Earlier this evening in South Carolina we experienced an earthquake. I, personally, had never felt an earthquake. I heard what sounded like thunder and then the house began to shake. It was an eerie feeling and in that moment I realized that I had absolutely no control over the situation. I just had to brace myself and enjoy the ride - all 5 seconds of it.
This year I have been trying to make better decisions about the food I eat and have even been working out some. However, to those of you who deprive yourselves on a daily basis of good food and punish your bodies with insane amounts of exercise, you need to realize that there is nothing you can do to add one second to your earthly lives. Psalm 139:16 speaks to us about how God knew the number of our days before we were even born. This is something else that you have absolutely no control over.
Take heart, my friends, because there is one thing you can have control over. When you come down to the end of your earthly life your weight, how healthy you are, or what you own won't matter. The only thing that will matter is who you know. You can have a relationship with the creator of the Universe through His Son, Jesus Christ. We were separated from God because of our sins - something we had no control over. Jesus laid down his life voluntarily so that we may once again gain fellowship with God and have life eternal - something He had complete control over.
So the next time you find yourself in an earthquake or some other situation that you have no control over remember that you can have a relationship with the One who is in control of the situation. All He asks us to do is to believe in His sacrifice and resurrection and to turn from our sins. John 16:33 tells us that in this world we will have trouble, but we can take heart because He has overcome the world. Even though I just experienced my first earthquake I will sleep easy tonight and remember the song most of us learned as children - "He's got the whole world in His hands!"
Friday, February 14, 2014
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Remembering Nanny
Most of the people who read this blog are aware that my grandmother, Ruth White (or "Nanny" as she was called by my brother and I) finished her earthly journey yesterday morning. Anyone would be hard pressed to find a more godly, hard-working, and kind-hearted person than Nanny.
Born to a family of farmers in the early 1920's, she suffered through The Great Depression. The youngest of 14 children, she began working at an early age caring for the children of her older siblings. As an adult she worked a variety of jobs ("public work," as she called it) including retail, textiles, fast-food and shelving books at the county public library. Much of the time, she was doing this "public work" while also raising a daughter and caring for an ailing husband.
When my parents separated in the early 1980's, Nanny and Grandaddy opened their home to my mother, my brother and me. Although Brad Paisley's song, "He Didn't Have To Be" is about a step-parent, I can relate this song to my grandparents. They had already fulfilled their obligation by raising their own child, they didn't have to take on the responsibility of helping to raise two more, but I am glad they did.
I can remember when Nanny, a few years after retiring from a local factory, took a job at a chain fast-food restarant. Although she was probably making only minimum wage (which was probably around $4 per hour at the time) she always would give some of her earnings to my brother and me for an allowance. This part of her selfless personality remained up until her death. When visiting her at the nursing home she would often offer me some of the snacks she would be eating. If I wasn't there, she would find another resident to offer to share some of her refreshments with.
As a teenager into adulthood, some of my fondest memories were of attending Sunday Evening and Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting services with Nanny. Recently at a Homecoming Celebration at that church, another former member commented that it didn't seem right to see me sitting on that same pew without Nanny by my side. I am thankful for the godly influence Nanny has had on my life.
I was honored to have the opportunity to share her last few moments on Earth yesterday morning. She had been bedridden, but peaceful since Friday afternoon. Around 10:30 a.m. she took a breath and then she didn't take any more. I had never been in the immediate presence of someone as they stepped into Eternity before. Words cannot describe what a sacred experience this was. After 90 years on Earth, many of them hard, she stepped into the arms of a loving Savior who laid down his life for her. After 16 1/2 years apart, she was reunited with her beloved husband.
Country group Diamond Rio recorded a song several years ago called "God Only Cries For The Living." The song says, "God only cries for the living, 'cause it's the living that are left to carry on." Although I believe that the Almighty smiled as he welcomed Nanny into His Kingdom yesterday morning, I also believe that he grieves with those of us who experience the temporary separation from the lady we hold so dear. Rest in peace, Nanny, until we meet again.
