What Are These Stones?

Our lives are most often chronicled by birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. They are times that we celebrate and reflect upon as special moments. We call them milestones. But these are not the only milestones that we anticipate or savor in our life’s journey.

As a child, we anticipate the first day of school; loosing our first tooth; learning to ride a bike, and remember with fondness our first boyfriend/girlfriend. As we get older, we look forward to getting our driver’s license, the prom, and high school graduation and have memories of our friends, teachers and big football games in the days of our youth.

The milestones of adulthood include getting that first job; getting married; our children’s births; buying our first house; the big promotion; our children getting married and then grandchildren; death of parents; and retirement. In the midst of life are a host of events and experiences to remember. These milestones mark life.

There are also, spiritual markers for those who are believers in Christ Jesus. In the Old Testament, we read of the people having experiences with God and then building an altar or a monument of stones as a reminder. Abraham, Noah, Jacob, Moses, and the Israelites after they crossed into the promised land left spiritual markers so that they and others would never forget that God was in this place.

Our spiritual markers include experiences such as our receiving Christ as Savior and our baptism; memorized Scriptures; insights gained from God’s word; and times in prayer. Yet, there are more experiences such as taking that step of faith and finding God faithful. Experiencing that unbearably painful experience where you discovered the warmth of God’s comfort. Being overwhelmed with guilt and shame of a sin, only to discover that God really does forgive and sets you free. Being overwhelmed by love that you don’t deserve. Enjoying His presence as you worship. Experiencing the joy of leading someone to Christ. In our hearts God has placed these spiritual markers as reminders of our experience with Him.

We are to remember how God worked in our lives at that moment and use them as encouragement to remain faithful to God throughout our life’s journey.

“What do these stones mean? …He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4:24)

Renovation Reality

If you are a fan of HGTV (Home and Garden Television), then you may be familiar with a program called "Renovation Realities." The premise of the program is to allow the viewer to watch as real "do-it-yourself" homeowners take on major home renovation projects. Typically, in their desire to save money, it cost them more. In their hopes to finish on schedule, they miss their deadline. As viewers, we see the drama of frustration when things don't go as expected; homeowners at each others throats, an occasional injury or collateral damage and a reality check. Sometimes it is better to let the "experts" handle the job.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain they rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves." Psalm 127:1-2

When God inspired Solomon to pen these words, He was not talking about pouring a slab or remodeling a kitchen. He was sharing an insight that is necessary for building a life and a home. God is the chief architect who designed you and me. He, also desires to be the construction manager for your life and home. When we trust our lives and families to Him, He has the power to make all the renovations necessary throughout our lives.

"Do-it-yourself-ers" often don't have the expertise nor the tools to do the job. "Do-it-yourself-ers" sometimes can do more damage than good. "Do-it-yourself-ers" sometimes do just enough to get by and never finish the job completely. That's why the scripture says, that we labor in vain when don't let the Lord be involved. He has the expertise and the resources to finish the job, if we will turn the job over to Him.

As a "do-it-yourself" person myself, I have discovered when it comes to things like home renovation projects, auto maintenance, and computer technology, I need help. The same is also true with my life in general. There are times when we all struggle with relationships, self image, personal fulfillment, anxiety, and purpose in life.

Jesus said, "I have come that you may have life and that you may have it abundantly." (John 10:10) Why not trust in the one who designed you from the beginning to handle any make-overs that you need. He is the "expert."

The Draft

Remember those days in the neighborhood, when the guys got together to play touch football. Captains were selected and they began to choose up teams. Were you ever anxious, if you were one of the last ones picked? Well, just imagine how it must have been for many college football players who waited to receive the call that they had been picked in the 2009 NFL Draft. There were 256 who received calls, the rest didn't.

One of those who didn't get a call was Graham Harrell, the 2008 recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Trophy for being the best quarterback in college football. Why wasn't he selected as one of the 256 players in the 2009 NFL Draft? Wasn't he good enough?

Harrell's outstanding career at Texas Tech University included setting NCAA records in most touchdown passes in a career, most 300 yard (32) and 400 yard (20) passing games; and surpassing 5,000 yards passing in two consecutive seasons. This year, he finished fourth in the votes for the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the best college football player each year. Despite all his accomplishments, he was not chosen. To his credit, his rejection was not because of moral, legal or attitude issues, he just didn't fit the profile for being an NFL quarterback.

