Above the Sun: Please pray for our schools

by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 9, 2020 

            With school starting in just a few days, it is important that we remember that prayer is the most powerful weapon we have against the forces of darkness. That is why prayer must be the first thing we do in spiritual warfare instead of only using it as a last resort.

            Paul told Christians in Ephesus to be strong against the devil’s schemes by putting on the full armor of God.

            “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

            Paul’s strategy centers on correctly applying the truths of God’s word to our daily lives. He stresses such things as faith, peace, readiness, righteousness, and salvation.  He ends his letter by giving Christians something they can do right now to make a big difference in advancing the cause of Christ.

            “ ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,(Ephesians 6:18-20).

            There are a lot of things we as individuals feel helpless to fix on our own. But the Bible never says we should expect to change things by our own wisdom and power. Even when James 5:16 says a righteous person’s prayer is powerful, it is ultimately because of God’s power that anything gets accomplished.  2 Chronicles 7:14 reminds us that God hears our prayers and will heal our land when we turn from wickedness and approach Him with a humble attitude.  And James 4:3 reminds us that we must approach God with the right motives, not selfishness.

            The start of any new school year marks another change in seasons that often brings a little bit of chaos into the lives of students and their families, and teachers and their families. The 2020-21 school year obviously has some unique challenges ahead that will likely bring about a wide range of stress. As such, it will be more important than ever to remember we serve a God who has unlimited love and power.

            “Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:24-27).

            Please pray peace, safety, and healing over our students, teachers, and staff this week and all year long as they go into uncharted territory. To God be the glory.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Jesus helps us maneuver the aisles of life

by Barrett Vanlandingham
August 2, 2020 

            A week or two ago, my son Britton and I went to Keith Hardware in Fort Gibson to purchase a short extension cord with multiple plug-ins for my flowerbed lights and fountains. I stopped off at the front desk and asked Brenda where I could find one. Without hesitation, her eyes glanced up at the ceiling and she said, “Aisle 18!”  I was in and out in about five minutes. I am always impressed when this happens at any store because being able to give an answer indicates the person is serious about their job and has invested time memorizing or at least becoming familiar with where things are enough to answer questions.

There are various times in my life when I had to come to grips with the fact that there were no short cuts to becoming good at anything. When I was a student (no matter what grade), I always dreaded when a teacher would call on me to answer a question if I did not know the answer. Many times, it was because I had not studied.

When I was a young television news reporter at KTUL-TV in Tulsa, I always dreaded those instances I had to give a report on topics when I was not fully informed or prepared. As time went on, I learned the value of asking lots of questions, listening to the answers, and being diligent in my research. I learned how to do my job!  Eventually, I moved to WVVA-TV in West Virginia and after a while I was awarded the title of Investigative New Reporter of the Year.

Several years later, when I was called into youth ministry, I was often afraid I might not be able to correctly answer someone’s question about the Bible or about life and how God’s word applies to it. The Bible tells the story of a challenge Jesus faced involving an encounter with Satan.

            In Matthew 4, after Jesus was baptized by his cousin John the Baptist, Jesus spent time fasting in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry. After 40 days, the devil came to tempt Him, unsuccessfully, even though Jesus must have felt weakened physically from fasting. Each time the devil made a suggestion as to something Jesus could do to make himself happier, Jesus, without hesitation, started His response with the words “It is written.”  This is important, not just because it showed Jesus had knowledge of scripture, but because it showed what happens when anyone prayerfully and intentionally allows God and His word to guide their path. Jesus, as a young boy, had spent so much time in scripture, as did all Jewish boys, it was imprinted on His heart, ready for when He needed to give an answer.

            As He grew, life on earth was not easy for Jesus. We should not expect to have it any better (John 15:20). It takes determination to maneuver the aisles of life with all its many shelves and products to choose from. Someday, we will answer directly to God for how we lived life. The good news is that because Jesus was successful in overcoming the world (John 16:33), His followers can know we have a reward (1 John 5:13). We can rest assured that eternal life in heaven will be worth the tough choices we must deal with while walking His path (1 John 1:7).

Have a great week!