In Memory of Ruth C. White
December 7, 1922 - January 6, 2012
Born to a family of farmers in the early 1920's, she suffered through The Great Depression. The youngest of 14 children, she began working at an early age caring for the children of her older siblings. As an adult she worked a variety of jobs ("public work," as she called it) including retail, textiles, fast-food and shelving books at the county public library. Much of the time, she was doing this "public work" while also raising a daughter and caring for an ailing husband.
When my parents separated in the early 1980's, Nanny and Grandaddy opened their home to my mother, my brother and me. Although Brad Paisley's song, "He Didn't Have To Be" is about a step-parent, I can relate this song to my grandparents. They had already fulfilled their obligation by raising their own child, they didn't have to take on the responsibility of helping to raise two more, but I am glad they did.
I can remember when Nanny, a few years after retiring from a local factory, took a job at a chain fast-food restarant. Although she was probably making only minimum wage (which was probably around $4 per hour at the time) she always would give some of her earnings to my brother and me for an allowance. This part of her selfless personality remained up until her death. When visiting her at the nursing home she would often offer me some of the snacks she would be eating. If I wasn't there, she would find another resident to offer to share some of her refreshments with.
As a teenager into adulthood, some of my fondest memories were of attending Sunday Evening and Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting services with Nanny. Recently at a Homecoming Celebration at that church, another former member commented that it didn't seem right to see me sitting on that same pew without Nanny by my side. I am thankful for the godly influence Nanny has had on my life.
I was honored to have the opportunity to share her last few moments on Earth yesterday morning. She had been bedridden, but peaceful since Friday afternoon. Around 10:30 a.m. she took a breath and then she didn't take any more. I had never been in the immediate presence of someone as they stepped into Eternity before. Words cannot describe what a sacred experience this was. After 90 years on Earth, many of them hard, she stepped into the arms of a loving Savior who laid down his life for her. After 16 1/2 years apart, she was reunited with her beloved husband.
Country group Diamond Rio recorded a song several years ago called "God Only Cries For The Living." The song says, "God only cries for the living, 'cause it's the living that are left to carry on." Although I believe that the Almighty smiled as he welcomed Nanny into His Kingdom yesterday morning, I also believe that he grieves with those of us who experience the temporary separation from the lady we hold so dear. Rest in peace, Nanny, until we meet again.
In Memory of Ruth C. White
December 7, 1922 - January 6, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
GCB - Fact or Fiction?
Some of you may have heard of and even watched ABC's new controversial show called GCB. The letters stand for Good Christian Bitches. (I apologize for the language, but that is what is stands for.) The show has been condemned by people such as Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh for its anti-Christian bigotry. I am in no way condoning the show and even though it is based on a book by that title I think the producers should have given it a more respectful title. However, I have been around "church folk" my entire life and after watching the Pilot I have to believe that it is more fact than fiction.
The show centers on a former "mean girl" who returns to her hometown after the death of her husband only to face gossip and back-biting from her high school classmates. There is a scene in the Pilot where Leslie Bibb's character stands in church to deliver a "prayer" in which she reveals secrets to the congregation about another character. We have all been around church people who shared a piece of gossip with us but ended by saying, "I'm not telling you this to gossip but so that you can pray for such and such."
Even though there may be more truth than fiction in the show and I actually found parts of it funny, I believe that this type of show casts Christians in a bad light and may be a turn-off to those who are not part of a body of believers. True, every church has characters such as the ones in the show, but we must draw a comparison between "church folk" and true Christians. Matthew 7:16 states that "Ye shall know them by their fruits" and that "a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit." (18) 1 John 2:3 also states that "we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." Most "church folk" attend church as a social event but true followers of Christ attend to worship our Savior and to be instructed in the Word of God.
To any non-believers who may be reading this I ask that you not judge the entire church by a few GCBs. Even in the early days of the church Paul admonished churches for not being what they should be. To my fellow believers, let us make sure that the "beam" in our eye is completely cast out so that we may see well enough to show others the Way. We need to check ourselves and make sure that we would not be categorized as a GCB.
