The taste of praise is sweet
by Barrett Vanlandingham
April 7, 2009

David enjoyed the taste of praise in times of happiness and joy, as well as in times of fear and anxiety. In last week’s article, I marveled at David’s ability to praise God even when he was on the run from King Saul who was trying to kill him. David somehow was able to take shelter under God and write an amazing poem of praise that we call Psalm 34. In the middle of it David said, “:08 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
The first three verses of Psalm 34 are just as incredible. “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”
It’s easy to feel confident in our faith when life’s recipe is mixed just right. But when any of the ingredients for having a happy life is missing, we sometimes struggle spiritually.
We pray to God during the tough times, but do we praise him like David did? How could David have been so spiritually connected during such a difficult and stressful time? I believe the answer lies in his heart. 1 Samuel 13:14 says that David was a man after God’s own heart.
The fact is, David knew that tough times would come and go. But his experience had already shown him that siding with God could allow him to accomplish things that would have seemed impossible to most people. Despite the fact that David was described as “only a boy” (1 Sam. 17:33), he was said to have slain tens of thousands during times of war in comparison to Saul’s thousands. This should have been no shock since the “Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power” (1 Sam. 16:13) from the day that Samuel anointed David to replace Saul as king.
In Psalm 34:2, David knew that the afflicted would be encouraged by hearing the Lord’s praise which was always on his lips. And why wouldn’t their spirits be lifted and hopes restored? After all, they were hearing about a God who worked in uncommon ways through a very common young man, and there were many witnesses to back up his story.
David is simply saying that praising the Lord continually made a big difference in his life and it can in yours too.
Barrett Vanlandingham can be reached at the Fort Gibson Church of Christ. ftgcoc_barrett@sbcglobal.nets or 478-2222.

The Lord tastes good in times of joy and stress
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 31, 2009

Anyone who’s been to a summer church camp I’ve directed knows I like my theme titles to rhyme with the year. I’ve been working on a series of lessons for this summer titled “Tasting Fine in 2009.” It’s based on Psalm 34:8 which says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
David is the writer of the 34th Psalm. He wrote it as he was being forced to flee his country because Saul (King if Israel) was trying to kill him. He was so scared that he acted like a madman and let saliva run down his beard so that Achish (King of Gath) would let him go (1 Samuel 21:10-15).
But even in the middle of all this, David managed to praise God with such clarity of mind. In fact, each verse of the Psalm 34 poem begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This is pretty impressive for someone who was on the run, afraid for his life, and struggling with feelings of insecurity. David trusted God, but it’s only natural for someone to feel uneasy when someone’s chasing you.
The fact is, David was definitely qualified to say that the Lord tasted good. Why? Because time after time, God helped David overcome King Saul’s efforts to kill him (1 Sam. 18:12 & 23:14). The Lord even blessed David with a best friend (Jonathan) who was the son of Saul! Can you imagine being best friends with someone whose dad was always trying to kill you? No thanks! But God had a plan that involved putting David in the right place at the right time. Sometimes we wonder why God allows things to happen as they do. It’s okay to wonder. But it’s more important to trust God even when we don’t fully understand how his plan needs to be carried out.
In David’s lifetime, he knew the negative consequences of excluding God from his decisions such as the time he lusted after Bathsheba. He also knew the blessings of taking refuge in the Lord such as the time God helped David kill Goliath. We all have giants to deal with, don’t we?
This idea of taking refuge in the Lord was important for David, and it is just as important for us today. Our world is full of distractions, and we need time alone with the Lord to revive. God desires a relationship with us. But we need a relationship with him. Have you tasted the Lord lately? (end)

Christians need to hit the Book more
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 24, 2009

A slow decline in the number of people committed to basic Bible principles continues to produce some startling statistics. The latest Barna Group Survey says only one-percent of the youngest adult generation has a biblical worldview.
That means only one-percent of America’s 18-23 year olds believe the following:
1. Moral truth exists.
2. The Bible is completely accurate in all the principles it teaches.
3. Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic.
4. A person cannot earn their way into Heaven by good works.
5. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth.
6. God is the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator who still rules the universe today.
What is scary about that percentage is that less than three years ago, another survey of the millennial (teenage) generation revealed only four-percent of that age group is committed to basic Bible principles. What’s worse is that this Millennial Generation is the biggest-ever group of teenagers in American history.
65-percent of the World War II generation said they were committed to basic Bible principles. 35-percent of the Baby Boomers said they were committed to basic Bible principles. 16-percent of Generation X said they were committed to basic Bible principles.
Now, imagine how the problems we face in our society today will be handled when the Millennial Generation is in the driver’s seat instead of the Baby Boomers.
Another Barna Group Survey cited in the Christian Post suggests that even though most Americans consider themselves to be of the Christian faith and say they know the content of the Bible, less than one out of ten Americans demonstrate such knowledge by their actions.
In an article for the Christian Science Monitor, Michael Spencer wrote, “We Evangelicals have failed to pass on to our young people an orthodox form of faith that can take root and survive the secular onslaught.” He goes on to say that we’ve spent billions in the name of religion, and have produced a culture of young Christians who know next to nothing about their own faith except how they feel about it. Spencer says, “Our young people have deep beliefs about the culture war, but do not know why they should obey scripture, the essentials of theology, or the experience of spiritual discipline and community.” He says, “Coming generations of Christians are going to be monumentally ignorant and unprepared for culture-wide pressures.”
Only when we model the love of Jesus Christ and apply his teachings will our friends, neighbors, and families take our commitment to God seriously. That will change more lives than any amount of political grandstanding and protesting issues in the name of religion.
Bottom line? Deuteronomy 6:4-9 had it right all along. God’s people must do a better job at studying and understanding their Bibles and following through with application, and teaching their children to do the same. It is imperative that we know exactly what we are commanded to do. And it is equally important that we take seriously our responsibility to obey the Bible’s teachings. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)

Spiritual Lessons from Driver’s Test
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 17, 2009

