Proof of the Bible’s reliability is easy to find

by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 10, 2012 

            The Bible is the most reliable history book ever written.  There is plenty of support from ancient writings outside of the Bible and from archaeological digs that have proven names and places that skeptics thought did not exist.  Still, some critics doubt the accuracy of the Bible, while embracing other ancient writings that are much more scarce and even have more problems with their content.

            There are 24,633 ancient manuscripts (handwritten copies) of the New Testament in Greek (5309) and many other languages (19,324).

Julius Caesar and Plato have only 10 and 7 surviving copies, respectively, of their works.  There are 643 ancient copies of the mythical poetry “Homer’s Iliad”.

The oldest New Testament manuscript is a portion of the Gospel of John dating back to 125 A.D.  That’s likely only 25 years after John penned the original!  This lessens the chance of any textual corruption.  That’s a far cry better than the 1000 to 1300 years separating the copies of the other mentioned writings from their originals. 

The New Testament has an extremely small percentage of textual problems. For instance, only one-half of one-percent of its words are even in doubt for any reason.  For instance, some words are thought to have been misspelled in some copies versus others.  Also, there are a few sentences that appear in some manuscripts that do not in others.  It is important to note that none of the differences in content changes the Bible’s meaning, because the Christian doctrine found in the Bible is backed up in multiple other passages. 

The consistent message of the Bible from cover to cover is a great source of confidence for Christians today.  In fact, if we were to turn back time 2000 years, first century Christians would likely be heard saying the same thing.  After all, they believed the Bible enough to undergo severe persecution or even die for it.

Many doubters have tried to prove the Bible unreliable.  But in the end, many have wound up converting themselves to Christianity.  Josh McDowell’s “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” is a great resource for proving the Bible’s reliability, as is Brad Harrub’s book “Convicted”, or “The Case for a Creator” by Lee Strobel.  Or if you prefer the internet, here are a couple of places to start:  1)  www.s8int.com  2) www.apologeticspress.org

Our culture as a whole frequently changes its mind on a variety of moral and social issues.  But Christians can be comforted in the fact that the message of the Bible does not change.  In the end, it is God’s word in comparison to our obedience that will determine where we spend eternity.  Thanks be to God for his amazing grace that shows us the way.   Have a blessed week!

Christ’s love changes us from the inside out
by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 3, 2012

            October brings many creative disguises.  But this is not the only time of year when people who appear to be one thing turn out to be another.  Sometimes that’s a good thing, and other times not so good.

            In the New Testament we read about Jesus approaching a tax collector named Matthew to make him a disciple.  Jesus said, “Follow me.”  And he did.   So what’s odd with this picture?  Well, in today’s times I would say nothing.  But back in the first century, tax collectors were thought of as thieves who gouged the taxpayer for more than what was due so they could keep the extra for themselves.

            The Pharisees who were known to be religious people were always trying to catch Jesus doing something wrong.  So when Jesus went to Matthew’s house to eat dinner with him and many other tax collectors and “sinners”, the Pharisees tried to make a big deal out of it.  They wanted the disciples to explain why their teacher would spend time with those kinds of people.

            And who knows, Matthew may have been less than upright. If Matthew had seen some of the miracles Jesus had been performing, maybe he followed Jesus in hopes of turning this miracle man into a cash cow.  But after spending some time with Jesus and his disciples the picture changed.  Jesus saw this as an opportunity to show love and compassion to a group of people who had only known criticism and hatred from their community.  The Pharisees were not asking questions about the “sinner dinner” because they cared, but rather to make Jesus look bad for hanging out with undesirables.

            On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means” I desire mercy, not sacrifice.  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13)

            In this story, the Pharisees were masquerading as God-fearing religious people while Matthew was disguised as an undesirable sinner.  But in the end, as history would have it, the roles were switched.  What made the difference?  In both cases Jesus exposed what was in the heart.  It is when we allow Christ to control our hearts that we find out just how much joy life can bring.  May we get rid of our masks and get real with God so we can begin making a difference in the lives of others.  Have a great week!

It’s good to be child-like
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 26, 2012

            Just like reading any other book, I’ve learned over the years to make sure I read the Bible in context.  In other words, find out the story surrounding a verse before jumping to any conclusions.  This makes for a better informed Bible student and can help you teach others.

For instance, without context, you could read the words of Paul and the words of Jesus and come away very confused about whether we are to be more mature or more childlike.

In 1 Corinthians 13:11 Paul says, “When I was a child, I talked as a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”

            But in Matthew 18:3 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

            So which verse should we obey?  Both!  Here is the key.  Paul is actually explaining Christian maturity, while Jesus is encouraging purity.  There is no contradiction.