The show centers on a former "mean girl" who returns to her hometown after the death of her husband only to face gossip and back-biting from her high school classmates. There is a scene in the Pilot where Leslie Bibb's character stands in church to deliver a "prayer" in which she reveals secrets to the congregation about another character. We have all been around church people who shared a piece of gossip with us but ended by saying, "I'm not telling you this to gossip but so that you can pray for such and such."
Even though there may be more truth than fiction in the show and I actually found parts of it funny, I believe that this type of show casts Christians in a bad light and may be a turn-off to those who are not part of a body of believers. True, every church has characters such as the ones in the show, but we must draw a comparison between "church folk" and true Christians. Matthew 7:16 states that "Ye shall know them by their fruits" and that "a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit." (18) 1 John 2:3 also states that "we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." Most "church folk" attend church as a social event but true followers of Christ attend to worship our Savior and to be instructed in the Word of God.
To any non-believers who may be reading this I ask that you not judge the entire church by a few GCBs. Even in the early days of the church Paul admonished churches for not being what they should be. To my fellow believers, let us make sure that the "beam" in our eye is completely cast out so that we may see well enough to show others the Way. We need to check ourselves and make sure that we would not be categorized as a GCB.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Stupid Things We Say
Everyday I hear people saying things that, when you analyze them, are downright stupid. Many of the people who say these things are fairly intelligent and don't even realize what they are saying. I, myself am guilty of saying such things from time to time. We say many things that are incorrect, but listed here are a few of my pet peeves.
One thing that has become accepted in modern culture is the use of the words sex and gender interchangeably. These two words actually have different meanings. The word sex describes is something is male or female. The word gender is a grammatical term referring to something as masculine or feminine. I have even heard medical doctors using the term gender meaning sex. In our laziness we have shortened our references to sexual intercourse to just the word sex, thus making people scared to utter this three-lettered word. Your sex can actually be one thing while your gender is the opposite. Outside of the family this means nothing, but people in my family can reference the tale about the man who was "so prissy he had to sit down to pee." This person's sex would be male but his gender was feminine.
Probably at the top of my list is when people say, "I could care less" when they actually mean, "I couldn't care less." Saying could in the phrase actually conveys the opposite meaning of it. If you could care less, then you actually could care less about whatever you are speaking of. Many people make this error. Even in his recent hit "Do I" Luke Bryan uses this phrase incorrectly. While I like the song, it irritates me slightly when he says the line, "Seems like you could care less either way."
One thing that I fall into myself more often than I care to admit, is when people make a phone call when the other person answers they automatically say, "yes" and the proceed to tell what they called for. I guess this comes from most businesses when answering a phone tells the company name followed by "may I help you?" However, part of my job is answering phones and I never ask, "may I help you?" but most people still say "yes" after I answer the phone. The person on the other end of the phone could say, "Bell's Home Interiors, may I bash you upside the head with a two by four?" and the other person would probably still say, "Yes, this is John Smith and I need some home interiors."
As I stated above, we all say things that are incorrect. I just think we should all be more cautious in what we are saying. How often have we said things in haste, only to later regret them? Proverbs 18:7 states that "A fools mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." We should all be more careful before we speak (or type) anything. After reading this many of you may say, "Christopher should have thought more before he wrote some of those blogs." I couldn't agree with you more.
One thing that has become accepted in modern culture is the use of the words sex and gender interchangeably. These two words actually have different meanings. The word sex describes is something is male or female. The word gender is a grammatical term referring to something as masculine or feminine. I have even heard medical doctors using the term gender meaning sex. In our laziness we have shortened our references to sexual intercourse to just the word sex, thus making people scared to utter this three-lettered word. Your sex can actually be one thing while your gender is the opposite. Outside of the family this means nothing, but people in my family can reference the tale about the man who was "so prissy he had to sit down to pee." This person's sex would be male but his gender was feminine.
Probably at the top of my list is when people say, "I could care less" when they actually mean, "I couldn't care less." Saying could in the phrase actually conveys the opposite meaning of it. If you could care less, then you actually could care less about whatever you are speaking of. Many people make this error. Even in his recent hit "Do I" Luke Bryan uses this phrase incorrectly. While I like the song, it irritates me slightly when he says the line, "Seems like you could care less either way."