Rejection is a very humbling experience. Not just for aspiring football players; for all of us. You apply for a job, but don't get it. You ask someone out on a date, and they turn you down. After ten years of marriage, your spouse says they want a divorce. Your parents split up, and you feel left behind. You do your very best, yet someone else beats you out. You try your very best, but your performance is never good enough. Maybe you have felt the sting of rejection.

Well, so did Christ. He came to be the Savior to the world, yet he was rejected by those he came to save. He didn't fit into their profile of a Savior. He wasn't of royal descent, nor a mighty warrior, he came into the world as a carpenter's son and teacher. Many didn't realize that He was God's Son wrapped in human flesh. Most didn't accept that He was the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. Some did believe and accept Him.

"He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all that received Him, to those who believed in His name , He gave the right to become the children of God." John 1:11-12

He was rejected and nailed to a cross, so that you might be accepted. Because sin, you were alienated from God. But because of Jesus, you can be a child of God. Jesus died a sacrificial death, so that you could have eternal life. Haven't you realized it? God loved you so much that He made YOU: His number one pick.

Oops! Spellcheck, please.

Last Friday, April 17, 2009 in Washington D.C., the home team dressed in the locker room, yet the players didn't notice. As they were introduced on the field, no one noticed it. When the team was in the dugout, no one caught the mistake. Not until the sports announcers on the TV broadcast and the people in the stands saw it on the giant TV screen, did the mistake become known. Two of their star players, Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman had on jerseys that had the team name misspelled. It read, "NATINALS," instead of "NATIONALS." The "O" was missing.

Someone who was sewing the name on the jersey, in their rush to get the job done,left the "O" off. Maybe they were out of "O's." Regardless, they just messed up. But they were not the only one. Whoever inspected the job missed it, too. It wasn't caught by the person that packed it in the delivery box. The equipment manager that hung it in the locker of the players, didn't catch the mistake either. It went unnoticed until it was revealed on the Big Screen in high definition for all the world to see.

No one would have ever known had the miscue been dealt with earlier. Instead, the mistake became an embarrassment to the team, the organization, the owner and the fans. Though the mistake was corrected during the game, the mockery continued as the story spread throughout the sports media network.

Mistakes, miscues, goof-ups and sin happens. Too all of us. But usually most of ours don't end up on a "Jumbo-tron." Imagine if the last impure thought you had, made its way to YouTube. Consider that "juicy bit of gossip" you shared with a friend was broadcast on the evening news quoting you as the source. What if you went to a movie theater, and your past week's sins were the preview to the movie. Talk about embarrassing.

I think many of us, even as Christians, think that our sins done in secret, stay a secret. In reality, they are not secret at all. Every thought, word, attitude and action, including our sinful ones are played out before the eyes of our all-knowing, holy Heavenly Father.
"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord." (Psalm 139:1-4)

It is only by His grace and mercy that doesn't make our sin known to others. Yet be assured that though God is patient, He will not be mocked. As the Israelites discovered "your sins will find you out." (Exodus 32:23) If we persist in our rebellion against God and continue in our sin. He will allow our sin and its impact on our lives to come out for others to see.

Even as followers of Christ, we will stumble and fall into sin. But God desires that as His Holy Spirit convicts and convinces us of our sinfulness, that we get right with Him. The psalmist, David prayed, "Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

When we do sin, if we will confess and repent of our sin right then, He forgives us and it goes no further. "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)

Lessons Learned from T-Ball

Imagine this poignant moment in sports. The baseball team dressed in their brand new uniforms are seated in the dugout, just before their first game. All eyes are on me, the coach. I'm reminding them of the importance of being focused on the doing the things we have practiced. When a hand goes up and one of the players asks, "Coach Ellis, when do we get refreshments?"

That's one of the joys of coaching a T-Ball team. T-Ball is an introductory level of baseball for five and six year old children. It' all about instruction and having fun. Teaching the kids the basics of baseball is the goal, but I've learned a few things, myself, being the coach of the "Gladewater A's." Things that are important in life and our faith.

1. Focus on the Basics...We don't talk baseball strategy or philosophy in T-Ball, we deal with the basics of baseball: throwing, catching, hitting and running. Five and six year olds can't turn double plays or hit to the opposite field. They have to learn "how to do" the basics before they can attempt advanced baseball stuff. For example, you must keep your eyes open, if you hope to catch the ball. Simple, but important. The same is true in your Christian life. You can't develop in our faith, if we don't read our Bible, attend worship, pray, serve others or share our faith. Those are basics that provide the foundation of our faith throughout our lives.

