Sunday, February 14, 2010

Christians and love - or just Valentine's Day?

If you mention the subject of love and special days, no doubt the first thought that comes to the mind of most folks will be Valentine’s Day or a wedding anniversary. I noticed this year the promotion of Valentine’s Day began in January and stores and shops were selling roses weeks before the 14th of February arrived. Celebrating love and remembering anniversaries that honor commitments and marriages is a milestone that deserves noting. I’m not worried at all about the advertising skills of corporate America, they seem to be in tip top shape, but I am worried about the promoters of authentic love and our skills in advertising and promoting.
The Bible is quite plain about the greatest gift in the world today. 1 Corinthians 13:13 states that faith and hope are great gifts but the greatest gift is clear, its love! As a Christians I know that the author of love is God, and it was best demonstrated in that he provided us His son to die in our place so anyone who wanted could experience forgiveness of their sins. For those that do not believe in faith this concept is foolishness and I respect those that believe differently then I, but it doesn’t change truth no matter what we accept or believe. As for hope, it is what most folks would say keeps them getting up in the morning and smiling throughout the day. Thoughts of a better day coming, we call that hope. Dreams that stimulate our thinking and cause us to see the best in ourselves and others, that is hope too. Yet, the greatest gift is love.
Again, as a Christian, I know the author of love and His name is Jesus Christ. I know Him personally and He has changed my life. Yes, it is because of faith that I discovered Him and yes, it is through faith that I too have discovered hope as a positive force in my life. However, I have learned that both faith and hope are products of love and one can only experience real faith and hope because they have first experienced real love.
On Valentine’s Day it’s all about buying a card and sending flowers for most folks, and if that’s you let me share this new advertisement that you might have missed. The commercial begins with a picture of a young man who grows throughout the 60 second commercial and is old age by the end. The commercial shows his attempt to discover the meaning of life and his hope of finding true love through his experiences of many things. In the middle of the commercial the music softens and in the stillness of the moment the individual who is the focus of the advertisement realizes the inner calling he has often heard himself was Jesus Christ calling out to him, by name.
For those who really enjoy Valentine’s Day, I would suggest that as a Christian you can celebrate that moment everyday, but especially at two different moment each year. First at Christmas, since that’s when love came down to us and then on Easter, because that’s when love arose for us.

Until then

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Haiti in perspective.....to us

It has often been asked by folks attempting to understanding a situation that things be put into a proper perspective. This is not always the easiest task but nevertheless it is a tool that helps individuals to grasp a true picture. The death toll in Haiti is now estimated to be at 150,000 individuals. This death toll number includes children and adults killed by or deaths that are the results of the earthquake that occurred on January 12, 2010.
To understand the impact of these deaths just imagine if everyone in the following counties where suddenly killed. Bell 29,055; Knox 32,810; Whitley 38,668; Laurel County 57,586; Harlan 30,783; Total 158,119 deaths! If this happened here at home I believe it is clear the ciaos that we would leave behind. Just imagine no ambulances to come to our aid, no law enforcement officers to help secure things, and no medical services because there was no place safe to house those injured and no medical professional to render aid because there too were killed. No local church pastor’s or staff members to pray with us, no local elected officials coming out to survey damages, and those that survived find themselves at the total mercy of assistance from those in our surrounding counties. Lee County, VA has a population of 23,448 they could help some, Clairborne, TN has a population of 31,461 and they could help a little more. Moving north looking to Madison with 82,192 residents they could help and our best resource would be Fayette County with a population of 282,114. Given these facts, their close location to us would help in response time, but still they would need time to gather the necessaries required just to come to our aid.
Imagine all that to be true and think how it must be in Haiti facing the number of the dead and the condition they now find themselves in because of this earthquake. It seems hopeless right, and if that status isn’t correct, then we could certainly agree it would seem overwhelming for sure. Thinking about these conditions let’s just consider the added fact that you were the only surviving family member of your entire family, and you had no immediate cash or items of monetary value to sell or trade for goods or services. These conditions are hypothec for us today here in Southeastern Kentucky, but this is not a made up scenario for the people of Haiti, it’s reality.
We are thousands of miles away but we can help. If this type of catastrophic event happened here Southeastern Kentucky we would expect help from our neighbors and it is logical for us to understand the task would be too enormous for them alone. We would pray the State of Tennessee came to our aid, and that the Commonwealth of Virginia step up to send aid through the Cumberland Gap to assist us in our great hour of need. I cannot imagine being a Christian and not thinking I too must act. The time is now.