As I sat there as a nervous dad in the Driver’s License Examiner waiting room Friday, I couldn’t help but feel a certain amount of apprehension for my 16-year old daughter. I thought to myself, “She’s only had her permit for six months. Is she ready to take that final step?” At any moment now, it would be her turn to get behind the wheel of my Jeep with the officer sitting next to her. Would she pass the test? I hoped so. But regardless, there was nothing else I could do to help her now. The training period was over. The officer read my daughter’s name loudly from the sign-in clip board. Her time had come, and off they went! Within 15 minutes, they returned. She had passed the test!
Spiritually speaking, there are some definite parallels to what parents go through in raising their children in the Lord. We train and train, but ultimately it is the child who has to decide whether to apply God’s word to their life. Eventually, they have to be tested for themselves away from their parents. That is the point at which a parent learns the meaning of “giving it over to God.”
Prayer is powerful. And beyond that, there is nothing else you can do to shelter your children from physical, emotional, or spiritual harm. It’s between them and God. But let me say again, “Prayer is powerful.” Prayer must be our first line of action, not a last resort.
So, as soon as we pulled into the driveway with her license in hand, I felt the urge to pray. I prayed for her, I prayed over “Herbert” (my 1982 Ford F-150 she will be driving), and I prayed for all the drivers on the road. Before she could even get into the pickup, I’m pretty sure I had wiped enough tears from my eyes to at least wash the hood. However, I restrained myself.
I wouldn’t have wanted the neighbors to think I wasn’t handling things well.
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
I have no doubt that my daughter is developing her own relationship with God. But just like the driver’s test, she will stand before God one day and answer for herself. We all will. The good news is that for Christians, Jesus has already passed the test for us. We just have to follow the narrow road that leads to him (Matthew 7:13-14). (end)

The Most Misunderstood Part of God
by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 3, 2009

Maybe it’s because we are human, but it seems most Christians have an easier time understanding the idea of God the Father and God the Son than God the Holy Spirit.
But it is important for every Christian to spend time thinking about the Spirit and His work in the Bible and in us. Why? It’s because the Holy Spirit is that part of God who is actually closest to us.
In fact, according the scripture, if the Spirit had a physical address, it would probably read something like “Every Baptized Believer Avenue.”
You can read about that in Acts 2:38. That’s where Peter just finished preaching the first Gospel sermon. The people were deeply grieved, realizing they had just crucified the Son of God. So they asked, “What shall we do?” That’s when Peter said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
God’s word reaffirms this truth many times in the New Testament. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 tells us that God “…anointed us, and set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
Paul is simply saying that every Christian has a covenant or an agreement with God of the blessing of heaven. And to prove God means what he says, he sent his Holy Spirit to dwell inside us. The Holy Spirit makes his home in our body, our temple (2 Cor. 6:16 and 1 Cor. 3:16) when we obey his word. Part of that obedience is being baptized for the forgiveness of sins.
In John 14:15-17a, Jesus told his disciples, “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth.”
Jesus said those words to let his disciples know that after he would be crucified, raised on the third day, and then go back to his heavenly Father, he would be sending that other part of God to guide them.
Jesus reaffirms this thought in some of the final words he would say to his disciples. It’s recorded in Matthew 28:18-20 after Jesus said that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
So what has the Holy Spirit done for us? The Spirit is what enabled Jesus and his disciples in the first century to do miracles to convince people that Jesus' message was true. Then, the Spirit made sure these events and other words of the Bible were written down accurately over the course of 1500 years, by 40 writers on three different continents. We can take a book of the Bible dating back over two-thousand years, and it will read the same as a new copy today (ref: 2 Peter 1:20-21).
So what does the Holy Spirit do for us today?
1. He gives us a way of escape in temptations (1 Cor. 10:13).
2. He gives us inner strength (Ephesians 3:16).
3. He communicates our prayers to God when we are not sure of what to ask (Romans 8:26-27).
4. He transforms us into the likeness of Jesus (2 Cor 3:17-18).
5. He leads us to partake in that wonderful fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
May God bless us all as we take confidence in knowing the power that is available to each of us who has made our bodies a home for God’s Holy Spirit. (end)


Cow Lips and Christianity Have Something in Common
by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 24, 2009

Interesting things always happen when you take God’s work into a mission field. This time in Monterrey, Mexico was no different. One of the local elders of a Monterrey Church of Christ has a taco stand where we ate breakfast one morning which was a first for me. We didn’t find out until afterwards that the tasty soft tacos were 100-percent cow lips! They call it barbecoa. If it hadn’t tasted so incredibly good, I would be saying, “YUK” right about now. I guess that was a small sacrifice to encourage a brother in Christ.
I can’t help but be more appreciative of life here in Northeastern Oklahoma everytime I take a trip across the Rio Grande. Ten of us from the Fort Gibson Church of Christ made the journey into Monterrey last week on a short term mission trip to continue construction on a new church building near there. The Fort Gibson Church of Christ purchased the land about a year and a half ago in the fast-growing suburb of Santa Monica. The foundation is finished, most of the walls are up, and now work on the floor, ceiling, and roof will take place soon. The 10-thousand square foot building will seat as many as 400 people, and will provide classroom space. Right now, the 60 members are meeting in a small building about the size of a garage.
While there are obviously some cultural differences between the U.S. and Mexico based on economics, politics, and tradition, there are more similarities than differences. And the desire to worship God seems just as strong there as it does here.
Jeri Collins, Glen and Robin Elliott, Everett Laney, Kenny Lashley, Dan Rouse, myself, and three others from the Sand Springs Church of Christ made the February 14-20 trip.
Despite the news reports of increased danger in Mexico, our group never felt in danger while we were there. Project Director Rick Owens has built over a hundred church buildings in the past 20-years with volunteer help, mostly teenagers who come in to help week after week. And not even once has there been an instance of violence aimed at any of the church groups, and no serious injuries. That’s impressive considering there have been literally thousands of teenage and adult groups make the trip over the years to dig foundations, lay block, mix and pour cement, and put up roof supports.
Not everyone is able to make a trip across the border or overseas on a mission trip. But everyone can help support those who do. May God bless you as you consider ways of taking the message of Jesus into the world (Matthew 28:18-20). (end)


