer rallies at their farm. Billy was always quick to find an excuse not to attend the meeting. One night, he overheard his dad telling his mother how a man named Vernon Patterson had prayed for God to raise someone of Charlotte, North Carolina who would preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. Billy was skeptical that God could answer such a request.

Photo credit: BillyGraham.org

6. He Thought He'd Heard All about Spiritual Matters

Billy thought he had heard it all before regarding spiritual matters, as he’d grown up going to church. By age 10, his mother made him learn the Westminster Catechism––which consisted of 107 questions and answers regarding foundations of faith.

To this point, attending church was more of a drudgery to Billy. He felt the pastor spoke in a monotone, uninteresting manner, and the songs were more like dirges. He often pondered ways they might make church more interesting.

When Billy would lay in bed at night,  he couldn’t shake the image of his grandmother seeing both Jesus and his grandfather. His grandmother’s comments on her death bed made Billy really believe that there was a heaven, which he'd been unsure about up to that point. 

Photo credit: ©Flickr-FloridaMemory

7. He Went to a Revival Meeting for the Wrong Reasons

When Billy’s parents invited him to attend a revival meeting, he agreed to go because he had heard there would be a clash between protesters and the evangelist.

At the revival there were no protestors, only thousands of people streaming into the tabernacle to hear the evangelist’s message. Night after night, Billy snuck into the back of the tent to listen to the powerful and convicting sermons––something stirred in him that made him sorry for his sin. 

After many nights of meetings, Billy finally walked forward to turn from his sin to follow Jesus as his Lord and Savior. As he walked forward he wondered, Do I really want to hand over my dreams and my future to God? But the gospel was irresistible and Billy repented of his sins and surrendered to Christ. He could never have known what amazing plans God had for his future!

Photo credit: BillyGraham.org

8. He Never Turned Back

Once Billy Frank accepted Christ, his resolve to follow Jesus was transforming. He studied the Bible and carried it with him to school. To mark his conversion, he even changed his name to just, “Billy.”

Of course, Billy’s school friends teased him about his newfound faith and name change. Soon, they began calling him “Preacher boy.” Billy didn’t care. And he was delighted when two other friends who had also accepted Christ at the reveal meetings became his close friends, and they all helped each other to grow their faith in Christ.

 

Photo credit: BillyGraham.org

9. He Grew Up to be a Powerful Evangelist

In his lifetime,  he has led countless people to Christ. When he was 30 years old, a group called ‘Christ for Greater Los Angeles’ invited him to preach at their revival where thousands of people would attend the five-week long revival. With heavy news coverage, Billy Graham instantly became a national figure.

Reverend  Graham has also served as advisor to many presidents. In 1983, he was awarded the Presidents Medal of Freedom––the nation’s highest civilian award. He has appeared 57 times on the Gallup organization’s list of the most admired men and women.

Graham was named an Honorary Knight Commander of the order of the British Empire for his 60 years of international contribution to civic and religious life. He is regarded by those who know him as witty, non-judgmental, genuine, innocent and patient. But Billy Graham’s greatest accomplishment will be revealed one day in eternity when The Lord shows him the harvest of souls from his ministry on earth. Talk about a life well lived!

Photo credit: BillyGraham.org

10. He Became the Answer to Their Prayers

Think about it: the people in Billy’s small farming community came together to regularly ask God to raise someone up out of their midst who would preach the gospel to the whole world. Billy had no idea he would be that man. He was just a normal boy who loved baseball, dressing well, and many of the other things any young man his age would have enjoyed. But when God got a hold of Billy’s heart, there was no stopping this man’s zeal for proclaiming the gospel!

If God uses ordinary men to do extraordinary things––can you believe He will accomplish His plan and purposes through your life, too? What might God do through your children if you commit to pray and guide them like Billy’s parents did? When Billy went forward at revival to surrender to Christ, he was nervous about what wholehearted devotion would mean for his future. In the same way, only God knows what He has planned to do through your life before the foundations of this world (see Ephesians 2:8-10). Will you surrender? I am confident that if you do, you will one day look back at a life well lived––and you will have no regrets. 

Photo credit: BillyGraham.org

Watch a Live Stream of Billy Graham's preaching from the Billy Graham Evangelical Association.

Visit the BGEA's memorial page for Billy Graham to leave a condolence message.

Listen to Rhonda Stoppe discuss the life and legacy of Billy Graham on The No Regrets Hour.

