Drinking From Wells I Did Not Dig

“So it shall be, when the LORD your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full—then beware, lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.--Deuteronomy 6:10-12 (NKJV)

Grateful Sons of WWII Veterans

In a documentary released last year entitled League of Grateful Sons, Doug Phillips journeyed with World War II Veterans who fought the Japanese in the battle of Iwo Jima. In commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of this historic invasion, veterans and family members of men who died on the island reflected on lessons learned from the horrors the victorious soldiers experienced. Although confined to a wheelchair, one of the veterans who returned to the island discussed his faith and Americanism with shocking humility. He cited Deuteronomy 6:11, noting his motivation for serving his country sprang from the recognition that he enjoyed freedom because of the sacrifices of others. As the scripture states, the Israelites would drink from wells they had not dug and gather from vineyards they had not planted. Americans enjoy freedom for which most of us have sacrificed nothing.

Would I Give My Life?

In 1983, as I High School Senior, I entered a local American Legion Essay Contest. The assigned topic was “What Americanism Means to Me.” I won the first place prize, which was a $100 Savings Bond and a free meal at the Legion Hall. While I don’t remember all I wrote, I do remember proclaiming “If it is required, I am willing to die for my country.” I was 18, sporting an afro and slow-growing facial hair (I shaved once a week). Frequently and hauntingly, I recall my bold statement. Was I serious?

An Unearned Freedom

As a 41 year-old father of three energetic and entertaining children, I recognize my generation has benefited more than any other from the sacrifices of the past 230 years. We’ve enjoyed the highest standard of living than any other nation in history without having to wonder where our next meal would be found unlike our depression-era predecessors. We made plans for college without the fear of being drafted and transported to the jungles of Vietnam before we grew our first dozen chest hairs. We have never known a world without television, telephones, refrigeration, and air-conditioning. We have drank from wells we have not dug.

Consequently, I have to give something back to America. I must demonstrate my gratitude. If I don't, I am a pitiful man.

Tough Questions from "Little Johnny"

Once a well known governor went to a elementary City to speak. After his talk, he had a "question and answer" period.

Little Johnny raised his hand and the governor asked him for his name. "Johnny." "And what is your question, Johnny?"

"I have 3 questions:
1st - Whatever happened to your promise to cut taxes?
2nd - Whatever happened to your promise to give public school teachers a raise?
3rd – Why did the newspapers never report your recent drunk driving arrest?"

Just then the bell rang for recess. The governor informed the children they would continue after recess. When they resumed, the governor said, "Okay where were we? Oh, that's right, question time. Who has a question?" A different little boy put up his hand. The governor pointed to him and asked him for his name. "Larry." "And what is your question, Larry?"

I have 5 questions:
1st - Whatever happened to your promise to cut taxes?
2nd - Whatever happened to your promise to give public school teachers a raise?
3rd – Why did the newspapers never report your recent drunk driving arrest?"
4th - Why did the recess bell sound 20 minutes early?
5th - What happened to Johnny?"

Eleven Reasons You Can know God Loves You

1. He Sent His Only Son to Die on the Cross for you. (John 3:16)

2. He gives you the freedom of choice. (Romans 8:21)

3. He created you in His image. (Genesis 1:26)

4. The Holy Spirit talks to God for you when you don’t know what to pray. (Romans 8:26)

5. He knows everything about you. (Psalms 44:21)

6. He has a purpose for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11)

7. He gives you a second chance. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

8. Once you’re saved, you are saved. (John 10:27-28)

9. He gives you the Holy Spirit. (John 14:16-17)

10. He promised to prepare a place for you in heaven. (John 14:2)

11. He promised to return someday. (John 14:3)

Materialism

A successful business man parked his brand-new sports car in front of his office. As he exited the car, a truck passed too close and destroyed the driver's side door. The man dialed 911 and, within minutes, a policeman pulled up.

When the man calmed down from his ranting, the officer said, in disgust. "I can't believe how materialistic you are."

"How can you say that?" asked the man.

The cop replied, "Don't you know that your left arm is missing? It must have been torn off when the truck hit you."

"O, No!" screamed the man. "Where's my Rolex?"

Elements of Personal Prayer: C.A.S.T.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.—I Peter 5:7 (KJV)

I developed the acrostic C.A.S.T. to help guide my personal prayer time. I believe these 4 elements of prayer are essential.

1. CONFESSION

1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. ADORATION

Psalm 35:28: And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness [and] of thy praise all the day long.

3. SUPPLICATION

Philippians 4:6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

4. THANKSGIVING

I Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.

Cage of Unforgivenss

Many times we may have an imaginary “Cage of Unforgiveness.” We place folks who has hurt us in this secret cage. Occasionally, we may allow them to get out of the cage, but not for long. Forgiveness means to open the door and release them, promising to never cage them again. Jesus said, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” When we confess our sins, God forgives us. We should do the same.

The Ruts of Our Fathers

The standard width of railroad tracks is 4 feet, 8 ½ inches. Historically, this odd width has impacted wars and even space exploration. While some experts believe a gauge of 5 feet would be more efficient, the shorter width (4 ‘ 8 ½ “) has been used for hundreds of years and has been adopted extensively. Why?

Ruts

George Hilton, a professor at UCLA, has studied the history of railroads at length. He states you can track the current rail width all the way back to the Roman Empire. Archaeologists have found that ruts in the roads at Pompeii are almost the same width as the current railways. The grooves in the ancient roads were cut by Roman chariots. On these roads, a chariot of a different width would suffer a broken wheel. The girth of horses used to pull the chariots helped establish the distance between the wheels.

Early Railroads

When early railways were developed in England, railway designers tried several different gauges, but ended in choosing a width similar to the Roman Chariots (4’, 8 ½ ”). Then, when trains came to the United States, many used this standard. However, in the South a wider track was more common (5 feet). Unfortunately, this proved to be a liability during the Civil War, because some equipment from the South could not be transported to other regions. Some scholars feel this was a determining factor in the war. As a result, southern railroads were standardized.

Roman Chariots and the Space Shuttle

Originally, the engineers of the Solid Rocket Boosters for the Space Shuttle designed them to be larger. However, since the rockets had to be moved from Utah to Florida, the size of the railroad restricted their dimensions. So, a simple decision thousands of years ago concerning the width of a chariot impacted space travel.

Find Us Faithful

Jon Mohr wrote these words:

O may all who come behind us find us faithful;
May the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave Lead them to believe,
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.
O may all who come behind us find us faithful.

If I Were SBC President

TOP TEN Things I Would Do If I Were President of the Southern Baptist Convention

10. Pinch myself.

9. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: As President of the SBC, I must go on record as stating “Even though my hair doesn’t have the luster of Wade Burleson’s, I’m just not mad about it.”

8. Create a Daily Blog entitled- Preachers Gone Wild

7. Prepare for distribution at San Antonio- “My Favorite Salsa and Hot Relish Recipes.”

6. Urge the abbreviation ADM (Associational Directors of Missions) be changed to GWSJBDGEC (Guys who serve Jesus but Don’t Get Enough Credit)

5. Resolve to never use the phrase “My Dear Sweet Brother...”

4. Appoint Wade Burleson to the “Whispering” Bill Anderson Chair of Country Music at Midwestern Seminary

3. Recommend Renaming Discipleship Program to: The Small Cell Bible Study Discussion Group in Homes or at Church or in a Coffee Shop Training Union

2. CP Bucks- Reward Churches who give to Cooperative Program with Gift Certificates redeemable at Kentucky Fried Chicken on a $50 to $1 ratio.

1. I’m going to Disney World!!