At the present time there are five small largemouth bass in our aquarium. We were going to get tropical fish, but Chandler couldn't keep his hands out of the aquarium when there weren't any fish in there. We managed to catch some small bass one day, and now we have pets!
You should see these dudes when it's feeding time. I take the boys outside every other day to catch grasshoppers for the fish. We put them in an empty water bottle, then Conner dumps them into the aquarium. I know this is on a very minute scale, but they look like sharks coming to chum!
I wonder sometimes how life might be different if more people would be that hungry for the Word of God. I am as guilty as anybody of neglecting holy writ while I let the good book sit. Jesus said "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Mt. 5:6). The Bible truly is sole source for leading us to righteousness. David, speaking of the Lord in the 23 Psalm, said "He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake" (3b). If we're willing to follow the Lord, great things can happen in our lives. We've got to be willing to follow His direction. It's feeding time: are you hungry?
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Reflection on the 23 Psalm
I'm doing a funeral today for a member of the church, Mrs. Mae Sands. I guess this is one of the privileges of visiting the elderly; I am humbled and honored that I am often asked to take part in the funeral service for such people. I wanted to offer a few insights about the 23 Psalm which I will mention today at the service.
David mentions being guided by God in the paths of righteousness. Truly those of us who have followed God's will for them have lived the kind of obedient life which will enable them to put on the crown of righteousness that Paul talks about in 2 Tim. 4:8. Thanks be to God that His paths of righteousness will lead to the crown of righteousness.
David also mentions being comforted by God in the valley of the shadow of death. Family members of those who died in the Lord can have the assurance they are asleep in Jesus. Paul had said those who fit in this category are unlike those who don't have the hope of eternal life, which would bring about a different kind of grief according to 1 Thess. 4:13.
David finally mentions dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. Jesus talked to his disciples about Heaven being comprised of many manions or dwelling places, and He wanted them to be where He is. When our lives on earth are over, we need to make sure that our calling and election are sure so that we can have eternal life. Peter says "...be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you" (2 Pet. 1:10-11).
David mentions being guided by God in the paths of righteousness. Truly those of us who have followed God's will for them have lived the kind of obedient life which will enable them to put on the crown of righteousness that Paul talks about in 2 Tim. 4:8. Thanks be to God that His paths of righteousness will lead to the crown of righteousness.
David also mentions being comforted by God in the valley of the shadow of death. Family members of those who died in the Lord can have the assurance they are asleep in Jesus. Paul had said those who fit in this category are unlike those who don't have the hope of eternal life, which would bring about a different kind of grief according to 1 Thess. 4:13.
David finally mentions dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. Jesus talked to his disciples about Heaven being comprised of many manions or dwelling places, and He wanted them to be where He is. When our lives on earth are over, we need to make sure that our calling and election are sure so that we can have eternal life. Peter says "...be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you" (2 Pet. 1:10-11).
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Portland Summer Series
I want to offer a special invitation to all of you in the Portland, TN area to come to the summer series at the Portland Church of Christ on Wednesday, August 12. I will be returning to the area to speak that night on the Promise of Jesus' Return at 7:00. I know there are several of you in the area that I've not connected with in several years, so hopefully I will see you there. Come study with us that night to learn about one of the greatest and most precious promises in God's Word. Jesus is coming back, not to set up a 1,000 year reign on earth, but to take us up together with him in the air to the judgment as Paul addresses in 1 Thessalonians chapter four. I hope to see you there!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Ever Feel Like You're Being Watched?
So the kids were out of town at my Parents' house in Portland, TN this weekend, and Dianna was working at the hospital on Saturday morning. Finally, this gave me the opportunity to go creek fishing all by myself. This was my time to relax out in the elements, and the place I chose was Fountain Creek at Scribner's Mill.
Let me first say the fishing was terrible today, but that's not why I'm writing this. I was fishing a decent looking hole when I began hearing a faint sound that resembled a distant running chainsaw. As I continued hearing the noise, which was beginning to distract me from fishing, I noticed that the cadence of the sound was not the same cadence as a chainsaw. That's when it hit me that it had to be some kind of wild animal that was upset at my presence.
I was facing east as the sun had just topped the rise over the rock bluff at which I was looking in the direction of this peculiar noise. I decided I would walk toward the bluff to try to get a better glimpse. Continuing to hear the noise as it got a bit louder, I finally caught a glimpse of what I'd been hearing.
I saw a bobcat stick its head over a rock at the top of the rise, and it was evident that he or she did not like me being there. I will take this time to let you know I was only about twenty yards from the bobcat as it was at the top of the bluff and I was standing in the creek below. It finally walked off as it continued to issue that high-pitched whine, similar to what you might hear a house cat vocalize when it's upset.
The next time you go fishing, though there might not be any people around, remember that you're never alone in the great outdoors. Ever feel like you're being watched?
Let me first say the fishing was terrible today, but that's not why I'm writing this. I was fishing a decent looking hole when I began hearing a faint sound that resembled a distant running chainsaw. As I continued hearing the noise, which was beginning to distract me from fishing, I noticed that the cadence of the sound was not the same cadence as a chainsaw. That's when it hit me that it had to be some kind of wild animal that was upset at my presence.
I was facing east as the sun had just topped the rise over the rock bluff at which I was looking in the direction of this peculiar noise. I decided I would walk toward the bluff to try to get a better glimpse. Continuing to hear the noise as it got a bit louder, I finally caught a glimpse of what I'd been hearing.
I saw a bobcat stick its head over a rock at the top of the rise, and it was evident that he or she did not like me being there. I will take this time to let you know I was only about twenty yards from the bobcat as it was at the top of the bluff and I was standing in the creek below. It finally walked off as it continued to issue that high-pitched whine, similar to what you might hear a house cat vocalize when it's upset.
