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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