Outstretched
by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 3, 2009


“With a mighty hand and outstretched arm, His love endures forever.” Those few words penned by the writer of the 136th Psalm should provide more comfort and present more challenges to Christians than the longest sermon ever preached.
How many times have we asked, “Where was God?” The fact is, the world used to be a near perfect place. That is, until sin entered, and Adam and Eve chose to follow the advice of the devil in the Garden of Eden. That’s the point at which mankind began to value created things more than the Creator. The world had become a broken place, full of tragedy and natural consequences.
As time passed, people became used to dealing with life outside of the garden, and began to feel that the world was a pretty good place to live as long as things were going their way. In other words, the “norm” for life on earth became defined as pretty good except for when bad things would happen.
So, when bad things would happen as a result of not living in a near perfect place, people began to look for someone to blame. Too often, that someone was God. It’s the same today.
We forget that we only have ourselves to blame for the world we live in. You see, in reality life on earth is a lot more work than it was when Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden. We need to cherish every blessing we receive as something special, not as something God owes us. The blessings should be looked at as the exception, not the rule. After all, does any of us really want from God what we deserve?
A youth minister friend of mine, Tom, was very angry with God because his dad developed a brain aneurism three days before Tom’s wedding. He survived the ordeal but Tom’s faith was shaken to the point of considering leaving his job and quitting the church. He was given the opportunity to go on a short-term mission trip to Africa. He went even though his heart was not in it. His job there was to play with children and sing to them while the more experienced missionaries were to have Bible studies with the kids’ parents. Tom found out that most of the children had aids and probably would not live long. The kids he thought were nine or ten, were actually malnourished teenagers. Tom became tired of singing to the children, so he asked them to sing something for him. They began to sing words that when translated are “Holy is the Lord.” One little four-year old boy had polio, but was still walking with leg-braces. And as soon as the singing began, the little boy outstretched his arms to heaven and sang with all his might, “Holy is the Lord.” That child knew more about the meaning of life in his four short years than most of us who’ve lived a lot longer.
Tom could no longer be angry with God for allowing his dad to suffer. The little boy had taught him the lesson that we all have the privilege of praising God for as long or as short a time as we have on earth.
God’s hand is outstretched to us. His love never fades. But we must also outstretch to God. For we did not create ourselves nor any of our blessings. We all understand the concept of being forgiven, yet still having to suffer consequences. Well, that’s a pretty good description of life on earth. We are forgiven because of God’s grace that provides us a way to do his will and reap the reward of heaven. That doesn’t mean bad things will never happen to us or those we love while we live here. We can be sure of that.
May God give us the confidence and understanding to reach out to God and praise his dear name even in times of crisis. (end)

Christian Clubs Flourish at School
by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 10, 2009

Alpha and Omega, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Kids for Christ, and Teens for Christ. Faith-based organizations are flourishing among students at Fort Gibson schools. At a time when so many people in our nation are trying to squelch Christianity and any public mention of God, it is very encouraging to see pockets of dedicated Jesus followers refusing to take their eyes off the prize. Fort Gibson Schools is one of those places.
I should mention at this point that even though I attend and participate in some of these organizations, I do not speak for them, the school, or the sponsors.
That being said, one of the highlights of my week is attending “Teens for Christ” at the Middle School. Students fill the library every Friday morning for a half-hour before school starts. They sing songs of faith and praise, pray, read the Bible, hear lessons, watch videos, and many times enjoy dramatic presentations or other talents performed by students.
Sponsors Beverly Rowan and Teresa Minor do an awesome job of encouraging students to take their faith into all aspects of their lives. Guest speakers and students share their faith in Jesus. They focus primarily on what we can all do to grow spiritually and to bring Jesus to the lost.
There are about as many different ideas on various doctrinal matters as there are kids and guest speakers in attendance. But somehow, the common belief and message that Jesus is God’s son and our only hope gives students a unified core to begin with. Leaders are encouraged to keep the message non-denominational for the short time we meet. It’s a method that strives for unity and a starting point for kids to do their own study and as the apostle Paul put it best: to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).” Students often talk with each other about Bible-related things during the school day, partly because of faith-based organizations in the schools. It’s hard to have anything against that considering all the things they could be spending their time talking about.
May we all pray that God continues to work in our school system even as the world increasingly tries to turn the younger generation away from Him. (end)

God’s Well-Spring Flows into New Wineskins
by Barrett Vanlandingham
February 17, 2009

A couple of weeks ago, my church family shared in the joy of seeing two young men from my youth group, Lane and Tony, be baptized and added to the Lord’s number (Acts 2: 41, 47). What a thrill it was to see these two young souls put on Christ in baptism (Romans 6:1-11 and Galatians 3:26-27).
For new Christians and for any of us older ones, the challenge is how to not become jaded by the world, but instead stay fresh and open to God’s will in our lives.
With the memory of being tempted in the desert for 40 days and nights probably still on his mind, Jesus teaches a lesson to a wide audience of disciples, skeptics, and accusers. The setting was at a great banquet held for Jesus by Levi (AKA: Matthew). I believe the lesson was that of consuming God’s will into your life in new and fresh ways everyday through a relationship with Jesus. Luke 5:36-39 is certainly one of the most powerful parables for this in the New Testament.
This passage takes place just after Jesus started his ministry. He began to do miracles so that people would believe his message. He chose his first disciples. And then while at dinner, the very legalistic Pharisees and teachers of the Old Testament law began to compare Jesus’ ministry with that of John the Baptist. They criticized Jesus’ disciples for eating and drinking at times when followers of John and followers of the Pharisees would have fasted and prayed. This gave Jesus the opportunity to further explain his deity by introducing himself as the bridegroom. He said the bridegroom would eventually be taken away from his guests, and at that time they should fast and pray, but not while he was with them.
Then, Jesus said, “No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, ‘the old is better (Luke 5:36-39).’”
What a tremendous challenge! The fact is, the Gospel message of Jesus is no less powerful and life-changing today than it was on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:22-41). That’s when Peter preached the first Gospel sermon and about three-thousand people were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.
God’s word assures that Jesus’ blood continually cleanses Christians from their sins (1 John 1:7). But what is our end of the bargain? This same passage says we must “walk in the light, as he is in the light” so that we can continue to have that fellowship with our Savior. In other words, we become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We become a new wineskin of sorts that is capable of drinking in and storing a new way of life that is made possible through Jesus Christ.
May God bless us with the desire to never become old stagnant wineskins incapable of letting God’s will flow through our lives. But instead, may we all desire to be new wineskins with a continual thirst for more of God’s well-spring of life. (end)

A crowded throne can make you feel the squeeze
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 27, 2009