Works cited: TheFamousPeople.com

Billy Graham America's Pastor, by Benge, Janet & Geoff (c) 2014 YWAMPublishing.com

Rhonda Stoppe is the NO REGRETS WOMAN. With more than 20 years experience of helping women break free from regrets that hold them back. I could have listened to Rhonda talk all night, is what women say about Rhonda’s enthusiastic, humorous, transparent teaching, and zeal as an evangelist to women. She’s committed to fulfill the Titus 2:4 commission by mentoring, teaching and writing books that are inspiring, grounded in Scripture and easy to read––like you're visiting with a friend over coffee. Rhonda appears on radio programs, speaks at women’s events, Pastor’s Wives Conferences, MOPs and homeschool conventions. God is using her evangelism conferences to bring women to Christ. Rhonda ministers along side Steve, her pastor-husband, at First Baptist Church of Patterson, California.  Together they write books and speak at their No Regrets Marriage Conferences, but their favorite ministry is their family. They have four grown children and eight grandchildren. 

 

For more visit: http://www.NoRegretsWoman.com

 

 

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LISTEN: Whyte House Family Devotions #322 (Sunday, April 8, 2018): "Unchanging Human Nature," by Billy Graham

https://soundcloud.com/danielwhyteiii/whyte-house-family-devotions-322-040818-unchanging-human-nature-by-billy-graham

[caption id="attachment_40916" align="alignleft" width="156"] Daniel Whyte III[/caption] My family and I have had morning devotions, or family altar as some people call it, every day ever since my wife, Meriqua, and I were married 30 years ago. We have prayed and read the Bible together as well as other devotional books as a family, and it is the only reason why this family has stayed together, and the only reason why God has blessed our family and used our family in ministry all of these years. We read Ephesians 5 and 6 every morning as it relates to the role of each member of the family and how that we need to put on the whole armor of God to fight against the devil who is seeking to destroy our family and all Christian families, churches, and Christians. So, now after 30 years of doing this in our home, we are opening this up to others who don't have a family to pray with, who don't have a spouse, or who are single by choice, and to encourage all families who are still intact to go back to the family altar and have devotions together every morning. In these devotions, you may hear me deal with a temptation I'm facing in my life, you may hear me rebuke my wife about not doing what she should be doing, or you may hear me get on one of my children's cases about something they're doing. Don't be shocked; this is real life. SING "DOXOLOGY" Praise God from Whom all blessings flow Praise Him, all creatures here below Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost Amen Billy Graham said, “Make it your goal to build strong foundations for your life -- foundations constructed from prayer and the truths of God’s Word.” ------ PRAY THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ------ EPHESIANS 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. So far, we have discussed how fathers may provoke their children to anger by capriciousness, unreasonableness, favoritism, selfishness, criticism without praise, and demanding perfection. Steven J. Cole writes in his commentary on this passage, “Fathers may provoke their children to anger by extremes of over- and under- discipline. Some parents react to the permissiveness of our society by laying down the law in their homes. They have rules for everything and they expect instant and total compliance, or there are consequences. The home is run like a boot camp, where when the drill sergeant yells a command, you’re supposed to respond instantly. But in that sort of environment, there is no heart of concern that the child become all that God wants him to be. There is no explanation to the child of the reason for the rules. It’s just discipline for discipline’s sake. "Other parents react to the legalism that they have encountered by allowing anything. They don’t want to stifle their children’s developing personalities. So they don’t establish and enforce any standards or rules. Marla and I once visited a young family where the boys were running on the kitchen countertops and the parents just laughed and shook their heads as if to say, “Well, boys will be boys!” Another time, I was horrified to watch high school kids at a church social at someone’s home step on the couch and climb over the back, rather than walk around! The parents had not taught these children any respect for others’ property. "Under-discipline will result in anger in the children when they get out into the world and get penalized because they don’t understand how the world works. They’ll be angry towards a 'mean' boss who won’t tolerate their hang-loose approach. They’ll be angry when they get fired for being a few minutes late every day because they were raised with a lack of discipline.” ------- PRAYER ------- DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE: Psalm 123:1-4 1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us. 3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. 4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud. Regarding this passage, Matthew Henry writes: “Our Lord Jesus has taught us to look unto God in prayer as our Father in heaven. In every prayer a good man lifts up his soul to God; especially when in trouble. We desire mercy from him; we hope he will show us mercy, and we will continue waiting on him till it come. The eyes of a servant are to his master's directing hand, expecting that he will appoint him his work. And also to his supplying hand. Servants look to their master or their mistress for their portion of meat in due season. And to God we must look for daily bread, for grace sufficient; from him we must receive it thankfully.” --------- PRAYER FOR THE ESTATES 1. Clergy (church) 2. Government 3. People (citizens) 4. The press (media) 5. New media/Online journalists PRAYER FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP - For all pastors, church leaders, denominational leaders, Bible teachers, missionaries, and ministry workers. GOVERNMENT LEADERS 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." President Donald Trump and his administration Vice President Mike Pence First Lady Melania Trump Second Lady Karen Pence All White House staff including: House Liaison Joyce Meyer All leaders of federal agencies including: National Credit Union Administration Chairman J. Mark McWatters All state governors including: New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu All city mayors including: Belle Isle, FL, Mayor William G. Brooks All members of Congress including: Florida Representative Daniel Webster All law enforcement officials including: Belle Isle, FL, Police Chief Laura Houston All military leaders including: Defense Secretary James Mattis / General Lori J. Robinson, Commander of U.S. Northern Command Leaders of nations around the world including: Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak For the peace of Jerusalem PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE / CITIZENS PRAYER FOR THE MEDIA PRAYER FOR CURRENT EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD - For the comfort of the families of 3 people killed in a vehicle-ramming attack in Munster, Germany; for the recovery of the 20 people injured - For the comfort of the families of nearly 70 people killed in fighting in Syria this week, and we pray for thee ultimate resolution of the conflict. - For the comfort of the families of three people killed in a fire in Israel and for the recovery of the dozens who were injured PRAYER REQUESTS Marilyn please give her a Godly husband Jean please help him to become a preacher if that is Your will Ighemuno Help her to come to know You as Saviour, and help her to grow in the faith THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR Josphine Linet Joyce THOSE WHO HAVE RECOMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST Jennifer Chinwe Constend DEVOTIONAL READING: “Unchanging Human Nature,” by Billy Graham John 1:29 says, “Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the world's sin.” At the cross of Christ, sin reached its climax. Its most terrible display took place at Calvary. It was never blacker or more hideous. We see the human heart laid bare and its corruption fully exposed. Some people have said that man has improved since that day, that if Christ came back today, He would not be crucified but would be given a glorious reception. Christ does come to us every day in the form of Bibles that we do not read, in the form of churches that we do not attend, in the form of human need that we pass by. I am convinced that if Christ came back today, He would be crucified more quickly than He was two thousand years ago. Sin never improves. Human nature has not changed. Amd the only hope for a better world is found in Jesus Christ, whom so many continue to reject. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Now, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, allow me to show you how you can place your faith and trust in Him for Salvation from sin and Hell. First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God's law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death…" Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Now that is bad news, but here's the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:9 & 13 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen. If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved from Hell and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! I want to congratulate you on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read "What To Do After You Enter Through the Door". Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Until next time, May the Lord Bless You!

Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in over twenty-five foreign countries. He is the author of over forty books including the Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and Amazon.com national bestseller, Letters to Young Black Men. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry. He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts/podcasts, which include: The Prayer Motivator Devotional, The Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel’s Report, the Second Coming Watch Update and the Soul-Winning Motivator, among others. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master’s degree in Religion, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Master of Theology degree from Liberty University's Rawlings School of Divinity (formerly Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary). He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree. He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica since 1987. God has blessed their union with seven children.

[the-record-columns]

March 28, 2018

Songs about Preachers and possums...

By KEN WELBORN

Record Publisher                                                                                                  

   There are several photographs on page 2 of this issue of The Record about a quarterly music event which is held in the fellowship hall of the Arbor Grove United Methodist Church in Purlear.

   Arbor Music, as it is called, is a treat like no other when a random group of very talented musicians come together to put on a show for what is rapidly becoming a packed house.    

   No rehearsals.  No practice. No nothing,  But I have bought many a ticket for shows that weren't even in the neighborhood of being as good as Arbor Music was this past Thursday.

   As always, different things are more special to different people, and I want to take a few minutes to share a little with you about two persons in particular I enjoyed this past Thursday.  One is Herb Key, who I have known and respected for many years. The other is an older gentleman named Fred Watkins, who I had never seen or heard of before.

   Herb Key is a well known musician and luthier who is a member of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame.  He has played for many events The Record has hosted, as well as at countless other venues far and wide, including even Carnegie Hall. Through the years of our association during many venues, Herb found out that my mother, Cary, when I was a small child, sang a song to me as a lullaby called "The Preacher and the Bear."  I had always thought it was just something she had learned on the farm in Surry County, never thinking it was a record produced by several people beginning as early as 1905.  When I mentioned the song to Herb one day, I learned that he knew the song well, and he has been kind enough to sing it several times through the years at events I attended.  

    This past Thursday was no exception.  When Herb took his turn in front, he sang "The Preacher and the Bear" once again, and I was able to relive one of my favorite memories of childhood--and the song I sang to all my children as well. That night's rendition of the song was made even  more special because my, brother, T. A. was sitting right behind me, and he knows the song by heart at well.

