Category: Teaching

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We Shall Meet…But We Shall Miss Him.

An American Icon has passed away! 

Note: Andy Taylor is the man, the icon, from Mayberry.  Andy Griffith, the man, missed the mark later in life as he embraced, in my opinion, several ‘un-Mayberry’ type policies.

Andy Taylor was a man who served as the fair and just, level headed sheriff of a small town in North Carolina.  He played the role of a young widower who loved his only son, respected his faithful aunt and selflessly served his community.  You never found a more faithful friend and advocate for an over-zealous deputy who tried to keep order (and comedy) for the daily life in the small town of Mayberry.

Born in 1926 in North Carolina, Andy Griffith, the man, lived to the ripe old age of 86.  His popularity is noted as the a fore mentioned sheriff, but he also starred in the 1980’s as the country lawyer from Atlanta, Georgia.  His Southern drawl and unmatched legal abilities set him, Ben Matlock, as the unbeatable attorney.   During the life of these two TV sitcoms it was not uncommon to hear Andy Griffith take up his guitar and sing while he played.  He was a talented singer of gospel hymns, as well as traditional songs from our country’s history.

My first exposure to this talented comedian came from one of his first monologues named, “What it was, was Football”.  Performed in 1953 and eventually sold to Capitol Records, this skit sold nearly 800,000 copies in it’s first couple of years.  This story comes from a county preacher’s perspective as he watches (for the first time) a college football game.  His accidental admission into the game is portrayed in classic Andy Taylor vernacular.  His original climactic description of “the awfullest fight that I have ever seen…in my life!”  continues to ring in my mind and bring a recollection of a simpler, more civil time.

But next to his comedy and fun-loving spirit, I remember enjoying his golden voice and God-given singing ability.  Several times in that small town of Mayberry you would see this community of believers gather on Sunday morning for church services.  The gospel songs and spiritual focus was a calling card to a life portrayed in North Carolina.  It served as the bedrock foundation for a community built to serve God and support each other.  Perhaps you’ll remember the episode when the primary focus of the day was on the church.  It aired in October of 1963 and the show was appropriately entitled, The Sermon for Today.  A strong lesson that, we often take too seriously the busyness of life (and that coming from 1963).

Yet perhaps my all time favorite episode from ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ came a few months later in February of 1964, Hot Rod Otis.  Otis Campbell, the town drunk, takes on a second job to raise money so he can buy a car.  Barney is determined to teach him a few safe driving skills (with two toy cars), but when the sheriff and deputy find Otis passed out on the hood of his car, drunk, they assume the worse and take him to jail.  In short order, the faithful duo come up with a scheme to ‘teach Otis a lesson so he’ll never want to drive again’.  The scene features Andy and Barney singing “The Vacant Chair” (a song from the mid-1800’s often associated with the Civil War).  For me, this song and its chorus echo though my mind as I remember a legend and miss an icon…Andy Griffith.

“We shall meet, but we shall miss him.
There will be one vacant chair.
We shall linger to caress him…
While we breathe our ev’ning prayer.”

 

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Are We Still a Great Country?

This week the United States of America will celebrate Independence Day on Wednesday, July 4th.  A time in our country’s history that commemorates the independence of our nation.  This year the USA celebrates 226 years of freedom.  Personally, it wasn’t that long ago that I can remember celebrating the 200th Anniversary during the summer of 1976.  But if you look back even further in our country’s history, when our nation celebrated during its 100th Anniversary, Daniel Roberts wrote a poem to honor our country and it soon was given a tune with the title “National Hymn”.  It’s better known today as “God of Our Fathers”.

The United States of America celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 1876.  Any monumental occasion deserves a memorable celebration and Roberts was determined to provide that memory.  But to truly see the fullness of this ‘hymn’, you need to read the lines, word by word.   Notice the scripture reference and Biblical emphasis that our country was founded on and still strove to uphold 100 years later.  (What about today?  Do we still maintain this diligence?  If you live in America today, you might take pause and remember when…)

“God of our fathers, whose almighty hand leads forth in beauty all the starry band of shining worlds in splendor thru the skies, our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.
Thy love divine hath led us in the past; in this free land by Thee our lot is cast; be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay, Thy Word our law, Thy path our chosen way.
From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence, (the Civil War was a recent memory) be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense; Thy true religion in our hearts increase, Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way; lead us from night to never-ending day; fill all our lives with love and grace divine, and glory, laud and praise be thine.  AMEN”

Can we still have this devotion to God, calling on Him to be our “ruler, guardian, guide and stay”?  Why would we feel so self-reliant that we would believe our way is better than HIS path?  To be honest, we’re not much different than the Israelite nation as we read Judges 21:25.  “…everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Is there no standard of right and wrong?  Have we determined that morality is subject and best left to individual choice.  How do we know if there is a right or wrong…unless we follow a standard provided by one with absolute truth.  Our society and culture try to answer that too by saying, ‘there is no absolute truth’.  (Which by the very nature of the statement is an absolute!)

