Articles
Curveball
Curveball
George Bernard Shaw once said, “England and America are two countries separated by a common language.” An example from the world of sports demonstrates his point. As a lifelong baseball fan, I’m familiar with the term curveball. It’s a ball thrown by the pitcher in such a way that it changes direction, fooling the opponent. In cricket, the strategy is similar but the word is very different. The bowler (pitcher) tries to overcome the batsman by “bowling a googley” (pitching a curveball).
Though games and cultures differ, the concept of the curveball portrays a reality familiar in any language. Life is full of times when we are unsuspectingly “bowled a googley,” and we find ourselves overwhelmed. In those moments of fear and confusion, it’s comforting to know we have a God who is sufficient for any challenge. Trials are to be expected (1Peter 4:12). Yet we may well be shocked by the circumstances facing us. But God is never surprised! He permits our trials, and He can enable us to respond to them in a way that honors Him.
When we suffer, we must “commit [our] souls to Him in doing good,” wrote Peter (v.19). In God’s strength, we can face life’s most troublesome curveballs. Nothing surprises God. (Bill Crowder)
Changing the Nation’s Moral Compass
When Abraham Lincoln was introduced to author Harriet Beecher Stowe, he reportedly said that she was “the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.” Although President Lincoln’s comment wasn’t entirely serious, Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin was instrumental in abolishing slavery in the US. Its graphic depiction of racism and the injustice of slavery helped lead to the start of civil war. Ultimately, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation declared that all slaves “shall be free.” Thus, Stowe’s novel helped to change a nation’s moral compass.
Centuries earlier, King Solomon was told about what would change the moral compass of God’s people Israel. It was to start with humility and confession. The Lord told Solomon: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2Chron. 7:14).
As Christians, we should first take an inventory of our own personal lives. As we humbly seek God in prayer and repentance of sin, changes begin in our lives. God may then use us to change a nation’s moral compass. “Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong.” -- Lincoln (Dennis Fisher)
Light as a Feather
We Christians can sometimes be a joyless lot, preoccupied with maintaining our dignity. That’s an odd attitude, though, since we’re joined to a God who has given us His wonderful gift of joy and laughter. It’s okay to have fun! Each family expresses it in different ways, of course. I’m thankful that our house has been a house of laughter. Water fights, good-natured (albeit stiff) competition, gentle ribbing, and hilarity came easily to us. Laughter has been a gift of God’s goodness that carried us through some of life’s darkest days. The joy of the Lord has often been our refuge (Neh. 8:10).
When King David brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem from the house of Obed-Edom, he danced “with all his might” before the Lord (2Sam. 6:14). The Hebrew word has the idea of joyful exuberance and is akin to our expression “kick up your heels.” In fact, in verse 16 it says that David was “leaping and whirling.” Michal, David’s wife, felt that his antics were unbecoming to the dignity of a king and reacted with stern severity. David’s response was to announce that he would become even more “undignified” (v.22). His spirit was buoyant and he felt “as light as a feather.” Take time to laugh! (Ecc. 3:4). Wholesome laughter has great face value. (David Roper)
You Might Be A Preacher If...
--You hesitate to tell people what you do for a living.
--You've ever received an anonymous "U-Haul gift certificate.
--You've ever waded into a creek wearing a necktie.
--You find yourself counting people at the ball game.
--You've ever spoken for free and were worth every penny of it.
--You drive a car with over 150,000 miles on it.
--Instead of getting 'ticked off' you get 'grieved in the spirit'.
--You've ever stood by a grave as two 90 year old veterans attempt to fold the flag.
--The New Testament really is Greek to you.
--Cell phones go off while you're preaching.
Hymns -- The Way Some Would Sing Them If They Were Being Honest With Themselves:
--I Surrender, Some
--There Shall Be Sprinkles of Blessings
--Oh, How I Like Jesus
--I Love to Talk About Telling the Story
--Take My Life and Let Me Be
--It Is My Secret What God Can Do
--There Is Scattered Cloudiness in My Soul Today
--Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
--Just As I Pretend to Be
--When the Saints Go Sneaking In
--Sit Up, Sit Up for Jesus
--A Comfy Mattress Is Our God
--Self-Esteem to the World, the Lord Is Come
--Amazing Grace, How Interesting the Sound
--Go Tell It on the Speed Bump
--Praise God from Whom All Affirmations Flow
--My Hope Is Built on Nothing Much
--When Peace, Like a Trickle
--I'm Fairly Certain that My Redeemer Lives
--What an Acquaintance We Have in Jesus
--Blessed Hunch
--Blest Be the Tie that Doesn't Cramp My Style
(Author Unknown)
Upcoming Sermons
12/29/24 AM - Guest Speakers: Isaac Hall; PM - Doug Sanders - Where Did They Come From?
1/5/25 AM - “All Things are Ready; Come to the Feast!”; PM - Worship in Song: Choice of Songs
1/12/25 AM - Agents of Salvation; PM - Growing Up With Tares
1/19/25 AM - “Just Don’t Tell the Preacher”; PM - Discerning the Will of God
1/26/25 AM - Unbelievers and Judgment Day; PM - Bridging the Generation Gap in churches of Christ
