If I were asked to name one characteristic about mountain folks that I believe set us apart from all others in the world that answer would be simple. It is the manner in which we view our families. My world view changed in 1971 because my parents made a decision to pack up and move from city life in Warren Michigan to mountain life in Arjay, Kentucky. To be more exact, my parents loaded up the Pontiac Bonneville and down Interstate 75 we came. Leaving behind family members who years before had also made the journey, as my parents did, from Stinking Creek to Detroit for jobs.
The City of Detroit has remained home for many including my cousins, Gobel and Sally Hale. Now I don’t have the word space in this column to explain first cousin, and second cousins once and twice removed, but that’s what I love and admire about mountain folks. Fact is most of us in the mountains view our families all on the same level. We don’t care if they are 3rd Cousins or 4th Cousins, we claim them and generally speaking, we are proud to call them all family. That makes us very unique as a culture and it also provides us with a rich history of individual and family accomplishments to share with others when we explain where we are from and who are family is.
Gobel was raised at Mills, Kentucky on Stinking Creek and Sally was raised on Road Fork. Simply turning left at the Dewitt Baptist Church in Knox County and you will drive straight to her family home place. She was born on Monday, August 5, 1935. Her parents were Garrett and Lena Allen and she two sisters, Carmen Allen and Shirley Hampton and one brother, Rex Allen. Gobel and Sally made Warren Michigan home and they added three girls to a growing list of cousins: Denise (Centers); Elizabeth (Bay); and Sally (Pauls);
On Thursday, April 1, 2010, Sally entered into eternal life leaving behind a large extended family to support her family and to morn her loss. Sally and Gobel would have been married 58 years in May. There were partners on a successful team as parents and as husband and wife. Sally had always encouraged me. She enjoyed being a part of people’s lives and she believed that you could be successful in life no matter where you were from or how hard “times were” when you were born. Sally was someone that was proud of her heritage and while Michigan was home, in her heart Kentucky was home too.
To quoted Edith Mason Cawood from Middlesboro, Ky: “Love leads the way; Love soothes the soul; Love marks the path; Love sets the goal; Love casts out fear and love makes us brave; Love is the ship that scans the wave; Love brings sweet peace; Love makes us calm; Love brings us joy; Love gives a song; Love is the theme for life’s brief story; Love is the way from earth to glory;”
Of all the things we could demonstrate in our lives love must be king. As a Christian the most important characteristic must be love. 1 Corinthians 13: says now abides faith, hope and love and the greatest is love. Being able to share His love with people is a great honor and being able to tell His story of love with our family is a privilege we should not neglect. Honoring our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and long list of great cousins that grows with every generation should be clearly marked with our story of heritage and faith.
I believe every road and every turn of life is an opportunity for each of us to smile, make a difference in the lives of others and contribute a verse to the powerful play of life. One day when I have passed into eternal, I pray my story will include the fact that He Touched Me, and that I sang How Great Thou Art in tribute to the mercy and the Amazing Grace He showed me.
Until then
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
History verses Today
Not sure if you have ever considered the battle of history verse life, but I have discovered it to be quite a subject for review. Christians love to talk about growth in our churches, we like to share about all the happenings and activities, but what about our personal growth as a Christian?
As I consider history and this past Easter Weekend celebration it is amazing how things change and how we allow things to be played out different with the passing of time. Consider the last week of Jesus’ life. He had that great entrance into the city with the waving of palm leaves, the gathering of people, the shouting of praises and honor, yet in days He was crucified. Consider that historical fact with our response today of becoming a Christian by asking Jesus to come into my heart. When I was a child you would always get a new outfit in the spring and you would wear it for the first time on Easter Sunday. Last week that still occurred including folks with new hats, and a big family meal or a buffet somewhere no doubt, but what about our public stance as observed by those watching our parade of actions. Interesting how historically the crucifixion of Jesus was an event that sent the disciples hiding in fear, but today here in America we have no fear of being associated with Jesus at all. There is no thought that occurs that we could be arrested for following Him. There is no thought that we will experience reprisal for bearing the name that would cost us anything we cherish or possess. Historically for the disciples of Jesus there was an extreme cost they paid once they stepped out of that upper room but what is the cost for us followers today?
