First Thoughts

Thoughts on Current Events

2011-05-04T17:21:00.002-05:00

So many momentous things have happened over the past week: a royal wedding in England, fires in Texas, tornados in the South, and the killing of bin Laden in Pakistan. Our heads are spinning trying to keep up with the events.
            As I watched newscasters trying to balance the joy of the wedding on one side of our split TV screen and the horror of the devastation of tornados and fires on the other side of the screen, I remembered Jesus' words in Matthew 24: "As in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." Regardless of the good or bad times, life goes on around us in normal routines; but at some point there will come for each of us an abrupt halt - and we must be ready!
            And then there was the news of bin Laden's demise. What a relief, what a wonderful bit of closure for all of us, the mastermind of so much hate and destruction was finished, gone from this earth. The following quote speaks eloquently of justice.
            "Some 1,600 years ago the Greek philosopher Sextus Empiricus wrote: 'The mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind small.' One of Longfellow's translations was a 17th century poem, 'Retribution,' by Friedrich Von Logau:
            'Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small;
            'Though with patience he stands waiting, with exactness grinds he all.'"
Yet, as much as I wanted to clamor and shout that bin Laden had gotten his just desserts, God reminded me of this deep truth, a truth that I am too small to even begin to fathom its depths:
            "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die….?" Ezekiel 33:11.
            I thank God that justice was served, but I also humbly ask Him, "How can I truly love my enemies and pray for them with sincerity?"

Guest blog by: Deanna Franklin

Welcome to Boon Bowling

2011-05-02T14:49:00.000-05:00

I would like to welcome Boon Bowling to the staff of First Baptist Church. He and Jessica are going to be a great addition to our family - we look forward to a long and blessed relationship.

I want to thank the Youth Minister Search Committee for the sensitivity they exhibited in their interviews with prospective staff candidates. You guys did a great job and I appreciate the vast amount of time you dedicated to the process. Boon and Jessica made the search process much easier for everyone because of their spirit and dedication to the Lord.

Bro Bill

Is There Any Truth?

2011-04-30T13:06:00.001-05:00

Monday, November 2, 2009

Is There Any Truth?

I get sick of reading and hearing editorialists interpret world events based on their political bias. Every national news network has its own slant on what is truth and they accuse all others of spreading propaganda. I would like to hear bipartisan truth. The Psalmist, looking for absolute truth wrote, “Show me how you work, God” (Psm 25:4).

Eugene Peterson, in Run With The Horses, “We get our interpretation of politics, economics and morals from journalists when we should be getting only information. The meaning of the world is most accurately given to us by God’s Word.” Our world is God’s creation. We are God’s creation. We live according to God’s design. Yet, we get our information from people who do not know God and do now want us knowing God as well.

As children we learned basic truths about life. As teenagers we learned everything that really mattered. As adults we came to realize that our knowledge was pretty limited. As we mature we come to know that our knowledge and abilities are limited, we are dependent on the world around us for the resources of life. This dependence is where God begins to teach us about his TRUTH - the ultimate and complete TRUTH. Not bent, or massaged, or spun, or slanted. Just basic truth that will last for all time. After you read your editorial page, open your Bible for a true interpretation of world events.

Children's Stories

2011-04-30T13:05:00.001-05:00

Monday, November 9, 2009

Children's Stories

There are compelling stories in the Bible about how God relates to man. We traditionally teach our children these stories in Sunday School: Daniel in the lion’s den, David and Goliath, Joseph and his coat of many colors. But there is a disturbing phenomena arising in families across society. Children are being raised without hearing these foundational truths from God’s Word. Families are busy chasing after other activities and are leaving the Bible out of their homes.

The Psalmist stated, “Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders (Psalm 119:27).” Remembering the experiences of Bible characters is a great way to think on God’s nature. These stories, written from the oral traditions, make it easy to relate them to children.

