An empty grave gives hope to humanity!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
April 4, 2012

            Can you even imagine the amount of attention that would have been given to the burial of someone who claimed to be the son of God?

            Jesus was put through a mock trial, tortured, crucified, and then buried in a tomb.  All eyes would have certainly stayed on the tomb afterwards.  Why?  Even before his death, Jesus had said he would be “…three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40).”  In speaking of his body, Jesus told the Jews, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days (John 2:19).”  His resurrection was also foretold by David in Psalm 16:10. 

Matthew 27:62-66 says that while Jesus was still in the tomb, the chief priests and the Pharisees got permission from Pilate to secure the stone covering the entrance to the tomb because they remembered that Jesus had said, “After three days I will rise again.”  So they put a seal on the stone and posted Roman guards there (Matt. 28:4).

            But guess what?  Jesus rose from the dead on the third day just like he said he would!  His body wasn’t stolen while the guards were asleep even though they were paid to say that (Matt. 28:15).  Jesus didn’t just simply wake up in the cool of the tomb from a deep trance (swoon theory) caused by the crucifixion and then somehow have the energy to roll the stone away and escape.  And no, everyone didn’t simply forget which tomb he was buried in!  And no, his followers didn’t somehow overpower the Roman guards who were trained killing machines, and then take the body.  

If anyone wanted the body to stay in the tomb more than the Jews, I don’t know who it would have been. The Jews wanted the body to stay right where it was because this would prove that Jesus was just a man, and not the Messiah capable of a miraculous resurrection.  But their schemes were no match for the son of God.

Jesus did, in fact, appear again after his burial.  But he certainly wasn’t dead!  Scripture says he gave many convincing proofs to his apostles that he was alive. “He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:1-3).”   Paul says that Jesus appeared to more than 500 followers (1 Corinthians 15:6), and that most of them were still alive at the time Paul was writing First Corinthians. 

So, if the face to face visits with Jesus after his resurrection were only lies, why didn’t anyone in the first century successfully dispute the New Testament letters that were being circulated?  It’s because the statements were true!  At least the people who lived back then thought so enough that they were willing to become Christians, and even suffer because of their belief in Jesus as God’s son.  Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, overcame the grave, conquering death to give the assurance of heaven to all who believe in him and obey his will.  Have a great week!

Take the name of Jesus  with you, everywhere
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 28, 2012

If you’ve been a Christian for very long, you have probably heard somebody ask someone else, “How is your spiritual life?”

            Of course, we all know what that person meant.  But wouldn’t it be nice if we all got to the point where we could just ask the question, “How are you?”  And we would automatically understand what the person was really asking was, “How are you doing spiritually?”

            You see, for Christians the only life we have is the Christian life.  “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).”

            That means every activity we’re involved in, every job, every conversation, every hobby, and every close friend needs to be seen by Christians as something or someone vital to our walk (our Christian walk).  Yes, that may sound a little extreme at first.  But what is our alternative?  The only other option is to trap God inside a box and only let him out when it’s time to “go to church” or when it’s convenient for us.

            However, that is not how God intended for us to experience life.  He wants to be a part of EVERY part of our lives.  It is only then that we can live a truly abundant life (John 10:10).

            The problem is that Christians have forgotten the dangers of accepting the world’s way of thinking.  In other words, sectioning off areas of our lives where we will or will not allow God to enter or be a part of.  We would do well to remember what Paul said in Romans 12:2.

            “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

            The pattern of this world has been set by the prince of this world, Satan.  Jesus himself even referred to the devil by that name in John 12:31 and John 14:30.  The apostle Paul also referred to the devil as the god of this age (world) in 2 Corinthians 4:4.  Paul also calls the devil “the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient (Ephesians 2:2).”

            Yes, we all have to live in this broken world.  But we do not have to conform to it.  Our lives, no matter what “section” we’re living in at the time, should still be Spirit-led to the point that others may see the love of Christ in us.  There are souls to be saved, and it is the job of the Christian to show them the light of Christ.  Have a blessed week!

Spiritual spring-cleaning starts with finding good help!

by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 21, 2012

First, it was an old stack of papers, next a boxful of outdated pamphlets, then several other items that at one time seemed so important. One by one, I threw each of them into the trashcan and then proceeded to dust the shelves in my office. Amazing how a little spring-cleaning changed the whole feel of my work environment!

Spiritual spring-cleaning is much the same. Throw a little of this and a little of that out, then dust here and there, and re-organize the shelves of our life. With God’s help, a little effort our part can make a huge difference in what we are able to accomplish everyday for the sake of Christ. Remember, God can do a LOT with a little.

The psalmist David said, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).”

Mankind has always been dependant on God for help. Yes, he obviously wants us to do our best to be a light in this dark world. But for thousands of years now God has also been very clear that he will help us in every way if we will honor him with our lives.

God is the only one who can take our dirty, hopeless lives and make us clean and full of hope. Our job as his creation is to let him to take our filthy dust rags and make us presentable.

Here are a few things to remember during your spiritual spring-cleaning:

1) Make time to take an honest look at yourself. Take inventory of those things that are clearly standing in the way of your relationship with God. Is it gambling, jealousy, guilt, sexual sins, alcohol, gossip, foul language or other sins of the mouth? Is there a person or a hobby that you value more than God? Pinpoint one or two things that are dragging you down spiritually.

2) Pray. I mean PRAY. Not just a little canned prayer. I mean for you to get real with God and even talk outloud or get on your knees if you have to. Beg or petition his help in cleaning temptations and sin out of your life.

