EXTREME EXCUSES

September 20, 2010 By Pastor David Stone

And they all with one consent began to make excuse—Luke 14:18

Did you ever hear the humerous song that says,”Excuses, excuses, you hear them everyday” ? It’s really true! It is amazing what people will do in an effort to justify their bad attitude and actions.

I had a dear preacher friend who used to jokingly say–“I’m an atheist in the morning until I’ve had my first cup of coffee”. But that’s nothing compared to what I read a few minutes ago. Listen to this—-

A man in Newport, Ky. (where we used to live) is accused of strangling his wife to death and his defense is “caffeine intoxication”. Really! I’m not making this up. The man’s defense attoreny filed notice that he plans to argue that his client “ingested so much caffeine in the days leading up to the killing that it rendered him temporarily insane”. Isn’t that amazing? I’m sure there will be a lot of jokes made about this, but it isn’t funny. A woman lost her life. A man committed murder, and now he is trying to blame it on too much coffee. Ridiculous!

But, although we don’t go to the same extreme, most of us are sometimes guilty of making up lame excuses. People will go to almost length to shift the blame, trying to excuse their bad behavior. It started with Adam and it has never ended.

As a pastor more than 40 years, I’ve heard just about every excuse imaginable. In many instances the excuse is so far fetched that it is amazing that they think anyone would believe it, but that doesn’t stop them. Now they have a new excuse in their arsenal. Next thing you know our courtrooms will be filled with people saying, “caffeine made me do it!”.

Do you remember the phrase that was so popular with teens several years ago –“Get real”? Well, that’s exactly what we need to do. We need to stop making excuses and accept responsibility for our actions. When Flip Wilson said,”The devil made me do it”, he was a lot closer to the truth than most excuses that we hear. Listen–if God holds us accountable for our bad attitude and sinful actions, and He does, we don’t have anyone to blame but ourself. Let’s “Get real” and admit our sins. God doesn’t accept excuses! Think about it!

DID YOU MISS IT?

September 13, 2010 By Pastor David Stone

As I think about God’s blessings I often think about those who miss them. This is especially true in regards to our services the last several months. For unexplained reasons, God has blessed us abundantly. It seems to me that every service gets better and better. I don’t know when I’ve seen such a sweet loving spirit in the church. I just wish every member would have been in the services, to share in the blessings. I don’t mean to focus on the negative, I just think it’s sad that people deprive themselves of the blessings of God. I say these things to encourage, not to rebuke.

As I think about this, I’m reminded of the time when Jesus appeared to His disciples after the resurrection,–“But Thomas—was not with them when Jesus came.”(John 20:24). Point is—you never know what you might miss when you don’t attend a church service.

I truly feel sorry for those who want to attend church and can’t. They don’t have a choice. They are physically unable to be there. I know how I would feel were I in their place and that makes it easy for me to sympathize with them, and pray for them. But, we should also pity those who simply refuse to be in attendance. It is really sad to see people in such a bad spiritual condition that they don’t have a desire to attend church. They have a serious problem!

Those who refuse to assemble with the church are living in rebellion against God’s Word which says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together—“(Hebrews 10:25). They also violate what the Bible teaches about the Lord’s Day. They use it for self-interest, rather than worship. By the way–it’s also unfair that they leave everything church-related for someone else to do. Isn’t that selfish? With too many people it’s all take and no give!

It’s sad to see professing Christians who have no use for the church. They want the use of it, but have no use for it. They refuse to support it with their possessions, participation, or presence. Yet when they die they want their body taken to a church building that they didn’t help build; and they want songs to be sung from books that they didn’t help purchase. They want the use of the utilities without having made any contribution of their own. They want a preacher, that they refused to support, to read from a Bible, that they didn’t respect enough to obey, sweet words of comfort to their children, whom they seldom took to church, and preach that they are in a heaven that they never prepared for. Strange isn’t it? Hopefully that will never be said of you. But it’s your choice.

You can live as you please, seeking only to gratify the flesh, or you can obey the Bible and be blessed. It is your decision. Please choose wisely! Remember–the truth often hurts, it can be hard, but ignoring it is much worse. Think about it!