  And then there is Fred Watkins.  When I arrived at Arbor Grove on Thursday, one of the first people I saw was Jane Brady.  She had kindly found me a seat near the front and pointed out Mr. Watkins.  He was seated, had his own oxygen supply with him, and had a harmonica in his hand.  Jane then told me about what she called the "possum song" that she hoped he would do.  As the evening went on, he played the harmonica along with the guitars, banjos, fiddles and other instruments during the various songs which were performed. Then, well into the program, David Johnson introduced Fred Watkins to a huge ovation.  He took his spot and promptly stole the show by singing' "Five Pounds of Possum."

   All in all it was a wonderful evening.  David Johnson as emcee was perfect; seamlessly mixing the wide variety music with an Easter message, and occassionally just having fun. He spoke of his childhood and how Eugene Canter taught him how to catch a baseball.  He went on talking about Gene and his love of hunting and fishing, and ended with a story about there being a newborn baby in the neighborhood who was taken to Gene's house because the family didn't have a scale to weigh the child.  David said when they put the baby on the set of fish scales on Gene's back porch, that the infant came in at just over 38 pounds.

   When the  folks at Arbor Music began to ask Gene about that story, I'm told he would only say, that "..well, it was a big baby."

  The Preacher and the Bear

The preacher went out hunting,

it was on a Sunday morn,

He knew it was against his religion,

but he took his gun along.

 He shot himself three fine quail,

and one little measly hare,

And on his way returning home,

he met a great big grizzly bear.

 The bear walked up in the middle of the road,

he walked up to the preacher you see,

The Preacher got so excited,

that he climbed a persimmon tree.

  The bear sat down underneath the tree,

and the preacher climbed out on a limb.

Then he cast his eyes to the Lord in the skies,

and these words he prayed to him.

 Now Lord, didn't you deliver Daniel from the lions den,

and Jonah, from the belly of the whale, and then,

Three Hebrew children from the fiery furnace,

Yes, the Good Book does declare.

So, oh Lord, if you can't help me,

for Heaven's sake, don't you help that bear.

    Five Pounds of Possum

My Children are hungry, my dog needs a bone.

I ain't got no job now, so I'm just driving home.

An hour after sundown, and much to my delight,

There's 5 pounds of possum in my headlights tonight.

Chorus

There's 5 pounds of possum in my headlights tonight,

If I can just run him over, everything will be all right.

We'll have some possum gravy, oh what a wonderful sight,

There's 5 pounds of possum in my headlights tonight.

Won't have to clean me no chicken, won't have to open no cans,

 Just a little it closer, and I'll have it in my hand.

I think the time has come now, to go from dim to bright,

There's 5pounds of possum in my headlights tonight.

 Chorus

There's 5 pounds of possum in my headlights tonight,

If I can just run him over, everything will be all right.

We'll have some possum gravy, oh what a wonderful sight,

There's 5 pounds of possum in my headlights tonight.

 Won't have to clean me no chicken, won't have to open no cans,

Just a little it closer, and I'll have it in my hand.

I think the time has come now, to go from dim to bright,

There's 5 pounds of possum in my headlights tonight.

 Chorus

There's 5 pounds of possum in my headlights tonight,

If I can just run him over, everything will be all right.

We'll have some possum gravy, oh what a wonderful sight,

There's 5 pounds of possum in my headlights tonight.

  Are we really foresaken?

By LAURA WELBORN

Palm Sunday is one of my favorite services. I am not sure if I love its pageantry or the fact that it’s the start of Easter with new beginnings.  

Then I think of Jesus on the cross asking “…my God, my God why have you forsaken me?”  

And then I wonder how we feel forsaken when things don’t go our way. We all get frustrated when things don’t play out the way we expect them to, and people don’t behave like they’re “supposed” to.   I tend to get frustrated with myself when things don’t go right, but maybe I am judging myself against the wrong measure of success and not looking into the deeper meaning of what is “supposed to be.”  Maybe I haven’t been forsaken, and maybe I am successful in a different way. I was challenged by a friend to look deeper and find my own personal measure of success.   When I did look deeper I saw my life in a different way.

So how do we “reprogram” our brain to look beyond what is facing us to see the deeper purpose and celebrate our impact on the world.  

One way would be to not imagine the worst when you encounter a little drama.  When someone is acting irrationally, don’t join them by rushing to make a negative judgment call.  Instead, pause.  Take a deep breath…When you feel like things are about to blow, take a long deep breath. Deep breathing releases tension, calms down our fight or flight reactions, and allows us to quiet our anxious nerves so we choose more considerate and constructive responses, no matter the situation.

Sometimes good people behave poorly under stress.  When you pause, it gives you space to collect your thoughts and it also allows the other person the space to take a deep breath with you.  In most cases, that extra time and space is all we need.

