THINK ABOUT IT             9-28-23

BATTLING BITTERNESS         

THINK ABOUT IT             9-23-23

I recently read this from a popular devotional:

“An art expert was making a visit to the Louvre Museum in Paris. As he usually did on his trips to the Louvre, he spent hours staring at his favorite painting, the Mona Lisa. As he pondered her famous smile and what she must’ve been thinking, a country boy came into the room.

The boy walked up to the famous painting, took a look at it, and said, “Man… that sure doesn’t look like much to me. Why all the fuss about this picture?”

The art expert saw a beauty the country boy couldn’t see. It wasn’t that the Mona Lisa wasn’t a magnificent work of art. It was that the country boy had no appreciation for it.“

Well, I’ve got a different point of view. I say to each his own—I’m with the country boy! Call me crazy if you want, but I’m not impressed–nor an “expert”. I’ve been to the Louvre and I didn’t even go in. Of course I’ve done a lot of things people didn’t understand, but I figure it’s my business and I have as much right to my opinion as they do to theirs in matters like this – does it really matter?

 I believe we put too much stock in what others tell us about what is what. So what if you prefer southern gospel to high-brow music – good for you, but don’t knock the other guy just because he prefers something you don’t like. You might enjoy spending the day is an art museum, but I would rather take a walk in the woods and look at God’s creation. Why are we so intent on telling other people what they ought to enjoy or what they ought to do? Give me my Bible, a quiet place, a comfortable chair, pen and paper and I am perfectly content. Maybe you ought to give it a try–you just might discover that happiness is closer than you thought. Let me know how it turns out.- HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

I have often spoken and written about “unrealistic expectations” and the harm they can do. But, lately I’ve been wondering if we preachers haven’t been guilty of that very thing in regards to church members. After sitting for hours in the office studying the Bible and praying it’s easy to develop the attitude that everyone ought to be doing the same. And we are quick to tell folks what a thrill it is. We are so blessed by our sermon preparation and so anxious to share it that we get carried away in our message to others. We get all excited and tell the folks they need to spend at least an hour a day in Bible study, 30 minutes in prayer, some time just meditating, visit the sick, witness to their neighbors, follow up one the visitors, attend all the church services, activities, and meetings, etc. After all that’s a Christian’s duty we say. Now, all that sounds good and would be good except for the fact that we forget about some things.

We seem to forget that these people have to work at least 8 hours a day, drive another hour to and from work, attend their kid’s activities, take them to the dentist and doctor, shop for groceries, etc and attend all church related meetings. How do you suppose they feel when we say, “If you don’t spend an hour a day in Bible study you are backslidden? And to pour salt in the wound we boldly declare that they ought to do that first thing in the morning. Are you kidding me? I am a morning person, but that’s not true of everyone. Some folks are like my old friend John Hardy who used to say, “I’m an atheist in the morning until I’ve had my first cup of coffee”. Of course that is a joke, but it is no joking matter when we expect everyone to jump out of bed in the morning singing hymns and anxious to study the Bible before they brush their teeth. That’s fine if you can do it, but don’t expect everyone to do as you do– that’s an unrealistic expectation!

Why is it that we are so fearful in cutting folks some slack? Is it because we are afraid they will take advantage of it and slack off even more? Probably. But in case you haven’t noticed, those who will do so–regardless of what you say. Your hard nose stance doesn’t really impress them. But for some of us there is another reason. Perhaps my greatest fear as a young preacher was the fear that I wouldn’t be hard enough in denouncing sin. Yes, I know there are more important things, but as I said I was a young preacher and I thought I was doing it right. I feared being called a compromiser, so I cut loose with both barrels every time I preached. While some people loved it, others didn’t. I learned a great lesson when I first learned that we are to speak the truth in love. Naturally there is a time to denounce sin and sternly rebuke those given to it. But when we impose unrealistic expectations on people that’s taking things too far.

We talk about being a New Testament Church, but do you even know how the early church operated? Do you really believe they did as we are doing? That is another message, for another time. I just want to remind you that Christians in that day didn’t do as some are being told to do today. The members didn’t even have a copy of the Bible to study at home. Nor did they stop planting their crops, doing their chores, and taking care of family needs.

We seem to forget that our Christian testimony is sometimes best displayed while doing the normal mundane things of life– our attitude and actions on the job, at school, etc. While Bible study and prayer are of great importance, they are not the only things that are important. A man must work to eat. Paul was a tent-maker. Mothers have the great responsibility of being keepers at home. The ox can get in the ditch. Sometimes a person needs a plumber more than a preacher. We should not expect everyone to do everything on our to do list. And when we hammer away with unrealistic expectations we can do more harm than good. Pastors shouldn’t expect members to neglect their families, become slackers on their job, deprive themselves of R&R, or to never ask any questions.

Don’t misunderstand, I believe it would do every Christian good to study the Bible and pray as much as possible. I also believe it is the pastor’s duty to exhort people, to urge them to do all they can for the Lord, and to keep folks focused on the most important things in life. He is perfectly within his bounds to remind them that there are certain God-given expectations for church members. But I also believe he should also use common sense. Sadly, sometimes we are more concerned about our preferences that we are about Biblical principals. Pastor make sure you base your demands on the Bible. May God help us to speak the truth in love, with wisdom, and understanding, out of a heart of genuine concern for others. –HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

THINK ABOUT IT            9-19-23    
 TWO BROTHERS AND A BRIDGE

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labour and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s toolbox. “I’m looking for a few days work,” he said. “Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?” “Yes,” said the older brother. “I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighboor. In fact, it’s my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence – an 8-foot fence – so I won’t need to see his place anymore. Cool him down anyhow.”

The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.” The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge – a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work – handrails and all – and the neighbour, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched. “You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.” The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other’s hand.

They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. “No, wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother. “I’d love to stay on,” the carpenter said, ” but I have many more bridges to build.”

Everyday we have the choice of building fences or bridges. One leads to isolation and the other to openness.- Author unknown 

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346