Our forefathers, with our new found independence, could have established any standard of governmental rule.  They could have ‘remade’ a system of government that mirrored the tyranny the fled (and bled) to escape.  They could have re-traced the steps of Roman rule (very powerful in the world during its day), but instead they sought a society that was governed by the people.  And if the people were to ‘rule’ the land, our founding fathers knew they would need a ‘guide’; an example to an new nation showing peace and providing ‘bounteous goodness’.  So you can see why it was important to hold up songs like this.

But what has happened to our country?  Did God abandon us like an unwanted puppy on the side of the road?  If you know anything about God and His nature, you know He would never abandon His children.  But as in life (and as some of you may have already experienced) the child can leave the teachings of the parent.  We, as a nation, have turned away from God’s Word, God’s Guidance and God’s Love.  How can we expect God to “Bless America” when America has denounced its God?  My objective, my aim, is to once again let His path be my chosen way.  To let His ‘true religion in my (our) heart increase’.  To seek His strong arm as my ‘ever sure defense’, and to constantly raise before His throne a ‘grateful song’.

If I can encourage my country men to do the same; if we will turn our hearts and minds back to God, then perhaps we can see fulfillment when God speaks to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7:13, 14.  “…if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who call by My name HUMBLE THEMSELVES and PRAY and SEEK MY FACE and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  Can you be humble, pray, seek God, and turn from a life of sin?  When we do that we’ll be returning to the roots that made this country great!

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Securing the Hearts of Our Youth…Part 3

As we conclude this series on ‘Securing the Hearts of Our Youth’, let’s example the third component of mentoring and preparing faithful families.  Let’s turn again to examine the three previously mentioned, elements of securing their hearts.  I truly believe that each of these will help us in drawing our youth closer to God.

Part 1, focused on the importance of a faithful example.  Remember your consistency and faithfulness as you talk with your children, walk through your life and choice your path.  Your example, in some cases, will impact people more than you words.  Our second component (Part 2) addressed the idea of providing opportunities for involvement in the work of the church.  We can include our young people when we give them a chance to work.  Remember, if they’re ‘thirsty’ they’ll ‘drink.’

We have talked about the value of a good example and the importance of training and teaching our young people.  And though these two methods of preparation are vital and needed to direct our youth, we must never forgot the ‘WHY’ behind it all.  For the past 10 years I have taught the college class at our congregation.  There has been Sunday mornings when only three (3) students came to class.  And then again, there have been Wednesday nights when more than thirty (30) young men and women filled the room.  During each class I ask them; “Why?  Why are you here?  No one is making you come; you are here because you chose to be.  Why?”  When we can come to understand the reason we attend a Bible study with God’s people is more than just habit, then they will grow closer to seeing the importance of doing more than just going through the motions.  As a congregation and as individual families we strive to set the proper example.  We focus on training and teaching our young people to serve (men to lead) in the Lord’s church, but our children must come to know why we do what we do.

During the early 1700’s, Isaac Watts at the age of 45, wrote a poem entitled “How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts?”  The poem, a song many have sung for years, asks the question we set as the pinnacle in exploring our objective; Mentoring Faithful Adults into a Life of Service.  How can we safe guard the hearts of our young people for Godly service?  Isaac Watt’s doesn’t miss a beat.  His answer comes from the second part of Psalm 119:9 “…by keeping it (a young man’s ways) according to Your word.”  The song states; “Thy Word the choicest rules imparts to keep the conscience clean.”  How else can we, should we, mentor faithful adults if not through the Word of God.  The Psalmist continues as he writes in the 119th Psalm, “With all my heart I have sought You…Your word I have treasured in my heart…with my lips I have told of all the ordinances of your mouth…I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.  I shall delight in Your statues; I shall not forget Your word.”  Notice the example of seeking God and treasuring His word in our hearts; of mediating on His instruction and delighting (making a priority) of his statutes (the Law of Christ).  As we mentor our young people and train them, we’ll teach them how to tell others about the ordinances (the word) of God.

We have a massive obligation to mentor our young people.  We need to begin early and continue mentoring often.  Our responsibility should never be take lightly.  If you still have children at home, focus your attention on bringing them to God…literally.  Don’t let culture dictate where they will go and what they will do.  Be certain, if you don’t show them that God is first in your life, the world will show they what it holds to be important.  And remember mentoring our young adults must start with you, the parent.   If you have grown children who are no longer faithful and no longer under your guidance; be sure you have your priorities right and pray for an opportunity to correct any errors from your past. You may still be able to sway them if they a change in your life.  If you have no children but want to impact and influence ‘the next generation’, search your heart and be sure you’re focused on Godliness.  Seek ways to teach, train and encourage the young adults in your congregation.  It’s never too late to secure their hearts and guard their lives from sin.  Use God’s word as the light that will guide them through the dangers of the night.  Rest assured, God’s Word is everlasting truth and every page of His word is pure!  Using the Bible as our foundation in life will guide our young people and, as Isaac Watts wrote, will well support our age.

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What’s in a Word?

