I have been in Duluth, GA this week for our state executive committee meeting as well as staff meetings. The December installment is always a great time because of the Christmas season and the parties and gatherings that accompany it.
At our Annual Staff/Retiree Christmas luncheon our former Exec. Director (Jim Griffith) related a story about Cecil B. DeMille and Charlton Heston in the filming of Ben Hur. I went online and googled the story and found the following information.
When they began working on the movie Ben Hur, Cecil B. DeMille talked to Charlton Heston--the star of the movie--about the all-important chariot race at the end. He decided Heston should actually learn to drive the chariot himself, rather than just using a stunt double. Heston agreed to take chariot-driving lessons to make the movie as authentic as possible.
Learning to drive a chariot with horses four abreast, however, was no small matter. After extensive work and days of practice, Heston returned to the movie set and reported to DeMille.
"I think I can drive the chariot all right, Cecil," said Heston, "but I'm not at all sure I can actually win the race."
Smiling slightly, DeMille said, "Heston, you just stay in the race, and I'll make sure you win."
The Christian life is a race that we are challenged to run well. There are times, however, that the struggle to run well is huge. We try, but it seems that our efforts fall short. We struggle just to stay in the race.
The world rewards those that come in first. There is a huge disparity between the prize and prestige of the winner and the runners-up, and there is no recognition for those that finishes near the end or are last.
God, however, operates and rewards differently than the way the world does. In Matthew 10:22, Jesus said that the one that endures until the end will be saved. You don’t have to be in the lead. You don’t have to be passing everyone up in a cloud of dust. All you have to do as a Christian is to stay in the race! “So run, that ye may obtain.” Everyone that stays in this race is a winner.
Child of God, you just stay in the race and He will see that you win.
December 15, 2010
December 8, 2010
Joseph, Man of Courage
Been to a Christmas pageant lately? It's that time of year. I have been to some where the costumes looked like they came out of Rogers and Hammerstiens wardrobe room and others out of Goodwill's backroom. The angel appears, Mary hears, the shepherds visit and the Wise Men come. There is still no room at the inn and Joseph...Yes, Joseph. We know he is there, but what did he say? Well we don't know. He is silent when it comes to scripture, but he is loud when it comes to obedience.
The Bible says that he was a "righteous man." I am not speaking of a pious religious legalist, but a man that wants to do the right thing. Here was a man that was chosen to become the earthly father of the Son of God, but was about to have his world rocked by a social disaster. Given what he knew about his situation and Mary's condition he wanted to protect her as much as possible. His heart was broken, but he could not let her be exposed to public scrutiny and the consequences of the law, which meant stoning.
How do you think he felt? Heart-broken? Betrayed?
How do you think he should respond? He could have ruined her reputation. He could have disgraced her publicly. He could have just put her away, left or divorced her. God allowed Joseph to look at the situation from his perspective to show us what a righteous man does when faced with difficulty in the midst of life. Joseph was torn between obeying the law and loving Mary. Emotions ran rampant in his mind and heart yet he loved Mary and did not want to see her hurt.
Jesus' birth creates a predicament for every man. All men are forced to make a decision about Christ and His claims.
The more I look at Joseph's situation and Mary's condition I am convinced that in our world the National Enquirer, Time and the local papers would have had a hey day. The gossip lines and social networking would be hot. But look at Joseph. He would not get into that. "But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream..." While the world gets on the phone or in a chat room, the "righteous man" gets with God and prays about it.
This was a redemptive moment for Joseph. This was a moment of faith. When we trust God we arrive at His promises and at His destination. He did as the angel said and "took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son, and he called His name Jesus."
Faith is believing according to the promise of God's Word. As He informs our faith, our hope is strengthened to trust Him in our circumstances.
I guess you could say that homeland security was on the front burner for Joseph and he learned to do it God's way.
The Bible says that he was a "righteous man." I am not speaking of a pious religious legalist, but a man that wants to do the right thing. Here was a man that was chosen to become the earthly father of the Son of God, but was about to have his world rocked by a social disaster. Given what he knew about his situation and Mary's condition he wanted to protect her as much as possible. His heart was broken, but he could not let her be exposed to public scrutiny and the consequences of the law, which meant stoning.
How do you think he felt? Heart-broken? Betrayed?
How do you think he should respond? He could have ruined her reputation. He could have disgraced her publicly. He could have just put her away, left or divorced her. God allowed Joseph to look at the situation from his perspective to show us what a righteous man does when faced with difficulty in the midst of life. Joseph was torn between obeying the law and loving Mary. Emotions ran rampant in his mind and heart yet he loved Mary and did not want to see her hurt.
Jesus' birth creates a predicament for every man. All men are forced to make a decision about Christ and His claims.
The more I look at Joseph's situation and Mary's condition I am convinced that in our world the National Enquirer, Time and the local papers would have had a hey day. The gossip lines and social networking would be hot. But look at Joseph. He would not get into that. "But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream..." While the world gets on the phone or in a chat room, the "righteous man" gets with God and prays about it.
This was a redemptive moment for Joseph. This was a moment of faith. When we trust God we arrive at His promises and at His destination. He did as the angel said and "took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son, and he called His name Jesus."
Faith is believing according to the promise of God's Word. As He informs our faith, our hope is strengthened to trust Him in our circumstances.
I guess you could say that homeland security was on the front burner for Joseph and he learned to do it God's way.
December 6, 2010
Crazy Laws
These are real laws that are on the books in the State of Georgia.
State Laws:
Members of the state assembly cannot be ticketed for speeding while the state assembly is in session.
Donkeys may not be kept in bathtubs (and the point is?).
Signs are required to be written in English. (that one may be in trouble)
You have the right to commit simple battery if provoked by "fighting words." (I bet that bill writer was a Baptist.)
No one may carry an ice cream cone in their back pocket if it is Sunday.
It is illegal to use profanity in front of a dead body which lies in a funeral home or in a coroner's office. (WHAT?)
Acworth
All citizens must own a rake.
Atlanta
Against the law to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole or a street lamp.
One man may not be on another man's back.
Columbus
Can't cut off a chicken's head on Sunday.
It is illegal to carry a chicken by it's feet down Broadway on Sunday.
Gainesville
Chicken must be eaten with the hands.
Jonesboro
It is illegal to say, "Oh, Boy."
Kennesaw
Every head of household must possess a firearm of somekind.
Marietta
Though it is illegal to spit from a car or bus, citizens may spit from a truck.
St. Mary's
No spitting on the sidewalk is permitted after dark.
Quitman
Cars are not to drive on sidewalks.
It is illegal for a chicken to cross the road.
Hard to believe? Believe it!
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