In the busyness of today’s world people tend to be worried, fearful, hurting and distracted about everything.  The word compassion means “to suffer with.”  When you can put yourself in the other person’s shoes, you give them the space to regroup, without putting any extra pressure on them.  We never know what’s really going on in someone’s life. When you interact with others in stressful environments, set an intention to be supportive by leaving the expectations, judgments and demands at the door.

Keeping “the positive” in mind helps you move beyond the negativity around you.  At the end of the day, reflect on your small daily wins and all the little things that are going well.  Count three small events on your fingers that happened during the day that you’re undoubtedly grateful for.  

And pay it forward when you get a chance to.  Let your positivity empower you to think kindly of others, speak kindly to others, and do kind things for others.  Kindness always makes a difference.  Create the outcomes others might be grateful for at the end of their day.  Be a bigger part of what’s right in this world.

I challenge you to try this—start small with just three deep breaths and three minutes of meditation a day. Do this for 30 days.  After 30 days, if this daily ritual becomes easy, add another two breaths and another two minutes to your ritual.  When you begin a day mindfully, you lay the foundation for your day being calm and centered -focused on your strengths giving way for you to positively impact your world.  

  “Do or Do not, there is no try”

By HEATHER DEAN

Record Reporter

               So were the words of Jedi Master Yoda when a young Luke Skywalker was in Jedi boot camp.

                 You see, Luke was from a rural farming community, a small town boy, living in a lonely galaxy far, far, away and had no reason to ever think danger would strike there. Until one fateful day, the bad guys attacked and he found his friends and family massacred in what should have been his safe zone.

                 But what could he do? He was just a kid. The Empire had military grade weapons, political backing, and he was “just a dumb teenager” on a farm. He was angry and frustrated, feeling powerless when Master Yoda uttered the words that would be his turning point: “Do or Do not, there is no try.”

                 Long story short, he found a mentor in Obi Wan Kinobi and a trainer of the force in Yoda.  He joined The Resistance, becoming one of the most widely known and powerful forces to be reckoned with in the galaxy.

                 He was a Jedi.

               A Rebel with a cause.

 And he had a twin sister who didn’t back down in the face of adversity, even though she too was only a teenager.

               A Padawan, or Jedi apprentice, is a trainee who receives one-on-one instruction. When a Padawans training is completed, they must pass certain trials.  (Padawan means “learner” in Sanskrit)

"As a parent, haven’t we all said that we want to raise good humans, kind and compassionate, yet independent and be able to critically think for themselves? That we don’t want our child to conform to a societal norm, to think out of the box?  To teach them to be brave enough to stand up in the face of adversity when they see something wrong? (i.e. bullying)

 So now the kids we have raised are doing just that, adults on social media are losing their minds. “Adults” are attacking the youth, threatening, bullying, shaming, spouting nonsense like “These stupid dumb teenagers eating Tide pods are trying to tell adults what to do when they can't even vote yet? What idiots.”

(Brace yourselves. A lot of them are seniors, and the voting registration of kids 18-21 just went through the roof.)

Perhaps the problem is the “adults” that are ignorant, lacking compassion and empathy.

 Sadly, most of these same “adults” are part of Generation X, my generation, parents of the generation rising up. Need I remind you, what we did back in school? I sat and watched classmates sniff glue, markers, computer duster, whippets, helium… Not to mention our generation thought mullets were cool. But you're going to call these kids stupid? Please.

 Unlike the war against the Empire that spanned for generations, leading the Rebel Princess to say “A lot of good people died to get this information” our young Padawans have faced their trials, and said “Enough is Enough!” And so begins The Resistance in our day. Teenagers are leading the charge for change, standing in solidarity across the nation.  

  When you strip away the entire partisan knee jerking on both sides, the simple fact is that kids are dying at school, and they’d rather not. They are asking for help from adults. That’s it.

 May the Force be with you young Jedi, always.

 Snake in the Grass

By EARL COX

Special to The Record

 Danger comes in many forms and it’s what we fail to see or detect that can harm us the most.  I’m not talking about terrorism but rather about silver-tongued deception.

 Some are attempting to capitalize on the division that exists in America today between blacks, whites, and others. Hatred and violence are fomented by evil design to stir up political unrest. If enough seeds of discord are scattered and take root, minority voters become easy prey for the liberal, leftist agenda.  We must take note of those who are sowing such seeds and carefully warn others not to be deceived.

 Louis Farrakhan, known as the leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI), is one such figure.  Formed in 1930 for the purpose of targeting African Americans in what was a majority Caucasian society, the NOI is hard at work today under Farrakhan’s leadership stirring up hatred against whites and Jews. Clothed in a form of religion, the organization has great appeal to its target audience.

