BANES AND BLESSINGS

Neal Pollard

I have not had the heart or stomach to watch the viral video of Karen Klein, who achieved infamy at the hands of the proverbial children left to themselves (cf. Prov. 29:15) who hopefully brought shame to their mothers.  But, I saw snippets of her being poked and prodded, and I have read that she was called fat, ugly, a troll, and much worse by the middle school students she was assigned to monitor on a Greece, New York, school bus.  She was treated cruelly and unfair, shown disrespect by children who without reformation of character appear destined for the penal system and eternal punishment.  It was truly heartbreaking, and no doubt a day that will live with Klein for the rest of her life.  But, she never raised her voice or left her seat choosing instead to remain calm.  She did shed tears.

Out of this social embarrassment, however, has come something very positive.  Various online groups have raised over $140,000 to send Karen on “a vacation of a lifetime.” In addition, she has received encouraging and sympathetic emails, letters, and Facebook messages from people across the nation (information gleaned from Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 6/21/12).

Most of us will not have our problems and mistreatments captured on a YouTube video.  Neither will the kindnesses and good deeds of others toward us be similarly immortalized.  Yet, all of us will be hurt and helped by others.  We will know suffering and strength.  Upon what will we choose to focus?  The good or the grime?

Karen Klein is my newfound hero because of how she handled her “banes” and how she focused on her “blessings.”  There is no indication she is a Christian, but she lives out what Peter tells Christians to do.  Concerning mistreatment by cruel masters, Peter tell slaves, “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God” (1 Pet. 2:19-20).  Jesus, whom Peter holds up as an example (1 Pet. 2:21), says, “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Mat. 5:39).  You will be assaulted, at least verbally, by people of the character of these sadistic adolescents. Don’t let it embitter you.  Instead, choose the high road and see the good in life.

AVOIDING ACID SPILLS

Neal Pollard

 Before we started school one fall, my parents took my sister, brother, and I to the heart of Atlanta to go school shopping at a Belk’s Department Store Outlet.  This was at a time when you could really find good bargains and quality items for cheap prices at outlets.  They had plenty of clothes, but also hardware, tools, housewares, and more.  As I wandered through the store, I remember coming up to a big serving spoon and picking it up only to see that the round part was gone.  It was sitting in a small pool of acid and the acid was eating away the spoon.  My parents duly warned me to avoid it unless I wanted my hand to look like that.  Visualizing my appendage looking like that spoon, I had zero difficulty obeying.

 It happens when we frequently complain, criticize, grumble, and grouse about our work, duty, circumstances, and life.  It happens when we making someone the butt of our joke through cruelty.  It happens when we cannot tell others how we are doing without spouting off a laundry list of woes and agonies.  It happens when we become characterized by negative rather than positive speech.  We may not realize it, but such speech negatively effects those around us.  It demoralizes and discourages.  It can even cause spiritual stumbling.  This is destructive, but it can be avoided.  How?

 Get to the “heart” of the problem.  Jesus says that the “acid spills” come from a reservoir–the heart (Mark 7:21).  It is stored within and then comes pouring out when those contents are under pressure.

Think before you speak.  Ask whether or not the words will be positive, constructive, and helpful. If in doubt, think some more. If there is any doubt, leave it unsaid.  You have to give advance consideration to “let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Col. 4:6).

Focus harder on the blessings.  At any given time, on any day, we have difficulties and disadvantages.  We are still on earth and not yet in heaven.  Why not “count your many blessings, name them one by one.”  I am convinced that a person truly filled with gratitude will not be an acid-spiller (cf. Col. 2:7).

Practice positive speech.  Habits are formed through a process. Conscious, repeated effort will more nearly produce the needed result than to keep the bridle off the tongue (cf. Jas. 3:2).  Yet, every determined effort to praise, compliment, verbally encourage, cheer, and edify another builds the habit.

 Among the little I recall from chemistry is that the opposite of acidic is basic.  Certainly, this is a spiritual basic.  Positive, wholesome, and helpful speech is a building block  that has the opposite effect of acidic speech.  May we all strive to get back to “basics.”

