Close To My Heart

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She Was Rude To Me, But…
Steven Kyle

Dr. Steven Kyle

Pastor, Hiland Park Baptist Church

When I was growing up I remember going to the movie theatre and seeing “Rocky”. I can remember thinking it was the greatest movie I ever saw. Then when I was in college I saw it again on a black and white portable TV. Of the two, which one do you think I got the most out of? Which one was I more involved? The answer is obvious. It’s the same way in life. If you really want to get involved in the life that God has given you, you have to learn to see the big picture.

We tend to think in terms of NOW. We see the mundane details of our life as urgent…as “do or die”. This kind of thinking is counter-productive, and creates unnecessary stress. Most of our problems are not a matter of life and death, and there’s no point in blowing them out of proportion. Dean Smith, the former basketball coach at University of North Carolina once said, “If you make every game a matter of life and death, you’ll be dead a lot.”

In order to keep things in perspective, we should condition ourselves to ask the following question: Will this make a difference in 2500 years? For most of the things we allow ourselves to get stressed about, the answer would be “no”. In 2500 years will it matter if the waiter messes up our order? In 2500 years will it matter if I don’t make this sale? Will it matter what kind of car I drive? Will it matter if someone is rude to me? Will it matter if the Seminoles beat the Gators? Will these things matter in 2500 years?

On the other hand, if you share Christ’s love with someone, will that matter in 2500 years? If you take time to disciple a new believer, encourage someone, or give financially to a worthwhile cause. Will that make a difference in 2500 years? The answer is obvious. While there are many things we do that have no eternal significance, there are other areas of our lives where we have the opportunity to make a contribution that will last forever.

As we go about our daily business, we need to get in the habit of thinking in terms of eternity. In 2 Peter 3:8, Peter said, “Do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” These words remind us that there is a big picture to all of this.

The few years we are here on earth, the small circle in which we live, these are only a tiny part of all that is and we must remind ourselves that we are not the center of the universe; the world, the team, or the job does not revolve around you or me. We must also remind ourselves that there is more to life than just money, possessions, and materialistic pursuits. There is an eternal aspect of life that cannot be ignored.

April 20, 2019No comments
Definition of Faith
Wade Rinehart

Dr. Wade Rinehart

Owner of First Choice Physical Therapy

fāTH/
noun
Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

Everyone talks a big game about having faith, but when we are asked to put our faith to the test, it becomes very up close and personal. I had such a moment last spring break while on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with my family. I wanted to show them just how lucky we are to live in a free country with running water and all the creature comforts one could want. Our mission was to spend five days helping to build a community shower and bathroom as well as give out water filters to help those in Juan Bosch, D.R. have better access to clean water. The project was hard work, and everyone chipped in to make the project successful.

With the bathroom complete we moved on to the water filters which required us to go door to door. We pulled up to the first neighborhood with an interpreter in tow, gung-ho about giving these people some Jesus in the form of water filters. Me, being the fearless leader that I am, wanted to show my girls how it was done. So, we go to the first house where I commenced to tell them how to install the filter onto the 5-gallon bucket and how to use it. Everything went well up until the point when they asked me to fill the bucket up and take a drink from the filter.

The interpreter went to a nearby ditch-yes, I said ditch-to scoop up some water to be filtered. I have to tell you that the water was not your typical dirty. It was a greyish, unholy mixture of I don’t know what, that gave me a reflexive gut cramp just looking at it. I remember having a conversation in my head with Jesus reminding him that I was doing this for the kingdom and that the filter better work, as my hand began to shake while turning the spigot on the filter to fill the cup. I have to confess that as the water poured out of the filter, it was so clear and clean, but I threw the first pour out anyway. I poured another and asked the people if they would like to take a drink and it was a unanimous and resounding NO!

At this point, I had the Dominicans, my family and God himself watching me, so there was no backing out now. I lifted the cup to my quivering lip and took the smallest sip as if to test the water for any bacteria that may still be present. Much to my surprise, the water was good, and in the little Spanish that I know and with a surprised look on my face I yelled “Bueno!” Everyone laughed and wanted to try the water too.

I went on to tell them about how the filter was much like Jesus who takes our dirty, sinful lives and cleanses it, making us whole again. I learned that faith is only faith when it is put to the test…and that those water filters really do a great job!

April 20, 2019No comments
Two Umbrellas
John Friedman

Dr. John C. Friedman

Pastor, Forest Park United Methodist Church

In his book, What About Tomorrow?, Dr. J. Wallace Hamilton, tells a story about a Baptist minister, Dr. Gordon Torgerson, who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean one summer. Dr. Torgerson noticed a man sitting in a deck chair reading the Bible. He sat down beside him and said, “Forgive my curiosity, but I’m a Baptist minister. I assume you are a Christian, and I’m interested to know how it happened.”