One thing that I fall into myself more often than I care to admit, is when people make a phone call when the other person answers they automatically say, "yes" and the proceed to tell what they called for. I guess this comes from most businesses when answering a phone tells the company name followed by "may I help you?" However, part of my job is answering phones and I never ask, "may I help you?" but most people still say "yes" after I answer the phone. The person on the other end of the phone could say, "Bell's Home Interiors, may I bash you upside the head with a two by four?" and the other person would probably still say, "Yes, this is John Smith and I need some home interiors."
As I stated above, we all say things that are incorrect. I just think we should all be more cautious in what we are saying. How often have we said things in haste, only to later regret them? Proverbs 18:7 states that "A fools mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." We should all be more careful before we speak (or type) anything. After reading this many of you may say, "Christopher should have thought more before he wrote some of those blogs." I couldn't agree with you more.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Politics In Church
Today's blog is about a subject that has in recent years become taboo in many of our churches. The subject is politics. It seems before and after services we can speak to our brothers and sisters about sports, family activities, work and a wide variety of other topics, but many will not speak about politics in church - much less from the pulpit.
All of this seems strange to me. I was raised in a small church where I the pastor would preach entire sermons reprimanding President Clinton for his poor moral behavior in office. While not to the level of a "mega-church" I now attend what I consider a large church. This past Sunday I was talking to a man, with whom I have had several political conversations outside of church, when I started to enter something political into the conversation he seemed uneasy attempted to change the subject. When I said what I wanted to he said something about not talking about politics in church.
That is what seems strange to me because politics actually have more to do with church than many other topics. This phenomenon I have observed is mainly in large churches. Large churches have members of both political parties and the church leadership in many cases are scared to offend any of their members because they might move their membership to another church. I, however, think it is high time we as Christians hold our brothers and sisters accountable if they cast their votes for an official who will not represent us on moral issues simply because they are a member of a particular party. It is also time for pastors and church leaders to grow a set of cojones and proclaim the Gospel irrespective of who they offend. After all, the Gospel is "sharper than a two-edged sword" and when proclaimed properly convicts and leads to change. After all, it is completely acceptable to talk about Clemson and Carolina in God's house and there is nothing more divisive in South Carolina than that topic.
In my opinion, today's churches as well as politics have become too diluted with feelings. Many pastors and elected officials walk around scared to death they are going to offend a member or a voter. We need more men of God in the pulpit and in public office who actually have a backbone and will stand firm on the principles on which this country was founded. Who cares if you lose a few members or a few votes, you are ultimately only accountable to One.
All of this seems strange to me. I was raised in a small church where I the pastor would preach entire sermons reprimanding President Clinton for his poor moral behavior in office. While not to the level of a "mega-church" I now attend what I consider a large church. This past Sunday I was talking to a man, with whom I have had several political conversations outside of church, when I started to enter something political into the conversation he seemed uneasy attempted to change the subject. When I said what I wanted to he said something about not talking about politics in church.
That is what seems strange to me because politics actually have more to do with church than many other topics. This phenomenon I have observed is mainly in large churches. Large churches have members of both political parties and the church leadership in many cases are scared to offend any of their members because they might move their membership to another church. I, however, think it is high time we as Christians hold our brothers and sisters accountable if they cast their votes for an official who will not represent us on moral issues simply because they are a member of a particular party. It is also time for pastors and church leaders to grow a set of cojones and proclaim the Gospel irrespective of who they offend. After all, the Gospel is "sharper than a two-edged sword" and when proclaimed properly convicts and leads to change. After all, it is completely acceptable to talk about Clemson and Carolina in God's house and there is nothing more divisive in South Carolina than that topic.