 

 

CONTRADICTING: The Pastime Of Our Time

Have you noticed that, no matter what the topic or matter one may choose to bring up, someone or ones seem to feel compelled to say something to contradict it?  What fuels the activity is known only to the doer, whether a need to seem expert or more knowledgeable, pride, a habit of argumentativeness, or the worldly, age-old practice of “disputing” (Phil. 2:14; 1 Tim. 6:4).  Doctrinally, we are called to lovingly defend God’s truth (Eph. 4:15), to gently help correct a brother (Gal. 6:1) or non-Christian (2 Tim. 2:24-26), and to guard the name of Christ against all attacks.  That is courageous and spiritual.

But, do you know what I am referencing?  That nit-picky, minute, non-essential practice of increasingly many to just “have” to correct somebody and everybody.  Why is that?  Perhaps forums like Facebook feed that tendency, where folks “drive by” somebody’s wall and “need” to be heard and seen as the guru and all-wise.  Perhaps it is something far more benign.  Surely, we don’t see how easily we sign up for the sport of sparring speech.  But, all of us are well served to ask, “What is my purpose in contradicting? What fruitful thing am I seeking to accomplish?”  If we can find no good answer, let’s challenge our own desire to challenge another.  Such makes for “seasonable speech” (cf. Col. 4:6).

What Brings Alligators And Vultures Together?

 

Neal Pollard

Kathy and I were able to swing by the Everglades National Park a few weeks ago, near sundown.  The wildlife were very active, in a preserve that is a haven for many types of birds, panthers, snakes, crocodiles, and alligators.  As we were walking down one of the trails, we saw not only the beaty eyes of alligators in the adjoining canal but at least one that boldly ventured onto the trail.  You can imagine the respect and right of way the many park-goers like ourselves gave this scaly reptile.  I took this picture as three black vultures came boldly strolling up to the alligator.  There were gasps and fearful looks from some bystanders, most fearing the worst for the birds.  What do you think happened next?

It is very unpredictable.  Alligators are known to attack vultures, as a search of You Tube would amply demonstrate.  Vultures are known to attack alligators, too.  One is a strong, ferocious predator.  The other is a famous bird of prey, a scavenger who lives off of death and decay.  What might have happened under different circumstances, where hunger or a perceived threat or territorialism prevailed, is unknown.  Soon after the photo, however, the alligator lazily turned and retreated to the canal and the vultures returned to…whatever vultures do when they aren’t “vulturing.”

My imagination wandered.  What was this confrontation about?  Was this a game of “chicken”?  Were the vultures thrill-seekers?  Was the alligator full, bored, or something else?  Given that most alligator-vulture disputes center around vying for the same entree, the likeliest explanation is that the alligator had killed something and the vultures wanted a postmortem piece of the action.  They were likely brought together by death and devouring.

The Bible speaks of some who are like this, uniting for less than life-bringing reasons.  Asaph condemns God’s people for associating with adulterers and consenting with thieves (Ps. 50:18).  Some fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (cf. Eph. 5:11).  Some, who should know better, give hearty approval to those who practice things worthy of death (Rom. 1:32).  When you are with that companion or in that relationship, it is good to ask, “What brings us together?”  If the answer involves sin, spiritual darkness, and the spiritually deadly, maybe it is find to find a new “partner”–and not a partner in “crime.”

“Without The Venom This Time”

Neal Pollard

In Bill Whitehead’s comic strip, “Free Range,” a marriage counselor is mediating an obviously angry dispute between two poisonous snakes.  She exhorts them, “Okay…both of you take a deep breath and try to talk to each other without the venom this time.”  That is hard for snakes to do, but it is important for husbands and wives to heed such advice.

Stress, exhaustion, undisciplined emotion, hurt, mistrust, and fear can all be toxic ingredients in communication between marriage partners.  Rivalry can rout relationship.