Paul is talking about how so many of the things that have been done in the name of religion eventually cease, but that “love never fails”.   Paul followed Jesus’ teachings closely in dealing with those who would argue over the things a child might argue over: Who is the greatest?  Who baptized you?  Who gets the best seat?  Who has the best spiritual gift?

Paul compares our spiritual journey with the process of growing out of childhood into adulthood.   And in the end, love is the most important thing.  He writes about this in Ephesians 5:1 saying, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Now in Matthew 18:3 when Jesus said that we should become like children, again he is not talking about maturity, but rather purity.  He condemns those who would destroy the innocence of a child by introducing them to sin. 

Jesus ties maturity and purity together in Matthew 10:16 as he explains to the twelve apostles how they should conduct themselves when they go out to teach. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”  Jesus knows it will take the wisdom and perseverance of a mature adult to maneuver through a culture often hostile to the teachings of Jesus.  But the apostles would also need to become innocent like children who blindly trust that their parents will take care of them.  May we all learn to put our total trust in God who will find a way for us even when there seems to be no way.  Have a blessed week!

And the “unforgivable sin” is…
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 19, 2012

I actually watched videos one day this week of individuals online who sit smugly in front of a camera to announce they are “blaspheming the Holy Spirit”.   That’s sad!

            Many people have wondered over the years what it means to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.  After all, the Bible pegs this act as the only unforgivable sin (Matthew 12:31-32 and Mark 3:29).  Many have also wondered if they might be guilty of this sin since they’re not quite sure about the meaning of the phrase.

            To put some of you at ease, I’ve heard it said that if you’re worried about blaspheming the Holy Spirit, you are probably not guilty of it.

            However, the attitude of the Pharisees was that the miracles Jesus had been performing were only made possible through the power of the devil!   Can you imagine telling Jesus that?!

            In the above passages Jesus says that all other sins, even including speaking against Jesus are forgivable.  But He says that speaking against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 

            According to John 16:8, one of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to guide people into a belief of Jesus as the Son of God.  If a person’s attitude is that of permanently rejecting the Holy Spirit’s guidance to Christ, then it only makes since that salvation made possible through the blood of Jesus would not include the unbeliever and those unwilling to repent (turn to God).

            It may be possible for a person to reject Jesus out of ignorance.  But once taught the words of the Bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21), a person no longer has any excuse for walking in darkness.  Hebrews 10:26 says, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.”

            In Acts 26:9 the apostle Paul says that he used to be convinced he was right in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth, and putting Christians in prison.  But his feelings on the matter quickly changed when he was struck blind on the road to Damascus.  However, if Paul would have continued in his unbelief and his refusal to acknowledge that Jesus was God’s son, even after his encounter with Christ’s Spirit, he would have been guilty of committing the unforgivable sin.

            The good news is that until Judgment Day, the Holy Spirit calls patiently and lovingly for unbelievers to come to the Father, and for straying Christians to return to Him.  What will your answer be?  Have a blessed week!

There’s much more to the identity of Jesus
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 12, 2012

            Last week, I conducted a Bible study with a men’s group from the alternative sentencing program, FBTCC (Faith Based Therapeutic Community Corporation).

            The first question came from Jerry: “Is Jesus really God, and if so, how can that be?”  The answer comes from the Bible.  John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”   Colossians 1:15-20 also supports the fact that Jesus is our Creator and that God’s fullness “dwells in him”. 

The writer of Hebrews quotes one of the Psalms in which Jesus’ position is reinforced.  “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom (Hebrews 1:8 & Psalm 45:6).”   In this verse, Father God refers to his own son as God!  2 Samuel 7:11-16 confirms that the kingdom (everywhere His will is being carried out including the church) belongs to Christ.

So is it wrong to say that God created everything?  No. We’re told so in Genesis 1:1.  But if we are under the impression that God the Father did everything by Himself, while Jesus and the Holy Spirit just watched, we really should broaden the definition of God.  Imagine a circle labeled God.  Within that circle are three smaller circles labeled God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  You could also think of the three parts of an apple: the skin, the meat, and the core.  They are all part of the apple just like each part of the Godhead is God.  

The Bible confirms the unity that exists among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Even during creation, the Godhead worked as a team, one God.  “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness… (Genesis 1:26)”  Notice the use of the words “us” and “our”. 

Matthew 1:23 quotes a verse that first appeared 700 years earlier in Isaiah 7:14.  “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” – which means “God with us.”  Isaiah 9:6 says that the (Christ) child will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace”. 