3) Be realistic. God has already told us that as long as we live on earth we will fall short of the glory of God. So do not be discouraged. “Unintentional” sin happens everyday even for the most dedicated Christians. But what really bugs the devil is when we commit to defeating “willful” sin by holding tightly to God’s hand. He makes all the difference.

4) Live joyfully! “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song (Psalm 28:7, NIV).”

A walk with God begins with believing and confessing that Jesus is God’s son, deciding to follow God’s way, and then being buried with Christ in baptism so you can live a new life in him (Romans 6:1-11).  What a way to begin the spring season.  Have a great week!

Be careful who you trust when asking for direction
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 14, 2012

            As I was trying to meet a fellow youth minister for lunch a few days ago, I discovered that my handy dandy GPS didn’t know the difference between the place I wanted to go, versus a place with a similar name.

            I programmed the gadget on my dash to guide me to the Panda Express in Broken Arrow. It guided me to a restaurant alright, just not the right one.  The GPS called it by the right name, and it was even in the right neighborhood.  But when I arrived at my final destination (according to the GPS), it was not the right restaurant at all.  I had to call a trusted friend who knows the area to give me directions to where I wanted to go.

            Wouldn’t you agree that there are a lot of similarities in this little story when compared to our spiritual journey?  I had put my trust in a man-made gadget to get me to the right place.  And even though most of the time it is accurate, it was WAY off in this case.

            The Bible directs us to heaven. We just have to be willing to let God’s word have the final say on maneuvering life’s winding roads and intersections instead of putting our trust in worldly wisdom.

It is so nice to have Godly friends we can trust.  But ultimately we all should compare the advice we receive even from trusted friends with the advice that comes from our most trusted friend, God.

When I teach teenagers, I often tell them that I try to accurately convey the Bible’s message. I also try to live the kind of life that makes me a credible and trustworthy mentor.   But ultimately, they need to compare what I teach them with what the Bible says is truth.

Bookstore shelves are packed with thousands of opinions of what scripture teaches and how we should respond.  But the wise student needs to understand that there really is no substitute for Bible study. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (ESV).”

Following false directions from a GPS is an inconvenience.  But obeying the direction of false teachers could have eternal and undesirable consequences.  Let us remember Solomon’s inspired words, “Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. (Proverbs 4:27, ESV).”  Have a blessed week!

The Bible has great advice for stopping arguments before they start.

by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 6, 2012

The quickest way for me to start a fight with Lisa is to give her a tip on the easiest way to clean the dried chocolate residue from her coffee cup that I found on the counter top.

You see, even if I try to use my “helpful quiet tone”, there are just some things better left unsaid. This is true especially for those of us, like me, who are far from perfect when it comes to leaving things sitting around. Besides, the argument could have been avoided altogether if I had simply cleaned the mug myself just like Lisa quietly picks up the slack for me when I’m forgetful or a little overloaded.

My goal about stating opinions is simply “don’t” unless someone is in danger physically or spiritually, which they were not in this case. Fail! In fact, stating an opinion when silence would have been the better choice is more likely to have negative consequences.

Interpersonal relationship building takes a lot of effort whether in the workplace, socially, or at home. The old saying “anything worth having is worth working for” became an old saying because it is so true. If you want a good friendship with someone, you must work at it. You must treat that person extra special, the way you want to be treated.

Jesus said it two-thousand years ago in his famous Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew 5-7. "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12) This concept goes back even thousands of years before Jesus said it. In fact, Jesus points to the Old Testament (the Law and the Prophets) as the source of his summary on how to treat others.

So why is it so difficult to keep from criticizing or even throwing stones at others when we all in fact live in glass houses? Obviously, there are many answers and excuses for that one. And none of us has a perfect record at holding our tongue while fixing our own problems.

In that same sermon, Jesus addressed the problem of people who are quick to point out everyone else’s faults without paying attention to their own first.

“ 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Matt 7:3-5, ESV)

May God bless us all as we include Him in every thought BEFORE it comes out of our mouth. Have a great week!

Shopping for Bibles is exciting when you think of the reward!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 27, 2012

Fishing poles, tackle, life vests, fish finders, boats, and outdoor clothing. I found it all in in my mailbox Friday!  Not the real thing unfortunately, just an elaborate publication of sale ads!  It was still fun to look at all the things I wish I had, that is, if I would actually make the time to use them.

As I looked at the lures, knives, and reels, and even got excited about the possibility of using so many outdoorsy tools, a question popped into my head.  Why don’t most people get this excited about sale ads that highlight the latest Bibles, commentaries, concordances, and Bible software?   After all, there’s not really a comparison here when it comes to importance.

On one hand, we’re talking about hobbies, really fun hobbies, but nonetheless, hobbies.  On the other hand, we’re talking about matters of heaven, hell, and many things in between such as relationships and family.

I guess the reason this was really on my mind is because lately I have been shopping for an English Standard Version of the Bible (ESV).  It’s basically a word for word translation of the Greek and Hebrew texts and is easy to read.  The exact one I want actually comes out this summer. It’s the Large Print Thinline ESV which has a good concordance and maps, but not so big that I can’t easily pack it for summer camp and other youth trips. 

In the meantime, I downloaded an ESV Study Bible onto my phone via the Kindle application which means I can also download it onto my work and home computers at no extra charge.  You just wouldn’t believe all the Bible helps I now have in my phone at just the push of a button!  It occurred to me that if I were to carry this Bible plus all its maps, concordances, topical studies, and commentaries around with me in book form, I would need a small truck! 

