Some Thoughts On Christmas Day

Today marks my 62nd Christmas on the planet.  I don't pretend to know it all.  In fact, in the vast scheme of things, I know very little.  However, in the six decades of my existence I have learned a few things.  Some of them come to mind this Christmas morning (but they are not all about Christmas).

• The best Christmas memories I have involve family, rather than gifts.
• Some acquaintances may let you down, but real friends are for life.
• The framers of our Constitution never envisioned "career politicians".
• Some folks (sadly even some family members) are motivated by greed.  They are to be pitied
• Christmas brings out the best in most folks.
• It would be nice if the Christmas spirit would last all year long.
• Human life is precious - from the unborn to the very old - and everything in between.
• It is the height of hypocrisy to morn for 26 innocent children who were senselessly killed in their school room, and yet ignore the tragedy of the 4,000 who are senselessly killed each day in their mother's womb.
• All Children are precious. (Jesus said we should be more like them)
• One's own children are the best.
• Grandchildren are even better!
• Snow makes Christmas seem more "christmasy" - but it is not necessary for one to have a blessed holiday.
• Jesus wasn't born on December 25th, but the Good News is that one day He WAS born - the initial step toward God's plan of redemption. 
• I feel sorry for boys who never knew their grandfathers.
• I only wish I had known mine longer.
• Football is a great game.
• Basketball is even better.
• I believe Baseball is divinely inspired. I hope they have it in Heaven.
• I have come to support the idea of term limits for all politicians - especially at the congressional level.
• I have received the love and support of a good woman for 43 years.
• Linda Bowling, Patsy Adkins, and Mary Stidham are the finest human beings I have ever known.
• The blessings of my life are far better than I deserve.
• Some people have the gift of giving. How many of them do you know?
• Following Christ is the most fulfilling way one can live his, or her life.
• The guy we call Santa Claus, really lived, and once punched out a heretic!
• Mom and Dad have lived in the same house on Gallaher Street for 60 years. Only one neighbor there has been there longer than them.
• Girls are rare in our family.  My twin nieces, Kate and Alex are very special. 
• College football doesn't get any better than the Southeastern Conference variety.
• Our neighbors on 49th Street are wonderful folks.
• My time in the U.S. Air Force was a fulfilling experience. I believe military service is beneficial to every young American. It is an honor to serve.
• There is nothing like the delight of a child opening gifts at Christmas.
• The piles of discarded boxes and wrapping paper on Christmas day is mute testimony to how materially blessed we are.
• I like the way the lights of a Christmas tree reflect in the eyes of my grandsons.
• Bruce, Carl and I were blessed to be born to Patsy and Caudle Adkins.
• It IS more blessed to give than to receive.
• New Year's Day gives us a new canvas on which to begin the painting of the rest of our days.
• The greatest gift that one can possess is a true personal relationship with God.
• Linda's Christmas Dinner is one of the highlights of the year.
• My thoughts and rambling could go on and on,m but there is a time to quit blogging, and sit down to Linda's turkey, dressing and all the fixin's.  That time has come.

Linda joins me in wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and fruitful new year in 2013!

A Christmas Letter To My Grandsons

Well, it looks like Christmas is finally just about here!  I remember how, when I was your age, it seemed like Christmas would never come.  But now it's here, and I wanted to write you a little message that I think is very important for you to read and remember.

Mamaw and I are giving you the best gifts that we can afford to give.  We hope that you will enjoy them and be grateful for whatever you receive this Christmas.

The greatest gift we can give you, however, is a gift that money cannot buy.  It is the gift of love and a Godly heritage.  We love Jesus and we received Him as our Savior many years ago.  Your parents also know and love Jesus, and they are actively involved in serving Him and following Him as one of His learners.

They have also taught each of you the Gospel message from the time you were babies.  Four of you have also trusted Jesus as your Savior.  We are so thankful for your faith in Christ and we pray that little Nathan will do the same as soon as he reaches an age that God begins to speak to his heart.