Until then

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Mike Wilson - Haiti one life changed, Tia

The devastation of the January 12th 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti has left the world scrambling to find ways to make a difference for a country that has so little. Actually among all the countries of the world, Haiti is the least of them all. Not sure who is due credit for the often quoted saying, “do what you can while you can”, but it is true. So often people put off things believing that tomorrow will better fit into their schedule instead of taking action immediately and putting steps on their plans today.
Michael Wilson grow up in Knoxville, Tn. My friendship began when he was a student at Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Ky., and his first church staff position would begin in Corbin, Ky., at the Horse Creek Road Baptist Church as youth minister. Having the opportunity to be the first pastor a minister will serve under and be mentored under is special. HCRBC was a unique setting and a great first experience for Mike too. I have in my mind a picture of him in overalls as we celebrated “Old Fashion Days” along with other friends that were there too that brings a smile to my face even now. He would later serve Two Rivers Baptist Church, the largest SBC church in Tennessee and a Sunday that I made an unannounced visit, I saw him in the waters of baptism baptizing followers of Jesus. There is no greater feeling knowing that having been a part of someone’s life, seeing them leading others to give you that complete circle of accomplishment. Doing the right thing may not always be easy, but it is always best. Today, Mike and his wife Missy are ministry partners with Brent Gambrel Ministries in Nashville, Tn. They have been working with a Orphanage in Carrfour, Haiti that houses 40 children. It is there that they met a little girl name Santia. They call her Tia and she is 5 years old. Mike and Missy’s heart would become fixed on doing their part and the adoption process began a year ago to rescue this French Creole speaking child from the ravages of poverty and the orphanage home she’s known for 4 years. When the earthquake hit on Tuesday morning, Mike knew he had to be on a plan immediately to Haiti to begin his search and to bring Tia home. With the help of the U.S. Embassy, his Congressman and the Haiti government the adoption process was streamline and finalized immediately. There are others who also had adoptions working through the process of the Haiti government before the earthquake who are praying for such success too.
Haiti today is faced with destruction and the death toll beyond description. Orphans flooded the country prior to this disaster and now that number will create even a greater need for God’s love to be shown to the least of these. “Doing what you can, when you can” is most important. To adopt a child today from Haiti is not possible. The government has suspended all such processing as there is no means in place to handle such request. While the need is so great and the numbers are overwhelming there is no immediate answer at this moment as the priority list is already established. It’s the basic of life that are needed on the ground in Haiti to just provide the most essential such as emergency care, and assistance with removal of the dead lining the streets.
The action of Mike and Missy that began a year ago will not solve all the issues facing the people of Haiti that need God’s love, but their action has made all the difference for one! Changing one life at a time is the answer and Mike and Missy have made the difference serving Christ doing what they can, while they can.

Until then

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Haiti $400. per year is the average income---we MUST help!

There are many privileges enjoyed as citizens of the United States of America. The political truth is that there are many privileges enjoyed by those that are not citizens but that conversation shall be held for another column not this one. When I consider all the privileges I have enjoyed a particular privilege that has taught and exposed me to life has been the privilege of the opportunity to travel outside of our country. The greatest teaching tool any of us has in life is the tool of experience. Counsel that comes from experience is always valuable and when we use our experiences from life to adjust our way of thinking that too is valuable.
The privilege of the opportunity to travel in others country’s and nation’s has impacted my life in many ways. To begin with, let me say it has changed the way I view other people, circumstances and even my “old ways of thinking.” Scripturally thinking it is more blessed to believe without seeing, but when you actually see things with your eyes in proper context you cannot help but be changed, especially when it comes to how you view America, our role in the world, and our blessings to call the United States home.
In my last visit to Haiti in January 2008 I was again reminded because of travels how blessed I am and how different our country is because of our practice of democracy, personal rights granted by a constitution, free enterprise and developments through an entrepreneurial spirit encouraged by our government. Here in America the two major political parties talk negative about the other but the Republican Party is not conducting secret meetings to over-throw the government. Yes, they want to win Congressional Elections but their efforts are legal and within the guidelines of our democracy. Haiti is a country filled with issues that has her citizens at a disadvantage for the most basic enjoyments of life that are take for granted here in the U.S. One trait that is evident among the people of Haiti is their smile. I am always amazed at the ability of people to smile, be positive, and seemly enjoying life, when they have so little. Of course the opinion that they have so little is based upon an American point of view that has so much.
Today, Haiti is in extreme need! The need for the basic essentials of life. The ability to find their lost loved ones who are crushed underneath a load of walls and destruction as a result of the earthquake. A basic essential of drinking water or clothing would speak a language of care during this crisis. Our government responding can help to further stabilize their government, which has been filled with corruption and practices that have kept the people down. Crisis is a perfect time to build and strength relationship that will make an impact on the citizens of Haiti, who were also created in the image of God and who too deserve to know He cares for them. Our actions will make a difference and as a Christian Nation and the Leader of the free world, we must respond.
My privilege of opportunity to travel, see and learn is now my privilege of opportunity to give financially, support and pray earnestly for a people that are at a total disadvantage. The average yearly income for a citizen is Haiti is $400.00. Anyone in the United States living on $400.00 a year? I think not. We provide at least $2,400.00 per year for families in food stamps alone. That is 6 times the total income in Haiti. I have not even mentioned all the other programs we have for those in the U.S. that gives money and support. Yes, there is a crisis in Haiti, and as a Christian I must respond, the opportunity to make a difference has arrived.

