San Francisco

We have seen some of the most beautiful sights ever in San Francisco. Fishermen's Wharf and the Bay are all and more than you will read about. You have to experience it to understand what I am talking about. Downtown SF is incredible, the Golden Gate and Oakland Bridges, The Full House House, Cable Cars, and the scenery is just incredible.

The most disappointing thing to me was the condition of Candlestick Park, home of my Niners. You can tell the city hasn't done much to the stadium since they announced they were moving about 50 miles south. It wasn't very fitting for a 5-time Super Bowl Champion.

We got to see where the new stadium is being built next to the Great American Park in Santa Clara. I was really surprised again at the location and the size of the new stadium. At least their new parking garage looks super nice.

The Big Basin State Park was awesome to behold. It was a truly unbelievable experience. God created some beautiful masterpieces along the way and I'm glad we got to enjoy them.
Looking forward to our rendezvous with the mouse.

Sitting with family

There's nothing like flying in the air with a bad knee hurting and a grandson taking a nap on the other. Watching the planes take off, fixing the iPad, and having a grand old-time. Then having your 13 year old granddaughter,sitting on the other side off you, jamming on Garageband with the headphones in and not hearing a word you are saying. Also she's getting you hooked on Chicago based Cheese popcorn.

Guess what? Wouldn't trade it for the world!!!!!!!!

Dealing with Lemons

I just found out on the eve of a long deserved vacation that I will have to have surgery on my right knee when I get back home. I've already had 6 on my left knee, so now my good knee has a meniscus tear, which must be repaired alone with a severe bone bruise in that area that the doctor is not quite sure what to do about until the surgery. Man, I was perfectly healthy until a fall I had going to Camp Meeting in 2003 and since then I have had 11 surgeries as a result of that one injury. This new injury came from just walking and wearing Shape-Up shoes that I thought were going to help me, but instead have caused the need for this surgery.

We don't have the best health insurance in the world and I took a financial hit when I came to the church I am pastoring now. My wife and I both have had huge medical bills in the past few years and now I face another one with this surgery. Sometimes it just seems like the lemons keep on growing and you can get them to stop. I understand that feeling more than any of you know.

However, in the Scriptures we find people who turned defeat into victory, trial into triumph, and became victors instead of being victims. Too many people today, inside and outside of the church have the very mistaken idea that Christianity is the easy way of life. The Book of James clearly informs Christians that trials will come and that the Christian way is not easy. James does not speak as one isolated from trial, but from the own experience of trials. These trials eventually led to his death for the cause of Christ.

Yet James gives us some instructions on how to deal with it when life hands you a lemon.
-In Verse 2 James wrote "when" trials come, not "if" trials come. He is telling us that we should expect trials. That may not be what we want to hear, but it is what James wrote. Previously John had written, "In the world you have tribulation." (John 16:33) and Luke wrote "We must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)

This is not a shock to us, but for those who thought the Christian life would be easy it may be a shock. Some trials come to us just because we are humans. Other may come because we are Christians. (I Peter 4:12) When James wrote this letter Christians were hated and subjected to much persecution. It was a real challenge for them to live for Christ. These trials may be doubled as external, outside adversities and inward temptations. Sometimes outward trials become occasions of temptations to sin. An example might be a person who uses the excuse of a difficulty like an accident, a serious illness, death of a loved one, or an economic crisis to blame God and doubt God's love.

In verse two I think the context primarily indicates outward trials. James wrote of encountering and falling into difficulties. The indication here is that it is not our fault that we have them and that we are to be joyful in our trial, not because of them. This is a financial term, to evaluate, goals, priorities, what matters most.

To have joy in the midst of trials involves our attitude. I encourage you to have an attitude of joy because trials will come.

-Joy is not just superficial, not surface happiness. Deep down joy involves the assurance of faith and experiencing the truth of scripture. In Verse 3 James wrote, "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." Faith is tested. Women and men of faith are persons whose faith has been tested by trials. Trials are a means by which our faith is tested and proved. Certainly Abraham's test with Isaac is a classic example of this. Abraham passed the test.

Know that God allows us to be tested to bring out our best, to prove that we are in fact born again sons and daughters of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Trials actually work for us as Christians, not against us. (Romans 8:28) Certainly this does not mean that we always completely understand the trials, but have God's assurance.

This testing process is described by James with the Greek word "dokinion". It refers to sterling silver coins, money that was of a pure genuine, unalloyed metal. Testing may be used to burn out the dross of human character and to leave us cleansed and purified.

James wrote that the testing of our faith results in endurance, in steadfastness, and unswerving constancy. He is not talking about a passive patience, but the fruit of trial, perseverance in the face of difficulty, and the staying power of life. This is for when things are tough, not a denial of the reality of problems. 

-In Verse 4 James is writing of relinquishing our will to God. We should realize that it is not all up to us, but as those who have committed our lives to Jesus Christ we should surrender that which is our to decide.