I hope you will always be faithful to God and His Word.  Make it the principal focus of your lives and you will never go wrong. 

You will grow up in a world that is very different from the one your Mamaw and I grew up in.  There is much evil and there are many temptations you will face that will be a great challenge to your faith. Take some wise words of advice from your old Papaw.  Never compromise the truth, even if all your friends say it is OK to do so.  Just trust God and follow the teachings of Jesus.  It won't always be easy to do that, but His Spirit will help you!

Mamaw and I pray that the spirit of Christmas will abide in you every day of your lives, and not only in the month of December.

We hope you will have a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2013.  Obey your parents.  Do your very best in school and in your extracurricular activities.  Love your brothers and be kind to them. They are your first and very best friends for life.

We are more proud of you than you can imagine.

Love,
Mamaw and Papaw

Wow! Every Christian Should Read This

I don't know who wrote this, but I heard it read in Chapel by Roc Collins at NOBTS yesterday.  Got back to my room and found it on a Google search and had to share it. Oh, that I, and all other Christ followers would live with such resolve!

I Am A Soldier

(author unknown)

I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer. The Holy Scripture is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will not get out, sell out, be talked out or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. 

I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up. 

I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me or lure me. 

I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name and building His kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards or candy, or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for or catered to. I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead. I will win. My God has and will continue to supply all of my need. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. 

The devil cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me, and hell cannot handle me. 

I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander calls me from His battlefield, He will promote me to captain and then allow me to rule with Him. I am a soldier in the army, and I’m marching claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around.

I am a soldier, marching heaven-bound. Here I Stand! Will you stand with me?

What It's All About

In chapter 23 of the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul was hustled out of Jerusalem and placed in protective custody after an uproar in the Temple and a plot to kill him became known.  Learning that Paul was a Roman citizen, a Roman army officer by the name of Claudius Lysias, conveyed Paul to the Roman fortress at Caesarea late at night.  To ensure Paul’s safe arrival there, the officer sent a contingent of 200 foot soldiers, 70 cavalry soldiers, and 300 spear men to bring Paul safely to  the Roman Procurator, a fellow named Felix.  Felix was married to a Jewish woman named Drusilla, who was the great grand daughter of Herod the Great.

Prosecutors, who included the Jewish High Priest, Ananias and an orator by the name of Tertullus, soon followed and brought charges against Paul in the presence of the Roman Governor. The particular false charges and Paul’s defense are found in Acts 24.

Felix heard both sides of the case and told Paul privately that he would make a decision on his fate at a later date.  Several days later, when Drusilla joined her Roman husband, the two sought an audience with Paul to hear more from him regarding the Christian “Way”.  The Apostle never missed an opportunity to share the Gospel, and this was an opportunity to tell the Roman Procurator and his Jewish wife, three simple things that truly matter most.

Dr. Luke, the author of the Book of Acts, tells us very simply in Acts 24:25 that Paul reasoned with them regarding “righteousness, self control, and judgment to come”.  I think there is a very simple, yet important lesson here for all of us who would seek to be more effective witnesses for Christ, when given opportunity to share our faith.

These few words (righteousness, self control, and judgment) make the simple outline of three concepts that every human must consider.  The first involves the problem of “yesterday’s sins”.  We know from the scriptures that “there is none righteous, no not one!”  How then may sinful men and women come into relationship with a Holy God?  This comes only through the righteousness of Christ being imputed to those who would accept Christ’s sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins.  (2 Cor 5:21)

Secondly, Paul spoke of “self control”.  This deals with “today’s temptations”.  Warren Wiersbe writes “Man is able to control almost everything but himself.”  Isn’t that the truth?  Not only can we save ourselves from the penalty of yesterday’s sins, in our own power we are helpless against temptation today.  Again, Jesus Christ is the only answer to that problem.  Apart from the power and indwelling of His presence in our lives, we are hopeless in the face of what Paul speaks of thirdly – the Judgment to come.