While I was shopping for Bibles and study resources, I was amazed at how many options are available.  I have used the 1984 New International Version (NIV) Bible for many years.  But since the new 2011 NIV has come out with several changes which I do not have time to discuss in this article, I’ve decided to promote the ESV which again is accurate and still easy to read.

So, why am I telling you all of this?  Well, you may be one of those people who stays informed on the latest in spiritual warfare.  But just in case you’re not, I thought it would be good to pass along this information to you.  After all, these days we can’t really have enough help when it comes to doing battle with the devil.  Satan is our most dangerous foe who never rests and is constantly updating and improving his arsenal of weapons and techniques of stealing souls. 

Likewise, Christians must be just as diligent in standing firm in the truth of God’s word.  We must continue to train and cross-train in the use of spiritual weaponry, whether we’re using traditional book-form Bibles and resources, free online helps, e-books, or cell phone apps.

May God bless you with a joyful week!

Both strong and struggling Christians have much in common with clay

by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 21, 2012



I always love the part of planning summer camp where I ask God to give me an idea for a camp theme. Well, for this summer it looks like the Holy Spirit has guided me toward the theme of “Jars of Clay”. Wow! At least Lisa won’t have to worry about finding a good craft idea for the kids!

That being taken care of, I spent a lot of time this past week coming up with ideas and writing Bible lessons. At one point, I noticed several small plastic containers of Play-Dough sitting on a table in my office (Yes, I am a youth minister). Seeking creative inspiration, I opened one of them and found a hard, cracked, dried-up, purplish lump of clay, not much to work with. But I thought to myself, “Hey, if this is where God is leading me, then who am I to say there’s not a Bible lesson in there somewhere.”

The first thing I did was try to mold the hardened clay as it was. That didn’t work. So, I poured water into the container, poked my finger into the clay a few times, and decided the chances of reviving this lump of mess was slim to nothing. So, I put the lid back on and left it for several hours while I worked on some other things. Later in the afternoon, I looked inside the container and found what looked like hardened smashed blueberries floating in purple soup! Again, not much to work with. But I decided to give it a shot anyway.

I dug the lumpy goo out of the cup and into my hand. Ugh! It was quite a sight and felt disturbingly gross. But, I kept squeezing and smashing until the most of the imperfections were gone. I rolled it into a ball and then flattened it repeatedly. Then, to my surprise, this odd-looking mixture eventually became a moldable piece of clay! I couldn’t help but make the connection of Jesus being our living water (John 4:13), and the powerful message of Jesus we carry in spite of the fact we are fragile and even cracked jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7).

The Bible has a lot to say about lumps of clay, jars of clay, dust of the earth, the hands of the potter, and even potsherd or small broken pieces of pottery. Each word or phrase is easily compared to mankind as a creation of God, the master Potter. I’m looking forward to a deeper study on each of these topics.

We as God’s children must surrender fully to our Maker, without quarrelling about why He is using us for this purpose or that (Isaiah 45:9 and Romans 9:21).

May God bless us as we allow His light to shine through our strengths, imperfections, and brokenness. Have a blessed week!

News of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection never gets old
by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 14, 2012

My daughter, Gracie, was the first to tell me Saturday night that some singer named Whitney Houston was dead. I was totally shocked. I explained to her that the death of this 80’s and 90’s superstar is seen by my generation the same as today’s younger generation would view the death of someone like Justin Bieber or Taylor Swift in about twenty years. Or maybe for others, the death of Elvis Presley on August 16, 1977.

My point is this. Celebrities come and go. And yes, they eventually die just like everyone else. But the most famous person who ever lived on this earth was no doubt Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And while he lived and died in human form, what makes him different from anyone else in all of history (besides being God’s son) is that he rose again and dwells in his heavenly home.

One of the arguments in favor of Jesus being who he said he was is the fact that we are still talking about him today, two-thousand years after his death, burial, and resurrection. The Bible is the greatest seller of all time. The Bible’s inspired writers gave us details of Christ’s death for us to remember each first day of the week during the Lord’s Supper. Those details are part of the very compelling Gospel story that changed the world beginning in the first century when thousands of Jews who listened to the preaching of the apostle Peter repented and were baptized that very day (ref: Acts 2:38). Christ’s followers almost immediately had their faith put to the test in many ways. His early followers were willing to be persecuted and even die for Christ’s sake. That’s something most people will not do if they have any doubts in the credibility of the person to whom they are committed.

In the United States, Christians today still find themselves defending their faith and the doctrine presented in God’s word. Many other countries today are still hostile towards Christians or unwilling to let the Bible be openly taught.

With time, the deaths of some celebrities fade into the history books while the deaths of other celebrities just fade.

The news of Jesus has not faded one bit! It has become stronger with time. It is not only recorded in the Bible, but also in history books and other literature. In fact, Jesus has been written about more than anyone else… ever! His story was translated into other languages by 150 A.D. The hundreds of eye-witnesses to Jesus after he rose no doubt fueled the Spirit’s fire, helping catapult his life-saving message all the way into the 21st century, an encouraging lesson for us today to carry on the torch.

We never like to see our earthly heroes or heroins die too soon. But when it comes to Jesus Christ, his self-sacrificial attitude and his well-documented resurrection give hope of eternal life to those who remain faithful to him. Have a blessed week!

Some spiritual lessons can make you say uggh!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 7, 2012

            A young lady who comes to my summer camp wrote on Facebook, “It’s always your favorite sins that do you in.”   To which I responded, “Yep... just like a dog returns to its vomit! (Proverbs 26:11 and 2 Peter 2:22). Too bad we can't visualize dog vomit everytime temptation presents itself!”

