Wednesday, June 07, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For June 4, 2006



The Skeleton At The Feast
By Bill Denton

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (Ephesians 4:31, NASB95)

     Of the Seven Deadly Sins, anger is possibly the most fun. To lick your wounds, to smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor to the last toothsome morsel both the pain you are given and the pain you are giving back—in many ways it is a feast fit for a king.
     The chief drawback is that what you are wolfing down is yourself. The skeleton at the feast is you.  --  Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC (Harper, 1993)

The amazing truth is that angry people eat themselves up.  Anger is an intense emotion.  It produces adrenalin, causes us to be aggressive, hostile, and ready to attack.  It may mask as a defense, but it’s often used to launch a war.  Anger can be swift to rise, but slow to abate.  Once angry, a man or woman may remain angry for years, sometimes for life.

Watch an angry person.  You’ll soon know what or who it is that makes them angry.  Buechner said, “anger is possibly the most fun.”  I’m sure that’s tongue-in-cheek, but it’s not a bad way to describe how we handle anger.  I once read another way to putting it where someone said that we treat our wounds and grievances like pets.  Whenever we can, we pull them out, pet them, show them off, caress them, and carry them with us.  Our pets are never far away, always ready to sit on our laps, roll over and do tricks, and entertain our friends.  Yes, we do all that with wounds and grievances over which we have long been angry.  It’s an odd picture, but a true one.

I’ve had a lot of people ask how they should deal with anger.  I’m sorry to say I don’t have any magic answers.  I’ve got numerous counseling books, workbooks, sermons and more on the subject of anger.  There is a lot of good information in those resources that can help.  I have found that two things serve as the foundation for whatever else a person can do to deal with anger.

1.  Time.  Real anger takes time to overcome.  I know the Bible says not to let the sun go down on your anger (Eph. 4:26).  A point not always acted on is that the sooner you start dealing with anger, the more likely it is you will do so effectively.  The worst thing a person can do with anger is allow it feed and grow.  Once alive, however, time can be a major factor in overcoming it.

2.  Decision.  People scoff at this idea, but I believe it is far more valuable than it appears.  You must decide that you are going to put away your anger and overcome it.  You might call it “repentance.”  It’s a change in the way you think about things, and that is a decision.  When you have clearly decided not to be angry, you can then effectively pursue steps to make it real.

To those who will not follow this advice, I can promise one thing.  The feast of life will end up with bones of the dead.  But the skeleton will be that of the angry man who ate himself up.

© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Monday, May 29, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article for May 28, 2006

A Whole Lot Of Right Out There
By Bill Denton

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.  (Galatians 6:10, NASB95)

     The movie Radio is based upon the true story of a high school football coach (Ed Harris) and a developmentally challenged young man, known as "Radio" (Cuba Gooding Jr.), whom he takes under his wing.
     The coach invites Radio to team practice sessions. He drives him back to his home. He invites him to school, to be a part of the class. In one scene, Radio's mother and coach Jones are seated at her kitchen table having a talk.
     Mother: "You know coach, it wasn't that long ago, I see you drive up in that truck of yours and be wonderin' why you're doin' what you're doin'. So, why are you doin' what you're doin?"
     Coach: "I figure it's the right thing to do."
     Mother: "But there's a whole lot out there that's right. Don't mean we always do it."
          Radio (Touchstone Pictures, 2003), directed by Michael Tollin

Yes, there is certainly a “whole lot out there that’s right,” that we’re not doing.  This is a side of sin that goes unnoticed by most of us.  Usually we think of sin as something that we do that is wrong.  But sin is also something that is right that we do not do.  People often pride themselves on how much wrong-doing they avoid.  That same person may also be avoiding a great deal of right-doing.

We should be thankful for all the right-doing that happens.  I can tell you when someone treats me “right” it does not go unnoticed.  I know it when someone has been kind to me, or when they have been good to me.  You probably recognize those things, too.  I am glad that so many people have been moved to do something good with their lives, to leave a positive legacy, to make a mark of some kind that blesses or benefits others.  Just think of all the ways that people have been helped because someone wanted to do something good.  Wouldn’t this be a sad world without those good things?

This is one of the distinctive characteristics of Christianity.  I don’t mean that people of other religions or philosophies never do any good, but I am saying that for Christians, it is part of our basic belief that we do good to others, irregardless of who those others are, or whether they are deserving of our good treatment.  We may struggle with that idea, and we certainly may not always live up to it, but the fact remains that the generous, benevolent, gracious God we follow has implanted in us attributes that the world in general does not practice.

The Bible says that God sends the sunshine and rain on both the just and unjust.  In other words, while it is true that eventually He will judge and punish evil people, it is equally true that during their lifetime, God will also be good to them and us.  It’s hard to be wrong and do right.  Despite the fact that we don’t always do what’s right, do as much as you can, whenever you can.

© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Tuesday, May 23, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For May 21, 2006

A Church For Unbelievers
By Bill Denton

Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
     (Proverbs 25:19, NASB95)

     The San Jose Mercury News once reported  the following item:
James Kelley of Washington, D.C., is one of a small group at his local church who are enthusiastic Episcopalians, but who do not believe in God. Said Kelley, "We all love the incense, the stained-glass windows, the organ music, the vestments and all of that. It's drama. It's aesthetics. It's the ritual. That's neat stuff. I don't want to give all that up just because I don't believe in God."   --  Derek Helt, "Go With the Flow," SermonNotes.com

One of the most popular forms of ‘church membership’ is identified by the term “adherents.”  It’s a word used to refer to people who attend, but don’t belong.  In collecting church statistics, it is often included as a separate category of attendance.  In other words, a church would record that it had a total attendance of, say, 100.  Of that number 50 were members, 25 were visitors, and 25 were “adherents.”  Depending on how it’s used, that number might include unbaptized children, spouses of members who attend regularly, and others who attend regularly, but who are not recognized as full members of a congregation.  There are lots of reasons for people choosing to belong to this category, and most are beyond the point of this article.

However, I wonder if the problem identified in the illustration above is more frequent than we might think.  It surprises me that someone would love the ceremony, the aesthetics, and the trappings of “religion” but not subscribe to the religion itself.  At least it surprises me that people would reject belief in God, but be drawn to the things that are designed to draw people to Him.

I must confess, however, that over the years I have known quite a number of people who behaved in a similar fashion.  They attended church services frequently.  They took part in activities, enjoyed singing of songs, and somehow found comfort and encouragement from the whole of the worship experience.  But, they were not believers.

There is a surprising disconnect between what people enjoy as a religious experience, and what people believe.  The one does not necessarily produce the other.  Though surprising, it does help explain why there seems to be so much practical uninvolvement in the real teachings of the Christian faith.

A deep, serious look at the teachings of Christ, and the inspired writers of the New Testament, for example, is not necessarily what church attenders are after.  Too often, attenders are after an enjoyable experience that feeds their need for art, beauty, symmetry, drama, etc., but they are not ready to subscribe to the life-changing beliefs that produce those things.  It’s the man who likes preaching, but not sermons.  Unbelievers remain bereft of the real benefits of faith, without confidence in time of trouble.  Make sure you are after the substance, not just the symbolism.


© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Tuesday, May 16, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For May 14, 2006

There Is More Grace Than There Is Sin
By Bill Denton

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.  ( 1 Timothy 1:12-14, NASB95)

There is more grace in God's heart than there is sin in your past.
     Erwin Lutzer

How do you make up for things you do to hurt others, for words that bring pain and anguish, or for actions that betray the presence of evil in your heart?  If your conscience breaks through the hard shell you use to encase your heart, and you feel the grip of guilt on your soul, what do you do to absolve yourself of your sins?  You see, these are the misguided efforts of people who have missed the power of good news in Jesus Christ.  We keep trying to fix things, repair the wrongs done, and get ourselves out of trouble, and we keep wagging around a burden we can’t carry.

Don’t misunderstand.  Surely, it is good to repent of sins, to apologize for saying harsh words, and to make amends where possible.  But the truth is that none of these things erase the wrong done.  We fool only ourselves if we think we can undo our sins.

Others recognize the weight of their sins.  Their guilt is unbearable.  Once they realize the sins of their lives, they are crushed by guilt to the point that they can give up on life itself, and certainly they give up on relationships with people they have harmed.  They go through life with a soul-burden that could crush an elephant, suffocating under the weight of the burden.

This is why the message of Jesus is called “good news.”  It is why the term “grace” is applied so often to God’s actions on our behalf.  The fact is that you can’t do a thing about your sins beyond being sorry, and apologizing.  You can’t relieve the guilt, remove the burden, or change the consequences.  God can, and it is grace that makes it believable.

Sinners are an unworthy lot.  That’s an easy admission if we’re talking about all those other sinners, but it’s no less true when talking about ourselves.  People who have sinned don’t deserve anything good.  They only deserve to be judged, found guilty, and punished for their wrongs.  God sees a completely different way to deal with sinners.

There is ample grace in God’s heart.  Amazing as it sounds, there is no person so bad that God will not save them, if they will but believe in Jesus, and turn to him to find forgiveness.  But let‘s talk about you for a moment.  Do you know about God’s grace?  Are you aware that you can be forgiven?  Do you know about a cleansed heart and conscience and a new life?  Are you convinced that you’re beyond help?  Perhaps you need to know that there is more grace than there is sin.

© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Wednesday, May 03, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For April 30, 2006

The Hard Job Of Self-Examination
By Bill Denton

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
          (Matthew 7:1-2 , NASB95)

They who are conscious of their own sins have no eyes for the sins of their neighbors.
     —Abbot Moses (10th century) "The Wisdom of the Desert," Men of Integrity
                (September/October 2004)

Self-examination is always harder than examining other people.  It’s just a fact.  Perhaps it is because identifying a fault or problem in another person is no threat to self.  But turn that around and find your own faults and problems and you’ll discover that it hurts.

Self-examination requires a strong stomach.  Honest self-examination almost always throws a spotlight on things we’d rather not have to admit, or have others know about.  We’d rather point a finger at the other guy and beg, “What about him?”

Self-examination also requires that we be reasonable about what we discover.  It’s possible for a person to judge oneself too harshly, and thus lose the benefit of the exercise.  What I mean is that some people engage in self-examination, find some problems or issues that need some work, but instead of attacking the problems they decide they are worthless human beings.  That is totally discouraging, so they throw in the towel and quit.  They may even abandon their faith in God because they judge themselves such abject failures.  That is not where self-examination should lead us.

The real goal of self-examination is to help us make a legitimate assessment about ourselves so that we can determine how well we’re managing to practice God’s will for our lives.  If self-examination reveals that we’re doing well, we should give thanks to God and ask his help to remain on the right track.  If we’re not doing well, it’s not a time for over-reacting.  It’s time to be honest with what we find and seek God’s solutions and direction.

Nobody likes self-examination, at least nobody I know.  Few, if any of us, like to face things that are painful and damaging, especially when we’re the ones who cause those painful, damaging things to exist.  But sometimes we must take a look at what we’re producing in our lives.  Without making extraordinary claims, is the product good or bad, positive or negative, helpful or hurtful?  Is it really consistent with God’s will or different from it?  Can you go to the Bible and say, “Here’s how I know I’m on the right track or wrong track”?

If you manage self-examination correctly, you’ll have less time and inclination to point out the faults of others.  Most of your time will be spent on yourself.  And if you’re honest, you’ll discover your own problems equal, if not exceed, those of others.  That alone will make you better.


© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Monday, April 24, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For April 23, 2006

Graduates:  Do Not Waste Your Life!
By Bill Denton

“And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.” (.Matthew 12:25, NASB95)

Emanuel Ninger wasted his life.  He was arrested on March 28, 1896 for forgery.  He had $244.25 in “good and bad money” in his pockets.  But Ninger was much more than a forger.  He was an artist.  In fact, his forgeries were hand painted.  He was so good, that some shopkeepers, impressed with the artwork on the forgeries, kept and framed them in stead of turning him in.  In a search of his home, three oil paintings were found.  It is said, he could paint a picture, or draw a forged bill in about the same amount of time.  His paintings sold for around $5,000.00 each, meaning he could have made much more money legitimately than by forging banknotes.  Still, he chose to waste his talents, and thus his life.
     - adapted, Ninger Had No Witnesses, The New York Times (4-21-1896).

There are a lot of young people about to launch themselves out into the world in the next few weeks.  Some of them will enter college.  Others will enter the work force.  Others will enlist in the military.  Some will participate in other kinds of training programs.  Regardless, most of them will set out to prepare themselves for a career or profession, or engage in some kind of life work.  A lot of them will waste their lives.

I hate to the be the lone voice during a time of mostly positive accolades, congratulation, awards, and well-wishes.  I accept the job of pointing out what nobody else wants to admit.  A lot of young people are not on the brink of success, they stand at the precipice of disaster.  Why?  Well, it’s not because they have no talent.  It’s not because they’re destined to fail.  It’s because they will end up wasting their talents and opportunities by foolish choices, destructive behavior, or misguided application of their cherished talents.

Please understand, I’m not a pessimist.  I’m a realist.  What if someone had said to Emanuel Ninger, “Manny, old pal, you’re just wasting your talent.  Let me sell one of these paintings of yours and show you the right way to market your artistic skills.”  Perhaps Emanuel Ninger wouldn’t have listened, but maybe he would have.  His life’s story might be totally different.

I’d like to say to all these promising youth, “Do not waste your life!”  Unfortunately, waste is what will happen to too many young folks.  We send them forth into the bigger arenas of life as if success is guaranteed.  Nothing is further from the truth.  Success and productivity require hard work, much further preparation and training, and participating in the right kind of things.  Lots of these young people will just end up wasting themselves and a tremendous amount of potential.  All but a negligible amount of success is the result of hard work and one more try.  But put those efforts into things that are good and legitimate.  It’s a waste to fight against oneself.

© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Sunday, April 09, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For April 9, 2006

Set Yourself Down For A While
By Bill Denton

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4, NASB95)

     A pastor was counseling a woman on the verge of nervous breakdown. She was powerless against the multitude of problems she faced, and she asked her pastor, "What can I do? What can I do?" He asked, "If I tell you what to do, will you do it?" She said, "Yes." Knowing that her schedule included free time during the week, and that she loved to cook, he said, "On Monday, I want you to bake some bread. On Tuesday afternoon, take it to the nursing home. Go into the common area where everyone watches TV and plays checkers, pass out the bread and talk to people. Stay for at least an hour. Don't worry about not knowing anyone; you'll know them all before you leave. On Wednesday, bake cookies. On Thursday afternoon, take them to the children's hospital and find a worker to help you pass them out to the kids who most need a visitor.  Talk to as many of them as you can. Stay for at least an hour. On Friday, come back and see me."  It was obvious, as she left his office that day that she didn't think much of his plan. The following Friday, he was disappointed that she didn't keep her appointment. About three weeks later she came to see him again. "Sorry I haven't been back sooner," she said, "I'm working at the cancer center everyday, and I've been so busy. Our Sunday School class is taking on this project together." He said, "But how about you? How are you coping?" "Coping with what?" she asked. "Everything's fine. All those things I was worried about before, I've forgotten them."
          -- Steve May, “The Heart of a Servant,” www.preachingtoday.com

What a wonderful story, but not really surprising.  One of the most effective ways of coping with the stresses and worries we face daily is to just turn them upside down.  What I mean is that we need to do what the lady in the account above did.  She got busy with others instead of stewing in her selfish, empty conceit.  She learned what it meant to be humble instead of continuing to focus only on herself.  Rather than camp out on her own personal interests, she began showing sincere interest in other people, and when she did that she suddenly discovered that not only were her problems not so bad, but that life took on a zest and purpose she had missed before.

The best medicine for a lot of people is stop dwelling in the tiny little world that is them.  They should get out and do something helpful and productive for others.  There is nothing like setting aside all the demands we make for ourselves and to start blessing others with our efforts.

If depression or anxiety is causing a problem, or if you seem overwhelmed with worries about one thing or another, take the advice above to heart.  Find your own version of the nursing home or children’s hospital.  It may not be the same where you live, but there are any number of similar opportunities to help people.  Invest yourself by putting a bit of yourself into the lives of people who truly can’t do for themselves.  Rather than adding to your problems, you might discover that the way to lighten your load is set yourself down for a while.

© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Wednesday, April 05, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article for April 2, 2006

The Erring Brother
By Bill Denton

My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.  (James 5:19-20, NASB95)

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Be good anyway.
Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
People need help but may attack you if you try to help them. Help them anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
               Kent M. Keith, "The Paradoxical Commandments," from The Silent
               Revolution: Dynamic Leadership in the Student Council

We have a responsibility to help brothers and sisters in Christ who have strayed from the truth of God’s word, and somehow become embroiled in the ways of the world.  It is not an easy thing to do.  Sometimes, those who have chosen to live contrary to truth do not want our help.  Sometimes, they exhibit a spirit of rebellion so strong that they reject any well-intentioned help.  In fact, I cannot think of anyone living in error who displays a completely God-like attitude devoid of the influences of their error.  Of course, at times we try to be magnanimous about things, and point out that “erring brothers and sisters” are the only kind of brothers and sisters we have.  The point, I think, is that everyone we know needs help to be true to God.

I believe that little quip is true.  The only brothers and sisters I have are “erring” brothers and sisters.  There is one thing that gets lost on some people, however, and it’s worth mentioning here.  The only kind of brothers and sisters that our erring brothers and sisters have are also erring brothers and sisters.  Did I lose you on that one?  What I’m trying to say is that if you think of others as “erring” then should you not also give yourself the same description?

Some Christians seem to have the attitude that “error” is always the other guy’s problem.  Hopefully, that is true, for if we are following God’s will as best we can, then surely we’ll be more right than wrong.  But, we must avoid the pride-filled, self-righteous attitude that afflicts the hearts of more than a few Christians that leads us to discount the possibility of our own error.

Someone once said that when we point our finger at the other guy, there are three pointing back at us.  That’s a good observation.  Yes, we can, and should, be sensitive to those who allow error to creep into their lives.  When that happens, we must love them and help them, even if they don’t always display the best of attitudes and behaviors.  But we must be aware that we are also prone to errors, and sometimes we need help from others.  At times, the erring brother is us..

© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Monday, March 27, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For March 26, 2006

Teaching And Timeless Themes
By Bill Denton

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deut 6:6-7, NIV).