The Bible stresses both that the husband love his wife (Eph. 5:25, 28; Col. 3:19) and that the wife love her husband (Tit. 2:4).  Discussing the husband’s relationship to his wife, the Bible urges an attempt to understand her (1 Pet. 3:7), nourish and cherish her (Eph. 5:29), please her (1 Cor. 7:33), and be joined to her (Gen. 2:24).  Discussing her relationship to him, God’s Word uses ideas like respect (Eph. 5:33), be subject (Eph. 5:22; Tit. 2:5), be submissive (1 Pet. 3:1), display chaste and respectful behavior (1 Pet. 3:2), and be kind (Tit. 2:5).  There is not much wiggle room in these passages for verbal venom.

Next time you feel your rattler rising, remember who you are and what God expects of you.  Then, take a moment to see your spouse for who they are and all they mean to you.  You are friends (and lovers), not foes.  You are heirs together of the grace of life (1 Pet. 3:7).  That is enough to de-fang our discussions!  Disagreements are inevitable.  Destructiveness is iniquity.

DO THEY KNOW IT’S GOOD NEWS?

Neal Pollard

Local and cable stations’ headlines are perpetually bad news, school shootings, raising gas prices, war and instability in the Middle East or elsewhere, and the list continues.  Hollywood perpetuates the peddling of salacious, titillating, and perverse ideas through its various outlets, both teaching and reflecting an increasingly immoral society.  The moral, ethical, and doctrinal state of society and the world seems at an all-time low.

Preaching needs to reflect an understanding of that, for sure.  Sin must be called by name and addressed. We cannot hold hands with the devil and walk with God.  There is no place for compromising God’s truth.

Jeremiah warned against those who cried “peace” when there was no peace (Jer. 6:14; 8:11).  His message was “negative”–that his nation was destined for punishment by the Babylonian Empire.  But, Jeremiah’s message included the hope and promise of a new, glorious covenant (31:31-34) and Jeremiah’s last word from God concerned the future salvation of his people and destruction of their enemy (ch. 51).

Joel starts his message with a message of doom and judgment for Judah (1:1-2:17), but he ends the book by showing the hope of God’s people experiencing His pardon (3:17-21).  Amos is a book about divine judgment and retribution, illustrated with graphic, horrific visions, but it is a book that ends focused on the glorious future of Israel (9:11-15).  Micah bounces back between a message of scathing rebuke of sin and hope in God.  Zephaniah’s message begins saturated with words about God’s judgment on His erring brethren as well as on other nations, but he ends by singing redemption’s sweet song (3:9ff).  Even Malachi, a book filled with warnings about empty, half-hearted religion ends with a word about “the sun of righteousness with healing in its wings”(4:2).

New Testament writers fill their message, however saturated with warning or rebuke, with hope and the possibility of salvation.  God’s consistent message is that He wants relationship with man, has proven that desire, and eagerly awaits that from each of us.  He wants all men saved (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9).  Surely we know that, but do we possibly forget that at times?  Those of us who preach and teach, in such a responsible position, need to remind people that we can overcome–John says that at least four times in his first epistle (1 Jn. 2:13-14; 4:4; 5:4).

One day hope will run out for the disobedient.  There will be no chance for restoration or conversion at the judgment.  It will be too late then, but it is not too late now!  May our teaching and preaching reflect this optimism, remembering that the powerful Word still softens hearts and changes lives (cf. Heb. 4:12).  Some day all hope will be gone, but that day is not today!

“Beauty On The Outside Never Makes Up For Ugliness On The Inside”

Neal Pollard

The late Harvey Porter wrote the words that make up the title of this article.  He was commenting on Peter’s words to women in 1 Peter 3:3-4, where the apostle urges them, “Your adornment must not be merely external -braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”  While there are matters here that would seem to more naturally pertain to women–braids, jewelry, and dresses–there are principles in these verses needed by everyone.

First, your adornment must not be merely external.  Whatever you are doing to fight the “Battle of Time,” you are losing.  Even if you are aging gracefully, you are aging!  Eventually, there is nothing you can do about it.  How foolish to only pay attention to skin, hair, body, and wardrobe.  As the title suggests, we all know some handsome and pretty people who are repulsive beneath that shaky surface.

Second, your must properly adorn your heart.  We are not left to wonder how.  Peter suggests to Christian ladies the “imperishable” (that means it will last) quality of a gentle and quiet spirit.  That precludes boisterous, coarse, gossipy, bitter, hateful, vengeful, arrogant, cutting, and petty.  People of that variety are a dime a dozen, commonplace in a world of the externally-obsessed and internally-negligent.