I guess it’s already too late to mention that you probably shouldn’t be reading this week’s column right now if you are eating lunch!

            Anyway, if there was ever anyone qualified to pen those words, it was definitely Solomon.  He asked for wisdom, and boy did he get it.  Unfortunately, one of the best places (though painful and sometimes dangerous) to get wisdom is from simply living life and making mistakes.  That’s why I often pray for God to “gently” give me wisdom, and sometimes He agrees.  I want to be able to make good choices and advise others when asked.  But I don’t like the idea of receiving wisdom from the school of hard knocks!

            The smart choice would be to learn from others’ mistakes, and remember the consequences they had to deal with because of their bad decision-making.  But we all know human nature doesn’t always accommodate this technique.  Too bad.  As hard as we try, we are still going to make mistakes because one: we just had to try it our way, and two: we’re human.

            But I must go back to that very descriptive and visual proverb and ask the question, “Why can’t we see sin for what it really is?”   Dog vomit!  We would all be much better off if we could keep that little thought in our mind for everytime we were tempted to sin.  But for some reason, most of us have a hard time staying away from our “favorite sins”. In fact, most of us probably visualize our favorite sins the way a kid thinks about cotton candy!  Unfortunately, falling into sin is always more fun than dealing with the consequences of it.

            The good news is that we have a Savior who understands our every weakness.  He came to earth and went through every kind of temptation just so he could know what we go through.  And then he even went to the cross as the only perfect sacrifice to die for our sins so we could have hope of heaven.  But he didn’t leave us as orphans (John 14:18).  Through his Holy Spirit, he left clear instructions in the Bible, his inspired word, on how to avoid sin and make sure our imperfections are washed clean everyday.   There is no better life than that of a Christian who walks confidently, looking forward to the day we kneel before Jesus as he welcomes us home.  Have a blessed week!

In the light of God is a great place to walk
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 31, 2012

            As I went outside to start my car the other morning, I noticed my windshield was frosted over while the windshield of my wife’s car was clear. 

I was thinking how strange that was and then I realized her vehicle was parked on the side of the driveway closest to the sun, while mine was still in the shadow unable to receive any direct light.

I remember basically the same thing happening over the summer to three wisteria vines in my backyard that received varying levels of sun.  The one that received the most light grew and bloomed.  The others?  Not so much.

The first Biblical passage that came to mind was definitely 1 John 1:5-7 which says, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with him yet we walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin (NIV, 1984).”

John’s message here is simple.  Live your life in the light of God!  That’s where the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us from every sin.  And while those statements are true, the opposite is also true.  That if we do not walk in the light where God is, we should not expect the same reward as those who do.  And tragically, Christ’s blood will not cover our sins if we choose to walk on the world’s dark side, away from God’s light, and never asking forgiveness.

You see, there is willful sin, and unintentional sin.  Both can send someone to hell if not covered by Christ’s blood.  But scripture is very clear that we are not perfect.  In Romans 3:23 Paul says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  The word “fall” is present tense, which means we continue to make mistakes.  So, why can we still be saved even though we make mistakes?  After all, sin cannot enter heaven, right?  (right)  But there is a big difference between willful sin and unintentional sin.  A willful sin is a choice we make that puts us on the dark path.  When we choose to sin, we must repent and ask God’s forgiveness. 

On the other hand, unintentional sin just happens simply because we make mistakes even while walking in God’s light.  In other words, we all stumble and sin daily, even without knowing it, yes even without choosing to sin.  That is when the Bible teaches that a baptized believer (Romans 6:1-11) experiences a special kind of forgiveness only available to those who walk in the light.

Paul goes on to tell us the good news, that we “...are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood… (Rom. 3:24-25)”

During winter, sometimes the sun is hard to find.  But when you do see its light and feel its warmth, just remember the blessing of Jesus Christ can only be found in the light of God.  Have a blessed week!

Faith can be strengthened through trials
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 24, 2012

            Friday at about noon I was on my way to the church building to write this column you are now reading.  I had barely pulled out of my driveway when I spotted my neighbor, Ramona, walking her two dogs with the aid of her powered wheelchair.  I’m so glad I stopped to visit, because what she had to tell me was nothing short of amazing!

            She told me she wanted my prayers and here’s why.  After sixteen years of not being able to walk without some sort of aid, Ramona says there’s a chance she will be able to walk again on her own! 

For all this time, she says the many different medical specialists she has gone to all across the country have led her to believe she had multiple sclerosis, although they said the MRI’s would not confirm such a diagnosis.  At one point, she even took chemotherapy and steroids for three years.  She had gone from being a swim and lifeguard instructor, and later a mental health counselor, to being wheelchair bound, and still not having a firm diagnosis.  

But a few days ago, another doctor and another MRI revealed a swollen pituitary gland that may actually be pinching nerves and causing her problem.  Ramona says her doctor said there may be a surgery that can get Ramona back up on her feet.

So now, Ramona is 59-years old.  And although there’s a chance she will no longer need a power chair to get around, this could also mean she will no longer be eligible for the disability check she has received for all these years.  And she worries about what kind of job she will be able to get at her age to support herself.  She would appreciate your prayers on this matter.

Ramona says before she was afflicted with this disability, she just thought she had a good relationship with God.  She says she felt good about her spiritual walk because she showed up at the church building on a regular basis for worship.  Later, she realized that good church attendance doesn’t always mean you’re a good Christian.  She now considers her wheelchair “an old friend that brought me to my knees and brought me to the Lord.” 

