Gordon Dean was killed in a commercial aviation accident on August 15, 1958, when the airliner he was traveling in crashed on its approach to Nantucket Airport. Mr. Dean had served as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission during the Truman and Eisenhower Administrations. A friend who survived the plane crash shared the rules for successful living that Mr. Dean had written on a tablet during the flight. They state:

·       Never lose your capacity for enthusiasm.
·       Never lose your capacity of indignation.
·       Never judge people; don’t “type” them too quickly. But in a pinch, always assume that a person is good and that at worst he is in the gray area between good and bad.
·       If you can’t be generous when it’s hard, you won’t be when it’s easy.
·       The greatest builder of confidence is the ability to do something, almost anything, well.
·       When that confidence comes, then strive for humility: you aren’t as good as all that.
·       The way to become truly useful is to seek the best that others brains have to offer. Use them  to supplement your own, and give credit to them when they have helped.
·       The greatest tragedies in the world and in personal events stem from misunderstandings. Answer: Communicate.

What would you add if these were your last words on earth?

I would not take anything away, but my number one would be “trust Jesus Christ with all the events of your life and eternity above all else.”

The list given by Gordon is top notch in human relations. They even work in marriage, that age old institution of miscommunication.

 “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:31.

Copyright © 2014 Larry Lilly

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LLLv14 9-25-14            

One of my all-time favorite stories is Margaret Mitchell’s, Gone With the Wind. I loved the movie too. The other day I heard someone I had never heard of making a snarky comment, “Oh, yes, her one book.” If I could only write one such book!

Ms. Mitchell remarked along the way, “Life's under no obligation to give us what we expect.” This is right up there with the truest words ever spoken.

Life counselors often ask those complaining of a lack of inner peace or a lack of satisfaction; “What do you expect?” This is followed by, “If you truly expect this, what are you willing to give in return?” This is usually the “deer in the headlights” question; for two groups have been bombarded with the idea the world owes you something simply because you are here. Real life owes us nothing due to the opportunities real life presents for us to earn our way along the path, doing something that improves the life of others.

This something may be a rare invention, a medical breakthrough, or giving more than an honest days’ work for less than an honest day’s pay.

The same complaints are registered against Christ when disillusioned followers utter their frustrations about “life is not fair” and other opines about life’s shortcomings, even from God. Truth be known we can find our path by facing what Christ expects of us. Notice this about His plain statement in John 20:21,

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

It’s simple when you think about. Christ was sent to love, and that sacrificially, not really expecting much in return, to care for a careless generation, to offer that generation and all generations what they need rather than what they want.

Following John 20:21 to its conclusion will help us to determine just what the will of God is concerning our act on the stage of life and, voila, that inner fulfillment is a reality.

Copyright © 2014 Larry Lilly

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LLLV14 9-22-14   An Honorable Regret

One of the most famous statements in American history has been with me since my earliest memories. It was made by a 21 year old man in New York City on the morning of September 22, 1776. Here is a piece from an eye witness:

“He asked for writing materials, which I furnished him: he wrote two letters, one to his mother and one to a brother officer.' He was shortly after summoned to the gallows. But a few persons were around him, yet his characteristic dying words were remembered. He said, 'I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.'"

When I was young WWII was just over and we were entering the “No-Win” era beginning with Korea. Captain Nathan Hale’s final statement was on the lips and in the hearts of most men and boys, as a mark of ultimate manhood and love for our country. It would be a good idea for moderns to have the courage and hope of Nathan Hale, rather than the current defeatist attitude proclaimed by so many.

Of course we young’uns were not aware of the pre-execution character of Captain Hale. One statement that Nathan left us tells much about his true patriotism and overall character.

“I wish to be useful, and every kind of service necessary to the public good becomes honorable by being necessary.” Nathan Hale

Mr. Hale did not stand on the edge of life thinking, “I’m here, therefore you owe me something,” but rather wrapped his life around a statement by the Apostle Paul who said in Galatians 5:13, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

What do you see as the primary purpose of your life?