Third, properly adorning the heart is precious in God’s sight.  I have only been in one beauty contest in my life.  The same is true for most of you.  If you have been in more than one, the one we are all contestants in is the most important of all.  How do you look in the sight of God?  He judges beauty at its deepest, truest level.  He is evaluating that “hidden person of the heart.”  There is no talent, evening wear, or other, similar segment.  He is simply looking at your heart and your spirit.  Adorn that well, and Peter says God deems that “precious.”  How do we look to God?  Isn’t that what matters?  Care about that, and we will win the only beauty contest that will matter in eternity.

HEIGHTENED SENSITIVITY

Neal Pollard

Yesterday marked the tenth anniversary of the largest act of terrorism against our nation, better known to the world as 9/11. Today’s newspaper in Pittsburgh was filled with news items and articles surrounding this ominous anniversary. Among these were several items regarding security scares at various airports and flights. In New York, a flight from Los Angeles was escorted by two F-16 fighter jets because three passengers would not leave a plane bathroom. In Detroit, a flight from Denver had three passengers who did the same thing. In Dallas, a rental truck was parked too long at DFW airport prompting suspicion and fear. In Kansas City, an ex-NYC police officer was detained for having suspicious items in his carry-on bag that he refused to let TSA screeners examine. Nothing serious has yet come of any of these incidents, but the nation was on edge yesterday. The anniversary probably brought out the neurotic in search of 15 minutes of fame, but the country was taking extra precautions. It was probably the worst day to try these shenanigans (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 9/12/11, A8).

Paranoia is detrimental and abnormal. None of us should be guilty of such. Seeing things that are not there is unhealthy. Yet, there is a sense in which all of us should live with heightened sensitivity. Peter says, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” (1 Pet. 5:8-9). Sobriety, alertness, and firm resistance are acts of heightened sensitivity. Knowing the strength and influence of our opponent, we must stay keenly aware of his tactics and attempts. One cannot be too guarded with this enemy. Earlier, Peter writes for Christians to “prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit” (1 Pet. 1:13). Paranoia involves perceiving what is not a real threat. Vigilance involves perceiving what is. Such is our daily task!

WHEN YOU ASSEMBLE THIS SUNDAY

Neal Pollard

Not every one who comes to worship comes with proper motives or attitudes.  The mother of James and John, after falling down to worship Jesus, asked Him to give her boys the positions of highest honor in His coming kingdom (Mat. 20:20).  She had come to get something rather than give it.  So, today, one may make their top priority in searching for a “church home” one that has the most or the most diverse programs.  They are looking to get rather than give.  Actual worship is, to such a one, incidental.

The ancestors of the Samaritan woman at the well went as families to worship God in the mountain, but their worship was vain (John 4:20,22).  People routinely go, with good attitudes and intentions, to worship with groups that have no right to exist or who teach for doctrine the commandments of men.  They assemble with those whose worship is a departure from Scripture. Sadly, no matter how often they say “Lord, Lord,” it will do their souls no good (Mat. 7:21-23).

Stephen remembered a time in the family ancestry of his fellow Jews where idol worship was a plaguing problem (Acts 7:43). They had the tabernacle (and later the temple), but they had a difficult time putting away the gods of their daily lives (read Jer. 7:17,18).  Even wise King Solomon foolishly worshipped the “strange gods” with his wives (1 Ki. 11:4). Today, families may assemble to worship God on Sunday, but the gods (of wealth, material things, pleasure, recreation, entertainment, job, etc.) are always within reach before which they can bow.

But, the person faithfully assembled for true worship is blessed. Such a one is properly responding to what God wants. Jesus, in the above mentioned context concerning the Samaritan woman, informs us that “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).  True worship is spiritual, with acts done accurately by divine authority and with anticipation and proper attitude. The true worshipper wants to offer worship as often as he can as enthusiastically as he can.  He also wants what he offers to be what God wants.  When you assemble this Sunday, plan to place yourself in this last category!