DEAL WITH IT

October 25, 2010 By Pastor David Stone

He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good—-Proverbs 16:20

Did you read this—-“A California woman who befriended a homeless woman and let her sleep in her car told police she didn’t know where to turn when the woman unexpectedly died–so she drove the body around for months along with a box of baking soda to hide the smell.” (AP, Oct. 21,2010)?

The article went on to explain that the woman had died 10 months ago! Really! I can’t imagine how or why anyone would do something that crazy. One of the cops gave this explanation—“She felt she would be accused of something and with everything else going on in her life, she didn’t want to deal with that.”

Although this is more extreme than any example I’ve ever read, it goes to show what great difficulty some people have in dealing with problems in their life. They’re like the mule that starved to death standing between two stacks of hay because it couldn’t make up its mind which one to eat from. Not very smart is it?

Now I know we would rather not have to deal with problems, we wish there were none, but sooner or later you’ve got to do it. Although your problem is different from this ladies (I sure hope you don’t have a corpse in your car), you’ve got some problems and ignoring them won’t make them go away. The sooner you face the facts about your situation the better. The old “sweep it under the rug” trick doesn’t work. You can cover things up only so long before the stench reveals that something isn’t right.

Problems come in many different forms. Your’s might be a sin that you’re trying to hide, or a failure you don’t want to face, or an illness you don’t want to admit. Whatever it is, the sooner you deal with it the better it will be. Do it without delay. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Think about it!

VOTE

October 23, 2010 By Pastor David Stone

As usual just before an election, I have recently received several emails regarding the importance of voting. That’s a blessing to me, because it tells me they see the importance of getting involved–many don’t care enough to get off their backside and go vote. They are usually the first to complain about the results.

Perhaps you’ve never thought about it, but in a sense we all vote, even when we do not cast a vote. You might not participate in the electoral process, although you should, but you send a message by refusing to go to the polls. When you don’t vote you still influence the election.

As Americans we are a very privileged people. We have been blessed beyond measure. But, we also have a great responsiblity. John Jay said,”The Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favored with an opportunity of deliberating upon and choosing the forms of government under which they should live.” He is right. We set the pattern for every democracy that exist today. Every free nation on earth today owes a great debt to America. God has blessed us and made us a blessing. If we truly appreciate this blessing we will vote. The person who refuses to participate in an election gives up his right to complain about the outcome.

William Penn said,”Governments, like clocks, go from the motion men give them; and as governments are made and moved by men, so by them they are ruined too. Wherefore governments rather depend upon men than men upon governments. Let men be good and the government cannot be bad—-But if men be bad, let the government be never so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil it to their turn.”

Abraham Lincoln spoke about a “government of the people, by the people and for the people”. So, all the people should be involved. Every citizen of the United States should participate in choosing who will represent us. Voting is a right and a responsibility. To neglect it is a disgrace.

Remember, brave men and women have fought, suffered and died to secure and preserve our right to vote. How can you then dare refuse to do your part? No one is asking you to climb the highest mountain, or swim the widest ocean, or shed your blood on a foreign battlefield far far from home. We’re just asking you to do your duty and vote. Please step-up, speak-out, let your voice be heard–VOTE!

The up-coming election might be one of the most important in history. Don’t just sit back and hope that things will turn out right, vote! You owe it to your children and grandchildren. If you care about the future of our country prove it–VOTE!

SIMPLIFY

October 19, 2010 By Pastor David Stone

Many years ago I met Charles “Tremendous” Jones. If I’m not mistaken, he’s the man who started the “KISS” principle—Keep It Simple Stupid. I thought of that this morning while I was reading an article.

It’s strange how things sometimes tie together. As I was reading this article I was reminded of two books on the shelf above my desk, within arms reach. One is entitled,”Clutter Free Christianity” (I’m gonna hear from my wife about this!). The other is called,”Still Bored In a Culture of Entertainment”.

Neither you nor I have time for a book report, but this short article, by Charles Swindoll, could help a lot of folks if they would pay attention–who knows, it just might help you. Here it is:

High-tech times lead to high-stress tension. The never-ending drive for more, mixed with the popular tendency to increase production and intensify involvement, leaves most folks in the workplace not only exhausted but dissatisfied.

Instead of Saturday being a change-of-pace day, it has become an opportunity to squeeze in a second job. And Sundays? A time for renewal and refreshment? You’re smiling. No, it’s the day most type-A high achievers start another to-do list in preparation for the new week.