But we also know that when Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest and crucifixion he prayed to God his Father (Matt. 26:39).

In John 14-15 Jesus explains the role of God’s Holy Spirit who would be our Counselor and Guide after Christ would ascend back to his Father.  We are never alone in our spiritual battles.  Paul said, Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and God’s Spirit lives in you (1 Corinthians 3:16)?”

Peter said we receive the Holy Spirit when we’re baptized (Acts 2:38).  In John 14:23, Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”  Notice again “we” and “our”, only this time God the Father and God the Son appear have at least a similar role as God the Holy Spirit.

We can be confident that this three in one God has our salvation figured out from all angles.  And because of the time Jesus Christ spent here in the flesh, He understands our struggles, our spiritual battles, and offers eternal life in heaven to all those who believe in Him and obey His word. Will you follow him today?

Methods of teaching Bible are just as important as obeying it
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 5, 2012

            Meeting people “where they are” is a phrase that sounds noble enough for Christians who are trying to bring non-believers into a relationship with Christ.

            But a few days ago a Facebook friend suggested that Jesus would rather that Christians commune with non-believers over a few beers while talking about matters of faith instead of taking part in communion on Sundays during the Lord’s Supper.

            Seriously?!  It is obviously important to take our faith outside the walls of the church building and to meet people “where they are” spiritually.  It is important to go and find the unsaved, and teach them.  But I could not disagree more with the manner of evangelism my friend suggested.   If we were to take that logic to its ultimate end, Christians would find themselves in all kinds of situations that could be more of a hindrance than a help.  Many Christians have had good intentions in helping people “where they are” but have found themselves way over the line, engaged in a sinful lifestyle.

Yes, moderation is a key to many things.  The Bible does not say that drinking alcohol is a sin.  But the clear majority of scripture has negative things to say about the effects of alcohol.  John the Baptist (Luke 1:15) did not drink alcohol because he was a Nazarite, meaning holy or set apart for service to God.  That also happens to be part of the definition of what it means to be a Christian (1 Peter 2:9).  John was very successful at teaching non-believers and baptizing them.  Is God’s word less effective today?  Does God need us to drink a few beers to convert people?

Anyone who reads 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 cannot possibly think it’s okay to make it a habit to go places and do things that can lead even the strongest of Christians astray.

Putting the issue of alcohol consumption aside, if we do not properly remember the death of Jesus Christ, we really have no right and no credibility when it comes to sharing our faith.  So to think that God wants us to skip the Lord’s Supper so we can use more of our time to share our faith with unbelievers (beer or no beer) is about as ridiculous as passing by every gas pump so we can get to where we are going faster.  We all need that time of communion.

            The early Christians met on the first day of the week to participate in the Lord’s Supper, remembering the Lord’s death.  They also took up a collection for the work of the church (Acts 20:7 & 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).  The first day of the week happens every week.

            The Bible gives Christians leeway in our methods of soul winning, but God be with you as you choose ways that result in spiritual successes, not disasters resulting from discounting the written word.  Have a great week!

God is closer than you think

by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 29, 2012

Within a few hours of writing this article for the Fort Gibson Times, I’m traveling to Neosho, Missouri with 60 teens and chaperons for a youth rally. The event is called Jumpstart because it takes place at the beginning of the school year. It gives teens one more high-octane spiritual boost before their schedules become too hectic. This weekend of praise and worship times, concerts, discussion classes, food and fellowship with about 800 young brothers and sisters in Christ is truly amazing.

One battle all youth ministers face is that of helping teens understand that even though teen events can rev us up spiritually, it is not possible to constantly stay on this kind of spiritual high. There will always be more mountaintop experiences to look forward to, but right in the middle of those “feel good” days will most certainly be life’s valleys. It is not even logical to think that in this life every day is a mountaintop, since mountaintops cannot exist without valleys which also hold great purpose for Christians.

One thing I always try to remind teens of is that God is not only alive and active at cool youth events, His Spirit is alive and active inside us! We do not have to wait until the next inspiring youth rally, Gospel meeting, retreat, or church camp to re-connect with God. The devil would like us to believe that the next spiritual boost is far, far away. But that’s only a lie.

Matthew 4:1-11 tells the story of how Jesus prepared for his ministry on earth. He fasted in the desert 40 days and 40 nights. Jesus was obviously hungry. So when the devil tempted him by telling him to turn stones into bread, that must have been extremely difficult to turn down, especially if his memories turned back to meals his mother prepared for him as a child. Just one bite of bread at satan’s request, and the story of Jesus would have taken on an entirely different flavor. But Jesus knew something the devil must have forgotten about.

