Christ's Influence on the World via St. Patrick

Three Great Things to do With Mistakes

10/29/2015

Have you ever made a serious mistake? If so, whom did you blame? If yourself, you are not qualified for public office! That truth aside, what did you do to overcome the mistake?

To know a lot about mistakes at the experiential level is to have lived. To know about mistakes from observation is recognizing but not feeling the pain often associated with the mistake.

At a Little League game years ago the fans were outraged at the manner in which a father treated his son after the son had ran past another child on base in front of him. I’m certain the boy, now probably a father has never really got over the embarrassment heaped upon him by his dad. Later that week the World Series was played and wouldn’t you know it, a team had two runners on base, the batter hit a good shot in the gap and one of the runners got so excited he passed the runner in front of him, essentially making the effort of all three players of non-effect!

The Little Leaguer made a mistake of ignorance. The Major Leaguer a mistake of emotion.

Sometimes we make a mistake of choice. We choose to cut a corner or any number of disastrous choices and call it a mistake all the while knowing we chose to go against the rule concerning such choices. Sin, is the more correct word. Sins can be forgiven. But mistakes and sins have a lot in common. They seem to occur over and over again. Why? It’s simple:

“Mistakes should be examined, learned from, and discarded; not dwelled upon and stored.” Tim Fargo,

That we should learn from mistakes and sins is laid before us in the bulk of all literature, ancient and modern, both religious and secular. Learn from your mistakes, your missteps and your outright sins. I heard a man talk about David’s mistake with Bathsheba. I took issue with the downplaying of David’s sin, though I confess “mistake” sounds more palatable in today’s world. Yet David cried, “My Sin is ever before me.” David’s mistake in his dealing with his sin was dwelling on it, rather than confessing it, forsaking it and permitting it to get out of his mind, as according to scripture it was out of God’s memory.

The writer of Hebrews puts it like this: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12.

Examine, learn from and discard your sins and your mistakes and to use the overused phrase, go forward. Once mistakes and sins are wiped away by the Blood of Christ, constantly dwelling on them only brings unnecessary emotional pain. Christ sets us free to serve and enjoy Him, having been pronounced clean by Him.

Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly
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Encouraging Words From Winston Churchill

10/25/2015

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Winston Churchill

In 1940, as the Battle of Britain raged and the future seemed bleak, Winston Churchill said to the nation:

“Death and sorrow will be the companions of our journey; hardships our garments; Constance and valor our only shield. We must be united, we must be undaunted, and we must be inflexible.”

Factor in the fact that bombs were exploding in the streets on London and the courage of the statement leaps off the page.

In another speech dated June 4, 1940 concerning the miracle at Dunkirk, he stated:

“We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the street, we shall fight in hills; we shall never surrender.”

Why am I quoting words of courage to you, words that inspired Western Civilization to rise to the occasion of fighting and winning WWII? Simple! We are in the prelude to a far more devastating attack on the very foundations of Western Civilization than the one faced by Churchill. If, as Napoleon Hill’s nihilistic statement posits, “Nothing matters,” is true, the question arises, why fight for anything? Sensible people understand that many fine and noble things do matter. Anarchist, that cause the atrocious Hitler to pale by comparison now run rampant in seats of usurped power across our nation and the bulk of the free world.

True faith matters. The home and hearth of the righteous matters as does the life of the unborn. Worship unbridled by political chains, matters. The financial welfare of our seniors and our veterans matters, matters much more than the invading hordes fleeing from totally socialistic empires of tyranny.

The drift of today’s letter may read a little like a rant. I am sorry that I lack the vocabulary to make it more so. Isn’t it past time for more of those of us who enjoy the bounty and beauty of our purple mountains and amber waves of grain, to use the phrase from Katherine Lee Bates in her attempt to convey the wonder of our free and majestic nation; to stand up and be counted for the ideals and ideas that produced a nation that towers far above anything the world has seen?

On the 19th of May 1940 Churchill closed his first speech as Prime Minister with this line from the centuries old Celebration of Trinity Sunday: “Today is Trinity Sunday. Centuries ago words were written to be a call and a spur to the faithful servants of truth and justice. ‘Arm yourselves, and be ye men of valour, and be in readiness for the conflict; for it is better for us to perish in battle than to look upon the outrage of our nation and our altar. As the Will of God is in Heaven, ever so let it be.’”

