Scared by the Scarecrow

Tuesday afternoon I was in the kitchen making a lot of appetizer-type foods in preparation for our daughter's birthday party that was going to be later on that evening.  It was a pretty day, so I had the front door open and could see out to the front yard from the kitchen counter.

As I worked, I caught a glimpse of someone at the front door.  It kind of startled me because the person was just to the right of the door...more towards the flower bed.  Typically at that angle, I wouldn't be able to see a whole person, but maybe just an arm or a piece of clothing.

Quickly, after being startled, I realized what had actually scared me was a scarecrow!  How goofy is that???!!  I just bought the scarecrow last week and stuck it in the edge of the flower bed with some pumpkins.  I had to laugh at myself for being scared of a scarecrow....a scarecrow bought and put in the flower bed MYSELF not too many days ago!

Sometimes, as Christians, we are scared and our fear is just as silly as me being afraid of my own scarecrow.   I found a great definition of fear that is an acrostic:  False Evidence Appearing Real.  Such a true definition of what fear really is to those in whom it takes residence.  The scarecrow is just a fall decoration for me, but they also have a use....to keep bird and pests out of gardens and fields.  Me being scared of it was absolutely "False Evidence Appearing Real".

What are you afraid of?  Is it something real or is it something not real....something your mind makes real?

Are you afraid to praise and honor God because of what others might think? 
Are you afraid of what others might think if you decide to become a Christian and turn away from a sinful lifestyle?
Are you afraid to put total trust and faith in Him because you think you need total control? 
Are you scared to even think about teaching others about Jesus? 
How about teaching a Bible class? 
How about inviting others to worship?

Now....when you look through that list.....aren't those fears just as silly as my fear of the scarecrow???

God says, "Do not fear because I will strengthen you and help you."

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

What Will You Do with Jesus?

An old hymn we sing sometimes during worship is, "What Will You Do with Jesus?".  The chorus goes like this:

What will you do with Jesus, my friend? 

Neutral you cannot be;

Some day your heart will be asking, O friend,

 "What will he do with me?"

As we go throughout this day and every day, these questions should be the theme of our day....or rather our answers should be the theme of our lives. 

1.  What will I do with Jesus?  What did I do with Him yesterday?  What have I done with Him in the past month?  My answers should be that I have shared Jesus to the best of my ability and to the glory of God.  My answer should also be that I strived to make Him Lord of my life each and every day by "picking up my cross" and walking as He walked...using His life as an example, so that I can be an example to others.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Luke 9:23-26

2.  What will He do with me?  Judgement Day is coming.  It is very real.  The Bible said that many who believe they are on the right path are not.  The right path is plainly written out in the Bible.  It's not a man-made creed or plan, but it is a plan that will change our heart.  It will change our heart to want to serve others and "bear fruit" for Him (see verses below). 

It's a wonderful and complete plan that was inspired by God and planned by God.  He wants ALL people to be saved, but He won't force anyone to follow Him.  So....what will He do with YOU and I on that day?  We can be assured of life with Him in Eternity!

 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Matthew 7:19-23

This is the BEST!

In the recent months, our son Jacob has been using this phrase often, "This is THE best ____________________ ever!". Usually he has been talking about watermelon...comparing one to the other. We've teased him for saying that each time as he explains his food "rating". We also tease him because when he's saying that he sounds just like his grandpa...my dad.

My dad uses that same phrase a lot and it's always involving some food. For example, if dad finds a really good chicken fried steak at a restaurant, he might say, "That's the best chicken fry I ever eat." (Yes. I realize that that sentence uses improper English, but remember it's a quote. You can't change someone's quote!) And then, by my dad's standards, that chicken fry has been dubbed as #1 in his ratings...and more than likely he'll be heading back to that place again before long.

It's kind of beneficial to have food critics who rate what is good and what is not. Of course, we all have differences of opinion, but those who take the time to analyze the meal or food give others an idea of what to expect or maybe advice on what to buy or order.

I was thinking about all of the different religions of the world and how different they are from Christianity. I'll give you a "Jacob and Dad" rating of Christianity: It is THE best! But, not only is it the best, it is the ONLY ONE. It is the truth. It has been since the very beginning of time. God planned for Christianity even before the moment He began creation with the words, "Let there be....".

No other religion has God, who is the Creator of all things and who has given us a plan to live with Him in eternity. No other religion has a Savior who was born, lived on earth for 33 short years, gave His life on a cross, and was raised on the third day for people who loved Him, but also for those who despised Him. No other religion has a plan of salvation that is going to save on Judgement Day.