It is interesting and certainly worthy of discussion to ask how the historical event of the death of Jesus and His resurrection impacts us today. Today do we have urgency because of His experience on the cross for us? His mother was certainly moved with excitement after her encounter with Jesus as her risen Savior. Thomas was a doubting following and I would think many of us could identify with a time in our lives that we questioned and maybe decided to stand still in a defiant position. If we no longer believe or if we refuse to see beyond the experience of the moment, then we may forever remain in a stale status that would render us useless to the kingdom.
Easter Sunday is for many, it appears today, a once a year event that will set the record for another year that we are a follower of Jesus, but I don’t believe history will judge us that way. Historically writing it is clear that the followers of Jesus were motivated by His actions once their minds grasped His teachings, and they pieced together His actions He was authenticated as the Son of God.
In our modern age, what have we pulled together from our personal hearts witness of the power of God in our individual lives? What have we decided should be our action plan because of what we have witnessed in the lives of others? It could be you are looking for a special Sunday or maybe a new parade to signal a new direction that will ignite your Christian fire of service. Not sure if that recognizable day will come, so why not make this coming Sunday that day and make a historical impact that will help change the lives of people today?
Until then
As I consider history and this past Easter Weekend celebration it is amazing how things change and how we allow things to be played out different with the passing of time. Consider the last week of Jesus’ life. He had that great entrance into the city with the waving of palm leaves, the gathering of people, the shouting of praises and honor, yet in days He was crucified. Consider that historical fact with our response today of becoming a Christian by asking Jesus to come into my heart. When I was a child you would always get a new outfit in the spring and you would wear it for the first time on Easter Sunday. Last week that still occurred including folks with new hats, and a big family meal or a buffet somewhere no doubt, but what about our public stance as observed by those watching our parade of actions. Interesting how historically the crucifixion of Jesus was an event that sent the disciples hiding in fear, but today here in America we have no fear of being associated with Jesus at all. There is no thought that occurs that we could be arrested for following Him. There is no thought that we will experience reprisal for bearing the name that would cost us anything we cherish or possess. Historically for the disciples of Jesus there was an extreme cost they paid once they stepped out of that upper room but what is the cost for us followers today?
It is interesting and certainly worthy of discussion to ask how the historical event of the death of Jesus and His resurrection impacts us today. Today do we have urgency because of His experience on the cross for us? His mother was certainly moved with excitement after her encounter with Jesus as her risen Savior. Thomas was a doubting following and I would think many of us could identify with a time in our lives that we questioned and maybe decided to stand still in a defiant position. If we no longer believe or if we refuse to see beyond the experience of the moment, then we may forever remain in a stale status that would render us useless to the kingdom.
Easter Sunday is for many, it appears today, a once a year event that will set the record for another year that we are a follower of Jesus, but I don’t believe history will judge us that way. Historically writing it is clear that the followers of Jesus were motivated by His actions once their minds grasped His teachings, and they pieced together His actions He was authenticated as the Son of God.
In our modern age, what have we pulled together from our personal hearts witness of the power of God in our individual lives? What have we decided should be our action plan because of what we have witnessed in the lives of others? It could be you are looking for a special Sunday or maybe a new parade to signal a new direction that will ignite your Christian fire of service. Not sure if that recognizable day will come, so why not make this coming Sunday that day and make a historical impact that will help change the lives of people today?
Until then
Sunday, March 14, 2010
In difficult times....Galatians 6:9
The last three columns I have wrote about life in difficult times. I could guess and say that most folks don’t want to talk about difficult times. We had all rather focus on positive things, happy times, and not the trying moments of life. Difficult times get the “bad rap” and the assumption is that nothing good can come from difficult events, or difficult situations. Most people accept as fact that peer pressure is bad. I don’t believe that to be true but nevertheless many would agree with that statement that peer pressure is bad without ever considering that peer pressure can be positive too.
