I missed writing something ‘traditional’ for Father’s Day last week so thought I might share some thoughts about it this week.
My father gave me the freedom to make choices. When I decided I wanted to join the Navy but was not quite old enough to sign independently, he signed the form for me. When I decided to get married, I was not quite old enough to sign for that license on my own. He signed with
me. (No, he wasn’t just trying to get rid of me…..at least I don’t think so.)
Of course, when I was a lot younger, he nor my mother, would let me make all my final decisions. They, many times, said no to things I wanted to do.
My father was not a controller. He knew I would have to make some mistakes along the way and, hopefully, learn from those mistakes. And I am sure it hurt him when I made the wrong decisions. He taught me what was right and let me know when I was wrong. He made me do some things I did not want to do and tried to teach me about a work ethic. He taught me to be honest and honorable in my dealings with others. I think I am the better for it. And I cherish his memory every day in some way or other even when I’m not aware of it.
My Father in heaven has also given me the freedom of choice. He has watched while I have done both good and bad. And I’m sure it has hurt Him when I have made those not-so-good decisions about life situations. Long ago God told Moses to tell the people to learn and teach His ways “that your days may be prolonged.” (Deuteronomy 6:2)
My Father in heaven has sacrificed for me. He gave Jesus, His only Son to show me His grace and give me the hope of eternal life.
My Father in heaven is patient with me, allowing me to make my own decisions but having given me the guidance about how to make those decisions.
My Father in heaven does not control me unless I yield myself to His will and ask Him to have control over me. Then I am honoring Him every day. Then every day is Father’s Day, giving honor to the One who has known me from before birth. Then I can grow in the image of the One who has chosen to adopt me as one of His own. Then I will be giving Him honor every day in whatever I do because as Paul puts it in Colossians 3:17 I can give thanks to Him through Jesus Christ.
Father’s Day is, indeed, every day for the Christian. Let Him know how much you love Him and appreciate all He has done for you. You don’t have to send a card, you can send a prayer.
See you when the Saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
What I Have Seen and People I Have Met
As a child I never thought I would see the places I have seen. I have been awed by Edinburgh Castle, and have gazed across the waters of Loch Ness in Scotland. I’ve seen the splendor of the gold-covered domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow and viewed the body of Lenin in a glass coffin. And, fulfilling a childhood dream of seeing the Volga River (after reading about it in geography class), I have walked across its frozen surface in the sub-zero temperatures of winter. I’ve seen the pueblos of Mexico and witnessed the colorful culture of our neighbors to our south. I’ve seen the Baltic Sea, Malbork Castle, the largest structure in Europe made entirely of brick and have visited the death camps at Auschwitz and Birkenau, and other sights (even Hel) in Poland. No, I never thought I’d see those places. And none of the trips have been for “pleasure.”
But more importantly, I’ve met the people in those places. I’ve met people who have most of what they want and others who had nearly nothing. I’ve met people who were raised in religion but know little or nothing about the Book from which their religion was supposed to have come. In all of these countries, religion has always been traditionally important.
Traditionally. That brings me to the most important reason for visiting those places. You see, never, as a child, did I think I would be flying off to some “mission field” with my wife and others. The blessing, though, of being able to share, even for a short time, the eternal Word that can change people’s lives is far above “seeing the sights.” To see faces light up when simple truths from the Bible become real and comprehensible to them is priceless. To see people who have only experienced pomp and ceremony in religion join in with a group of Christians simply worshipping from God’s Word and then share in a period of fellowship cannot be described in a travel brochure. To hear a student say they want to just know the answers from the Bible is reward beyond compare.
While in Poland this trip we taught over 200 one-on-one class sessions interacting with about 60 different students and also helped with the children’s classes and assisted with other tasks needing attention. A high point was helping host a period of fellowship following worship on June 7th. We invited the students and their families or friends to attend worship and then share in a meal. At least 19 visitors came. This has helped break a barrier and bridge a gap that will help the church there to interact more with those who come to the classes.