I want to compile a “top ten” list of essential Bible stories for children. Send me your favorite three or five or even ten Bible stories. We’ll make a list together to share with families. I’ll send another blog with our results.

Trust in God

2011-04-30T13:04:00.002-05:00

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Trust in God

I am asked the same question on a regular basis. It is always a variation of the same thought, "Why does God allow bad things to happen?" I have yet to come up with a satisfactory answer for the individuals who ask me that question.

The Bible never seeks to answer the question of evil. It does not defend it, nor does it explain it. It simply gives us a context in which to understand evil as it exists in our world. The Bible says it a multitude of times, "Evil exists." While the Word does not take the time to explain evil, it does give us the tools to defend ourselves: "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

Jim Caldwell is the rookie head coach of the Super Bowl-bound Indianapolis Colts. He spoke to Sports Illustrated about the difficulties and challenges of being a first year coach in the NFL. He quoted author Og Mandino, "I will try, and try, and try again. Each obstacle I will consider as a mere detour to my goal and a challenge to my profession. I will persist and develop my skills as the mariner develops his, by learning to ride out the wrath of each storm."

All of us face difficulties, and sometimes they pile up to troubling heights. We become fearful and nervous. When these times come, don't ask why, or when, or what. Simply trust in Who. Trust in God who is in you and who is the greatest.

Top Ten Steps to a Strong Marriage

2011-04-30T13:03:00.002-05:00

Friday, August 13, 2010

Top Ten Steps To A Strong Marriage

On Sunday night we completed our class on "Building Your Marriage to Last." There was a great group of couples who were with us to the very end. I believe that relationships were strengthened through the study of the book, and the communication that occurred in the classroom.

I asked the group, on the last night, to give me the best suggestions from the book and study. Here are their, "Top Ten Ways To Make Your Marriage Better."
1. God must be the center of your marriage
2. Deny your self interests
3. Live a Spirit filled life
4. A firm foundation in the Word of God
5. Effective communication
6. Spending quality time together
7. Praying together
8. Having patient understanding
9. Making your spouse the priority of your life
10. Understanding that marriage is a gift from God

test

2011-04-20T16:25:00.001-05:00

we have new computers and our access to our website has changed...
this is a test to see if we have access to our blog site from our new computers

"The Debate on Parental Rights"

2005-11-28T15:38:00.000-06:00

A great debate is raging across America concerning the rights of parents to raise their children in a manner consistent with Christian beliefs. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals served notice on America's parents, ruling that parents of elementary-aged school children have no right to be the "exclusive providers" of sex information to their children. The court's written decision, written by Judge Stephen Reinhardt, declared that "the right of parents to make decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of their children is not without limitations." Judge Reinhardt, citing a precedent from the First Circuit, simply declared that "once parents make the choice as to which school their children will attend, their fundamental right to control the education of their children is, at the least, substantially diminished."
Parents have a difficult time teaching values to their children! Public school educators find that too many children have no value system instilled by their parents - so it is understandable that the school system would want to step in and provide needed information. But, I do not want my grandchildren to be taught the flawed and perverted values of today’s society without the ability to filter that information.
A source of controversy between liberals and conservatives is the right of children to receive questionable material without their parent’s permission. Taryn Hartman, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, wrote to the Letters section of Nov. 20, 2005, Newsweek that "parents around the country should be grateful for an organization like Girls, Inc. that provides young women with answers to questions that they may not feel comfortable asking their conservative Christian mothers and fathers." Girls Incorporated, formerly Girls Clubs of America, provides information through their web-site to young women across America. It recently received notoriety for its support of lesbian causes among young women and its financial support by the American Girl Doll company.
In many public schools our children are not allowed to carry Bibles, nor are our they allowed to pray, even privately. Yet our children are subjected to concepts and attitudes within the public school curriculum that I find offensive as a Christian. What sense does it make that the testimony of a Christian teen is suppressed, while the "diversity" of another teen is celebrated? Susan M. Fair also wrote in the same Letters section of Newsweek that "there has to be room in our country for diversity of thought and belief, tolerance and curiosity about others, or we are doomed to destroy the principles on which our government was founded." I do not believe our country was founded on the concept of sexual diversity or exploration, but upon the right of people to practice their religion without interference from government decrees.
Christians should not be "deceived by fine-sounding arguments." (Colossians 2:4). We must be vocal about our core beliefs in every arena of society - we can not fear the courts or popular opinion. If we believe the Bible, then we must teach our children to trust the Word of God as being a true and reliable guide for life. No amount of criticism or labeling will prevent me from speaking my opinion about right and wrong as presented in the Bible.