For example, inviting someone to church is pressure and calling to ask someone to join you in attending a women’s conference or a men’s meeting is peer pressure, but its positive pressure. We think of peer pressure as negative and most examples would be asking someone to drink alcoholic beverages, taking drugs or jus staying out a “partying” all night long. It is generally accepted as fact that if you are out late at night it cannot be good. You are up to mischief, or simply said, “no good”. While this could be true, the opposite could also be true, but this is not the considered possibility.
Changing our thoughts and positions is not easy, but giving way to possibilities is important and being willing to look at things in new views is also a key to being able to press forward through difficult times. The scripture says that “all things are possible through Jesus Christ”, and I believe acceptance of that position give us a chance to change things. I’ve mentioned change and that’s a bad word in most churches not to mention the other bad language, looking at things differently. A famous quote from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is: “If you do what you’ve always done, you will get what you’ve always gotten”. When it comes to truth in statements, I don’t know how you can spread more truth or honestly in a single statement. Yes, we want things to change, but we are not willing to do anything to help that change happen. We all want to see the best occur in our lives, but we don’t believe this can happen unless it happens the way we want things to happen. Talk about being narrow minded, hard to be more set in a negative way then this huh?
Writing this column, addressing this issue of difficult times is not easy. I feel qualified to address this subject matter because of the experiences I have in life. I believe I make life look because I smile and I am not someone that generally complains. I must share that life is good because I have hope and faith, and this causes me to be able to smile and not complain. Have I experienced difficult times, absolutely. Have I had crushing moments and situations, yes totally. Do I believe I have always been treated fairly? No, and forgiving is not the easiest Christian trait to practice. I can say that forgiving will set you free and that freedom allows you to stand back up after being knocked down.
Difficult times will eventually make it to your door steps. Difficult times will arrive via the mail or through a phone call. Prepare today for challenging moments that will stretch and pull your emotions, and beliefs. When you wonder what the best answer will be I can make a suggestion that has proven true for me. In difficult times Galatians 6:9 works for me. “Don’t grow weary in doing good, for in due season you will reap if you faint not”.
Until then
For example, inviting someone to church is pressure and calling to ask someone to join you in attending a women’s conference or a men’s meeting is peer pressure, but its positive pressure. We think of peer pressure as negative and most examples would be asking someone to drink alcoholic beverages, taking drugs or jus staying out a “partying” all night long. It is generally accepted as fact that if you are out late at night it cannot be good. You are up to mischief, or simply said, “no good”. While this could be true, the opposite could also be true, but this is not the considered possibility.
Changing our thoughts and positions is not easy, but giving way to possibilities is important and being willing to look at things in new views is also a key to being able to press forward through difficult times. The scripture says that “all things are possible through Jesus Christ”, and I believe acceptance of that position give us a chance to change things. I’ve mentioned change and that’s a bad word in most churches not to mention the other bad language, looking at things differently. A famous quote from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is: “If you do what you’ve always done, you will get what you’ve always gotten”. When it comes to truth in statements, I don’t know how you can spread more truth or honestly in a single statement. Yes, we want things to change, but we are not willing to do anything to help that change happen. We all want to see the best occur in our lives, but we don’t believe this can happen unless it happens the way we want things to happen. Talk about being narrow minded, hard to be more set in a negative way then this huh?
Writing this column, addressing this issue of difficult times is not easy. I feel qualified to address this subject matter because of the experiences I have in life. I believe I make life look because I smile and I am not someone that generally complains. I must share that life is good because I have hope and faith, and this causes me to be able to smile and not complain. Have I experienced difficult times, absolutely. Have I had crushing moments and situations, yes totally. Do I believe I have always been treated fairly? No, and forgiving is not the easiest Christian trait to practice. I can say that forgiving will set you free and that freedom allows you to stand back up after being knocked down.
Difficult times will eventually make it to your door steps. Difficult times will arrive via the mail or through a phone call. Prepare today for challenging moments that will stretch and pull your emotions, and beliefs. When you wonder what the best answer will be I can make a suggestion that has proven true for me. In difficult times Galatians 6:9 works for me. “Don’t grow weary in doing good, for in due season you will reap if you faint not”.