The very beginning of that passage reminds us of something very important. It was God’s Holy Spirit who led Jesus into the dessert. He was with Jesus the entire time. As Christians, we need to remember that the Holy Spirit also dwells inside every baptized believer (Acts 2:38). It’s the same Spirit who descended on Jesus like a dove after his baptism in Matthew 3:16.

God is always near, willing, ready and able to pick us up when we are down. He is always listening. 1 Thes. 5:17 says, “Pray continually.” Have you talked to him today? Have a blessed week!

Back to school worries are no match for God
by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 22, 2012

            When I ask the kids in my youth group what burdens they would like to lay at the feet of Jesus this time of year, school-related stresses are always among the top.  Most parents I visit with are also a little more stressed at the beginning of the school year.

            The fact is, summer is not only great break from school, homework, and such.  It is also a great break from daily temptations that come in the form of peer pressure.  But it doesn’t take long every year for kids who are on fire for the Lord because of church camp and other youth activities, to find themselves fighting temptations.

            These spiritual battles become huge, especially for those who forget that Christians come equipped with an unlimited supply of POWER from on high (Ephesians 1:15-20), and from constant fellowship with their church family! (Hebrews 10:25)

            One of my favorite passages for young people this time of year was written by the apostle Paul to a young disciple named Timothy.  Paul wrote, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).”

            Paul is urging Timothy to persevere in his faith. This step begins with a study of God’s word (Romans 10:17 & 2 Timothy 2:15).  Even today, we must put aside our own likes and dislikes about how “religion” is done. We must get off God’s throne, and put Him back on it! Our place is not on a throne but on an altar (Romans 12:1).

Paul tells Timothy it is important to read from God’s word, and to obey it.  “Faith without deeds is dead (James 2:26).”   You see, putting our belief into action is just as necessary as having an accurate belief system to begin with, based on the Bible (Gal. 1:6-10). 

            In the first century Paul wrote letters of encouragement and instruction mostly to new bodies of believers.  The persecution they were under made these letters even more important.

Paul wrote to remind them of the power that each Christian possesses because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that takes place when we put on Christ in baptism (Acts 2:38 & Galatians 3:26-27).  God’s Spirit guides, comforts, and communicates our every need to God the Father as we earnestly seek to stay in step with God (Heb. 11:6 & Gal. 5:25).  God will always show us a way of escape when temptations come (1 Cor. 10:13).

In Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians he said, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)

Remember the power of God’s encouragement and guidance is here for us today the same as it was generations ago.  What will you do with it today?    Have a blessed week!

I can only imagine how Noah felt!

by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 15, 2012

About 11:00pm Wednesday night as I sat in my chair watching the Olympics, I heard THUNDER. And then… almost immediately… to my amazement… raindrops… lots of them… spattering and then pouring onto my roof! I had to go outside to make sure my ears were not deceiving me! Sure enough, there it was… wet as it could be. Real, live, rain!

People on Facebook were talking about it, too. One quoted, “It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring, he went to bed and bumped his head, and he couldn't get up in the morning!”

I had told someone earlier that day I’d almost forgotten what it was like to experience rain! So, when the drops began to fall late Wednesday, I couldn’t help but wonder what Noah must have felt when the clouds opened up and began to produce rain (possibly for the first time ever, according to scripture). In an instant, everyone viewed Noah’s efforts to build an ark much differently than they had for the previous 100 years.

I think Noah must have had mixed reactions of deep sadness and redemption. After all, he had been preaching the righteousness of God for generation after generation and practically nobody believed him. But when the eight entered the ark with the animals and God closed the door, the minds of many would soon change. They would not only know about the truths Noah preached, but as the waters rose inch by inch, and the people found their lives to be in grave danger, they most certainly were very sorry they had not obeyed God’s message that had been delivered day after day by Noah. But it would be too late for those people to be saved. Noah’s neighbors and in fact an entire wicked world would be destroyed by floodwaters.

Our little rain was nothing like Noah’s experience of 40 days and nights. That magnitude of flooding will never happen again. God even gave us the rainbow to remind us of that fact. It is also a colorful reminder that God always keeps His promises. We as Christians have also made a promise to God that we will live for Him as we await our promised home in heaven.

In this life, we will all no doubt experience days of spiritual drought when we forget that true relief only comes from the living water of Jesus Christ who reigns forever, and has promised to save those who obey His word.