"Do You Balance?"

2005-11-21T12:28:00.000-06:00

Some of my best friends in town are bank employees and I love to ask them the question, "Did you balance today?" Bank tellers always fight a war against their cash drawer to balance. There is no greater nirvana for a teller than to have a zero balance at the end of the day. I have always thought that a plus balance would be a good thing, but I have been informed that customers always come looking for the money that has been left out of their envelope, and they are usually not very happy about the return trip.
The balance question always elicits interesting remarks from bank folks - most of them not very kind! No one likes facing their shortcomings at work, at home, with family, or with life in general. The balance sheet of life does not equal out very often, we tend to leave "currency" laying about without accountability. That "currency" is usually opportunities of service, occasions for kindness or compassion, and responsibilities of ministry. The instance of a plus balance or service to others is never sufficient to compensate for the disregarded appointments of need.
A good question at the end of every day is, "Did I balance today?" Did I take care of the needs of those less fortunate than myself? Did I express compassion to individuals who were hurting? Did I make a difference in someone’s life today? If we can answer these questions in the affirmative, even to the smallest degree, then we will live our lives to the standard of Christ, when he stated, "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if ye love one another." (John 13:35).

Its All A Matter Of Perspective

2005-11-13T20:08:00.000-06:00

It has all the makings of a cheap traveling circus touring the county seats through the south. It has two clowns, two acrobats, one juggler, a one man balancing act, three strong men, a singer, a master of ceremonies who never says a word, and two trapeze artists who never leave the safety of the their trapeze. There are no elephants marching in parade, no lions that need taming, and not a single prancing horse to be found. But instead of being a insignificant traveling circus, it is Cirque Dreams, one of the most successful touring Broadway shows in America.
Cirque Dreams starts with four simple props surrounded by blank walls on a bare stage. But with the introduction of a multi-million dollar ultra-violet lighting system, the stage becomes a fantastic setting with the blank walls turning into a city scene and the props become multi-colored pieces of art on which performers from the greatest circuses of China, Moscow, Poland and America enthrall thousands every night throughout the country.
Perspective is everything! God sees more within this static display of time and space than we can ever imagine. He is aware of the failures in our past, he perceives our current needs, and he comprehends what our future holds - his perspective is complete. Though we function with only a few simple props; our stage is limited in size; and the cast of characters with which we work is not always under our control - God is unlimited in his ability to make our lives fascinating. - Our potential in the hands of the Master is immeasurable.
It comes back to perspective. Our sight is limited - the Father’s is undefined and boundless. From time to time, the characters of the Bible were able to see from God’s position and thus were inspired to greatness. David became a great king; Isaiah saw the future Messiah; Elijah did powerful miracles; Daniel had the faith in God to face death; Peter walked on water; John was inspired as he viewed the very design of heaven. God stands ready to take our simple lives and do magnificent deeds... if, we are willing to submit to his design of our lives.

I invite you to comment below.

Freedom to Act

2005-11-07T10:08:00.000-06:00

This past Sunday was our church’s Veteran’s Day recognition. We had a large display of military pictures, medals, albums, and memorabilia. Fathers and sons pictures were side by side in uniform - it is amazing how much a son looks like his dad at the same age in uniform. Though the display in the front of the auditorium was very benign in its setting, there were some good and many bad memories represented by the mementos.