Until then

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Barbourville Advocate - Dr. Leon Simpson made a difference

The amazing impact of influence is not always necessarily the direct touch, but rather sometimes, the amazing touch is the indirect experience of such influence. Clear Creek Baptist Bible College while located in Bell County, and not here in Knox County, has certainly provided an experience and direct benefit because of the mission of Clear Creek. That mission has served our pulpits with students over the years who have came to study and then were dispatched to other locations. We’ve been directly impacted by those that came to learn, and were called to stay, and have remained as our pastors, and ministers.
While 1926 seems like a long time ago to us, those days have been but a simple blink in the eye of God. The service of individuals is what makes the advancing cause of the Kingdom of God an impact upon us each day of our lives. Here in Knox County our churches are filled with the influence of our neighbors just south at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College. The training of ministers to some, is not necessary. Others see the education of religious matter as an additional resource that provides deeper knowledge and even experiences that enhances our understanding and abilities to serve God in more effective ways.
Dr. Leon Simpson was chosen by the Board of Trustees in 1982 and elected as the 3rd President of Clear Creek. The passing of the mantel of leadership from Dr. D.M. Aldridge to Dr. Simpson was to bring about more of that direct benefit, indirectly. The recruitment and promotion of the school through Dr. Simpson’s leadership began a new era of opportunity with changes in class schedules, opportunities for night classes, and even conferences designed to help the average pastor who worked in addition to serving a church congregation. Dr. Simpson had served at Cumberland College in Williamsburg in the development of the Religious Department and he had served Dr. W.A. Criswell at First Baptist, Dallas Texas as his Assistant Pastor. Those experiences provided a rich history and served as valuable resources that made a difference for us here in Southeastern Kentucky especially. I venture to say there are not many Baptist Churches here in Knox County that have not experienced contact with students from Clear Creek and we’ve seen that ever growing skill set and talent among students continuing to improve.
The history of presidents at Clear Creek show individualism of leadership and vision. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing the current and past three president in varying degrees personally. Dr. Aldridge was that friend who talked about me having raw talent and skill and who always encouraged me to grow. Dr. Simpson was the friend who pushed me to see outside the box, challenged me to excel and who shared insight into the opportunities for education and the possibilities because of such training and said go. Today’s student at CCBBC will not know of the age limits that once existed because those barriers are now removed. Not to mention the fact single students were not permitted back then. It is amazing how things change, and it is amazing how that is accomplished because of leadership and vision.
Dr. Leon Simpson entered into eternal life on October 27, 2009 and his teaching to allow God to use you at every opportunity and at every turn makes all the impact, directly and indirectly. An impact not missed by this friend and columnist.

Until then

Corbin Times Tribune - Dr. Leon Simpson, CCBBC

On October 27, 2009, Dr. Leon Simpson finished his earthly course of life while serving as pastor of the Firelands Church in the Florence Township in Ohio. Dr. Simpson was in his 14th year as pastor at the time of his death. A headline announcing this happening could be easily missed without a reminder of that connection and his influence here in Southeastern Kentucky.
Dr. Simpson’s family roots were in Oklahoma and the Panhandle of Texas but his leadership touched the lives of students, ministers and churches throughout Kentucky and especially us here in Southeastern Ky. Dr. Simpson began his first mountain connection when he was a professor at Cumberland College in Williamsburg. Building the Religious Department there as a vital instrument of service to the students of the institution is certainly note worthy and an impact that continues to make a difference. His influence and example of leadership and vision would also be experienced by us as he served as the 3rd President of Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in Pineville, Ky. There are few Baptist Churches in the Tri-County Area that have not had members who became students, graduated from Clear Creek, or congregations that were served by students trained and educated there. Many pastor’s in the area knew Dr Simpson and his love for education and for preparing individuals to serve God in their calling.
To look at an individuals life as a resource may seem improper and not respectful, but I in no way want to imply that toward Dr. Simpson. What I want to convey is that he used his life and experiences as a resource and that brought much benefit to me personally and to countless thousands of ministers serving churches and on the mission field. The resources Dr. Simpson tapped into where not just his experiences at Cumberland College and Clear Creek, but his experiences while serving as Assistant Pastor to Dr. W.A. Criswell at First Baptist Dallas were great resources that enhanced Dr. Simpson’s leadership while at Clear Creek. His contact with Theologians and PH.D. Scholars added to the development of our area and the growth of our churches and discipleship. It was after all his resources that so developed our own causing me to remember with reverence the free sharing and giving he provided.
Dr. Simpson after completing his tenure as President at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College went on to serve as Editor at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, TN. His writing, skill in Hebrew and Greek has touched the lives of millions who learned from reading the materials he directed as Editor at Lifeway.
When I think of benefits I often think of that which we see and know immediately. The real surprise of benefits is the discovery of memory and learning that we seem to have forget until the every present need arrives and refreshes itself with answers. Celebrating the New Year is a perfect time to remember to celebrate the lives of impact that may have passed now into history, but whose impact will never be forgotten because they choose to give of themselves to the benefit of others, willingly.

Until then