Our BIG BIG GOD !!!

If you go outside tonight, and find the tip of the handle on the big dipper you will see a bright star named Polaris. Polaris is forty-six times larger than our own sun, it is 1,800 times brighter, and 430 light years away. 430 light years means you would have to travel at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) for 430 years to reach your destination.

To put all this in perspective light travels from the Sun to Earth in 8 minutes and 19 second. If we could fly to the Sun on a 747 at four hundred miles per hour (normal speed) it would take a little over 26 years to get there. Think about it. The Sun seems so far away, and at the speed of light it DOES NOT even take a day to get there…it only takes eight minutes, but to get to Polaris it would take 430 years. The most amazing part is, astronomically speaking, Polaris is a neighbor; it is in the Milky Way.

According to NASA, through Hubble Space Telescope technology, astronomers estimate there are hundreds of billions of other galaxies besides the Milky Way in our universe. To say the least it is far beyond our comprehension.

I pray it comforts you to know the God who is powerful and wonderful enough to create all this is the same God who loves you, cares for you, and sent His only Son to die for you.

Isaiah 40:26-31
Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing… Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power….Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

Why I Don't Like Mother's Day

Now before you get excited let me say for the record...I LOVE MY MOM. I'm not the biggest fan of any holiday; Mother's Day just happens to be tomorrow.

My mom is the epitome of sacrifice. She was a career beautician in a small town, which meant she colored and back-combed hair - almost to hard-hat standards - at the drop of a hat for whoever called, at anytime. Then when I was a senior in High School, she went back to college (I think she was 40), and she began working at a convenience store in the evenings until time to close. She would always forgo things she needed to make sure us kids had what we thought we needed, and she was an awesome cook too. My mother is an inspiration. Without knowing it, she fostered in me a 'can do' attitude. She modeled for me a work ethic that is second to none, and she is truly a woman who walks by faith, and not by sight. Yep. I love my mom.

My beef with Mother's Day is that it gives us kids a cop-out. We can ignore our moms, or not appreciate them all year, and then if we will come through with some flowers or candy one day of the year, we get a reprieve the other 364. Just as we treat Christmas and Easter like 'holy days', and then forget about Jesus the rest of the year, we need to remember that our moms are special every day, not just Mother's Day.

Now I hope I am not coming off as some kind of Mother's Day Pharisee; holier than thou. In fact, all I got my mom this year is this cheap blog article. Soooooo - HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM !! I love and appreciate you. Talk to you next year (just kidding.)

aj

PS - I am a fortunate man. I had a great mom, and my boys have a great mom too. I am so proud of her, and I thank God every day for her being a godly influence in their lives. Maybe in 2039 Nolan, Mason, or OB will sit down at what will be a computer in the future, and honor their mom with a super-information-highway Mother's Day thought.

Anonymous Letters

The following are some assumptions I make concerning people who send anonymous letters to their pastors.

1.) They Don't Love Their Pastor. In the letter they always say they love their pastor, but their actions (writing an anonymous letter) tell a different story. Oh the irony. If you love your pastor talk to them like an adult...face to face.


2.) They Don't Know Their Bible. Did you know people who stretch out their hand against God's annointed servants will not go unpunnished. Individuals can justify their actions to men, but God, the JUDGE, knows their heart, thoughts, and secret motives. This is why pastors must pray for people who hurt them. This is why we pray, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Also, sending anonymous letters shows zero respect and esteem for the leaders God has placed in your church. If you really love them "Speak the truth in love." Remembering though Ephesians 4:15 is not talking about "your truth" - that's your opinion. It is talking about speaking GOD'S TRUTH in whatever situation you are in.

1 Samuel 26:9-10
But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be without guilt?" NASU

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. NASU

3.) They Are Self Centered. Every anonymous letter I have ever received only stated someone's opinion. It reflected their taste concerning Music, Facilites, Preaching Style, etc...

Philippians 2:3-5

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. NASU

NEVER have I reveived an anonymous letter concerning Ecclesiology, Theology, or Doctrine. In other words: anonymous letters never have substance, only steam.

Suggestions for handling an anonymous letter.

You can usually tell what you are in for before you open the envelope.

After opening the letter first check for a signature. If there is no John Hancock at the bottom. CHUNK IT. Resist every temptaion to read it. Run...and I mean RUN to the shredder and feed it to the little paper eating monster in the corner. The shredder can handle it...you can't.

My Solemn Vow

From this day forward I pledge to never ever, ever, ever, ever,...ever-ever read an anonymous letter. I vow to disregard such letters with expediency and fervor. I promise to feed anonymous mail to the Fellows PS 60 C-2 without hesitation. Futhermore, I pledge, with my hand raised to the heavens, to dance a little jig as the disingenuous document is gound to a pulp.

Seriously

I bet your pastor loves you, and would take your constructive criticism graciously. I also believe you are in no emotional, let alone physical danger when talking to your pastor about a serious concern you have. (Meaning - They are not going to yell at you, call you names, and try to punch you.) I also know that you don't understand how much pressure your pastors are under to please many different people who have a wide range of tastes, desires, and agendas. Your pastors need your love, patience, support, and prayers.....not anonymous letters.