“Only one life twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” Anonymous.

Copyright © 2014  Larry Lilly

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Melvin Branham quoted a line from my September Larry Lilly’s Journal. See what you think:

“Many  modern Christians are seriously attempting to blend two opposite lifestyles into one, and like oil and water, they will not mix. We decorate our outer lives with the symbols of life that scream, “I am of this world and I love it!” Alongside this we attempt to weave in a little biblical thoughts here and there, a nice religious plaque on the mantle, a neat jingle on the cell answering service. And actually attend a service that stirs a wonderful, even heavenly feeling. But when a storm comes, often suddenly, the smell of the newest foreign auto somehow fails to comfort us concerning the terror confronting us and we have forgotten, if we ever knew, how to apply the encouraging truth of Christ to the situation. And we crash, our wings void of lifting power to fly onward and upward.”

Everyone has some sort of lifestyle and happiest ones are they who have chosen the transformed lifestyle rather the conformed one. Simply put the transformed lifestyle is the one mentioned by Paul and is outer result of the inner person being transformed to the likeness of Christ. Paul wrote in Romans 12:2:

 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Simple, isn’t it.

Copyright © 2014  Larry Lilly

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The late great Methodists Revivalist, Leonard Ravenhill said, “The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.”

Today’s article is really not a rant about what’s wrong with the church, but a far more important thought. What’s the matter with you? Or me. What is the driving force in my life, or yours? After his horrible experience in Hitler’s concentration camp, where his wife perished, Viktor Frankel wrote a book which should be required reading for all serious Christians, though Viktor was not a believer at all. His book, Man’s Search for Meaning, was a classic in its time and is still at the top of truly great books on the human condition. The theme of the book was simple: Man can never find true meaning in life until he learns to care about others and do what he can to alleviate their load.

Many of the articles on reaching more people for church members are wrapped around the idea projecting a comfortable atmosphere, lite sermons that help folks to feel better about themselves, and above all, teach them that they have a right to prosperity. Very little is said about actual service in the name of Christ. The old time biblical message of forsaking all and following Christ is lost in the foggy memory of yesterday.

Frankel, a Jew who became agnostic, knew that a life lived for self was a waste and would leave the ones who lived with the philosophy doomed to misery. How about you?

Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Now you know what Jesus said about this issue.

Copyright © 2014  Larry Lilly
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As I browsed through my Bible, much to the chagrin of our president (I don’t have a shotgun to hug,) I came across a Psalm and verse that touched my heart as to our American lament in 2014:

Psalms 137:1 “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.”

Commenting on the above my friend, Mel Branham, wrote,

“As 911 lives in our recent memory, another Day of Infamy lingers in a few hearts and minds. I speak of 12-7-41. Both dates remind us of “sneak attacks and betrayals” by enemies that were and are totally committed to the annihilation of the United States.

For the sake of our nation and the world at large the perpetrators of the attack on Pearl Harbor were brought to their knees in total humiliation amidst utter destruction in relatively short order by the minds, hearts, prowess and commitment of the Greatest Generation.

The murderers who committed the widespread terror on 911 have all but gone scot free with but a few of the low grade “soldiers” paying any price at all. Active terrorists committing acts of terror against a freedom loving people are excused as “workplace acts of violence, frustrated individuals who blame the U.S. for all their problems.”

Current plans to “manage” ISIS are laughable by comparison to WWII. ISIS and their ilk will understand nothing less than the accomplished partial, and on the verge of total annihilation, as did the Japanese of 1945.

It’s past time for we Americans to hold our leaders feet to the fire by intelligent voting and demand a total commitment to the destruction of proclaimed terrorist enemies of liberty at home and around the world. If we will not, we will be fortunate to even join in Israel’s ancient lament on the shores of Babylonian rivers.”

