Honor should mean more. Sometimes I think people have gone crazy.”
–Louis L’Amour (Utah Blaine)
“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”
–1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NASB)
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When I was in the Air Force, I served under the Air Defense Command, Air Training Command, and Strategic Air Command. Each of these has a specific mission that fits in the overall mission of the Air Force. As a teacher and administrator I was often involved in developing a mission statement for the school. I never really thought about a personal missions statement. When I think of it now, it is a good idea.
While I did not have a “statement” I really did practice one. I based all my teaching, all my work, all my coaching on two Scriptures found in Colossians. This, I would consider, to be my “missions statement,” however, it is more than that. In my studies, I found that these two verses really define “worshiping in truth.” A missions statement is a lifestyle; worship should be a lifestyle.
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father… Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”
–Colossians 3:17,23 (NASB)
A missions statement tells the purpose of your being. Why are you here, what is the reason for your existence, what do you hope to accomplish. The mission statement defines and directs its purpose; its reason for being in the world.
Scott Stoner says this in regard to a personal missions statement. “Different times and stages of your life will require new ways of doing things, but your life mission may not.” He states, “Vocation is not merely something we do in our work or public life. It is integrated into all aspects of life.” Look again at the verses above. Do you actually do all in the name of the Lord Jesus?
Stoner gives three guidelines in the development of a personal missions statement:
1) How do you intend to live your deepest beliefs in the world.
2) It should speak to the intersection of your unique gifts and the needs of the world in which you live.
3) It should be broad enough to endure over time.
In my classroom, I didn’t write a missions statement, yet one was practiced continually. Along with my view of life–Colossians 3:17,23–I would put three words on the board that I felt was needed for a particular year. It might be: DETERMINATION–HONOR–PATIENCE, or FAITHFULNESS–HONOR–STEADFASTNESS. Those attributes or characteristics would be emphasized throughout the year. Notice that every year HONOR was in the middle. We cannot do anything for the Lord without being an honorable person. Honor is a foundation of integrity; it is the sounding board of Colossians 3:23.
How would you describe your missions statement? Do all parts of your life fit within it? If not, something needs to be adjusted. Are you exemplifying HONOR in all you do? Is the Lord being glorified? Then something needs to be adjusted. Ponder the following by former star pitcher Orel Hershiser.
“To call myself a Christian and then not strive to be the best I can be and do the most I can with what has been given me would be the height of hypocrisy. Being a Christian is no excuse for mediocrity or passive acceptance of defeat. If anything, Christianity demands a higher standard, even more devotion to the task.”
Month: January 2020
The Saga of Miles Forrest
The situation was going to go from bad to worse in a matter of seconds if I didn’t act. “James, don’t!” came the shout from John Lamb.
James Lamb turned toward his brother; it was all the distraction I needed. I slashed down as hard as I could with the barrel of the shotgun on the arm that had recently been amputated. Lamb shrieked like a Comanche, his face going pale. He fell to his knees then rolled over on his side, moaning, the pain etched deeply on his face.
Before I could turn to face the other man two shots were fired from behind me. I saw the man stagger and fall. Judge Broomfield had fired from his position on the bench. I jumped down from the witness stand to level the Greener on the approaching John Lamb.
Another shot rang out; my attention went to the front where Charlie Gold has just shot Glen Framm. I turned just in time to glance at Micah Teeter running out the door. Over to the left, the one called Ioway Jenks was standing, hands in the air.
I could hear his hollering, “Not me, not me! I’m not in this!”
Charlie went over to relieve him of his gun. I reached down to pick up the guns from the fallen Lamb and his fallen companion then motioned with the shotgun for his brother to come check on him.
The courtroom was abuzz with sound and filled with commotion. Judge Broomfield was not about to have that. “Sheriff Gold, secure your prisoner then clear the courtroom. I want everyone out not directly involved in the trial at hand,” he paused and I watched him survey the room. “Doctor Jones, come check on the wounded and downed men.”
He was standing closest to the downed body of Glen Framm. “He’s in bad shape, but breathing. If I can get him to my office and work on him, he might live.”
“Sheriff Gold, grab a couple of men to help carry him over to Doc’s office,” ordered the Judge. “Stay there until other arrangements can be made.”
Charlie looked my direction and I nodded. I went to Marta and Lucas as Doc was coming up to check on the other two men. As I escorted them out of the courtroom, I heard Doc tell the Judge. “You sent this one to meet his Maker, Judge.”
“Go on about your normal business, if that’s possible. Molly will be concerned so tell her I’m alright,” I informed them of what to do. Before leaving I put my hand on the shoulder of Lucas. “You did a fine job up there on the witness stand.”
He gave a half-hearted smile then headed down the street with Marta.
When I came back in I saw Belford sitting at the table, seemingly in a daze. In front of him, on the table was the form of James Lamb. Brother John was standing beside the Doc as he checked James over.
