Goodbye Dad

My dad passed from this earth on March 8, 1996.  In reality it seems like yesterday.  I miss him every day.    Today I am the same age, to the day, he was the day he died.  I had seen him just three days before.  It was my birthday, March 5, 1996.   He was sick and unable to get out so I had gone by his house to visit.  To the very end he was always positive.  On that day he was talking about what he was planning to do with his business for the next few years.  Little did I realize this would be the last time I would visit with him on this earth.  If I had known I certainly would have treasured the moment. I’m not sure how to explain my feelings at this point.  The memories are both a blessing and a curse.  They make me feel blessed to recall but at the same time feel my eyes with tears.

Dad left so many memories behind for so many people.  I know  he was a man who made so many of  the same mistakes most us make, but he left an influence in my life that will be there for as long as I live.  There are  memories that burn vivid in my mind.  Please allow me to share just a few of the things that will always be with me as long as I keep my mind.  Thank you for bearing with me as I walk down memory lane:

• I remember sharing a last basketball game together with him.  Even though he was very sick, he wanted to watch my son Kevin play.  Kevin was in ninth grade and they were playing a small high school called “Appalachian”.  It was a home game for us and there wasn’t room on the home side, so he and I sat on the visitors side.  He always called Kevin his “main man”.  Dad love Kevin and wanted to see his grandson play. I feel blessed to have been able to enjoy the game and time together.  This was about a month before he died.
• I remember a few really important things that are tied together.  Three years before dad died he called me after I had gotten in from work.  He asked me what I was doing and did I think I would have time to baptize him into the Lord that night.  That was a very happy night for me and for my family.  A year or so later dad was really beginning to get very sick.  He told me he wished he had obeyed the gospel much earlier in life. He then said if he did get better he was going to do all he could to be an influence for good in the life of others.
• I remember the first and last time I heard him pray.  I was preaching for the Attalla church of Christ. My mom and dad visited with us on a Sunday morning.  They called on dad to lead the closing prayer.  I think it was the best prayer I have ever heard anyone pray.  I have never been prouder  of anyone than I was of my dad on that day.
• I remember as dad was nearing death, he asked a favor from me.  Dad didn’t ask for much, but he had a cousin he loved named J. B. Kimberly.  Dad knew he was probably dying and asked me to do the best I could to teach him the gospel.  I would teach as I had opportunity but J.B. was nearing 80 and was not normally one who gave much thought to religion.  Some time after dad had died, I received a call from JB’s house to come down.  This was on Sunday before JB died on Thursday.   I took Kevin with me.  We talked with him about the Lord and his need to become a Christian.  After we talked, Kevin and I prayed with him and baptized him that very day. Dad was buried near where J. B. lived.  Kevin and I stopped by dad’s grave and told him about what had happened that day. I’m sure he is still smiling.
• I remember so many truths about life that Dad taught me:  I remember him telling me that when times got hard you had the same friends you had when times were good, it’s just that now you know who they are.  If I was having a hard time with something dad  would say, “Don’t worry so much, it won’t matter a hundred years from now.”  If I was trying to make a decision on something and he wanted to give a little advice  he would say, “In case you want to know, I’ve already bought that experience.”
• I remember something dad did every single night for the last year or so of his life.  I would get in from work and he would call me within five minutes of my getting home.  He would always call to discuss the day.  When we would get ready to hang up he would always make the same statement.  He would say, “I’ll call you if you need me.”  I know that was a silly thing to say but I certainly wish you would call me dad, I certainly need to talk with you today.

Thank you for allowing me to take you down memory lane. Please pay attention to all of those you love. Treat each day as if it is your last with them because one day it will be.

Dad I never got to say goodbye so I’ll say it now.  Goodbye. I miss you so much.  I’ll always love you.  Your Son, Dell

Do Patterns Really Matter?

In the fellowship I am a part of, we hear much discussion about the importance of patterns in our service to God. At times certain patterns are important. A case in point would be our acceptance of God’s promises in regard to salvation. The Lord has said salvation could not come through any name other than Jesus. If we want the promises God has made in regard to salvation, the pattern of acceptance of those promises would always be a pattern that came through Jesus. In this sense a pattern would be reasonable and necessary.