Ramona says her faith has strengthened over the years because of her disability, and because she has spent more time in the word and more time in prayer.  She finds inspiration from the apostle Paul who prayed three times for his thorn in the flesh to be removed, and yet God’s answer was simply, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:8).”

Even Jesus prayed in the garden for there to be another way to save mankind other than the cross.  But Jesus was the only perfect sacrifice.  So let us all be joyful in our trials (James 1:2), knowing that God loves us (John 3:16) more than we can imagine.  Have a great week!

Training children for spiritual success is most important

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 17, 2012

If you haven’t said, “Thank you” to a school teacher lately, please find one and thank them. Our teachers in Fort Gibson are among the hardest working educators I’ve ever heard of.

The demands on our teachers to bring about academic success for this generation of students are at an all time high.

We should all appreciate the extra effort put into our children, especially in today’s world, when simply put, good help is hard to find. And as it becomes more difficult for students to find decent paying jobs after their education is complete, the role of a good teacher becomes even more important in instilling a good work ethic. Of course, the best education comes when there is a partnership with dedicated parents who are also willing to do what it takes at home for their children to succeed.

As Christians, we need to make sure we are putting at least as much effort into preparing our kids for spiritual success. Academics and extra-curriculars are very important for grooming well-rounded people. But we must remember that if all we do as a community is to generate sharp kids who grow into impressive wage earners, we have failed them and failed our country. Washington DC is full of rich people who have climbed the worldly ladder of success. Yet, that fact does not seem to have benefitted us recently as a nation in the ways that really matter.

Remember what the apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 4:8, “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

As much respect as I have for school teachers (and my wife is one), coaches, and even moral mentors, Christians have an even greater teaching responsibility. In some of Jesus’ final words on earth he told his followers to go and make more followers (or disciples). He not only said to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, he also said, “…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20).”

Whether we are teaching in a Bible class, or teaching our own children, or someone else, Christians must take seriously our responsibility to teach God’s inspired word as He intended. It would be a tragedy to have to explain to God on that final day why we taught something different. May we all pray for greater knowledge of God’s will, and the wisdom to use it to His glory. Have a blessed week!

Spiritual hazards can be avoided with practice

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 10, 2012

Riding in a car traveling 65 miles an hour seems like an average task, that is, unless your teenage daughter is the one in the driver’s seat, training in a parent-taught driver’s education course! On this day, it became a white-knuckle experience, for both of us!

There we were cruising on Highway 62 from Muskogee back to Fort Gibson last Thursday, when three cars in front of us threw on their brakes. My daughter quickly checked over her left shoulder, signaled, and pulled into the passing lane to avoid hitting a man standing in our lane, waving people into the passing lane. He was trying to keep traffic from getting too close to someone’s car on the shoulder that was having a tire changed. But he had no bright orange warning signs, cones, or anything else to get drivers’ attention. He was just standing there waving his arms!

My first thought was “That man just about got himself killed!” My second thought was “He was trying to save someone else from getting killed.” And my third thought was “Wow! My daughter just maneuvered a very tricky driving situation with absolutely no advice from me!” The only words I got out were “They’re stopping!” She did the rest.

Spiritually speaking, that is exactly what you want out of your child, isn’t it? We try to train our children to do what is right. But until they are faced with real adversity, we never really know for sure how they will respond. Proverbs 22:6 says that children will eventually come back to the good teaching they heard as a child. Still, we never know how much time will pass and how many consequences will have to be endured before our children will begin to put good advice into action.

After all was said and done (in this instance), I can honestly say it was a thrill to see my daughter in action. She instinctively did exactly as she was taught when it came down to avoiding a very dangerous traffic situation. As a Christian dad, of course I was proud to see each of my daughters put on Christ in baptism. But it makes me even more proud when I see them avoid sin by instinctively putting into practice those Biblical principles which Lisa and I taught them as children.

We all know that raising kids is one of the hardest things we will ever do. And I don’t know anyone who has done it flawlessly. May God bless all of our families as we strive to live holy lives, putting God absolutely first, letting His Spirit guide us in all ways.

Commit your life to Christ in 2012

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 3, 2012

Sunday morning, our church family had the pleasure of getting to witness three people follow through on their Bible study by putting on Christ in baptism. What a thrill!

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (NIV, Galatians 3:26-27).”

We all feel great joy when anyone becomes a Christian. But, I must admit, to see three adults give their lives over to Jesus is special in a different way from when a young person makes this decision. Our culture today wants us to believe that we can all exist and find fulfillment on our own merits, abilities, and achievements.

I failed many times as a youngster in making Godly decisions, even after my dad baptized me at age nine. And I continue to make mistakes, though hopefully not as many and not usually the same ones. But at least I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family where I learned early on the importance of living a life of faith in Christ and repentance as I strive to walk in the light (1 John 1:7).

This is not the case for everyone. There are still many adults, yes even here in Fort Gibson, who have not heard the Gospel story. Many have grown into adulthood not understanding what a difference a good relationship with God can mean for their life. In the parable of the Good Shepherd and his sheep, Jesus explains our relationship with him in this way.

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (NASB, John 10:9-10).”

Sheep who do not have a shepherd to watch out for them may find temporary happiness outside on their own, grazing wherever they choose. They may even think, at least for a while, that their ability to roam is the ultimate freedom. But when the wolf comes, they soon find out it would have been nice to have had a shepherd fight for them, and provide safety found only inside the gate. A truly full life comes with the joy of knowing that God recognizes you as one of his own. God accepts us no matter what hour of the night we may knock on his door, provided it’s not too late.