In an interview with Wired magazine, filmmaker George Lucas was asked how he would be remembered. Lucas replied:
    I'll be remembered as a filmmaker. The technological problems that I solved will be forgotten  
   by then, but hopefully some of the stories I told will still be relevant. I'm hoping that Star Wars
   doesn't become too dated, because I think its themes are timeless. If you've raised children, you
   know you have to explain things to them, and if you don't ,they end up learning the hard way. In
   the end, somebody's got to say, "Don't touch that hot skillet." So the old stories have to be re-
   iterated again in a form that's acceptable to each new generation. I don't think I'm ever going
   to go much beyond the old stories, because I think they still need to be told. -- George Lucas,
   Wired (5-01-05)

Stories with timeless themes will always be powerful. George Lucas may or may not be long-remembered. History may one day forget his name and his contributions to the film-making art. But stories with timeless themes will be often repeated. They will pass from one person to
another, they will be retold in new books and movies, and they will enthrall every new generation.

This is one of the things that makes the old-fashioned Sunday School a powerful tool. There, teachers who have eternal concerns repeat old stories from the Bible that lay the foundation of faith in God and His Son, Jesus. Those stories are more than tall tales with a spiritual flair. They are about real people who faced real dangers, honest struggles, moral dilemmas, failures, and more. The stories tell us about eternal truths that do not change. These stories communicate timeless themes that help young people understand principles of life that are indispensable.

Sunday School and other Bible classes must stay focused on communicating those timeless themes. George Lucas knows that even in the movie business, you can’t beat a good story based on timeless themes. Those themes are what gives a film both legitimacy and power. It is the same in a Bible class. Teachers would do well to remember that this is their purpose.

A preaching student once asked an old preacher-professor the secret to developing good sermons on a consistent, continual basis. He wanted to know where to look for material, illustrations, and topics so that his sermons would never run dry. The old man wisely replied, “Stick to your bible, young man. Preach it and you’ll never run out of material.” That’s good advice for preacher and teacher alike. Every student regardless of age, needs exposure again and again to those solid,
timeless truths that shape life according to God’s will.


© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Monday, March 20, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For March 19, 2006

Truth Matters
By Bill Denton

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.  (Ephesians 4:25, NASB95)

     After being included in Oprah Winfrey's famous book club, James Frey's memoir, A Million Little Pieces quickly sold over 3.5 million copies. Controversy erupted, however, when questions arose about whether the stories contained in Frey's book were true.
     On January 11, 2005, Oprah Winfrey called in to CNN's "Larry King Live." She defended the book, and its author, stating that the controversy over his truthfulness was "much ado about nothing," claiming that Frey's writing was the "essential truth" of his life.
     She went on to say: "Although some of the facts have been questioned…the underlying message of redemption in James Frey's memoir still resonates with me. And I know that it resonates with millions of other people who have read this book and will continue to read this book…it's irrelevant discussing, you know, what happened or did not happen to the police."
     Reversing herself several weeks later, after new information had come out confirming Frey's dishonesty, Oprah apologized on her own show. "I regret that phone call," she said. "I made a mistake and I left the impression that the truth does not matter. And I am deeply sorry about that, because that is not what I believe. To everyone who has challenged me on this issue of truth, you are absolutely right."  --  Edward Wyatt, "Live on 'Oprah,' a Memoirist Is Kicked Out of the Book Club," nytimes.com (1-27-06)

I’m amazed at the attitudes some have toward truth.  Even in some Christian circles, there is a lot of talk about how “truth” isn’t important.  The “Jesus Seminar” folks, for example, tell us that the only important thing is that the “myth” of Jesus is alive and well.  Whether it’s true or not is unimportant.  If you dig into that one long enough, you’ll discover that the issue of truth is far more important than they suggest because they really want you to conclude that the Bible isn’t really true, all you know about Jesus isn’t true, and Christian faith isn’t based on truth.  It seems that truth is actually important, even to those who don’t believe Christianity is based on truth.

Of course truth is important.  I’ll leave all the convoluted discussions up to the theologians and philosophers.  In real life, truth counts.  Don’t believe it?  Think with me for just a moment.  Is it important for husbands and wives to tell each other the truth, or can they pawn off any old story as long as it sounds good?  Do you want the folks you do business with to tell you the truth, or is it OK for them to pawn off junk on you and charge you premium prices for it?  Do you want your local politicians to tell you the truth, or is it OK for them to sell your city down the drain as long as the stories they tell make it sound like everything is just fine?  People need to get real.  Truth matters!

Truth is important in every human discussion.  If it’s not true, somewhere it will hurt you.  If it is true, it still may hurt, but in the long run, the benefits will show.  Tell the truth when you speak.  Your words convey the content of your character.  Truth means one thing.  Lies mean another.

© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Monday, March 13, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For March 12, 2006

The “No-Gossip” Beauty Shop
By Bill Denton

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. (Proverbs 11:13, NASB95)

Mildred Fister’s beauty parlor in Jefferson, Iowa, has an unusual rule. Mildred refuses to allow gossip. A columnist for the Des Moines Register reacted this way:
     This is a beauty parlor, for goodness’ sake, one of those places women come to say things; loving, kind, unkind, and, sure, maybe downright nasty about their friends and neighbors whether it’s true or not.
     It’s as basic in a beauty parlor as a blow dry. Isn’t it?
     “Not here,” [Fister] says. There is absolutely no talking about other people in Mildred Fister’s shop. Talk about you and yours if you like but in the meantime, no gossip. At least [Fister] doesn’t have to worry about keeping secrets.
     She knows secrets because she’s a friend to everybody who comes in the place. They know she can be trusted.
     “Sometimes people don’t have anybody to talk to,” she said. “So they confide in me. They tell me things about themselves. They know I’ll never repeat what they say.”
     That’s better than gossip.  It’s called friendship.
          John Carlson, "John Carlson's Iowa," Des Moines Register (5-8-05), p. 1b

How refreshing!  Let’s not pick on beauty shops though.  Anybody who has ever sat in a barber’s chair knows that plenty of gossip goes on there, too.  We might as well acknowledge that gossip isn’t limited to the local hair-fixin’ place.  It happens wherever people have a few minutes to talk.

What I really want you to consider is not so much the fact that we shouldn’t gossip, rather I want you to pay attention to what Mildred Fister is actually promoting.  In her beauty shop, two things are overcoming the huge negative of gossip:  trust and friendship.

The two go together.  Friendship is built on trust.  Without trust, friendship is an illusion.  Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to have missed this basic truth.  When trust is violated by sharing tidbits of gossip, when feelings are hurt because some unkind thing was passed to others, when unfortunate truths are revealed that do nothing but damage someone’s reputation, then friendship is shattered.  When trust goes, friendship -- real friendship -- cannot survive.

A friend does not air your dirty laundry for you.  A friend does not encourage others to think badly of you.  A friend does not become the source of your embarrassment.  Instead, a friend guards you, protects you, and shields you.  Should you reveal some negative truth about yourself, a real friend will help you do better and get past it.  They do not use you.  The next time you are in a gossip-sharing party, consider the possibility that you might be the next subject for discussion.  After all, if the person being gossiped about shouldn’t trust these people, why should you?

© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Monday, March 06, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For March 5, 2006

Of Specks And Logs
By Bill Denton

“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3, NASB95)

Comedian Steve Martin said, "Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you do criticize him, you'll be a mile away and have his shoes."
"Monday Morning Insight," www.ChurchStaffing.com (4-25-05)

We are all critics.  It’s just part of our nature.  Perhaps in its most benign form, criticism is our effort to improve things.  After all, lots of things need improvement, legitimately so.  There is really nothing wrong with identifying things that are not what they should be, offering one’s observation of that fact, then making things better.  

Let me offer a criticism.  No, let me tag along with Jesus and point you to one of his observations about human nature.  It’s found in that non-benign question, “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”  It is not a benign question because it forces us to reconsider the object and purpose of our criticisms.

It is much easier to observe the faults of others instead of noting of my own.  I don’t think I’m the only person who has made the same discovery.  It’s always easier, less threatening, and certainly less demanding for me to camp out on the doorstep of somebody else’s shortcomings.  Sometimes, it’s even enjoyable, this practice of observing human behavior around me.  I can even predict with a fair amount of accuracy which people are going to find themselves in trouble or suffering the negative consequences of their faults.

For quite some time, I’ve been aware that others find this job of personal critic to be enticing.  Some have shared their tidbits of gossip, noting with the appearance of deep concern that the one under scrutiny has provided fodder for continued criticism.  Am I making more of this than is reasonably true?  Surely not!

Jesus did not believe that criticism was a small problem.  Neither did Jesus say that we should put a stop to all criticism.  That’s what some would have us believe, because they frequently refer to the statement in Mt. 7:1:  “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.”  But to think that Jesus wanted no judging at all is to miss his point.  It seems that he wanted critics to understand how things work.  Critics are subject to criticism.  Jesus actually wanted us to be our own best critic.  Take a look at the log in your own eye before you deal with the speck in your brother’s eye.  See your own very real imperfections before you blow out of proportion the relatively small problems in your brother.  The old adage is true: “The only person you can change is - you!”

We all have plenty of room for improvement.  Of course, it takes a critical eye to notice the problems and make corrections.  I’ll try to do more of that for myself and less for you.


© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Wednesday, March 01, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For February 26, 2006

“Did My Best” Or “Just Got By”
By Bill Denton

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, (Colossians 3:23, NASB95)

If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.
          Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking to students at Barratt Junior High
          School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967

Too many people are guilty of the “just-get-by” syndrome.  Students in school are often more concerned with a passing grade rather than learning all they can learn.  Some athletes just want to “get-by” instead of giving a stellar effort.  Business is plagued with people who demonstrate this attitude.  Don’t believe it?  Ask yourself why customer service is so frequently less than acceptable.  Pay attention to the quality of the products you purchase.  Quality and service are two things that are worth the money.  The “just-get-by” syndrome is even found among Christians and may be the single biggest problem of the modern church.