Signed - Anonymous - Just Kidding - Andy

Easter and the Wascally Wabbit

Question: What is the connection between hiding eggs, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
One little boy gave this answer: Jesus’ Disciples really liked eggs, but Jesus had high cholesterol so they couldn’t eat them. When the Disciples thought He was dead and gone they decided to have eggs for breakfast. It just so happened this was the morning Jesus was raised from the dead, and appeared to His disciples. When Peter looked up and saw Jesus coming he said, “Quick fellas...hide the eggs.”

The truth is no one knows for sure the origins of Easter, but our best bet comes
from Bede, a late-seventh-century historian and scholar from Anglo-Saxon
England. He says Easter's name comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre,
associated with spring and fertility, and celebrated around the vernal equinox.
So there you go. As Christmas was moved to coincide with the pagan celebration
of winter, Easter was likely moved to coincide and replace the pagan celebration
of spring. (Christianity Today, “Why Easter?” by Ted Olsen, 4/10/98)

It’s interesting that Easter is observed by the churches of the West (that would be us) on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox. This means Easter is a "movable" feast which can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. However, Eastern Orthodox churches observe Easter according to the date of the Passover festival. That being the case, this year Passover begins at sundown on April 8th making Resurrection Sunday April 12th, which coincides with the week of Passover.

How about Easter Americana? Thank goodness Easter has not become as commercialized as Christmas. After all, angels singing and a bouncing baby boy are much more marketable than torturing and killing an innocent man.

However, many people, even Christians miss the point (not to mention the date). When Easter is elevated to the status of a ‘holy-day’ we diminish the importance of the other fifty-one Sunday’s throughout the year, forgetting the fact that every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you don't believe me, just check out how many people are at church on Easter Sunday as compared to the rest of the year.

aj

I Can't Get No Satisfaction

"...nothing at all to look at except this manna." Numbers 11:6

Can you envision an Israelite holding a hand full of manna; whatever manna must have looked like? In my mind it was a cross between mashed potato's and a croissant (or maybe I'm just hungry) - Anyway, I can almost hear the sneer in his voice as he says, "I have nothing at all to look at except this manna".

We think, "If I just had one bite of that heavenly bread, I'd probably never want to eat anything else again." Wrong. It is funny (or maybe sad) how the wonderful blessings of God which we freely enjoy soon become, stale, and tasteless.

• Owning a car that is three years old soon gives way to wanting next year's model.
• Living in a big house only whets our appetite for a bigger one.
• Getting a raise or promotion throws fuel on the consumer fanned flame.

My life is blessed , and I am resolved to not sniff at all God has given me, and say, "I have nothing at all to look at except this manna." Lord, please help me to be thankful and content with all you have blessed me with. Amen

Philippians 4:11-13

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

aj

I Wish I Were A Better Blogger

I guess I don't even know how to blog. I think I have some good ideas, but nothing seems to work out.

I'd like to pick a topic and wear it out, but I don't have time to think about and write another article...let alone every day. I preach and teach at least 5 times a week, and it is all I can do to keep those times fresh and relevant. Plus I write a weekly article for Riverview's copy of the Baptist Messenger, and I've started writing a book. That ought to do it.

I might like to write about my family, but who really cares. The boys are fighting over the Wii, and we are going to a 66'ers game tonight. Not that exciting. Hamburgers tonight for dinner, they are seasoned with Essence of Emril, so that is close to blogging material, but that is about as exciting as it gets around here.

Things at RBC are going GREAT !! The multiple Sunday Schools and Worship Services took off without a hitch, and there is a wonderful sense of love and unity in the church. I love our staff, and we have many dear, dear friends in the church already. What a blessing.

Quote of the Day -
"Dude that was a giant iceberg, and I couldn't get up it."
Nolan, playing Super Smash Brothers Brawl

Falling In Love With Jesus

I can't speak for other ministers and pastors, but I hate it when the line between my relationship with Jesus Christ, and my vocation gets blurry. And when I say I hate it...I really HATE it. Why? Because it is sin, and God hates sin, and if God hates sin, well then I hate it too. Even in my life. Especially in my life.

What I want is to fall in love with Jesus all over again. I don't think there is a specific prayer to pray or spiritual formula to make this happen, but I know it can happen. I honstly think it simply comes from spending time with Jesus. I really need to spend time with Jesus. Not preparing sermons or Bible studies, or reading the spiritual book de jour...just quality time with the one who loves me more than any one on this planet.

"But I have this against you, that you have left your first love."

Jesus Christ, to the Church at Ephesus - Revelation 2:4

Lord Jesus,
Thank you for creating me, loving me, saving me, and carrying me through each day. Forgive me when I ignore You. Forgive me when I get too busy for You. Please help me fall in love with You all over again. This is my deepest prayer. Amen

aj