Dear China, I don’t know why all of a sudden you have taken an interest in my blog, but thank you— I think?
Last month you started running my stats through the stratosphere…which is cool, of course…but I don’t understand why the sudden spike.
Well, anyway, if you wouldn’t mind, I could really use some more views on my YouTube channel. Would you click the link below and watch this video?
That would really be awesome 🙂
Filed under Uncategorized
The Date
Good evening, everyone. Do you want to know what I did tonight? I went to dinner and a movie with my wife! We saw “The Last Rodeo” (an Angel Studios film) and then went to Provino’s, Valerie’s favorite Italian restaurant.
If you are young, enjoy it. Once you pass the 30-year mark of marriage, dating your wife is difficult. Right now, you are up on all the latest trends and hot spots. But when you get older, you get tired and stuck in your ways. New things are uncomfortable; old things are boring. It’s a constant struggle.
However, when it comes to dating your wife, regardless of the age, go where she wants to eat. This is a rule of life. Just do it. Don’t argue.
The Poster
But it was as we were leaving the theater that I saw a poster for a movie now playing: “Final Destination: Bloodlines.”
I laughed, started coughing, told my wife to keep walking without me, and then took a photo of the poster. There was an older man (like 80’s old) standing in front of the poster and I was going to ask him what he thought about it, but he was too busy looking at his iPhone. No irony there, I know.
So what was so funny about the poster? It was the statement printed inside the gaping mouth of a skull. It read, “DEATH RUNS IN THE FAMILY.”
To be honest, I have no idea what this movie is about, other than people who supposedly cheated death dying in gruesome ways. You know, all the ways people die, other than the most common ways like heart attack, alien abduction, etc..
But I have no idea where the tagline fits in. And just for the record, death runs in every family! Ever since the first chapter or two of Genesis, it’s been a thing! Every one of us is going to die, just like our ancestors did.
You could say we all have an appointment with death. Only some of us have a relationship with the One who overcame it.
When you are born again, your bloodline changes.
Filed under General Observations, salvation
The ghoulish day is here, so time for a rerun of a favorite, timely post. 🙂
This time of year gets on my nerves, and one of the biggest reasons is the proliferation of horror movies. Horror movies don’t scare me that much; they tick me off! They are always full of idiots walking into the dark asking, “Buffy, is that you?”
And what’s worse, so many of today’s horror flicks involve ghostly, demonic hauntings by creepy dead kids. HINT: if a soaking-wet dead girl crawls out of a well and starts climbing through your TV, change the channel (preferably to a Christian station).
But what I really don’t understand are the “undead”…zombies… Michael Jackson’s dance partners. Can someone help me understand the logic behind their supposed capabilities and actions?
English: A participant of a Zombie walk, Asbury Park NJ, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)All I know is that the walking dead make absolutely no sense. Consider the following:
Health. Why is it that when I have the flu I feel as good as dead, yet when a zombie is dead he feels more alive than me? If I break a bone I can’t function, but a zombie can have all his bones broken and break into an armored car!
Why is it that zombies can have more energy once their skin has rotted than while they were still exfoliating?
Appetite. Why is it that the walking dead never seem to recognize that their fellow walkers are also human – and edible? And why are humans the only meat worth eating?
Why don’t the walking dead break into grocery stores, butcher shops, and kennels? Seriously, don’t the dead understand that there is far more meat and brains in a cow?! Why eat the farmer???
Blood. I’ve had too much experience in funeral homes to buy the idea that zombies coming out of graves have bright, red, flowing blood. Ever heard of embalming fluid?
Speed. Why can’t healthy people, including clumsy women in high heels, outrun people with muscles falling off the bone? Bones need muscles to function, especially when the function is running.
Even if one tripped over every blade of grass in an attempt to flee a rotting granny, how fast could granny be when her anterior muscles, such as the quadriceps femoris, iliopsoas, and sartorius (not to mention her hamstrings and gluteus maximus) are nothing more than brittle beef jerky?
It’s a matter of simple mechanics.