May God bless your New Year with many opportunities to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ with anyone who will listen (Matthew 28:18-20), and to be a Christian example to those who are outside Christ, and to be an encouragement to those who are already fighting the good fight. Have a blessed week!

Let your New Year’s resolutions be Spirit-led

Barrett Vanlandingham
December 27 , 2011


It’s hard to believe, but 2012 begins Sunday! For me, the end of one year and the beginning of another always serves as a time to reflect on what I accomplished or didn’t accomplish, and as a time to think about what I want to improve on in the coming year.

One important thing to remember in making New Year’s resolutions is to remember to include God’s Holy Spirit in every decision we make, every action we undertake, and every word spoken.

For Christians, that’s already the job of the Holy Spirit, to help guide, comfort, and counsel us into the kind of life that stays in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25).

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes it clear that mankind is better off to have the Holy Spirit with us than Jesus himself.

“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7)

The apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” This important piece of advice is surrounded by several other challenging commands that are no doubt part of what the Spirit helps us achieve if we do not stand in His way.

Think about it. “16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

The inspired writer also reminds us of these things: “20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.”

Paul ends up this section by saying, “May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”

But how will He do it? How will the Spirit keep us blameless for judgment day? The only thing we can do is to accept God’s grace which includes His plan of salvation. We know we can’t get to the Father unless we go through Jesus the son (John 14:6), and it is the Holy Spirit who helps us find our way.

If you are not “in Christ”, what more of a wonderful way to start the New Year than to obey the New Testament plan of salvation:

1) hear the Gospel story of Jesus (John 5:24), 2) believe that He is the son of God (John 3:16), 3) repent (turn away) from worldly ways of living (Acts 2:38), 4) confess with your mouth that Jesus is God’s son (Romans 10:9-13), 5) then be baptized into Christ (Romans 6:1-11 and Galatians 3:26-27) where those who continue to walk with the Spirit can never lose the assurance of heaven.

May God bless your New Year with much peace, love, and joy!

The story of Jesus is amazing
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 20, 2011

            How fortunate we are as human beings to have received the gift of Jesus Christ!  His birth must have been a magnificent event for all involved. 

Can you even imagine the stories that Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds must have told later about the events surrounding the birth of Jesus?

Can you imagine how the Inn Keeper must have felt when he realized later it was he who didn’t have room at the “Inn” for the Savior of the world!? (Luke 2:7)

And just imagine what a humbling experience it must have been for the “wise men” to have had a star lead them until it stopped over the house of the Christ child! (Matthew 2:11)  Do you think they still felt wise? (or maybe just a little stumped!)

The gift of Jesus in human form had only just begun.  And although we don’t know a lot about his growing up years, we do know that he was tempted in every way that we are today, and yet did so without sin (Hebrews 4:15). 

We also know that when he was twelve, he sat among the teachers in the temple courts and amazed everyone who heard his conversations with them (Luke 2:47).  Even so, he still must have behaved like an adolescent.  Reading between the lines, we can tell that the young Jesus evidently went through that time in life when kids think they’re grown up enough to separate themselves from their parents.  In fact, it was only after three days of searching that Joseph and Mary found the young Jesus in the temple courts having these religious discussions.  I am sure the parents were eventually proud of what their son was doing. But, I bet they also wanted to ring his neck for not telling them in advance what he wanted to do!  Nevertheless, after they found him, Luke 2:51 says he went with them and was obedient to his parents.

Jesus was also obedient to his heavenly Father, all the way to the cross. It is hard for us to understand how much of a sacrifice this really was.  Think about it, God the Son actually left his home in heaven to go through with the only plan that could have saved mankind from our sins.  Jesus was the only perfect sacrifice, sinless and superior to that of the bulls and goats that were sacrificed to God in the Old Testament.

So, this Christmas season, please remember to not only praise God for the gift of the baby Jesus, but also for his growing up years that made it possible for him to understand our earthly challenges.  And finally, for his death, burial, and resurrection that give us hope.  Then to top it all off, Christ sent his Holy Spirit as a gift (Acts 2:38) to guide and comfort every Christian until He returns.  Have a blessed week!

The Bible doesn’t tell us when Christ was born
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 13, 2011

            Whether you think Christmas should be celebrated as a religious holiday or a secular one, you’ve got to admit, if you’re a Christ follower, it’s pretty exciting that much of the world actually thinks about Jesus during December!

But in all of my studies, I have never found a scripture in the Bible that tells me to celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25 or any other day.  The fact is no one knows when Jesus was born.

So, I have to ask the question, “What authority do we have to celebrate the birth of Christ?”  This question has been a matter of debate among many in the Christian faith for generations.

Biblically speaking, the only event Christians are commanded to remember in the New Testament is the death of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), which we do on the first day of the week during the Lord’s Supper. 

 In the Old Testament, the Feast of Purim in the book of Esther was not authorized by God, but was certainly an event that all good Jewish people (Jesus was a Jew)  celebrated  to remember the time when Jews got relief from their enemies (Esther 9:22). In fact, so much is written about Purim it wouldn’t be a stretch to conclude Esther was written to explain the origin of that Jewish feast. 

I don't really know anyone who thinks Jesus was born December 25.  But I can’t help but feel a great amount of joy when I think about the very special gift of Jesus.  The angels must have felt the same way! Luke 2:13-14 says that as soon as the angels heard about a Savior being born, they praised God and said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”   

Then after the shepherds saw the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, they spread the word about the child, and glorified and praised God.