I ran across a YouTube video on the internet that perfectly illustrates the struggle Christians face everyday in deciding who’s in charge of their life.
In case you want to look at it yourself, the name of it is “The Stool.” I know, it’s not an attractive title. Nonetheless, it’s a skit that centers around a conversation between Jesus and a Christian. We’ll call her Chris for short. She decides to give Jesus a chair to sit on. They agree that whoever is sitting on the chair gets to make all the decisions for her. Chris soon finds herself in an uncomfortable situation when friends come along and try to talk her into participating in sinful activities. Everytime she can’t make up her mind about what to do, she finds herself trying to make room to sit on the chair that she already gave to Jesus. Sometimes, Jesus would get squeezed half-way off the chair, and sometimes, he wound up all the way off because Chris was taking up all the room. This led to some very pointed discussion between the two as Jesus was trying to make decisions for Chris who kept forgetting who was in charge of her life. She eventually stated that she couldn’t make up her mind. To which, Jesus replied, “You just did.”
Does this sound familiar to you? It’s not a bad idea to frequently ask yourself, Who is sitting on the chair of my life?”
In the New Testament, John writes what he saw in a vision of heaven. It was a celebration like none other.
“…Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being (Revelation 4:8-9)."
We serve a God who is worthy of our praise, and is worthy to sit on the throne. In reality, there is nothing we can do to knock Jesus off His throne. However, we do oftentimes prove by our actions that we “think” we can take his place on the throne, a notion that could not be further from the truth, nor would we ever really want to take his place. Think about it, if we place ourselves on the throne, who would we to turn to in times of trouble?
May we pray fervently for the will to keep Jesus on the throne of our life, and have faith enough to never try to push him out of his role as Savior. (end)


The Greatest Commandments
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 20, 2009

Did you ever wonder exactly what God expects from us? One time, a group of so-called religious men who were always trying to trip-up Jesus asked him a question. They wanted to know which was the greatest commandment of them all. Jesus responded with this quote found in Mark’s Gospel account.
“30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
One might ask, “How could this be? How could over 600 Jewish laws be boiled down to only two?”
The answer is found in Matthew’s account of this Q & A session when he says,. “40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:40)
So, what exactly does that mean? Well, if you think about it, it makes sense what Jesus was talking about. He’s saying that if you’re fully submitting to God’s will in every part of your life, you really don’t have to worry about whether you’re going to break the rest of those 600-plus rules.
You see, when we tell God that we love him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, that means we will do anything to keep from disappointing him. Under the Old Testament Law, the large number of rules alone made it next to impossible to get it right. So, the only thing they could do was to check the rules off their list as they completed each good deed or avoided violating a particular law.
So, when Jesus came along and became the perfect sacrifice, there was no longer a need to follow a religion of checklists including animal sacrifices. Besides, it was never meant to be permanent, but simply a “schoolmaster” to bring us to a new and better covenant.
In the New Testament, Jesus over and over stresses the importance of treating other people with respect, kindness, compassion, and sacrificial love. In the form of a human, Jesus now knew firsthand what our struggles were like. Perhaps, that’s why he also told us to love our neighbor, and said there are no laws more important than loving God and loving others.
That part about these two commandments being what the law and prophets hang on is just that. No matter what rule we can think of, we will always be pleasing to God as long as we give God the sacrificial love that he gives us. The Bible also mentions the impossibility of loving a God we haven’t seen while treating those we have seen with hatred (1 John 4:16-21).
May God give each of us the burning desire to love others the way he loves each of us, thereby finding true joy in what will certainly become an abundant life (John 10:10).

How to say “I love you!”
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 13, 2009

So why doesn’t she seem to appreciate the flowers I get her? Why doesn’t he seem to appreciate me doing the dishes and cleaning the house? Why don’t my children seem appreciative of all the gifts I give them?
I suppose if you were to stack together all the books ever written about relationships, you couldn’t find a room big enough to house them. Author Gary Chapman has penned a series of books on the “Love Languages” of adults, young children, and teenagers. The book “The Love Dare” by Alex and Stephen Kendrick was featured in “Fireproof,” a recent movie focusing how to fireproof your marriage.
I remember how shocked I was the first time I found out that men and women actually have differing ways of what makes them feel loved. Children also have their own ideas of what makes them feel loved. Beyond that, not even all men, all women, or all children have the same love languages.
Some people feel loved when they receive gifts. Others feel loved when they hear the words “I love you.” Still others feel loved when they receive help with household chores or other duties. And others feel love when physical romance is present.
A mix-up can occur when someone assumes what makes them feel loved is what they need to do to make someone else feel loved. If the recipient of the effort has a different love language, the result may be frustration instead of the desired effect of feeling loved.
So what do you do? Well, you can start by asking your loved one what it is that makes them feel loved. But it is important that you establish that what you’re asking is “What makes you feel loved?” Not, “What makes you feel happy at the moment?”
A child may say at first that a new MP3 player or the latest cell phone would make them feel loved. But if you talk with them more you might find out they feel loved when a parent spends time with them, listens to them, provides a home cooked meal, or makes sure they get to school and other activities and back home safely.
A spouse may like a nice gift. Who doesn’t? But they may truly feel loved when they know you’re sacrificing your wants and even time for the overall security or good of the family. If the other spouse is paying attention, they will reward the sacrifices by responding to the other’s love language. Simple respect and appreciation for each other’s needs and each other’s efforts will go a long way towards preventing feelings of resentment. Not only that, but showing appreciation with your actions to back up your words may actually translate to the best “I love you” of all.
With February 14th only a month a way, this would be a great time to start thinking of how to make this year’s Valentine’s Day the best ever. If you’re looking for different outcomes this year in any of your relationships, it will be worth your time to invest some thought and prayer into changing your method. One of the best lines in the recent movie “Fireproof” comes after the husband spends 40 days doing one nice thing per day for his spouse regardless of her reaction in order to save their marriage. Eventually, he won her over and made the statement, “God has given me a love for you I never had before.”
May God bless you all year long as you heed Jesus’ words. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Even if you had no other reading material for advice in your relationships, John 13:34 would be a great place to start. (end)

Make 2009 a Re-New Year
Your Relationship with Jesus Is Most Important
by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 6, 2009

