. . . the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).
About 15 years ago, while I was in graduate school, I hired a cattleman to sell my cattle for me on a commission basis. He told me that Canton, South Dakota was where the market for my calves would be "hot." So, the day before the sale we loaded a "pot" load of 600 pounders and shipped them to Canton.
I had a morning class at the seminary in Sioux Falls, but it would be no problem to make it back to Canton for the sale at 1:00. When I drove into the parking lot of the sale barn there were only a half dozen cars and pickups there and I thought, "Oh joy! I looks like I'm going to lose my shirt today!" With only a few bidders on my calves I thought the price they would bring would be very low and when one only gets paid once a year it is import to get the most out of them.
It turned out that it was a "hot" market! I made some money that day. Though there were only a few people in the sale barn, they were the right people; the people who wanted calves to feed and were willing to pay good money to get them. I have often thought of that experince when I read this parable of Jesus on the parable of the sower and soils (Luke 8: 4-15). The concern of the preacher is not primarily how many people there are to preach to, but that they be the right people, the ones with sincere hearts who desire God in their lives. We often equate success in pastoral ministry with large crowds of people, but it seems to me that our prayer should be that the gospel would be planted in the hearts of the right people, whether the crowd be great or small.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
3 WORDS @ 60 MILES PER HOUR
For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).
It's pure Americana, posting religious signs along the highway to dispose those in passing vehicles toward faith and repentance. "Ye must be born again," "Jesus Saves," or "Prepare to meet thy God" are the most recent examples of signs I have seen lately. Isn't America a great country that we have that kind of freedom?!
Last September, during the hot political race, I decided to get into the sign-posting action. I believed, and still do, and all the recent scandals bear me out, that Obama was bad for the country, so I posted an empty chair and some political signs on the fence line of the Steele property on highway 10. After the election was over I continued to post signs because of comments and reactions I received from the sign posting. I try to change signs every 2 weeks.
The challenge of sign-posting is how to communicate something significant in 4 words or less that will resonate with the viewer. Research has shown that recognition can be measured in milliseconds, so one does not have have to view the sign very long, but the message does have to be simple. If the sign is too busy with lots of letters and lots of words, the message will be lost.
My signs are sometimes political, sometimes humorous and sometimes inspirational, but most often, religious. Hopefully, someone has started the journey of faith because of one of the signs I have posted.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
It's pure Americana, posting religious signs along the highway to dispose those in passing vehicles toward faith and repentance. "Ye must be born again," "Jesus Saves," or "Prepare to meet thy God" are the most recent examples of signs I have seen lately. Isn't America a great country that we have that kind of freedom?!
Last September, during the hot political race, I decided to get into the sign-posting action. I believed, and still do, and all the recent scandals bear me out, that Obama was bad for the country, so I posted an empty chair and some political signs on the fence line of the Steele property on highway 10. After the election was over I continued to post signs because of comments and reactions I received from the sign posting. I try to change signs every 2 weeks.
The challenge of sign-posting is how to communicate something significant in 4 words or less that will resonate with the viewer. Research has shown that recognition can be measured in milliseconds, so one does not have have to view the sign very long, but the message does have to be simple. If the sign is too busy with lots of letters and lots of words, the message will be lost.
My signs are sometimes political, sometimes humorous and sometimes inspirational, but most often, religious. Hopefully, someone has started the journey of faith because of one of the signs I have posted.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Saturday, June 08, 2013
BE CAREFUL, OBAMA IS WATCHING
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body (II Corinthians 5:10).
There has been much concern expressed, by liberals and conservatives alike, about government surveillance of American citizens. We should be concerned. Though we would like to trust the government because it is to be a government of the rule of law, we know that the government has violated the law to intimidate, to limit criticism and to cover up unlawful and incompetent behavior. I have known for a long time that even this humble little blog has been monitored by the government.
As concerned as we should be about government intrusion into our lives, there is One who is constantly aware of what we are doing; even what we are thinking. One day we will have to give an accounting to Him. The Creator of an infinite universe, in terms of its expanse, will have no problem dealing justly with all your thoughts and actions. Everything you thought was private will be made public and a just punishment will be required. While that is frightening, we do know that God is just, we can trust Him to keep His word. Those who belong to Christ will find salvation only because they belong to Christ and, as a result, live lives devoted to Him in this present life.
As concerned as you might be about government surveillance of your life, you should be even more concerned that God knows everything, even your very thoughts. Do you belong to Jesus?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
There has been much concern expressed, by liberals and conservatives alike, about government surveillance of American citizens. We should be concerned. Though we would like to trust the government because it is to be a government of the rule of law, we know that the government has violated the law to intimidate, to limit criticism and to cover up unlawful and incompetent behavior. I have known for a long time that even this humble little blog has been monitored by the government.
As concerned as we should be about government intrusion into our lives, there is One who is constantly aware of what we are doing; even what we are thinking. One day we will have to give an accounting to Him. The Creator of an infinite universe, in terms of its expanse, will have no problem dealing justly with all your thoughts and actions. Everything you thought was private will be made public and a just punishment will be required. While that is frightening, we do know that God is just, we can trust Him to keep His word. Those who belong to Christ will find salvation only because they belong to Christ and, as a result, live lives devoted to Him in this present life.
As concerned as you might be about government surveillance of your life, you should be even more concerned that God knows everything, even your very thoughts. Do you belong to Jesus?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Thursday, June 06, 2013
SHORTER LIFE SPANS?
And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? (Matthew 6:27).
This blurb comes from "The Foster Report." The most educated Americans are making the biggest gains in life expectancy, but now they say mortality data show life spans for some of the least educated Americans are actually contracting. The reasons for the decline remain unclear, but researchers offered possible explanations, including a spike in prescription drug overdoses among young whites, higher rates of smoking among less educated white women, rising obesity, and a steady increase in the number of the least educated Americans who lack health insurance.
I expect to see a greater decline in life spans as "ObamaCare" is implemented, and as a result, health care is rationed. So, the most important things one can do is to become educated and self disciplined in the matters that make for physical health. It has been known for years that staying physically active, having a positive out-look on life, being social and being one who trusts in God are great contributors to extended physical life.
Long life, by itself, is not the reason that a Christian should want to physically live longer. Rather, serving the Lord is our aim. If it should be that God calls me home today, that's okay.
Being a cattleman and a hog farmer, they don't write songs about hog farmers, I need to add that there are no 100-year-old vegetarians.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
This blurb comes from "The Foster Report." The most educated Americans are making the biggest gains in life expectancy, but now they say mortality data show life spans for some of the least educated Americans are actually contracting. The reasons for the decline remain unclear, but researchers offered possible explanations, including a spike in prescription drug overdoses among young whites, higher rates of smoking among less educated white women, rising obesity, and a steady increase in the number of the least educated Americans who lack health insurance.
I expect to see a greater decline in life spans as "ObamaCare" is implemented, and as a result, health care is rationed. So, the most important things one can do is to become educated and self disciplined in the matters that make for physical health. It has been known for years that staying physically active, having a positive out-look on life, being social and being one who trusts in God are great contributors to extended physical life.
Long life, by itself, is not the reason that a Christian should want to physically live longer. Rather, serving the Lord is our aim. If it should be that God calls me home today, that's okay.
Being a cattleman and a hog farmer, they don't write songs about hog farmers, I need to add that there are no 100-year-old vegetarians.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
