How I long for a trip, don’t need no grip,
I’m taking one more ride
‘Way out there in the prairie air,
I guess it’s in my hide…”
       –Bob Nolan

“It isn’t the stations one has to worry about, it’s the side tracks…  So many become sidetracked and missed the things that were worthwhile.”
     –Louis L’Amour

Hard to believe that after 39 years that I do not have any actual teaching days left.  However, just to let you know that I’m longing for a trip.  Not one out of the country, that’s for sure, but a new trail to travel in life.  It is definitely one that Annie and I have never traveled before, so much of what we will face will be new territory for you.
With retirement (or retreading) looming on the horizon we are taking one more ride.  The plan is to move to the community of Coldspring, population under 900.  That’s my size of town.  It was founded because of the cold spring located there, and the first post office was established in 1847 with the community being named Coonskin.  It was in 1850, that the town became known as Coldspring.
Maybe I would prefer the prairie air, actually the mountain air, but I will settle for the forest.  It must be engrained in my hide, but it has sure taken its time to get here.  There have been vacations to the High Lonesome and to the prairie and desert regions, but now there will be temporary settlement in the forests of East Texas.
By temporary, I mean that the day will come for me, for us all, to make that last trip.  For sure, on that journey, whether by rapture or by the grave, we will not be taking a grip along with us.  (For you modern folk, a grip was a suitcase).  In fact, in this new trail we are traveling we are certainly learning the need for downsizing.  People just seem to accumulate “stuff” throughout life.  Not that it is all bad, but much of it is unnecessary.
A few years ago I did a study on Abraham.  He has become one of my favorite Bible characters.  There were a few times in his life where he had to pack up and move.  He never bothered to build a house, for he never knew when God was going to tell him to move.  Part of it was his location and part of it was due to his vocation.  He lived in a tent, but that tent was really a home.  An interesting item in the life of Abraham is that it was his normal custom, though a couple of times he neglected it, was that when he pitched his tent he built an altar.  Right there is a good lesson for us.  The tent/home should be where the heart is and with that there should also be an altar built in worship to the Lord.

“After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and he worshiped the Lord.”
–Genesis 12:8 (NLT)

“Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.”
–Julia H. Johnston

You do not have to wallow in the pig pen with the hogs. Living in mud and eating slop is not what has to be your lot. Look to that hill of Calvary and gaze on the Cross whereupon grace was personified in Christ. Grace that is so much more than any sin that we can commit. Grace that is able to wipe away and evidence of guilt and shame. It was the place where the Son of God poured out His love and provided grace.

“Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.”

Where there is much sin, there is much grace. There is grace that is truly untold, for the sinner cannot go so far as to be away from the touch of His grace from the cross. The soul is lost, without the grace of Christ.

“Dark is the stain that we cannot hide;
What can we do to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?”

The story of Dorian Gray portrays a man who tries to hide the stain on his soul. Here was a man who wanted to live his live with impunity. But, alas, it was found out for no man can do so. There is a stain upon man that can only be washed away and cleansed by the blood of Christ. Then, and only then, is there a brightness of the soul. The cost to you–nothing; just look to Jesus and believe.

“Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!”

One of the greatest songs written to humble the soul and turn thoughts to Christ. The truth and finality of God’s grace is depicted here and it is for anyone who would simply turn to Him and believe. There is no excuse and no denial, for His grace is greater than any sin.

For bodily exercise profiteth little….”
–1 Timothy 4:8 (KJV)

I’ve heard that Scripture used several times by folk that do not relish the thought of exercising.  It doesn’t profit the individual all that much.  Now, that is really not the case for it does indeed help the physical body, and can also help the mental attitude and emotional makeup of an individual.
However, we really must exercise for the spiritual person as well.  I read the following the other day, “We must run from Satan, and walk with God.”  The difference is that physical exercise is for the natural man, for the temporal life.  It is then important that we look at the rest of the passage.

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”  (Amplified)
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“When we become so tolerant that we lead people into mental fog and spiritual darkness, we are not acting like Christians–we are acting like cowards!”
–A.W. Tozer

Listen, there is a great difference between being charitable and being tolerant.  A Christian must be charitable toward all people, but they must never be tolerant of their sin.  The same is true of truth.  There is only one Truth; Jesus is the truth.  It is not Jesus and other philosophies.  Science and philosophy cannot add to Christ.  In fact, Tozer points out, that the true bigots are those involved in science and philosophy.
One other word–Jesus meant what He said.  When He said, “I am the way,” He meant it.  He did not mean that He was one of the ways, but exactly what He said.  When He said, “I am the truth,” He meant it.  Yet in our weakened, but enlightened mind we compromise Him so much.  It is imperative that we listen to Him “if our discipleship is to be genuine and consistent.”
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You can call this an oxymoron or conundrum, whatever fits your vocabulary.  To this ol’ fence post it is just plain old CS.  CS is the opposite of PC.  Ok, ok, CS means common sense.  But think through the following:

“Don’t do nothin’ too much.”

Too much of anything might not be a good thing, but too much of doing nothing is disastrous.  We are a people that are to be “doing”, however, there are times to take a break; maybe enjoy a piece of pie and cup of coffee.  But in doing that we are doing.
Problem is that there are many a folk out there that practice that just a little too much.  They go about, or sit about, doing nothin’.  There are names for them from the Bible; names such as:  sloth, sluggard, and in newer version slacker.  Beware of those people.

I haven’t sung this old hymn in several years.  Goodness, what a message it holds–loaded with doctrine.  The first thing that came to my mind was when Jesus said if the people didn’t praise Him then the rocks would cry out.  Earth rings His praises; Heaven rings His praises.  When we’re lost and wandering about not knowing what to do, we need to sing His praises for He is our guide who guards and protects not only our lives, but our souls as well.

           “Praise Him!  Praise Him!  Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

           Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!

           Hail Him! Hail Him!  highest archangels in glory;

           Strength and honor give to His holy name!

           Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children.

           In His arms He carries them all day long:”

                    –Fanny J. Crosby

 We were once darken and outcast because of sin, but then Jesus came on the scene and brought light and salvation.  He was crucified and bore cast away the sins and bore our sorrows.  He became the “Man of Sorrow” for us.  Those thoughts alone should make us want to praise Him.  Others may mock us, laugh at us, scorn us; even people we thought cared for us, but Jesus–His love is so strong it cannot fade away. 

           “Praise Him!  Praise Him!  Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

           For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died;

           He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,

           Hail Him!  Hail Him!  Jesus the Crucified.

           Sound His Praises!  Jesus who bore our sorrows,

           Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong:”

 Sometimes we forget that He is the King!  He is the Lord!  He reigns over all creation with His sovereign word and power.  Think of His majesty.  Think of all He has done from creation of the world to the creation of a new heart in men who accept Him.  Think of what is getting ready to take place–He is coming back for His people.  The cross made Him victorious over sin and soon He will do away with evil and rule in victory.

           “Praise Him!  Praise Him!  Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

           Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!

           Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever;

           Crown Him!  Crown Him!  Prophet, and Priest, and King!

           Christ is coming!  over the world victorious,

           Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong:

                     Praise Him!  Praise Him!

                    tell of His excellent greatness;

                    Praise Him!  Praise Him!

                    ever in joyful song.”

 Notice the exclamation marks that Fanny Crosby put in this hymn.  When we think of Christ is should be with an exclamation!  Think of all that He has done!  Praise Him!