Please pray that our church family will drink often and deeply the Well that never runs dry. Have a blessed day!

There should be no ‘foul’ in speaking Christian truths
by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 8, 2012

             With all of the opinions and freedom of speech being exercised by Americans in every walk of life from government leaders to private citizens, how does Chic-fil-A, a single restaurant chain, become the center of so much controversy?

            It began with an interview recently published in the Baptist Press (www.bpnews.net). The company’s president, Dan Cathy, said, “We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”

Cathy continued, "We operate as a family business ... our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that.”

The chain of 1608 restaurants has 61-thousand employees and is closed on Sundays.

Cathy ended the article by saying, "We intend to stay the course," he said. "We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles."

It wasn’t long before Chic-fil-A became embroiled in a firestorm of publicity, some in favor of the company, and some against.  Some politicians in Boston and Chicago reportedly even told the company it’s not welcome to do business in their towns.

An article in the Christian Chronicle has drawn a lot of responses that should serve as great reminders for Christians on how we choose to deal with these kinds of controversies.  You can read the entire article and responses at www.christianchronicle.org.

One reader noted that Christians should respond differently to hot button issues than how the world reacts.  He quoted the apostle Paul who said, “When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly (1 Corinthians 12-13, NIV).”   Paul makes a similar statement in 2 Timothy 2:23-26

Others said it is important to stand up for God’s word so Christians will not lose the right to express it at all.  Daniel knew what it was like to be persecuted for siding with God.  He wrote, “The people who know their God will display strength and take action (Daniel 11:32, NASB).”

As Christians, we have a responsibility to “Do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:10, NIV).”  But we must always remember that any truth we speak, must be done in a spirit of love (Ephesians 4:15).

The fact is, biblical truths have already been inspired by God’s Spirit, and written down for us by man (2 Timothy 3:16).  Truth cannot be changed by anyone.  God is our Creator and He decided long ago how appropriate relationships are defined.  The consequences have also been set for disobedience (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). 

So, as Christians defend our faith, let’s make sure we do not do more harm than good. We must show others the joy of living the Christian life, and show that even though we hate sin, we love the sinner.  Remember, we all fall short (Romans 3:23) and depend on God’s grace and forgiveness as we model a repentant life.  Have a great week!

Godly beauty shines from the inside out

by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 1, 2012

Triple digit heat, a new dress code, campers and staff getting by on very little sleep, and sharing cabin space in close quarters with people you see only once or twice a year. Praise be to God that by the end of the week kids were begging to stay a few more days at church camp. Some of you probably had similar experiences at your camps.

My youth group goes to Burnt Cabin Christian Camp on Lake Tenkiller. By the time all the other invited teenagers and counselors arrive from area towns, there are about 200 of us.

The theme for the week was “Jars of Clay” from 2 Corinthians 4:7. Our studies on this topic were great reminders that in spite of adverse circumstances, God can work wonders in our lives. He can do great things for us and through us even when we think we are unqualified, nothing but spiritual failures, broken pieces of pottery. Even if we’ve been cracked or broken, God can put us back together. Even if pieces are still missing, and we still have cracks and scars, the light of Christ can still shine through us even brighter than before! God could have chosen a seemingly more reliable method of transporting the story of Jesus to a lost and dying world. He could have used an armored vehicle or a spaceship. But He chose us!

I must say that the thing I dreaded the most about camp this year was having to enforce our new dress code I came up with: 1) standard round neck t-shirts, 2) shorts that come to within two and one-half inches above the top of the knee cap when standing. That is the height of a dollar bill.

This dress code might sound easy enough to deal with (or not). But our culture has decided that the shorts our young ladies must wear to be popular should be MUCH SHORTER, and have slits up each side. This obviously poses a problem for young men who are trying to maintain purity of mind whether you’re at church camp or somewhere in public.

Thankfully, decent clothes have not disappeared altogether. My wife and our 17-year old daughter found appropriate shorts at Old Navy, JC Penney, American Eagle, and GAP. Granted, there is a lot more to choose from at most stores if you’re willing to buy less material. After all, most designers are not likely as concerned for our souls as they are with making a profit.

At camp, I was encouraged to find that some young people who were not thrilled about the new dress code, actually changed their minds by the end of the week. Of course, the challenge will be staying strong the other 51 weeks of the year! Godly parenting can obviously be a huge help. Please pray for children and parents to take a strong stand in supporting and practicing purity of mind. Everything else will fall into place. Have a great week!