 Farrakhan emerged in 1977 as a masterful orator. He became widely recognized for his outspoken vitriol against white society and his extremist views are unchanged today. Often he refers to whites as the devil and blacks as the chosen race of Allah refuting that the Jews are God’s chosen people. While his fiery speeches draw many followers, his messages are not meant to unify but rather divide.

 Farrakhan’s hatred is not limited to whites.  He also rails against Jews and against Israel. Recently he delivered a speech at his annual Saviors’ Day 2018 Address which was peppered with anti-Semitic statements. He blames the Jews for whatever comes out of Hollywood and claims Israel is an imperialist country wreaking havoc on the Palestinians.  Of course he has no facts to support his slanderous claims yet his message hits a home run with his audiences. Referring to the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians as a master–slave type of relationship, he masterfully takes command of his audience enticing them to buy into his false narrative.  By making this correlation, his audience responds in sympathetic and predictable fashion.

 Louis Farrakhan is a snake in the grass and he has friends and associates in high places. He’s been seen with members of Congress and reportedly with the deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Furthermore, he is no stranger to former President Barak Obama or the Congressional Black Caucus. Practiced in the art of persuasive double-speak and confusion, Farrakhan is a dangerous man not in and of himself but because he has influence.  

 Fox news reported on “links with seven members of the Congressional Black Caucus” and Tamika Mallory, co-president of the Women’s March. The seven members were named, and several have since condemned Farrakhan’s vile racist and bigoted views but some of the same members who denounced Farrakhan’s bigotry also praised him as a person.  Any elected official who would associate with a man who calls Jews “satanic” and publicly praises Hitler as a “very great man” should be forced to resign from office.

 While everyone should denounce such incendiary acrimony coming from Farrakhan and the NOI, there are others like him living in Israel’s neighborhood. They can be just as outrageously deceitful, turning truth into a lie and a lie into a truth, and show a face that speaks of a separatist attitude challenging everyone they consider enemies.

  Dolley and the Easter Egg Roll

By CARL WHITE

Life in the Carolinas

Did you know that Dolley Payne was born May 20, 1768 in North Carolina? Her father was John Payne from and her Quaker mother was Mary Coles Payne. John became a Quaker after he married Mary. It was a tough life for them as plantation farmers in Virginia or North  Carolina. When Dolley was 15 she, her seven siblings and parents moved to Philadelphia. John went into the starch making business which also fell on hard times.

At the age of 22 Dolley married John Todd, a promising young Quaker lawyer. It was only three years before Dolley became a young widow and buried both her husband and one of their three children due to a yellow-fever epidemic.

Within 11 months, Dolley would say "I do" to James Madison, a well-established Virginia congressman who was 17 years her senior and was also a Founding Father of the United  States. Over time James would make his way up the political ladder. It was in 1801 that President Thomas Jefferson asked him to serve as Secretary of State. Upon acceptance the Madison family moved to Washington and this would be the start of Dolley Madison’s rise to becoming a popular figure in our nations history. Her husband became President James Madison on March 4, 1809 and served till March 4, 1817.

We often talk about the state of birth for our U.S. Presidents, however we don’t talk a lot about the state of birth for our First Ladies. While it is not an elected office, they are expected to serve and Dolley Madison certainly did that.

On resent visit to The Inn of the Patriots Bed and Breakfast in Grover, N.C. I visited with the owners Marti and Stormy Mongiello, both are U.S. Veterans and Marti has served as a Presidential Chef and director at Camp David. So, they do know more then just a few things about White House and Camp David History.

From the opening of the Inn and the US Presidential Culinary Museum the Mongiello’s have hosted an Easter Monday Egg Roll to coincides with the official White House Egg Roll. Hundreds of children show up at 11am in the little town of Grover, N.C. for the fun filled official egg roll event at which each child nine and under receive one official White House Egg representing the White House and the President at the time of Easter Egg Roll.  The 2018 Eggs are signed by President Trump and the First Lady.

Marti shared a bit of the historic legend. As the story goes John Payne Todd also known as Payne Todd, was Dolly’s son from her first marriage and was adopted by James Madison when Payne was two years old. While he did not have to worry about a good meal at home, Payne did not have a simple or easy life, reportedly he was troubled as an alcoholic most of his life and he never seemed to make traction for doing much good with any aspect of his life.

However, He did share a story with his mother about a game where children were rolling colored eggs in the sand with a stick at the pyramids of Giza. He suggested to his mother that they share the custom on or near the grounds of the U.S. Capital. Soon after, that’s exactly what happened.

While the origins of the Easter Egg Roll are still debated we know that over the years the tradition would evolve and move to the White House Lawn during the Rutherford B. Hayes administration and take on different aspects.  However, the basic attributes remained the same. Having fun while rolling decorated eggs, some simple and some more complex. Just like all of us.