Minor Practicalities. Speaking of grannies, if old people become zombies do they have to keep their false teeth in order to chew their neighbor? I mean, if one did bite/gum you, would you still be infected if no teeth were involved? For crying out loud, how long does Fixodent last?
Theoretically, if the dentures of a zombie did come flying out after the first bite, could a non-zombie then use them as a zombie-creating weapon?
What is the life expectancy of something that is already dead?
Oh, and when a zombie eats a human, where does the ingested material go? Do zombies have functioning digestive tracts? If not, then how much could a zombie eat before becoming bloated, impacted, and for all intents and purposes worthless as a killing machine?
Do zombies poop?
To be very honest, I am more afraid of my own stinking flesh than the “walking dead.” I cause myself more problems than any zombie can.
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24)
I can’t outrun my old nature; I must crucify it on a daily basis! If I live in the power of my own zombie-like self, I will die. The only way I can survive is live in the life of Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14).
So, don’t worry about what’s already dead and buried; through the Spirit put to death the deeds of your own stinking flesh, and live (Romans 8:13).
Filed under Christian Maturity, current events, General Observations, Humor, World View
“Are You a Lawyer?“
Two weeks ago at our local farmer’s market, a lady was interested in my art. After talking for a moment, she asked if I had a business card I could give her. Of course!
Now, this week I am set to receive my new business cards for Wall Hole Coverings, but all I had at that time showed information about me as a pastor. But even though they are my church cards, they do have under my phone number the web address for this blog.
When the lady read “The Recovering Legalist,” as often is the case, she asked, “Are you a lawyer?” To which I replied, “No, I’m a pastor, but that’s my personal blog.”
Then, with a sort of a belittling tone, she said, “Oh, so it’s religious, then.” To which I replied, “No, not entirely.”
More than Religious
You see, the context of this blog and much of my writing is, most certainly, weighted toward the spiritual. Yet, when I talk about “legalism,” I’m also referring to a dangerous kind of behavior that affects nearly every walk of life.
From a religious perspective, legalism, simply put, is the practice of gauging one’s spirituality by man-made standards, particularly the checking off of a list of do’s-and-don’ts.
On the other hand, there are plenty of other ways people can become legalistic in their treatment of others and the jobs they perform. And, quite frankly, many people run the risk of great harm because of legalism in the workplace.
How is that possible?
I’ll give you some examples tomorrow.
Until then, can you think of some examples of potentially harmful legalism on the job?
Filed under legalism
I was thinking of something new to write for tomorrow, specifically in memory of D-Day. The only thing that keeps coming to mind is “only a few.”
Now, the first thing that sounds like is “The Few, the Proud, the Marines.” Maybe that’s why I hearing those words in my head, you think?
On the other hand, it could come from the idea that all it takes is “only a few.” You know, like those Marines, or a few initial protestors, or even the miniscule 200 in the upper room that became the Christian Church.
Sometimes all it takes is a few people to make a difference, even to change the world.
By the Numbers
But when I look back at June 6th, 1944, there were far more than “only a few” who stormed those beaches. Far more.
From Yahoo News: “The First U.S. Army, accounting for the first twenty-four hours in Normandy, tabulated 1,465 killed, 1,928 missing, and 6,603 wounded. The after-action report of U.S. VII Corps (ending 1 July) showed 22,119 casualties including 2,811 killed, 5,665 missing, 79 prisoners, and 13,564 wounded, including paratroopers.”
Also from Yahoo News: “German sources vary between four thousand and nine thousand D-Day casualties on 6 June—a range of 125 percent. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s report for all of June cited killed, wounded, and missing of some 250,000 men, including twenty-eight generals.
What’s the point?
Sometimes all we need are “a few good men.”
On the other hand, there are times when “only a few” good men (and/or women) just isn’t enough.
Today, June 5th, we live in a world with battles raging. Yes, there are physical conflicts in play in various places, but there are other battlegrounds, too.
There is even the battle for the survival of the local rural church congregation due to COVID-induced “couch worship.”
People, we need more than “only a few,” we need all hands on deck.
When you storm beaches, numbers matter.
