Weeds

I had yard work chores in my Dad’s yard as I was growing up. But, I did not know the responsibility of my own yard until I was pastoring my first church and we were given a parsonage to live in. I soon found out that there was more to taking care of a yard than just mowing the grass.

One year I had a great crop of weeds. They were prickly and tall with a tough stem. I first tried to handle them like everything else in the yard. I mowed them all down. The weeds, however, grew much faster than the grass and mowing also seemed to encourage them to multiply.

As my problem grew so did my determination. I grabbed a bucket and I pulled them all out. Well, I pulled anyway. Some of them came out roots and all but most of them only came out level with the hard soil. Immediately after the next rain they were back with a vengeance and had multiplied again. They also looked taller as if taunting me with my failure.

I decided to try again. This time I grabbed a hand spade with my bucket. The soil was softer because of the rain. I meticulously removed each weed with the root and any weed that broke off I used the spade and dug out the root.

I actually had a neighbor who drove by and rolled down the window to tell me that will still never work. Every yard in the neighborhood had the same problem and we were just going to have to wait until winter and used weed and feed then, in her opinion.

To everyone’s surprise, including my own, the weeds stayed gone this time. Before the next spring I followed advice and used a high quality fertilizer. That year I had the best yard on the block. I also used the same fertilizer on the Churchyard and saw the same result there.

Remembering that experience always reminds me of the warning in Hebrew 12:14-15: “Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness – without it no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many” God’s word is like that spade, digging out the root of bitterness. Pursuing a course that is opposite of peace produces a root of bitterness that leads to trouble. Peace and holiness go together. Peace and holiness both have to be pursued. You cannot have one without the other.

An unwanted root has to be removed completely or it will continue to grow back and multiply. The key to peace is forgiveness, which is also the key to removing the root of bitterness. Forgiveness should be followed up with holiness to keep the root from returning later. Peace, forgiveness, and holiness are personal pursuits that are part of a healthy spiritual life of a Christian. We cannot do this by ourselves but we can do all things through Christ.
Bro. Robin

The Checklist

Our drive to church every Sunday included as many rituals as the service. Mom would turn around and say, “Let me see you.” Then, a flowered handkerchief was first touched to her tongue and then to my face to scrub off whatever remained of breakfast. Then, I was handed an envelope and a pencil and began to check off the boxes.

Sunday School? That’s where we were going so I checked off the box. Offering? Mom handed me a dime and I checked off the box. Lesson studied? I picked up my quarterly, scanned the lesson, and checked off the box. Attending worship? No need to ask, everyone who went to Sunday school also stayed for worship. Bible brought? Always, the Bible was a precious book and we learned early to take care of it and take it to church. When I had all the boxes checked I added up 100%.

I got my first education in responsibility at church. As soon as I was able I was responsible for getting up and getting dressed for church every Sunday morning. We also went Sunday night and Wednesday night. Sunday morning had the checklist, Sunday night there were parts to present in Training Union, and Wednesday was Royal Ambassadors with books to complete for pins and prizes. I never questioned whether or not we did these things. Even when I was too sick to go to school I don’t remember ever being too sick to be allowed to stay home from church.

I read my lesson to check it off the list. I soon began to look forward to reading the lesson, not because of the list, but because of the things I was beginning to learn. I could attend worship for the points but in order to worship I had to participate. Bringing my bible was a responsibility but reading my Bible developed my relationship with God, who wrote it. In time I came to realize that getting 100% was not as important as giving 100%.

What’s on your list? Are there things you are doing just to check off the list and you hope one day God will pat you on the back and say, “Well done?” Paul said, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift not from works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9 hcsb)

Read the Bible everyday and you will discover the joy and comfort of hearing God speak. Come to worship and experience His presence. Participate in small group studies, like Sunday School, and learn from others who are learning just like you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

Robin

Consequences

My first job in High School was as a lifeguard at a Baptist camp. I scanned the water looking for signs of distress that I had been trained to identify. When I saw someone who needed help I used my training and skill to rescue him or her. Over that summer I rescued many who were thankful that I knew what to do.

I did not know when I took the job that it also required me to help with maintenance duties around the camp. I had to mow the grass daily, which I enjoyed, and clean the considerable number of restrooms every morning, which I did not enjoy. In fact, I had never cleaned a restroom in my life and had to be shown how to do it. I know I did a poor job and worked hard to improve. At the end of the week, no matter how good or poor I had done, I still received the same pay that we had agreed upon.

The custodian at the camp taught me many lessons. One of the most valuable came unexpectedly. He reserved the mowing of one field for himself and had cut the grass in a pattern that left long rows of cut grass that could easily be raked. One night some of us on the staff decided to have fun throwing the piles of grass at each other. The next morning he called us in and handed us rakes. I learned that there were consequences for my actions. I was paid for my disobedience just as I was paid at the end of the week for my work.

Paul said, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23) Paul compares sin to having a job. No matter how good or poor you do the wage is still the same, death. Salvation, on the other hand, is a gift, not a job. Jesus dove in to rescue us in our distress. His gift of life gives us freedom from sin and power to do right. He is working in us to turn our freedom into holiness.

Bro. Robin

Mangos

We were trying to cool off in the warm tropical afternoon by soaking in the local swimming hole. Our mission to the Dominican Republic had occupied our morning with Vacation Bible School and we were all ready for a break. A waterfall cascaded thirty feet or more feet into a pool that a few locals knew about, including Daniel who grew up here. He was standing on the bank and was now holding a brown bag I had not noticed before. He reached in and pulled out a fresh mango and tossed it to me.

I thought I knew how to eat a mango and it has always required a knife. I must have had a questioning look on my face as I held it up and looked at Daniel. He carried another mango with him back into the water and then said, “Watch.” He bit into the mango and began pealing it with his teeth. Mangos can be messy but there was no need to worry about that surrounded by flowing water. I followed his lead and found it to be the most delicious mango I had ever eaten. Not only that, I found that it was fun to eat a mango the way the natives did.

It always amazes me how something as small as eating a mango or sharing a meal can help you relate to someone. Being able to relate can prepare you for sharing the gospel. When I talk to children I sit on the floor and get at their eyelevel. That helps them see me and helps me see them where they are. When I meet someone new I want to know what he or she likes. If I can find a way to identify with them it will help me communicate the gospel. It is not enough to be heard we also need to be understood.

Lottie Moon was criticized in her day for dressing in Chinese attire. Yet, she reached the people and today we remember her for being a visionary as well as a missionary. Paul said, “I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.” (1 Cor. 9:22, HCSB)

Look around you and see if you can discover new ways to relate to the people you meet. What can we do, what changes can we make that will help us present the gospel to those who need to hear and understand? Are we willing to become all things to all people for the gospel?

Bro. Robin

Angel

As we flew into New York City the Statue of Liberty greeted us off the left side of our plane. For a moment we were so captured by the sight that we put aside the thought that our next flight was only an hour away and we would be very pressed for time. There had been a medical emergency on board and we would have to wait for paramedics before we could leave the plane. By the time we walked out we now had forty-five minutes.

As we entered the airport we looked for directions. I turned left, then right, and spotted a man in a suit wearing official looking badges. I walked up to him.

“Excuse me, can you tell me the fastest way to our next flight?” I showed him my boarding pass.

“Uh, you’re never going to make that.” He looked behind me and saw the rest of our group. “You need to follow me. How many are in your group?”

“Seven,” I said, as we followed him at a fast pace to a door marked AUTHORIZED PERSONELL ONLY.

“You are going to have to stay close together. We only have a few seconds before an alarm sounds so we need to all go in together.” He swiped his key card and we followed him down a stairway to another door that let us out on the tarmac. Outside there was a bus parked that he loaded us on and then got in the driver’s seat. “You asked the right person.” He said.

“This was God,” I replied. “We are on a mission trip and God is taking care of us.” He laughed in agreement as he drove us around the airport and stopped at another door.

“We have to stay together just like last time.” He swiped his card and held the door as we all ran up the stairs and opened a door into the airport.

We found ourselves standing by our gate as the plane was being loaded. We made it by the grace of God and the help of an “angel.” He did not follow us up the stairs and we never saw him again. We gave him our thanks many times as he escorted us. We debated whether he was a real supernatural angel or just a man God used as one. I suppose it doesn’t matter. There were too many factors for this to be coincidence. God was there taking care of us, getting us to our fight to go on mission for him.

We saw God move many times on our Mission to the Dominican Republic. We give him the glory for eight souls saved, four churches ministered to, well over a hundred children and youth in three days of Vacation Bible School, and countless lives touched with the Gospel, including our own. Hebrews 4:12 begins, “For the word of God is living and active…” Sometimes we get to experience his word.
Bro. Robin

Packing

Whenever I get ready for a mission trip it is hard to think of anything but what I need to pack. I make my lists, pile everything on the floor, pack it all in, then start pulling out those things I don’t really need. It is all too easy to over pack and over think the details.

I remember some of the things we have packed on mission trips. One year we took oatmeal cream pies. By the time we took them out they were mashed so flat we referred to them as crepes. We knew cookies would never survive the trip so Joyce made us energy balls out of peanut butter, wheat germ, and other things. They mashed together and became cubes but were still very tasty. Our driver could not get enough of them!