“Yes,” said the man, setting aside his Bible. “I’m very glad to talk about that. I’m a Filipino. I was born in a good Catholic home in the Philippines. Some years ago, I came to the United States to study law. My first night on campus, a student came to see me. He said, ‘I’ve come to welcome you to the campus and to say that if there is anything I can do to help make your stay here more pleasant, I hope you’ll call on me.’ Then he asked me where I went to church, and I told him I was a Catholic. He said, ‘Well, I can tell you where the Catholic church is, but it’s not easy to find. It’s quite a distance away. Let me make a map.’ So he made a map to the Catholic church and left.

The man said, “When I awakened Sunday morning, it was raining. I thought to myself, I’ll just not go to church today. I’ll get some more sleep. Then there was a knock on the door, and when I opened it there stood that student. His raincoat was dripping wet and on one arm he had two umbrellas, and he said, ‘I thought you might have a hard time finding your church in the rain. I will walk along with you and show you the way.’

“As we walked along in the rain under the two umbrellas I asked, ‘Where do you go to church?’” ‘Oh,’ he said, ‘my church is just around the corner.’ “I said, ‘Suppose we go to your church today, and we’ll go to my church next Sunday.’
“I went to his church, and I’ve never been back to mine. After four years, I felt it was not the law for me, but the ministry. I went to Drew Seminary and was ordained a Methodist minister, and received an appointment to a Methodist church in the Philippines. My name is Valencius. I am Bishop Valencius, Bishop of the Methodist Church in the Philippines.”

Now, that is a fascinating story of one of the most important people in the world–not the Bishop, though he is important, but the student with the two umbrellas. All of us need to be like the student with the two umbrellas: someone who makes our faith so useful and so attractive that others say, “Your faith has helped me! I want the kind of faith you have!”

April 20, 20191 Comment
Most people do not know that they are dysfunctional.
Dallas Finch

Dallas Finch, L.C.S.W

Finch & Finch Consulting Group, LLC

Meredith Finch

Meredith Finch Thurlow, L.C.S.W.

Finch & Finch Consulting Group, LLC

Most people do not know that they are dysfunctional. The reality is we are all uniquely and wonderfully made with our own quirks and defense mechanisms. The very thinking styles, behavioral and instinctual responses that are used for safety all too often keep us stuck in patterns that impact our quality of life. We all face issues related to mental health and emotional wellness. In the U.S., anxiety is the most common mental illness experienced by adults. Eighteen percent of the population is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder each year and only 36.9 percent of those diagnosed receive treatment. It takes a high level of courage to reach out for help in a world that is quick to cast judgment on those who need support. Everyone could benefit from therapy and life coaching. It is completely normal to struggle with maintaining a healthy balance with all the roles and responsibilities in our lives. It’s normal to get into ruts in our marriages. We all have blind spots that get in the way of intimacy and connection. We all fear losing connection with others or fear being seen as we are. All are a part of the human experience. Unfortunately, these struggles and accompanying parts of ourselves calling out for attention tend to get shoved into the shadows of our consciousness. We don’t address them or try to understand them until they start creating disruption to the point they can no longer be ignored. It’s easier to blame or point at others’ struggles than it is to “take the log out of our own eye” and see our own dysfunctional selves. Conflict, grief, stress, addiction, depression, anxiety, and trauma all provide opportunities to learn about ourselves and change patterns that are no longer serving us. Successful struggle requires growth. Just like one’s physical health depends upon knowing about our body, developing healthy habits and, at times, seeking professional intervention; mental health also requires knowledge of ourselves, developing necessary healthy habits, and professional intervention at times. Maintenance and practice of healthy choices in both areas can decrease the risk of major illness.

April 20, 2019No comments
What I Would Say to a Person That is Considering Suicide
Henry Hazard

Henry Hazard

Pastor, Heritage Bible Church

I know that you are discouraged at this point of your life. You may believe that your situation is hopeless and that by committing suicide you will be able to solve all your problems. But I would like you to consider some other facts.

First, just because your life ends on this earth does not mean that it is the end. You will have to face your Creator and give an account for the life that He gave you. What will you say when He asks you, “Why did you do that? I had a future planned for you. I am the God of hope. I intended to walk with you through your struggles and give you victory. I wanted you to lean on Me and learn to trust Me so that your life would be a testimony that encouraged others going through difficult times.”

Second, not all suicide attempts are successful. If one survives, there may be permanent brain or liver damage or some other debilitating injury.

