Buddy Champion

Time

Today at lunch Dan mentioned his favorite class that he had taken in seminary was philosophy (not really). Just the mere mention of that word brought back vivid memories of lapsing into a deep coma while sitting in a desk! It would have been more fun to watch paint dry! I still remember the depths at which we discussed others peoples views and questions of life. It seems like we discussed whether “a tree makes noise when it falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it” for weeks! I could immediately answer that question in two ways: 1. Who cares? 2. Of course it does…the tree is not there for man! That tree was created, existed, and fell to the floor of the forest for God and God alone!

There is not much put here in this world for man. Everything that exists is for God and to bring glory to Him. Sure we oversee it, enjoy it, and are stewards of it – but it is not mine. Isn’t that what the Bible teaches us? Why do we chase after things that focus on the created instead of the creator? We tend to get the cart before the horse and this always leads to big trouble. Due to the fact that we really were not created for “here” but for eternity, we need to understand that I exist for Him and not for me! When we become so short-sighted that we think that this life is about us then we sit around and discuss questions that revolve around us! Since we know far more to “do” than we actually practice, I believe I will get up and go do what I know I should be doing and let other people chase those self imposed questions of life!

Priorities

What is happening to me? One of my favorite verses, Proverbs 6:6 (NIV), says “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” This verse speaks about preparation, hard work and diligence! Yesterday, I took our home computer to a shop to purchase a power supply. The Tech opens the case to verify that I am buying the correct one and says, “Sir we can clean this up (get the dust out) and replace your power supply for $30.” Moments later, after I reviewed what I needed to accomplish that day, I let him! I could have done that and I have all the tools to do it. This morning I let a shop rotate the tires on Lynn’s car! Again, I have a floor jack and air tools to do that myself…yet I let someone else do it!

Am I losing the “practice” of one of my favorite verses or is my life just getting tooooo crazy that I personally can’t get to everything myself? I like to work on things…but I can’t seem to get all the “work” done these days. Sometimes I notice people who think that the way THEY live life is THE way that everyone should live life. Sometimes that attitude comes from arrogance and sometimes it from those who have lived long enough to develop an opinion or habitual lifestyle.

The fact is we all live life differently due to many variables. Some of these variables are accumulated over long intervals of time and other variables come in a flash of a moment at important times in our lives. It would be beneficial for us to focus more in building people up, even if they are not like us, than to criticize others who don’t have the same way of living that we do. What is good for the “goose” is not necessarily good for the “gander!”

Now, I need to go pick up a tiller I let someone else repair…what is my world coming to?

Coveting

Let’s be very honest. We have all done it and some of us have a doctorate in this field of study! Recently I was riding down the road and on my right I noticed a beautiful 1968 Camaro! It was a bright, glossy orange and looked to be in pristine condition. I nearly wrecked! On top of that it was a convertible…. And then it began in my mind: coveting. I wish, I want, why not and on and on. We have all been there. It may be a job, a car, a house, vacation, income, or even someone else’s spouse! You remember that coveting was one of the “big ten” don’t you? It is not something we have made up in this century alone. It is an age old problem.

Is it really a problem? Is it really wrong…a sin? The answer: Yes and No. You see, coveting is just goals, passions and vision that have gotten lazy. The problem is we want something someone else has and we want it NOW. That is unbiblical and lazy. There are a multitude of verses that speak of hard work, vision, dreams and diligence that teaches us that all of this is good.

One day Lynn and I will go out and buy a rusty old bag of bolts. A few years later it will turn into a pristine muscle car that will be a blast to ride around town with the top down on a beautiful summer evening. That is a dream that will come true after more hard work (so we can afford it) and hours of “therapy” as the transformation takes place.

So do you want a better house? Then go to work so that one day you can afford one. Do you want to have a lifestyle of giving? Then make changes in your lifestyle and live within your means. Do you want a better spouse? Then love that person like Ephesians 5 teaches and you will be amazed at how beautiful they become. Do you want a better job? Then get your education, work hard, and it will come. Do you want to be more like Christ? Study His Word … do it … and He will shine through your life. Do you want … well you get the point!

Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart!

Just Enough

Just enough! After months and months of prayer and hard work, we have received “just enough” commitment to continue on the path of improvement so that we can reach more people for Christ.

