Chris Carter, Pastor Blackburn Chapel BC

“Cucumber’s Anyone”

2010-02-03T12:59:00.000-06:00

We read something in Numbers 11 that is not original due to the Israelites disobedience and groaning throughout Exodus, but is recorded for the first time in Numbers. Num. 11:1 says, “Soon the people began to complain”. What was the basis for their protest; hardship. It does not say exactly what all the hardships were that they whined about but we are told shortly of one of the possibilities. They were tired of the manna that was being provided daily for their consumption. This manna required preparation. They did not just go collect it and immediately eat it. They had to make it into flour, mix it, and prepare it into cakes in order to eat it. But the work was not the complaint; it was that they had meat, cucumbers, vegetables and all the “best” foods “in Egypt”.

Moses then goes into a rant before God. Hear what he said Numbers 11:11&12 (NLT)

11 “And Moses said to the Lord, “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? 12 Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land You swore to give their ancestors?” He then concludes in verse 15, “If this is how You are going to treat me, just go ahead and kill me.”

I cannot imagine being God in this situation. On one hand you have a group of very disobedient, childlike, objectors to the very nutrition you delivered to them. On the other, a stressed out, overworked, leader that has gone postal and desired to be put out of his misery. What do you do? My people pleasing personality would just want everyone to be happy and just do whatever needs to be done to make that happen, but God had a different plan. He wanted them to see His power. Here comes my favorite part, Numbers 11:23 (NLT) 23 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Has My arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not My word comes true!”

There is a NT verse that comes to mind when I read that, Philippians 2:10 (NLT)

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. My desire is that we not see the hand of God under the circumstances of Israel, which is disobedience, but that we desire to see that power and His word fulfilled through obedience to Him. There will be times we don’t get what we want, and there will be times of stress, but let us willingly bow before Jesus in every situation in our life and see what He will do through His power.

Becoming Cupid

2010-02-01T12:28:00.002-06:00

In a dream I had a short while ago,

The winds of love upon my face began to blow.

I opened my eyes and began to glare,

At what it was that caused the current of air.

Many thoughts flooded my wee little mind,

As I rose from the bed desperate to find,

Whatever this was that made me feel this way,

I am hoping to find and ask it to stay.

Through the door down the hall I did go,

Stepping on something I saw it was a bow.

Though it seem to be wood by which it was refined,

The string had a song that was soft and kind.

Stooped swiftly to pick up and to my surprise,

It girded itself on my torso as I began to rise.

To the stairs I was drawn like the current of the river,

Looking to the bottom I noticed a quiver.

With every step closer I approached,

Like an athlete I was being coached.

Thoughts and direction on how to worship and care,

Change my mind as closer I drew just one more stair.

I reached out to grab the object that held,

An endless number of darts awaiting to be mailed.

I began to examine closely the item I got,

Over my shoulder it went securing its spot.

Suddenly knowledge flooded my being,

Visions of instruction I began seeing.

I felt power almost like I could fly,

Joy saturated me as I began to cry

I had desires of journeys upon which I could embark

My newfound world was anything but dark.

The masterpiece I became began to fly like a dove

As I truly understood the definition of love.

With a jump I finally awoke from what I dreamed,

Anything but a nightmare is what it seemed.

I understood why this dream to me was give,

As I looked upon my lap instructions on how to live.

The Bible I held to first John was exposed,

When I read the words written I saw the influence while I dozed.

“Let us love one another” is the instruction at hand,

“For God is love” together was it band.

As to other pages I did turn,

Marked before I slept in my memory were burned.

I am being renewed just be changing my mind it does proclaim

Who knows better than Paul about the gospel aim.

One last stop in my journey at this seam

Endless is the reason He gave me this dream

“Go into the world” the Commission was clear

A number of people you will meet only Me you should fear.

No, Cupid is not what became of me,

For I am a child of God for the world to see.

“How to eat an elephant”

2010-01-15T23:18:00.000-06:00

Ever made one of those resolutions that you knew you wouldn’t keep? You set the bar so high that you lose the passion that drove you to make the resolution after the first day. Resolutions such as losing weight, stop smoking, exercising, or reading your Bible more. Don’t get me wrong, even when you fail you still want to lose the weight or get in shape, but the daunting task overwhelms us and drives us to an unrecoverable breaking point. I have had my share.

One little truth about your pastor you may not know, I have never kept a resolution, EVER. I can’t put my finger on the reason, whether it is that I just don’t think they are all that important or I just don’t feel like it, fact still remains I am still unsuccessful. So who on earth am I to be giving advice on keeping these unattainable pledges? What makes me think I have the credentials for recommendation on success? Well I don’t, but I am going to try something a little different this year and maybe we can try it together.