I always tell team members to bring old clothes to give away. One year we were constantly bugged by a craft dealer who tried every day to sell us his wares. We figured out he liked to barter and many of us traded our old clothes for some nice souvenirs. Everyone was happy.

Packing can be a good spiritual exercise. It forces us to prioritize. You are limited by space and guided by the activities that are planned. We Americans have too much stuff. We have a hard time deciding what to take to go share the gospel with people who are blessed if they have a change of clothes.

When Paul was in prison he wrote to Timothy and asked for three things. “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.” (2 Timothy 4:13 ESV) He wanted a warm coat, His bible, and his personal notes. Very likely he was arrested with only the clothes on his back. These were his few most important possessions.

I think I need more than that to ride comfortably on an airplane. I look at my carry-on pile and I am with Paul for about a second. I see my Bible, journal, and passport. Then I also see a pillow, earplugs, medicine, flashlight, phone, and a laptop. Okay, I’m just getting started. But what do I really need besides the first three? What do you really need? All we really need is Jesus. That is why we go.

Bro. Robin

Fireworks

When we were kids we never went to a fireworks display. We always made our own. We pulled out what money we thought we could afford to spend and headed for the fireworks stand. We bought a variety of fireworks that we thought Mom would like to see. Then we spent the rest of the money on firecrackers, cherry bombs, bottle rockets and a few roman candles.

We thought the instructions on the fireworks were funny. We have all read them. “Lay on ground, light, run away.” Are you kidding? We did it a little different. We thought it was more fun to light, throw at friend, roll on ground laughing. Of course, the night always ended the same way. We kept lighting fireworks until someone got hurt. Then we would go home saying next time we will pay more attention to the instructions. Fortunately there were no serious injuries.

Fireworks are fun and we use them to celebrate great events. Independence day, the fourth of July, is one of those great events for us. We enjoy sitting outside at the park with kids and grandkids watching the town fireworks display.

For some people fireworks on the Fourth remind them of the sights and sounds of battle and the price that was paid for our freedom. For others it is the excitement of celebrating our freedom with noise and lights. We should also remember that the freedom we have to assemble and watch the display is the same freedom that guarantees our freedom to worship God as we want. Fireworks are a bold statement that we enjoy our freedoms loudly and deliberately.

Paul said to the Corinthians “…Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17). We have the freedom to be still and know God. We have the freedom to make noise about it. Praise God for our freedom, with a joyful noise!

Bro. Robin

After the Storm

We were driving home from visiting the grandparents near Kingfisher, Oklahoma. The countryside between Kingfisher and Okeene, where I was pastor at the time, was so flat that our four small children made a game of seeing who could spot the red stoplight in Okeene first. We were more that ten miles out when I heard one of them call out from the back seat of our station wagon.

“I see Okeene!!”

As we approached the turnoff that would take us north and home I looked west and saw that the little town of Hitchcock, less than a quarter of a mile away, was completely covered in a thick black cloud that went from the sky to the ground. I turned north and turned on the radio as I remarked, “Looks like they are really getting it in Hitchcock.”

A few miles down the road the radio announced that there was a report of a tornado on the ground at Hitchcock, Oklahoma, and there were damage reports coming in. There were no serious injuries. It was not much of a town before the tornado. I realized that we had seen a tornado but I did not know what I was looking at as I drove by it. There was no funnel, just a big black cloud that I learned later was a wall cloud and the tornado was inside it.

Recently we spent another evening watching the weather and making sure we had everything important in the closet in the middle of the house. Tornadoes have been devastating to many areas this year. Several of them have been close to us both physically and emotionally.

We spent many years doing our shopping in Joplin, Missouri. As they called out the streets and businesses that were destroyed we thought about the last time we saw them. I spent many hours visiting church members at St. Johns Hospital. I have been in nearly every part of that hospital at different times. Just down the road from them is Freeman Hospital, the other major medical facility in Joplin. We need to pray for them also as they took as many of the patients as they could from St. Johns, as did many other hospitals in Missouri and Arkansas.

Tornadoes are natural events over which we have no control. In fact, there is little in life that we can really control to the extent that we would like. The Bible does not promise control or complete protection from such things. God’s word promise peace and restoration. He promises that there is something better later.

The hedge of God surrounded Job and yet he went through events that cost him everything. In the middle of it all Job said, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” (esv) In the end Job was blessed far more than at his beginning. That is the promise of God that we can put our trust in.
Bro. Robin

Making Points

This week I went to a soccer game with my grandsons. As a grandparent I am understandably proud of the remarkable ability of each of them. They are each on different teams and they have a good attitude about it all even when they occasionally play each other. That was what made this game particularly fun. One of them played goalie for one team. The other played a field position for the other team. The parents kept score while the kids just played.

As a spectator there is more to watch than the game. There are players on and off the field. Children are made to play. They play all out with each other or against each other. If there is no game to play they will invent one.

Adults want to play but many of us have forgotten how. For some it is enough to experience the game through our children. For others it is all about the competition. The realities of life have taken all the fun out of the game and instead it becomes a battle.

The two groups of adults are easy to spot. One group sits and enjoys the game while other children play around them. The other group stands or walks the sidelines. This group always keeps score and you always know who to ask if you want to know where we stand.

Everyone at the game is committed. Some are committed to cheer the play while others are committed to score points. I see the same two groups in other areas of life whether it is at work, play, or church. Some are committed to enjoy the moment and the blessings God gives with every new experience. Others are committed to making points, impress, and get ahead.

Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 5:21. I think about what he said as I watch the game. For me, it is not the points. I see two boys on opposing teams and I want them both to enjoy the game. They are my treasure and I want the best of blessings for them.

Our treasure should be people, not points. Points are a part of this world “…where moths and rust destroy,” (19). Love is forever.

Robin

Hidden Danger

We drove down a road in southern Missouri on our way to a place we had planned to spend the night. We were four college friends on a camping trip. The weather had been rainy for several days. As we came to a bridge we saw that cars had stopped on either side of the swollen river. The water was going over the bridge, an a few yards of the road leading to it, but it did not seem to be very deep. We debated with each other about crossing the bridge under these conditions. Some thought that the raging river underneath the bridge made it too risky while others thought that the shallowness of the water over the bridge made it safe. We decided that since no one else was crossing the bridge that we would turn around and find another way.

The next day we picked up a paper and saw on the front page a picture of the very bridge we had seen the day before. The caption under the picture described how the force of the water had moved the bridge and repositioned it a few yards downstream. While it looked like everything was normal the road leading to the bridge now led to the river. Disaster and death was hidden by a few inches of water that kept the casual observer from seeing the truth.

What was it that kept us from attempting to cross the river that day? If we had stopped to ask we would have been told that the bridge had moved. But we did not stop to ask. If we had gotten out of the car and looked closer we would have seen what the shallow water was hiding. But we did not stop to look closely at the danger.

We discussed it among ourselves and compared our experience and our observations. It looked safe to the risk takers but dangerous to the cautious. The deciding factor was the simple observation. No one else was crossing the bridge while many were looking at it.

We may not always see the hidden dangers that are in front of us. They can be hidden by something small, as small as a thin rush of water. A crowd of people may be nearby and the casual observer may think that their presence also means approval. A closer look at the crowd may reveal that they are looking at the danger but doing nothing to keep people away from it. The crowd can hide the danger and we can get a false sense of security when we rely on the presence of others to protect us from danger.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) We may not always see the danger but we can always trust in God. In Christ is real security. He gives us the vision to see the dangers we can avoid, strength to overcome the dangers we cannot avoid, and wisdom to face the dangers from which we need to learn. He promised to always be with us, in rain or shine.

Robin

Brothers at our Side

I enjoy the occasional fishing trip with my brothers. I have four older brothers and while they often fish with each other I am usually too far away to go with them. The times I have gone with them have been memorable. We all learned to fish with our dad who was an avid fisherman.

On one occasion four of us were fishing side by side in an icy stream trying to catch trout that had just been released upstream. There were many other fishermen there that day looking for the right spot and best lure to catch fish. If the lure we had on did not work we would step back away from the stream and tie on a different one.

My oldest brother, Charley, was fishing in between Ross and Jerry, and I was just downstream from them. Mike had found a place off to himself. Charley stepped back to try a different lure when a stranger walked up and started casting from Charley’s spot.

“Hello,” Charley said.

“Just trying to get closer to the water,” answered the stranger.

“I can help you get closer to the water,” replied Charley, as he stood up and stepped toward the stranger.

The stranger, with a startled look, did not answer, but picked up his tackle and walked away. I am sure he did not have a clue that the men standing on either side of him were all brothers. We stood there acting almost disinterested during the whole incident, but fully aware of what was going on.

Charley looked at Ross and Jerry and asked, “Why didn’t you say something?

They both started laughing and one of them said, “We were just waiting to see what you were going to do. Looks like you didn’t need our help.”

Sometimes we look at the stream in front of us. It may be the street that connects our house to others or the hallway that connects us at work. We know that Jesus calls us to be fishers of men. He wants us to tell the other people around us about him and invite them to come with us to hear his good news. So what is stopping us? Are we afraid? Do we feel alone in this stream?