As we celebrate the Holy Day of Easter and have fun with some of our secular traditions may we always remember where we come from and the contributions of the dirt we played in as kids.  

  You can email Carl at Carl@lifeinthecarolinas.com

Carl White is the executive producer and host of the award winning syndicated TV show Carl White’s Life In the Carolinas. The weekly show is now in its seventh year of syndication and can be seen in the Charlotte viewing market on WJZY Fox 46 Saturdays at noon. For more on the show visit  www.lifeinthecarolinas.com

[standrewumcspokenword]

The Calling of the First Disciples The Call: Where do we go from here?

As we begin today, I bring you grace and peace, reminding you again of the words we heard last week at Jesus’ baptism, words from God. “You are God’s child. God says, ‘I’m so happy with you.’”

You might be forgiven if it sounds like we are on a trip to some strange far-off place with names like Naphtali, Zebulon, and, my favorite, Capernaum-by-the-sea.  When I first read that Jesus “withdrew” to that place, I pictured Jesus taking some time out by a great big lake, only salty, the salty breeze blowing through his hair as he hiked trails and cooled his heals over chats with new friends. The scripture says that was his home, so I picture he did some house hunt, like those House Hunters on TV, buying property perfect for raising a family.  

But then I re-read the scripture.

Wait, what was that?  Did it just say that John was arrested?  I think I missed that the first time amidst all those names.  And then I had to ask myself, who arrested John? I think it was… Herod Antipas, that’s right.  Son of the guy we heard about a couple of weeks ago.  Not a good guy.  Nominally religious, not devout.   Held lots of banquets.  Imprisoned those who spoke against him.  Autocratic. A bit like one of the Pharaoh’s of Egypt.  And then I had to stop.  I remembered the place where Herod Antipas ruled.  It was Galilee, where Capernaum is.

I thought to myself, that’s a dangerous place, Jesus. Why would you want to move in there? Shouldn’t you be running away and staying quiet?  I mean, when the light of God comes, like the words from Isaiah, does it have to be so… unsettling?  It’s like that area of your house, your room, your life that you keep trying to cover over or keep in the dark… as if not looking at it would mean it’s not there. But being a Disciple of Jesus doesn’t mean we turn off the lights and hide.

As if that wasn’t enough, verse 17 says that Jesus “began to proclaim ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

That’s the same message John preached. I read that, and my first thought was, “Jesus you’re going to get yourself arrested.” He’s not withdrawing.  He’s confronting.  Much like those of the Civil Rights Era who sat down at a lunch counter, knowing they could be arrested and thrown in jail. Jail was the place where you could go and not come back. Still, they said, “I ain’t scared of your jails.”  So Jesus did.

If you came here today knowing that we were talking about discipleship and though that it was going to be easy, let me disabuse you of that notion. If you came thinking that you would get a one-two-three step process at the end of which you would, too, would get a house by the sea, then you’ve come to the wrong place.  Jesus doesn’t promise any of us prosperity.  Or an easy road.  Disciples of Jesus haven’t had the luxury of an easy life. Many didn’t live out the natural end of their lives. But because of the disciples who’ve gone on before, we are here today.  It’s why we have hospitals that help the sick, orphanages for those alone, and why we gather to hear that invitation to look that part of us that we’d rather hide until we have to confront it.  

Jesus didn’t run from conflict, but he embraced it. Showing us that tension, that tension created by the prophets calling us to repent, that tension is the only way to create real, lasting change.  We often come here looking for peace – peace in our lives or even peace in the world. But a peace without tension, without confrontation, that doesn’t really bring change.

I was reminded by another preacher (Nadia Boltz Weber) last month, sometimes the thoughts in our own mind run over and over, the neural pathways fire again and again, until the same criticism becomes a well-worn groove in our brain.  The prophets don’t tell us to improve.  They come with “holy spackle” to fill in those grooves and teach us to begin again. They confront us with the true vision our own selves.  Until we know we’re pretty helpless on our own.  We need a savior.  One who will lead us in a new way of life.  One that becomes not just about me but confronting the places in this world that are so broken that they need some holy reconstruction, too.

The first disciples heard that in Jesus’ call to them. Andrew and Peter are in a boat fishing. Jesus calls out, “follow me, and I will make you fish for people,” Jesus calls out.  One line and they are in. Like a light switch flipping on, they immediately they leave their nets and go.  James and John, who were fishing with them, they go, too.  They even leave their father holding the nets on the shore - leaving their responsibility – a responsibility written in the Law, by the way, I mean, whoa  – and leaving their whole lives behind to follow.    