Finally, God has a perfect will for each person, including you. He knows how to make your life meaningful but you will have to yield yourself to Him. Let Christ be your example. He endured pain, rejection, ridicule and a terrible death. But He did not commit suicide. He leaned on His heavenly Father for grace and strength. He was victorious! You too can be victorious over your situation.

April 20, 2019No comments
The Value of Old School
Bruce Barton

Dr. Bruce Barton

Pastor, Central Baptist Church

“Old School” is a phrase that points back to a time when some things just seemed to be better. Some old school cars continue to be appreciated because of their beauty, dependability, and capability. Old school music is often appreciated due to guitar solos and vocal harmony without layered, studio reverb, and Auto-Tune pitch correction). In short, “Old School” is something we should welcome back into our fast-past contemporary lives.

For example, consider Psalm 78:5-8, “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”

Way back then, discipleship started in the home. If we want our children to love and follow the one true God passionately and consistently, we would do well to keep it “old school”– go back to that ancient foundational practice in our contemporary lives. What are YOU doing to help your children “not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments”?

Here are some practical ideas to engage on a regular basis:

Talk about who God is and what God commands.

Read the Scriptures together.

Pray with your children.

Be the example of what you expect.

It is foolish to expect our children to, “Do as I say, not as I do”. Kids see right through that hypocrisy and it usually leads to following in the footsteps, “as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”

As parents and mentors who love Jesus, it is our great privilege and responsibility to lead them to love Him.

April 20, 2019No comments
Safe at Home
Craig Carter

Rev. Craig Carter

Pastor, Lynn Haven United Methodist Church

Former major league baseball player, Al Gallagher, once said: “There are three things in my life which I really love: God, family, and baseball. The only problem is, once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit.”  While I hope that is not entirely correct, it is not far from the truth for me as well. I absolutely love the game of baseball. I love playing the game, watching the game, analyzing the game, talking about the game, reading about the game…I think you get the idea.

One of the reasons I love baseball so much is because it teaches a great deal about life itself. Baseball shows the value of individual contributions to a team’s success, the importance of a good work ethic (you play like you practice), and the inevitably of failure (even Hall of Fame hitters make an out 70% of the time).  At the same time, baseball always affords its participants a chance to bounce back. At best, there’s another at bat coming. At worst, wait ‘til next year!

Some of you may recall a routine made famous by stand-up comedian, George Carlin, a number of years ago. In it, he compares the two most popular sports in America (no, not NASCAR and fishin’) – baseball and football. From his observations, you may get an idea why baseball is our national pastime and my sport of choice.

  • Football begins in the fall, when everything’s dying.
  • Baseball begins in the spring, the season of new life.
  • Football is concerned with downs. What down is it? It’s the last down!
  • Baseball is concerned with ups. Who’s up? Oh, I’m up!
  • In football you receive a penalty.
  • In baseball you make an error…oops!
  • In football the specialist comes in to kick something.
  • In baseball the specialist comes in to relieve somebody.
  • Football has hitting, clipping, spearing, piling on, late hits, and unnecessary roughness.
  • Baseball has the sacrifice.
  • Football has the two minute warning.
  • Baseball has the seventh inning stretch.
  • Football is rigidly timed, and it will end even if we’ve got to go to sudden death.
  • Baseball has no time limit so we don’t know when the game is gonna end. We might even have extra innings.

And finally, the objectives of the two games are completely different:

  • In football the object is for the quarterback, also known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his receivers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy’s defensive line.
  • In baseball the object is to get home! And to be safe! I hope I’ll be safe at home!  

Baseball lover or not, we all like to be safe at home. Maybe that’s why I love Christ’s Church even more than the game of baseball. It gives me a safe place to call home where I can learn and live the Christian faith. That’s why I agree with the writer of Hebrews when he says, “Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. You should not stay away from church meetings…you should meet together and encourage each other.” (Hebrews 10:24-25a ICB) I hope and pray you have found and frequent a church that keeps you “safe at home!”

April 20, 2019No comments
I’m Just Not Convicted About Those Things
Eddie Pitts

Eddie Pitts

Pastor, Springfield Community Church

In my opening statement I would like to ask the following questions, could it be that the old is past and the new has arrived? Has the calendar itself, turned the page into the new millennium where it seems that nothing is wrong? Have we lost sight of the message of the cross and the price that Jesus paid for our sins? These are questions that I believe that need to be answered truthfully, through the word of God. Paul said that we the children of God should come out from among the world and be a separate people and touch not any unclean thing.