As Paul shared these truths, the power of the Holy Spirit overcame  the Roman Governor.  He may have been Caesar’s representative in the province of Judea, but when he heard the message of the Gospel delivered by a man of God, the Bible tells us Felix “trembled”.  A more accurate translation is “he became terrified”.  My friends, that is the power of the Gospel when shared under the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit.

Although frightened, Felix did what many people today do.  He procrastinated.  How sad.  Further reading tells us that Felix thought he might be able to extort some money (bribery) from Paul, and he left the Apostle held in custody for two years!

Felix told Paul that he would hear him again at “a more convenient time”.  There are many who will turn us off with a similar excuse.  However the scriptures tell us there is no better time to hear and react to the Gospel than right now.  “Behold now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation”. (2 Cor 6:2)

This brief history lesson reminds me that the simple message of Paul goes right along with the “A,B,C’s of Salvation” that we teach our children.  “A” Admit our sin, and our need of a Savior.  “B” Believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again for us.  He takes up residence in the life of every believer and provides the power we need to face the enemy of our souls.  “C” Confess Him as your Savior and Lord.  “For with the heart, man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation”.

Most of our congregation knows I like to add that 4^th letter to the equation.  “D” Do it now! 

As we enter this blessed Christmas season, let us not just relegate Jesus to the little baby in the manger.  Let us use this God given opportunity to remind others “What It's All About”.

Letters From Our Doughboys

My grandfather, Caudle Adkins, Sr., served in the U.S. Army in France during World War I.  My brother and I often wondered what it must have been like for him, a country boy who had never been out of the hills of Lincoln County, West Virginia, to be transported across the Atlantic to fight the dreaded Huns of Kaiser Wilhelm in "The War To End All Wars".  I am a fan of the old Gary Cooper movie about Sgt. Alvin York.  Bruce and I have often wondered aloud if our Papaw wasn't a lot like the boy from the mountains of east Tennessee, who won the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery in battle.

Surely their rural backgrounds were very similar.  I can only imagine what it must have been like for them to walk away from their homes and families to answer the call of their nation.  Their orders came from General "Black Jack" Pershing, whom after liberating Paris from the German forces, repaid our nations 147 year old debt to France for their assistance to us in our war of independence against England, by placing a wreath on the grave of an old French ally with the words, "Lafayette, we are here!"

My grandfather died in 1959 just before my ninth birthday.  I remember him well, but he rarely spoke of the horrors he had seen during the great conflict.  Perhaps he felt a child didn't need to hear that stuff, or perhaps he just didn't want to relive the experiences again.  His death in the Huntington, WV VA Medical Center came from Lung Cancer.  One can only assume that his experience of being gassed by the German Army in the Argonne Forest was a contributing factor to the malignancy.

I have always been facinated by the World War I soldiers.  When I was a kid in the 50's they were the "old men" in the neighborhood.  The retired guys.  The grandfathers.  Now, as I rapidly approach the age of my Grandfather at his passing, it is sad to realize that there are no more WWI veterans alive in the world today.  They are ALL gone.  Time marches on.

In memory of these men, and in honor of Veterans Day holiday, I thought I would pass along some lines from letters, which I recently found on some obscure website, written home by lonely, homesick (and perhaps frightened) Doughboys during the Great War.

Food for thought and reflection, indeed:

"I am in a Motor Truck Co. in the Army and I expect to be up north soon, as we have everything ready to leave at a moments notice."

"...takes 2 pieces buttoned together to make a tent, your rifle being the front pole and your bayonet the rear."

"...this war is flooded with human nature."

"...lots of ridges around here...you always want to see what's beyond it...may be a Tommy, may a general...may be living, he may be dead..."

"And for my return, I pull no hero stuff...I never sleep in dugouts, I am never bombed or shelled, I don't even stand a chance of starving to death."