Above the Sun: A safe path still needs light

by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 26, 2020 

            As we were taking a moonlight stroll down Fort Gibson’s new sidewalk, my wife stopped in her tracks, pointed ahead, and said, “There’s a... there’s a... SNAKE.”

            Lisa must have eagle eyes because it was dark, the snake was 20 yards away, and there was just enough light coming from the nearest streetlamp that we could barely see a reflection bouncing off the low-lying visitor that appeared to be 5 or 6 feet long. With a meandering slither, it slowly left the scene, as if to say, “I’m leaving, but I will be back.” We continued our walk at a little faster pace until we got past where our not so little friend had been enjoying the heat of the concrete.

I think it was probably a harmless black snake. But I do not know for sure since even though we were walking on a safe new straight flat surface, it was dark outside, and we really could not see for sure what was ahead. The scenario got me to thinking about the Christian journey and the false sense of security we can have when we pick and choose verses out of the Bible to justify how we want to live, and the assume our spiritual journey is still headed in the right direction.

The Bible uses a lot of words and phrases to describe the choices we make that affect our eternal destiny: Narrow is the way that leads to life, broad is the road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14), He will make your path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6), The blood of Jesus purifies us from sin when we walk in the light (1 John 1:7), Do not swerve to the right or to the left (Proverbs 4:27), A way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12), Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105), You make known to me the path of light (Psalm 16:11), My feet have followed closely his steps (Job 23:11), I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6).

            In the case of my snake story, I did not consider the fact that a safe walking surface also depends on adequate lighting to see potential danger. In our Christian journey, it is easy to be lulled into a false sense of security just because we read the Bible regularly and worship each week. Those things are important, but if we forget to apply God’s word to our heart in the way we live our lives and the way we treat other people, we fall short of enjoying the beautiful life God intended for us.

            “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Challenges can lead to good things

by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 19, 2020

            As I sit by my window watching a much-needed afternoon rain, I couldn’t help but think about that old Tom T. Hall song: I love little baby ducks, old pickup trucks, slow-moving trains and rain. I love little country streams, sleep without dreams, Sunday school in May and hay. And I love you, too.

            What beautiful and simple lyrics that remind us to stop and smell the roses, and to show love towards one another. For all of the trouble our country has experienced in the last four months, you just cannot ignore the fact that many good things have come out of it, too. 1) We’ve been reminded that inappropriate words and actions can be hurtful to others. 2) We’ve been reminded that each person’s freedom ends where another person’s begins. 3) We’ve been reminded that patience, respect, and cooperation can go a long way in getting along with others. 4) We’ve been reminded that even though we all want good health and happiness, there are many different opinions on how to get there. 5) We’ve been reminded that time alone is great for self-reflection and re-centering our lives on the things that are most important to us. 6) We’ve been reminded that even with so many things being taken away and so many cultural changes, we are capable of accomplishing so much more than we ever thought possible before we were forced to think outside of the box. 7) And finally, we’ve been reminded that while some people do not appreciate being reminded of anything, other people do.

            That being said, my good friend Jim recently posted these words I could not resist passing along to you. It is a simple message that Jim gave his 21-year old son during a late-night conversation. Jim’s son, who is getting ready to move out, had questions about the Who’s, the Why’s, and the Where’s of life. Here were Jim’s answers: “Who am I? I am child of God, created in his image. Why am I here? To know God, love God and make Him known to my fellow man through God’s love. Where am I going? To be with my God without end. Everything else is details navigated and defined by the above.”

            Thanks be to God who has blessed us with time to think about the Who’s, the Why’s, and the Where’s of life. May we choose wisely how we walk our faith journey. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Boring days are filled with opportunity

by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 12, 2020 

            Tah-Dah!  Today is “Paper Bag Day.” On July 12, 1852, American schoolteacher Francis Wolle invented the first machine to mass-produce paper bags.

            If you are saying to yourself, “That’s interesting, but paper bags have nothing to do with a faith-based newspaper column that encourages ‘above the sun’ thinking,” you would be correct.

            The reason I used that little known fact as my opening sentence was to illustrate that some days are just very average, nothing really exciting or unique about them. Judging from the trivia I found on the internet, July 12 is one of those ho-hum days in history.