How far should we take the idea of a pattern when it comes to serving God? Obviously as we serve God we should be able to find a pattern to that service if we search for such a pattern……right? I wish to pose a few questions to consider in regard to patterns. First, is there only one pattern acceptable and pleasing in our service to God? Did Jesus death simply establish a better pattern? Is God concerned about getting the motions right or does He value the condition of the heart? Second, if an established and unique pattern of service is necessary to please God would it be reasonable to conclude that God would make that pattern plainly visible to all who are searching? After all is my salvation really based in my ability to find the pattern? If the pattern is so important, is it unreasonable to conclude that if God allowed an event so important as the death of Jesus to take place, He would also make the pattern so visible we couldn’t possibly miss it? Third, if I miss that pattern should I still be counted as faithful to the Lord? Is faithfulness tied to a pattern of works I perform to earn my salvation? Is God really so concerned about the order of my works or is He concerned about the depth of my faith which motivates me to serve and praise Him. Finally, is my understanding of and obedience to the correct pattern the primary factor in the judgement of my salvation? Does my adherence to the rules declare me righteous? Is this the element of my life that God views as the reason for Him to declare me righteous? The Pharisees treasured strict rituals (or patterns) in their service to God because they could evaluate one’s adherence to these rules. Is God concerned about our ability to evaluate another’s obedience to the rules or a pattern? Or is God concerned with the condition of my heart, which often can’t be evaluated by mortal man.
Please consider this. There is no problem with seeing 1 or 1000 patterns in Scripture. The problem occurs when we use a chosen pattern to determine the faithfulness of others. This has been one of the unwritten laws in our fellowship for many years. Most of us understand the damage it has done. Never was this the intent of our Lord. As men we tend to gravitate toward rules and patterns because our adherence to these can be measured. We wouldn’t often admit it but we like lists because we can mark things as we get them done. When we have obeyed every facet of a pattern we can then say to the Lord the same words the Pharisee used when he said, “I thank God I’m not as other men”. It allows us to put our trust in our abilities which we can see rather than faith In the promises of God which are not seen
Did Jesus really die to establish a better pattern or a better set of rules? Of course not! Jesus died so we might live. He is our sin payment. My salvation is based on my faith in the promises of God. If I trust those promises I will do all I can to please and obey Him. Will there be a pattern I will likely follow in regard to my service to God? Most certainly there will be. What we must guard against is placing our trust in obedience to a pattern rather not than placing our faith in a proper relationship with God. Be careful that you build your relationship with God rather than on trust in rules and patterns. When all is said and done, we are righteous because God declares us righteous. We aren’t righteous based on our perfect adherence to rules or to a pattern we must search diligently to cobble together.

God bless!

Why Did Jesus Die?

We know well the story of Jesus. For those of us who are followers, His death and subsequent resurrection is the most important event in our lives. The lord’s death is the payment for our sins. Our sin problem was a problem we couldn’t solve on our own. Ephesians 2:8-10 tell us, “by grace are you saved through faith and not of yourselves it is the gift of God.” Romans 5:6-8 says,”for when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man would dare to die, yet for a good man some would dare to die. God showed His love to us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly.” Jesus died because we could not pay the sin payment. Christ had to die that we might live. As a result of grace given freely to us God paid the debt we could not pay. We could never do enough to earn our salvation. This is a gift given by the Lord to those who put their trust in His promises. Jesus died that we might be saved.

Thirty Four Years Ago

It was a rainy day in Kentucky, 34 years ago today, when God blessed my life with a child. That day will always stand out in my mind, October 24, 1980. I had waited patiently as this child was three weeks past its due date. Back in the day one could only guess whether the child would be a boy or girl. The child God brought into my life that day was a boy. His name would be Kevin. God would bless that little family with a daughter two and a half years later. She would be called Karla. These children filled my heart with pride and continually brought smiles to my face. I prayed for them every day. I asked God to bless them in two ways. I asked first that God would use them to serve Him. I asked second that God would bless them with a mate who would make them happy and their families complete. God answered both prayers.

The memories these children left keeps my heart swelled with happiness and pride. The only wishes I have are that I could be part of shaping their childhood all over again. Unfortunately this isn’t in the realm of possibility. The days are gone, even the photos are gone. Yet one of the blessings God gives are the precious memories that live on in our minds.