To clear up any confusion here, I submit it is time, past time actually, to follow the lead of Paul, who also lived in a rampantly decadent age, to put in place, the “whole armor of God,” as shown in Ephesians 6:11-18. Obviously the “weapons” are metaphors and mean to be prepared fully in our spiritual warfare for the context clearly teaches that this and any war is primarily spiritual in nature. To stand in the “evil” day the whole armor of God is essential. Truth, righteousness, mobility using the gospel of peace, the protection afforded by the shield of faith, a salvation minded brain, energized by the sword, which is the Word of God. All of this bathed in prayer. There is still time for God’s people to act like God’s people!

Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly

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Courts, Conscience and Christ!

10/21/2015

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Most of the articles appearing on my pages are uplifting and point to the Savior, Jesus Christ. Today’s does most of this though I doubt if any detractors will note it as uplifting.

Here’s a doctored version of a quote from a famous man who hated the church of Jesus Christ, and any semblance of God.

“The religions are all alike, no matter what they call themselves. They have no future- certainly none for us. Our political persuasion, if it likes, may come to terms with the Church. So shall I. Why not? That will not prevent me from tearing up Christianity root and branch, and annihilating it in our country.”

Similar political winds are blowing in our country today. The list of indicators is long and complex. Religious people are asking a largely pagan court to tell them if they must obey rules and fiat pronouncements that clearly violate their core beliefs, the values that have greatly contributed to the mores and economic strengths of Western Civilization.

The guiding document of Christianity has, in the long ago, answered the conscience question, plainly. The story is written in the early chapters of the Acts of The Holy Spirit through the Apostles. Here’s a sample: Acts 5:29 “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.” Much of the history of the last two thousand years is stained with the blood of martyrs who counted truth more sacred than life itself.

True, informed and awake Christians believe that what we call abortion is the murder of a fetus, fetus being the Latin for BABY. Must we pay for such murder? No, not even under the threat of death itself or any lesser threat.

The author of today’s quote is the modern age template for all Megalomaniacs who hate God and are attempting to annihilate any semblance of Jesus Christ from the public arena. They have nearly accomplished this goal. May they find a similar end as the man whom I quote. Here’s the accurate quote:

“The religions are all alike, no matter what they call themselves. They have no future- certainly none for the Germans. Fascism, if it likes, may come to terms with the Church. So shall I. Why not? That will not prevent me from tearing up Christianity root and branch, and annihilating it in Germany.” Adolf Hitler.

That the spirit that drove Fascism is alive and well in America is undeniable. Note this word from a Christian writer in the 2nd century: “When people hear us speak God’s Word they marvel at its beauty and power. When they see what little impact it has on our own daily lives, they laugh and poke fun at what we say.”

Our hope is in Jesus Christ and that the Holy Spirit will turn our hearts to genuine faith.

Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly
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A Better Light Than Edison's

10/18/2015

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One of the songs of my youth was a Blue Grass religious song titled, I Saw the Light. As I recall after 54 years of walking in the light, most who sang the song, had not seen the light! Yet the song endures and we Americans need a fresh glimpse of the Man who lights the whole world.

Over the years I have thought often upon the power that comes to a person when they truly see the light. The song had the words. The chorus was enlightening:

“I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I'm so happy no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light.”

At first thought the lyrics seemed just right for Paul who definitely saw the light along the road to Damascus. His life purpose was changed and dramatically so. Yet initially he was blinded and endured a “night of loneliness” due to the fear of Christians thinking his profession may be fraudulent. And Paul would have been more saddened than happy had he bought into the idea of “no more sorrow.” Paul, as do those who actually see the light of Christ along their journey, soon found a joy and peace that passes all human understanding. They also learn to Praise the Lord while they sing praises to the Lord during mid-nights in their life.

Paul, as did Jesus Christ, became acquainted with grief, the loss of all things, and was perhaps the most misunderstood man of his era. Yes, he had a sorrow, but not as the world’s sorrow, for he, as do we, had hope that transcends the sorrows of the now as we look beyond this vale of tears to the land beyond the river.

The verbiage today seems a little out of place, yet tis my belief that we Christians, having become much too sophisticated for heaven, etc., are missing the power of the glorious light of the Son of God.

When the light of Jesus Christ is shining in our hearts, we can see beyond the pain, sorrow and tears of this life to the day when wemwill see Him face to face, to the coming day when He, the Light of The World, will dry all tears from our eyes. We can “see” with the spiritual eye, and as Charles Weigle wrote in his song born in the crucible of desertion by his wife, leaving him contemplating suicide at the edge of the flooding Chattahoochee River. At the last moment, he, as it were, saw the light, and immediately wrote his song, No One Ever Cared for me Like Jesus.

