Is Everything Semi-Permanent?
     When I worked for a gold mine in Nevada, I remember talking to the Pit Superintendent about a large parking area they were going to have to move because of the way the mine was developing.
     They used this parking area for the huge dump trucks, as a service and maintenance area, and a place where the powder room was kept. (Not that one!)  The powder room was actually a small building housing blasting caps, det-cord, fuses and small explosive charges.
     As mining operations shifted, this area was getting rained on by rocks more and more from blasting operations above it. I guess they finally got tired of replacing windshields, and having their service trucks look like they just came from a Nebraska hail storm.  Or was it the holes in the roof of the powder room???
     That parking area had been there since the mine had opened long before I began working there. It was often referred to as ‘The Permanent Parking Ditch’.
     When I asked the Superintendent about them moving this parking area he simply stated: “Everything Is Semi-Permanent!”
     As I have thought about this statement over the past twenty plus years, ‘ner a truer statement could he have uttered.’
     As my life progresses, I have come to understand just how many things are ‘semi-permanent’. The fact is – change happens.
     Some changes are met with joy, excitement and enthusiasm, while others are met with fear, anxiety and resistance.
     When I was a lot younger, I though I could do just about any thing, and I tried a few. Now that I’m a lot older, I find that I can’t, and now I’m paying for those things I did do.
     The world around us is changing. Our lives are changing. Technology is even changing the way we change.
     Change is inevitable. In Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3, King Solomon tells us of change. There is really nothing we can do to stop the changes we will see in this life. We can accept them, or reject them and try to fight them.
     The best thing we can do is to acknowledge the changes and try to adjust, adapt and make the best of them.
     Whether it’s changing from a typewriter to a computer, or moving to a different home, or completely changing your wardrobe and look – change happens.  The world keeps on spinning and things keep on a changing.
     But there is one thing we know that doesn’t change – The LORD!  Hebrews 18:8 reminds us: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”  In 1 Peter 1:24-25 we read: “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
     With the unchanging Word of the Lord, there comes changes we should all look forward to. The first being found in 2 Corinthians 5:17 where Paul tells us “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
     Paul is saying that when we turn our lives over to the Lord Jesus Christ, we are transformed, changed, into new creations. We are on a journey changing from what we used to be to becoming more like what God created us for. We are becoming more Christ like.
     The other change we should be looking forward to is found in Revelation 21:1-5 where we read about an new heaven and a new earth, and the New Jerusalem prepared for God’s people.
     A new place and time where “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Rev. 21:4-5
     As things change and as we change, we can change in faith and grace knowing we are changing in the likeness and glory of the Lord.
     It’s our choice how we change. We can change in the likeness of Christ and enjoy the newness He gives us, or we can change along with the world and – miss out on being made new.
     Yes, everything is semi-permanent, except the end. How will you change?

WARNING

     OK, I just received another e-mail containing a warning that something may be hazardous to my health, safety, and well being.
     This one talked about the plastic in my car emitting a hazardous chemical called Benzene. ‘This stuff causes cancer’, the e-mail said.  Oh my gosh, just what I need, another warning that something else is hazardous to my health.
     Watch out for asbestos, can’t drink coffee, my cell phone is going to fry my brain cells, chedderwurst is going to clog my arteries, and my Big B Burger is going to give me a heart attack.
     My TV and computer monitor emit dangerous rays, I’m going to pull a hammie playing WeII, and I’ll suffer from a severe case of carpel tunnel syndrome from texting.
     I can’t mow the lawn because the exhaust from my mower is going to destroy the ozone layer. Even grilling a burger on the barbeque poses a health risk.
     With all these hazardous elements, dangerous activities, and poisonous products, it’s a wonder any of us are still alive!
     It seems as if one person in 50,000 becomes ill or is hurt by some product, someone screams for an investigation, a recall and a warning label.
     Now there has to be warning labels on everything. My can of pop has a warning label on it. My car has dozens of warning labels. Like “Don’t stick you hand into a moving fan blade.”
     Even my pencil comes with a warning: “Pointed objects may be hazardous to children.” My wife’s blow dryer has a warning label that says: “Do not use in tub or shower.” My can of mixed nuts states: “Made in a facility that uses nut products.” (Go figure!)
     We used to have a label on our new recliner that read: “Do not remove under penalty of law.” Can they prosecute my dog for chewing it off?
     Oh, here’s a good one. The big red label on our new countertop oven says; “Warning, things in this oven may be HOT!” I sure hope so…..
     One can only ask if there is anything in life that isn’t hazardous. The answer is NO! Life is hazardous to your health!
     However, we can minimize the risk and possible effects by following a few simple rules. First, by using a little common sense, we can determine what is good for us and what is not. We can figure out what is safe, and what may be harmful.  We are not stupid people. We just don’t use the faculties God has given us to the extend He intended.
     Second, we need to exercise moderation. We live in an era of excess, the bigger the better. The more, the merrier. Everything has to be supersized.
     Our diets stink. We can’t live on fast food or highly processed food all the time and in huge amounts, and expect not to be subject to the consequences.
     Thirdly, we need to read the Owner’s Manual. There’s a wealth of information contained in that Book we keep tucked away in a drawer or on a shelf.  If you want to know what’s safe and what’s not, what’s good for you and what’s not – READ the BOOK!
     The most common decal we print reads: ‘WARNING – To Reduce The Possibility of Injury or Death - Read the Owners Manual before operating this equipment.’
     Maybe we need a decal for The Book … ‘ATTENTION – This Book Could Save Your Life!  Read it daily.’
     May you be safe and be blessed with health,
Pastor Eldon

