Dec 06

Tim Tebow is…

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I’m a Tennessee Vols fan, always have been and always will be (even during seasons like 2011). As a Tennessee fan there are certain teams that I am not a fan of. For instance, I’m not a South Carolina or Georgia fan. I want the Vols to beat them every year. However, there are two teams Tennessee plays every year that I like even less than the two mentioned above. Those teams are Florida and Alabama. Being a Vols fan, means strongly disliking these two schools since they are probably our two biggest rivals. Tennessee may not win 9-10 games a season, but if they can beat Florida and Alabama that season is a success.

Recently, I have found myself cheering for Florida. Well, not for Florida exactly, but one of Florida’s former players. Tim Tebow may be the greatest player to have ever worn a Florida uniform. During his time at Florida let’s just say I wasn’t his biggest fan. After all, he and his team beat my Vols all 4 years he played there. However, now that he’s not beating my team every year (although Florida still is), I see Tim Tebow differently. I see him as someone I respect.

Tim Tebow is one of my favorite players in the NFL. It’s not because he is a winner on the field (although the Denver Broncos are 6-1 with him as their starting quarterback), but because of the manner in which this young man conducts himself. He is not arrogant, he is not flashy, he is not a dirty player, he is not obsessed with himself, he is not someone with a foul mouth, he is not someone who parties, he is not someone who experiments with substance abuse, he is not someone who gets in trouble for his off the field issues and he is not someone who is going to make excuses. Tim Tebow is none of these things.

Tim Tebow is a team player, he is a leader, he is an encourager, he is a motivator, he is hard working, he is determined, he is tough and he is a light. I am a fan of Tim Tebow, not because of what he does on the field every week, but because of what he stands for, both on and off the field each week. Although, I do not agree with him on some doctrinal issues, I admire and respect Tim Tebow because he is willing to stand up for his belief in God and face the scrutiny that comes with it. Every week more and more people speak out against Tim and the way he openly professes his faith. Yet, each week, he continues to let his light shine to those around him. I wished more of us who professed to be Christians were willing to stand up and stand out the same way he does. Tim Tebow is not afraid of what others think. He seems only to be concerned with being a light for the Lord he loves.

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).

Friends, you and I can learn a little something from Tim Tebow. Why not heed the words of Jesus and be a bright shinning light for him?

Now that’s Something to Think About!

 

Nov 30

The Best Deal In Town

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Another Black Friday has come and gone and the only thing left are empty pockets. According to a recent poll, Black Friday spending was up significantly from  the previous two years. A lot of this probably had to do with the sales that many companies were promoting. Everything from fabrics and clothes to toys and electronics were on sale over the Thanksgiving weekend. Many shoppers were willing to go all out and to line up outside their favorite stores in the early evening on Thanksgiving Day, hoping to be one of the first to find the best deals and save big.

I like great deals just as much as the next person, just not enough to endure the craziness of Black Friday. In fact, the best deal in town is not found on Black Friday anyway. Instead, the best deal in town can be found all day, every day, 365 days out of the year without all the madness. The best deal in town is the deal that God offers us. He offers us everlasting life, endless bliss, joy over heartache and pain. God offers us salvation, and there is no better deal than that! Nothing we could ever buy on Black Friday is a better offer than the offer God has made us.

My question to you is very simple, “Are you willing to go all out and do whatever you have to for the offer God has made you?”  It’s the offer of a lifetime! Why not take hold of that offer today? Why not tell your friends about the great deal that God is offering? We all know everyone is looking to score the best deal in town and in the end, the person who accepts God’s offer will save big!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Now That’s Something to Think About!

 

 

Nov 23

What I’m Thankful For

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We are only a few hours away from Thanksgiving Day so I thought I would list some of the things that I’m thankful for. Outside of the top 10, these are in no particular order.

1. God

2. Salvation

3. My beautiful wife Miranda

4. My first child that will be born in  January – I can’t wait to be a dad 🙂

5. My Family who helped make me the man I am today

6. The measure of health God has blessed me with

7. The Church Jesus purchased with His blood

8. The Bible

9. Church family at Karns who treats me not as a minister, but as a part of their family

10. Friends (past and present)

11. My  Job

12. The amazing young people I am privileged to work with on a daily basis

13. Working under a tremendous eldership who loves the Lord, loves the people and continues to love and support me even when I make mistakes

14. Freedom (both physical and spiritual)

15. The wonderful roof over my head which Miranda and I (along with baby Morton) call home

16. The ability to read and write

17. Education

18. America

19. Being raised in a godly, Christian home

20. The people who have invested time in me along the way

21. Books that inspire, challenge and educate me

22. The many clothes I have to wear

23. The food I have to eat even when I don’t need to eat 🙂

24. Abilities God has given me

25. Teachers who challenged me to always dig deeper

26. Grandparents who loved and still love me

27. Parents who, outside of my wife, are my biggest supporters

28. My in-laws who treat me as they would their own son

29. The relationships I’ve made over the course of my time in ministry

30. The young people I have met and worked with at camps, retreats and youth rallies over the years

31. The Christian examples I have learned from over the years

32. The challenges I have faced that have made me turn to God

33. Sports which allow me the opportunity for some down time

34. The ability to think and reason so that I am able to choose for myself

35. Every physical, material and spiritual blessing God has richly blessed me with

I could go on and on, but I will stop here because I’m sure you get the point. We all have so much in our lives to be thankful for. Let’s not take our blessings for granted, but always give God the praise and glory He is due.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17).