The Bible says being peculiar is a good thing
by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 25, 2012

            The other day Lisa noticed that in the flower pot on our sidewalk, something was peculiar.  It was filled with mostly white periwinkles.  And the reason I say “mostly” is because right in the middle of all those white flowers was a pink periwinkle! 

Lisa is not sure how that happened since she didn’t plant it that way, at least intentionally.  She immediately pointed this oddity out to our son, Britton, and told him there’s a good Bible lesson in there somewhere!

            So, on the off chance that Britton (typical teenager) is not going to write out a Bible lesson based on his mom’s flower pot (at least in time for me to meet my newspaper deadline), I decided to go ahead and write something about it.

            For my Bible study, I normally use the English Standard Version, the New International Version, or the New American Standard Bible.  But for my thoughts today I want to use the King James Version because I like the way it words a passage that refers to the early Christians in the first century, and still applies to us today.

            “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9, KJV).”

            Normally, people do not like to be described as peculiar.  But in spiritual matters, which is what really counts, being peculiar is not a bad thing at all.  When you look around at how the world defines peculiar, Christians find themselves at the butt of every joke, the minority, and the odd-balls that are seemingly out of touch with what is hip!

            Here’s the deal.  God never called Christians to be in the “in crowd”, popular, or normal by the world’s standards.  God calls us to be radical, different, peculiar, or “a people for God’s own possession (ESV, NASB).”

            The one loan pink periwinkle teaches a great lesson!  It is much like the Christian who refuses to go along with what the world has decided is normal and acceptable.  This does not mean that committed Christians are trouble-makers or trying to be difficult or hard to get along with.  It simply means that committed Christians have their eyes on the prize, and refuse to settle for any earthly reward that conflicts with the eternal reward of heaven that awaits those who are found to be faithful. 

Committed Christians are beautifully peculiar, just like the odd flower that God blesses with amazing beauty and perseverance in spite of its circumstances.   God bless you and have a great week!

God is always looking out for us
by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 18, 2012

            Don’t you just love it when things turn out for the best, especially when you thought it was for the worst?  As I write this article, I am just amazed at how God has been working in my ministry this summer.  And trust me, it’s not because of anything I’ve done!  I could not possibly list all of God’s blessings this summer.  But I do have space to mention a few of them.

            I direct two sessions of church camp each summer, Junior Camp for younger kids and Teenweek.  My theme for both camps is “Jars of Clay”.   Lisa and I were trying to decide if my youth budget could afford several dozen tiny clay pots for a craft project for Junior Camp. 

The 3 inch pots normally sell for about $2.39 each.  So we stopped at Hobby Lobby.  As soon as we walked in the door, we found several shelves of 12 inch tall terracotta pots for just a dollar each!  What a blessing!   Each camper painted one and took it home.  But after Junior Camp we had 14 pots leftover, unused. 

A few weeks later we were thinking of ways to decorate the camp cafeteria for our Friday evening banquet at Teenweek.  I called Sam, the camp’s caretaker.  I asked him how many tables there were so we could bring enough centerpieces.  You guessed it, 14.  God is good!

Here’s an even funnier story!  As I was planning Teenweek, I had an hour slot in my evening camp schedule that I was having a lot of trouble filling.   So I took a couple of days off and took Lisa to on an all-expenses paid trip to Eureka Springs as a reward from our congregation for ten years of service.  When we arrived, I stopped off at a bank to buy a couple of rolls of quarters to feed the parking meters.  A man walked in behind me and we began to talk while waiting in line.  As it turns out, the man is a potter who travels around with his pottery wheel and kiln, and speaks to groups about the comparisons between making pottery and how God, the Master Potter, molds each of us day by day!  And yes, he agreed to come speak at our church camp!  What a blessing.  God is good!

One final story.  A few days ago, our camp nurse for the second half of the Teenweek told me she would not be able to come to camp because of having to take off work so much to take her son to the doctor.  But God evidently knew about this a few weeks before.  That’s when Levi Walker, a product of Fort Gibson, who serves as a youth minister at the Main and Oklahoma Church of Christ in McAlester, asked me if there was room on our staff for him to bring another volunteer counselor.  I said, “Yes, if you’re sure she would make a good one.”   Well, guess what her real job is?  That’s right, she’s an R.N.

God is amazing and is constantly blessing our lives even when we forget to give him credit.  Have a great week!

Bible knowledge doesn’t help if your attitude is not right

by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 10, 2012

Funny thing happened to me the other day. I needed a haircut, but I had forgotten to make an appointment with my stylist who requires four days notice. So, I had to be a walk-in at some random shop in Muskogee. MISTAKE.