Those who have defended our nation on the battlefields in time and space have done so to defend the Constitution of our United States of America - which defends the rights of all individuals to worship and live in freedom. Christians in our nation have a right to express their opinion, regardless of opposition from liberals who seek to silence their voice and influence.

It would be disgraceful for evangelicals to allow repression of their convictions and values because they fear criticism, disapproval, or renunciation from those in society who do not share a common faith. Belief in God’s Word, His absolute power, and His constant desire for redemption and social action drives the consciousness of all believers. Christians must advocate redemption, integrity in living, and fairness for all people. This is the hallmark of God’s biblical message.

These Christian rights have been defended by those who have served in our military throughout history. In contrast, the rights of those who would extinguish our message have also been defended. Christians must abide without reproach in a society that attacks and obstructs the message. The power of Christ’s message will not be extinguished - dark forces have attempted, but failed, throughout history.

Bill

Please feel free to comment below.

Praying For Jobs

2005-10-31T15:50:00.000-06:00

There are many people in this area who are concerned about the possible closing of the local Delphi plant - Delphi has filed for bankruptcy in federal court. There is a major issue between Delphi and its union as the company continues forward with a plan to cut hourly wages.
An interesting development occurred through the process of discussions between the Delphi and the its union. Small groups of union members gathered to hold hands and pray in the parking lot of the Delphi brake plant in Dayton, Ohio. The workers were asking for divine intervention to help save their jobs and they planned to continue the prayer sessions five days a week, each week, until Delphi's mid-December deadline for reaching new labor contracts with the unions.
What a powerful concept of union negotiation - the power of prayer, it is beyond comprehension!
Prayer brings about physical, emotional, spiritual healing.
Prayer breaks down the barriers that Satan builds to the gospel.
Prayer teaches us about the nature of God.
Prayer brings us closer to the perfection that God desires.
Missionaries have always understand the power of prayer. They practice prayer walking on a regular basis to open doors to the message of Christ. These same missionaries plan to take care of special needs on their birthdays because they know that there will be a special outpouring of blessing in their lives because of the prayers of Christians.
Prayer is not a magical potent, or a diviner’s tool of wizardry. It is a treasure chest of wonder and power from God. As we pray, God listens and makes us aware of his desires for our lives - we pray and God changes us. Prayer walking is like a treasure hunt as we follow the path that God gives us and we find his mighty work, spiritual riches. Seldom do we see immediate response - usually a delayed reaction, yet we always see God at work in our lives as we are faithful to pray.
The greatest tool available to those who are concerned about their jobs is not the courts nor is it the unions that negotiate for their members ... the greatest tool is prayer! Only the Lord can change hopeless situations into hopeful resolution. God works in the realm of miracles - He loves showing us things that are impossible for man, but possible in Him.

Your "real life" story

2005-10-19T19:19:00.000-05:00

The power of your testimony is demonstrated in popularity of movies that are "based on a true story." This week some friends and I went to see The Greatest Game Ever Played. The movie is a golf drama of the 1913 US Open, where a 20-year-old amateur, Francis Ouimet, defeats the reigning Open champion Harry Vardon, who was considered to be the greatest player of his day.
What makes the story so compelling is that it was true - this great drama actually happened.
People want to hear great stories. Every Christian has a great story. The power of God to take sinners and pardon and cleanse is a great story. Society is longing to see wonderful things - to see miracles. They will buy anything, travel anywhere, follow anyone, that will give them a feeling of wonder.
There are many roads to travel for people who do not know Christ - but, they are all dead ends. Only Christ has the ability to make life meaningful. We have the knowledge and the ability to help those around us to find that meaning in life. If we will share our story then others will listen and will follow our lead.
Take a moment to consider all the stories you have to tell about your Christian walk. Think of answered prayer, of meaningful worship, of powerful service, of Christian saints. These are all things that your friends, family, and associates need to hear. The greatest narrative ever told is "based on a true story" of your life.