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Nov 17

God Doesn’t Throw In The Towel

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The college football season is almost over, and once again many fans all across the nation have already given up on their team for this season. They have witnessed all the loses they can take and have moved on to something besides college football. Honestly, I’m about to that point myself. Watching our team struggle week in and week out is beyond frustrating for the fan base. I have listened to a number of fans call in to the local sports talk show and vent time and time again. I have heard more than one caller state their intention to throw in the towel and hope next year is better.

One day as I was driving home from the office listening to another fan’s extreme anger, I began to think about how many people are willing to give up on a team, friend, or family member. Many times we give up on others because we can’t watch them struggle and make one bad decision after another. Eventually, we throw in the towel and give up on that person or group of people. If you have not done this yourself, you probably know someone who has. It’s prevalent in our society today.

As I began thinking about this, it hit me; God is the exact opposite of us when it comes to giving up on people. We are the kind of people who eventually give up on those who struggle and make mistakes.  We get frustrated or angry and simply quit. God is the kind of God who never gives up on those who struggle and make mistakes. He remains steadfast and true to them. Take Peter for instance: how many times did Peter struggle and mess up? Well, you had the time he rebuked Jesus openly, the time he took his eyes off Jesus, the time he denied Jesus in the presence of His enemies, the time…I think you get the point. Peter was the kind of person who you and I probably would give up on over time. Eventually, we would get to the point where we think Peter is hopeless, kind of the way I feel about my favorite football team this season. However, God is not that way. God never throws in the towel on His children.

Peter was the apostle chosen to stand at the forefront on the Day of Pentecost and preach to the people (Acts 2). Peter was the apostle chosen to deal with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5). Peter was the apostle chosen to carry the gospel message to the Gentile nation (Acts 10). Peter was one of only three apostles chosen by Jesus to go with Him into the inner part of the garden while He prayed (Matt. 26). In spite of all his blunders and mistakes, God never once gave up on Peter or said, “Maybe he will be better next year.” God continually supported Peter and waited on him to turn things around.

Perhaps, instead of throwing in the towel on my favorite team at this point, what my team really needs is a fan that isn’t going to throw in the towel. Maybe, just maybe, what they need is a fan who is there to support them even in the midst of such struggles, waiting for them to turn the corner onto something better. If this college football season has taught me anything, it has taught me the need to learn patience for the struggles and failures of myself and others.

Peter said, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Peter would have understood God’s patience toward mankind perhaps better than anyone! I’m thankful we serve a God who never throws in the towel on His children, no matter how much we struggle or mess up.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Nov 08

Reflections On Our Fall Youth Retreat

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Last weekend our young people and several adults spent the weekend in Pigeon Forge studying about the Great I Am. We had a wonderful weekend praising God as well as spending time enjoying each other’s company. This past week I spent some time reflecting on our weekend together and the things I learned. I thought I would share some of these with you.

This past weekend I learned how awesome our young people are. I mean, I already knew this, but it was great to be reminded of it in such a profound way. Our periods of worship were very uplifting and heartfelt. The singing was fantastic and everyone’s attention to the lessons presented were unmatched by any group I have ever been around. I was reminded of how blessed we are here at Karns to have such amazing teenagers. I am truly blessed to be able to work with this fine group of young people.

I also learned how much our adults and parents care for our youth. Sending your kids on this retreat showed how much you care about them.  It showed that you are invested in the spiritual well-being of your children. However, the care and concern this congregation has for young people also was seen in the number of chaperones willing to help with the weekend. We had a good number go and help serve in so many ways. I was reminded of why God placed emphasis on the older men and women teaching those who are younger (Tit. 2). Our young people need to see adults who exemplify Christ in their actions.

One of the things I was reminded of that most people may not realize is that the hearts of young people are tender. Time and time again, I witnessed the tender hearts of our young people in action. I watched as they cried together, hugged each other and rejoiced with one another (Rom. 12:15). People who think young people do not care about others or the message of the Gospel have got it all wrong. They care tremendously. The impact the Gospel can have on their lives is evident in our teens. Young people have such tender hearts!

I am grateful to all the young people and adults who attended the retreat. Each one helped contribute to a wonderful and uplifting experience. I know last weekend was a blessing for me. I hope the same can be said for all those who attended after they take time to reflect upon our weekend serving God together.

Now that’s Something to Think About!