Well, hello there. Hope all are well on this Monday, April 28, 2025. It's a good day to thank God for His mercy, grace, and His provision in allowing us to still breathe air on the planet. The song says it accurately, "my life is in His hands". I believe that. I remember the fellow who came up to the late Dr. Adrian Rogers and told him he believed so fervently in the sovereign control of God over his life, so much so, he could step out in front of a train and if it wasn't his time to go then he would not be killed. Dr. Rogers calmly told the man if he steps out in front of an oncoming train, he will find out that it is his time to go. This means we understand God's always working to accomplish His will, but, in my opinion we don't do stupid stuff because of it. Got it? Good. No. I will not be taking up any rattlesnakes anytime soon to show everyone the evidence of my faith and no, I will also not be drinking strychnine to show my belief in God's protection. At the same time, I recall the Apostle Paul picking up some sticks for firewood and in so doing he was bitten by a highly venomous snake. The people saw what happened and they sat down and waited for Paul to die. God had other plans for Paul, therefore, the serpent's venom did not harm him. (Read about it in the Book of Acts, Chapter 28) That is what I see as God's supernatural intervention. God can do whatever He determines to do and He's not impressed with the crazy shenanigans people might come up with. I am not throwing off on folks who read from Mark's Gospel, Chapter 20, and somehow get caught up in the snakes and the poison, but, my heart's desire is for us all to serve God based on a balanced view of His Holy Word.
Me too! Those typically country folks who handle serpents are easy pickings, but, to be sure, most everyone have areas where there is a failure to adhere to the clear teachings found in God's Word. Mark Lowry, Gospel singer and comedian, says you will likely never hear a sermon on gluttony from a Baptist pulpit. We all laugh but it's because we know it's true. I enjoy watching Church services on YouTube, from pretty much all over the globe. I enjoy watching the Koreans honor our Lord and Savior as well as the Australians, Spanish speaking congregations, and, many, many English and American Churches too. One service I enjoy is a Baptist Church in Kentucky which is highly charismatic in their practice. They jump for joy, shout, and even some of them take a lap around the sanctuary now and then. They typically all dress pretty much alike, have hairstyles that are similar, and, the fellows, all the way down to the little ones, always wear a coat and tie. My reason for pointing this out is the influence the parents and other adults have on the children. From the smallest there, they begin the hand waving, jumping, and other antics just like mom and dad do it. It reminds me of just how much we do shape the lives of the youngest among us. Their parroting their parents reminds me of that old anti smoking commercial where the dad is outside on the porch with his little boy. He gets called inside the house and lays down his cigarette and once dad is out of sight the little boy picks up the cigarette. The real reason I watch that particular congregation is their singing. They sing out. Yep. They do. Not always with the best of harmony, but, they do belt out the songs and I enjoy that part of it. Their pastor likes to say Amen as the punch line to every sentence, but, that's his choice and they seem to respond to it. Okay. Now you know some about the stuff that interests me. I do try and keep my self appointed status as an Observer Extraordinaire. You do your thing. I do mine.
One thing is clear. One shoe does not fit all even among those who are Christ followers. I grew up in a community of believers that pretty much taught we were right and everyone else was wrong. Even as a kid I recognized obvious hypocrisy in our little world of being right. For instance, we had leaders in our congregation that were at odds with other leaders in the congregation, so much so they didn't speak or have contact with each other and their families didn't either. A kid could see that was not in keeping with the message of unity and fellowship coming from our pulpit. Oh well, enough about that. I am thankful that while we, even as believers, have plenty of faults, God still loves us and works with us to help us be what He would have us to be. And, I learned early on the concept of us being right and everyone else being wrong just isn't how it is. It's not. Sorry if that bothers someone, but, it's good to know that any and all people who have trusted in Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are children of God and our brothers and sisters, period, end of that chapter of the story. Until next time, may God bless each one. Amen.
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