Doesn’t scripture always have a surprise when you read it with new eyes?  I mean, those first disciples – they didn’t exactly come with a business plan in hand. This isn’t someone selling their business so they can start a nonprofit.  There wasn’t a plan yet.  These guys just stop and leave all their equipment right there.  Done.   That’s repentance.  That’s a tension that will last for years in their families and in their lives.

Sometimes being a disciple means you have to resist the expectations put on you. To resist what others would expect.

One writer I read this week suggested that it might have been normal to form groups like this at that time. You’d get people together for a little while to address grievances.  You’d show up at the house of someone who wronged you with this ragtag group and demand justice.  I admit, that idea of a holy posse in the style of the western movie “The Magnificent Seven” sounds like what I would want Jesus to do right about now. I want him to ride out with James, John, Peter, and Andrew, verbally shooting down the people I don’t like, and start taking names.  

But that would avoid the change I need to make, wouldn’t it?  That would make someone else into the problem.  I’m suggesting that to confront the greatest issues in ourselves and in society, we first begin by confronting where the evil is in us, where we have been complicit in living a bit too easy without tension.  And then we can name that place in others we are calling to be changed.  

The purpose of Jesus’ conflict isn’t to drive people away. It wasn’t to wipe them out.  No, just the opposite.  It’s to invite us to the place that we’ve needed to change, shining the light on what we’ve refused to see. And being a Disciple is not something you do alone.  If anything, I believe that the way we are to hear the call and respond today, the way we are invited into the future is not to hole up and forget our visions of hope or justice.  But to build community.  To build relationships where we share, confront, disagree, and hold one another in care and love.  And together, we will be stronger, especially when the Herods of the world come searching.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll continue this theme around conflict, team-building, and discipleship. We’ll have a series of sermons where we’ll ask what – if anything – we can learn from competitive sports.  You’re already talking about it.  Let’s see what scriptures might have to show us.  

Many of you have heard Jesus’ call.  You’ve heard the invitation to grow in yourselves as you serve others.  I see you. You’re at Monday night Citizenship Mentoring, Tuesday night Bible study, Choir, or at one of the other ministries at church. Even when you can’t do that, you bring your kids to Sunday School and pray with those here.  You are holding each other.   And I am suggesting that maybe we can even let scripture surprise us along the way. To let it confront what we’d rather hide, bring up the holy tension we’d rather let go.  To name the change we pray for in our lives.  And in the world.

It’s not time to sit down beside the sea.  It’s not time to withdraw.  But to create some holy tension.  To create some holy conversations with each other.  Honest conversations.  It’s not time to avoid even the deepest held beliefs we have. But to make a way to share them.

I love that tomorrow is Martin Luther King Day.  Many of us will replay his “I Have a Dream” speech. You may think the dream has become a reality at times.  But that speech was far more than just words. It came from a place where Dr. King had confronted the places of fear in him. Like Jesus staying in Capernaum, he was confronting the powers of his day in places like Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama.  

One of the memories that stands out to me has always been his account during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, it would’ve been about 1956, towards the end of January.  He writes that “Coretta had already fallen asleep and just as I was about to doze off the telephone rang. An angry voice said, ‘Listen, you, we’ve taken all we want from you; before next week you’ll be sorry you ever came to Montgomery.’”  It was a death threat.  A threat that was carried out three nights later as their parsonage was bombed.  

But that night, Dr. King writes that he hung up the phone, but he couldn’t sleep. He knew what was coming.  “It seemed that all of my fears had come down on me at once. I had reached the saturation point.”

He got out of bed and began to walk the floor. Finally went to the kitchen and heated a pot of coffee. He says, “I was ready to give up. With my cup of coffee sitting untouched before me I tried to think of a way to move out of the picture without appearing a coward. In this state of exhaustion, when my courage had all but gone, I decided to take my problem to God. With my head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud. The words I spoke to God that midnight are still vivid in my memory.  I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But now I am afraid…. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I’ve come to the point where I can’t face it alone.’”

If you listen only to the great speeches, you might have forgotten that even some of the greatest leaders of our time have moments where they can’t do it alone.  King writes that as he bowed his head at his table, “at that moment I experienced the presence of the Divine as I had never experienced [God] before. It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice saying: “Stand up for righteousness, stand up for truth; and God will be at your side forever.” Almost at once my fears began to go. My uncertainty disappeared. I was ready to face anything.

None of us can do this alone. That voice comes from others who walk with us.  We aren’t forming a posse to go out and shoot up what we don’t want.  But to hold each other up. To stand with each other in times of injustice. And to not be afraid to confront the deepest fears we have so that all may see the light of God revealed again.

Go and be a disciple.  Don’t take the easy road.  Don’t give up the path. Keep resisting. So that those of us who have been living in darkness may see a great light.