In Matthew 2, the wise men were overjoyed at the sight of the star in the sky that marked the place where the child was. Then, when they arrived, they bowed down and worshiped him, and presented him with gifts.

So, while I would not feel comfortable binding on others the idea that Christmas is a religious holiday or more sacred than other days in some way (ref: Romans  14:5), I would also not say that Christians should ignore this great opportunity to go back to that awesome time in history when our Savior came to dwell among us.  After all, aren’t Christians supposed to make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16)?

I can’t deny it.  My family loves the tradition of Christmas trees, Santa, reindeer, and sleighful of toys for good girls and boys. But hey, if the stores, media, and people around the globe want to jump on board once a year to celebrate the arrival of the Christ child, I'll take it!  And I’ll enjoy it! After all, don't you think our world could use a good shot of Jesus at least once a year.  Have a blessed week!

The Baby Jesus Was Prophesied Long Before He Came 
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 6, 2011

            This month, people all over the world, and certainly right here in Fort Gibson will be celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Christ.  It’s a wonderful time of year when the global spotlight shines on one of the greatest events in history for all to see.

            One of the incredible things about Christ’s birth that gives me additional confidence in his story is the accuracy of Old Testament prophecy.  Besides the New Testament accounts in Matthew and Luke, the birth of Christ was written about by OT prophets Jeremiah (600 B.C.), Micah and Isaiah (700BC) hundreds of years before He arrived on the scene as a human infant, born in Bethlehem.  Other OT prophesies spoke about his life, death, and resurrection.

            Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

            Can you imagine what it must have been like for the young Mary, as she slowly realized that she would play such an important role in OT prophecy (ref: Micah 5:2-5 and Isaiah 7:14 and Jeremiah 23:5-6) written so long ago?  Could it be that the promised ruler from Bethlehem would really be born of Mary, a virgin, some 700 years after it was prophesied?  The answer was yes!

            Still, this must have been extremely difficult to believe for the soon to be parents!  But God was watching out for this descendant of David known as Joseph and his soon to be wife, Mary.  God sent an angel, who not only spoke with Mary (Luke 1:28) personally, but also appeared in a dream to Joseph (Matthew 1:20) who was on the verge of backing out of marrying this young woman to whom he was pledged (Matt. 1:18). 

In fact, until this angelic visit, Joseph had planned to quietly divorce Mary before the marriage was consummated.  After all, who had ever heard of such a thing?  A virgin being with child?  Really?  But the angel was evidently convincing enough that Joseph obeyed and took Mary home to be his wife, though they had no union until she gave birth to a son (Matt. 1:24-25).  And yes, they named him Jesus.  He would also be known as Immanuel, which means “God with us”, a term prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and mentioned again in Matthew 1:23.

With the exception of his miraculous birth, Jesus was probably much like any other kid in his Nazareth neighborhood. Of course, word probably began to spread pretty rapidly by age twelve that his level of wisdom in conversations with the elders at the temple was nothing less than remarkable.  Then by about age thirty, the supernatural miracles he performed after his official ministry began let everyone know that this guy had something to offer that no one else had!

One thing we know for certain is that there were eyes of skepticism and hearts of hope on Christ’s life from the time he was born, until even after his resurrection.  How could one man affect an entire world and even the angels from the time of his birth unless he was truly the son of God, our only hope of salvation?  Have a blessed week!   

Spiritual Feasting Is the Best Meal 
by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 29, 2011

            Well, I trust that everyone used dietary self-restraint over Thanksgiving… as much as I did!  Okay, Okay!  So, maybe I was a little bit bad.  After all, who can say “no” to tables full of food and dessert cooked to perfection? 

            Let’s just put Turkey Day behind us, and hop back onto the wagon of self-discipline, at least until the dinner bell rings at Christmas!  Oh, the temptations we have during the holidays!

            There is one kind of food that doesn’t result in weight gain, though.  And believe it or not, it is comfort food at its best.  BREAD.  But this is not just any kind of bread.  It’s the bread of life!  In John 6, we read about the miraculous feeding of the five-thousand with only five loaves and two fishes.  This obviously made quite an impression on the people.  So Jesus, sensing that they were only following him because he was feeding them physically, began to try to explain to them that spiritually speaking, he could offer them much more than fish and bread.

              In John 6:51 Jesus says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

            Some were evidently confused or even offended by Jesus’ teaching.  They thought Jesus was asking them to eat his physical flesh.  And as you can imagine, most folks were not interested in that prospect! So he goes on to explain in verse 63, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”

            Jesus asked the Twelve (chosen disciples) if they were going to leave him, too.  In verse 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

            So here is the question.  Do you have any friends or family who do not know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God?  Do you know anyone who enjoys all of the physical blessings of God, but has somehow missed the best meal of all, the Living Bread?  Trust me, I love a tasty holiday meal as much as anyone.  But it is only when we feast on the word of God (all year long) that we receive the spiritual nutrition needed to guide us into eternity.  Have a blessed week!

Thanksgiving should be a part of everyday life

by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 22, 2011

One of the great Thanksgiving traditions my church family has is to write down the things we are thankful for on a card, and then have them read aloud during our midweek service.

What comes out of this gathering is a renewed sense of our blessings. It also helps us to better understand what is important to our Christian brothers and sisters. With so much hustle and bustle during the rest of the year, it is always nice to have the chance to sit back and listen to what others are thankful for.