You never know just when and under what circumstance you will see/comprehend the light via impression, or more often a verse or passage takes on a special meaning to you. You will never be the same.

Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly

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Learning The Value of "Shaking it Off."

10/14/2015

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The other evening while sharing some thoughts from the experience of the Apostle Paul on the island of Malta a thought came to me about the importance of getting over being “hurt” while making an attempt at serving the Lord.

The back story is Paul, at the time a prisoner of Christ in the chains of Rome, was on his way to trial in the Eternal City and there would suffer beheading due to being a Christian. On the way he, as a prisoner, went through a severe storm lasting over two weeks. The ship was wrecked, but no life was lost. This event throws overboard the teaching that if you are really walking with God you will have sunshine, sun tea, and a flowery bed of ease.

As the Barbarians were kindly building a fire, Paul, in the role of a servant of Jesus Christ, joined with them and helped to gather wood for the fire. While doing this a poisonous viper bit him, hanging on his hand. Paul shook off the viper and continued his service for Christ by helping to warm his captors. (Prisoners can learn a lot here).

The interesting thing about this is the reaction of the natives to this event. When the snake bit Paul the natives thought Paul was a murderer who had escaped death at sea and now God was executing justice on him via the viper. After a while, no bad effects were visible, and the natives then assumed he was some sort of God. Paul just keeps gathering wood.

The practical lessons of this story in Acts chapters 27 and 28 are legion, but a few in this letter may help you to, in the name of Christ, keep on serving in spite of Satanic attacks, often clothed in the skin of humans, some pagans and others fellow believers. Our city, and I feel certain yours, is filled with men, women and young folks who started out to follow Jesus. They are really saved, but while serving, suffered a brutal attack and forever after have gone around licking their sores, unable to serve due to the deep, often tormenting, pain of the attack. Instead of “shaking it off” they, in effect, relive the attack daily, thus permitting the poison to further infiltrate their spiritual system.

The old adage, “trouble will make you better or bitter” is true. The choice is yours.

My cousin, Mel Branham, wrote concerning this event in Paul’s life; “Paul could have reacted negatively and said, ‘Well, so much for serving. Look at what I get, snake bitten.’ Being hurt due to service is light years better than letting the pain turn to mental and emotional poison that squeezes your heart into an organ filled with bitterness.”

Paul “shook it off” and kept going for Jesus Christ. A study of Paul’s complete resume would help many to get over the hurt, pack up and leave the Pity Party and get on with gathering as the Lord has commanded.

Many of the cynical natives came to Christ as a result of Paul preaching via persistence under fire! Don’t let the devil get the best of you. Here’s a line to encourage you.

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly

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Anton Chekhov on Child Abuse

10/8/2015

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That the children of fanatical parents turn aside if not away from the Lord should not surprise so many currently professing people of faith. The other day Jan Milton, founder and president of Operation Renewed Hope, gave a tremendous mini-seminar to a group of primarily pastors and posited a reason, one of many, for the malaise among the children of Christians who are less than ideal on far sides of the compass of acceptable behavior.

The deluge of ministerial scandals plays a major part. As I write the exact quote is in another distant office, so the gist must suffice. On top of this obvious contribution, most of the younger Christians have learned to read and in conservative Christian environments, to reason. This ability does away with the name calling that is often substituted for the lack of facts and no longer holds sway over them, and they walk away. Nothing would be accomplished by listing who did what, but from the highest echelons to the outer fringe, hypocrisy has been blatant.

While musing on this I came across a statement by the renowned Russian Anton Chekhov. Chekhov was born into a dysfunctional family of textbook 101 qualities. He grew to manhood attempting to deal with this. Tolstoy was one of his best friends, but I cannot find that Anton ever discovered a close walk with the Lord Jesus. That he was among the greatest of writers is simply a matter of fact. A statement from his early manhood gives some insight into his inner feelings:

“When my brothers and I used to stand in the middle of the church and sing the trio “May My Prayer Be Exalted” or “The Archangels’ Voice” everyone looked at us with emotion and envied our parents, but we felt like little convicts.” Anton Chekhov

Chekov’s father, a mean spirited bully, was a tyrant of a family leader and one who constantly held his wife up to brutal ridicule in the presence of the children. I am being kind.

In spite of wondering about Anton’s spiritual condition, I am compelled to believe that he was able to get over many of the abuses of his childhood, and while he was beyond doubt severally bruised internally, he learned to turn his scars into stars. Many of his characters suffered the same inner torments that he dealt with on a daily basis. He was the writer celebrity of his time, yet he, at a rather young age, took responsibility for his Mother and siblings. As a medical doctor he sought out the poor and treated them at no charge.