#1 “How do you eat an elephant?” One bite at a time. Before you insert the profound foot in your mouth by starting something you know you cannot finish, why not make the goal small. You know, put one board on at a time, Noah didn’t build the Ark in one day. You want to lose 20 pounds start with 2. You want to read through the Bible, start with one book. Give yourself a reasonable chance at success.

#2 Find people to hold you to your words. Used to when you gave someone your word, man that meant something. But today we say things almost just for lip service. Find others with the same interest as you and work together at it, or maybe make it a competition. Make sure they will support you but also hold you to your word.

You know, I have never heard someone make a resolution that wasn’t worth keeping. I’m sure yours are going to be worth it so put some effort into it and find something that works. I’m going to work hard on mine. Ask me frequently this year how my Bible reading and exercising is going.

Chris

“Merry Christmas”

2009-11-26T10:20:00.002-06:00

Isn’t it amazing how the year passed before our eyes? Seems like we were yesterday putting up the Christmas tree, throwing the wrapping paper away, and preparing for another new year. But here we are Christmas 2009 version. Time to bring the tree out of the attic, fight the crowds at the department stores, and wrap those presents just repeat the last cycle yet again.

There is a commercial airing on television right now of a cute little boy telling the parents essentially to “chill out” and remember what Christmas is about. Though it is a secular view of Christmas it stands to reason. I think sometimes we get lost in all that goes on during the events that surround such an amazing day. Gift buying and things alike are fun. The thought of the kids tearing that paper that you spent time and money on is exciting to you and them. And the eating, OH HOW GREAT IS THAT? Family and friends, times of remembering, get togethers, these truly are amazing things for this time of year. But please don’t get lost in them.

Think back for a moment to that first monumental day to which Christ was born. The census itself was enough to take all their thoughts, but then you throw in the idea of travel, especially when you’re expecting a Child, finding a room to stay as every place was full, trying to get comfortable in a barn with animals, delivery of that Child, shepherds, stars, angels, man you talk about being able to get lost in events. Yet Mary at one point among all the chaos is recorded as doing something amazing. I get the picture of her looking down into our infant Saviors eyes and the Bible says this about her response to all the bedlam, “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Kind of sounds like an example we should follow.

Let us take that little boys advise from TV and apply it to this Christmas, “chill out”. By doing so I think we can make this the best Christmas ever for our family and ourselves. Take a minute this year, or perhaps even better, a full day, and remember why we celebrate Christmas.

“Good Morning”

2009-10-27T08:54:00.001-05:00

It’s hard getting up in the morning for some. Just the thought of an early morning gives them a headache. After reading this excerpt though I will rarely look at mornings the same again.

Steve Gallimore writes, “Dr. W. A Criswell, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas Texas, said on one occasion on an airplane flight he found himself seated beside a well-known theologian. He desperately wanted to start a conversation and they did get to talk. The man told Dr. Criswell about how he had recently lost his little boy through death. Dr. Criswell listened as he told his story: He said he had come home from school with a fever and we thought it was just one of those childhood things, but it was a very virulent form of meningitis. The doctor said we cannot save your little boy. He'll die. And so this seminary professor, loving his son as he did, sat by the bedside to watch this death vigil.

It was the middle of the day, and the little boy whose strength was going from him and whose vision and brain was getting clouded said, "Daddy, it's getting dark isn't it?" The professor said to his son, "Yes son it is getting dark, very dark." Of course it was very dark for him. He said, "Daddy, I guess it's time for me to go to sleep isn't it?" He said, "Yes, son, it's time for you to go to sleep."

The professor said the little fellow had a way of fixing his pillow just so, and putting his head on his hands when he slept and he fixed his pillow like that and laid his head on his hands and said, "Good night, Daddy. I will see you in the morning." He then closed his eyes in death and stepped over into heaven.

Dr. Criswell said the professor didn't say anymore after that. He just looked out the window of that airplane for a long time. Then he turned back and he looked at Dr. Criswell with the scalding tears coming down his cheeks and he said, "Dr. Criswell, I can hardly wait till the morning."

You see the morning is coming. And we will see our loved ones. That's what Jesus is saying, "The gates of hell, the gates of DEATH, shall not prevail against the church!" Let us too look for the morning.