The problem is often disguised in the questions people ask.  “How many times a week do I have to attend church services?” a lady once asked.  Now, I know people who fall into the trap of actually providing a number in answer to this question, but it is fraught with problems.  What if I told this lady, “You just have to attend once.”  Perhaps she would be satisfied, but more likely she would look for justification to occasionally miss even that one.  What if I said, “You have to attend three times.”  What do you think she would do if a fourth opportunity arose?  My point is that you can’t win at the number game with a person seeking the minimum.

The “just-get-by” syndrome shows up in attitudes about salvation.  “What must I do to be saved,” is sometimes a desire to know the bare minimum it takes to get to heaven.  It’s not really a question about what all one might do to serve God.  I’ve always thought the little story Jesus told about the three servants who were each given different “talents” or sums of money while the master left for a trip.  One got five talents, another got two, and the last got one.  The first two each went out, put the money to work and doubled what the master invested in them.  The last, fearful man that he was, buried his talent for safe-keeping.  When the master returned, both the first two servants were applauded and rewarded.  Only the last was condemned.  We usually focus on that last fellow and warn people not to be like him.  That’s a good lesson.  But, think about the first two for a moment.  These were obviously two men with differing abilities.  The master invested according to the ability of each man.  What both had in common was the desire to the best they could.  That’s what they did, and that’s what pleased the master.  Don’t “just-get-by.”  Do your best, whatever it is.  It may not be what someone else does, but is it your best?  As God’s people, let’s move toward doing all we can instead of just getting by.

© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Wednesday, February 22, 2006


Pop & Kids

Park 3

Park 6

Beau 2

Abby 5

Park 2

Abby 4

Park 5

Park 1

Adri 2

Abby 3

Anna 1

Park 4

Adri 1

Anna 2

Monterey Aquarium 4

Abby 1

Sunnydale Jr. (Beau, hereafter)

Monterey Aquarium 2

Abby 2

More ocean view

Monterey Aquarium 3

Monterey Aquarium 1

Waves breaking

Pacific Ocean view

Monday, February 20, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For February 19, 2006


More Than One Member
By Bill Denton

For the body is not one member, but many. (1 Corinthians 12:14, NASB95)

Dear Preacher:     There are 566 members in our church, but 100 are frail and elderly.  That leaves 466 to do all the work. However, 80 are young people away at college. That leaves 386 to do all the work.     However, 150 of them are tired businessmen, so that leaves 236 to do all the work. 150 are housewives with children. That leaves 86 to do all the work.     There are also 46 members who have other important interests. Which leaves 40 to do all the work, but 15 live too far away to come regularly.     So that leaves 25 to do all the work. And 23 of them say they've done their part. So, preacher, that leaves YOU and ME and, frankly, I'm exhausted.Good luck to you.A. Member
          Source Unknown

I’ve read several variations on this little illustration.  The numbers vary but the point is the same.  There are many people who make up a church, then it ends up with only one doing all the work.  I’m thankful that’s not true about our congregation.  I continue to be impressed by the number of folks who are actively involved in making our congregation busy and accomplishing good things.  We try to involve everyone who is willing to help, and for the most part, I believe the greater number of people in our church are quick to jump in and participate.

I know that in lots of places it’s not quite like that.  There are lots of churches that match the little illustration above.  Even in churches like ours where the majority of people do pitch in, there are still a few who seem to think “church” only means a place to get things, not to give.

Over the years I’ve heard from some of those folks.  They are the ones who get upset because someone didn’t do something for them.  They seem to be extremely sensitive to being overlooked, left out, ignored, or forgotten.  Sometimes, it seems that people have a great propensity for overlooking all the good that is done for them, unless one of the “special” people do it.  I once knew a family whose daughter was terminally ill.  Numbers of people sat with them at the hospital, prayed for them, cooked meals, etc.  After the daughter died, they were very critical, commenting that the church hadn’t done much for them.  I understand about grief, but I also understand that this was their view long before, and long after, the death of their daughter.  I’ve known others who seemed to think that nobody else’s prayer counted unless the preacher came by to pray.  Once, I met an elder and his wife coming out of a lady’s hospital room where they had just visited.  When I went in, the lady said, “I’ve waited all day for someone to come pray for me.”  Did the elder pray for her?  Yes, but I guess it didn’t count.  The body of Christ is more than one member.  Any particular congregation is more than one member.  It takes all of us, and the more the better.  When the body works well, don’t ignore it.

© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Wednesday, February 15, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article For February 12, 2006



Nine Years Out Of Your Life
By Bill Denton

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:15-17, NASB95).