There are brothers on either side of us too. Jesus promised we would never be alone. Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” This is one of my favorite promises. No matter where I am he does not just show up when I need him. He camps around me all the time.

When I stand at the stream to fish for people I am surrounded by brothers on either side. There are other fisherman, Christian brothers and sisters, and God’s presence always there to encourage me.

Do not be afraid. Invite those around you to hear the good news.

Brother Robin

Fruit Trees

When I was growing up there were always fruit trees in the yard. In the backyard there were apple, peach, pear, and cherry trees. At the far back of the yard we had a big garden with grape vines and plum trees on one side. In front there were cherry bushes that produced small but delicious red cherries at just the right height for me to grab a handful as I mowed the grass in the summer.

I always helped Dad with the pruning and the harvesting. I was small enough to climb high and toss the fruit down to waiting hands. We all helped put the fruit up in jars for canning. I enjoyed it so much that Joyce and I still pick and can fruit every summer. I now have blueberries, grapes, and raspberries I am nurturing for future enjoyment.

Producing fruit takes time, patience, and some skill at working the trees, bushes, and vines. Branches have to be pruned to make the fruit better. Good fruit does not happen by accident.

Paul tells us in Galatians 5 that we are to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. When we do we can avoid the works of the flesh and will practice the fruit of the Spirit. In the middle of the discussion on the fruit of the Spirit he says, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit we must also follow the Spirit.” (5:24-25, HCSB)

This direct connection between the fruit of the Spirit and crucifying the flesh reminds me of the pruning necessary for good fruit. When we seek and practice the fruit of the Spirit we are crucifying the flesh and its desires.

Fruit is made to carry the seed. God wrapped the seed inside a delicious fruit so we would eat the fruit and discard the seed and the result would be more fruit. The fruit of the Spirit works the same way. When the fruit of the Spirit is genuine it passes from us to those around us and they become bearers of the same fruit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22, HCSB) Every single person bearing genuine Spiritual fruit can help us all bear fruit of the Spirit.

Bro. Robin

One lane or the other

“Make up your mind, get in one lane or the other.”

Driving down the road I often find myself talking to the other drivers. I know they cannot hear me. And, it is probably a good thing they can’t. Like when I am on a wide four-lane highway and the car in front of me is on a Sunday drive.

We don’t do as much Sunday driving as we used to. That’s when we used to get out with the family and just drive around and look at the countryside. These days I still find myself referring to people who drive slow and watch the scenery more than the road as Sunday drivers. Going for a drive should be enjoyable but one must still pay attention to the road and be courteous to those around them.

There is a safety problem when a driver is not paying attention to the lanes. He is a danger to himself and to others around him when he cannot drive in one lane or the other. He can drift into another car or run off the road. Pay attention to the lanes and everyone is safer.

Paul told the Galatian Christians, “Walk in the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16 HCSB) You have a choice. You can walk in the Spirit or you can walk in the flesh. You cannot do both at the same time. Get in one lane or the other.

If you walk in the flesh you will do all sorts of things that you know no one should do. You will be immoral, hateful, rebellious, selfish, divisive, envious, a drunk, and anything similar. (verses 19-21). You will chew on each other and spit each other out. A person who has no problem with that will not inherit God’s Kingdom.

If you walk in the Spirit you will love your neighbor as yourself and fulfill everything God requires of us. Not only that, but if you walk in the Spirit you will also avoid the dangers and pitfalls of walking in the flesh. Get in one lane or the other. Better yet, get in the right lane and walk in the Spirit.

Robin

Like Riding a Bike

One of my favorite Christmas gifts was a bicycle. I could not wait to learn to ride it. Dad made it his job to teach me. He told me a few simple rules. Then, he held his hand on the back of the bicycle seat and gave me a push.

The first few times he let go I went a few yards and fell over. It soon became apparent that I needed the lessons he was trying to teach me. I have also learned that these lessons are still important. Rules teach us many things beyond the rules themselves.

First he told me to keep my balance and peddle. If I stopped either one I would fall. Balance and motion go together. We cannot stand still. We were not made that way. We were made with arms and legs and a mouth, ears, and senses. We were made to go places and experience things. Where we go and what we experience are up to us. That is where the balance comes in. We can pedal too hard and lean too far and still fall and hurt ourselves.

Next he told me to go straight. Going straight is not only a part of keeping balance it is also necessary for learning how to control the bike. You cannot learn how to safely turn until you first know how to go straight.

Another important rule is to learn how to use the brakes. Why is that not the first lesson? The purpose of a bike is to go not to sit still. Dad showed me where the brakes were before I got on the bike. But knowing where they are and learning how to use them are two different things. You can only learn how to use the brakes if you are moving.

He also told me to stay on the road. That is important if you want to stay safe. There are dangers off the road that can be avoided if you stay on the road and watch where you are going. There are also hazards on the road such as pot holes, rocks, hills, etc. Learning to control the bike is part of the experience and comes with practice.

Finally, enjoy the ride. If you follow the rules you will get to the place where you can feel the wind in your face and enjoy the whole experience. That is the goal and when you get there you realize that was the reason for the rules all along.
Paul said, “So then, the law was our guardian, (teacher), until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24 ESV) The purpose of the law is to teach us grace. It is just like learning to ride a bike. If you reject the rules you will fall and get hurt. Follow the rules and enjoy the ride.

Robin

Responsibility

When I was growing up my first job to take out the trash. As I got a little older I was also allowed to take matches and burn the trash. That required more responsibility because I had to stay there and watch it until the flames died down. Later, as I got bigger, the job of mowing the lawn was added to the list.

I was expected to do my job as needed without being asked. In return I was given an allowance, fifty cents at first, of which I gave a dime for my offering every week. When my hobby changed from comic books to model cars my allowance was raised to two dollars, and my offering was raised to a quarter.

If I forgot to do my job, my Dad only had to say, “Go mow the grass,” once and I was walking out the door to get the mower. That is how I learned responsibility. I didn’t do it for the money or because I might be punished if I disobeyed. Those consequences never came up because it never occurred to me that I had a choice. I knew what was expected and I did it.

Jesus began his ministry with the direct command, “Follow me,” (Matthew 4:19) and ended his ministry with another command, “Go.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Everything in between was related to either the first command or the last. The last command is called The Great Commission.

The wording of the Great Commission in Acts tells us not only to go but where to go. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV

The Great Commission is neither optional nor transferrable. In other words, we all need to do our part. This is what is expected of all of us. We cannot have someone do it for us.

When we talk about different jobs in the kingdom I most often hear about jobs like teaching, and prayer support. When Jesus was describing the parts available for us all to do he did not list those things that come to many of our minds. Jesus talked about places, parts of the earth, where we are to go.

We may not all be able to go everywhere but we can all go somewhere. Some of us can go across the street with the love of God. Some of us can go around the world. The Great Commission is our responsibility for all of us to keep. What is your part?

Robin Cowin

Tinsel

Christmas begins when the tree is decorated. At least that is the way it was when I was growing up. This tradition has continued with our family as we watched our children, and now grandchildren, grow up. This year our grandkids helped decorate. Decorating is always more fun with the help of little hands.

When I was young my job was always the tinsel. The ornaments were fragile and mom preferred putting them on the tree herself. Tinsel has all but disappeared these days. The tinsel we used was in long strands of shiny foil that we draped over the branches of the tree to look like icicles. There were two kinds of tinsel to put on the tree. There was the old tinsel and the new tinsel.

The old tinsel had been carefully removed from the tree strand by strand the year before and laid in a flat box for easy use next year. However, sometime during the year the box had been moved and every year the tinsel had formed an unruly ball of slightly dull sparkle at one end of the box. We would painstakingly remove as much usable tinsel as we could, put it on the tree, and throw the unusable remainder of the tinsel ball in the trash.

The new tinsel was not only easier to use it was also much shinier than the old. We tried to blend the old with the new in such a way that you could not tell the difference. But the only way to do it was to put the new tinsel over the old. That way the tinsel looked thicker from the old tinsel underneath and shiny from the new tinsel on top.

When Jesus comes into our lives he does not merely mingle his new life with our old life. Some things in our life that are contrary to Christ have to be removed. A few things that are useful to him, such as our talents, he covers completely so that the life we live shines with his presence.

Like Christmas trees we decorate our lives with symbols that tell a story. It is up to us what story we reveal. We can try to make the most of the old tinsel or we can let Jesus cover us with the shiny new light of his grace for all to see. As we all shine together the world will see that His gift to us, the real gift of Christmas, is his love that gives us new life in him. Merry Christmas.

Robin & Joyce

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to visit family. When our kids were small we would spend Thanksgiving with my parents in St. Louis and Christmas with her parents in Oklahoma. It was a practical thing since St. Louis, in those days, was at least a twelve hour drive from where I was pastoring in Oklahoma. Her parents lived closer and since the weather was more likely to be bad around Christmas we opted to stay closer to home for that holiday. This plan called for a long trip with four small children in a small space every Thanksgiving.

We planned ahead. We would pack the car with our luggage, pillows, and toys for the kids. Then, on Wednesday morning we got up early, carried the sleepy children to the car, and headed down the road. They woke up briefly, and excited, then went back to sleep, for a while. It was an adventure.

