A The Baptist Deacon

Laughter! When was the last time you had a good laugh? Did it make you feel better? What causes you to laugh? Have you ever considered it is a gift from God?

When I was growing up one of my favorite entertainers was Jerry Clower. As a young adult I was even privileged to see one of his shows in person that was a real treat.

You ask where am I going with this and why am I talking about Jerry Clower? You may even be asking who is Jerry Clower? Jerry Clower always knew how to make people laugh. His hilarious Southern humor has been making folks laugh long before anyone ever heard of Jeff Foxworthy or Blue Collar Comedy. This is comedy that will not only make you laugh (hard), but you can listen to it with anyone and not have to worry about offending them. He was even quoted as saying “I never made an album you couldn’t play in church”.

He was very proud of his family and his faith. Every now and then he would be telling a story and while you were waiting on the punch line he would let you know he was a Christian and he would use the term born again Christan. Okay that answers who Jerry Clower was.  Now I will tell you why I am talking about Jerry Clower. Last year on my birthday my wife gave me a CD of Jerry Clower one that I did not have. Jerry has been dead for almost ten years. I realized that he has left something behind that lives on. The very last cut on the CD is titled Laughter Cures All. He talks about laughter and you can hear people in the background laughing. He ends by saying “I believe laughter is God’s gift for failure, misery, depression, wrath, remorse, sickness, disease, gout, cataracts, common cold, war, cruelty, cancer, poverty, pain, exploitation, prejudices, hunger, failure, abuse, violence and death. Think of all them bad things we must cling to laughter. I’m convinced there’s just one place where there ain’t  no laughter and that in hell and I’ve made arrangements to miss hell, so ha, ha, ha,… ha, ha, ha”. What a statement! In front of an audience that came to be entertained. Not only did he affirm that there is a hell, but he told the audience he had made arrangements to miss hell. If only I could be so bold.

His albums are still on store shelves for sale. His profession of faith lives on even after his death. I feel sure he is somewhere in Glory laughing today.

The reason I went this way is because I felt like I needed to do a post on laughter and I think of Jerry Clower as an example of laughter, a man with a testimony that lives on.

What will you leave behind? Will people be able to tell by your example where you went when your life is over? Do you live a Christ like life?

Psalms 126:2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

So today as I close my post I will leave you with a ha, ha, ha!

May God Bless You!

Brent

I just have time this afternoon for a quick update. The family friend I requested prayer for got the results of her test back yesterday afternoon. All is okay – praise God!

It is amazing how good God is. Thank you for helping me pray. God will always answer a prayer. It may not happen in our time frame. It may not be answered the way we want it to be answered, but there is always an answer.

Another thing I got my certification for the Babe Ruth Baseball course.  Again praise God! It wasn’t hard, I just had trouble finding time.

Death and sickness is all around us. It is increasingly hard for us to remain happy and positive in the world we are in. God calms the storm and makes things all right. Again Praise God.

Those of you out there reading this if you are sick, remember to remain positive, think about the good things, ask God for his help and remember to praise Him.

Until next time God Bless You!

Brent

As I sat down to write this morning my heart is filled with sadness. A dear brother a deacon in a sister church passed away this weekend. I am not sad for the brother because he is no longer in any pain I am happy for him for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Even though being "absent from the body" is not as good as being in the future resurrection body, it is still something to be anticipated by the Christian with joy, for "to depart, and to be with Christ...is far better" (Philippians 1:23). "To die" for the Christian "is gain" (Philippians 1:21). In heaven with Christ, our spirits--though without physical bodies--will be distinct and recognizable, in some way still bearing our likenesses. For example, this was true of the spirits of Samuel and Moses (1 Samuel 28:11-14; Matthew 17:3), and also, in Christ's parable, of the spirits of Abraham and Lazarus (Luke 16:22-25). KJV Defenders Study Bible.

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

John 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

I do weep with them that weep because physically they have lost a loved one. My heart goes out to the family. I pray that they will find strength in the Lord and that he would heal the bereaved heart.

The lady I requested prayer for last week will find out the results of her test today, I ask that you continue to remember her.

I am weak in the body today. I am battling something I thought was allergies, but I believe it is something more that that. It seems lately that every bug that comes through I catch. One of my boys is also battling the same thing. If you have a few extra moments today and run out of anything else to pray for I ask that you would remember my family and me in your prayers.

Most importantly I ask that you pray for the lost. No matter what affliction, injury or sickness we may have to go through in this life if we are saved we have everything to gain. The lost have everything to lose. They don’t realize how desperate there situation is. They don’t realize that hell is eternal and will one day be dumped into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.   The lies the devil tells down plays how they will suffer. There will be no un – believers in hell.

In Rev2220 blog he brings out that the redeemed of the Lord need to say so.  This is his link: http://letmebefrank.christianblogsites.com/blog/

Praise God I am redeemed, I’m saved by the wonderful grace of God, not perfect (yet) just forgiven.

God Bless You!

Brent

In my post earlier this week I told you all (those that read what I attempt to write) that I had a lot of things on my plate. Thankfully the majority of the “busy work” is over.