For our trials to work for us, to bring out our best God needs our consent, our will must be surrendered to Him. In the Lord's Prayer we pray, "Thy will be done…" Do we mean that or are these empty words? We may say or sing, "Love is surrender to His will" or "I surrender all." Are these expressions of our true devotion to the Lord? For God to use our trials to use our character to grow, to mature, for steadfastness to have its full effect is a process of spiritual growth.

I do not believe that it is God's will that we just accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. That is exceedingly important, but God also desires for us to continue to grow and mature spiritually through our lives. I also know that life will hand you and me some lemons. Trials will come, more to some than others. The question is how will you handle these trials. Will you allow them to defeat you? I hope not. Instead make lemonade. Turn your trials into triumphs by having an attitude of joy, faith, and submitting your will to God.

Funny T-Shirts

1. "Real Men Don't Waste Their Hormones Growing Hair." (seen on bald man)
   
   
2. "Upon the Advice of My Attorney, My Shirt Bears No Message at This Time."
   
   
3. "That's It! I'm Calling Grandma!" - (seen on an 8 year old)
   
   
4. "Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew Up."
   
   
5. "My Husband and I Married for Better or Worse - He Couldn't Do Better and I Couldn't Do Worse."
   
   
6. "I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts - Do You Want Fries With That?"
   
   
7. "Party - My Crib - Two A.M." (On a baby-size shirt)
   
   
8. "The trouble with life is there's no background music."
   
   
9. "Two rights do not make a wrong. They make an airplane."
   
10. "MOP AND GLOW - Floor wax used by Three Mile Island cleanup team."
    
    
11. "Filthy, Stinking, Rich ....Well, Two Out of Three Ain't Bad."

Godly Fathers

Many men desire to be good fathers, but the criterion that really counts is whether or not they are godly fathers. Here are four Biblical principles that, by God’s grace, will lay a sound foundation in helping fathers become godly fathers.

-First, godly fathers are first godly men.
It doesn’t work for fathers to bail out and say to their children, "Do as I say, not as I do" (Matthew 23:3). Children must be able to see an example of Christ in their fathers. Paul says to his spiritual children in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ." Until men by faith follow in the example of Christ themselves, they cannot be godly examples for their own children. Those who imitate Christ in thoughts, attitudes, and actions are those who have the right and Biblical ability to properly train and disciple their own children.

-Second, godly fathers love their children unconditionally.
Unconditionally is a significant word. It implies that love is not merited or earned and that the father’s treatment of his children is not dictated by what they can offer him in return. Some fathers want to see their children work their way into their favor or accomplish something which will make the father appear more successful. In other words, their focus is on themselves and upon what they can gain rather than upon unconditional love for their children. I think of the father of the prodigal son who stood waiting and watching for his son to return to him (Luke 15:20). When he finally did return, the father didn’t judge the son or force him to earn back his favor, love, and approval. He simply embraced him and threw a celebratory party for his son (Luke 15:21-24). He could do this because his love for his son wasn’t based upon what his son could do for him but simply and strictly upon the fact that he was his son. He never disowned his son for leaving in a pattern of rebellion, but he waited, hoped, and longed for his lost son’s return. Godly fathers don’t make their children earn their approval, and they don’t use their children’s behavior as a condition for their love. That doesn’t mean that they don’t discipline, but it does mean that they never disown. Such is the nature of unconditional love.

-Third, godly fathers train their children how to love and honor God.
The willingness and ability to train in righteousness is the call of every godly father. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it." Ephesians 6:4 echoes the Proverbs passage, saying, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." It is not good enough just to make children go to church, say their prayers, and learn Bible verses. Those things ought to be part of the training process; however, we don’t come to know Jesus or grow in Him by having external practices forced upon us. The issue as a father is teaching a child to love the Lord as they model their own love for Him. Kids aren’t stupid. In fact, they are a lot smarter than most parents give them credit for. They can tell when religious rituals are empty or hypocritical, and even though the child might come to know the Bible inside and out, he or she will likely develop a hatred or bitterness towards Christianity if the only Christianity the child knows is vain and ugly. Training in righteousness requires learning the Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17), but how that Scripture is applied must correlate with true righteousness. Otherwise, the child will be left spending years trying to reconcile the Bible with his own experience. But let us not forget the role of discipline in the training process. Even our heavenly father disciplines those sons whom He loves (Hebrews 12:6), and the fact that a father is willing to discipline his children demonstrates love. Young children need to know their boundaries as it makes them feel secure. As kids grow older, they must see that they don’t run the home and that Biblical principles will be followed in the home. Discipline reinforces these realities through imposing consequences. But it must be evident to the children when they are being disciplined that the father’s love for them has not changed. Discipline is never aligned with wrath because it is kindness that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). Discipline is simply another expression of love (Deuteronomy 8:1-6, Hebrews 12:6).