“Will he be all right, Doctor?” breathed John.
“Should be,” responded Doc Jones. “He passed out from the pain. I’ll get him over to the office and check out his arm more thoroughly there.”
Approaching them, Belford turned to look at me. “You should be put away for causing all of this pain,” he muttered.
I looked at the Judge and he just shook his head. “The Bible says don’t try to argue with a fool,” stated the Judge giving me advice.
Just then, the eyes of James Lamb blinked open then started to roaming, searching. “I’m here James,” uttered John. “Why did you try such a thing?”
Groaning he muttered, “I had a score to settle, plus I had to check on you.”
“James, that youngster, the one who shot me, has made me do some self-appraising. He said he was praying for me, and came over almost every day to see how I was doing. I can’t be mad at him for protecting his sister.”
“Marshal Forrest, I order you to see that James Lamb makes it to the penitentiary in Canon City to serve his sentence. I find that John Lamb will serve the same sentence,” he paused, “to be paroled in two years.”
“Judge! You can’t do that! I protest, the trial isn’t over yet!” screamed Belford.
“Mister Belford,” Judge Broomfield turned to face him. “I can, and I did, this trial is over!”
The Judge looked at me again. “You’ll leave as soon as the doctor says that the prisoner is fit to travel.”
I nodded, then saw Charlie Gold walk in the door. “Judge…”
Echoes From the Campfire
A man should never ask too much of a world that gives very little.”
–Ernest Haycox (Whispering Range)
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
–John 14:27 (NKJV)
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Are you still struggling to get going in this New Year? Troubles loom ahead of you, and you don’t see answers to the world’s or nation’s problems. Hatred seems to abound and there is the unknown, unforeseeable future. There could be disasters, floods, fires, famines, and all sorts of things lurking for the devil will do anything to see you discouraged and downcast. Look to Psalm 32 for hope and assurance. Let’s finish it this week.
6 – Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found.
When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.
7 – You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah
8 – I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel.
9 – Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you.
10 – Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the Lord will have faithful love surrounding him.
11 – Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart. (HCSB)
Listen to the Word of the Lord as He speaks to you. Augustine said that “the beginning of knowledge is to know oneself a sinner.” After that, go to the Lord, repent and place yourself in His hands.
God is the One who guides the steps of a righteous person. Therefore, do not fret, worry, or fail at what you might face this year. The Lord will keep His eye on you and there is nothing coming your way that He doesn’t see.
The horse and mule analogy is good for we are often stubborn and need the bit and bridle to get us along down life’s trail. I like what F.B. Meyer said, “If you are willing to know, he will make you know somehow. If not one way, then another.” God wants you to know His will, not just through the Bible, but also in each step you take. He will find a way to show it to you–you just have to be willing to trust and follow Him.
Remember, the pure in heart will see God. Seek Him, seek His righteousness and as you do He will cover you with His love and purity. Doesn’t common sense just seem to cry out, “the Lord is a good hiding place”?
“Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last!”
–Charles Wesley
Coffee Percs
He could hear the coffee perking on the top of the wood burning stove. He could hear the water boiling from its spout, then turning to steam as it flowed down onto the hot, cast iron lids.”
–J.S. Stroud (The Old Rider)
“Wait for the wagon, ohhhh, wait for the wagon, wait for the wagon and we’ll all take a ride!” Yeehaw! Whooee, Pard, it must have been that first cup of coffee this mornin’. Sorry, I didn’t see yuh at the kitchen door or I’d tuned it down some. I’ll pour yuh a cup in just a moment, just have to catch muh breath. Whooeee, that was sure a storm that came through last night; sure thanked the good Lord for a roof over my head.
Reckon that ol’ song goes way back to Stephen Foster. Those 49ers sang it on their way to California. Since then lots of folk have jumped on lots of wagons goin’ nowhere fast. Why just you look at the media, there’s a host clamorin’ to jump on the wagon of socialism–the nitwits. It’s bad enough now what the government takes from yuh. Always wantin’ more, more, and more if’n yuh got anything left.
Pard! My cup’s plumb empty. Refill’s a-comin’. Now, where was I? Back to this hoppin’ on the wagon. From what I’m seein’ across the countryside, most folks are just jumpin’ on not knowin’ much about where that wagon is a-takin’ them. Too many, way too many have leaped upon that wagon headin’ down the road to perdition. Stay away from that wagon Pard, well, I bet ol’ Slewfoot hisself is the teamster.
Me, I’m just a-travelin’ along waitin’ for that great meetin’ in the sky. When that great trumpet sound, I’ll be hoisted up an’ given my place in that celestial wagon headin’ for glory. Yeehaw! But easy, the coffee’s gone, and I don’t want to be throwin’ my hip out of joint rejoicin’. An’ Pard, until that great day we have to be livin’ down here and part of that is makin’ sure we check our cinch before mountin’.