Yes, Christianity is truly THE BEST!

Planning Ahead

Such a good thought!  Used by permission. 

Planning Ahead

The story is told of Morris, a Russian man, who saved his rubles for twenty years to buy a new car. After choosing the model and options he wants, he's not the least bit surprised or even concerned to learn that it will take two years for the new car to be delivered. He thanks the salesman and starts to leave, but as he reaches the door he pauses and turns back to the salesman. "Do you know which week two years from now the new car will arrive?"

The salesman checks his notes and tells the man that it will be two years to the exact week. The man thanks the salesman and starts out again, but upon reaching the door, he turns back again. "Could you possibly tell me what day of the week two years from now the car will arrive?" The salesman, mildly annoyed, checks his notes again and says that it will be exactly two years from this week, on Thursday.

Morris thanks the salesman and once again starts to leave. Halfway though the door, he hesitates, turns back, and walks up to the salesman. "I'm sorry to be so much trouble, but do you know if that will be two years from now on Thursday in the morning, or in the afternoon?" Visibly irritated, the salesman flips through his papers yet another time and says sharply that it will be in the afternoon, two years from now on Thursday."That's a relief !" says Morris. "The plumber is coming that morning!"

We often have to make plans far in advance so as to avoid any conflicts. Before making any commitments -you know the routine - we have to pull out the date book (or the iPhone). "The kids have got a soccer game that night at 7:00, but the next night is free." Planning ahead isn't wrong; in fact, it's a scriptural principle. What makes it wrong, though, is planning ahead without any thought of God.

"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.'"(James 4:13-15)

Go ahead! Make your plans! Fill in that date book! Just make sure that God hasn't been left out.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Happy 17th Birthday, Lauren!

How can it be that I'm posting about our oldest child's 17th birthday????  It seems like it was only yesterday we were bringing Lauren home from the hospital....new parents not sure about parenting, but excited about learning.  And now look:  She's all grown up and will be graduating and going off to college in less than two years!

Usually on Lauren's birthday or right around there, the kids are showing their goats at the Oklahoma State Fair, but this year Lauren asked her dad if they could change the tradition and go to the Rangers' baseball game on her actual birthday.  Of course he said yes!  And, of course we had to eat at Pappasito's before the game because that's tradition, too!  (Free dessert for your birthday is always good!  She shared with the rest of us :).

It just so happened that the Rangers clinched the AL Division Championship the night before we were to go to the game.  The banner was already in place and a flag was raised in celebration of the event.

Lauren held up a sign several times during the game.  Once she even was shown on the BIG video screen!  Here is the cameraman getting her on tape and....

....here she is on the big screen!!  How exciting!  (Not quite as exciting as being "Fan of the Game" last year, of course!)

Lauren dreams of working as a sports commentator/journalist....with the ultimate goal of working with the Rangers' team during a lot of her career.  Here she is "dreaming of that career"! :)

Lauren's dreams may very well become a reality, but in a few years she may change her dreams.  When I was her age, I wanted to sing at Lubbock Christian (college then, now university), get a degree in Home Economics, and teach in a high school.  That was my goal for several years.  However, things changed. 

I was dating Lauren's dad and we married the year after I graduated from high school. At that time, I wanted four boys - no girls.  However, six years into our marriage, we were blessed with a little girl!  God had other plans for our family!  I'm thankful that He did.  I can't imagine life without our special daughter.

I did go to college a few years, but still haven't "finished"!  I used to tease Lauren that I would go back to school with her when she went.  I won't....she doesn't need to worry about that!  No....my dreams changed.  Now my only dreams are to be a full time wife and mother.....to volunteer for the kid's school and their activities, to teach Bible classes and help teach others about Jesus.....and to write these blog posts!  My dreams are fulfilled!

So....Lauren, I know that whatever path God has for your life, you will always keep Him central in your life.  I am so thankful that God blessed us with YOU seventeen years ago.  You are an inspiration and an example to so many.  You are a positive and an encourager and a blessing to all who know you.  You are our beautiful daughter - on the inside, as well as on the outside.

Happy Birthday, Lauren! 

I love you, Mom

(FYI:  My children don't know this, but every birthday I have written them a letter.  Until I started this blog they were hand-written, but now I just use their birthday "post" as their letter.  I will give them all of their letters when they're older. (Not quite sure when just yet!)