Meeting with your church family is important all year long, but there’s something extra special about the holidays. One of the top things people are thankful for is always family. That holds true even for those who do not attend worship anywhere but still cherish God’s blessings. For others, it is the relationships they enjoy with friends, Christian brothers and sisters, or the fact that we live in a free country, and have the freedom to worship as we choose. I have one friend from India who doesn’t even feel free to go back home because he fears for his life. He is Christian in a nation where Christians are persecuted, some even to the point of death.

So, what are you thankful for? I usually wait til the last minute and wind up not writing much of anything on my card. So this time, I am making sure that doesn’t happen again. For me, I am thankful for Godly parents who raised me to love and honor God. I am thankful for the guidance and comfort that comes from the gift of God’s Holy Spirit that is promised to everyone who repents and is baptized (ref: Acts 2:38). I am also thankful for a Godly wife who is always there to encourage me and work side by side to raise our three children in the Lord. And finally, I am thankful that I get to live in a town like Fort Gibson. What a place!

The words of the apostle Paul from Colossians 3:16-17 are great reminders of what our attitudes should be not only during the holidays, but all the time. “16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Let us all remember to tell God how grateful we are for each and every blessing we have. Let us also remember to prove our thankfulness to Him in the way we honor God with our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Faith in God Is Easier Than The Alternative by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 15, 2011

            As I was leaving the church building a few nights ago, I literally stood still in amazement at what I saw.  You may have also noticed just how incredible the full moon over Fort Gibson shone. It literally looked like it was just a few hundred yards away!  I thought to myself, “How can anyone say there is no God?”

If you happen to be an atheist, let me just say that I love you, and everything I say in this article is only meant to acknowledge God’s greatness, and give us all a few things to think about.  If you’ve heard these things before, I pray that you will at least consider them once more so that you may soon experience the joy found in a relationship with God through Jesus. (ref: Acts 2:38)

            Everything in creation has such wonderful design.  It would take a tremendous amount of faith to think there was no Designer.  The computer I am typing on could not have created itself out of a pile of plastic and metal no matter how much time it had!  It would be absurd to think otherwise. Yet, there are those who believe and teach that the humans who designed and created the computer had no Designer themselves!

            How long do you think it would take a pile of boards, nails, bricks, shingles, and cement to turn itself into a beautiful home?  I cannot imagine anyone believing that the house they live in could have created itself.  It had to be designed and built.  How about the car you drive?  Could it have created itself, given enough time?  Even for those who think the universe is much older than the six-thousand years documented in the Bible, the evidence would say a car cannot design and create itself, much less be able to start with a key and drive down the road!

            Humans are much more complex than anything mankind has created.  So, how could anyone believe that the creation of humans was just some sort of cosmic accident?

            The fact is, the devil is the greatest deceiver of all.  He has sown seeds of doubt almost from the beginning.  For some reason, God kicked Satan out of His presence.  Maybe it was because the devil wanted to be on equals with the Creator.  This would have been the same sort of temptation that tripped up Adam and Eve, courtesy of the devil (Genesis 3).

            Yes, it is mind-blowing to imagine the amount of power God must possess in order to have created our universe and everything in it.  But it would be even more difficult to imagine that everything just created itself!  The Bible’s account of God creating the heavens and the earth is the only possibility that even begins to make sense (ref: Genesis 1, John 1:1-14, Colossians 1:15-19).  A design requires a Designer.

            One quick trip to the library or the internet reveals discoveries in the fields of earth and space, archaeology, medicine, and history that the Bible had already documented thousands of years ago.  That is why so many non-believers, in their quest to disprove the Bible, wind up converting themselves to Christianity. With each new discovery, the ancient words of the Bible continue to prove reliable and accurate to this day.  God is good! 

Shaky Ground Is No Match For God
by Barrett Vanlandingham
November 9, 2011

Funny thing happened Friday. I was having writer’s block as I sat down to compose another Fort Faith column for the Fort Gibson Times. So, I went to God in prayer about this little problem of mine. I asked God to give me something obvious to write about, something that would be relevant to my readers, something that would glorify Him. I felt good about my visit with God, but I still didn’t know what I would write about.

I had to run an errand to Tahlequah that afternoon, so of course, the most obvious topic would be the beautiful colors of autumn. Who can ignore God’s presence during this season? “But I write about that every year,” I thought to myself. I was holding out for something more significant. Now, I’m not so sure I shouldn’t have just gone ahead and written about fall leaves!

I had no idea we were about to experience an EARTHQUAKE (of all things). At least at my house, it didn’t feel a whole lot different than thunder or maybe a train passing through town. But still, an earthquake? I have lived in Oklahoma all my life, ten years in Fort Gibson, and have never even seen a tornado! And now, many of us can say we’ve actually experienced a tremor! (actually three). I am reasonably certain God didn’t send us an earthquake just because I prayed for something important to write about. But, I will say that any natural disaster works wonders when it comes to reminding us of the power of God and our need for His presence in our lives.

One of my Facebook friends quoted this passage from Psalm 46:1-3, (NIV). “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

To me, there is nothing more comforting than to be reminded that we can go to our Creator anytime for peace during life’s turmoils. I am a full-time youth minister who spends a lot of time studying the Bible. And still, passages that remind me I can go to God in times of stress and worry (and He will do something about it) have such a calming effect on me.

When I think about how small the earth is in comparison to other planets and galaxies, it is humbling to think that we have a God who loves us totally and unconditionally. Our planet is barely a speck in relation to the total picture of things, and yet God continues to prove how important we are to Him. This earth can rumble and tumble all it wants, but in the end, God has a much better place awaiting those who are found faithful. Have a blessed week!