In my opinion, today's churches as well as politics have become too diluted with feelings. Many pastors and elected officials walk around scared to death they are going to offend a member or a voter. We need more men of God in the pulpit and in public office who actually have a backbone and will stand firm on the principles on which this country was founded. Who cares if you lose a few members or a few votes, you are ultimately only accountable to One.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
A Southern Accent Is A Sign Of Intelligence
Since Rick Perry threw his had into the Presidential race a couple of weeks ago I have heard a number of "educated" commentators making fun of the way he speaks. Perry, being from Texas, speaks differently than we do in South Carolina, but it is still a Southern accent. I am tired of people prejudging us Southerners by the way we speak. Many people across the nation, when they hear a Southern accent think "ignorant" or "stupid." I would like to make the argument that we Southerners are, in fact, smarter than those from North of the Mason-Dixon line.
In the last 50 years or so, the majority of the men elected to the office of the Presidency have been Southern. LBJ and the Bush's were from Texas, Carter from Georgia and Bill Clinton from Arkansas. Even though Reagan was from California, he lived on the Rancho del Cielo and had more "good ole boy" in him than most. That means that most of the country for the past 50 years have entrusted the governing of this nation the majority of the time to a Southerner.
The South has also contributed such talent as Tennessee Williams and Lewis Grizzard to the world of literature, Forest Whitaker and Reese Witherspoon to the world of acting, and Elvis Presley and B.B. King to the world of music. This is just to name a few. Just think of Dr. King making his "I Have A Dream" speech with a Northern brogue - it just doesn't have the same meaning does it?
One of the reasons I think that we Southerners are so smart is we spend more time and effort on things that actually matter and less on the way we speak. In my opinion, Yankees put way too much effort into the simple act of talking. For instance, my Northern brothers and sisters pronounce the sweet liquid used on pancakes and waffles as "seer-up." How do we Southerners pronounce it - "sirp". That is just one example. Just think how much time and effort we save my dropping the occasional syllable from a word or adding a syllable or two to a word to add emphasis without having to say another whole word.
I would like to change the way people think of people with a Southern accent. A lot of broadcasters from different parts of the country go to school to lose their accent and learn to speak "Standard English" in hopes of making themselves sound more intelligent. I would propose if they really want to sound intelligent they should learn to speak with a Southern accent. On second thought, that is not a good idea. You have to be born with a Southern accent in order to speak it properly. Think about it, most of the time when a Northern actor attempts a Southern accent they sound more mentally handicapped than Southern.
In closing, I would just like to ask my Northern friends to please not judge us by the way we speak. Think of all the contributions we have made to society. Y'all must not hate us too much because y'all fought a war a few years ago to keep us part of your Union. I'll make a deal with you, if you will stop making fun of the way we speak and assume that we are less intelligent, I'll try to do the same for you. After all, we are all Americans.
In the last 50 years or so, the majority of the men elected to the office of the Presidency have been Southern. LBJ and the Bush's were from Texas, Carter from Georgia and Bill Clinton from Arkansas. Even though Reagan was from California, he lived on the Rancho del Cielo and had more "good ole boy" in him than most. That means that most of the country for the past 50 years have entrusted the governing of this nation the majority of the time to a Southerner.
The South has also contributed such talent as Tennessee Williams and Lewis Grizzard to the world of literature, Forest Whitaker and Reese Witherspoon to the world of acting, and Elvis Presley and B.B. King to the world of music. This is just to name a few. Just think of Dr. King making his "I Have A Dream" speech with a Northern brogue - it just doesn't have the same meaning does it?
One of the reasons I think that we Southerners are so smart is we spend more time and effort on things that actually matter and less on the way we speak. In my opinion, Yankees put way too much effort into the simple act of talking. For instance, my Northern brothers and sisters pronounce the sweet liquid used on pancakes and waffles as "seer-up." How do we Southerners pronounce it - "sirp". That is just one example. Just think how much time and effort we save my dropping the occasional syllable from a word or adding a syllable or two to a word to add emphasis without having to say another whole word.
I would like to change the way people think of people with a Southern accent. A lot of broadcasters from different parts of the country go to school to lose their accent and learn to speak "Standard English" in hopes of making themselves sound more intelligent. I would propose if they really want to sound intelligent they should learn to speak with a Southern accent. On second thought, that is not a good idea. You have to be born with a Southern accent in order to speak it properly. Think about it, most of the time when a Northern actor attempts a Southern accent they sound more mentally handicapped than Southern.