You would be hard pressed to find an issue that means more to the average person than having quality relationships. More than money, more than popularity, good relationships are a top priority for most people. So, why do so many relationships get into trouble? Why do best friends turn into enemies? Why do marriages fail? Why do neighbors and families feud? The answer simply put is this: Not enough Jesus!
You see, while it is certainly a good thing to desire good relationships over so many other things that the world has to offer, those relationships must still take their proper place under your relationship with Jesus.
Do you remember the story of the wise man building his house on the rock, and do you remember what happened when the foolish man built his house on the sand? The rains came, and while the wise man’s house stood firm, the foolish man’s house fell with a great crash (Matthew 7:24-27).
For Christians, Jesus is our Rock (with a capital R). So when 2009 threatens to blow you away with busy-ness, just remember who comes first. If the answer for you is your spouse, children, or friends, or worse yet, money which is the root of all evil, 2009 or any other year will most likely be a rocky one (with a little r). The fact is that we are all human, and so we tend to put faith and trust in things we can see. But Christians and everyone else need to be reminded that our love and faith should be directed towards God through Jesus (John 14:6, Romans 6:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21). If you do this, he will make sure you still have plenty left for those people in your life who mean so much to you.
The Bible is full of stories that remind us of what God can do when we put our trust in him. In 2 Kings 4, there was a poor man and woman who revered God. The husband died and his creditors were going to take her sons as slaves to repay her husband’s debt. She told her story to Elisha who was a prophet of God. And since she had nothing in her house “except a little oil,” Elisha told the woman to ask her neighbors for empty jars. Then he told her to pour oil into each of the jars until they were full. After all the jars were full, she asked her son to bring her another jar. But since there were no more jars left, her original supply of oil stopped flowing. Then Elisha told the woman to sell the oil and pay her debts. God knows our needs.
Isn’t that an amazing story? The devil wants us to think that if we consistently do God’s will, that somehow our relationships will suffer. Parents are tempted to think that if they bring their kids to church too often, their kids will turn away from God. Women and especially teenage girls often think that if they don’t “give in” to their boyfriend’s desire for the kind of romance that is supposed to take place inside of marriage, that the man or boy will toss them aside. The examples could go on. The point is that when we give all we have (no matter the amount) to God in regards to our faith, love, and talents, God can and will do mighty things. Remember the story of the five loaves and two fish Jesus used to feed the five-thousand?
May God bless you in the New Year as you renew your strength by putting your hope in the Lord (Isaiah 40:31) (end).

Why I Trust in Jesus
by Barrett Vanlandingham
December 30, 2008

As we begin a new year, it's only fitting to re-evaluate our lives. We need to take inventory of where we stand spiritually to see if we're coming up short of where we should be.
For me, it seemed most important to begin with the basics. The question of "Why do I trust in Jesus?" After all, if I'm going to base my life on him, and profess to dedicate every waking moment to imitating him, this question must be answered firmly.
Here are three main reasons I believe we can all trust in Jesus.
1) Jesus gives us purpose of existence. He gives us reason to wake up, to live, and to be joyful. Sadly, there are many people who feel they have no reason for their existence. When they get up in the morning, the only reason they have to get out of bed is to go to work, school, run errands, eat, pay bills, go to one kind of practice or another, or do a hobby. If that's their only motivations for starting the day, it's no wonder there are so many crabby people out there with pinchers ready to inflict pain on anyone who dares to cross them. But hallelujah! Jesus gives us all the reason we need to wake-up, get on with our day, and be joyful. Just think of all the earthly gifts he has blessed us with such as laughter, memory, even forgetfulness, loyalty, love, friends and family, and forgiveness, understanding, and patience from both. And how about eternal gifts such as forgiveness of sins, love, joy, peace, and citizenship in heaven. Just think about the impact Jesus Christ has had on humanity since the day he arrived! Just think about the way so many people's lives have changed for the better because of him.
2) Jesus gives us opportunity to make a real difference. Just think about the opportunities we have with our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors including the ones on our block and those who wait on our tables. Ask any restaurant worker and they will probably tell you that "church people" are among the most rude and worst tippers they see all week. If we approached our heavenly goals the same as we approach ball games and other earthly passions where there's a time clock and a winner and loser involved, something tells me we would all have a more urgent mindset when it comes to winning souls including our own. After all, when it's all said and done and we're all standing before God on Judgement Day, do you really think anyone's going to be impressed with your earthly popularity, or how much money you had, or how talented you were? No, at least if your emphasis on those things outweighed your focus on spiritual things. How would you feel on Judgement Day if you were a non-believer, and you came to the realization that a so-called Christian didn't tell about Jesus because they were afraid to lose their popularity? On the other hand, just imagine the great rejoicing that will most certainly take place as a result of brave Christians stepping out of their comfort zones to save someone's soul.
3) Jesus gives us more than enough to believe in, to talk and write about, and even to die for. Let's face it. To the human mind, living the Christian life involves risk. For two-thousand years now, people have believed that Jesus is God's son, they've written thousands and thousands of books and articles about him, and they've been willing to suffer persecution for his sake. Christians and even atheists have written about him, and studied and debated about him. Ancient writers, theologians, historians, and philosophers outside of the Bible have also written about Jesus. They've quoted from the New Testament and have listed books of the Bible in their own writings dating back to between 100-400 A.D. It seems like someone would have been able to find even a shred of proof that Jesus was not the son of God if it were at all possible. The fact is, IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. Jesus is the son of God. He came here for one purpose, to save our souls.
May God bless you with renewed confidence in your trust of Jesus the Christ. (end)

The Christmas Grinch takes many forms
But joy can still be found
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(December 9, 2008)