TRUE FREEDOM

     July is the month we celebrate perhaps our greatest attributes as American citizens, and as the human race - FREEDOM!

     The Bill of Rights grants us freedom of religion, freedom of speech, or the press, the right to gather peaceably, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. We have the right to keep and bear arms, freedom from unreasonable search and seizures. We have a right to a fair and speedy trial, and the right to have adequate counsel for our defense.

     We have the freedom to pursue our lives basically as we wish. The live and work where we choose. To follow our dreams and goals without undo hindrance. To develop friendships and relationships with whomever we wish. To marry who ever we feel a kindred spirit and loving relationship with.

     We have the freedom to move about the land whenever and to where ever we wish without undo restrictions. We have the freedom to speak our peace, to play our music, to write, and print and portray our thoughts in any number of creative manners, without unwarranted or arbitrary censorship.

     We have the right and freedom to print and publish virtually any material we desire in books or magazines, what we want to broadcast on television and radio, and what will be shown on the silver screen. We are free to watch, listen or read whatever we wish, at any time of the day or night. We, as American citizens, enjoy the greatest freedoms of any people on the planet today!

     We attribute these rights and freedoms we hold so dearly to our Founding Fathers who so carefully crafted the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. We hold fast to our freedom at the high cost of many a good and brave serviceperson who, for the honor of their country and neighbors, gave their life to protect our lives.

     Though we celebrate the 'Independence' of America and the freedoms we enjoy through the wisdom and efforts of those before us, let us not forget the very source and foundation by which these rights and freedoms are derived from.

     For 'In the beginning, God created.....'  From the very beginning, God granted freedom to heavenly beings and the human race. God gave Adam and Eve freedom to do, to go and to eat.....  except one tree. The freedom God gave the heavenly hosts and mankind is the 'freedom of choice', or free will.

     But, this God given freedom was abused. The Devil abused this divine freedom by rebelling against God and being cast from Heaven along with a host of angels. In Genesis 3 we read of how Eve and Adam were tempted and subsequently abused their freedom - resulting in the fall of man.

   In order to maintain the integrity of God's wholly state, He had no choice but to respond with appropriate consequences for the abuse of the freedom He gave those He created. In other words, along with the God given right of free will, there comes responsibility.

     Paul Harvey used to say "Self-government won’t work without self-discipline." I submit "Freedom without responsibility, or consequences for abuse, is a recipe for chaos and social disorder."

     Along with the right to free will, God has also given us the charge and responsibility to exercise our freedom for the sake of good and for the glory of God. We have been given the wisdom and the power to make choices in our lives which reflect and honor the glorious gift we have received - for the purpose of loving God and loving one another.

     Galatians 5:13-14 teaches - "For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other. For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command:  Love others as you love yourself."

     Let us exercise our freedom - freedom in the Spirit with acts of 'love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control'. These are acts of freedom which cannot be taken away and that last forever! Amen.

A LAUGHING MATTER

     How often do you laugh? I don’t mean just a chuckle, I mean a good hearty laugh. Maybe you are one of those folks who just don’t laugh - who just don’t seem to find things funny or very much to laugh about.

     Me? I laugh a lot! I love to laugh. I learned to laugh at an early age. At first it was because I found things funny. Then it was a defensive mechanism to protect myself from those people who thought I was funny. Now, it's because I have found the awesome value in laughter. Here's some of what I learned.

     Laughter makes you feel good. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss. Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster of more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you with others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.

     Your sense of humor and ability to laugh is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health. With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.

     Look at these benefits of laughter - Laughter relaxes the whole body; laughter boosts the immune system; laughter triggers the release of endorphins; laughter exercises and protects the heart. Along with these, laughter dissolves distressing emotions, it helps you relax and recharge, and humor shifts the perspective.