Every time I officiate at a funeral, I’m reminded of the things that really matter . . . things that last. Stuff that seemed so all-fired important yesterday loses its steam when you stand on a windswept hill surrounded by weather-beaten grave markers.

At that moment, something within you cries: Simplify!

Jesus mastered the art of maintaining a clear perspective while accomplishing every single one of His objectives. Though we never read of His hurrying anywhere, He managed to fulfill the complete agenda. Just before the agony of the Cross, He told the Father that He had “accomplished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4). And only seconds before He drew His last breath, He made that epochal statement, “It is finished” (19:30). Nothing essential was left undone.

I believe that a major reason for His being able to say those things was that He simplified His life. Jesus followed His own agenda instead of everyone else’s. He set predetermined limits: He chose twelve (not twelve hundred) whom He trained to carry on in His absence. He maintained His priorities without apology. He balanced work and rest, accomplishment and refreshment, never feeling the need to ask permission for spending time in quietness and solitude. He refused to get sidetracked by tempting opportunities that would drain energy and time. He was a servant of His Father, not a slave of the people.

He was firm yet kind and gentle, quick to hear and slow to speak. The complexities that tie us into knots never complicated His life or cramped His style.

What’s happened to us? When did we buy into all this hectic hassle that steals so much of the joy of just plain living? Who convinced us to feel guilty for taking time to balance work with play? Get off the treadmill and reorder your life. Go back three spaces and clean out the clutter that led to all this nonsense of busyness. Simplify!

How much longer will we keep adding nonessentials to our agenda? Simplify! —THINK ABOUT IT!

A WILD GOOSE CHASE

October 14, 2010 By Pastor David Stone

I guess the old saying “Truth is stranger than fiction” is really true. You couldn’t make some of this stuff up. Here’s an example, straight off the list of weird news for the day. The headline reads:” Man Rescued After Chasing Goose Into River”. Here’s the story–

A man in Wausau, Wis. was chasing a one-legged goose when he jumped into the frigid water of the Wisconsin River.I kid you not! The 40 year old man said he wanted “to catch the bird and roast it”, so he took off his shirt and shoes and took the plunge. Being overcome by the cold water he had to be rescued by firefighters. Then he was arrested on an outstanding warrant. The article ended with these words–“the goose is still on the loose!”

Now, as crazy as this sounds, there are many folks doing things even worse. They spend their life in pursuit of frivolous things and put themselves in harms way as a result. Their “goose” is pleasure, profit, power, popularity, etc., whatever they envision as bringing them delight. They plunge head-long into the chase without any regard of the danger. The thing they are pursuing might be well and good, in and of itself,(a lot of folks like roasted goose), but the pursuit itself is dangerous.

Many are distracted by their delights to the point that they neglect the most important things in life. They exhaust themselves, expending all their time and energy on things that are of no eternal value. A limited amount of recreation is fine and dandy, but not when it leads us into the deep water of danger. The Bible tells us to “seek those things which are above—Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”(Col. 3:1-2). Don’t waste your life on “a wild goose chase”. Think about it!

WHAT’S RIGHT WITH THE CHURCH

October 12, 2010 By Pastor David Stone

We celebrated our 41st anniversary as a church on Sunday and, as expected, we had a great day! I want to thank all of those who helped and those who supported us with their attendance. If you missed it–well, “You missed it!” I was blessed and I hope the same can be said of all.

I get tired of hearing about what’s wrong with the church, and I suggest that you quit listening to the critics. We would all fare better if we thought more about what’s right with the church–if fact that is what I preached about. Maybe a review would be helpful. Here’s the six things I mentioned:

1.IT’S FOUNDED ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION

2. IT FOLLOWS THE RIGHT BOOK

3. ITS FOCUS IS ON THE RIGHT PERSON

4. ITS FELLOWSHIP IS SWEET

5. IT’S FAITHFUL TO GOD’S PATTERN

6. ITS FUTURE IS IN THE RIGHT HANDS

Although we are far from perfect, these six facts give us reasons to rejoice. When you hear a critic you might mention these things—they can’t be said of ever group that calls itself a church. Think about it!

DEAL WITH IT

VOTE

SIMPLIFY

A WILD GOOSE CHASE

WHAT’S RIGHT WITH THE CHURCH

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