Filed under America, Christianity, Culture Wars
I admire this nation formed by God. I respect the brave men and women, motivated by God, who fought to establish this country. The precise structure …
America Was Established On God, But Then…
Filed under Abortion, America, Guest Posts, History
Sunrise over Chattanooga
As I was reading the book of Lamentations (not the happiest of reads), I read a verse I’d like to share with you.
Why should any living person complain, any man, because of the punishment for his sins? (Lamentations 3:39, CSB)
What does this verse mean?
Simply put, if you have been punished for your sins by a Holy God … and you’re still alive … you have nothing to complain about!
Seriously, so often we gripe about the circumstances we endure, yet those circumstances are often the result of our own sinful decisions.
But isn’t it a wonderful thing that we are so loved by our heavenly Father? Because he is rich in mercy, He does not pour out on us the punishment we deserve.
We are alive! We should be grateful!
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. – Lamentations 3:41-42
There are so many things in this world we could complain about. So often those who complain the most are the ones who have the most. But if there’s anything worth rejoicing about, it is the fact that we serve a God who is rich in mercy.
We don’t deserve anything good, no matter how small or insignificant; we deserve judgement.
However, if I just turn back one page in my Bible I can read verse 22, where it says, “Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” And, thankfully, they are new every morning!
If you are reading this, then you are alive!
Why not take a moment and praise Him?
Filed under Bible Study, God, grace
Tonight I went into full teaching mode with attitude!
Wow! I just LOVE Acts, and chapter 17 is one of my favorites.
Get a glimpse inside my Sunday nights as you watch this Facebook live edition of me preaching/teaching through Acts 17:1-9.
www.facebook.com/bethlehembaptistwarthen/videos/2893988174156335/
Filed under baptist, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Bible Study, Church, Jesus, ministry, Preaching, Uncategorized
The number of followers and subscribers this blog has just amazes me. I mean, no, it’s not a huge number, but still. At least it’s more than the 100 I was trying to reach my first year doing this! And to be sure, I appreciate every one!
But besides the number of people following, the type of people who follow this blog amazes me. For example, it doesn’t shock me to see fellow believers subscribe to my blog, but why all the Muslim, pagan, and atheist followers? What have I done to cause them to click here?
Seriously, I would love to hear from you. Why did you subscribe? Was it just to get me to visit your website, or are you legitimately interested in what this crazy Baptist preacher has to say?
Was it Mr. Monkey that brought you here? A sermon? A friend who sent you a link? I really want to know.
Regardless, I would like to make one thing absolutely clear – I am a follower of Jesus Christ, and for that, I make no apology. I hope everything I write ultimately reflects that fact.
Many times people in the public eye are hesitant to take a stand or draw a line in the sand for fear of public opinion. And, if the truth is known, thanks to my critics, sometimes I have cowered. But this should not be. I should always speak with love and respect to all who may disagree with me, but I should never shy away from biblical truths, even if they are currently politically incorrect.
So, I am glad to have a few followers, and I would love to have more, but I would gladly see them all go away before I deny my Lord and Savior. Jesus said (Mt 16:24; Mk 8:34; Lk 9:23) that anyone who would be his servant must “take up his cross” and follow.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.Though no one join me, still I will follow;
Though no one join me, still I will follow;
Though no one join me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.Sadhu Sundar Singh – Indian Christian missionary
Crosses are not fun, or popular … neither are the ones who carry them.
Filed under Alcohol, Christmas, clothing, Countries, current events, Easter, Faith, Guest Posts, scary new year
It’s a Friday, but some of you need a smile. I can see your faces.
About the video: This was the second video in a long series I did with a puppet named Buddy (a.k.a., Mr. Monkey). Seven years ago it took me 2 hours to film it (on my iPhone 4s), then more to edit it. On top of that, I convinced a former American Idol contestant to sing the reworked lyrics as I played the guitar. My only regret is that I didn’t make it a little longer 🙂
One of the greatest country songs to come out of Nashville in the last, oh, 20 years was Jesus Take the Wheel. This video is not meant to make fun of that song, but pay tribute to it while making fun of Monday-morning drivers.
However, it should also remind us that it really does matter Who’s at the wheel.
Filed under Humor, Monday Monkey
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The Recovering Legalist 