I guess I rode a thousand miles on my bike every summer when I was a boy. I had no motorcycle...four-wheelers were yet to be built...so I rode my bike. Everywhere.
I lived just off Antioch Road in Somerville, Alabama. About a mile south of Center Springs Methodist Church was Route 1 Box 177. That was my address. Just a quarter of a mile from my house was an amazing hill. With enough speed at the top of the hill, on my bike, I could coast what seemed to be forever. Coasting...what a wonderful feeling. Pedal hard for a while, then top the hill and enjoy the ride. Wind in my face, blue skies, sunshine. I was brave enough back then to stand up on the way down with my hands in the air.
Coasting in the Christian life is much the same. How many folks do you know who are coasting? They're saved, going to Heaven, but they've stopped peddling? They're still on the bike...still making a little progress...but they're coasting. The sad thing about coasting is at some point...if you don't start peddling again...you'll simply stop. I know some Christians like that. They've stopped. Stopped reading their Bible...stopped praying...stopped going to church. They must have been coasting.
Most days, at some point, I am tempted to coast. I think I deserve a break. I think about how hard I've worked. I think I deserve some kind of recognition for all the hills I've climbed already. Sometimes I just want to throw my hands in the air and coast.
But I can't. I've got to keep peddling as a believer for the same reason I had to keep peddling as a boy on my bike. There's always another hill to climb.
At the end of Antioch Road, you could take a left and be at Lester Whitten's store in just a minute. That's where I wanted to be. He had everything a boy could want. Ice cream, cokes, candy...the good stuff. But before I could get to the end of Antioch Road, there was another hill to climb. If you want to get where you hope to be, you'll have to climb a few hills.
As a believer, I can't coast. I know where I want to be. I want to finish well. I want to be pleasing to the Heavenly Father. If I want to end well...I simply cannot coast. There's always another valley to cross and another hill to climb.
Don't coast. Keep peddling. Enjoy the ride. MM
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Life For Losers
Cash for Clunkers is about over, thank goodness. Word is, the program is running out of money. I have a clunker and seriously considered trading, but just couldn't bring myself to do it. I guess I am a little too attached to my 2000 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition, with close to 150K miles. I remember when I first got it. I said to myself, "I'll drive this 'till it falls apart." I'm pretty sure "falling apart" will be sooner than later, but I still can't bear to let her go.
I have had the Explorer for four years. I remember the first nite I parked her in the garage, I went out, sat in the front seat listening to what I believed had to be the best stereo I had ever heard in a vehicle. I thought, "this is what I have always wanted." Now, the government has the audacity to offer me about $4000 if I will trade her in on some boring, four cylinder sardine can with wheels. I ain't doing it. I hear they'll take my explorer out back of the dealership and put her out of her misery. I really can't imagine doing that. We've been on too many revival trips together. She's brought me home safely past midnight more times than I can count. She's never left me stranded. Never broke down on the side of the road. The only problem...she has a drinking problem. She's a gas guzzler. Minor problem for such a great ride.
Jesus offers a similar plan for anyone who will believe he died for their sins. I call it "Life for Losers." Salvation for Sinners... Grace for Guilty...etc. John 3:17 makes his plan pretty clear. God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. Wow. That's a pretty good deal. Paul says, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." I was a sinner and Jesus gave me salvation. I was guilty of rejecting God, yet he gave me grace. I was a loser, well on my way to losing my soul, but Jesus gave me life. The Government program will come to an end...it will eventually run out of money. But, God's salvation plan will never end. He will never run out of mercy. Jesus went to the cross to guarantee the free gift of salvation to all who will believe. That's life for a loser. Think about it.
MM
I have had the Explorer for four years. I remember the first nite I parked her in the garage, I went out, sat in the front seat listening to what I believed had to be the best stereo I had ever heard in a vehicle. I thought, "this is what I have always wanted." Now, the government has the audacity to offer me about $4000 if I will trade her in on some boring, four cylinder sardine can with wheels. I ain't doing it. I hear they'll take my explorer out back of the dealership and put her out of her misery. I really can't imagine doing that. We've been on too many revival trips together. She's brought me home safely past midnight more times than I can count. She's never left me stranded. Never broke down on the side of the road. The only problem...she has a drinking problem. She's a gas guzzler. Minor problem for such a great ride.