I guess the biggest thing taking up my time is baseball. That’s right baseball. I have had the joy of being a Little League baseball coach for the last eight years. This year my middle son moves up to Babe Ruth baseball.

I decided that I would not coach anymore and just set in the stands and watch. Was I wrong!

The local league sometimes has a hard time getting enough volunteer coaches. The key word is volunteer. I told the league administrator that I would take a team, that I would not leave him hanging without enough volunteers. Long story short… I have a team.

What I was not told until after I had committed was Babe Ruth coaches have to be certified. Certified? Yes certified. I am in the process of taking an online course in baseball. This is taking more time than I had anticipated, but the certification will be a lifetime certification just in case I get to help with grandchildren.

The course is covering how to be a good coach with the majority of the study concentrating on how to coach these young men. How to be positive, to keep it simple, teach, celebrate the individual to make it fun. No offence but I could have used this course the first year in tee ball.

This course is teaching me how to provide a safe physical environment, be an effective and positive communicator, teach, direct player and to be a positive role model.

I have coached some very talented and well behaved boys over the last eight years. I have had the privilege to coach two championships and one runner up team. At the same time I have had boys that do not have a positive role model in there life. I have had boys that come from broken homes. I have had boys that have had bad family situations.

Two or three seasons ago I realized that we had not been having team prayer before a game.  Since that time we always have prayer before each game. No player or parent has ever objected and I pray that continues as I begin with a new team in a new league. I will still have prayer!

I understand that I have an opportunity to be a “Christ – like” role model. These young boys (young men) need a positive influence in there lives. I have commented before that we (Christian people) are the only bible some people will ever read.

I am making reference to young men because that is who I am around the most, but we do not need to leave young ladies out.

There are so many role models in the world today such as sports figures, singers, actors and actresses. So many tv shows are geared toward our young people such as Zach and Cody, Hanna Montana, Zoey 101 to only name a few. One of the Zoey 101 stars a girl 16 years old is pregnant and unmarried. Lets not forget that her big sister could have been a positive role model, but look at the shape her life is in.     

In a previous post http://deaconfarley.christianblogsites.com/blog/post/2008/04/11/train-up-a-child. I referred to a scripture in Proverbs 22:6 and how it teaches us to train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Sadly I believe parents are failing there children by not training them in the way they should go. I look around our church on Sunday mornings and I see a lot of parents with young children and I realize we are blessed because we do have children in the church. I hear of churches whose congregation is adults only. I can’t help but think about the parents who wake up on Sunday mornings and decide to do something else other than take there children to church. I did say take them, not send them.

We sometimes take a little mini vacation over the weekend out of town. Now this does not happen often, but when it does we will always take time on Sunday morning for a family bible study. This does not take the place of church.

I touched on volunteers above. In this world we volunteer easily for worldly things. When it comes to working for the Lord do you volunteer?

 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 

Jeremiah 31:16 Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

These are just a few things to think about and carry over into the weekend.

I ask that you remember the lady I requested prayer for this week. Her procedure was yesterday. She will not have the results until Monday.

I ask that you remember me as I once again take another ball team, that I would be the positive role model. That I might show them that God provides a safe physical environment.

May God Bless You.

Brent

Good morning everyone. I just want to let you all know that I have a lot on my plate for the next couple of weeks. I will probably be unable to post more than once hopefully twice a week. I hope things get back to normal for me the first full week of May.

I plan to still check the site each morning and read as many post as I can and even make a few comments as before, so don’t worry too much if it seems that I am not as active on Christianblogsites as normal.

I do have a prayer request this morning. A lady in our church has to have a medical procedure on Thursday April 24^th. The doctor she goes to found a mass and they are going to do a biopsy to find out what it is. I was told that it could be one of three things. Two of the possibilities are not bad, but the cancer possibility is what is so scary.

My family is very close to this lady and her family. I have had the privilege to coach her son in Little League and this year he moves up with my son to Babe Ruth Baseball, and I have the privilege of once again coaching him.

An illness in any family is serious, but it seems when it is someone close to you that you tend to worry and hopefully pray a little more.

I have had prayer request before that I posted and I believe that those who read my site have prayed so once again I ask prayer for this lady, her husband and sons that God’s will, will be done.

I will leave you with this verse today: 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Until next time may God Bless You.

ROMANS 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.   14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

I am not arguing with anyone here, simply stating my opinion, backed up by the word of God.  I allow comments on my site so if you disagree with me you can let it be know there, again not arguing.

I highlighted a in the verse above As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. I believe that. I have heard it said that there are no atheists in hell and that is a true statement. At the Great White Throne Judgment not one person will be an atheists or non believer. It will be too late if you are not saved.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. What about Luke 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. I am not saying everyone is going to heaven just that everyone will be offered the opportunity, what they do will determine whether or not they go. Look at Acts 13:26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. Acts 28:8 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. Are we not Gentiles? Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

We are a free moral agent. A lost soul has the right given by God to refuse salvation. Why anyone would want to do that is beyond me, but people die everyday and go to a place that is called hell.

I pray that I am not a stumbling – block to anyone and those who read my post I pray that you find something you can use.