Aahh, the holidays! Here in Fort Gibson, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes. But with reports of break-ins, and even theft of mail as thieves look for cash and gift cards, this is one kind of Christmas Grinch that can make it difficult to find joy in December.
One might try finding joy in advertisements that push buying merchandise and not having to pay for it until 2010. But that’s just another Christmas Grinch that fools cash-strapped customers into the inevitable. They find themselves living under the dark cloud of debt, dreading their future of paying high interest rates for something they can’t afford.
The Christmas Grinch also strikes by inserting stress and lack of patience into shopping trips, family relationships, even things that are supposed to be fun like holiday parties, Christmas plays, musicals, caroling for the elderly, and oh yes, getting your taxes in order.
Or how many people have purchased computers, internet, and cell phones for Christmas to unite the family only to find out these are the gifts the Christmas Grinch tries to use year round to divide your family?
So, how do you prevent the Christmas Grinch from turning December into the most wonderful time of the year to be in a bad mood?
You might start by thinking about the joy you will bring to others because of your sacrifices. Then, diving into crowded stores and street traffic becomes purpose driven. For instance, our church is just one of thousands across the nation purchasing clothes and toys for needy children. This is something that everyone from civic groups to biker clubs and knitting clubs take part in every year.
As with any good deed, Satan always tries to find a way to turn it into a negative. That’s the devil’s job, and he’s very good at it. The thing we as followers of Jesus Christ must remember is that the battle has already been won. If you are a child of God, you’re going to heaven. How many will you take with you? The devil can deal out some very severe blows to our spiritual walk. But Jesus assures us that for every temptation we encounter, there is a way out so that we can stand up under the pressure (1 Corinthians 10:13). As long as we are on this earth, we will face temptation. The only question is whether you will choose to face it with Jesus’ help, or without it.
The fact that we have the Spirit of Jesus Christ himself working in our favor gives us confidence to ask the question, “Who could possibly be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
We should never be so naive as to think the world’s ways are not against us (John 15:18-21). We know that to be false. However, anyone who opposes the Lord will eventually find themselves without hope. Eventually, everyone will bow before God and confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10 and Romans 14:11).
May God give you true joy this holiday season in spite of the devil, the Christmas Grinch, or whoever else is working against your efforts to bring honor to the Lord. (end)

Put some thought into your New Year’s resolution
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(December 2, 2008)

If you’re like most people, you start thinking about your New Year’s resolution somewhere around December 31. But realistically, is that enough time to make a major change in your life beginning on the first day of January? I don’t think so.
By the time you read this article and have time to let it sink in, you should still have the better part of three weeks to think about your resolution before you try to put it into effect.
I have a few things I want to do in the New Year. For starters, I would like to continue keeping my weight off. Since the last week of March I have lost about 60-pounds. However, everytime I have lost weight in the past, I have eventually gained it back. I am determined that’s not going to be the case this time. I’ve already made it through Thanksgiving with no significant weight gain. But I still have to make it through Christmas and all of the other parties that take place this time of year.
The other thing I am determined to do is to better understand the minds of teenagers including my own. As a youth minister, it is obviously in my best interest and in the interest of my youth group for me to understand their mindset. This will help me to do a better job teaching them God’s word and ways to apply it to their lives. As a parent of two teenage daughters (15 and 13) and a 10-year old son, I can clearly see that parenting adolescents is much more difficult than I ever thought it would be. Sometimes I wonder if my teenagers are even human! By the time it gets to that point, I’m sure they’re also wondering if their dad is even human!
One thing I have found to help me in both of these endeavors is two kinds of prayer. One is from me to God. The other is from my friends and family to God on my behalf. Both are extremely important.
James 5:13 says, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray…” Then in verse 16 James says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
It’s important for us to cultivate godly friendships for many reasons, not the least of which is having prayer partners. That’s what is so awesome about having a church family. People who attend worship regularly are not perfect people by any stretch of the imagination. We are all hopeless without the grace of Jesus Christ shown to us by his death, burial, and resurrection. In fact, Christ’s love for a wretch like me is exactly what compels people like me to worship him and have an active prayer life.
So what does any of this mean to you? Well hopefully (or prayerfully), it means that you will go to God in prayer right now and ask his guidance on changes you can make in your life that will draw you closer to him. Ask him to help you get rid of things in your life that are damaging your relationship with him and others. In fact, pray everyday about this. Then, you will most certainly be better equipped to make a New Year’s resolution that will stick!
(end)

What will you turn loose of to follow Jesus?
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 25, 2008)

In Matthew 4, we read about Jesus calling his first disciples shortly after his ministry began. Each of these four men would later be listed among the “twelve apostles” (Mark 3:13-19). Those are the twelve men Jesus personally chose to work with him, to preach, and to do miracles that would confirm his message (John 20:31).
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him (Matt 4:18-21).”
Why do you think Peter, Andrew, James, and John were so receptive to dropping everything including family to follow Jesus? It may be because we’re told a few verses earlier that Jesus actually lived near the lake (:12) which fulfilled a prophecy from Isaiah 9:1-2. Maybe the fishermen and were already well acquainted with Jesus. Maybe James and John’s dad, Zebedee, could see the difference Jesus’ message of repentance had made on his sons, and therefore, was willing to continue fishing with only his hired hands (Mark 1:20). Those chosen could have easily gone back to full-time fishing work if Jesus’ mission proved to be a fraud. After all, it’s not like they hopped a jet and went to the other side of the world. Jesus’ preaching and healing were taking place throughout Galilee where the fishermen were from.
So I have two questions for you:
1) What would you be willing to drop in order to follow Jesus?
2) Why?
The first disciples dropped their nets, left their boats, and left their families. In the first century, Jesus told the crowd in Luke 14:25-33 that there is a cost to following him. Our attitude must be the same as Jesus describes in this passage of one having complete devotion. We should be willing to place God high above all else. Luke 9:57-62 reminds us that “sacred cows” such as family tradition or anything else are not as important as teaching the good news of Jesus Christ and leading the lost to Heaven. This does not mean that we should use as an excuse the work of the Lord to ignore our families. That route is clearly condemned in quite a number of passages (Mark 7:9-13 & 1 Timothy 5:8).
We live in a culture not unlike that of Jesus’ time. People were more concerned with their status in the community than their status with God. The challenge of getting people to place a higher priority on serving God than on being served was received about as well back then as it is today.
Turning loose of things that stand in the way of you and Jesus may seem difficult until you count the cost of the alternative. Remember, we know exactly where holding God’s hand will lead us. Can holding on to the pleasures of this world offer the same? May God bless your decision-making this week. (end)

Doing good things for others just makes you feel good
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 18, 2008)