Thanks Mel for this thought provoking piece in memory and honor of the lives sacrificed upon the altar of dialog/appeasement.

Copyright © 2014    Larry Lilly

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We had a fantastic National Grandparents Day at our church and being a grandparent I loved every minute of the special day. I did some reflecting on our grandchildren of whom there are many, some here, there and not quite everywhere. I like to visit the grandchildren and this seems to work well. When the crumb snatchers come our way, Joyce, the quintessential Grammy expects them to behave. She has the same problem with the dogs.


Dave Barry expressed the plight of grandparents with this bit:

“The best baby-sitters, of course, are the baby’s grandparents. You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida.”

In many American families the grandparents are the only stable adult known to the grandchildren. More grandparents need to step up and be counted for right and faith.

Grandmother Lois was such a person. She and her daughter Eunice seem to have been left with the raising of her Grandson, Tim. He was a serious minded young’un and his skill as an adult was attributed to Lois. Notice:

2 Timothy 1:5 “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”

Unfeigned is anupokritos, Sincere, without hypocrisy, “without wax.” When the heat is turned up this kind of faith will stand the test, it is NOT an aftermarket add on, but dwells, is at home within. Is a living principle and flows out as a living demonstration.

We need many more grandparents cut from the cloth of Lois.

Copyright © 2014 Larry Lilly

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Dale Flynn, with World of Life http://www.daleflynn.wol.org/ sent this to me and I can’t resist sharing it with you. I think you’ll see why.

“In the 1920s Charlie Chaplin was the most famous person in the world. Born into poverty, he worked on the stage to support himself and by the age of 17 he was a veteran performer. Then at the age of 29 he did something unheard of: he signed the entertainment industry's first million-dollar contract.

He wasn't successful simply because he had talent and drive. He was also teachable. He kept learning and perfecting his gift. Even at the height of his career, the highest paid performer in the world didn't rest on his laurels. He said: 'When I watch one of my pictures, I pay attention to what the audience doesn't laugh at. If several audiences don't laugh at a stunt, I tear it apart and try to discover what's wrong. On the other hand, if I hear laughter I hadn't expected, I ask myself why that particular thing rang the bell with the audience.'

The truth is, if Charlie Chaplin had replaced teachability with complacency and arrogance, we probably wouldn't even remember his name today. But he didn't. He never forgot the basics and he committed himself to learning. Eventually he co-founded United Artists, a mega-movie company that's still in business today.

There's an important principle in this story. Though we are not looking for laughs, as preachers, we are looking for responses. The Bible says, 'Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's Word all over again.' If you want God to use you, stay teachable and never stop learning.”

Thanks Dale.
Copyright (C) 2014 Larry Lilly

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As you might guess, after preaching in the neighborhood of 52 years I have many friends who are also preachers. I count my friends in different fields, preachers of all sorts, pastors, missionaries, evangelists, and special ministry aids to Christ.

One of my preacher friends of nearly 40 years, Bill Brown, sent a little piece to me:

4 Tips for a Happy Ending

·       Live without pretending

·       Love without depending

·       Listen without defending

·       Speak without offending.

Most problems involving personal relationships are either caused or exacerbated by failure in one or all of the above. The Bible addresses the importance of each of the above.

Pretending to be something you are not leads to internal misery and painful endings to what could be otherwise comfortable relationships.

Love that depends on the other loving back to the same degree of intensity is not the kind of love Christ has for us and will lead to sitting across the desk from a counselor and whining, “I really get nothing in return from him/her.” I am glad Jesus doesn’t use this phrase.

Listening and constantly interrupting to defend your position doesn’t give the speaker the chance to put his/her position on the table for consideration.

Deliberately calling others names designed to offend when speaking violates the rules of true civilized debate.  “The facts Mam, nothing but the facts.” Joe Friday

Stephen’s classic sermon in Acts 7 is an organized chronology of facts, including the close.

Copyright © 2014  Larry Lilly
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