     Like a man named Hunter Campbell Adams, M.D., or "Patch Adams", I too discovered how humor and laughing could help people feel better. Like the Prophets and Disciples, I also found how joy and laughter helps in one’s spiritual journey.

     The Bible teaches joy is a quality of life and not simply a fleeting emotion. It is grounded in God himself and flows from him. Psalm 16:11 teaches - "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

     As we see, joy is not an isolated or occasional consequence of faith but rather an integral part of one's whole relation to God. The fullness of joy comes when there is a deep sense of the presence of God in one's life.

     Laughter is the heartfelt expression of joy, gladness, or pleasurable surprise. Laughter is an expression of the deep felt peace and joy we have in Christ. Laughter comes easy for me because I believe in Jesus Christ, and I believe His words in John 15:11 - "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." 
     For each of you, I pray - "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  (Romans 15:13)

    There's nothing like a gut-bustin', side-splittin', rollin' on the floor, laughin' till you cry kind of laugh.  Go ahead, laugh!  Laugh out loud.  Laugh yourself silly - and praise God for the joy He has given you.  Amen.

God bless you.

See you in church Sunday

Pastor Eldon

"I Am Not A Turkey"

      During the 2010 Oxford Turkey Days, I had the honor of delivering the message for the Turkey Day Community Service on June 13. The following is a synopsis of my message entitled 'I Am Not A Turkey'. The Scripture Reading was from Genesis 1:24-31.

      To help me better understand about turkeys, and have a better appreciation for Turkey Days, I did some research on turkeys. For example, do you know that turkeys can run up to 20 miles an hour? Did you know Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey be the national bird instead of the Bald Eagle? The Air Force is responsible for killing countless turkeys by flying over turkey farms giving turkeys fatal heart attacks.

      Finally, why can't you take a turkey to church?  Because they use such FOWL language. I told you this was going to be profound, and thought provoking. Why did God create turkeys? To be turkeys, of course. And where do turkeys end up? On someone’s dinner table. That’s why - 'I am not a turkey!' I am a child of God, created in His image and destined for heaven.

      Unlike being a turkey, being a child of God comes with some pretty awesome privileges. As children of God, we are forgiven, we are saved, and we have eternal life.

      Along with forgiveness and eternal life, we have the privilege of God’s peace and freedom. Freedom from sin and death, and peace beyond understanding. In John 14:27, Jesus tells us - "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

      To help us with these glorious privileges, God has given us the Holy Spirit. In John 14:26 we read - "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

      To make these awesome privileges even more powerful and more meaningful, we have been given the special privilege of love. We have been given the honor and privilege to love God and to love one another. As we all know, love is key to our faith. In John 13 we are told "as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

      1 John 3:23-24 states - "And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."

      John clearly states, to be children of God, we must believe in the name of Jesus Christ and we must love one another. We are to love each other with that same selfless, sacrificial, forgiving love with which Jesus Christ loved us. When we put these two commandments together, we find the great truth that the Christian life depends on right belief and right conduct - combined.

      As cool as turkeys may be, they do not possess the ability to believe in Jesus Christ, nor can they love one another like you and I can.  Thus, I am not a turkey - I am a child of God, led by the Spirit - destined for glory.

      Today we bring to a close Turkey Days 2010. But, at the same time, we are reminded that the love and grace of God is open to everyone. That though turkeys may come and turkeys may go, God Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  As children of God, we are assured that "nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

      I bid you, never forget who you are. You are a child of God, created in His image, destined for glory!  As 1 Peter Chapter 2 says, "you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

      If you believe you are, repeat after me - "I am not a turkey. I am a child of God." "I am a child of God, created in His image, destined for glory!"   Go now, as children of God. Loving one another and proclaiming the good works of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blessings to all - See you in church Sunday

Pastor Eldon

COMMUNITY SERVICE

     Everyone is invited to the Annual Turkey Days Community Service in the Park, Sunday, June 13 at 8:30 a.m.

     This service is a joint effort between the different Churches in the Oxford area and is sponsored by the Oxford Ministerial Association and will be held in the George Mitchell Park in Oxford, NE.

Please join us for a fun and meaningful time as we worship the Lord together in song, praise, word and prayer.

"Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."  Psalm 106:1

Yo - BUD!

     Intruducing the newest member of our faily - BUD.  She is now seven weeks old and a mixture of Mini-Boxer and others???  We adopted her on May 28.  A very smart, rambunctious, playful and mindful puppy.  She already understands the words NO, sit, stay, and come.

     She is also learning the boundaries of the property and area she is allowed to be in.  Keep us (and her) in your prayers as we continue the process of potty training.....  With a little luck and more training - she'll treach me where to go!

Eldon