There may be some of you who became a Christian on July 12 or re-dedicated your life to Christ on July 12. But I am guessing that spiritually speaking, July 12 represents a fairly average day in most of our lives. For me personally, I am okay with having a day where no news is good news. But for many Christians, having a boring day spiritually is a real downer, so to speak, completely unacceptable. For some of us, if we do not experience a spiritual breakthrough or have an incredible mountain-top moment often enough, our faith begins to dip, and our attitude begins to slip.

The purpose of this article today is to remind us that if we do not have an earth-shattering spiritual moment every day, that is not a bad thing. Maybe having a boring day is God’s way of encouraging you to do something you have not had time to do lately, like study God’s word, pray, or go strike up a conversation with a neighbor who could really use some human interaction. A boring day also gives us time to relax, reflect, re-evaluate, make new life strategies, go on a fast from tv and radio, or a social media fast. A boring day can be a valuable tool in helping you re-fill your cup.

Noah didn’t get to build an ark and survive a worldwide flood every year. Abraham didn’t have a direct encounter with an angel every day. Balaam’s donkey did not speak to him every day.  Peter did not walk on the water every time he had a conversation with Jesus. And Lazarus did not rise from his grave every time he died.

Most days are just not that big of a deal by the world’s standards. And most days are not even that big of a deal spiritually, at least on the surface, in that we do not experience multiple “wow moments” each week, month, or year. But that does not mean God cannot be seen working in our lives, our communities, and in nature every single day, and that IS a big deal. God created the human heart to beat over 100,000 times in one day and about 35-40 million times in a year! The question is, what will we do to honor God with the beats we’ve been given?

Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Blessings are ahead

by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 5, 2020

Today was supposed to be my youth group’s session at Burnt Cabin Christian Camp. But for the first time since the camp opened in 1959, the entire summer camp schedule was canceled because of the threat of Covid-19. Right now, young people of all ages are wondering why a stupid virus had to come along and ruin their life.

            To so many of you who are reading this, a summer without church camp is unthinkable. After all, camp is where lives are changed. Young people re-commit to their faith journey. Others hear the Gospel story of Jesus and are saved for the very first time. It is where lasting friendships and special memories are made in packed cafeterias, bunkhouses, Bible classes, and worship spaces. But not this year.

On the surface, we may view all of this as nothing but a disruption to our lives. The exciting part of all this is the fact that history is dotted with adverse circumstances that God used to accomplish something positive. More than likely, you can think of bad things that have happened in your own life that later resulted in something you consider to be a blessing. As I’ve mentioned before, the apostle Paul wrote about this kind of scenario in Romans 8:28. Christians are not exempt from trials in their life, but have the assurance that God uses these bumps in the road and even tragic events to make a positive impact on someone who needs it.

At “Kids Camp” (for younger children) we play a game called First Century Christian. Teams play a sort of hide and go seek game where Roman soldiers try to find your group of Christians to take them to jail. For the kids, it is a chance to tell the soldiers about Jesus and why they should become a Christian. If the soldiers don’t buy your sales pitch, your team goes to jail where they get a second chance by telling the jailer about Jesus. Teams try so hard to not be found, but when they are found, the kids learn about the blessing of getting out of your comfort zone, telling someone the story of Jesus, and playing a part in their salvation.

We get used to things being a certain way. But trials do come, whether it is Covid-19, the 2019 flood, the ice-storm of 2007, or something else. The mountain-top peaks of life do not last forever. We all must walk through the valleys. The only question is whether we will choose to go through them alone, or with Jesus and church family. We often feel helpless when we face trials we cannot seem to solve ourselves. But that is when God does His best work. Remember what the Lord told Paul: “My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). It all starts with trusting in the One who can heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

It some ways it would be nice to know what lies ahead. But whatever the case, we can know that God is with us (Romans 8:31) in this life and the life to come.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Freedom in Christ cost more than we realize

by Barrett Vanlandingham

June 28, 2020

            Sometimes I wonder what the conversation was like for God, His son, and the Holy Spirit when they came to the conclusion that things on earth had become so messed up that only one solution could fix it.