Suffering through a less than ideal childhood is painful to the max. But we do not have to continue the suffering throughout our entire life. Chekhov knew the truth that Ethel Water’s so often said in essence, “Any idiot can face a crisis; it's this day-to-day living that wears you out.” Anton Chekhov.

Jesus said it this way in John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” This promised abundant life with Jesus is daily!

Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly
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Elisabeth Elliot on Right Thinking

10/7/2015

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For several years now the idea of a Stronghold developing in the life of a Christians has and is receiving much press, reams of theological debate and oceans of misunderstanding.

Recently a Brother Clergyman asked me if I thought that “Strongholds” were demonic in origin or if they are out of control thoughts and emotions. My answer surprised him for my reply was a simple, yes.

He assumed that such thoughts would be the result of Rosemary’s Baby type, but hadn’t factored the fallen nature of the race, nor regarded the condemnation of evil thoughts by the bulk of scripture. Notice what God said about this in just a few of many verses:

Genesis 6:5 “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Matthew 9:4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?”

Mt 15:19 "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

James gives the progression of enslaving thoughts in James 1:15 “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”

A giant of the faith in our generation was the late Elisabeth Elliot, who stated,

“Spiritual strongholds begin with a thought. One thought becomes a consideration. A consideration develops into an attitude, which leads then to action. Action repeated becomes a habit, and a habit establishes a "power base for the enemy," that is, a stronghold.”

This dear saint was right in harmony with the scripture on this. Thoughts are so common to most humans that I often feel that we pastors should do a lot more of it. Being captivated by rhetoric is not thought as many imagine. That thoughts are a two edged sword is obvious and we have no biblical bases for blaming our thoughts on the Devil. To be sure he desires to control our thoughts, but he must do this with our permission. Notice the method Paul uses to defeat Satan’s’ purposes:

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.”

It is clear that we are held accountable for our thoughts and we must make a choice in the type of thought, which carry ideas, we are going to bask in during our times of meditation. Hey, the choice really is yours.

Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly

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Overcoming the Great Killer of Achievement

10/4/2015

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Too many times over the course of my life journey I have permitted an age old excuse to stifle my hopes and dreams. It is one excuse that is clothed in near celebrity status and otherwise intelligent people quote as though Moses brought it down from Mt. Sinai. Others refer to it as the Isle of Someday, as though it were some tropical paradise. One phrase that in effect means the same as the ones so far given is real deal breaker. I’m sure you have heard and most likely used it. I will do such and such when my ship comes in.

The solution to overcoming this plan for accomplishing nothing in life is clearly expressed by Richard Evans. Note and think about this truth:

“Don’t let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.”

The wealth of truth in this statement by Richard Evans is incalculable Most people wish to achieve far more than they ever actually do. The wish is often hidden behind the above phrases and men and women find a sense of comfort in knowing that if this or that would change, they would in fact launch out to accomplish a dream, a goal, etc. The trouble is when their ship comes in, if it ever does, they will be at the airport.

One of my lifelong friends recently walked on. (An Indian way of expressing death). When we were kids growing up in a less than an ideal situation he wanted to make a million bucks. A man who had served our country with valor in WWII and lived in a squalid little house, even though he was awarded the Purple Heart, gave my friend good advice. His words to my friend set a poor boy on his way to fortune by telling him to take the little money he was using to buy tickets for the Irish Sweepstakes (The largest lottery of the time, $25,000) and buy penny stocks. He further said “Find out what you would need to know to be able to determine what a good investment looks like.” Well, my friend did that and more. In a neighborhood, dominated by shacks, he grew to manhood and over the years made a good living by simply buying low and selling high. This is not as simple as it sounds. He left several million for his children.

Here’s the point, if God has put a serious desire into your heart, don’t fiddle your life away waiting for the winning ticket. What is it you want to do, to be? More than a few years ago a man came to talk with me about being a pilot. He was going to work on this someday. He had very little money and could never afford an airplane. I pointed out that if he really wanted to become a pilot, he should invest a few dollars in a simple logbook, a flashlight, a circular computer and a Third Class Medical, all of which in those days would cost about $50. He got the idea. Think of the simplest things you are going to need, and get them. This serves as motivation to take the next step and then the following ones as able. He is now a retired airline pilot!

Paul summed this idea up very well in Philippians 3:13, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly

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