I’ve been going through more and more church bulletins for a project I’m doing. I ran across this statement in a bulletin:

“What you are about to read is for me. You are welcome to read it, but do not be surprised if it doesn’t mean anything to you. ”
Joey Davis
November 14, 1993

It is interesting that someone would write a bulletin article simply for himself. Much like how I write things for this webpage. I write for myself and not simply for my readers. That statement was made on his 7th bulletin article. Maybe it was meant for the rest of his hundreds of bulletin articles. Maybe Joey was blogging before it was known as blogging. Simply a public journal in the pages of a church bulletin. Telling stories about his life, his family, growing up…etc.
Of course at one point or another it was meant to build up, to encourage others, to impart some type of Biblical meaning.. If by telling stories of one’s life it tends to encourage others, then so be it. He had a good job if he gets paid to blog.

A handful of the kids in my Bible class seem to be asking alot of questions about cussing. Like why is it wrong….or is this type of cussing wrong to say. Things like that. I have a feeling I’ll have to address it sooner or later. I’m thinking a special topic class is in order for this type of thing. We’ll have to forgo our current topic of Matthew to handle this.
If anything this is the time in their lives where they are exposed more and more to bad language. I can remember in elementary school rarely hearing a cuss word. Sure we had potty mouth conversations, but never really hard hitting cuss words that would get bleeps out on the Disney Channel. Then moving on to 7th grade, bad language seemed to be all over the place. Out in the open, so it seems. Being around that type of thing, some people tend to immerse themselves in that type of environment and slowly become accustomed to cussing. It begins to become almost second nature to some people (the Osbornes).
Personally I’m not enormously offended by cussing, possibly because I am exposed to it so often in today’s media. Although I’d rather not be around it. Cuss words are a form of vernacular for people who can’t think of a better way of expressing themselves. That’s all.

I remember the time when our former minister, Joey Davis mentioned U2, Green Day, and INXS in his church bulletin article. I’m sure most people don’t even know what INXS is. I wasn’t even sure Joey knew who INXS was. Here’s the article.

December 31, 1995
They play their music too loud. Some of theIr hairstyles are “socially unacceptable.” They loiter at the mall. They listen to music groups named things like… U2, Boyz II Men, Green Day, INXS, and, my personal favorite…Hootie and the Blowfish. (I had a buddy in school that we nicknamed Hootie, but that’s another story for another day).
From looking at their outside appearances, it would be pretty easy to make a statement like, “the younger generation is going to ‘H-E-double hockey sticks’ in a hand basket!” However, before we come to that conclusion, take a walk with me down memory lane……If I were a gambler, it would be a safe bet that some of you within the sound of my pecking have…danced the ‘Charleston,’ cruised Shoneys, drag raced, worn a hairstyle your parents didn’t approve of, or paid to see Elvis Presley shake his pelvis, wearing an Evil Kneivel outfit and singing You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hound Dog.
I still listen to loud music, sometimes. When people see my senior pictures they all say the same thing, “Look at all that hair. ” I have seen Bootsie and his Rubber Band in concert, loitered in parking lots, laughed too loud in public places, and even tore the tag off of a mattress once, knowing full well that I was risking federal prosecution. And that’s just the things that I’ll admit!
My point is: by the providence of almighty God, and the aid of good role models, you and I made it through adolescence. So will they.
To illustrate my point, I’d like to tell you about a group of teenaged girls in our congregation. They begged their Bible School teacher to let them adopt a child for Christmas. Then begged for another one. They were given two children to adopt as their little “angels.” When all was said . and done, it took two trips to deliver the gifts that these young Christian ladies gave their angels…one car couldn’t hold it all!
My guess is that most of these girls have listened to loud music, cruised the mall once (or wanted to), and listened to Hootie and the Blowfish. However, the Spirit of Christ still dwells within them prohibiting them from holding back their love and compassion from those who aren’t as materially blessed.
So, the next time you hear someone declare that the younger generation is a hopeless waste of skin, remind them of ‘the Charleston’, Elvis, and cruising Shoneys. If that doesn’t work, tell . them about some teenaged girls who have the capacity to love those they don’t even know, while living in an society of selfishness and excess. That should do the trick! If it doesn’t…offer them some hay, because they’re probably just an ‘old goat!’

