Attention to Detail Really Matters

by Barrett Vanlandingham

September 27, 2011

            To say the least, I am not a mechanical genius. Just a few days ago I yanked and pulled to start my push mower, but to no avail.  “What could possibly be the problem,” I asked myself.

            Then, I remembered a simple solution I learned as a kid when my mini-bike became difficult to start.  At age six, my dad had taught me how to remove and clean a spark plug.  Most of the time that fixed it.  And guess what? It worked this time, too.

            For some reason, it was amazing to me all over again that such a small thing as a clean sparkplug could make such a huge difference in how an entire lawnmower operated!  I was so happy, I turned off the mower and re-started it three more times just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke!  Immediately, I thought to myself how true this is to anything in life.  Just getting back to the basics and making sure all your foundational ducks are in a row can take a frustrating situation, and make it workable.

            In the Old Testament, we’re told about a time when the Lord’s anger burned against his people because they hadn’t obeyed the words written in the “Book of the Law” (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). What’s worse, the book, which had apparently been lost for as many as 400-years, was discovered in the temple while workers were doing repairs!  Can you imagine going to a church building every week to honor the only gods you knew about, not even knowing what Jehovah God expected of you until one day somebody discovers the only copy of God’s word that existed in your country?

Josiah, who was King of Judah at the time (600 B.C.), was known to have done right in the eyes of the Lord.  And when he heard that the book had been found basically right under their noses, he showed great remorse, tearing his robes and ordering his attendants to find out “…what all is written in this book that has been found.” (2 Kings 22:13)

            At that point, Josiah went to the temple, gathered together all the people, and read the Book of the Covenant. That day Josiah and all the people renewed their pledge to keep the Lord’s commands.

            So many times, in the middle of life’s turmoil, when things just aren’t working the way they should, it is easy for us to forget where to turn for real peace and hope, just like the children of Israel forgot.  The solution was always there in God’s word, but no one bothered to study and teach it to their children because idol worship and other detestable practices had become popular and eventually the only thing people knew. Sound familiar?

 In the Gospel of Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  
May we never forget where real truth can be found.  Have a great week!

Homecoming Day for God’s Team Will Bring Victory For Sure 

by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 20 , 2011

Fort Gibson’s homecoming festivities this Friday will no doubt result in many reunions of classmates from past years.  As a minister, I can’t help but make the connection between homecoming and that final Day.

This past week, a good friend to a lot of people in Fort Gibson said good-bye to life here on earth.  94-year old Lloyd Elkins along with his good nature, smiles, and Christian attitude will be greatly missed.  But just like classmates who have graduated and gone on to bigger and better things, Lloyd has too.  Many of us will be excited to see Lloyd and so many other loved ones on the other side when that day comes, the day Christians are re-united with the rest of God’s team.

In John 14:1-4 Jesus comforts his disciples with these words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

According to the Bible, most people live their lives on the broad road that leads to destruction (ref: Matthew 7:13-14).  For those, “Homecoming Day” will not be a joyous occasion.  How awful it would be to hear, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers (Matthew 7:23).”

But for faithful Christians, Paul has this to say in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  Paul is simply saying that as long as he lives on earth, he will live for Jesus, live like Jesus, and live because of Jesus.  And the day he dies, Paul is saying that even death will be victory.  The same applies for faithful Christians today.

Many of us long for the day that we get to re-unite with loved ones who’ve gone on before us.  Yes, the prospect of death is scary to most of us, but only because we tend to be fearful of the unknown.  We would do well to remember these words, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).”  The apostle Peter knew without a doubt that we should build our hopes on Jesus Christ, the Firm Foundation.  He is the only One who has the power to save us from our sins. 

Jesus says in John 14:6, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Those are great words of comfort for those whose sins have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.

As Ananias told the man who would eventually be known as the apostle Paul,  “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his (God’s) name (Acts 22:16).”

Have a blessed homecoming week!

An Act of Kindness Can Fit Inside A Shoebox

by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 13, 2011

When Lisa and my daughter Gracie got home from shopping Saturday night and began packing two shoebox size containers with Christmas presents bound for impoverished children in Honduras, I wondered to myself if it would even begin to make a difference.

But after re-visiting in my mind the things I witnessed this summer, I was almost ashamed the thought had crossed my mind. Honduras is one of the poorest of the third world countries in the western hemisphere. They have no wealthy friends, family, neighbors, or programs to give them things we take for granted.

The items in these boxes will likely be the nicest gifts these children receive all year. Toothbrushes, underwear, clothes, and toys for the younger kids. School supplies are added for the older ones.

It’s all part of the “Magi Project”, a program of “Healing Hands International” based out of Nashville. In time for Christmas, the organization will ship thousands of gifts to the some of the poorest children in Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua who have been put on a list by local preachers.

Gean Hackworth is the local coordinator here in Fort Gibson. She says she jumped at taking on this project after seeing just how excited and involved her third grade Bible class was this summer in collecting over $900 to purchase a milk cow for a Honduran family. Gean says the “Magi Project” is not only a great way to help those who need help, but it also trains children to be servant-hearted and mission-minded. This effort is drawing a lot of support from all ages as parents, grandparents and other individuals in Fort Gibson lend a hand.

Last December, Glen Elliott (the missions deacon at my church) and I had the privilege of being on the other end of the “Magi Project”. We were actually in Honduras checking out some other mission opportunities when we received word one night that we were needed to help load thousands of gift boxes onto a truck that were being stored in a local church. The boxes had been shipped from towns all across the U.S. just like Fort Gibson. They would be taken to drop-off points throughout Honduras. It was an experience I will never forget.

God provides doors of opportunity everyday for us to open, walk through, and make a difference. It really doesn’t matter if it’s the “Magi Project”, water wells in Africa, medical mission trips in Guatemala, or just being a good neighbor in your own community, there is always room for another act of kindness. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet so that “…you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15) Whose feet will you wash this week? Have a great day!