            For instance, how did they decide which one of them would put on flesh and come to earth to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Well, in this instance, the decision must have been painfully obvious, as only one of them was able to help us best understand the true meaning of sacrifice.

Most dads I know would not even consider letting their son die in place of someone else, especially if the dad was available and willing to do the dying. That is human wisdom. The difference in this case is that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all God.

Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Corinthians 12:4-5, Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Peter 1:2 and Revelation 1:4-5 all point to there being one Godhead shared by three. They are a three in one God. Jesus himself stated that he and the Father are one (John 10:30).

They were all willing to live as a perfect human example and die for us. But it makes sense that they chose God the Son, since it would be considerably easier for humanity to grasp God’s sorrow in allowing His only son to die for the sins of a broken and hopeless world of sinners.

It was always God the Son who played the part of the action figure. Jesus was the one who created everything at God’s command (John 1:1-18, Colossians 1:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Hebrews 1:2-3). Jesus was the one who came to earth in human form to save us. And it will be Jesus who returns in the clouds to bring His faithful home (Hebrews 9:28, Luke 21:25-28).

There are three things we need to take from this: 1) Without hope, we were enslaved by sin, and in need of a Savior. 2) As Creator, Jesus was that sinless Savior, and His blood was superior to that of bulls and goats.  3) Jesus is God. Therefore, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each felt every bit of pain and humiliation that Jesus felt during the trial, scourging, and crucifixion to free those who believe in Him from the burden of sin.

The apostle Paul summed up the believer’s response in this way: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

Jesus himself gave us these words of confidence: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Have a blessed week!

Above the Sun: God gave dads important jobs to do

by Barrett Vanlandingham

June 21, 2020

            When I was a kid and would get up in the middle of the night to get a drink, I would often catch my dad still up because he got off work late. He would be sitting in his chair next to a table lamp, feet propped up, studying to teach a Sunday morning Bible class a few hours later that morning. I thought to myself, “That does not look like fun.” Then, I would crawl back into bed until it was time to get up and get ready for church. Somehow, my dad still managed to be clean shaven, Brut 33 applied, dressed and ready before the rest of us. He took Paul’s words to heart in every way.

            “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).

            Years later, after I was in the working world, I often found myself up late on Saturday nights and into the early morning hours studying for a Bible class I had signed up to teach. I had intended to spread my study time out over a few days earlier in the week. But things got in the way. So, there I was, doing the same thing I remembered dad doing. I knew it was possible because I had seen him do it. And no, it was not anymore “fun” than I remembered it looked like when I saw dad staying up late.

Eventually, I figured out that dad was not studying in the middle of the night because it was fun. He was doing it because of his commitment to God and family and to those he might have the chance to influence for the cause of Christ. Dad worked hard to make a good living for us. But it was his work for the Lord that was the real treasure. Jesus spoke about this in His famed Sermon on the Mount.

            19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

            22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

            24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:19-24).

            Because my dad chose to put God first, everything else fell into place. Mom and us kids always had a roof over our head and food on the table. And no matter how tired he was from work, he always made sure we made it to church on time to be fed spiritually, and he always made sure the same lessons we learned at church were applied at home.

After I left home and even at times left God, I always knew he prayed I would not only come back home to visit him and mom, but that I would come back to God. That’s what Christian dads do. And even though not every dad is a Christian, we serve a God who sings over us (Zephaniah 3:17), prays over us (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34), and never gives up on us (2 Peter 3:9, Psalm 86:15, Revelation 3:20).  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: We must spread the love of Christ

by Barrett Vanlandingham

June 14, 2020

            Jesus knew what He was doing when He gave “love your neighbor” the title of “greatest command” in Mark 12:28-34 and Matthew 22:34-39.

            There is no greater solution to the world’s problems than showing all people the sacrificial kind of love Jesus was talking about. In fact, He even placed loving your neighbor on the same level as loving God. This was an important statement for Jesus to make because for thousands of years God-respecting people have failed time and time again in demonstrating what it really means to love God. This disconnect is written about dozens of times in both in the Old and New Testaments.

            Speaking through His O.T. prophet Isaiah, God showed His disgust with the offerings, assemblies, and prayers of those who went through the motions of honoring God even as they ignored the needs of people among them who were less fortunate.