As soon as I walked in, the owner who looked like she had just been through it that day, and was in a very bad mood, scowled and said, “You need a haircut?” I said, “Yes.” She said, “Come on! Sit down right here!” I walked over and said, “How are you today?” She said, “Alright, I guess.” I said, “Alright for a work day?” She said, “ Huh?!” I said, “You’re doing alright for a work day?” She smirked and said, “I guess. How do you want your hair cut?”

And before I could even explain anything to her, she flicked-on her electric clippers and started-in on the back of my hair! Quickly on her fourth swipe, I was beginning to panic. Trying to get her to slow down, I told her that I was leading worship this Sunday and that a lot of people might be looking at my hair. She said, “It’ll grow back! That’s what I always say, it’ll grow back, it’s just hair! Besides, they shouldn’t be worried about your hair. They should be worshipping!”

I thought, “Mercy! What have I gotten myself into?” An angry hair stylist had somehow landed me in her hair lair chair, and was evidently taking her bad day out on the unsuspecting customer, me!

Feeling pressure to work fast in diffusing the situation, I began to compliment her confidence in hair styling. After explaining to me that she had been cutting hair for way too many years, she slowly but surely she began to talk in normal tones and even smile a little. I’m glad she was feeling better because it took me the next three hours for my adrenaline to stop pumping! Thank goodness, she actually knew her craft well enough to give me a pretty decent looking haircut. But it was her chair-side manner that came this close to making me bolt for the door, cape or no cape, finished or not!

In Ephesians 4:15 the apostle Paul says, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

As Christians, nobody really cares what we have to say to them if our attitude is not right. Yes, it is important to know the truth and speak the truth. But it is just as important to speak it with a spirit of compassion and love. God bless you and have a great week!

Freedom from hell came at a high price
by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 4, 2012

            For some reason, the odor of exploding fireworks brings back good memories for me each year around the fourth of July.  But even though a little bit of burning sulphur smell doesn’t bother me, I cannot imagine what it would be like to breathe-in the levels described in scripture where hell is concerned.

            Revelation 20:10 says, “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown.  They will be tormented day and night forever.”

            Brimstone or burning sulphur is described as toxic and dangerously irritating, producing a choking feeling, and can lead to permanent respiratory problems or death due to choking.

            I don’t know about you, but those descriptions alone are enough to convince me that hell is a place I DO NOT want to be, EVER, much less FOREVER!

            You may have seen tragic images in the media lately of the thick smoke, blazing wildfires, and destruction in parts of Colorado Springs.  My sister and her husband helped set up an evacuation shelter at the Eastside Church of Christ there for those who were driven out by smoke or fire. 

            In a matter of days or weeks, the last spark will be put out, the smoke will fade away, and life will begin to get back to normal.  That cannot be said for hell.  And that’s why no one wants to go there.

            Here’s the good news.  You don’t have to go there!  Not for an eternity, a day, an hour, or even for a second.  Here's the scary part and the victory all wrapped up in one verse, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).”

            Jesus chose to pay the ultimate price for the sins of mankind so we could all have hope.

            In John 3:16 Jesus said it best, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

            That doesn’t mean Christ was happy about the punishment inflicted on him at the hands of those he came to save.  But Jesus most certainly found great joy in defeating the devil.  Jesus knew that his sacrifice would result in salvation for all who would act on their belief in Jesus as God’s son, and do the will of his Father in heaven (ref: Matthew 7:21).

            Have you made that choice?  Have a great week!

Sunburn season can bring a variety of lessons from God
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 27, 2012

            A week after going to the lake I am still suffering the effects of too much sun!  I was sitting in the shade, driving a pontoon boat most of the day.  I wore a wide brim camouflage hat just in case I needed to step out from under the canvas.  It seems the biggest mistake I made was not wearing a shirt!  

            Still, I felt pretty confident that I was safe or at least mostly protected from the ultra violet rays.   WRONG.  I had forgotten that sunrays can bounce off the water at an angle and still cause burns.  And the fact that my hat was camo did not even begin to hide me from the rays.  I will save you the scorching details, but let’s just say I don’t plan to make that mistake again!

            I figured as much pain as I went through in the days following my sunburn episode, there must be a spiritual lesson that could be derived from this.  After all, I’ve preached over and over that good things can always come out of bad things.  And somehow, joy can be experienced and God can be praised even in the midst of getting burned by life’s trials. 

