Friday, August 29, 2014
Perspactacles by Rusty Hilliard
Last Tuesday night, Laney read me an article written by Glennon Doyle Melton, who also wrote the New York Times bestseller: “Carry On, Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Messy, Beautiful Life.”
In the article Mrs. Melton wrote for her blog site momastery.com, she introduces a rather special idea. The article “GIVE ME GRATITUDE OR GIVE ME DEBT.” begins with Mrs. Melton talking about a picture that she had posted on her Facebook page. In the background, you see most of her kitchen. To put it kindly, Mrs. Melton’s kitchen is what you might call “dated.” The floors aren’t modern, the counters aren’t modern, the appliances aren’t modern, and even the coffee maker isn’t..You guessed it, modern. Everything is neat and in its place, but nothing is what you would call “spectacular.”
Once the photo was posted, people made comments; most were offers to “upgrade” her stone-age style kitchen. Glennon states that she was soundly convinced. She hadn’t noticed over the years how far behind the times she had fallen. The more she read, the more she believed that her family were suffering from a complete lack of modernity in their lives.
However, the next morning something changed. Mrs. Melton woke up and decided to try a different approach. She left behind her negativity of the night before, and put on what she called her “perspactacles”.
Perspactacles are glasses which allow the user to put things in their proper perspective. The inspiration for his idea came from Thoreau’s Walden quote: “I say beware of all enterprises that require new clothes and not a new wearer of the clothes.” You need to see things through a new view, before you go making changes.
When Mrs. Melton came to her kitchen with a fresh perspective, she didn’t find it lacking at all. In fact, she noticed some wonderful things for which she was grateful. She points out that she has a refrigerator! In a refrigerator she can produce food for her family, which is a luxury some 16,000 mothers do not enjoy. 16,000 represents the number of children who die each day from malnutrition. Over-all, she considers herself and her family to be well-off in the food department.
Secondly, she notes the water faucet. All she has to do is turn the lever and clean water is given. This privilege is not enjoyed by some 780 million people world-wide.
The final feature she noticed in her “outdated kitchen” is her old floors. The floors don’t look bad, but bring a smile to her face because of the many wonderful memories which they evoke.
The point and purpose of the article was really quite simple. It is time for us to stop worrying over what we don’t have, and those who do have, and instead be grateful for all that God has given to us. When is the last time you looked at your home, your cars, your spouse, or your children and simply said: “Thank you”?
Let’s stop living to please the folks next door, and start living to fulfill 1 Thessalonians 5: 18. There we read:
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
-Rusty
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Thursday, August 21, 2014
We Are God's Chosen People by Jason Goldtrap
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Til He returns or calls me home-
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
- Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
The confident standing of a saved soul is a lifelong process. It would be great to live in a Hallmark Channel world of inspiring moments and happy endings. I like inspiring moments, but what happens when the moment is gone? Who you are and what you will be starts in the waters of baptism and it is finished in the unseen realm of eternity. One of the reasons we come together as a church is to remind ourselves of who we are and what we will be.
We are God’s chosen people in a crowd of babbling religious dogma. We are the saved ones- hands folded in prayer during a riot. We are the ones who practice truth in a tide of trends. We are immovable as we happily refuse to join the fallen world’s carousel race to nowhere. We are the mercy givers to those who do not deserve clemency. We do not forget the friendless, the sick and the homeless. We believe in the Book that turns the world upside down and the One who penned it.
Colossians 2:9-10 “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Praise Our Benefactor for the immeasurable love He shows us daily. Bless us, Father, as we serve Thee only. Amen. –Jason Goldtrap
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Why We Assemble by Rusty Hilliard
One of the hardest things about writing a bulletin article is remembering when it will primarily be read. At Central the weekly bulletin is available at the worship service each Sunday. This is important because of the purpose that draws us here.
In last Sunday’s evening service I spoke about the need for us to understand why we are at worship. As I set here in my office on Thursday, I am struck by the simplistic purpose that will call the saints together on Sunday August 17. The purpose isn’t to criticize the sermon, or the song service, or the length of the prayers, or the eloquence (or lack thereof) of the individual who heads the table. Our purpose in coming together isn’t to hear how well the Bible class teachers have prepared their lessons, or even to enjoy a fantastic meal together. Our purpose in coming together isn’t for parties, plans, pleasure, or any other earthly cause.
As you sit reading this article, before services begin, why are you here? From a Biblical standpoint, simply put, we are here to give praise and glory to God. Ephesians 3: 21 states:
“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
Folks, when we come here to worship, we need to come looking to give praise, not looking to what we will receive. I want to encourage you, as our service begins, focus your hearts, minds, soul, and body upon giving all the glory to God. -Rusty
Friday, August 8, 2014
Ordinary Moments can be Special Moments by Rusty Hilliard
On September 9 it will be three years since Delaney and I began working with this congregation. Over that time, we’ve been encouraged by a number of things. We’re passionate about our young people. I love the way in which this group of God’s children tells our young people how much they matter to the work in God’s kingdom.
Charles Francis Adams, 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. "Went fishing with my son today--a day wasted." His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: "Went fishing with my father--the most wonderful day of my life!"
Charles Adams thought he was wasting his time; Brook Adams saw it as an investment. To adults some things seem like a waste of time, but they mean the world to these young people. Thanks to those who help and encourage our young people by the time spent to plan, carry out, financially support, and transport our young people. To those who work with the youth, you are investing both in the future and in the today of the church. In the New Testament, Timothy had been trained for years before Paul came along and instructed and encouraged him. We have a delightful group of kids here at Central who are thirsty for both the work and word of the Lord. As a congregation, let’s make sure that we are satisfying that thirst. -Rusty
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