When we got to the house we settled in and looked for ways to be helpful preparing the feast for the next day. Since we were the only ones staying at the house Joyce was always asked to put the turkey in the oven. So we had to set an alarm the morning after that long trip to take care of our annual duty. This became a running joke and today when one of our daughters stays with us the night before thanksgiving we remind her that it is her job to get up early and put the turkey in the oven. Of course, with grandkids around no one sleeps in anyway.

The original thanksgiving was a celebration of survival. The Pilgrims had a festival that lasted several days and included feasting and games. Today we celebrate God’s blessings on a different scale. Now we celebrate survival the day after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day is a day of blessings. We are blessed with family, food, a warm home, and lots of laughter. Most of all we remember that all of these blessings come from God who loves us and sent us his Son.

Thanksgiving Day to Christmas should be a season of Thanksgiving. Jesus is the reason for which we have so much to be thankful.
R. Cowin

Road Trip

Road trips can be fun times for family and friends. Our grown children like to tell stories about our road trips when they get together. We soon forget about the stress and headaches and remember only the fun and laughter.

Jesus traveled everywhere on foot with his disciples. The system of roads maintained by the Romans improved commerce for the public and made it possible for the gospel to be spread all over the known world. Using the roads to spread the gospel was a big part of His plan. In Mark 6:7-13, and 30-32, He gave His disciples some rules of the road to follow as they carried the gospel from place to place.

Take someone with you. Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs. No matter where you are going, whether you are going to Church, going on a mission trip, or just going through life you should always travel with a friend. In Ecclesiastes 4:9, Solomon tells us that, “Two are better than one.” You need a friend for companionship. While we may enjoy being self-sufficient we do not enjoy being lonely. You need a friend who will tell you what you need to hear, whether you want to hear it or not. You need a friend who will hold you to higher standards, who will pray with you and for you. Do not go alone.

Take a few supplies but travel light. Jesus was practical. He told them to take a staff and sandals but not take extra luggage, food, or money. In other words, take care of your body but remember it is a journey of faith. God promises to take care of us along the way. He also expects us to take care of those things He has already given us. He will feed us and clothe us. We need to eat healthy and wear clothes suitable for the mission. A deacon with a heart for missions once told me that if you say you are willing to go wherever God calls but do not have a passport you are not really ready to go.

Take time to rest when the journey is done. When things got really busy Jesus invited the disciples to come with him to a secluded place to rest, (Mark 6:31). We too should accept hospitality from those who help us along the way. The day of rest is in the law for a reason. We need to take the time to rest and share our experiences, remember our blessings, renew our strength, and return to the road.
Bro. Robin

Hospitality

There is no doubt in my mind that hospitality is a spiritual gift. Those who have it make it look easy. I appreciate that because I have to work at it. I have seen some great examples of hospitality who have taught me much about showing mercy to others through hospitality. There are those close to me who have the gift and part of the nature of this gift is that they would not want to receive any credit for it.

One of our dear friends from the past was a real southern lady named Rae. Many times we ate at her table in Kentucky with her husband, John. There were plates of fried chicken or country ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, and there were always pies.

After dinner she would pull a tall stool up to the sink and start on the dishes. We always offered to help but she always turned us down in her gentle but firm way.

“No,” she said, “I’m just working my way out of a job.”

She wanted us to enjoy the visit and not work. We often stayed at the kitchen table to talk while she listened. I think she liked that. She spoke with a smile in her voice and a twinkle in her eye. Yet you also knew there was no point arguing with her. She was a small lady who had a big presence in her home. Her husband, John, looked twice her size when they stood together, yet in her home it was obvious that she was the queen of the house.

Rae had the gift of hospitality. One of the most restful vacations we ever took was a trip to Rae’s house when the children were small. Rae watched the children while John took Joyce and me fishing. Rae taught the children that chores can be fun. She taught them hospitality and the meaning of kindness.

Hebrew 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (ESV)

Rae is in heaven now and I am sure she is still entertaining angels. I can hear her now whenever I get close to finishing a project, (and if you are helping me you might just hear me say), “I’m just working my way out of a job.” Let’s all celebrate the gift of hospitality with an act of kindness today.
Bro. Robin

Almost Perfect

The other night I made dessert for my grandsons Nick, Ben, and Xander. Two of them, Ben and Xander, wanted root beer floats and one, Nick, wanted a purple cow, an ice cream float made with grape juice. I was running out of vanilla ice cream so I carefully divided what I had in juice glasses. I filled Nick’s glass with grape juice and the others with root beer and sat at the TV while they enjoyed their floats. I was concerned about the shortage of ice cream. So, when they were done I asked Nick how he liked his purple cow.

“It was almost perfect,” Nick said, as he flopped into a chair near me. I said nothing about the ice cream as I smiled at his response.

I thought about Nick’s response and wondered what it was that made that one so good that Nick would pronounce it “almost perfect.” Was it that particular ratio of ice cream to juice? Was it a combination of things earlier that ended with just enough sweetness to make the whole affair, “almost perfect?”

I wonder about my attitude sometimes. When things are going good we can easily spot the bad things that keep it from being better. When things are going bad we find it so easy to complain. But, when was the last time I took my eye off all that, focused only on the good, and pronounced the day, “almost perfect.”

Paul said, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” He did not say it was all good but that it all worked together for good. Maybe there is not enough ice cream but there is more than enough juice.

Sometime when you find yourself at the end of the day focusing on the bad things that happened go get some ice cream and your favorite juice. Put them together in a glass, sit back and say to yourself, “That was almost perfect.” It may surprise you how quickly a change in focus can produce a change of attitude.
Bro. Robin

Getting Ready for Revival

There were a few tears shed this week as the old three-story education building came down. It had served its purpose well over the years. Construction began in 1946. The wood was milled locally and the frame was all made of oak. The frame was still strong but the wiring, plumbing, and numerous other problems made it necessary to remove the building. We will now be planning a new building on that site to house our education ministries to meet the challenges of a new generation.

It is fitting that we turn from tearing down the old building to Revival this coming week. Life always moves from old to new. Seasons change and we continue to grow and change with the changing world around us. As people we sometimes complain about change as if it somehow caught us off guard and we are not ready to change. As Christians we are taught that Christ came to transform us into his likeness and prepare us for the greatest change of all, eternal life.

Paul said: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18.

It is not so much change as it is transformation. It is not and end but a challenge for the future. Because we are new in Christ, and have a new relationship with God, we have the ministry from Christ to bring others to him for the same relationship.

I see people who claim to be Christians but live their lives separated from God. I see no involvement in the ministry of Christ that indicates that they are reconciled to God. They don’t get it. And we had done a poor job explaining it. We need Revival. We all need Revival.

Come to Revival and bring someone with you.
Bro. Robin

Shifting Gears

I remember the first time I got behind the wheel and drove a car. I was in grade school, when grade school went through eighth grade, and an older friend of mine had driven his dad’s car to school. I was in fourth or fifth grade and could barely reach the pedals and see over the dash at the same time. It was a stick shift on the column, as were most cars of that time. I pushed on the gas, let up the clutch, and drove around in circles on the playground for a few minutes. I never got out of first gear. Fortunately it was someone else’s turn by the time the principle came out and put a stop to it.

Later in life I would get a driver’s license and own cars that would take me places all over the country. I love to drive and I love to travel. Sometimes I think our spiritual life is a lot like those standard transmission cars. You have to shift gears if you want to get anywhere.

First gear is for starting. A car is heavy and it takes a low gear to move it from dead stop to action. Salvation gives us life in Christ. When we are first saved we learn so much about following Christ. We go through baptism and become a member of a church. We learn how to pray and study the Bible and tell others about Jesus. Just as a car was not made to run in first gear we were not saved to stay in a spiritual learning mode. We will only be able to go around in slow circles unless we get up to speed and shift into a higher gear.

Second gear is for accelerating. We shift into second when we want to get to third. We also fall back to second when we have been in third but the road gets steep and conditions around us slow us down. My prayer time every day is my second gear. Every morning I pray with Joyce and then I pray over a list. I pray and then read the Bible and listen and God gives me strength for the day. Sometimes we get slowed down by circumstances beyond our control and it is good to know we can downshift and get back the power and speed we need.

Third gear is for going places. You cannot drive in third gear in the parking lot, at least not safely. This is the gear in which the car was made to drive. Different cars may have different cruising speeds but they were all made for the road, to take us places. A car that sits in the garage too long will deteriorate. Failure to use a car will cause the engine to corrode, the battery will fail, and the tires will rot. It was made for a purpose and that purpose was to go places.

We were made for a similar purpose. We were made to follow Jesus and then to follow his commission to take the gospel to the world. (Matthew 28:18-20) To stay in the garage, or even to drive in circles in the parking lot, is not our purpose and will cause us to deteriorate spiritually. He did not redeem us to become rusty relics. He redeemed us to race on the roads to make this world his realm.
Bro. Robin
(See also Hebrews 5:12-14 and 1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

40 Days of prayer

Your response to the challenge to commit to Forty Days of Prayer for Revival was overwhelming. I asked you to commit to special prayer on one of the forty days. There were 49 names on the list at the end of service and many more told me that they were committed to participate but did not get their name on the list. This kind of commitment to prayer will change our lives, our church, and our community. Thank you.

Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness being prepared for His ministry. He was tempted by the devil and delivered by the Word of God. When He came out of the wilderness Luke 4:14-15 reports: “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues being glorified by all.” That is what we are seeking. We seek the power of the Spirit that sends a message through the surrounding country.

The Word of God has an answer for our struggles. Jesus’ experience points out three major temptations that we all face. We are tempted by pleasure, power, and pride. God’s alternatives are better. God’s eternal purpose outweighs our momentary pleasures. His power in us is greater than any power we could ever hope to achieve in this world. It is better to be obedient to God’s plan for us than to be destroyed by pride.

Visiting house to house on a mission trip stirs up talk in the community. On more than one occasion I have had people catch up with my group and ask us to please visit their house. When we really show Jesus in our lives people want what we have.

We have had revivals in this church that everyone wanted to attend because everyone knew something was happening that only God could do. A good word given in the power of the Spirit can reach a community.

Sometimes we are tempted to give up. Keep praying and keep looking up. When temptations come you know deliverance is on the way. And, with deliverance comes power!
Bro. Robin

Seasons Change

We have had a great summer here at First Baptist. Our summer programs, Terrific Tuesdays and Tremendous Thursdays, were a huge success thanks to the leadership of Mary Bailey and Regina Morris. Thank you Mary and Regina! They were also surrounded by an army of volunteers including some youth and parents. We have seen several children make decisions to follow Christ this summer and that is always a good sign of God’s favor as His Holy Spirit moves among us.

As I watered the garden early this morning I thought about the heat and how much longer we have until cool weather. This summer has been a hot one. The bugs I have fought for the flowers and the fruit seemed endless! I was glad to see the bugs die off and I know the gardening will slow down soon. The season will come to a close and a new season will start.

The end of summer is marked by events rather than weather at most homes. For us it means the end of summer programs at church. For some it is the end of family vacations. It is also the beginning of things like school and fall programs. Teachers and students prepare to return to the classroom. At church we are preparing for Fall Revival.

The end of summer is a time of change for everyone. A saying attributed to Mark Twain says, “The only person who likes change is a wet baby.” We smile at such sayings and maybe even deny that we are like that. It is everyone else who will not change the way we want! We are all in favor of change as long as we are in control of what changes.

Truth is, we are not in control of any change but the changes we make to ourselves. We can control how we react to change. We can change our attitudes and actions. We cannot change the people around us. We can pray, trust God, and let Him change us first.

Reinhold Niebuhr said, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

Revival is the result of prayer. It is just that simple, and just that difficult. As we go through seasonal changes I hope you will take time to consider some spiritual changes we each need to make. Take time to pray for a new vision for your relationship with God. Pray for Revival, personally. Let God be in control of your changes and you will be much better for it.
Bro. Robin

Memories of VBS

Do you have a favorite Vacation Bible School memory? This week we are having Vacation Bible School in our church. Vacation Bible School holds special memories for me. Several things from my past experiences stand out in my mind.

One of my favorite memories is Grandma Noakes’ cookies and Kool-Aid. When I first started going to VBS Grandma Noakes was a special person to our church. She would come to classes and tell us about coming to America on a ship when she was a little girl. Everyone was fascinated by her stories. She also served refreshments at VBS handing out sandwich cookies and cups of Kool-Aid. I remember it was then that I first started dunking my cookies in the Kool-Aid. It is such a special memory that I still like dunking cookies in my Kool-Aid.

There are memories of the friends made along with the crafts, songs we sang, and our pastor leading us in the opening assemblies. I think those are some of the reasons that I still enjoy Vacation Bible School.

Another experience that has stayed with me from VBS was the challenge to memorize verses of scripture. Many of the verses that encourage me today I memorized as a child in Vacation Bible School. I have forgotten the crafts I made and the games we played. But the verses I memorized from the Bible are still with me.

“Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)

Every year I get to see the same look in the children’s faces that I remember having as a child. I see the touch of God through the hands of volunteers and the difference that touch makes in the lives of children. The touch of God through your hands will change lives too.
Bro. Robin

Simple Ingredients

The fourth of July weekend started for us the day before we all got together to celebrate. Joyce and I enjoy having the family over for celebrations. We not only enjoy the family together we also enjoy working together to get everything ready. One of my favorite things is to make ice cream and it starts the day before.

For me, ice cream begins with making custard. I separate the egg yolks, heat the milk and sugar, and combine them to make sweet custard that will be made into ice cream the next day. It is just cream, sugar, and eggs but combining them takes practice and timing. If you go too fast you end up with scrambled eggs. Done right you can make great ice cream to top one of Joyce’s delicious pies, or eat all by itself.

A few simple ingredients put together in the right way make a sweet treat. That is true about a lot of things. Many of the best things in life are simple. Put them together in the right way and you have something enjoyable. Put a mix of people in the right place and time and you have good fellowship. With practice and timing you can take God’s word to a quiet place and discover His will.

Knowing God is not complicated. We make it seem difficult when we want to take shortcuts to obedience and let God know we prefer to do it our way. He gave us His Son Jesus to save us, His Word, the Bible, He taught us to pray, He gave us an example of fellowship with His disciples, and sent them out to witness showing us what to do. He wants us to take the few simple ingredients He gives us and combine them with time and practice.

He reminds us in His word: “…I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1) With a few simple ingredients our life can become pleasing to God and be spiritual worship.
Bro. Robin

Upgraded

I plugged in my phone and there was a message that an upgrade was ready to be installed. I let it install the upgrade and then spent some time learning about the changes. They had added some new features and made improvements to some old ones. The upgrade to my phone is a new and improved version. I like upgrades.

I was flying back from Louisville with my daughter a few years ago. As we checked in for the flight the airline representative told us that there were extra seats so she upgraded us to first class for free. The seats were wider and softer, the food was better, (an actual meal with a sandwich and a salad), the service was better, and the mixed nuts were served warm in a special cup. We got to the same place at the same time as the cheap seats but it was a much more enjoyable flight. I never had flown first class, and have not since then, but now I know why they called it an upgrade.

Reading through the book of Revelation there is a lot said about the ultimate upgrade that is waiting for us. We will have a new body, a new place to live, (Jesus called it a mansion), and more wonders than we can imagine. In Heaven everything will be provided, “no longer will they hunger; no longer will they thirst…and God will wipe away every tear form their eyes.” (Rev. 7:16-17).

I had no idea what first class was like until I experienced it for myself. I just knew it was an upgrade and when it was offered to me for free I did not hesitate to accept. Heaven is the ultimate upgrade and it is offered to everyone for free. There are no cheap seats to Heaven. Jesus chartered a flight and paid the way for all His followers. We only have to accept God’s plan to upgrade our life and get on board.
Bro. Robin

On Mission

What does it mean to be a missionary? Simply put, a missionary is sent to go and tell. A missionary is sent by a local church on a mission to go somewhere and tell the people there about Jesus. We go because we love Jesus and that is what He told us to do. Our vision statement says we are “The Church Across the Street and Around the World.” Our mission is from Jesus.

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the mane of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (hcsb)

The Great Commission is for every Christian. How we carry it our may be different for each of us. But we are all called to be on some kind of mission. We are all called to go and tell.

This summer a lot of us are either going on a mission or preparing to go on a mission. Some are going to distant places like Iowa, or the Dominican Republic. Others are staying closer to home working with our summer ministry, a small group, or a Sunday school class to do ministry. Many stay at home and support those who are going with financial and material support and with prayer. Everyone can do something.

Are you on mission if your church is on mission? Not necessarily. Being on mission is deliberate. If you are called to be on mission you deliberately go and tell. If you are called to support you must deliberately give to missions. If you are called to stay and pray you must deliberately pray for those on mission daily, and for those lives they touch.

What is your mission this summer? Being on mission is active participation in the Kingdom of God. Be a missionary. Go and tell!
Bro. Robin

Shortcuts

I like shortcuts when they save me time. When I get familiar with an area I will often take the back roads when it cuts off miles and gets me there quicker. I drive to see my mother in law and have learned the back roads to get to her home. Some streets have a slower speed limit than the main road but the more direct route is still quicker.

I have observed students taking shortcuts in classes when they are required to read books. There are movies of the books and notes that have summaries with condensed versions of the story. As an English major in college I always preferred to read the book. In fact, the notes were more helpful after reading the book for writing a paper or taking a test. I found that those who wanted a “C” used the notes while those who wanted and “A” read the book.

When you want to do something right there is often no shortcut. I am often amazed at how much effort some people will put into trying to avoid work. Yes, I could have paid more for tomato plants with tomatoes already on them. But I would still have to plant them and care for them the same as the ones I have. The work I put into them will only make the fruit taste sweeter.

There is no shortcut to doing God’s will. There are times when it is so rewarding that it seems effortless. There are also times when things go slow and it seems hard. Both times are necessary. It is like exercising to condition our bodies. It takes time. Without exercise we would become weak. With exercise we grow stronger. There is not shortcut to becoming strong in body or in Spirit.