Sunday, we celebrated some great milestones:

The total pledges and offerings that have been given – and committed – over the next three years amount to $4,346,182. (as of 5/18/09) That’s the largest pledge in the history of the First Family!
The great news is that we already received $973,023 dollars of our total pledge! (as of 5/18/09) This will help us to avoid paying interest payments on borrowed money until a later date!
The bank waived closing costs, appraisal fees, and some other anticipated expenses. That is rather unusual for this type of transaction!

We have just enough to continue down this road. However, we don’t have enough to just coast for the next three years. Several things need to happen:

More people need to join this exciting adventure! 550 families and individuals committed to this endeavor. Many of you should still join us on this journey!
As the economy re-ignites, we need for those who can to surpass their giving estimates to do so.
Most importantly, we must continue to reach those around us as we fulfill the Great Commission.

These are exciting days, and we have many more exciting days ahead of us as we anticipate what God will do. As a part of the First Family, commit yourself to prayer and faithfulness so that He will have a Family that He can work through.

Hate

I hate weeds! Is that too strong a strong word? When I was growing up, we couldn’t ever say the word “hate.” It was the ugliest of the ugly! Lynn and I have also instilled that our daughters not use the word “hate” in relation to people. Now back to my point: I really do hate weeds! I’m not sure why, but the thought of pulling weeds makes my head hurt! Recently I walked into the house and Lynn asked me what I was doing outside (which is where you will find me most of the time when I am at home). My response was “spraying roundup.” She asked me what I was spraying and I quickly told her “anything that was green!” I like roundup!

Does my hate for pulling weeds go back to Adam and Eve? Were they created because of the first sin found in Genesis 3:17-19? Maybe it’s because they are “sin-created” that I despise them. Maybe there really is a spiritual condition here…but probably not! Hate is a strong word but is it really wrong to hate weeds? Here are some other things that I hate…

• I hate hell. It is an awful place. It is real and I don’t want anyone to go there.

• I hate abuse. What kind of justification is it for the strong to hurt the weak? Anyone can do that.

• I hate snakes. Dead or alive, I just don’t like them!

• I hate abortion. It is so harmful in so many ways.

There are other things like arrogance, divorce, politics, self-centeredness, and others that really get under my skin. Maybe hate is too strong for those items but not for many of them. At least I have an opinion about them.

Some people just choose to go through life and never get involved or emotional about anything. Emotions are a good thing when they are properly displayed. Someone once said if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything. Today, stand for something! And base that something on God’s Word.

People

This Sunday we will begin a new series called “Relationship Status.” Each week we will explore biblical relationships with the goal of enhancing our personal relationships.

Relating to people is just a part of life. If you live a typical lifestyle, you can’t avoid them. Some people choose to live like hermits by moving to a mountain cabin in order to avoid dealing with people. Such isolation is just not an option for most of us.

People are all around us! Some are such a blessing while others can turn into your “thorn in the flesh!” Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NIV) tell us “If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” All of us fall…in fact when you work with people sometimes you fall because someone pushes you down.

I remember John Maxwell saying that “leadership is lonely so you better remember why you are there.” When you walk with God and step out against the current, you can anticipate someone trying to push you down…yes, notice “when you walk with God!” On a number of occasions I have been the target of that downward push. It doesn’t matter that I am in God’s will, being obedient, working as hard as I can and being sweet. Someone always comes along with a push.

So who gets me up? Home. I can go home and find a loving place filled with people that believe in me. They pick me up. Staff. Some are intuitive enough to check on me and encourage me when they know I am being shot at from all sides. Deacons. Words cannot explain what it means to know there are 60 Godly men standing on all sides of you when things get tough. They provide strength and courage. Friends. A few God-given people that love you…no matter what. While one side of the relationship coin tries to push you down, stay focused on the flip side of the coin that provides daily “pick-me-ups.”

Everybody will fall. You are going to fall. Who will pick you up? Probably some of the same ones that you have picked up.

Reactions

It simply happened before I knew it. I certainly would not stoop to such low standards in my life, but I did it before I even knew what happened. Then I did it twice!! It was a surreal moment…an out of body experience! It just wasn’t natural.

