SEEING HIM WHO IS INVISIBLE

Just a few weeks ago I preached a sermon entitled “Seeing Him Who Is Invisible.”   I want you to know that it is a subject which is very real to me.

I am no different that everyone else.  I become frustrated with society’s foibles.  I become angry at duplicitous politicians.  I become anxious about the future.  I become discouraged when I am rejected, or ignored.   And I become concerned about the direction of my children and grandchildren.

However, the most debilitating thing I experience is hurt when my actions and words are wrongly attributed to nefarious, or selfish motives. 

Such hurt has the potential to completely derail me from the path God has laid out for me.  The realization of that potential is sufficient in my life to stir me to once again get alone with “Him Who Is Invisible,” and seek a fresh sense of His presence in my life.  Now don’t misunderstand, I fully know, by faith, that He is always near.  But the sense of His personal care and provision for me lifts me from the doldrums, and it is as if I’ve had a conversation with Him. 

I simply do not understand those whose theology will not allow for two way communication between Holy God and man.   There seems to me those around us who believe that God only speaks through His Word.  They discount completely the personal leadership of God in our lives, lest they be associated with those who claim to have received “Revelation” from God.   I believe that all truth can be misused by false teachers, and such is the case with those who believe God has shown them something “different,” or “new.”  

Therefore, I am not afraid to say that God shows me something, or has told me something.   I might not have received it verbally, but I know His leadership, and it is as nearly verbal as one can have without it actually being so. 

James admonishes Believers to not make plans without finding the will of God in the matter, or at least putting the matter in God’s hands.   “If God wills, I will go,” is a clear indication that I should seek His face in all matters.

Because I’ve learned to seek “Him who is invisible,” I can find rest, peace, and hope in spite of whatever is thrown in my path.  I wish this for each reader of this article, that you develop a close intimate relationship with God by faith in Jesus Christ, and that He becomes more real to you than any human being.

Remember, He will not give you “new truth,” nor will He contradict Scripture.  However, He will be a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  He will be a constant and abiding companion who guides you, as you seek to serve Him.

Taking Pleasure in Simple Things

This morning was my turn to stay awhile with Mom.  I took advantage of the time to “plunder around” in her living room.  It is filled with “stuff” from a couple of families, and one must be careful lest he gets lost.  However, I had my iphone with the GPS and felt fairly certain I could find my way back to the kitchen eventually.


During the course of my plundering, I saw a simple coffee cup with a crack and a chip and the words Johnny “Chip” Rasberry written in something like fingernail polish. 

Seeing that cup brought back a rush of memories of my Dad.  He was a very simple man who enjoyed life almost as much as he enjoyed people.  The simplest thing could be a source of repeated pleasure for him.

Listening to, or watching a Cardinals Baseball game; drinking coffee with friends and relatives; riding his dog in the back of his truck; and of course talking about his children.  I so want to learn to just enjoy life and people.  Even today, people who knew my Dad speak of his love of life, his friendly personality, his sparkling eyes, and his ready smile.

For many of my generation, those growing up now, life is very complicated and finding joy in a chipped and broken coffee cup is simply not going to happen. 

Perhaps you’re wondering just what the significance of the coffee cup was, and is.  Well, as I’ve said Dad was a great one for fellowship.  On a couple of occasions when he stopped by the Rolling Creek Baptist Church Parsonage for coffee with the Pastor, the Pastor’s wife served him coffee in this chipped cup.  My Dad teased her endlessly about giving him the chipped cup and it became “his” cup.  Every time he visited he was served with that cup.  Eventually she gave it to him as a memento with the inscription mentioned above.  That cup had a place of prominence in their den, and Mom eventually moved it to the living room.

Dear Lord, Please teach me to enjoy the simple things of this world as gifts from You, and to not take lightly those relationships You grace my life with.  Thank You, Lord for reminding me of the great joy available to us for just “living” in this world.  I ask this in the sweet and holy name of Jesus, Amen.

Public Worship

I love contemporary music, if I am able to sing along with it.   I love to listen to it, but many worship services I've attended seem more like concerts where the congregation is not expected to participate in the singing.

This blogger expresses my views quite well in this article entitled, "Why I Didn't Sing When I Visited Your Church."

Whether it is Contemporary, Southern Gospel, or Hymns; if I can't hear the words being sung because the instrumentation is so loud, then I simply don't consider it worship.  Sometimes I feel like I'm being whipped into a frenzy by religious cheer leaders desiring me to cheer the team across the goal line.

Excitement should be an integral part of any worship service, and many services are totally lacking in any sense of anticipation of God doing something.  But easy to sing, well known songs, enhance a service.   I don't mean to imply that "new" music should not be introduced, it should.  However, the preponderance of worship music should be music that almost anyone coming into the service could participate in.

Please take a few moments and read this article by Tim Challis.  I really appreciate Susie Fairchild Lott pointing me to this article.