We will be giving a full report to the Dewey Church of Christ soon and will give more details and share pictures of the work being done, both with the students and on the facilities.
See you when the Saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Editor's Note: For more information on this ministry or to find out when you can see Tony's report, direct requests to:
PO Box 340
1313 N. Osage (Hwy. 75, North of the High School)
Dewey Ok, 74029
Phone: 918-534-2782
FAX: 918-534-3103
deweychurch@sbcglobal.net
But more importantly, I’ve met the people in those places. I’ve met people who have most of what they want and others who had nearly nothing. I’ve met people who were raised in religion but know little or nothing about the Book from which their religion was supposed to have come. In all of these countries, religion has always been traditionally important.
Traditionally. That brings me to the most important reason for visiting those places. You see, never, as a child, did I think I would be flying off to some “mission field” with my wife and others. The blessing, though, of being able to share, even for a short time, the eternal Word that can change people’s lives is far above “seeing the sights.” To see faces light up when simple truths from the Bible become real and comprehensible to them is priceless. To see people who have only experienced pomp and ceremony in religion join in with a group of Christians simply worshipping from God’s Word and then share in a period of fellowship cannot be described in a travel brochure. To hear a student say they want to just know the answers from the Bible is reward beyond compare.
While in Poland this trip we taught over 200 one-on-one class sessions interacting with about 60 different students and also helped with the children’s classes and assisted with other tasks needing attention. A high point was helping host a period of fellowship following worship on June 7th. We invited the students and their families or friends to attend worship and then share in a meal. At least 19 visitors came. This has helped break a barrier and bridge a gap that will help the church there to interact more with those who come to the classes.
We will be giving a full report to the Dewey Church of Christ soon and will give more details and share pictures of the work being done, both with the students and on the facilities.
See you when the Saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Editor's Note: For more information on this ministry or to find out when you can see Tony's report, direct requests to:
PO Box 340
1313 N. Osage (Hwy. 75, North of the High School)
Dewey Ok, 74029
Phone: 918-534-2782
FAX: 918-534-3103
deweychurch@sbcglobal.net
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Isn’t It Great To Be Loved!
Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
What a passage of scripture. What depth to think about what God has done for us. Isn’t it great to be loved? I appreciate being loved because sometimes when I make mistakes I know people will overlook some of my weaknesses when they love me.
It’s great for a husband and wife to have that kind of relationship. When husbands or wives come home they need to find that love. When children come home they need to find that love.
God has shown us that love. John 3:16 has been called the golden text of the Bible. When you know that love, you can say it’s great to be loved. It never ceases to amaze me how much God truly loves His creation. From the very beginning, He gave the very best for what man needed.
These words of Paul say we were powerless. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We were powerless – helpless – could do nothing of and for ourselves concerning sin and salvation.
So it says God demonstrates His love. Isn’t it great to be loved?! Isn’t it great for someone to demonstrate that love to you? Isn’t it great to have a hug from someone and you know it’s really love? Isn’t it great to receive a gift from someone that’s truly out of love and not just because it’s a birthday or some other day when you are expected to give a gift?
Love – isn’t it great to be loved – even when we were powerless – God demonstrated His love toward us.
Let me ask you this. How do you demonstrate your love toward those you love? How do you show them you love them? Just think about that – how do you show your love to someone? Husbands, how do you show your love to your wife? Wives, how do you show your love to your husband? Parents, children, brothers and sisters in Christ, how do you show that love?
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, -- while we were yet sinners, -- Christ died for us.”
Think about that phrase – “While we were still sinners.” Isn’t it great to be loved!!
See you when the Saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
PS - I love you.
What a passage of scripture. What depth to think about what God has done for us. Isn’t it great to be loved? I appreciate being loved because sometimes when I make mistakes I know people will overlook some of my weaknesses when they love me.
It’s great for a husband and wife to have that kind of relationship. When husbands or wives come home they need to find that love. When children come home they need to find that love.
God has shown us that love. John 3:16 has been called the golden text of the Bible. When you know that love, you can say it’s great to be loved. It never ceases to amaze me how much God truly loves His creation. From the very beginning, He gave the very best for what man needed.