"...got into some action...doing bridge reconnaissance...we were ahead of the front lines and I had some narrow escapes."

"...we moved up the trenches about 12 days ago..."

"We are in the 1st Army and that means we will go to Germany..."

"It is a mystery to me how the Tommies get so drunk on such weak beer."

"If you go far enough, and in the right direction, you will find trees that aren't shelled or cut down and sick-like."

"...I may get around to sending you some souveniers...some high explosives...or a few aircraft searchlight beams."

"...was so damned interested in the war ending that I am just writing now...I dont think the French Army will sober up for a month."

"...I buckprivated into the ambassadors 4th of July Reception in Paris...bowed to the Colonels, shook the hands of diplomats and chatted with a countess..."

"...you asked if my hand was off. No, but I can't write very much. I was shot through the left wrist and it almost tore it off but will get better maybe sometime.">

"The last time I saw him he was going over the top. I don't know if he got wounded or not."

"Russell is in some hospital shot in his left leg just above his ankle, it is not very bad but he will be laid up for a couple of months. I am in another hospital, almost blind from a gas attack from the Boche but I will be o.k."

"...am sorry to say taht he is in the hospital again. He just got out before in time to go in the battle at Soissons, and while there a piece of shrapnel hit him in the arm and the rumor is that they had to take it off.."

"If you can send me some candy or cigarettes, I would certainly appreciate and thank you very much for it is almost impossible to get either here."

What's In A Name?

 

 

As I remember, there was a lot of discussion, time, and effort expended over the last year and a half or so, regarding the subject of a name change for the Southern Baptist Convention. 

 

Former SBC President Bryant Wright bowed to great concerns allegedly from church planters and others around the country who seemed to feel that the moniker “Southern Baptists” was a challenge to the task of planting churches in the Northeast and other areas of the USA.  Surely a new name was needed for the tired old convention.  So Dr. Wright appointed a task force made up of many familiar names to look into this terrible situation and to make their learned recommendations to the convention messengers when we met at our annual meeting in New Orleans this past June.

 

After much research, soul searching, and discussion, it was finally decided that rather than changing the legal nomenclature of the Convention (too expensive and too much red tape) what we needed was a new “descriptor” which would more accurately describe who we are.

 

Let me say at this point, that I personally had no problem with changing the name of the Convention to more accurately define the more global nature of our work.  It had been brought up at other Convention meetings in the past, and I felt there was some merit to the thought, but alas nothing had come of it.  I might add that previous attempts had come from the floor of the Convention, which in my opinion, was the proper way to bring up the matter.

 

In recent years, however, there have been “needs” that have behooved SBC Presidents to appoint special committees to look into serious situations such as the need for a “Great Commission Resurgence” and the perceived urgent need to change our Convention’s name to make it more palatable to those in other regions of our nation.  Some have questioned if the two former Presidents even had the authority to do such a thing, but as my buddy Joed Rice’s late father might have said, “…That’s another thing!”

 

So at any rate, the Ad Hoc Committee in their wisdom did not deem it incumbent on us to change the official name of the Convention, but still felt that it was imperative that we add the descriptor, “Great Commission Baptists”.  The upbuilding of the Kingdom demanded quick action.  The recommendation came to the Messengers of the Convention, and like obedient sheep we passed it, thereby taking the terrible curse of the “Southern” term out of the equation – and presumably making folks in the northeast and great northwest much more open to the Gospel message.

 

The news went out from New Orleans in June, and now we were free to use the new descriptor in hopes that the lost world would like us better now that we had a nickname.

 

I really don’t intend to beat a dead horse, but in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the “Frankenstorm” that pummeled the eastern seaboard, our SBC Disaster Relief volunteers kicked into action as usual, moving hundreds of volunteer chainsaw crews, mud out crews, and feeding units into New Jersey, New York, and other hard hit areas.

