GRANT COUNTY CHURCH OF CHRIST
March 15, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE NEWS?
Jerry W. Carmichael
News, it is everywhere! But, is it really newsworthy? As I go through
the checkout line at Wal Mart I learn that someone named Chris Brown assaulted
his girlfriend whose name is Rhianna. Both of these individuals are said to be
"celebrities", but I know nothing about either of them. My morning paper
describes Chris Brown as an R&B singer. A genre with which, I must admit, I am
not as familiar as I perhaps should be. The last fellow named Brown that I
remember who physically abused his wife was Bobby Brown who assaulted singer
Whitney Houston. I also see many other names with which I am unfamiliar. There
seems to be an insatiable desire among the populous to know all that we can
about these so-called celebrities. No doubt they are held up as role models by
some sad, misinformed fans. The damage they do to the morals of those who choose
to follow them is astronomical!
I must admit, that I am "out of the loop" when it comes to such
things. But I do have an "A" list of characters about whom I am interested in
knowing all that I can. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, God the
Father, the Apostle Paul, Peter, Barnabas and many, many others. These are the
"celebrities" whose actions I wish to know about.
These are people who are worth imitating. These are stories that never
grow old. They won't be on the front page today and forgotten tomorrow. They
are the stories that have been told over and over again for thousands of years.
It is unlikely that people in the year 3,000 will be meeting in groups
and studying the lives of Chris Brown and Rhianna. I don't always use my time
wisely. However, I spend virtually no time reading about the sorted lives of
so-called celebrities. I would rather use my time studying the "Hall of Faith"
in Hebrews 11. With all the years I have and have had on earth I have yet to
exhaust the study of just this one chapter!
PAUL HARVEY DIED
Neal Pollard
I heard the news that the legendary, golden-tongued orator of the radio, Paul
Harvey, died at the ripe old age of 90. He died in Arizona, having been on
national radio with his news and comments since April 1, 1951. Some of my
earliest memories involve. hearing that melodious voice. He had the ability to
soothe you, even as our country or community faced its darkest hours. His
broadcast on 9/11/01 will live beyond him for decades to come. His views often
portrayed a conservative, even religious, bias, but he was also enjoyable to
hear because he was engaging and inventive.
It captures everyone's attention when a national icon passes from the scenes of
life. All across this globe tributes pour in and reminiscences begin. But, what
about when a faithful Christian makes the transition from time to eternity? The
fanfare is virtually non-existent, however huge a hero of the faith he or she
have been. Do you remember when Wendell Winkler, V.P. Black, Johnny Ramsey, Hugo
McCord, or Warren Wilcox died? Of course, if you are a member of the church of
Christ, chances are that you do. Most other people in the world likely heard
nothing about it. That's the way it goes.
An age old story is told of the return of missionary Henry Morrison from Africa
to the United States. He had been overseas preaching and now was coming home. As
they neared the dock in New York City, Morrison saw a throng of people gathered,
bands playing, banners waving, and all kind of fanfare. As all the passengers
onboard lined up to walk down the gangplank, then Morrison knew what was the
source of all the hoopla. Teddy Roosevelt had been onboard, returning from a
hunting safari. Morrison boarded a train, all alone, to go from New York to his
home in Kentucky. When he arrived at the train station, nobody was there to
greet him. Forlorn, he shared this bitter irony with his wife. She immediately
cleared his perspective by reminding him, "But, you are not home yet."
Do you wonder what the fanfare was like in heaven for those great gospel
preachers and teachers earlier mentioned? Or for all faithful members when they
take their final journey? Of what kind of fanfare do you think God and the
angels are capable? How grand is the welcome for those spiritual VIPs who
disembark on heaven's shores?
As you labor in what are likely anonymous, unseen fields this week, at work, at
school, or at home, remember with what interest Heaven is watching and rooting
for you. That timely word, that invitation to attend church services (or
seminars), that kind deed, that excellent example of righteousness, or that
brief discussion about a religious matter draws the pointed attention of heaven.
That's what matters most, isn't it? "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord
from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and
their works follow them" (Revelation 14:13).
The Law of the Garbage Truck
Michael Gullatte
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in
the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in
front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other
car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and
started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I
mean he was really friendly. So I asked, Why did you just do that? This guy
almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital! This is when my taxi driver
taught me what I now call, The Law of the Garbage Truck.
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of
garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As
their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump
it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move
on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or
on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage
trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with
regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it! Have a
blessed, garbage-free day!
"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the
law and the prophets" (Matthew 7:12)