We all like to get good deals, don’t we? But have you ever spent money on something you didn’t have to, even though you knew it wasn’t the best deal for you financially speaking? I hope you have.
I try to be a very good steward of the money God blesses me with. Oh okay, I’ll go ahead and say it. I’m a tight wad most of the time. But when I actually open my eyes to the possibilities of what would happen if weren’t, there are definite benefits that cannot be measured in dollars and cents.
I’m not talking about blowing your bank account. Obviously, God wants us to take care of our families. He wants us to invest our money well (Matthew 25:14-30). At the same time, we must reconcile that parable with Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-21 when he said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” I’m just saying that occasionally it’s healthy to loosen up a little. It encourages others, and their reaction can often be of great encouragement to you. Balance is the key in good deeds versus stewardship.
Sometimes, the gift of time is worth more to someone than money or things that cost money. Just think about those people in your life who you feel are special. Now think about how you would feel if you knew that starting next month, you would no longer get to see or talk with them. How would that change your priorities? Would you make an effort to spend more time with them? Would you try to have more patience with them? Would you do more nice things for them? Most of us would likely say yes to each of those questions. But what about giving or helping people you don’t know. Sometimes, it’s helpful to put yourself in their shoes in order to help you make a godly decision.
So, what does all of this mean to you? Well, it could mean that next time you have the opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face, just do it even if it costs time or money. It could mean that the next time you feel blessed emotionally or financially, take a little of your joy and give it to someone else.
In the Old Testament (OT), God’s people were expected to give tithes and offerings. So, it’s possible that they gave more than 20-percent of their earnings to the work of the Lord.
The New Testament doesn’t tell us a specific amount to give. However, it does say in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “6. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” In Matthew 5:20 Jesus says, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law (OT), you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Is heaven motivation enough for you? Don’t get me wrong, we can never do enough kind deeds to earn our salvation separate from God’s grace. But, God knows our hearts, our thoughts, and our motives. We know that to whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 12:48). Romans 5:8 reminds us that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. And it is only when we imitate Christ’s love in our attitudes and actions that we move from being unproductive in our knowledge (2 Peter 1:3-11), to being effective servants who will certainly receive a “rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” May we follow God’s example in giving each of us grace and mercy instead of what we deserve. (end)

Parents Must Fight the Devil for Your Children
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 11, 2008)

1 Kings 3:12 says that Solomon, the son of King David was the wisest human being who ever lived and will ever live.
So, if you’re seeking wisdom on how to raise your children or on just about any topic at all, this might be a good place to start. It may not make your job any easier or any less heart-breaking at times, but at least you can feel at peace with what will be the likely outcome.
Solomon is credited with writing the majority of the book of Proverbs. Chapter 1:4 tells us that part of the purpose for the book is to give “knowledge and discretion to the young” and also to give guidance to even the wise and discerning.
In the first century, most of the biblical instruction on child-rearing came from the Old Testament since the New Testament was still in the process of being written. So, when Paul, who was an Old Testament scholar, says in Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord,” his thoughts on this topic must have certainly been colored by books such as Proverbs.
The fact is our children need instruction. They would be exasperated and in a constant state of frustration and confusion if they had no spiritual direction. We see it all the time these days, young people acting out because they have no spiritual purpose or foundation, no measuring stick of right or wrong.
Proverbs 19:18 says, “Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.”
In other words, if you ever want your children to see heaven, provide the kind of spiritual structure in your household that will keep them headed in the right direction. Don’t just sit by and watch your children walk towards the gates of hell. FIGHT FOR THEM. Even if you have to go toe to toe with the devil himself, you can have the confidence that God will back you up.
One of my favorite passages is Proverbs 22:6. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
I have an uncle whose heart was as hard as it could be when he was a younger man. He quit the church as soon as he left home and stayed away for 45-years. But these days, you couldn’t keep him from attending worship three times a week. He was trained in the way he should go.
Parents, as you know, there are many times when you look at your screaming, yelling teenagers or even your two-year olds, and are trying to figure out what kind of alien has invaded them. Bottom line? Stay strong. Use God and his standards as your principles for parenting. You may feel like the devil is slapping you around at times. But you can have confidence that in the end, you will be victorious if you consistently make God number one in your family, and model it by your own example. Your child may appear that they could care less about your godly efforts. But rest assured, they are taking notice, and God will eventually reward them, in part, because you introduced them to Jesus and fostered a relationship that will last long after this life is over. (end)

God’s people must remain faithful
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(November 4, 2008)

No matter who you voted for in the election, it is of greatest importance that we remember everyday to cast our vote for God. Whether you are a life-long Democrat or Republican, God’s party is eternal, non-partisan, and ultimately the only party-line worth holding. Make no mistake about it, God has never been, and never will be tolerant of views and practices that go against his word. Matthew 12:36 tells us that God “…will reward each person according to what he has done.”
If God accepted every view on every issue, there would be no boundaries at all. What kind of world would that be? Even animals behave better with boundaries. One time as I was feeding a dog a leftover hamburger, I thought it would be a good idea to reach into the dog-bowl to remove the bun so the dog would have a clear understanding that I had actually given it a piece of meat. I think the only clear understanding that came out of that deal was on my end: that once you put food into a dog-dish, it is no longer yours to mess with. The teeth marks on my hand eventually went away, long after I learned a lesson of respecting boundaries. God also has boundaries he expects us to respect, no matter what public policy allows.
In 1 Kings 18:1-46, the Israelites had once again started to “…waver between two opinions.” Some people believed that Baal (false god) was the real God, while others believed that the Lord was the one true God. So, Elijah organized a contest to see who the real God was. The real God would be the one who answered by fire his followers’ prayers to accept bull-meat sacrifices on their respective alters.
The 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah (Baal’s female counterpart) had to have been intimidating because of their numbers and their flamboyant methods of trying to get the attention of their Baal. They danced and shouted all morning until noon, then began to slash themselves all afternoon. When all was said and done, their god would never answer, since in reality, he did not even exist.
But when Elijah called on Jehovah God, the Lord not only set the meat ablaze, but the fire burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil around the alter, and even the water in the trench around the alter.
What does this mean to us?
1) We serve the all-powerful and only God.
2) There are going to be a lot of fads, trends, and other changes in our culture along with plenty of pressure to conform to the world’s idea of what is normal. But the simple truth is that God’s will for us does not change. In Revelation 22:18-19, the writer warns of the severity for anyone who would add to, or take away from God’s word.
3) We should remember these words from Joshua 24:15 as he reminded the tribes of Israel just how faithful the Lord had been to them, and what their response should be: “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
May God bless you as you choose God daily, and pay close attention to these words from Proverbs 4:27. “Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (end)