A DAY TO REMEMBER

September 11, 2010 By Pastor David Stone

A DAY TO REMEMBER

September 11, 2001 started just like any other typical work day for most Americans. In New York City thousands answered the call of the alarm clock, dressed and headed off to work. Some left in a hurry, without even a thought of telling their loved ones “I love you”. Others kissed their children goodbye and headed to work without a thought that this would be the last time they would see them. Without a clue of what was soon to happen, thousands rushed into the World Trade Center, thinking only of an important meeting, a project deadline, or a task that needed to be done– not knowing that they would not leave the building alive. None of them thought about the possibility of a terrorist attact–at least not on that day or in that place. But it happened!

Suddenly the eyes of the nation was focused on the World Trade Center. A plane had struck one of the towers. As reporters relayed the news of the “accident”, the unthinkable happened–another plane hit the second tower. All of a sudden we were forced to face the reality that America was being attacked. To say that we were shocked is an understatement. Even as rescurers scrambled to help the survivors, everyone was wondering,”Is there more to come?” People were in a state of shock, confused, and gripped by fear as they watched those two huge symbols of our nations economy come tumbling down. That was a day we will never forget.

Now nine years later we odserve “Patriot Day” in memory of that terrible tragedy. Today the flags fly at half-staff and at 8:46 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, the time when the first plane hit the north tower, we are to pause for a moment of silence. This is to be a day of prayer and remembrance. It should also be a time for reflection and resolve. The fires have been extinguished, the bodies have been buried, and the rubble has been removed, but we are still at war. We face an enemy that is determined and deadly. Let us not be lulled into a false sense of security. There might not be any bombs exploding, building falling, or bodies lying in the streets, but make no mistake about it, we are at war.

We face a ruthless enemy intoxicated by a religion that makes false promises and promotes deceit as a means of destroying all who are not in agreement with them. Do not be fooled by their lies. The same people who say they are just a peace-loving minority will force Sharia law on you if they ever gain control. Their goal is to establish Islamic law over the entire world and they will do anything to do it.

Every God-fearing, red-blooded American needs to take a stand. Our enemies have taken advantege of our kindness, used our laws against us, and pretended to be one of us. It’s time that we speak out, without fear or favor of any man, and make the truth known. I’m not talking about foolish insulting remarks that spark needless strife. I’m talking about speaking the truth in love and teaching our children the facts. We must do what we can while we can to protect the freedom we enjoy and preserve it for our children and grandchildren. The debate is already raging, it’s just a matter of whether or not you will be a voice for freedom or if you will just sit back and watch our country fall. This is no time to cow-down to threats and false accusations of those who try to intimidate and silence us. Stand up, speak up, and vote for those who do the same.

Most of all we need to keep our focus on what is most important. Take advantage of the opportunities afforded by this situation, by telling others of Christ. Assure them that God has a plan, a perfect plan, a plan that is personal. He planned for their redemption and provides it for all who trust His dear Son. 9-11 didn’t surprise God, anymore than the fall of man did. He knew both would happen and He is well able to use both to display His grace. He can use the most awful thing imagineable to accomplish the most glorious thing possible. He proved that at Calvary! That’s the message the world needs to hear. So, as you remember the tragedy of 9-11 resolve in your heart to do all you can to make Christ known. He is our only hope for peace.

— David Stone, 9/11/2010

GEORGE MATHESON

September 8, 2010 By Pastor David Stone

The Scottish preacher, George Matheson (1842-1906) was a remarkable man. I’ll never forget the first time I read his story many years ago–I was blessed beyond measure! Over the years I accumulated several quotes from him that I carry in my Bible case and refer to time and time again. In this article I have put some of these quotes together to acquaint you with this man, with the hopes that you too will be blessed.

HIS DIFFICULTIES

George Matheson is probably best known for writing the hymn,”O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”. It was written on the eve of his sister’s marriage and after the most heartbreaking event of his life.

Before he lost his sight Matheson was engaged to a young lady that he loved dearly. When he discovered that in a short time he would permanently lose his sight, he told his fiancee the bad news. Her reply was–“Why, George, I couldn’t be tied to a blind man the rest of my life”. The engagement was broken off and George went blind while studying for the ministry. But out of that awful experience came the wonderful hymn that has blessed so many.