            Speaking of sunburns!  Jonah had to learn a lesson the hard way because of his stubbornness to submit to the will of God.  Actually, several lessons.  You would have thought being swallowed by a giant fish would have convinced him to see things God’s way.  Jonah did obey God, at least to a point.  He preached in Nineveh to the evil people he felt didn’t deserve to be saved.  As a result, the Ninevites changed their ways!  Lesson one: Be a willing vessel.

            Even though the Ninevites repented, Jonah was still angry with God for showing compassion to people with such an evil history.  So he sat down under a shelter outside the city to see what God would do to Nineveh.  But evidently the shelter was not sunray proof.  So God provided a vine to quickly grow over the shelter.  This eased Jonah’s discomfort from the sun.  But the next day God sent a worm to destroy the vine.  This concerned Jonah greatly as he almost passed out from heat blazing down on his head!  So God told Jonah that he had no right to be concerned about a vine that he did not create, while ironically hoping God would not be concerned about the well-being of the Ninevites.  Lesson two: Be compassionate.

            God wants us all to spend more time showing concern in the form of Christ’s love to others in preparation for his return, and less time storing up treasures on earth that will eventually burn.  Have a great week!

Spiritual Growth Is a Choice
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 20, 2012

            When I was a kid, I thought people grew spiritually simply by growing older.  I’m not sure why I felt that way.  Maybe, it was because my young life revolved around my family at home and my Christian family.

            Whatever the case, as I began to pay more attention to adults while tagging along with my parents, it became apparent to me that growing older did not necessarily mean growing spiritually.  But now that I’ve been around for a few years, 47 to be exact, I am well aware that age and Christian maturity rarely go hand in hand.  They should (Ephesians 4:13), but as the Bible points out, they just don’t (Matthew 7:13-23).

            Romans 6:4 says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

            It would be difficult to misunderstand Paul’s inspired words in the above passage.  When we re-enact Christ’s death through baptism, we have the privilege and honor of starting a new life just like Jesus did when he was resurrected from the grave.  It takes action on our part to put-on Christ in this way.  But even then our job as a Christian is far from over.

            The writer of Hebrews 10:36 said it well, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

            In 2 Peter 1:3-11 the writer says that Christians not only need to possess Godly characteristics such as goodness and love, but should also increase in them so as to not become ineffective!   Peter goes on to say that by doing these things we can actually make our “calling and election sure”, and even receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of Christ.

             As a minister, I attend a lot of weddings and a lot of funerals.  And it is always sad to see a young couple begin a life together that does not include a solid relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is even sadder to see someone at the end of their life who never chose to believe and obey the Gospel message.  And then there are those who have professed all their lives to be a Christian but their words have not been supported by their actions or continued obedience.  The joy of living the Christian life is available to everyone who is willing to do the will of the Father.  Will you commit to Him today?  Have a great week!

Our Creator provides plenty of opportunities to learn about him
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 13, 2012

             It’s amazing what you can learn about God just from walking around on a farm.  This past week, I took groups of kids on a “Fun Day at the Farm” in Tahlequah.  We ride horses, bikes, play basketball, croquet, fish, have lunch and a Bible study.

            One young lady was riding a horse in the round training pen.  But everytime the horse walked by a certain spot, it was as if it was drawn to a clump of grass poking through the fence.  The horse would stop and eat as much grass as it could before the young lady kicked it back into gear, which was not an easy task for a fifth grader.

            I told the kids to take notice of how God provides for every living creature.  While the horse could hardly stay away from the grass, and appeared to love it like a kid loves cotton candy, none of us was tempted to eat even a little of it.  God provides for all of His creation.   He is compassionate, thoughtful, and pays attention to detail.

            The beauty of the intricate leaves, incredibly designed trees, creative clouds, ponds that provide life for creatures big and small, and rolling hills that were formed by the hand of God gave each child on the trip something to think about. 

We serve a creative God who has thought of everything!  We breathe out the very thing that trees need to survive (carbon dioxide), and trees emit the very thing that humans need to survive (oxygen).  There are more than 5000 products made from trees!

            While Colossians 1:16 and John 1:3 remind us that all things were created by Jesus and for Jesus, Romans 1:20 reminds us that from the very beginning, mankind has been able to understand a lot about God’s qualities by what has been made.

            Our “Fun Day at the Farm” experience unfortunately did not include catching fish, but it was not for lack of trying.  Even so, patience, perseverance, self-control, and the importance of simple fun and fellowship are valuable lessons that come to mind when I think about my failure to catch even one fish on our trip.   Who knows what God was up to?  He very rarely works within my time frame!

            Whatever the case, summer is a great time to take notice of God’s creation no matter where you are.  Have a blessed week!