1st and 10, December 8, 2011

First ... 

...let me say that I am in no way being critical of those who are taking part in the defense of the nativity that is being displayed on the Henderson County Courthouse lawn. I have seen the Christmas decorations on the square and I think they are beautiful. I also think that the display is not inappropriate at all; it is a display of the birth of Christ, which is the reason we celebrate (or should be celebrating, anyway) the Christmas season to begin with. It just strikes me as odd how easy it is for Christian people to get all bent out of shape over some outside group "infringing" on their right to place a nativity on the courthouse lawn. Now don't get me wrong, I am a practicing Christian, I am not ashamed to call Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, and am perfectly at ease sharing my personal testimony of salvation with anyone. This is where I get kinda lost in the mire, for a lack of a better term. Outside of the pastoral alliance that has taken up the cause of keeping the nativity on the lawn, how many people who are so up in arms about this have taken the time to share Jesus with someone lately? How many of these people who are so intent on saying that "Jesus is the reason for the season" are going to become more Christ-like during this time of our Savior's birth, this time of peace on earth, and goodwill toward men? It seems to me that a whole bunch of the folks who are so intent on being appalled have some misplaced priorities, or, at least, some misguided notions. What would Christ be more appreciative of in the coming days, a worldly demonstration regarding a courthouse square decoration, or a genuine outreach of genuine Christian people working towards adding genuinely unsaved people to the Kingdom of God? I can think of no gift more pleasing to our Savior than that of winning lost souls to an eternity with Christ.

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." - Matthew 7:13-14

In my mind, it smacks of the very things that Christ has warned us against - we should not be concerned as to what the world is thinking; it is, after all, the world, and the world will not change this side of Glory. Just some random food for thought - you don't have to agree, or disagree. I just wish that we could see the type of enthusiasm for soul-winning and Kingdom work that we see from people who use things like this to "show the world" that they are Christian. It's way too easy to pass on an e-mail about "putting God back in schools" or "letting the liberals in Washington know that the words 'under God' belong in the Pledge of Allegiance" and then smugly and self-righteously believing we have "done our duty as a Christian". It's a lot easier to post a message on Facebook saying "I am not ashamed of my faith - if you are a believer then you'll paste this as your status, too" than it is to get out where the rubber meets the road and tell someone about Jesus. For what it's worth, I believe a won soul for Christ would be much more pleasing to God than a posted social network status or a meeting on the courthouse square in protest.

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." - Matthew 6:5

... and 10

1. Got the new seed catalog in the mail today - something about the new seed catalog just brings a smile to my face. So far, all heirlooms varieties this year of okra, cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, and cantaloupe. I know I'll have to add more ...

2. I believe I could fix a lot of what's wrong with a bunch of young people today if I could have them for about a month in the summer with a set of post-hole diggers.

3. Fried potatoes, with or without onions, should be required as a side dish for at least one meal per week.

4. Cold is OK, windy is OK, and wet is OK. As long as they are by themselves. Any combination of the three ... not OK at all.

5. There's just something totally magical about high school football playoffs in Texas. Nothing else quite compares ...

6. Have you ever had a brand new pair of shoes that you just couldn't get to feel right? I mean, they are OK, but they just aren't quite there ---

7. Why do I never seem to have gloves or an umbrella when I need them most?

8. It's cat food, people. CAT FOOD! You don't serve it in crystal goblets. You serve it in a pet dish. Or on a paper plate. Or just pop the can and set it on the porch. I guarantee you, FiFi will eat it.

9. Hot buttered biscuits (real butter, by the way) with blackstrap molasses for breakfast on a cold Saturday morning = one of the best memories of my childhood.

10. Why is it so difficult to figure out the national debt? When you get into debt, you quit spending until you get out of debt. Pretty simple stuff - has always worked in my house anyway.

TOUCHDOWN!