Let me explain. I was in a real hurry, which is nothing new. The morning had been filled with a number of at home activities and my next assignment was coming fast. Over the past few days the afternoons here have been warm. My car has one of those remote starters activated by a button on the key chain. I knew the car would be hot so I just walked over to the window in our bathroom which is right above our driveway and quickly pulled my keys out of my pocket. Feeling rushed, I didn’t take the time to get a good grip on them. Did I mention that the little window is right above the toilet? Quit laughing! The next thing I knew my keys were flying in the air. My efforts to catch them failed miserably. The toilet proved to be a much better receiver than my hands.

I knew water could mess up the electronics of the key chain, so before I could even think, my hand went diving in the bowl. I quickly yanked (that’s southern talk) them out of the water, but they were wet and slippery and before I knew it, back in! By now, I was laughing as I made a second plunge into the water. Taking my time I got a better hold on the slippery rascals. Once out, I began the process of drying them off. Fortunately, the toilet water was clean…is that an oxymoron? But it was the reaction that got me!

Reactions always get me in trouble! I was raised by being told, “think before you act.” Paul says in Philippians we are to be like-minded with Christ Jesus! We can hear the words, “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to become angry” and “out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Reactions don’t give you time to pray and get ready. They just happen. What is in you comes out and it happens fast! Preparing your mind today, gets you ready for tomorrow’s reaction.

Team Work

I lived the first 12 years of my life in a neighborhood on the south side of Birmingham in an area called “Rocky Ridge.” The street was a big loop that was full of families. From time to time some of the neighbor’s dogs would all meet together and seemingly pick sides. I guess looking back on it, all the dogs could have been gathering together because of one really pretty dog…but since this is a family blog we will leave that subject! Whatever the motive for those get-togethers, it seems that they would always break out into a free-for-all fight! While the dogs growled and rolled in the dust, the kids franctically tried to separate them. Did you experience that as a kid?

In a very positive way that reminds me of the team around here! It seems like every week we have huge projects with a long list of tasks that need to be completed…and soon! Everyone jumps in and the dust begins to fly! It really doesn’t matter if it is “their area,” they just all jump in and make it happen. It is a lot more fun to watch than a pack of dogs fighting.

First Baptist Trussville has a pack that sticks together and surrenders personal desires for the cause! There is a verse about that you know. Do you work in a place like that? If not, remember change has to start somewhere. Today, get out of your area and find someone that is swamped. Lend a helping hand. Take one for the team. If you take a few minutes, you will notice that Jesus is always pleased when we serve others. He taught us the servant way of leadership. It’s All About Him!

The Mission

For several years we have been taught about “mission statements,” “vision statements,” “strategies,” and “procedures.” I’m not sure what all that means and it seems way too complicated to incorporate all that terminology around here. We just simply say we strive for people to be “committed to God, know His ways and do His work because it’s all about Him!” Of course, this was first described by Jesus in what we call the Great Commission. Life’s most important fact is: “It’s ALL about Him.” Whether things are going well or we are experiencing tough times…it is all about Him. Today I was at www.fbctmen.com and came across this great clip by Pastor Voddie Baucham. Listen to this and see if it changes your perspective on today!

In the Springtime when the weather’s just right, birds sing and sing…

It is a beautiful time of the year! I can’t pinpoint exactly what is most beautiful. Perhaps it is the new growth on the trees, or the flowers blooming or maybe it is just the rebirth from ole man winter…or maybe it’s because it’s Turkey season?! Anyway, have you noticed the beauty? It is amazing how creation screams about God as a new day begins. If it has been awhile…or maybe never…since you have quietly sat outside and experienced the beginning of a new day, then I would strongly encourage that you it try this season. Creation seems to be so happy and energetic with each sunrise. God gives humans each day, but creation itself begins the day with a song and a burst of excitement. That’s not really how I begin my day! I roll out of bed with joints popping and get a wake up call with hot water hitting my head! Several hours later, I am ready for coherent discussions about problems and opportunities. We have heard it said that he/she woke up on the wrong side of the bed. In reality, our mood has nothing to do with a certain side of the bed but with the choice we made when we got up! Nature makes the right choice. If creation can sing His praises when they have never known His forgiveness, how much more should I when I am the one that has been changed by His presence!

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