Paul said, “…Train yourself in godliness, for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7b-8, HCSV)

Read “The Book” and you will be ready for the test.
Bro. Robin

The Spoon

I finally returned the spoon. It had arrived at our house accidently with a dish we had taken to a fellowship at a couple’s house. The dish was empty except for the spoon which had accomplished its purpose finding the end of the dish’s contents for the last person who used it. We washed it and set it aside to return. I then carried it around in my briefcase for a while. Then one Sunday during the welcome time I remembered the spoon and returned it to its owner.

I like spoons. Spoons remind me of the end of an especially good meal when all that is left is the gravy that you cannot seem to get with a fork. Joyce will ask me, “Do you need a spoon?” I can pick up my spoon and enjoy every delicious taste. Spoons are also great with ice cream and pie!

I read a story about a fork, maybe you have too. There was a woman who wanted to be buried with a fork in her hand. When asked why she said that it was because whenever she ate with someone and they told her to keep her fork it meant that dessert was coming. That is how she felt about Heaven. The fork reminded her that something good is coming.

A spoon reminds me that we should enjoy every blessing. I think we rush through things too quickly. When blessings come our way we shout a quick thank you before turning our attention to the next thing. We should take time to enjoy the blessings we have received and let the joy of His blessings linger on our heart..

Psalm 37:4 says: “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Look around at the blessings you have seen recently. Take time to be thankful. Ask God for a spiritual spoon and enjoy every delightful taste of His presence.

Bro. Robin

Faulty Faucets

A few weeks ago Joyce pointed to the handle of the hot water on the kitchen faucet and asked me if I had seen how bad it was leaking. I knew it was loose since I had to tighten it occasionally but now it was also leaking all over the cabinet.

Somewhere early in our thirty-five years of marriage she decided that I was Mr. Fixit when it came to things around the house. It is an illusion that I try to maintain by fixing anything I know something about, some things more successfully than others. A leaky faucet was a prime opportunity to maintain my reputation.

On my next day off I went to the store and sought out the plumbing supplies. I knew the problem was likely a worn seal and since it is always good to maintain seals and seats I found the replacement parts for both sides of the faucet, hot and cold. The hot side had always run slow, no pressure, and a plumber had told us that since the line ran under the concrete floor there was no way to fix it. Now it was not only slow but leaking too. So, I thought maybe I should replace the inner workings of that side in case that was where the leak was and save myself another trip to the store.

I turned off the water, took apart the faucet, replaced the parts, and turned the water back on. Whoosh!! Suddenly the hot side was running as strong as the cold side.

“Well how about that!” I thought. It was not a problem with the pipes after all. The faucet was fixed by replacing the old parts with new ones. It was a faulty faucet that foiled the flow!

How many of us are restricting the flow of God’s blessing through our lives with faulty faith? We try to live with it and convince ourselves that our weak faith is normal for us. We try to fix it ourselves by tightening up some habits. Eventually we realize that anything we do is only temporary. This is a work only God can do and only by giving us new inner parts. We cannot change our habits until God changes our heart.

God said, “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from you flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

When God changes us on the inside His blessings will flow.
Bro. Robin

Grits

I stared at the bowl of grits hoping and praying that by the time I lifted the lid they would be miraculously changed into oatmeal. No, there they were, bits of corn meal floating helplessly in a bowl of wallpaper paste.

What a waste of good corn meal! I considered offering cooking advice to food services. There is a way to cook grits that I happen to like.

Take that same bowl of goo, drain off the water, make a log and cool it in the refrigerator. When it is cool, slice off thin slices, dip them in flour, and fry them until you get a nice crispy crust on the outside. Serve the fried grits with syrup and you have a tasty breakfast.

I read about an author from the north who stopped by a café in the south. He looked at the menu and asked the waitress, “What’s a grit?” The waitress answered, “Honey, they don’t come all by themselves.” When God created the world He proclaimed everything good until He looked at Adam all by himself and said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Gen 1:18)

We are not good alone. We need each other to be happy. We need each other to see and fulfill God’s purpose. “O taste and see that the LORD is good.” Psalm 34:8

I have friends who like grits any way you cook them. I respect their sense of taste even if I do not share it. I think that this is the way God looks at us. When we are bound together by the glue of His Holy Spirit God looks at us with pleasure and anticipation. He does not look at us as a waste but as a valuable person in His kingdom. He is not looking at me wishing I was someone else. I can only be who He made me to be. I just want to be one of His grits.

Bro. Robin

Just One More Thing

One of the things that happened periodically during my time in the hospital recently was for a nurse or a doctor to come in and tell me what to expect before I would be allowed to go home. I began to quickly notice a disturbing pattern. One person would come in and tell me one thing and the next person would tell me that plus one more thing. One day it was a test that started as a simple scan and was changed four times before I actually took the test. Then it was the medication. Next it was one more night to observe me on the medication. It was always just one more thing.

When Jesus was on the Cross He said, “It is finished,” then He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit, (John 19:30). While His human task was finished there was still more to come. The third day after the cross He walked away from His grave resurrected from the dead. He had one more thing to do to prove God’s power of life over death. Later, He appeared to His disciples and told them to wait for one more thing, the promise of the Holy Spirit.

When God says, “Just one more thing,” He has something good in store for us. He promises eternal life with an eternity filled with more than He could tell us, more than we can imagine. He promises a life filed with His presence. When we pray for Revival we are praying for a renewal of His presence within us and our relationship with Him.

As the Disciples watched Jesus ascend into Heaven angels appeared to them and said, just one more thing, “This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

Bro. Robin

Prayer Meetings

I remember when I was a child we would have people over at our house for prayer for a couple of weeks before Revival. They were called “Cottage Prayer Meetings” because they were always held in homes. They were happy times with conversation and the smell of coffee. Then they would all bow their heads and almost everyone prayed. I remember the Revivals that followed for all the people who went to the altar and went away changed by the touch of God.

Revivals have taken place over the centuries in many different places and groups big and small in and out of churches. The one thing they all have in common is the prayer meeting. Every great Revival in history began in a prayer meeting. From the time Jesus ascended into heaven the Disciples and followers of Jesus met for prayer daily. An unstoppable movement of God resulted that we call the Church. Revival is first a revival of prayer.

In prayer we make contact with the God of all creation. In prayer we appeal to the savior who has promised to redeem us by His mercy. In prayer we receive salvation and the seal of our salvation, the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, “If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:19-20 hcsb)There is something special that happens when you meet in a group for prayer. Jesus is there with you.

I call on you and challenge you to meet together to pray for Revival between now and the Life Action Summit, April 11-18. If you teach or attend a Sunday School class, or belong to a group of any kind, set a date to meet in a home and pray for Revival. If your class is big divide into small groups and pray together. Pray for Revival when you pray with your family. Invite friends over for coffee and prayer. Meet at least once, more if you can, and pray together for Revival. By all means and at every opportunity pray for Revival.

Bro. Robin

Pray for a Change

In 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Paul begins by saying, “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone…” and concludes this thought with, “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.” (HCSB)

It is obvious that we should consider prayer our most important activity, as Christians. If we are to have an impact on our world, if we are going to see lives changed, we must pray for people and for that change. Paul urges us to use every kind of prayer we know to pray for every person we know and those whose positions affect our lives.

We are to pray with “holy hands” lifted up. As I thought about this I realized that there are several reasons that we lift our hands that apply directly to prayer.

First, we lift our hands in surrender. That is what makes them holy. When we surrender ourselves to God our hands become His instruments, separated to do His work. Raising your hands is a universal sign of surrender. We cannot serve God unless we belong to Him and when we surrender to Him He becomes our owner, our Lord.

Second, we lift our hands to welcome. Waving to someone is a warm way to say hello or goodbye. It is a sign of affection. We open our arms to greet and embrace people we care about. We reach out our hands to shake the hand of another in a sign of acceptance. When we pray we must pray with affection toward God and toward those for whom we pray.

Third, we lift our hands to draw attention to ourselves. We raise our hand when we know the answer. We know that the answer to every question of our heart is Jesus. We raise our hand to acknowledge that we personally know the answer.

Finally, we raise our hands to celebrate. As I watched the Olympics this week I saw many winners raise their hands in victory as they crossed the finish line or completed a successful program. I remembered my training in high school gymnastics when I raised my hands at the end of the routine to show that I had stuck the landing and that I deserved a high score.

In prayer, we do not raise our hands for points. We raise our hands in prayer because we are celebrating in confidence that the God who made the universe has heard us. “And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.” (1 John 5:15, HCSB)

Robin Cowin

The Harvest Heart

We are all different. We come from different backgrounds and experiences in our lives. As a result, these experiences affect our hearts and also affect the way we receive God’s Word.

In the parable of the sower, (Matthew 13:1-23), Jesus uses the field to describe four different kinds of heart conditions and how that changes the way we receive God’s Word. In this parable we can also see what kinds of changes God makes in our heart in order for us to participate in His Kingdom.

The parable of the sower is taken out of the common experiences of Jesus and His listeners. Everyone who lives in a small agricultural community sees how the farmer works and usually has a hand in helping their neighbors with the field work.