Growing up church of Christ…
Means never seeing a complete Super Bowl. I have never watched a complete Superbowl. Just basically the coin toss and a few plays. Then off to PM services at church. Afterwards I might see part of the halftime show, then the 2nd half of the game. I never could figure out why the NFL plans Superbowls on a night when many people are out at church. They could set it at 2PM and more people might be able to watch it. Then again, probably more people are home on Sunday nights than any other.
Then again I never could figure out why the Superbowl is so popular. Unless it is your home team, the game is somewhat less exciting. People tell me that I’m supposed to like the Superbowl and that I’m supposed to watch it. Yet I’m not as excited about it as I should be.
Come to think of it, I never have been a sports person. My parents would have relished me going into little league when I was but a wee child, but I preferred non-athletic stuff. Given their interest in collegiate and pro sporting events, they must have been disappointed, but they’d never admit it. Given the choice between brains and brawn, I’d take brains any day.
But I digress. Years ago when I was in college they’d give away $100 to a random student at the basketball games. I’d rarely go to the game. But since there was always a chance that I could win, I would listen to the game on the radio, then head down to McQuiddy gymnasium at halftime for the scheduled big money giveaway. If the student wasn’t there the money would rollover to the next game. It got up pretty high one time. Maybe $1000. Then Lipscomb got smart and started picking random times to give away the money (not at halftime). I never won any either way.

I’ve found I really enjoy teaching the kids on Wednesday nights. I really feel like I am getting through to them. Tonight they were great. They seemed to be listening, or at least being quiet. Hopefully I taught them something they’ll be able to use later in life. Matthew 9 was the text tonight. I tried to emphasize the part about Jesus picking Matthew, a tax collector to follow him. The Gospel is for everyone, not just those with glamorous jobs or rich lifestyles. And the kids seemed to be interested in how wineskins were made.
We have a tradition in class of asking for prayer requests; writing them on the board; and then getting one of the boys to lead us in a prayer. Since we have so few boys in the class, we tend to ask the same boys to pray over and over again. I’m trying to get the ones who haven’t ever prayed, to do it. I think I’m getting through. I never really twist their arms, but I’m pretty obvious with them that they are going to have to lead us in prayer before the end of the year, or I’ll be disappointed.
Sometimes I get discouraged with the teaching aspect. Somehow I’ve got to shrug off others opinions and keep going. Teaching class is possibly the most important thing I do all week – the thing with the most long lasting results, if done correctly.

Solo piloted the class tonight. They always seem to ask those “what if…” questions. This time was “Did the Aztecs go to hell?” I really don’t know. And that’s what I told them. I’m not their judge. I just emphasized that the Bible says that those who go to heaven are the ones who do the commandments contained in the Bible. Honestly I don’t know how far God’s grace will cover those who have never been given the opportunity to hear the Gospel. I guess that’s why missionaries are important.
Anyways I think I’m getting better at teaching. In many ways I enjoy it. I like to get my point across and try to teach them things that I wish I knew when I was their age. And it isn’t very difficult. You just have to put yourself in their shoes…and use analogies that they would understand. I try to stay hip on what they’re into these days. Most of the time it’s mentioning stuff like Xbox and junk like that. I really don’t know what they’re into. But Xbox is a safe bet.

I caught last night’s King of the Hill. Good stuff. In this episode Bobby joins a Christian youth group, which happens to be a bunch of skateboarders. Initially Hank encourages it. However later on, when Hank sees that this group doesn’t fit into what he is expecting, he discourages it.
Some interesting quotes from the show:

[Hank is dropping Bobby off at the church youth group.]
Bobby: I can’t believe you’re making me do this. It’s so uncool.
Hank: You know what’s not cool, Bobby? Hell.
Peggy: Maybe it’s just me. But I’d rather Bobby be in a Christian gang than one of those murdering gangs.