Jesus offers a similar plan for anyone who will believe he died for their sins. I call it "Life for Losers." Salvation for Sinners... Grace for Guilty...etc. John 3:17 makes his plan pretty clear. God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. Wow. That's a pretty good deal. Paul says, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." I was a sinner and Jesus gave me salvation. I was guilty of rejecting God, yet he gave me grace. I was a loser, well on my way to losing my soul, but Jesus gave me life. The Government program will come to an end...it will eventually run out of money. But, God's salvation plan will never end. He will never run out of mercy. Jesus went to the cross to guarantee the free gift of salvation to all who will believe. That's life for a loser. Think about it.
MM
Monday, August 17, 2009
Preaching Dates Fall 2009
August 23-26 East Highland Baptist, Hartselle, Al. Revival
September 21-23 Mt. Zion Baptist, Hartselle, Al. Revival
September 24 Moulton Baptist, Moulton, Al. Senior Adult Banquet
October 26-November 7 Leading Trip To Israel with Scotty Hogan and Doug Ripley
November 14 Moulton Baptist, Moulton, Al. Men's Retreat
September 21-23 Mt. Zion Baptist, Hartselle, Al. Revival
September 24 Moulton Baptist, Moulton, Al. Senior Adult Banquet
October 26-November 7 Leading Trip To Israel with Scotty Hogan and Doug Ripley
November 14 Moulton Baptist, Moulton, Al. Men's Retreat
Elvis and Woodstock
Several years ago, author Lewis Grizzard wrote, "Elvis is dead and don't feel so good myself." I thought about that this past weekend as I watched bits and pieces of documentaries featuring Elvis and Woodstock. Woodstock happened about 40 years ago and Elvis died about 30 years ago. It is amazing how those two events have shaped the lives of so many Americans. Many people still make an annual trip to Memphis to remember a man who has become more famous in death than he was in life. And, many folks who were at Woodstock back in the late 60s wish they could go back, just one more time, for that once in a lifetime event.
We can only hope it was a once in a lifetime event. I think it is interesting that an event that only a handful of the nation's population attended, still gets airtime and headlines. Evidently, the people who came to Woodstock are telling their kids and grand-kids about that life-changing weekend. I wonder what would happen if Christians were as enthusiastic about their salvation experience. What would happen if we talked about Christ as some talk about Woodstock? What kind of difference could we make in the world if we told our kids and grand-kids about the greatest event in the history of the world...the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ?
I liked Elvis...liked his music. I think he was one of the best singers of all time. I even remember where I was when I heard he had died. I was at Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. The announcer came over the loudspeaker and asked for everyone's attention. As most of us stood quiet, he said, "Elvis Presley has died." What stands out to me, as I remember that day, is that seconds after the announcer made his announcement, the rides were back in full swing, and the people who stood quietly went back to talking, laughing, and enjoying the day. In other words, Elvis died, but life goes on.
The death of Elvis didn't change the world. But the death of Jesus Christ changed everything. Had he not died, there would have been no resurrection. Had there been no resurrection, we would have no hope. Because he died, we live. Because he lives, we can live eternally. Wow.
I never met Elvis...and I didn't go to Woodstock. But I have met Jesus and one day I'll go to Heaven. That'll be something to talk about for eternity.
Think about it.
We can only hope it was a once in a lifetime event. I think it is interesting that an event that only a handful of the nation's population attended, still gets airtime and headlines. Evidently, the people who came to Woodstock are telling their kids and grand-kids about that life-changing weekend. I wonder what would happen if Christians were as enthusiastic about their salvation experience. What would happen if we talked about Christ as some talk about Woodstock? What kind of difference could we make in the world if we told our kids and grand-kids about the greatest event in the history of the world...the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ?
I liked Elvis...liked his music. I think he was one of the best singers of all time. I even remember where I was when I heard he had died. I was at Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. The announcer came over the loudspeaker and asked for everyone's attention. As most of us stood quiet, he said, "Elvis Presley has died." What stands out to me, as I remember that day, is that seconds after the announcer made his announcement, the rides were back in full swing, and the people who stood quietly went back to talking, laughing, and enjoying the day. In other words, Elvis died, but life goes on.
The death of Elvis didn't change the world. But the death of Jesus Christ changed everything. Had he not died, there would have been no resurrection. Had there been no resurrection, we would have no hope. Because he died, we live. Because he lives, we can live eternally. Wow.
I never met Elvis...and I didn't go to Woodstock. But I have met Jesus and one day I'll go to Heaven. That'll be something to talk about for eternity.
Think about it.
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