As a young pastor in my first full-time church I learned quickly that when it was harvest time everyone was in the field. Our church was in a small town in Oklahoma wheat country. One day a farmer came by my office and asked me if I could drive a wheat truck and work for him during harvest. He said it was expected that I work for someone and that all our church was in the field anyway. That is how I learned about farming. I was no farmer but farming quickly became a common experience for me with that church.

Jesus no doubt had a similar experience as a boy. He grew up in a small town in an agricultural community. Tradition has long held that His family was carpenters. However, there are no major parables from the carpenter’s shop, but there are many from the field.

These parables describe for us spiritual truths about the Kingdom of God in language we can understand. The parable of the sower is important to our understanding of what kind of heart is necessary for us to receive the word of God and begin our relationship with God and His Kingdom. Here is a brief summary of the Parable of the Sower. (I will go into more detail later.)

The Calloused heart is the path that goes through the field. As the farmer sows the grain he carries a bag of seed and throws it out on the tilled soil. Where he walks creates a path. So, since the tilled ground is so important the farmer will always follow the same path so that he does not disturb any more soil than necessary.

The path is easy. The path is the place that has the appearance of being close to the farmer. However, it is too well traveled to take root in the soil.

The path is exposed to the enemy. Since the seed lands on the top of the hard path the birds can see it and take it for food. This soil of the path is not simply shallow. This represents a belief that is disconnected from the tilled soil. It is a faith that is held in the hand, not in the heart. That is where you want your things, not your faith.

The Castaway heart is the pile of rocks around the outside edge of the field. Faith in the rocks is shallow. Desperate people fall prey to shallow emotionalism. DL Moody noticed that people in poverty responded favorably to a message of God’s love. In God’s love there is hope. Emotions are essential to religious experience but cannot be the basis for your religion.

Faith in the rocks is faith on the rocks. Without depth we cannot withstand the storms that follow us in life.

The Cluttered heart is the place along the fence where the weeds grow. Clutter is distracting. You can get lost in the weeds. Clutter is restricting. You can get stuck in the weeds.

The Cultivated Heart is the Christ Centered heart. The cultivated heart is open to receive God’s word the way tilled ground accepts the seeds. The cultivated heart activates growth.

Robin Cowin

GPS

I drove my grandsons to school one day this week. I know where the school is but just for fun I brought along my GPS. GPS stands for “Global Positioning System,” and it looks like a miniature TV that mounts to the windshield just above the dash. I can put in an address and it will give me directions in a kind but robotic female voice that we have nicknamed “Carmen.”

The boys, Nick and Ben ages eight and Xander almost five, were fascinated by Carmen. I was equally fascinated by the conversation coming from the back seat.

“Poppa, what is that? Is that your coffee? Why does it look like a sippy cup?”

“Why are we going this way? Remember last year in Colorado when the GPS got us lost?”

I reassured them that it would not get us lost. Then, when we had one more right turn before we could see the school, I heard Carmen say, “Now turn left…”

“No Poppa. Turn right, our school is right there. See? The GPS is wrong!” I heard, with much laughter in their voices. I knew the way and they were right. Carmen was wrong.

On the way home, after dropping off the boys, I thought about all the directions we hear in our lives from many different voices. They do not all take us where we want to go. Some will even get us lost. We need to know the way.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.” (hcsv)

God’s Word, the Bible, is the only sure road map we have. His directions will get us through life and take us all the way to Him. God has a different GPS called God’s Plan for Sharing, (through His Son, Jesus). Sometimes we need to pull over, stop, and look at the map. Then we can start again in the right direction toward the summit of God’s plan for your life.

Bro. Robin

Getting God’s Attention

My first job in High School was as a lifeguard at a public swimming pool. I scanned the water looking for signs of distress that I had been trained to identify. When I saw someone who needed help I used my training and skill to rescue them. Over those few years I rescued many who were thankful that I knew what to do.

In 2 Chr. 7:12-16 God tells us the signs He looks for to know when we need His attention to rescue us. We also think of these signs as conditions for Revival.
Verse 14 says:

"If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." (HCSB)

God hears His children. There are several things that tell us that we are His children. First, His children are called by His Name. Calling ourselves a Christian is more than a title. It means that we identify with Christ and have invited Him into our heart. We call it being born again because we are born into His family by the Holy Spirit. Our lives start over from that point. We have a new name and a new family because we have a new life in Christ.

Our new life includes some new activities. His children humble themselves. Children humble themselves when they make themselves useful through obedience to their father. His children Pray. Children communicate with their parents by talking to them. We talk to our heavenly Father through prayer. His children seek his face. Children need to spend time with their parents in order to see things from their perspective. Today we use the expression, “See where he’s coming from.” To seek someone’s face means to see where he is going.

There is no forgiveness without repentance. In Alice In Wonderland, Alice asked the Cheshire Cat, "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" The Cat answered, "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to." Our moral decisions depend on where we want to get to.

God’s desire is to heal His Children. He forgives us when He hears us.
Bret Harte said:
If, of all words of tongue or pen
The saddest are these, "It might have been."
More sad are these we daily see;
"It is, but hadn't ought to be."

When we turn from our ways to God’s way He forgives us and will heal our land with Revival.

Robin

The Parable of the Snow

(Matthew 13:1-23)

Late Saturday night it began to snow. As the fluffy white snow fell to the earth some snow fell on the road. Although it was the same snow that fell everywhere else it was considered hazardous and the road crews were soon out removing it. They plowed and salted and plowed again until all that was left was a salty, sandy slush along the sides of the road. The roads are always the first place people look to see how much snow we have. But snow on the roads only gets in the way and is the first place we want it removed.

Some snow fell on the roof tops but it did not stay long. The wind blew some away and exposed part of the roof. When the sun came out it shone through the thin layer of snow and heated the roof to melt away the rest of the snow. Even though snow on the roof is sometimes considered the prettiest of all snow it is gone before we can really appreciate it.

Some snow fell in the yards in reach of all the children. As soon as they saw it they gathered up their winter clothes, put on their boots, and ran outside to play in the snow. For a while, there was laughter and squeals as they made snowballs, and snowmen, and used their sleds to slide down every clear hill they could find. The snow was fun but the fun was temporary. Snow men and sleds turn our attention away from the danger snow can be in other places. We can become distracted or lost in snow. Or, we can use it for our own purpose but even that only lasts a short time.

Some snow fell on the fields. The fields were beautiful in a blanket of snow. As the snow melted the moisture seeped down into the soil until it reached the hard winter wheat that was waiting for the snow to arrive. The blanket of snow kept the moisture in place allowing the wheat to soak in it and begin to grow. As the winter ends and the snow melts you can see the green tops coming out of the ground. The wheat will grow through spring and in the heat of summer it will be ready to harvest.

What kind of snow is your faith? The snow on the roads was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The snow on the roof was shallow and melted quickly with the heat of the sun. The snow on the yard was fun for a time but when the fun was over so was the snow. The snow in the fields made the wheat grow. Wheat becomes flour to give us life for many days to come. It fills and satisfies us in many ways, like the wheat roll I had for breakfast.

Dr. Robin H. Cowin

Lost and Found

I thought I lost my wallet. I looked everywhere, the bedroom, bathroom, throughout the house, and the car. I retraced my steps that day since I had taken it out to get gas. I called Wal-Mart and Marvin’s grocery store. I called Joyce and she put my credit card and debit card on hold. Fortunately I do not carry a lot of plastic. Before heading to Wal-Mart to check the parking lot I swung by the house for one more look. I walked into the bedroom and pulled up the bedspread. It was under the bed. Now, how did it get there?

One day later I reached for my cell phone and it was not there. I had been in the house and in the car. It was in the car. I muttered to myself, “Next it will be my head.”

The day after that we watched the weather get worse and the snow begin to fall. I thought about the generator in the shed and thought it would be a good idea to fill the big gas can, just in case the power went out. I unlocked the shed, opened the door, and leaned it to pick up the gas can. Wham, I hit the top of my head. It was a good thing I was wearing a hat. It still left a mark, though.

I was three for three doing something dumb each of the three days leading up to Christmas. It had to get better. I remembered a bumper sticker that read, “Of all the things I’ve lost I miss my mind the most.” I know the feeling.

Christmas day arrived complete with a blanket of white snow. It was a White Christmas! We woke up to happy sounds of grandchildren playing in the living room. We spent the morning cooking together as a family. The ham and all the trimmings were perfect. We read the Christmas story from the Bible, opened presents, and finished out the day playing games.

Heaven is just a breath away. The things we lose are nothing in comparison to the things we gain. Christmas reminds us of this. All the stress and pain we experience leading up to that day are quickly forgotten in faces that surround us as we remember Christ’s birth and share our love with each other.

I am glad Christmas comes at the end of the year. It is the perfect opportunity to remember what is truly important as we begin a new year. God bless you and have a Happy New Year.

Bro. Robin

Being A Gracious Receiver

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving. We all like to recieve eventhough we say it is better to give. We say there is a gift of giving. I think there is also a gift of being a gracious reciever.