-Fourth, a godly father seeks to give his children good gifts such that his children are blessed through him.
Of course, love and discipline and the training of the Lord in righteousness are blessings of eternal value, but godly fathers go beyond just spiritual gifts to seeking to give good gifts of all kinds. Our heavenly Father is the ultimate example of this. James 1:7 says, "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." Our Father is the giver of every good and perfect gift because He knows when, how, and what to give us. He knows what we desire and ask for because He knows and cares for what we really want and need (Psalm 37:4, Philippians 4:19). He is the Father of lights that don’t vary or shift because He is pure, consistent, and devoted to His children. He can constantly be believed and relied upon to offer His children that which is kindest, wisest, and best. He is not a deified Santa Claus that spoils children and is subject to their every whim. Spoiling is not the purpose of giving good and perfect gifts. Rather, the purpose of such provisions and blessings is the security that God cares about us perfectly and intimately. Knowing that He knows what we need and that He cares about what we want and hope for is so important in our relationship with Him. In the same way, earthly fathers should seek to be in tune with what their children hope for, desire, and need such that they can wisely meet and address those needs and wants. A father’s wisdom is a blessing and security to his children as they can trust what he does.

Camp Meeting Days

My greatest memory of SC camp meeting was in the old open air tabernacle 42 years ago. My dad preached in the afternoon service on Youth Day that week and did a super job. We owned a cabin back then on the grounds and dad would usually take us to Maggie Valley to
Ghost Town either on Monday or Tuesday after camp meeting. Those were great days and sometimes I really
do miss them especially since Dad's been with the Lord.

I spent most of my summers on the camp ground with 3 weeks of youth camp, camp meeting, and our state Bible school. I never thought I'd have my own house there one day.

I really wasn't sure if I was going to be able to go that much this year because
of my knee, but I'm glad I've been able to go in spite of the problem. It's more than just a tradition-it's a blessing that I have greatly enjoyed.

We don't have the afternoon services anymore, but thankfully we have air conditioning, an enclosed tabernacle, and much more comfortable chairs. A
whole lot has changed in 42 years, but the Spirit of the Lord hasn't change. Camp meeting still has a purpose in SC.

Camp meeting days-thank God for Wade Horton, T. L. Lowry, Floyd Timmerman, and dozens of others who made it so special.

Guess what-it still is!

The Joy of Being A Dad

1. You finally know how your dad feels about you.
Regardless of the circumstances of your childhood, the moment you go from being “a guy” to being a father you “get it.” That is the feeling of what it is to love something more than life itself. I recall how my view of my father transformed in an instant. For I knew, no matter what he ever did or said, he too had felt “this” for me, my brother and sister. It’s not an optional feeling.

2. You know what it means to love something more than yourself.
Let’s face it, for all guys call sacrifice and profess to “give it up for,” not until we have a child do we really truly get what it is to hold something or someone else more important than self. And I believe this is a vital, transformational experience in life.

3. Whatever your age, kids make you young again.
If you’re a father you get this—if you’re not there yet, trust me on this. It’s so true. Your kids energy doesn’t wait on you. You get moving whether you want to or not. And they keep you playing more and seeing the world through the eyes of innocence that we’ve all worn once.

4. Being a dad makes you a better man.
I think we all like having the opportunity to be a mentor—to help someone learn and grow. It’s inherent in our DNA. And being a father is the ultimate mentoring opportunity—you get to truly shape a life(s). When it becomes obvious that it’s not just what you want them to pick up that they learn, you start thinking about choices you’d not given a second thought to before. Things like where you go, how you get there, who you hang around, etc. It all matters but what matters most is the man you are.

5. It’s a license to be silly and play
Once out of college it seems like the world gets pretty darn serious real quick. Having children brings play back into your life. Whether it’s wrestling around, dancing, making faces, telling jokes or playing tag—you’ve got a license to be your silliest. It’s hard not to go to a playground and play—just as I imagine it’s hard to go to a playground and play if you don’t have kids. It can look bad–so if you must at least stay off the monkey bars if you’re over 30.

6. It awakens you to your global responsibility.
Being a father makes you instantly more accountable and responsible to the world around us. Even if you’re one who’s been outspoken about your concern for the environment, politics or social issues of the day—with children suddenly you become more aware of everything that will impact the next generation and the next.

7. Someone is truly intrigued by your life wisdom stories.
Face it, guys like to tell stories from our formative years. As a father you finally have someone who is truly interested in all those stories that have bored others to tears for years. Enjoy the sharing and be a careful edit so as not to plant any unnecessary seeds—which I can tell you my dad did! They may take many years to materialize but trust me, really “good” stories can percolate for a long time.

8. You actually want someone to best you—to show you up!
While we all pull for friends and people we like, a child of your own is different story. It’s not just hoping they do well you truly want them to exceed any and every best you’ve ever enjoyed. It’s free from even the slightest jealousy of competitiveness and this is a refreshing, empowering feeling.

9. Being a father softens your heart and opens you to life.
No matter how focused you’ve been on getting ahead on your career and success—or how hardened your resolve from your own life circumstances, being a father will melt your heart. I won’t even try to explain it beyond that. At this point you either get it or you don’t. It’s that simple.