Until then
Sunday, March 7, 2010
In difficult times....go back
In difficult times there are many considerations that must be made. Making decisions and choosing directions can become complicated without a base to measure all things against. Witnessing the choices of individuals is not always easy. Every choice has a reaction by others and all our decisions have consequences. Sometimes people believe that their life is theirs to live and they do so without respect to anyone around them. Others live their lives with high regards as to what others think and believe, yet they still find themselves held in low regards and respect by others.
Finding the base in which one can measure their decisions from is not easy with all the options available today. We can use our friends, or we can value theories and philosophies for just a few of our available options. The problem I have discovered in my search for that foundation to use for measuring decisions against is the failure in those choices to even pan out. That failure causes you to stop believing and it creates an atmosphere that leads you to believe the negative side of life is final and the only choice is to just survive and accept things as they are.
If you have discovered yourself in this condition of accepting things without hope for a change that would bring about your dreams and hopes, then please continue to read…there is a safe base. Most people who consider themselves to be on the downside of life and her experiences don’t like to talk about spiritual things because they already feel let down. Often they believe Jesus was going to fix everything that was wrong in their life, or that Jesus was going to deliver them from some experience they dreaded and they have never forgiven Him for that happening. Most people who consider themselves to be on the upside of life, with all her many pleasures consider they actually are a benefit to Jesus because of who they are, and in so doing they miss totally the only base we can truly trust.
Ministry has been a blessing for me. It’s the daily opportunity to share my experiences and to help others who are attempting to discover that base from which we can spring board our lives forward. The greatest thing I discovered in my base line of faith is that Jesus Christ provides me with options of restoration, grace and mercy. This I have not discovered in my other options I once thought to be the savior—if you will. The difficult times we have in life is that we are automatically going to make errors and wrong decisions that will have consequences and reactions that we would wish to avoid. That is life, but there is an answer and it can only be found in the only sure base from which we can positively evaluate our lives from.
In difficult times…the answer is Jesus Christ. When you have lost all faith and hope you must revisit the base that you believed once worked. The great news is that the spot where you last remembered His presence, He remains there still. Your journey is simple. Just go back to that spot and you will again discover the base you need is still working.
Until then
Finding the base in which one can measure their decisions from is not easy with all the options available today. We can use our friends, or we can value theories and philosophies for just a few of our available options. The problem I have discovered in my search for that foundation to use for measuring decisions against is the failure in those choices to even pan out. That failure causes you to stop believing and it creates an atmosphere that leads you to believe the negative side of life is final and the only choice is to just survive and accept things as they are.
If you have discovered yourself in this condition of accepting things without hope for a change that would bring about your dreams and hopes, then please continue to read…there is a safe base. Most people who consider themselves to be on the downside of life and her experiences don’t like to talk about spiritual things because they already feel let down. Often they believe Jesus was going to fix everything that was wrong in their life, or that Jesus was going to deliver them from some experience they dreaded and they have never forgiven Him for that happening. Most people who consider themselves to be on the upside of life, with all her many pleasures consider they actually are a benefit to Jesus because of who they are, and in so doing they miss totally the only base we can truly trust.
Ministry has been a blessing for me. It’s the daily opportunity to share my experiences and to help others who are attempting to discover that base from which we can spring board our lives forward. The greatest thing I discovered in my base line of faith is that Jesus Christ provides me with options of restoration, grace and mercy. This I have not discovered in my other options I once thought to be the savior—if you will. The difficult times we have in life is that we are automatically going to make errors and wrong decisions that will have consequences and reactions that we would wish to avoid. That is life, but there is an answer and it can only be found in the only sure base from which we can positively evaluate our lives from.
In difficult times…the answer is Jesus Christ. When you have lost all faith and hope you must revisit the base that you believed once worked. The great news is that the spot where you last remembered His presence, He remains there still. Your journey is simple. Just go back to that spot and you will again discover the base you need is still working.
Until then
Sunday, February 28, 2010
In difficult times...who do you trust?
When I think about all the questions I have been asked in life, one question comes to my mind as more important then others. That one question is, “In whom do you place your trust”? There are many great politically correct answers an individual could share. Depending upon the context the questioned is asked would have some barring as to the answer. Just imagine you are facing an unknown path. Imagine you have been struggling for help looking for answers but you have yet to discover what you believe you are looking for. So who do you trust in those types of situations?