When I was growing up I enjoyed gift giving times. I was the youngest in the family and always got presents from everyone. I piled all the presents on a chair in the living room so everone could see. I was not a very gracious reciever. In time I out grew the need to show off my presents.

I have spent most of my adult life in ministry. Over the years I have recieved gifts for a lot of reasons. I have learned to accept them graciously because of the lessons I have learned through these gifts.

First I have learned that people give gifts because they want to bless someone as they have been blessed. This understanding has helped my recieving and giving. When I see a gift as a blessing I stop looking at the practical use and accept the personal value it was given to express. A gift is a part of the giver they want you to have.

A gift is also an expression of love. Love is more than a part of the giver. A gift of love is an expression of what they wish they could give. There are times when we would give the world if we could. So, we give a symbol of our wishes and dreams.

I like gifts that are creatve and fun. Gifts are about the relatinship between the giver and reciever. We give of ourselves when we give and we accept the person when we accept the gift .

Christmas reminds us that we cannot separate God's gift from His person, and His desire to have a relationship with us. "For God so loved... He gave ..."

Merry Christmas
Bro. Robin

Thanks(for)giving

Thank you. These are words that we use to show our appreciation when repayment is inadequate. Sometimes I think the words are overused. At other times the words fall short of the full measure of our feelings of gratitude. We are thankful for a gift. It may be a deed or a present but it is always at the hands of another person. Mostly I am thankful for the person.

I do not say thank you to my car for delivering me places. It is not an expression for things that do their job. I might say thanks to the mechanic who keeps my car running. When I had a warning light flash on my way out of town I called him and he stayed open late to check it out and get me on my way safely. I said thank you several times to him.

In Ephesians 4:11 Paul says, “And He personally gave some to be…” The gift in this passage is the person. In fact, for me many of God’s best gifts are the people He has placed in my life, as I am sure He has in yours.

Thanks for giving of your time, talents, and treasure to build God’s kingdom in His church. Your gifts are not only appreciated but necessary for us to be the Church God wants us to be. As we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families take time to remember the people who have been gifts to you this year.

Bro. Robin

Priceless Pearls

Jesus tells the story, in Matthew 13:45-46, about a merchant who was searching for fine pearls. When he found one of exceptional quality, a priceless pearl, he sold everything else to buy that one. The interesting part of the story is that he was looking for so special, not to see how many pearls he could accumulate. He knew that hidden among valuable items there was something beyond value, worth everything he had.

Sometimes the treasure we go looking for is the most valuable to us. Sometimes it is the hidden treasure that we find along the way that means the most to us. The pearl merchant’s story may appear to have been an accidental discovery, one pearl among millions, but it was a discovery he was prepared to make. He committed his life to keep his eyes open to see the priceless among the average in a world surrounded by value.

The parable is about the kingdom of God. Finding Jesus and having a relationship with God through Him is not another pearl. He is a priceless pearl worth giving up everything to have. He considered us each to be a priceless pearl as well.

The discovery of priceless pearls brings about life changing experiences. Our relationship with God is a priceless pearl. Finding a spouse, a life-long friend, is a priceless pearl. Some words of wisdom are called pearls. Learning a life changing lesson and making an important decision can be priceless pearls too.

How many of us see the world around us filled with valuable treasure? And then, how many of us have our eyes tuned to see the exceptional among the valuable? Maybe I have become a cynic, but I do not know many pearl merchants. I think this story challenges us to raise our standards, open our eyes, and see the pearls that are all around us. There are valuable people, valuable moments, and valuable opportunities that pass before our eyes every day. We have to be able to see the pearls before we will ever be able to find a priceless pearl among them.

This month of thanksgiving I thank God for the pearls He has placed around me. I am especially thankful for the priceless pearls that change my life for the better, and the ability He has given me to recognize many of them.
Bro. Robin

Change

As we drove from western Arkansas through eastern Oklahoma we were taken by the beauty of the tree covered hills. One wonders how God could combine so many shades of red, yellow, orange, and brown with an occasional splash of green leftover from the summer to create such a panorama. The view was breath taking beautiful. Our conversation was constantly interrupted by, “Look at that one.”

We look forward to fall and the spectacular views of the changing colors. The colors are not the only changes that fall brings. The temperature changes, the sports we watch change, time even changes, and for some our jobs may also change.

Change comes to us all. So why do we all have so much trouble adjusting to change in so many areas of our lives? Change is a regular part of our society and culture. Yet anytime we make changes to our personal routine it takes an effort to make the change.

Perhaps that is the pattern I am looking for. We celebrate change that affects us all. We deliberately drive through the country to watch the changing seasons. But our discomfort with change seems to grow as the change becomes more personal. Changes in our routine in our life, our job, and even in our church takes us longer to appreciate.

I read a quote recently that the only person who likes change is a wet baby. I can’t seem to find the source but it sure makes sense. Sometimes we may even agree that the change is necessary but just do not get in there and help make it happen. If we could get as excited about changes we need to make as we do about the changing seasons we might see good things happen more quickly.

Change is an important part of the Christian life. There is no salvation without repentance, which means change. Paul said, “We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,” (1 Cor. 15:51) One day we will be called to the ultimate change. We will change from mortal to immortal. I don’t think any of us will drag our feet when that trumpet sounds.

Bro. Robin

Appreciation

There are some expressions that are so common that when we use them we all know what we mean. For example, when I say, “my better half,” everyone knows that I am talking about my wife. When we say, “our pride and joy,” we all know that we are talking about a child, usually a baby. We know this because the feelings we have about our children are as universal as the expression. As our children get older we may stop using such expressions to describe them. But the feelings of pride and joy never go away and never diminish.

We share in the experiences of our children. We may be disappointed from time to time. When they hurt we hurt with them. When they are happy we are happy with them. When they are appreciated for something they have done, we feel appreciated right along with them.

This month you showed your appreciation for my son, Eric, for his service to our country and his sacrifice. The crowd that came for the dinner was overwhelming as you honored Eric and Andria. Congressman John Boozman’s appearance was also a special honor, arranged by some of our members. Eric well deserved your attention that day. My heart was full of pride and joy for my son and for all of you who were there to show your appreciation.

This was also Clergy Appreciation month. I thank you for the way you showed your appreciation when you also honored the staff with many kind words and a dinner. You pulled out all the stops and blessed us more than I can say. Personally, I felt honored two weeks in a row. You showed your appreciation for my family, my co-workers (who are like family), and me. Thank you.

This is a great church and this is what makes this church great. My prayer is that our love and appreciation for each other will grow and spread. This is the heart of the Gospel that we are taking across the street and around the world.

God Bless you for your love for Him and for us.
Bro. Robin

Reminders

As we were moving the seasonal decorations from the doorway to our home Joyce noticed little things hidden among the decorations that she had not put there. There among the summer decorations were toy soldiers and cars. It was obvious the grandchildren had been there. They had played some game of their own invention and when they were called away for supper or something else of importance, they left behind little reminders of their presence.

Last week we attended a meeting that included a lot of old friends from our past. It was really good to renew old friendships. We also saw how the experiences of our lives together affect us all. When we allow people to touch our lives we touch each other. They leave an impression that affects us in ways that we may not even realize for years. We leave reminders of ourselves in the lives of others.

I thought about the many places we had lived and the people we have known. Scattered along the way are little reminders of our presence. Most of those experiences were good, some of them regrettable. I remember a bit of advice I often give to people: As time passes we tend to remember best the good things in life and remember less the bad things.

Everything we touch is changed by us in some small way. Everything God touches is changed in a significant way.

Paul said, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” Love God and keep the goal of God’s purpose in sight. When we seek God’s touch, the reminders of ourselves we leave along the way will point to God.
Bro. Robin

Keeping Score

“This is not a competition,” I said, as the teams were reporting on their day.

We were on a mission trip and had divided up into teams to share the gospel in different areas. It was not supposed to be a competition for a number of reasons. We were sharing the gospel to lead people to a relationship with Jesus Christ. To do it right takes time. Doing it wrong does not take as much time. So numbers may not be a good indicator of success. It may only reveal speed and a need to do more follow up.

“Okay, so how many did you get?” a team member asked.

It is human nature to be competitive. Some people are naturally more competitive than others. We keep score in order to know who wins. There are winners and losers. Sometimes we have the attitude that if somebody is going to win it might as well be me. I find that annoying mainly because I know I have that attitude at times, and am praying to change it in my own life.

There is a problem when we feel the need to keep score at everything. There are a lot of times when keeping score is more than annoying; it is the wrong thing to do. We should keep score at friendly games, but not with friendships. We should keep track of debts we owe, but not of wrongs committed against us. Marriage, family, Church, and work are all places where keeping score is wrong.

We can sometimes make a game out of an activity and make it fun and easier to do. Friendly score keeping as part of such a game can bring out the best in us. Unkind score keeping to prove a point of one-up-man-ship can destroy a relationship.

In speaking about love in the classic chapter, 1 Corinthians 13:5b, Paul said, Love, “does not keep a record of wrongs.” (HCSB) Love does not keep score and does not have to win.

When people in a relationship feel that they have to win and someone has to lose they both lose. On the other hand, when we want someone else to win and we set aside our needs for someone else, we all win. That is love, and that is the Gospel truth.
Bro. Robin