            “Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow. Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword” (Isaiah 1:16-20).

            Bad attitudes are very much like bad apples. If left alone, they can spoil the whole basketful. As with any disobedience to God, refusing to have your neighbor’s best interest at heart affects all of us in some way. We have all crossed paths with someone who took their frustration out on us based on what someone else did to them earlier that day.  Likewise, being determined to love others as Jesus showed us how to love really does have a ripple effect that has been proven to make a positive difference. It is rarely easy to be nice to someone who is not acting right. But Christians must remember that our actions and words must reflect the love of God.

            “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen” (1 John 4:20).

            The job of every Christian to spread the love of God and tell the story of Jesus is more important today than ever before. There can be no bench-sitters, no one watching from the sidelines. We must all do what we can in our own little circles of influence to make a difference in the hearts of present and future generations. What a world it would be if we all heeded the words of God’s prophet Micah:

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

Have a great week!

Above the Sun: The anticipation is almost too much!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

June 7, 2020

            Remember when you were a kid and couldn’t wait to see everyone on the first day of school, but at the same time were a little stressed because you hadn’t seen them in so long? That’s kind of how I feel about coming back together as a church family. Excited and a little uneasy all at the same time.

            It will no doubt be amazing to see and visit and worship with everyone back in the church building setting again. The fellowship of Christians to encourage and build up one another is one of the most important strategies God gives us to stay strong and grow spiritually. A Christian’s faith influences every minute of our lives. So, the fact that most churches have not met in person since mid-March really has been a significant change.

The online worship times at my church are always helpful and inspiring. This is true even for the Lord’s Supper since we all get to take communion at the same time to remember the Lord’s death instead of waiting for the tray to be passed. This prolonged way of life hopefully has reminded us that the church is not a building, it is us. We should always worship God with every part of our lives wherever we are.

Sheltering has reminded me that if I am going to stay strong spiritually and grow in my faith, I must do a better job of holding myself accountable in all areas. I enjoy watching sports, and I also enjoy watching houses and yards be renovated and upgraded. But watching someone else do those things never seems to make me, my house, or my yard look any better. The same is true whether I am worshiping in person with my church family or at home or on the road. Sheltering has taught me that online worship or worshiping with my family or a small group can be just as impactful as when we meet at the building if I put forth effort and take it seriously, becoming more intentional about the way I honor God and remember what His son did for us and the hope it brings.

And while it is true that you get out of it what you put into it, I think most of us figured out very quickly there is just something very special about being able to come together in person as a church family. In fact, knowing how quickly life can change has likely altered how we approach an average day. Things have changed. That’s okay. We can take comfort in the truth that Christians are part of a kingdom that will never end. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: There is a link between Bible study and encouragement

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 31, 2020

           

            During tough times, most of us look for ways to feel better. For some, this means browsing for good deals online. Others might look for ways to give their yard or flowerbeds a fresh new look. New furniture is always nice. Listening to positive music or motivational speakers online can be encouraging. A friend or family member who always seems to know just the right thing to say is also a very good thing. One proven remedy is thousands of years old and is stated by the apostle Paul.

            “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

            It is funny how easy it is to overlook some of the best solutions for a bad day (or a bad life). In this verse, Paul connects what is written in the Bible with encouragement. When you get down to it, encouragement is something that brings about hope. Sometimes I pray that God gives us something to smile about today. I guess what I am really asking is for God to provide something encouraging to me so that I can feel a sense of well-placed hope. God provides us plenty to smile about if we look in the right places. The best place to start is where God has spoken through the writers of the Bible. Then, after gaining knowledge of His word we must apply it. This takes endurance. Hope is the result.      

            If anyone would understand what it is like to experience physical or social distancing from those we love, it would be the apostle Paul. He wrote letters to the church in Thessalonica for the very purpose of encouraging new Christians after his visit to them had been cut short by persecution.

            “17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20).

            Though Paul was not able to visit them, he wrote and even sent Timothy who was evidently a lesser known evangelist than Paul to “to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials” (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3).

            And so to you I say the same with these thoughts rooted in His word: Stay strong in the faith. Be encouraged that God is in control. He rewards His faithful, and He makes all things beautiful in its time.

            Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Even Paul learned to be an encourager

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 24, 2020

            You have probably heard someone talk about the fact that their mouth is always getting them into trouble.

Yes, it is hard to be an encourager all the time. But we can all improve, and in doing so we can make a huge difference in the lives of the friends, family, co-workers, and others we interact with. In writing to the church in Ephesus, the apostle Paul gave us all some good guidelines for what we choose to say.

            “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

            Paul knew firsthand the benefits of encouragement. A Christian brother named Barnabas helped him in the beginning stages of his ministry to gain credibility among those who knew Paul in his former life as a persecutor of Christians. Having Barnabas as an encouraging friend evidently rubbed off on Paul since the New Testament is full of examples of Paul encouraging new Christians.

            In Acts 13:42-43 Paul and Barnabas had spent a Saturday at a Jewish synagogue teaching Jewish history and explaining to them how it was fulfilled in the good news of Jesus Christ. As they left, they encouraged the Jews to continue in the grace of God. The people invited Paul and Barnabas to come back the next week.

            In Acts 15 the mentor of encouragement, Barnabas, left with Mark to go on a missionary journey. Paul went with Silas and put his newfound encouragement skills to work. Luke tells us that Paul went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. That’s in stark contrast to the description we read of Paul the persecutor in the earlier chapters of Acts. It is hard to imagine that someone who was once a persecutor of Christians would later write nearly half of the New Testament books! Who knows just how big of a role Barnabas’s encouragement played in helping Paul reach his full potential as an evangelist and writer? Just think how different our world would be if we all followed the example of Barnabas!

            Even while Paul was in chains, he still managed to write letters that would encourage new Christians to choose words carefully. “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).

            Some people are better at encouraging others through talking, some with writing, and some through acts of kindness. The best thing about telling or showing people Jesus Christ and His love for us is that the message speaks for itself, loud and clear, and brings hope to communities and nations like nothing else can.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Encouraging others is worth the effort

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 17, 2020

            Even if you have a hard time putting a proper definition with the word encouragement, we all know what it feels like to be encouraged, and what it feels like to encourage someone else.

            For several weeks now, my Sunday morning online youth Bible class has focused on the topic of encouragement. And as expected, I always feel better just minutes after class starts, even if it is taking place through the Zoom app on my cell phone or computer. The fact that I can see and hear from my students is a huge blessing to me, and I hope it is to them, too. Learning how to think outside the box to encourage others is one big blessing that has come from the culture we’re living in right now.

            We are encouraged in two ways: by what we do and what others do. We are finding out that it is just as important to be a giver as a receiver of encouragement even though some people are simply better at being an encourager.  The fact is, the Holy Spirit has gifted some people with an extra measure of the ability to encourage. That is why you just feel encouraged when you are in the presence of people who possess this very special gift of being an encourager.

            In Romans 6, the apostle Paul says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” So, no matter what the Holy Spirit has gifted you with, whether it is teaching, giving, helping, mercy, discernment or whatever, it is important to use that gift to build up others. God wants us to encourage others even if that is not our gift.

Paul told the early Christians to “encourage one another and build each other up” and that encouragement along with unity and peace will result in a closer relationship with the God of love and peace (2 Corinthians 13:11).

In Hebrews 3:13, the writer says, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

The Hebrew writer also says that meeting together and encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ helps us all stay strong in the faith (10:23-24).

If we daily strive to add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love to our faith journey (2 Peter 1:8), we cannot help but be more effective in encouraging others in their spiritual walk.

May God bless each of us this week with opportunities to be an encourager.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Happy Mother’s Day!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 10, 2020

            Hello and I hope everyone is doing fine on this Mother’s Day. It is during times like these that moms have a tremendous amount to do with how the rest of us view what’s going on in the world. In spite of so many uncertainties, mothers continue doing what they do best which is to simply be a good woman, a task that brings countless blessings to all those closest to them, and to many others. Sounds simple on the surface, but in Proverbs 31:10-31 the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, reveals some of the wisdom he gained in his search for a good woman among his 700 wives and 300 concubines.