HIS SONG

In his deep sorrow Matheson wrote these words:

“O Love that will not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in Thee;

I give Thee back the life I owe,

That in Thine ocean depths its flow

May richer, fuller be.”

HIS PRAYER

“My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorns. I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but not once for my thorns. I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensation for my cross: but I have never thought of my cross as itself a present glory. Teach me the glory of my cross; teach me the value of my thorn. Shew me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain. Shew me that my tears have made my rainbow.

Thou wouldest not have me accept Thy will because I must, but because I may. Thou wouldest have me take it, not with resignation, but with joy; not with the absence of a murmur, but with a song of praise.”

HIS COUNSEL

“There are some songs which can only be learned in the valley. No art can teach them; no rules of voice can make them perfectly sung. Their music is in the heart. They are songs of memory, of personal experience—–

St. John says that even in Heaven there will be songs that can only be fully sung by the sons of earth–the strain of redemption. Doubtless it is a song of triumph, a hymn of victory to the Christ who made us free—-

No angel, no archangel can sing it so sweetly as I can. To sing it as I sing it, they must pass through my exile, and this they cannot do. None can learn it but the children of the cross.

There are chords too minor for the angels. There may be heights in the symphony which are beyond the scale–heights which angels alone can reach; but there are depths which belong to thee, and can only be touched by thee.

In the night He is preparing thy song. In the valley He is tuning thy voice. In the cloud He is deepening thy chords. In the rain He is sweetening thy melody. In the cold He is molding thy expression. In the transition from hope to fear He is perfecting thy lights. Despite not thy school of sorrow, O my soul; it will give thee a unique part in the universal song.”

HIS POEM

“There is an eye that never sleeps,

Beneath the wings of night.

There is an ear that never shuts

When sink the beams of light.

There is an arm that never tires

When human strength gives way.

There is a love that never fails

When earthly loves decay.”

—George Matheson

THINK ABOUT IT !!!!!

A SPECIAL DAY !

September 6, 2010 By Pastor David Stone

I know, I’ve got a bad habit of using superlatives too often. Naturally when speaking of God we can never over-do it, but such isn’t the case concerning other matters. However, that being said, when I say yesterday was “a special day” I’m not exaggerating the least bit. It was totally AWESOME!

Although every Sunday is “special”, even though some people don’t think of it as such, this one was different. To start with it was special to Bev and I because we each had one of our sisters visiting from Missouri. Bev’s sister, Shirley, had been here before and many of you know her, but my sister, Linda, had not visited us since we moved from Missouri 35 years ago. It has been a joy having them with us. But this day was special for other reasons also.

Two things happened that made this a day to remember. First, one of our faithful men, a man active in our music ministry, was saved and baptized–that is always awesome! Secondly, a young lady from Russia made a public profession of faith in Christ and was baptized. She will soon be returning home to Russia, but she will never be forgotten.

I’ll never forget the day LeAnna showed up at our church. It’s not everyday that someone from Russia, without any transportation other than a bike, shows up on your door-step. In case you haven’t noticed—God works in strange ways!

I won’t try to tell the whole story, but I’m not stretching the truth when I say it is amazing. God used some of His people to provide LeAnna and her friend Christina a place to stay, a job, and a car to drive. Now we see some of the results of their kindness (I say “some” because the rest of the story is yet to be told). It is truly amazing to see what God will do when His people do what they should do. It pays off in a big way when you allow God to use you and this is evidence of that.

As a pastor, I could not be more proud of those who are a part of this story. They stepped up to the plate at a crucial time and hit a home run! And to think that it all started with a kind word to a total stranger in the church office and a church full of friendly people who received these two girls with open arms—amazing! Nothing is more thrilling than watching God work in people’s lives.

We can always find 1001 excuses for not doing what we should, but when we face our fears, get self out of the way, and do as God leads, blessings are sure to follow. I’m so thrilled and thankful that God let me witness all this. It was indeed “a special day”—I’m glad I didn’t miss it. Did you? I can’t hardly wait to see what God does next. I bet it will be AWESOME! Think about it.

EXTREME EXCUSES

DID YOU MISS IT?

A DAY TO REMEMBER

GEORGE MATHESON

A SPECIAL DAY !

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