I answered that very first question with a very simple three letter word, I said God. God to me is Jesus Christ. He is the one I trust when I don’t know the direction to go or turn and He is the one I trust when I am standing still listening for the answer to come. Jesus Christ is the one I place my trust in when I have been butting my head up against a wall because everything I do seems to be wrong and nothing I do seems to ever work out. This situation can be frustrating and it may very well make you want to quit, stop believing and just go and hide. The discipline of placing your trust in Jesus is easy at the beginning of that relationship with Him, but when you get some of life’s adult experiences under your belt and you get that bitter taste in your mouth that’s when the question becomes one that matters for your daily steps of faith.
As a pastor and minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ I know that not everyone likes me. Not everyone likes positions I have taken on issues, or things I believe should be the daily practice of those professing the name of Christ. Sometimes you don’t even have to say a single word as some individuals will not like you because of where you are from, who you married, or even the friends you have. People don’t like others because of the types of automobiles someone else might drive, or there maybe dislike because you just simple heard something and you base your entire opinion on that ‘hear say’ as the final evidence you needed before you planted in concrete your disposition.
In dealing with people remembering that folks are human is important. 28 years of ministry has taught me that most folks that will not forgive another have a difficult time sharing the name of anyone they have ever personally forgiven. They live and walk their lives in a bitterness that robs them of peace and the ability to smile. Trusting people is a practice we must exercise. Will you experience let downs because folks are human, absolutely. Are there consequences because of our actions, yes. Can we expect that we will hurt people, totally. Will such moments be easily identified by ourselves, sometimes but not always. What is the best approach to living life and who should people trust? My advice: Live life that allows you to experience hurts and to see failures as those moments that occur and that require us to work diligently to minimize. Live life loving people, working to the good of others believing that God has an abundant plan for each of us always, in every situation. If this is or becomes your position you too will be able to say when asked in whom you believe, you can simply say, in God.
Until then
I answered that very first question with a very simple three letter word, I said God. God to me is Jesus Christ. He is the one I trust when I don’t know the direction to go or turn and He is the one I trust when I am standing still listening for the answer to come. Jesus Christ is the one I place my trust in when I have been butting my head up against a wall because everything I do seems to be wrong and nothing I do seems to ever work out. This situation can be frustrating and it may very well make you want to quit, stop believing and just go and hide. The discipline of placing your trust in Jesus is easy at the beginning of that relationship with Him, but when you get some of life’s adult experiences under your belt and you get that bitter taste in your mouth that’s when the question becomes one that matters for your daily steps of faith.
As a pastor and minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ I know that not everyone likes me. Not everyone likes positions I have taken on issues, or things I believe should be the daily practice of those professing the name of Christ. Sometimes you don’t even have to say a single word as some individuals will not like you because of where you are from, who you married, or even the friends you have. People don’t like others because of the types of automobiles someone else might drive, or there maybe dislike because you just simple heard something and you base your entire opinion on that ‘hear say’ as the final evidence you needed before you planted in concrete your disposition.
In dealing with people remembering that folks are human is important. 28 years of ministry has taught me that most folks that will not forgive another have a difficult time sharing the name of anyone they have ever personally forgiven. They live and walk their lives in a bitterness that robs them of peace and the ability to smile. Trusting people is a practice we must exercise. Will you experience let downs because folks are human, absolutely. Are there consequences because of our actions, yes. Can we expect that we will hurt people, totally. Will such moments be easily identified by ourselves, sometimes but not always. What is the best approach to living life and who should people trust? My advice: Live life that allows you to experience hurts and to see failures as those moments that occur and that require us to work diligently to minimize. Live life loving people, working to the good of others believing that God has an abundant plan for each of us always, in every situation. If this is or becomes your position you too will be able to say when asked in whom you believe, you can simply say, in God.