     Rafael Antonio Lozano is a man with a mission, albeit a strange one. The 33-year-old computer programmer from Plano, Texas, is on a quest to visit every company-owned Starbucks on the planet.
     Lozano, who calls himself Winter, began his mission in 1997, when there were 1,304 such stores worldwide. Today, there are over 6,000 in 37 countries. As of October 31st, 2005, Winter had visited 4,918 Starbucks in North America, in addition to 213 others around the globe.
     Despite his impressive pace, Winter is realistic about the nature of his quest, saying, "As long as they keep building Starbucks, I'll never be finished." He is also realistic about the importance of his mission. "Every time I reach a Starbucks, I feel like I've accomplished something," he said, "when actually I've accomplished nothing."
Jayne Clark, "Sooner or Latte, He'll Get There," USAToday.com (10-13-05)

Now there’s a busy guy, though it seems that neither he nor I would describe his busyness as accomplishing anything particularly worthwhile.  Maybe he should have talked to the Starbucks people and got them to pay for all his trips and coffee and use him to advertise their coffee shops.  As it stands, I can’t see where he’s doing anything worthwhile.

Lest we get on this fellow’s case too harshly, perhaps it would behoove us to consider whether we are accomplishing anything better.  Silly thought, you say?  Well, let’s think about it.

Take TV time, just as an example.  According to the A.C. Nielson Co., the average American watches 3 hours and 46 minutes of TV daily.  That works out to more than 52 days of non-stop TV watching each year -- almost two months!  By the age of 65, that average American will have spent nearly 9 years watching TV.  What could you do with 9 years?  Learn several new skills?  Travel to distant places?  Get 2 or 3 college degrees?  Learn to speak a second language?  Write a book?  Maybe none of that interests you, but surely there is something you’d like to do that having 9 years available would give you a big start toward doing it.

What’s really amazing are the number of people who don’t seem to think they have time for spiritual activities.  We’re too busy to attend Bible classes.  Worship, with the possible exception of Sunday mornings, often interferes with TV time (remember I’m one of the people who grew up having to decide between Walt Disney’s Sunday night TV program and church!).  TV isn’t our only problem, just one - but it is a big one.

Next time you are tempted to claim you don’t have enough time to do something, figure out if you’re an average American.  If so, you’ve got more available time than you think.

© Copyright  2006, Dr. Bill DentonAll Rights Reserved.Articles may not be reprinted in any "for profit" publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.   http://www.crossties.org
 
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Sunday, February 05, 2006

CrossTies Devotional Article for February 5, 2006

Person of the Year:  God!
By Bill Denton

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (Revelation 4:11, NASB95)

Annually, Time picks the Person of the Year to appear on the cover of its magazine. Previous honorees were asked whom they would select for 2006, and Coleen Rowley, former FBI agent and whistleblower chosen for the honor in 2002, responded:
I think the "Person" of the Year should be God. On the one hand, more people seem certain they know God's will on the social issues of the day. On the other, all of us feel the need to find answers as we confront the "acts of God" dominating the news, like diseases and global catastrophes.
               "Some Past Honorees Give Their Picks for This Year," Time (11-21-05)

I understand Ms. Rowley’s suggestion, and must confess to a great deal of agreement with the sentiment.  On the other hand, how would we ever have anyone but God as Person of the Year?  It seems to me that God would dominate, if He were given a fair consideration.

It does bring up a question about honoring God.  He doesn’t have to be chosen for Time’s cover and granted a title.  It’s entirely appropriate for us to recognize those among us who stand out and deserve some special consideration.  Honor for God should greatly supercede a magazine cover layout, or a special edition dedication.

Both Paul and John, writing respectively in the books of Romans and Revelation, draw upon the idea of honoring God.  Paul said in Romans that failing to honor God stood at the brink of a precipitous plunge into sin.  John writes of his glimpse into the heavenly scene where the twenty-four elders proclaim their obeisance to God having acknowledged His right to receive glory, honor and power.  After all, God is creator of all, therefore all should acknowledge the relative positions of both themselves and the God who created everything.

I suppose in some way, this may sound like some very complicated thing, but it’s not really.  I once heard a fellow say (probably quoting someone else who originated this statement), that the greatest lesson he ever learned was this:  There is a God and I’m not Him.

Honoring God begins with a recognition that He exists.  Go back and read the first chapter of Romans.  Man’s downward spiral into ruin started with a lack of honor for God that eventually led to an outright denial of God.  Lack of honor for God resulted in man elevating all sorts of things into the place of God.  Sometimes it was in the form of idols.  Much of the time, we elevate ourselves into God’s place.  Honoring God, starts by acknowledging His existence.  Everything else flows from that.  Once there is God, other things fall into place.  Who do you honor?

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