Spiritual Treats Are the Sweetest of All
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith - October 28 - 2008)

Here in Fort Gibson, trick-or-treating is no doubt one of the all-time favorite activities of the year for kids. It not only gives kids a chance to wear costumes and visit dozens of houses in search of something sweet, but it also gives us adults some great inner-action with a younger generation that generally feels we have nothing in common with them.
So, what can we do as Christians with this wonderful opportunity of face to face inner-action with complete strangers, as well as with friends and neighbors? One time I heard a great sermon on personal evangelism, and the key phrase that kept coming up was “just talking!” He was simply saying that in your conversations, always try to include something about Jesus Christ, church, God, you get the idea. In other words, if you’re getting your hair cut, you might mention to the barber that you need a trim for an upcoming church event. Or, you might say to a sales clerk that you need a warmer jacket for when you go door-knocking to invite people to church. Or, if you are test-driving a car with a salesman, you might run a quick errand to the church building. “Just talking!”
So, maybe as you give out candy to trick-or-treaters, you can also say something to them that honors God. In fact, while I’m giving advice, here’s a list of ten things you could say to honor God on Halloween night:

1) Jesus loves you (John 3:16). Take him with you everywhere you go.
2) God is good, all the time (Mark 10:18).
3) You look as pretty as a little angel.
4) God sure blessed us with some great weather.
5) Show me your muscles. Wow! I bet you’re as strong as Sampson (Judges 13-16)
6) Wow! Your costume is as colorful as Joseph’s coat! (Genesis 37)
7) That’s a big growl. You sound as powerful as the “Lion of Judah!” Do you know who that is? Jesus. (Revelation 5:5).

You might reserve these last few for the older kids.

8) You look as scary as judgment day for the unsaved!
9) The Bible says God made us in his image (Genesis 1:27), but I don’t think that’s quite what he had in mind!
10) I bet God likes your costume, because it sure scared the devil out of me!

The point is, we can all do better at working our faith into our conversations. But one word of caution: Even when joking around, we must remember that our words and actions teach others about our level of commitment to God. May we always accurately convey God’s saving message in the spirit of love as our Heavenly Father commands. It’s the sweetest treat of all. (end)

Separation of Church and State? Not in the Constitution
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(October 21 - 2008)

On November 4, 2008 our country will elect a new President of the United States, either John McCain or Barack Obama.
And out of all the issues that have been debated, one thing has stood the test of time for every federal and local administration: Our dependence on God, and consequences for not following God’s moral code.
As part of their inaugural addresses, every U.S. President has called on God to bless this country. On April 30, 1789, George Washington said,
“It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official Act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the People of the United States,”
Our Declaration of Independence acknowledges the God of the Bible four times, referring to Nature’s God, Creator, Supreme Judge of the World, and divine Providence.
All fifty states call on God in their state constitutions. Author and first Governor of Pennsylvania, William Penn (1644-1718), said, "Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
Is it really possible that all fifty states are guilty of violating the U.S. Constitution in their own state constitution? Come on! Is it really possible that every U.S. President has broken the law by asking for God’s assistance in running our nation’s government? Or is it that satan has slowly and skillfully taken generations to bluff our governmental leaders and lull voters into thinking everything will be okay and taken care of by “someone else?”
Our U.S. Constitution never even once mentions the phrase “separation of church and state.” Yet, Christians feel forced to be politically correct to appease an ever-increasingly worldly culture that expects tolerance from us, while we get no tolerance from those who are clinging to a phrase that doesn’t even exist in our constitution.
Yes, Thomas Jefferson did respond to a letter in 1802 from Danbury Baptist Church leaders who were worried about their religious freedoms. But when he mentioned the phrase “wall of separation between church and state,” he was re-assuring those church leaders that the U.S. government would not threaten their religious freedoms. He was not saying that God had to be taken out of all government-funded entities.
The people of North Korea know what it’s like to be under a Godless government. May each of us pray fervently for our lawmakers and judges who interpret laws, that they will remember the spirit as well as the Spirit that has made our country great. (end)

The devil’s tricks are always cleverly disguised
by Barrett Vanlandingham (October 14 - 2008)

As I sat down to write this article in my office in Fort Gibson, I checked my e-mail and was reminded that the devil can find us wherever we live. In my inbox was an e-mail which informed me that $6.2 million dollars had been deposited into my bank account. The return address even said “Your ATM Account.” If I hadn’t already received similar e-mails several times before, I might have thought, “Whoo Hoo! I’m rich, I’m rich!” I also receive e-mails fairly often from a “wealthy businessman” from another country who wanted me to open an account for his $50-million dollars. He even agreed to give me ten-percent for my trouble. What a deal! I received another e-mail saying I could “click here” to watch instant pornography (and nobody would even know). The junk e-mails I received were even worse before I figured out how to block most of them.
Each of the e-mails I received has two things in common:
1) They are masterminded by satan.
2) They make promises that will only lead to spiritual death as well as many earthly problems even if the sin is private.
You have about as much chance that someone is going to deposit six-million dollars into your account as you do at finding real happiness through pornography.
October is a month filled with not only fall festivals, but also practical jokes and disguises. As Christians, we need to also use this month to be reminded of the disguises satan uses to trick us. The deceiver makes promises that only result in temporary earthly happiness. They quickly switch to heartache, conflict, guilt, and unfulfilled expectations of contentment instead of true joy, true peace, and true love which last forever.
Remember what the apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:10? “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, “Abstain from all appearances of evil.”
In the seventh chapter of Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived said this about the man who chose to have relations with an adultress. “:22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose :23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life… :27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.”
You see, the promises of the world will let you down. Just ask Wall Street and the investment banks. They may have been paved with good intentions, but they were swallowed up with greed or selfishness just like Jonah, and just like King David who lusted after Bathsheba, an act which cost lives. But the promises of God will never let you down. As imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1), we should also never break promises in exchange for the lies of the devil which are empty and only serve to provoke God’s wrath (Eph. 5:7). We are to not partner with them or approve of them (Romans 1:32).
May God bless you as you lift up His name, cling to the cross, and approach his throne of grace everyday with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).