Until then
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Jonathan Bundrick; Ken Fritz; Dorothy Eagle; BOOKS; PEOPLE; PLACES: EXPERIENCES
In attempting to motivate people in life, I have often used many different resources in pursuit of that goal. Not sure if everyone sitting in a church pew would describe what they hear from the pulpit as positive motivation or not, but the minister’s, pastor’s and friends that I have would want to believe, as I , that our messages are good motivations for those that tune in with their hearts and minds wanting to be encouraged and motivated.
Speaking to different settings and groups of people I have shared some of the same thoughts over and over throughout the years. I’m not one for repeating the exact same message over, but certainly the same thought lines with different emphasis has been a practice over these past 28 years of ministry. One of the recommendations I have shared over the years has been this challenging and motivating thought.
“You will be the exact same person you are today, 20 years from now, with these four exceptions: the books you read; the people you meet; the places you go; and the experiences you have;”
Over the years I have often asked individuals what is the last book they read? Currently I am reading Bounce Back: Overcoming Setbacks to Succeed in Business and in Life, written by John Calipari. I have long practiced trust in friendship and when my friend Ken Fritz made the recommendation I purchased the book. Books you read will make a difference. Meeting people is easy for me, but you don’t have to be an outgoing social person to meet people nor does it need to be a celebrity, politician or a name that everyone would recognize. I’m writing about people you meet that have an impact, that create change in your life because of who they are! My first grade teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Eagle, she changed my life. She was tender, and compassionate. Amazing what you remember from an early age. Places you go will challenge our views. It allows us an opportunity to see different things, done different ways, in different styles and formats. Jonathan Bundrick served as an intern with me in ministry here in Southeastern Kentucky. He attended Wofford College then New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He also served our Country as an officer in the U.S. Army. He has been to a lot of places, but who would have thought coming to serve in Southeastern Kentucky first, would lead to service in Southern Africa? That’s where he serves today as a missionary. Experiences you have will make a difference. Before leaving to serve in Africa, Jonathan wrote this: “Seminary has been an incredible experience and a benchmark that will define my life from this point forward.” This is what I call motivating!
What experience have you had that is a positive benchmark that has changed your life? Books, people, places and experiences! If you could go out and buy this set of four you would have everything you need in one day. I wish I could write that it is that easy, but I can guarantee this. If you start today, you will be one step forward in being the person the world needs you to be tomorrow. 20 years will come quickly, let us not delay.
Until then
Speaking to different settings and groups of people I have shared some of the same thoughts over and over throughout the years. I’m not one for repeating the exact same message over, but certainly the same thought lines with different emphasis has been a practice over these past 28 years of ministry. One of the recommendations I have shared over the years has been this challenging and motivating thought.
“You will be the exact same person you are today, 20 years from now, with these four exceptions: the books you read; the people you meet; the places you go; and the experiences you have;”
Over the years I have often asked individuals what is the last book they read? Currently I am reading Bounce Back: Overcoming Setbacks to Succeed in Business and in Life, written by John Calipari. I have long practiced trust in friendship and when my friend Ken Fritz made the recommendation I purchased the book. Books you read will make a difference. Meeting people is easy for me, but you don’t have to be an outgoing social person to meet people nor does it need to be a celebrity, politician or a name that everyone would recognize. I’m writing about people you meet that have an impact, that create change in your life because of who they are! My first grade teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Eagle, she changed my life. She was tender, and compassionate. Amazing what you remember from an early age. Places you go will challenge our views. It allows us an opportunity to see different things, done different ways, in different styles and formats. Jonathan Bundrick served as an intern with me in ministry here in Southeastern Kentucky. He attended Wofford College then New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He also served our Country as an officer in the U.S. Army. He has been to a lot of places, but who would have thought coming to serve in Southeastern Kentucky first, would lead to service in Southern Africa? That’s where he serves today as a missionary. Experiences you have will make a difference. Before leaving to serve in Africa, Jonathan wrote this: “Seminary has been an incredible experience and a benchmark that will define my life from this point forward.” This is what I call motivating!
What experience have you had that is a positive benchmark that has changed your life? Books, people, places and experiences! If you could go out and buy this set of four you would have everything you need in one day. I wish I could write that it is that easy, but I can guarantee this. If you start today, you will be one step forward in being the person the world needs you to be tomorrow. 20 years will come quickly, let us not delay.
Until then
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