            “10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Here’s a link to a song I wrote recently about my wife of noble character, Lisa. Big thanks to my audio engineer son, Britton Vann Music, for recording, co-producing, and mixing me.  https://youtu.be/DoZ4WBxOoHQ

I hope you enjoy it.  Have a good week!

Above the Sun: He makes beautiful things

by Barrett Vanlandingham

May 3, 2020

            As a writer, I try to be creative. But as a handyman, let’s just say I’m lacking a little in that area. I usually have to hire everything done. Thankfully, I have a good woman who brings out the best in me. I found that to be true this past week when together we made something pretty neat out of  junk destined for the garbage.

My son Britton and I cleared some imposing tree roots and dug a small hole in the flowerbed next to our back porch. Next, to line the hole and hold water, I repurposed an old plastic tub that had been a cat litter box and a dog watering dish (not at the same time). Then, Lisa found an old window screen to lay across the water tub to keep out debris. Next, she found a rusty old iron grate from our seriously incapacitated charcoal grill that she cleaned up and painted and laid across the tub.

We combined all of that with a bag of river rocks on top of the grate, a small water pump inside the tub, and on top of the rocks, a small concrete bird bath with a hole in the bottom of the bowl to connect a little hose to the pump. Plug in the pump, and wah la! The delicate sound of a trickling fountain! We had been talking about doing this for years, and finally got around to it. I guess like many of you, the temporary “shelter in place” resulted in getting a few things done around the house.

God is the Master at making something beautiful out of stuff we either take for granted or things we rarely perceive as valuable. In northeastern Oklahoma, we experience breathtaking sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, fog, cloud formations, rolling hills, trees, flowers, lakes, and streams every single day. He also puts people in our lives who bring us laughter and fill us with joy. He is the One who created the human spirit, hope, determination, and love.

As our Creator, He is plenty capable of turning things around for us in spite of the messes we get ourselves into, even when we question our self-worth. It is important for us to remember He has a plan for each and every one of us. But to experience a beautiful life with Him, we must let go of our plan, and exchange it for His. Only then will we find out the extent of His creativity to make a beautiful life for us, and the contentment that can be found in being a committed child of God.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Have a great week!

Above the Sun: You don’t have to look far to make a big difference

by Barrett Vanlandingham

April 26, 2020

            Have you ever had one of those moments when you realized the solution to your problem was right in front of you all the time? That is a lesson that Jesus taught his disciples long ago, and it still applies to us today.

            “And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

            During the forty days after Jesus’ resurrection, he knew his followers needed some reassurance and direction. Like sheep without a shepherd, he knew they would scatter. But with one last bit of instruction, he knew that for the kingdom’s sake, scattering would turn out to be a very good thing with the right experiences and knowledge under their belts. He told them to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit that his Father promised and would reveal at a gathering known as Pentecost when Peter preached the first gospel sermon.

            Sometimes, we get so busy with figuring out everything on our own that we forget to listen for God’s instructions that are right in front of us. Okay, Covid-19 has disrupted our lives. So, what do we do? Jesus already provided that answer, and I believe God is using our current crisis to help all of humanity push reset and go back to the basics. We may not all be geographically situated to make a difference in Jerusalem where the disciples were 2000 years ago, but we can pay more attention to what’s going on locally, right around us, and among those we love most. What a once in a lifetime opportunity we have been given to re-think our priorities, examine what’s going on under our own roof, and be given time to make a new game plan going forward.

            In witnessing “going back to the basics” in Fort Gibson and across the country, I have been hearing a lot about families spending more time together. I have seen churches drastically increase their knowledge and use of technology to reach their membership. Other churches have conducted old fashioned drive-in movie style worship services with people sitting in their cars listening to loudspeakers or low power FM radio signals. I’ve seen people outside of Harps Grocery talking from a distance with the enthusiasm that comes from being separated from other humans for too long. I’ve seen Fort Gibson’s downtown shops bring merchandise outside so people can shop from their cars. I’ve seen and heard of neighbors checking on neighbors more often than before. Beyond that, volunteers and companies are getting creative in producing hand sanitizer and facemasks for those who need it most.