God Bless You.

Earlier this week I wrote about being distressed. I received several comments which I really appreciated and drew strength from. One comment really stood out. It was from http://loreelle044.christianblogsites.com/blog/ and here is the comment: i know He sees your heart and hears our prayers, joined in agreement with you, my friend. He is faithful to answer and show you. this reminds me of some stories about words. luke 12:12 He will show you...

Here is the scripture: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

I think I have things set in motion to meet with the man who asked the question that caused me to be distressed. Now I am not going to argue with him, I just want to be clear on his question and maybe between the two of us we can find an answer.

The verse above applied specifically to the witnessing of the disciples in the period before the New Testament was written. It also applies to us today. It does not excuse negligence in preparation through study and prayer before such encounters, but the principle still applies. The indwelling, guiding, energizing Holy Spirit is always there, assuming we have done our part, to speak through us as needed. We must keep ourselves where we need to be with God if we expect to have power with him. I seek knowledge, truth and a greater understanding of the Holy Sprit.

Thank you all for your prayers I appreciate them. Unless God changes my mind my next post will come from Romans chapter 14.

God Bless You.

"See, O LORD, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious. Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is only death.

The above verse is from Lamentations 1:20. How often are we distressed in our souls? Maybe not for being rebellious but it could be from a conversation you have had with someone or a group.

I had such a conversation over the weekend with people a group of seven whom I have know either all my life or a most of my life. These people I regard as my brothers and sisters in Christ. I left the conversation with my soul in distress. I have more questions than I have answers. It was almost as if there were people there who wanted to disagree. Is that possible among Christians? Yes it is. Is it correct to want to argue? No.  Now let me clarify they did not argue, but there was a disagreement that could have gone to a heated argument if time would have allowed.

It is as if they did not want to agree. What? How can Christians not want to agree? I don’t claim to understand it. I have talked to my pastor about it and most importantly I have talked to GOD about it.  I pray that I will be able to speak to the person who asked the initial question so that I can be clear on what was asked and I pray that GOD will give me the answer(s) that I may need in order to speak with this man, who is a very close friend.  

But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish. – 2^nd Peter 2 verse 12. I do not want to blaspheme but I do seek understanding. Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit, and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud." 2^nd Peter 2 verse 22.

I try very hard each day to live the life that God will be pleased with. I seek wisdom and understanding. I seek to be bold I want to be instant in season as well as out of season. I seek answers. I seek truth.

Please help by praying that I will be bold, that my questions will be answered and that I may speak with boldness, wisdom and answers to my friend. Let me be clear. I was not involved in the disagreement nor do I wish to be involved but I do feel that I must pursue this farther and be the peacemaker (if that is possible).  I feel that is what God wants me to do.

God Bless You.

Ephesians 6: ¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. ²Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; ³That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

What are we teaching our children today? There is an article in our local paper this morning with the headline “14 People cited for underage drinking”.  The youngest was 19 years old a legal adult. They were old enough to know the law and to know that they were breaking it because they were underage. You may think well this happens all the time. There are children younger than 18 that have developed drinking and even drug problems. This does not make it right.

Proverbs 22:6 teaches us to train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Children will follow there parents example(s)! How we live before our children will help to mold and shape them into the adults that they will become. It is our responsibility, not the school teacher or the school system. You can send you children to church and they will learn, but as soon as they get old enough they will not return to the church. Take your children and they may still leave, but they will have a better chance of staying because you took them instead of sent them.

I didn’t attend to go this way this morning. I started out to quote Ephesians 6: 1-3 and then tell you about a conversation I had with my children the other night. We talked about obeying your parents for this is right. I stressed that it is right. It seems that I have to have a talk often with my sons because they tend to not listen to there mother. I try to teach them by example but there are times when a bit more is necessary. I have made the statement more than once that when I stepped out of line I was corrected. It was not child abuse even though I might have thought so at the time. There is a difference between correction and child abuse.

The bottom line; it is your responsibility to teach your children. Do not expect the baby sitter, the day care owner, the School system or anyone else to train your children. It is your responsibility! How do you want them to turn out?

May God Bless You!

The Light of the World?

Matthew 5: 14 – 16   ¹⁴Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  ¹⁵Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We think of the above verses as children’s verses. It is simple and easy to understand. You can’t see the light if you hide it. How can the world see Christ in you if you never show it? Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.  

Again another verse that is easy to understand. Good works will not get you to heaven. Make no mistake about that. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and arose to claim victory over death, hell and the grave. You must be born again, saved by the grace of God to enter into that kingdom. Let us not be ashamed of our Father.

Now when we are saved we should want to allow the world to see Jesus in our lives. Take that candle out from under the bushel and let it shine. Your life may be the only bible some people will ever read.

I mentioned above that we think of the candlestick and the bushel as being children’s verses. We try to make working for the Lord something harder than it is or should be. Lets stop take a look around and see how simple the plan of salvation is and then maybe we can see that even children’s verses are meant for us.

It is important that we tell as many lost people the good news. That good news is Jesus. Jesus Saves.

How bright is your light?

God Bless You!