2. Don't Assume Others Understand what you are Talking About... In our first practice, I was letting the kids hit off the "Tee," and run the bases. Some of my players didn't know where to go when I told them, "Run to First Base." Even basic baseball terminology like "dugout," "shortstop", and "right field,is like a foreign language to them. As coaches, we have to be patient, specific and often show them what we want them to do. The same is true when we share Christ with others. Words like "saved," "Christian," and "redeemed" are familiar words to mature Christians, but for many who have no church background, they are roadblocks to understanding the gospel. So we must learn to be patient, communicate on their level and be more demonstrative in our witness for Christ. With T-Ballers, its "Show and Tell," you show them how and then explain it. Isn't that what sharing Christ with others is all about?

3. Live in the Moment... Five and six year olds don't have very long attention spans. They live in the moment. They don't think about championships at the end of the season. They think about sno-cones at the end of the game. They are not worried about being down by 7 runs, they just want to know when they bat next. Sometimes, your left fielder is watching an airplane fly overhead, as the ball rolls by his feet. Sometimes they forget to run, because they are waving at Mom and Dad. It isn't a priority to one of them that he is on third base and about to score a run, when he has to go to the bathroom, right NOW. T-Ballers live in the moment. In life, sometimes we forget to live in the moment. We so often get so caught up in "winning the game" that loose sight of just enjoying the experience. Even, as Christians we become so preoccupied with pursuing even our spiritual goals, that we miss enjoying what God is doing around us and in the lives of others.

My team of five and six year olds are learning a little about baseball, but their "old coach" is learning a few things from them. The next time, my center fielder is picking flowers off the clover in the outfield instead of chasing after the ball, I'll try not to get frustrated. Because he is picking those flowers to give to his mom. And when you think about it, which is REALLY more important?

35 Years...Jackie and Ellis

On March 16, 1974, an eighteen-year-old bride and a twenty-two year old groom professed their love for one another at the Central Park Baptist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana. The groom was a college senior who read water meters for the City of Marshall. She was a recent high school graduate who had just quit her job at McDonald's. Surrounded by family and friends, they said, “I do,” and kissed.

Thus began their journey together as husband and wife.

Today…after 35 years of raising three children who are now adults; planning and officiating three weddings; celebrating the births of our five grandchildren; ministry in eight different churches; living in ten different houses; surviving the typical family crises such as, arguments over money, the terrible two’s and the rebellious teen’s, car problems, loss of jobs, major surgeries, and the death of parents…we have not survived, but we have thrived as husband and wife.

I never thought I could have loved her more than I did on that day in March of 1974. But I do love her more…as my closest friend…as my partner in ministry…as the one and only true love of my life.

We have discovered that the marriage relationship is like a triangle with me, Jackie and God at the points. The closer our personal relationship moves toward God, the closer and stronger our relationship with each other becomes.

“So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Matt. 19:6)

It is my prayer that every marriage could have what we have. I know after 35 years of experience that it is only possible with the Lord in your life and marriage.

Got Water?

No Water. Last Tuesday evening, I went to wash my hands, and there was very little water pressure. I checked other faucets and the water pressure was little or not at all. I wondered did we pay the water bill? Is problem at just my house? Soon a neighbor called, "Do you have any water pressure?" After further investigation, I discovered that a major water line in the city's water system broke and the water towers were at low levels. For the next 24 hours, our community of nearly 6,000 had little or no water. It's amazing how dependent we are on hot and cold running water.

No water...to wash hands, dishes or clothes. No water...to fix coffee or ice tea. No water... for showers or baths. No water...to cook spaghetti or fill the dog's water bowl. No water...to flush toilets, brush your teeth or to take your medicine.

No water...caused local restaurants to close. No water...caused our schools to close. No water...forced our church to cancel all Wednesday activities. No water...caused our city officials, police and fire departments several anxious hours fearing any emergency that would need water. No water...truly interrupted our lives.

To make do, people in town purchased bottled water to drink. They went to friends and family members who had water to bathe. Pets were drinking distilled water from their bowls. Even when the water came flowing again, we had to boil it to be safe. I know that there are many places in the world where hot and cold clean running water does not exist. Life in those places is challenging, to say the least.

I am reminded of a woman who was drawing water from an ancient well, when Jesus came by and requested a drink of water. The woman didn't know that He already had "living water" to offer her. There are people all around us who have no water. They have drinking and bathing water, but not the "living water" that Jesus offers. The water that is ever refreshing and everlasting. The water that washes away our sins and overflows like a fountain into every aspect of our lives and on others as well. It springs from the heart of God through Jesus Christ into and through us.

Got Water? Living Water. Share It!