Do you take the time to think about words?  In my speech I typically use words to which I know the meaning.  But how very often do we find ourselves singing songs, and saying words we don’t know?  This can happen when you consider the poetry of our hymns.  The rhyme and meter of a song might call for a word that is uncommon in our every day vernacular.  So we are faced with one of three options.  Not that these are our only choices, but most likely this is what it will come down to.

Option #1:  We can throw the song out.  That is a common response because some will say, “I don’t know what I’m saying anyway.”  Personally, I believe this is an easy way out and one that will ultimately cheat you of spiritual growth and knowledge.  (Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…)

Option #2:  We keep on singing the song even though we don’t understanding what we’re singing.  This is where most of us are today.  A song so familiar I know it by heart.  Actually, for many, we don’t even need the book.  Memorization and having a ‘ready recollection’ is a good thing, but this can be a danger if you’re not aware of the trap.  In regards to our faith, Paul admonishes us to ‘examine (y)ourselves‘, I Corinthians 13:5.  The same holds true to our singing of songs.

Option #3:  (In my opinion this is the ONLY option for Christians…)  We must learn what the words mean that we are singing.  In must be reiterated over and over again…if you don’t know what a word or phrase means, look it up.  Christ says it perfectly in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first (or continually seek) His kingdom and His righteousness…”.  It might take some time but don’t be afraid to ask someone for understanding.  You will be doing yourself a favor.  In a word, be diligent and search for understanding.

Now let’s put it to work!  Find a song that has a word (or words) you don’t recognize and then search out the meaning.  To get you started let’s look at song from the mid-1700’s penned by the renowned hymn writer, Charles Wesley. 

“Soldier’s of Christ, Arise and put your armor on;
Strong in the strength which God supplies…Thru His beloved Son.”

“Strong in the Lord of hosts and in His mighty power;
Who in the strength of Jesus trust…is more than conqueror.”

“Stand then, in His great might, with all His strength endued;
But take, to arm you for the fight, the panoply of God.”

Two words might have caught your eye here, endued and panoply.  By definition endue means to provide or be endowed with something.  A panoply is “A complete or impressive collection of things” or “a splendid display.”  Now sing this verse again;

“Stand then, in His great might, with all His strength endued (provided); but take, to arm you for the fight, the panoply (complete, impressive collection of His armor {see verse 1}) of God.”  Let’s keep ‘singing’!

“Leave no unguarded place, no weakness of the soul;
Take every virtue, every grace, and fortify the whole.”

Again, two words might have caught your eye here, virtue and fortify.  For clarification, virtue is ‘moral excellence’ and with it you can ‘strengthen or make strong’ the soul.  To interpret this verse… “Don’t leave any weak point in your spiritual life.  Take every morally excellent thing along with God’s grace and use it to strengthen your soul.”

“That having all things done, and all your conflicts past,
You may overcome through Christ alone, and stand entire at last.”

Translated;  “When this life is over and all our struggles are complete, if you have held on to the armor of God and lived a life worthy of His calling…you will be prepared to stand before God at judgment.”  Notice Romans 4:10, “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” and again in II Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…”  Sing from your heart (spirit) and you’ll be singing with understanding (your mind).  I Corinthians 14:15

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Are You ‘Teachable’?

How ‘teachable’ do you think you are?  Are you open to comments, questions or even constructive criticism?  We can never be what we were intended to be if we aren’t receptive to instruction.  After 15 years in formal, public education I learned that it’s not just about how willing and eager I am to teach, but how open the student will be.  We might be able to teach, but without an audience, our words fall on deaf ears.  But are you willing to sit and listen, to learn, from the word of God?  That takes time.  It takes patience and above all (ultimately), it take obedience.

Fathers…when you come together with the Lord’s church for worship are you willing to teach your children?  Do you sing and praise God WITH your family or is it an individual activity?  Perhaps your son isn’t willing to sit and sing; because they have already learned how important that really is in watching you.  You must realize that our children will learn just as much by watching what we do as they will listening to what we say.

Jane Lesson penned the following words, and though we might not sing this hymn as often as we should, the message still rings true today.  The teacher teaches the student for one basic reason.  It’s not for the money and it’s not for the fame.  We teach because we love.  A teacher who loves his student will give time and energy to bring them to a clearer understanding of the value within the message.  Our God loves us, teaches us and guides in life.  As His child (student) do we listen to Him; do we love Him?  We do love Him (We should love Him) because;  “We love Him, because He first loved us.” I John 4:19

Savior, teach me day by day, love’s sweet lesson to obey.
Sweeter lessons cannot be, loving Him Who first loved me.

With a child’s glad heart of love at Thy bidding may I move,
Prompt to serve and follow Thee, loving Him Who first loved me.

Teach me thus Thy steps to trace, strong to follow in Thy grace,
Learning how to love from Thee, loving Him Who first loved me.

Love in loving finds employ, in obedience all her joy;
Ever new that joy will be, loving Him Who first loved me.

Thus may I rejoice to show that I feel the love I owe;
Singing, till Thy face I see, of His love Who first loved me.