In closing, I would just like to ask my Northern friends to please not judge us by the way we speak. Think of all the contributions we have made to society. Y'all must not hate us too much because y'all fought a war a few years ago to keep us part of your Union. I'll make a deal with you, if you will stop making fun of the way we speak and assume that we are less intelligent, I'll try to do the same for you. After all, we are all Americans.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Giving A Tenth
As I write this, I am wearing steel-toed shoes because I am stepping on my own toes. Before you close this page thinking, "Christopher is wanting me to give my money away" please note that I am not talking about just money when I speak of tithing. (Although it has been my experience that the only people who get offended when the subject of monetary tithing arises are those who do not do so.)
It may be hard for some of you to believe that such a good-looking and talented writer as myself is not a millionaire, but at the time of this writing I am not a high-income earner. However, I have never had a problem with giving God the first 10% of the money He has allowed me to manage. I know that God does not need the small amount I am able to place in the offering plate, but it is an exercise in obedience. No matter how little you have if you give the first 10% (as commanded by scripture) back to God you are in essence saying, "God I trust you to provide my needs enough to do as you commanded."
Many of my fellow believers do not have a problem with sharing the monetary assets they have been blessed with, but I wonder how much we "tithe" on our other assets. Many of us seem to be busier than ever before. How many times have we given God what is left over of our time instead of the first 10%?
Our Lord tells us in Matthew 25:36, "Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me." In verse 40 He explains, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." It doesn't cost anything to go to a nursing home and visit with some of our seasoned citizens who are spending their last days this side of eternity. How many of us have clothes that we do not wear that we could donate to those who have virtually nothing? Very little time does it take to walk up to a police officer or soldier and say, "Thank you for protecting us."
For years I have had my personal devotion time before I go to bed. In and of itself there is nothing wrong with this, but so many times I fall asleep while praying to the Almighty. I often think of when Jesus said to his disciples when they had fallen asleep in the garden, "could ye not watch with me one hour?" (Matt. 26:40)
Again, this blog posting is more to me than anyone else. Even if we gave all of our money and all of our time to the service of the one and only God, it would not be enough. I think of the words of the song "God With Us" written by Chris Tomlin and performed by MercyMe that says, "Such a tiny offering/ Compared to Calvary/ Nevertheless, we lay it at your feet." The next time we are tempted to give God what is left over of us, let us remember that He gave us His all.
It may be hard for some of you to believe that such a good-looking and talented writer as myself is not a millionaire, but at the time of this writing I am not a high-income earner. However, I have never had a problem with giving God the first 10% of the money He has allowed me to manage. I know that God does not need the small amount I am able to place in the offering plate, but it is an exercise in obedience. No matter how little you have if you give the first 10% (as commanded by scripture) back to God you are in essence saying, "God I trust you to provide my needs enough to do as you commanded."
Many of my fellow believers do not have a problem with sharing the monetary assets they have been blessed with, but I wonder how much we "tithe" on our other assets. Many of us seem to be busier than ever before. How many times have we given God what is left over of our time instead of the first 10%?
Our Lord tells us in Matthew 25:36, "Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me." In verse 40 He explains, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." It doesn't cost anything to go to a nursing home and visit with some of our seasoned citizens who are spending their last days this side of eternity. How many of us have clothes that we do not wear that we could donate to those who have virtually nothing? Very little time does it take to walk up to a police officer or soldier and say, "Thank you for protecting us."
For years I have had my personal devotion time before I go to bed. In and of itself there is nothing wrong with this, but so many times I fall asleep while praying to the Almighty. I often think of when Jesus said to his disciples when they had fallen asleep in the garden, "could ye not watch with me one hour?" (Matt. 26:40)
Again, this blog posting is more to me than anyone else. Even if we gave all of our money and all of our time to the service of the one and only God, it would not be enough. I think of the words of the song "God With Us" written by Chris Tomlin and performed by MercyMe that says, "Such a tiny offering/ Compared to Calvary/ Nevertheless, we lay it at your feet." The next time we are tempted to give God what is left over of us, let us remember that He gave us His all.
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