Bobby: [saying grace] I want to give a shout out to the man that makes it all happen. Props be to You for this most bountiful meal that sits before us. Ok check it. God you got skills. You represent in these vegetables and in this napkin and in the dirt that grows the grain that makes the garlic breadsticks that are on this table today. Yes! Yes!
Hank: Ok Bobby, God appreciates the support, but I’m sure He wouldn’t want the pot roast to get cold. Now let’s wrap it up.
Bobby: Sure thing. Thanks J-man. Peace!
Hank: [to Pastor K] Can’t you see you’re not making Christianity better. You’re making Rock-n-Roll worse.

Hank: [to Bobby, after showing him a box of out of style fads] I know you think that stuff you’re doing now is cool. But in a few years you’re gonna think its lame. And I don’t want the Lord to end up in this box.

It was interesting watching Hank’s reaction to all of this. I’m pretty familiar with this type of new way of getting youth interested in Christianity. It’s not necessarily always a bad thing. Youth ministers need to be able to present Christian lessons using relevant language and life applications. I think you can take it to extremes (hence Bobby’s less-than-reverent prayer).
And like Hank, I do feel that many times these Contemporary Christian artists are not making Christianity better. They are making Rock-in-Roll worse. I believe in a certain amount of reverence for worship and praise. Not in the concert and mosh pit type atmosphere presented in some Christian Rock concerts.
I am concerned that some of this new style of trying to be trendy with Christianity will only backfire. Soon kids will see Christianity as a passing fad and will not have root in it. Basic understanding and reverence for God will keep this from happening.

We’re in the process of appointing new elders at church. The elders are a group of older men who make decisions in regards to church management. Being somewhat familiar with life as a elder’s kid I want to offer this advice to any elder’s kid.
It can mean good benefits. You will always have an understanding ear in church issues, without necessarily scheduling a formal meeting with the elders. See something you like or dislike at church? Mention it to your father.
You will be scrutinized more often then you should. Or at least you’ll feel like you’re being judged. In reality probably many people don’t know or don’t care that you’re an elder’s kid. Keep doing what you’re doing. Remember, your father wasn’t put in this position because of bad behavior of you. If you sin, ask for forgiveness and move on. Elder’s kids aren’t immune from sin. You or your family might be considered high profile and therefore any of your blemishes might seem magnified for some. “Well, he’s an elder’s kid….” might be said about you in regards to anything you might have done.
The behavior of an elder’s kid should be the behavior of any Christian. The only difference is that the good behavior of an elder’s kid is specifically mentioned in the Bible as a prerequesite for appointing eldership. See Titus 1:6 and 1 Timothy 3:4-5.
You will hear “Tell Your Dad about this” more often than you want. There may be a handful of misled people who will want to become friends with you primarily because they want a close ear to the church leadership. It’s your job to determine whether or not their offer of friendship is genuine. 99% of the time people are genuine.
You will tend to see your father less often after and before church, simply because of the overabundance of meetings. Your father will have to keep things from you in regards to church decisions. Stop being nosy and move on.

I loaded spam at the Disaster Relief warehouse today. Honestly we really had too many people there. Lots of people were standing around doing not much of anything. What the Disaster Relief Org needs is cash now. Donations. Normally they have plenty of people helping, although I’ve been up there when we were running short of labor.
The spam was the off brand of spam. Treet. “Premium Pork.” Japanese lettering on some of them. I guess if you have nothing, you’d probably appreciate the spam, even though it might not be the first thing you’d pick up at the grocery. It was the meat staple in the box. We put 6 cans each in the box. Normally there is less spam, but we had no Vienna canned sausages, so hence the increase in spam.
And today is the first time in a long time I’ve felt chilly going outside. Fall is here. Autumn is coming, seems like it’s in sight, to borrow a line from the Gin Blossoms.

I had a letter written up which I was planning on sending. But the power must have went out while I was gone, so maybe it wasn’t meant to be sent.
It has been a tough week for me. Some of this is imagined. Other things are real. I won’t bother to go into specifics. In times like these I should probably look at Bible verses which deal with this.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:1 KJV
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Luke 12:25