April 21, 2009

Number16

VIEWPOINT

The downpour Sunday evening reminded us how beneficial the heavy rains and frequent showers have been this spring.  What a relief to see some reversal in our long period of drought! 

In addition to filling the lakes and rivers, however, the water spotlighted a problem of a different sort.  During the last year, our gutters had filed up with leaves, pine needles and debris of all kinds.  From the driveway or the yard, everything looked fine.  But when we noticed water pouring over the gutters, instead of flowing down the choked downspout, we knew there was a problem! 

Cleaning out the gutters didn’t come a day too soon.  Not only were there pine cones beginning to sprout, the bottom of the trough held an inch or so of accumulated sediment.  

Later, as the sun filtered through the clouds and painted the horizon with orange and red, there was an opportunity to reflect on the entire adventure.  The words of an old saying now make more sense:  “If you want to clear the stream, get the hog out of the spring.”

How many of us are like those cluttered eaves?  From the street level we look pretty good.  We smile in the parking lot Sunday mornings.  We know the words to the hymns.  We even put generous offerings into the contribution basket.  But from up above, from God’s vantage point, are things just as pretty?

He sees the clutter.  He knows our secret motivations, our inner thoughts, our sinful desires – the very  things  that  keep  us from ex-

periencing the joy of channeling His love to those around us. 

Frequently there is nothing like a storm to make us aware of our need for God’s mercy and cleansing.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).  Wilbert McLeod said, “Revival is God’s finger pointed right at me.” 

As we respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading by seeking God’s forgiveness, He only cleans the debris of sin from our lives.  He also prepares us to be useful instruments in reaching others with the good news of the gospel of Christ.  I hope all of us will be channels of life-giving water to those around us. 

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            Have you heard anybody complain that the Bible is “too hard to understand”?  Paula recently received this message from our friend Carolyn Mitchell in Tennessee.  It’s called the “Tennessee Ten Commandments.”  The opening explanation speaks for itself: 

“Some people have trouble with all those ‘shall’s’ and ‘shall not’s’ in the Ten commandments. Most folks just aren’t used to talking in those terms.

“So, some folks in middle Tennessee got together and translated the ‘King James’ into ‘Jackson County’ language.  The “Hillbilly’s Ten Commandments” are posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Gainesboro, Tennessee.

(1)                Just one God.

(2)                Put nothin’ before God.

(3)                Watch yer mouth.

(4)                Git yourself to Sunday meetin’.

(5)                Honor yer Ma & Pa.

(6)                No killin’.

(7)                No foolin’ around with another fellow’s gal.

(8)                Don’t take what ain’t yers.

(9)                No tellin’ tales or gossipin’.

(10)               Don’t be hankerin’ for yer buddy’s stuff.

“Now that’s kinda plain an’ simple, don’t ya think?  Y’all have a nice day.  Amen!”

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I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word.  RA

The world says, “The more you take, the more you have.” Christ says, “The more you give, the more you are.”   Frederick Buechner