 

How interesting it was to note that as New Jersey Governor Chris Christie held a recent news conference, he was high on his praise of the first responders along with the National Guard, American Red Cross, and the SOUTHERN BAPTISTS who were already on site.  The SBC North American Mission Board tells us that SBC Disaster Relief Crews are cranking out more than 400,000 meals per day which are being delivered by the Red Cross to those who are in need.  Southern Baptists.  Imagine that.  I doubt that very many would turn down those hot meals, or send away the chain saw and mud out crews just because “Southern Baptist Disaster Relief” was written in blue across their bright yellow T-Shirts and caps.

 

Perhaps what we do for the Lord in the way of ministry to others carries a whole lot more weight than what we call ourselves. And just maybe, this visible manifestation of God’s love and grace may have more of an impact on lost people than any descriptor a committee might come up with. 

 

(And that’s another thing!)

 

 

 

 

A Golden Nugget From The Sermon On The Mount

Matthew, chapters five through seven cover a discourse by Jesus commonly known as The Sermon on the Mount.  This passage of scripture, which begins with “The Beatitudes” and concludes with the contrast of the outcome of identical houses built on different foundations – caused Jesus’ hearers to be “astonished at His doctrine” and impressed at the authoritative manner of His teaching.  Jesus’ radical teaching in this message was never intended to be a “How To” formula to earn salvation.  Rather, the principles found in this sermon are Kingdom Principles.  These are the attitudes, practices, and motivations that should be the fruit produced by a life of the true follower of Christ.

The middle chapter of this message starts out like this.  "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” (ESV)

This teaching was in stark contrast to the common practices of the day by those Jews who were deemed to be deeply religious.  In verses 1-18 Jesus deals with the right (and wrong) ways to give offerings …  to pray … and to fast.  He starts out the thought by reminding His hearers that much of the reward we receive from our Heavenly Father is based on the motives and methods we as His children employ in our spiritual activities.

He first deals with our charitable giving.  Jesus says,  "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (v.2)  Jesus says that our giving in His name is such a private act that one should never draw public attention to it.  In fact, He indicates that if it were physically possible this act should be so private that we would  “… not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,“ (v.3)

He then moves to the subject of the spiritual discipline of prayer.  "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (v.5)  Now, this is not a blanket condemnation of public prayer in worship services, etc, but again, it involves our attitude and actions in practicing the wonderful God given gift of prayer.

 The Master warns us that our prayer life is not for public impressiveness or an exhibition of oratorical skills.  It’s not about generalities and meaningless phrases, but rather as a private communication with the One who already knows all about us and all about our needs. Consider verses 7-8.  "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”   He then goes on in verses 9-15 to teach us the nature of what our honest communication with God should involve.  He speaks of our relationship to the Father…as well as our reverence of Him… our obedience to Him… our dependence upon Him.  He also speaks about forgiveness and deliverance which can only come through Him.

After teaching us the manner in which to pray, Jesus moves on to another spiritual discipline that is always linked with prayer – Fasting.

Again He stresses the private nature of the purpose of fasting.  In Jesus’ day, the “religious folks” often made a big deal and public display regarding fasting.  Jesus deals sharply and simply with the subject.  "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (v.16)  Jesus refers to those who would make a public spectacle out of the very private practice of fasting, are simply “play actors”.  In verses 17-18 He tells us the right way to behave during a time of serious fasting and self denial. “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret.”  Like giving and prayer, our fasting is something that is not to be done for human recognition, but is intended to be a very private thing between us and God.

I think it is striking that in pointing out the wrong motives, attitudes and practices of these spiritual disciplines, Jesus plainly says that the only reward given will be the temporary praise of men.  Yet when we follow His example and teaching, the promise is that the God who hears and sees that which we do for Him in secret will one day reward us openly for our Christlike actions.

Speaking for myself, I would much rather have the reward of my Father in Heaven than any temporal recognition in this perishing earth.  How about you?