To both of my children I say thank you for everything. I want to thank you especially for the five beautiful grandchildren you have given to me. I can say with total confidence the seven of you, my children and grandchildren, are indeed special blessings From God. I couldn’t be prouder of any of you. To all of you I say thanks for everything.

To Kevin I say happy birthday! Your a great son. To both my children, and to my grandchildren you are everything a father and grandfather could want.

Dad (paw paw)

Old Testament Denominations

Who Told You That

The American College Encyclopedia Dictionary defines the word denomination as “a religious sect”.  There were many groups who fit this definition during the time Jesus lived on the earth as man.  The prominent two were the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  There were many others besides these two.  One must conclude that denominationalism is not exclusively a modern day event. 

These denominations thought their beliefs were correct.  Each claimed to be following the Word of God while holding to varying and distinct views.  One would suppose that when the Christ came He would have set them straight on the evils of denominationalism.  If one had held this idea he would have been mistaken.  When Jesus came to earth He went about His Father’s business.  As he did His Father’s business he made life better for those who sought Him.  He healed the sick, raised the dead, and fed those who were…

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Thirty four Years Ago

It was a rainy day in Kentucky, 34 years ago today, when God blessed my life with a child. That day will always stand out in my mind, October 24, 1980. I had waited patiently as this child was three weeks past its due date. Back in the day one could only guess whether the child would be a boy or girl. The child God brought into my life that day was a boy. His name would be Kevin. God would bless that little family with a daughter two and a half years later. She would be called Karla. These children filled my heart with pride and continually brought smiles to my face. I prayed for them every day. I asked God to bless them in two ways. I asked first that God would use them to serve Him. I asked second that God would bless them with a mate who would make them happy and their families complete. God answered both prayers.

The memories these children left keeps my heart swelled with happiness and pride. The only wishes I have are that I could be part of shaping their childhood all over again. Unfortunately this isn’t in the realm of possibility. The days are gone, even the photos are gone. Yet one of the blessings God gives are the precious memories that live on in our minds.

To both of my children I say thank you for everything. I want to thank you especially for the five beautiful grandchildren you have given to me. I can say with total confidence the seven of you, my children and grandchildren, are indeed special blessings From God. I couldn’t be prouder of any of you. To all of you I say thanks for everything.

To Kevin I say happy birthday! Your a great son. To both my children, and to my grandchildren you are everything a father and grandfather could want.

Dad (paw paw)

Could It Be?

Does the Bible contain a “pattern” for how the church of the Bible should look? Is the primary duty of Christians to reproduce or restore the church of the first century? We look at these two questions and one might ask, “What do these question have to do with Christianity? The honest answer is very little.
Sometimes we miss the point of how Disciples were to be known. Men tend to emphasize the things we can see. We can piece together a verse here and a verse there and construct in our minds eye a pattern man can use to determine faithfulness. If you fit the pattern we have pieced together we will accept you as faithful Christians. If you miss some part of our pattern you won’t be known as faithful. Maybe you won’t even be recognized as Christian.  We further allow ourselves to have a say in who is faithful by making  a law that one must hold to the “restoration principle” to fit into the faithful category.
The Lord said his disciples would be known by their love. How did we manage to move from the point the Lord said would allow us to be recognized as His disciples to where we are today?
Love is hard to measure. It is hard to see inside a heart. Could it be that we invented laws so we could say, “See I am faithful I hold to the pattern!” It wouldn’t be the first time man has thanked God he wasn’t as other men.

Now That We Are Sinners……….

Before God created the world and all that is in it, God had a plan to solve our sin problem.  God’s plan to make sin payment was a gift God freely gave to man. God tells us, all are sinners and the wages for those sins is death.  This is the simple fact, without God’s grace, there is no hope for man.  We can do nothing  to pay our sin debt short of spiritual death.

There are two occasions in our life when relationship with God demands payment for our sins. First, prior to our initial forgiveness at salvation, we need payment for our sins.  Second, after we are saved, we need sacrifice as we continue to sin. Without that initial sacrifice and without a continued sin payment  we would be lost.  Please understand there is nothing man can do to earn forgiveness for sin.  Forgiveness is from God’s hand and at His discretion. Payment is made by the Lord’s sacrifice and forgiveness is given at His determination.