But in reality, it’s very hard to determine the difference between the world and the church today because of the lack of separation. And the reason is conviction. Knowing what to do, why to do it, and how to do it is worthless if you don’t have convictions. Jesus’ lived his life under total conviction doing the will of his father. He completely separated himself from the world. John said, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but is of the world”.

When John makes reference to the word world, he’s not talking about the grass, the trees, the flowers, etc.… He’s talking about the world system that is under the complete control of Satan. When we as children of God excepted Jesus as our personal savior, according to the scripture, old things passed away and behold all things become new. What we once loved, we will now hate and what we once hated we will now love. There should be a difference in one’s life after excepting Jesus as their savior. Our talk should change, our walk should change, our actions should change, but sadly in today’s society you don’t see that change because we’ve lost our conviction.

Let me ask this question, if you can live any way you want, do anything you want, say anything you want and still be saved, then why did Jesus have to pay such an awful price at Calvary? The answer is, you can’t. There must be a separation from this world in the life of a child of God. You cannot mix the two together, a house divided cannot stand! Jesus said, you cannot put new wine in old vessels. So, let me encourage all of us today to stop, and take a good look at the church and ourselves and see if we measure up to the church that was in the book of Acts and see if the church is being added to daily, and if signs and wonders are following. Remember, Jesus is not coming back for anything less than he left.

April 20, 2019No comments
Things I May Say When Witnessing To An Atheist
Henry Hazard

Henry Hazard

Pastor, Heritage Bible Church

Once some declared himself to be an atheist, I would probably try to engage him/her in a conversation to help me understand why he/she is an atheist. The conversation might go something like this:

“I am sure there is a reason you consider yourself to be an atheist. Would you mind sharing that with me? Following their answer I would ask another question.

“I consider you to be an intelligent person. Would you say that you know everything there is to know about the universe?” If they are honest, he/she will admit they do not know everything about this universe.

“Is it possible, then, that in the section you don’t know about the universe, there just might be God? If they don’t cut the discussion short at this point, I would continue.

“Since you don’t know everything that is in this universe, and if God might be in the section that you don’t know, then it seems to me that you really don’t know if there is a God or not. I think you would be classified as an agnostic rather than an atheist. An atheist states there is no God. An agnostic doesn’t know for sure.

If the person is willing to continue the conversation, I would suggest that since he/she really doesn’t know if there is a God or not, he/she should investigate the issue with those are convinced there is a God and ask why they believe the way they do.

April 20, 2019No comments
So You Want to Commit Suicide
Jeff Scalf

Jeff Scalf

Lead Pastor, St. Andrew Assembly of God

When the fear of giving up is overwhelmed by the stress and pain of the current, well, what do you do? When you feel closed off, boxed in and utterly alone. When you are talking to others, trying to cry out in the midst of your sentences but none are attuned to your pain, what do you do? When your soul and spirit are so vexed and weighted down, drowning in the blustery sea of your emotional despair, when every waking hour is filled with darkness of soul and your spirit entombed in pain of utter loneliness, what do you do? Hopelessness is all that rolls through your mind, your soul and your spirit, just hopelessness, what do you do? Surely all this will end if I just put an end to it. One slip of the blade, one pull of the trigger, one swallow of pills and the pain will end.

Regardless of what your theological persuasion is on the destination of one who commits suicide, lets look at some realities. To the person experiencing these emotions, it is absolutely real. No pat “Christianese” answer will pull one from such depths of despair nor will any pill you give them. No, they need real answers and real answers are found in the Bible and they need real loving friends.

King David was a realist. In several Psalms you see him crying out in despair, “God why have you forsaken me?!” Yet in the next breath he grounded himself in reality, “Why so downcast O my soul, put your hope in God.” So we too need to help those who are suicidal ground themselves in the reality that God is always there. The reality that others in the Bible experienced what they are facing and they made it through and so can they, IF they want to.

One reality that those who are in the throws of contemplating suicide rarely think of is this; suicide is the most selfish act you can ever do. Yes, you read right, suicide is the most selfish act you can ever do. Oh there are many vile selfish acts people can do but suicide is the most selfish. Suicide focuses all your attention on yourself. You assume, wrongly, that your death will affect no one and/or you fail to think through the consequences your selfish act will bring. Yes there maybe those in your life that distain you but there are people who indeed love you and your death will utterly break their hearts to the core. Nothing you leave in a suicide note will bring them any relief of your death. They will carry for life the unnecessary scars your suicide will bring.

The second reality of suicide is this; suicide is a permanent solution to something, which in the scope of life is really temporary. The emotional throws you are in are not permanent unless you choose to stay there.

To chat with a Christian about your suicidal thoughts go to https://chatnow.org/suicide/

April 20, 2019No comments