These words of Paul say we were powerless. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We were powerless – helpless – could do nothing of and for ourselves concerning sin and salvation.
So it says God demonstrates His love. Isn’t it great to be loved?! Isn’t it great for someone to demonstrate that love to you? Isn’t it great to have a hug from someone and you know it’s really love? Isn’t it great to receive a gift from someone that’s truly out of love and not just because it’s a birthday or some other day when you are expected to give a gift?
Love – isn’t it great to be loved – even when we were powerless – God demonstrated His love toward us.
Let me ask you this. How do you demonstrate your love toward those you love? How do you show them you love them? Just think about that – how do you show your love to someone? Husbands, how do you show your love to your wife? Wives, how do you show your love to your husband? Parents, children, brothers and sisters in Christ, how do you show that love?
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, -- while we were yet sinners, -- Christ died for us.”
Think about that phrase – “While we were still sinners.” Isn’t it great to be loved!!
See you when the Saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
PS - I love you.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
“Buy The Truth and Don’t Sell It”
A witness in a trial is asked to tell “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” That’s what most of us want in our relationships with others.
In Acts 5, the apostles were jailed for preaching the message of Jesus. An angel freed them and gave them God’s message, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” (v. 20) This is consistent with Jesus’ words to the apostles in Matthew 28:18-20, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe everything that I have taught you.”
The apostles could not compromise God’s message. They knew that preaching “all the words” could land them in jail. They could even die for preaching the whole truth. The high priest reprimanded them because “you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching (doctrine.)”
In Acts 20:27, Paul tells the elders of Ephesus, “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Second Peter 1:3 says God “has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”
In religion today there are differences. Different churches. Different messages. Different ‘truths.’ Different ways of salvation. These differences cause confusion among honest, searching people. The apostles’ preaching left no doubt about the message. All preached the same thing. They didn’t each form their own opinions. They preached “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” – to borrow a phrase. That’s what the world needs today. That’s what the church should be doing today. That’s what people really want to hear today.
God has not given freedom of choice in religion – except to accept or reject. He has offered what will save. If we preach it, it will get the same results in the twenty-first century as it did in the first century. People need to hear the simple message of Jesus.
It never ceases to amaze me to see the reaction of someone who has never really thought about God seriously begin to see, with an honest, open heart, the beautiful simplicity of God’s Word. We should each try to read it with that kind of freshness. Approach the Bible each time you read it as if you were reading it for the first time. Look for and appreciate the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth and do not sell it.” That’s what we must do.
See you when the Saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
In Acts 5, the apostles were jailed for preaching the message of Jesus. An angel freed them and gave them God’s message, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” (v. 20) This is consistent with Jesus’ words to the apostles in Matthew 28:18-20, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe everything that I have taught you.”
The apostles could not compromise God’s message. They knew that preaching “all the words” could land them in jail. They could even die for preaching the whole truth. The high priest reprimanded them because “you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching (doctrine.)”
In Acts 20:27, Paul tells the elders of Ephesus, “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Second Peter 1:3 says God “has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”
In religion today there are differences. Different churches. Different messages. Different ‘truths.’ Different ways of salvation. These differences cause confusion among honest, searching people. The apostles’ preaching left no doubt about the message. All preached the same thing. They didn’t each form their own opinions. They preached “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” – to borrow a phrase. That’s what the world needs today. That’s what the church should be doing today. That’s what people really want to hear today.
God has not given freedom of choice in religion – except to accept or reject. He has offered what will save. If we preach it, it will get the same results in the twenty-first century as it did in the first century. People need to hear the simple message of Jesus.
It never ceases to amaze me to see the reaction of someone who has never really thought about God seriously begin to see, with an honest, open heart, the beautiful simplicity of God’s Word. We should each try to read it with that kind of freshness. Approach the Bible each time you read it as if you were reading it for the first time. Look for and appreciate the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth and do not sell it.” That’s what we must do.
See you when the Saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