"Rain Rain Go Away"

2009-09-17T14:49:00.004-05:00

I love summertime. Sunshine, blue skies and the smell of fresh cut lawns coupled with slices of juicy homegrown tomatoes and fresh brewed sweet tea. It really doesn’t get any better than that. But as I look outside at the effects of a stubborn low pressure system that continues to plague the blue skies with clouds of gray, and stumps the sun rays with showers of drizzle, it takes me back to the children’s poem that echo’s my desire in my gloomy state at this present time. In my curiosity I did some investigating and according to rhymes.org this is a catchy sonnet that began around the mid to late 1500’s during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The original went something like this,
“Rain rain go away,Come again another day.Little Johnny wants to play;Rain, rain, go to Spain,Never show your face again!”
Interesting how we view things that block our vision from seeing the things we desire. Rain is nutrition for nature, without it we could not have that refreshing tea or juicy tomato, yet we find ourselves wishing it away.
Job speaking to his “supportive” wife said, “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” There are times in our life where like Job we go through some pretty obscure things. This low pressure area clouds our view and follows us around raining on our desire. Is God really being mean during these times, or is He, like the rain, providing nutrition for our souls so that we may really enjoy the fullness of those fruits and the sweetness of His provisions? I think we know the answer to that question. The Bible says, “everything good is from above”. Though the rain in your life is hard to bear and brings a little discomfort to your daily activity, remember God knows it is raining but He also knows why and one thing I know for sure it’s for our good.

Consider the Ant

2009-08-25T17:23:00.001-05:00

I have recently been amazed by one of the pests that for so long I have tried to get rid of. They bother me, get into my house, crawl on me, make eating a picnic at the park frustrating at best, and when they are big and red, THEY STING! Companies have for years made money on ways to fulfill my task of extermination. Whether by granules, sprays, or poisons they have given ways to take care of the infamous picnic pirates. Why did God make these pesky pestilences? How did they get on the Ark anyway? Surely they bothered Noah too, and if not him maybe one of his children.
All joking aside, I liken the ant to those guys in the gym we used to call “meat heads”. Muscles abound from every fragment of their body, and if you can put it on the bar, these guys can lift it. There have been times when I would see an object floating across the ground seemingly suspended in air, and after further examination I would realize it was an ant carrying something that is twice its size. By looking at them they do not look that strong, but God designed them better than any earthly engineer could.
Not only are they good workers, but they are good caretakers as well. None in the colony go hungry. They continually clean the eggs and larva so to keep bacteria away, also they keep each other clean as well. From the queen to the worker they maintain, clean, and supply each other with their efforts.
Many of the 11,000 species of ants will produce individuals to go out to produce new colonies. According to Encarta Encyclopedia one of the sisters to the queen will either be carried or will fly to a new place and there create a new colony. Sounds like something that we as churches have been instructed to do.
I don’t think Solomon had as much information about the ant when he wrote Proverbs 6:6 “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise”, but in his great wisdom, he knew that they were something we should imitate. God made us to carry more than we think we can, he gave us abilities to care and maintain not only those in our families but others as well, and finally we should be about making disciples by proclaiming the truth found only in Christ. Today, consider the ant, let us see if we cannot make a great colony for the Lord.

“Here’s where the rubber meets the road”

2009-07-29T10:48:00.000-05:00

You can get several years and miles out of a good tire. But no matter how good, the fact still remains that sooner or later you will have to replace that tire. If a tire never wears out it is because you are not using it. The reason why we have to replace tires you ask, it’s because the rubber meets the road. The more it meets the road the more it wears down.
Bet you thought you would never hear a spiritual application based on tire use. But here we go. Sometimes we as Christians are like that tire that is never used. Purchased a long time ago with a considerable cost, but we just set in the driveway collecting weather cracks. On the other hand there are some that like to be used, up and down the spiritual journey, back and forth on the heavenly highway. We stand in amazement at these because to our surprise they don’t wear out, kind of like the shoes of the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. They keep going like the energizer bunny. Strength is theirs; desire to see God’s will accomplished in their life runs through them like steel belts. Sad really, but they are an extremely rare group.
Rare, yes, but this is not a recent problem. It is not one that is limited to the modern church as we know it. This unused tire has been going on for centuries. Jesus going about doing things and miracles never seen before, healings that were mind boggling at best, came to a point and shined a light on the crippled religious system in Matt 9:36-38, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’”
Can you hear the heartbreak in Christ? Looking at His creation of people He breathed life into, being scattered with no shepherd to look after them, and then in conclusion to His pain He says “the laborers are few”. What is your story? Where does your rubber meet the road of God? Where are you working; or are you working at all. Let us labor in this church for Him until Him we see. Find your spot and see the blessing of rejuvenation in your life.