There are certain truths we must accept:

• It is about forgiveness.  Everything in our lives revolves around the fact of forgiveness.  The last thing taking place this side of eternity will be judgment.  Where we spend eternity will be determined by forgiveness.  Either we will be in the blood and consequently have forgiveness or we will be outside the blood and have no hope.  Understand this truth, forgiveness is the only thing that matters.  Everything is about forgiveness.
• We don’t get to decide the terms.  Jesus stiffest condemnation was directed toward those who might have seemed to be the most Holy.  Jesus condemned the Pharisees strongly.  The primary problem was connected with the fact that this group made salvation very difficult by requiring man to keep rules God did not make.  Today we tend to judge the worthiness of our fellow Christians in regard to forgiveness.  To borrow a phrase from president Obama, “That is above our pay grade.”  We don’t get to make the rules.  We don’t get to determine who gets forgiveness and who doesn’t.  We aren’t the keepers of the salvation gate.  We aren’t able to determine what constitutes repentance and what doesn’t.  We aren’t the football playoff committee, we don’t get to determine who is in and who is out.
• All sin is damning.  We tend to determine grades of sin.  Your sin is bad and I can’t fellowship you. My sin isn’t really all that bad.  God will turn His head in my case.  Why is it we tend to see  the sin of others as bad and we see our own sin as something less?  The truth is all sin separates us from God.  We believe God tends to ignore the little white lies, the gossip, the divisive attitudes, judging the sins or maybe the repentance of others.  At the same time we usually see the really serious, condemning sins as being those committed by others.   We might well borrow the prayer of the Pharisee, “I thank you Lord that I’m not as other men.”

Think through this, without God’s grace all would be lost.  God is looking for a way to save all men.  In fact it is God’s desire that none should perish.  Salvation is in God’s hand and by His determination.  Rather than condemning all who understand or conduct themselves differently than we believe they should, let’s do all we can to serve God with thankfulness. Wouldn’t it be great if we sought peace and unity?  Let’s live each day as our last, doing all we can to love God and our neighbor with all our heart and soul.  Salvation isn’t based on our goodness, it is based on who God declares righteous.

Like An Old Friend

In June of 2012 I suffered a stroke.  As a result many things have changed.  Some were obvious and some were not so obvious.  One of the things that happened was simple, but  has bothered me a great deal.  After my stroke I had trouble accessing this blog.  In fact after late 2012 I could not access it at all.  Today, as I was sitting at my desk, it came to me how to get into this blog.  It was like an old friend had suddenly shown up again.  I never cease to be amazed at the good things God does for us when we need it most.  Welcome back old friend and by the way, “Who Told You That?”

Introducing For The First Time Mr. And Mrs. Jordan Kamali

Today I was blessed with the pleasure of sharing in the marriage ceremony of Jordan Kamali and Natalie Stewart.  I have been blessed with the opportunity to officiate many wedding ceremonies.  It never gets old nor do I take for granted the privilege of being part of such a wonderful event.  My part as minister is miniscule compared to the commitment the two are making to each other.  The grandest part of the wedding is the understanding that God is taking two individuals from separate families and making them one in His sight.

It had been quite a while since I had officiated a wedding with the groom in his uniform.  Jordan is serving our nation as a member of the United States Army.  Jordan and Natalie made a beautiful couple.  I hope this day will stand out in their memories as one of the best of their lives.  It is my pleasure to say to Jordan and all who serve our nation, “thank you.”

This wedding will stand out in my mind in many ways.  It was touching to see Natalie give to Jordan the ring that had been his father’s wedding band.  Jordan’s father passed away a few years ago.  This gesture allowed his father Saadi to be part of the ceremony.  I am very certain Saadi would have been proud of his son and the bride he has chosen.

My friend Guy Lewis was supposed to take the pictures for the wedding.  Just prior to the beginning of the wedding Guy was having chest pains and had to leave in an ambulance.  Guy has had two heart attacks in the last few months.  He gave us quite a scare but it turned out Guy “only”  had pneumonia.  Guy is fine and the young couple are on their way to years of happiness.  This wedding will always stand out in my mind as something special.  Congratulations to Jordan and Natalie Kamali.  In His hand, dell kimberly