The next time you go fishing, though there might not be any people around, remember that you're never alone in the great outdoors. Ever feel like you're being watched?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Gospel Meeting at Campbell Station 2009
Well, I told the brethren last night it was bittersweet. I absolutely love gospel meetings, and I'm very fortunate to be able to speak at various meetings in Maury County. Campbell Station was gracious enough to invite me back to speak again this year for their gospel meeting, and I'm honored by the thought that they wanted me to return. It's bittersweet to see the meeting end; you're tired from preaching to an extent, but you've enjoyed being with the brethren in worship to God.
I pray that Brother Glen Alexander will continue his fine work with the brethren at Campbell Station for many years to come. That congregation has such a rich history with several people whom I've known in the past, including the Hobbs family. I pray that I did all I could to help the congregation in some way, shape, form or fashion.
I challenged everyone present last night with a lesson on the eternal reward that's waiting for us in Heaven, as I called out several individuals and told them I wanted them there! Heaven is truly going to be an experience we will enjoy with others who are found faithful when Christ returns. Paul said in 2 Tim. 4:8 "in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge will award to me on that day, and not only to me but to all who have loved His appearing."
For those of you who are reading this, I want you there with me. Jesus even told His disciples in John 14:3 "...that where I am, there you may be also." It's great being around brothers and sisters in the Lord's church now, but it's going to be even better when we're together in Heaven!
There has been interest by some to hear the sermons from my meeting. I have put a new heading on my blog to the left entitled "Jeremy's sermons." I've got my sermons named by their respective titles. All of those containing "Promise" in them came from my most recent meeting at Campbell Station. I will add others from my Sunday night sermons at the Bridge here in Columbia. Special thanks to Chuck Terry who made this possible for me.
I welcome any feedback you might have on any of this. Thanks for reading what I include on this blog, as it gives me an extra opportunity to express myself for those who might not be around me on a daily basis.
I pray that Brother Glen Alexander will continue his fine work with the brethren at Campbell Station for many years to come. That congregation has such a rich history with several people whom I've known in the past, including the Hobbs family. I pray that I did all I could to help the congregation in some way, shape, form or fashion.
I challenged everyone present last night with a lesson on the eternal reward that's waiting for us in Heaven, as I called out several individuals and told them I wanted them there! Heaven is truly going to be an experience we will enjoy with others who are found faithful when Christ returns. Paul said in 2 Tim. 4:8 "in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge will award to me on that day, and not only to me but to all who have loved His appearing."
For those of you who are reading this, I want you there with me. Jesus even told His disciples in John 14:3 "...that where I am, there you may be also." It's great being around brothers and sisters in the Lord's church now, but it's going to be even better when we're together in Heaven!
There has been interest by some to hear the sermons from my meeting. I have put a new heading on my blog to the left entitled "Jeremy's sermons." I've got my sermons named by their respective titles. All of those containing "Promise" in them came from my most recent meeting at Campbell Station. I will add others from my Sunday night sermons at the Bridge here in Columbia. Special thanks to Chuck Terry who made this possible for me.
I welcome any feedback you might have on any of this. Thanks for reading what I include on this blog, as it gives me an extra opportunity to express myself for those who might not be around me on a daily basis.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Ya'll come!
I've got another gospel meeting coming up tomorrow at Campbell Station, just outside of Culleoka. I have had the habit in the past of inviting fellow members of the church. While that's not exactly bad, I need to reprioritize my efforts in inviting folks to gospel meetings.
I need to be inviting those who need to hear the gospel. Those who are not saved are those in most need of the power of the gospel message. While we have questioned the impact of gospel meetings in the past, I still believe in them.
What am I going to do about it? I am going to find some people who are not members of the Lord's church and invite them to the final three nights of the meeting. I don't know why, but I feel that these are always my best sermons of the series. I'm also going to challenge those present on Sunday to do the same. Will you join me in this effort?
I need to be inviting those who need to hear the gospel. Those who are not saved are those in most need of the power of the gospel message. While we have questioned the impact of gospel meetings in the past, I still believe in them.
What am I going to do about it? I am going to find some people who are not members of the Lord's church and invite them to the final three nights of the meeting. I don't know why, but I feel that these are always my best sermons of the series. I'm also going to challenge those present on Sunday to do the same. Will you join me in this effort?
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Looking forward to it
There are a lot of things in life to which we look forward. We anticipate supper time. We anticipate vacation time. We anticipate the return of our spouse who has been away on a trip. Those anticipatory moments make life very interesting sometimes. We're ready for those times when they arise.
As many things in this life there are to anticipate, there is something greater around the corner. When our Lord Jesus comes back as He promised, will we have been looking forward to that great event? I would dare say there will be a lot of people who are not looking forward to that very day. They will have things in their lives that they wished they would have changed. They will want more time to devote their life to Christ. They will be ashamed that they did not obey His Word.
1 John 2:28 says "Now little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." Let us make sure we are those who will be confident at the fact that we belong to Christ when He returns instead of being ashamed in the presence of His power and might and glory. Are you looking forward to it?
As many things in this life there are to anticipate, there is something greater around the corner. When our Lord Jesus comes back as He promised, will we have been looking forward to that great event? I would dare say there will be a lot of people who are not looking forward to that very day. They will have things in their lives that they wished they would have changed. They will want more time to devote their life to Christ. They will be ashamed that they did not obey His Word.
1 John 2:28 says "Now little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." Let us make sure we are those who will be confident at the fact that we belong to Christ when He returns instead of being ashamed in the presence of His power and might and glory. Are you looking forward to it?
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