            The pandemic may have thrown a wrench in our old way of life, but there’s been a lot of good from it, too. Let’s pray we’re smart enough to learn some things from all of this that will make us better human beings in our homes, in our communities and beyond as our new normal slowly begins to take shape.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Some things you can control

by Barrett Vanlandingham

April 19, 2020

            If you’ve been thinking there is bad news just about everywhere you look these days, maybe you have been looking in the wrong places. While news reports say alcohol sales are way up lately, I also hear many reports of people turning to the Bible for peace and comfort.

            I love the apostle Paul’s encouraging words in Romans 8:28. He said, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

            It’s one thing when another person tells you that everything is going to be alright because, in reality, all they can offer you are kind words of hope. After all, we are just human, and if there is one thing we’ve all learned lately it’s that we are not in control of anything around us. It’s something entirely different when God says it’s going to be alright because God never lies, never gets distracted, never just means well but forgot to follow through. God always keeps His promises. We are reminded of that every time we see a rainbow in the sky which not only is a sign that the earth will never be destroyed by water again, but it is also a sign that God means what He says.

            Paul’s words of things working out for the good are a great comfort to those who have a loving and obedient relationship with Jesus Christ. These same words are a tremendous challenge for those who are not committed to God. Remember Jesus’ words in John 14:15 when he said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” If this is true, then the opposite is also true: if we choose to not keep God’s commandments, we are proving by our choices that we do not love Him, since we all have free will, meaning we can choose to obey or not obey, we can choose to love or not love.

            God’s promise that everything is going to work out for the best for us is conditional. His promise is for those who love Him and prove our love by our obedience. God proved His love for us at the cross.

            “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” (John 3:16).

            This truly is encouraging news for those whose belief is accompanied by action (James 2:17, 24, and 26). It’s a sentiment that songwriter Rich Mullins summarized so well when he sang that faith without works is “about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.”  Let that sink in, and have a great week!

Above the Sun: Jesus rose and you can too

by Barrett Vanlandingham

April 12, 2020

     There are only about four stories in history that give us the kind of hope we experience on Easter Sunday. They are Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. All four of these events are just as relevant today as they were 2000 years ago. All four events were prophesied or foretold hundreds or even thousands of years before they happened. Bottom line, if it hadn’t been for the resurrection, the other stories would be irrelevant because Jesus would have been proven a fraud. But thanks be to God, all the stories of Jesus remain solid, and the grave remains empty. Jesus arose!  Each of the gospel writers tells the story.

            “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body” (Mark 16:1).

            “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it” (Matthew 28:2).

            “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’” (Luke 24:1-7).

            “14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her (John 20:14-18).

            During the next forty days, Jesus appeared several different times to individuals, small groups, and to more than 500 at once. He also had conversations and meals with them, and even let Thomas touch the holes in his hands and feet.

Christ’s sacrifice paid for our sins and is what we remember on the first day of each week when we take the Lord’s Supper. It is his resurrection that signifies victory over death and gives every baptized believer that same assurance of a new life both now and in eternity (Romans 6:1-11).  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Birdwatching teaches us a lot about God

By Barrett Vanlandingham

April 5, 2020

Sitting on my back porch a few days ago on an unusually warm morning, Lisa pointed out that a mama finch was perched on a limb nearby keeping watch on her nest of five tiny light blue eggs. The bird had built her nest inside a hanging plant that we were evidently sitting a little too close to judging by her nervous demeanor.

It really is amazing that ever since the 5^th day of creation, birds have been doing this exact thing, growing their population just like God said they would, protecting their little ones even before they hatch.

“²⁰ And God said, ‘Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.’  ²¹ So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. ²² God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.’ ²³ And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day” (Genesis 1:20-23).

When I read this, it reminds me that to this day, the daily comings and goings of life still happen just like back then. People still worry about everything, even though there is still evening and morning every single day just as there was the week of creation. To this day, birds and fish and all the other creatures continue fulfilling their purpose in God’s plan. And to this day, God still trusts us to take care of His creation. And when we mess it up, God is still in control.

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground’” (Genesis 1:28).

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:26-27)

Just like the mama finch watches over her eggs, God always watches over you and me. Just seek first His kingdom, and He’s got the rest!  Have a great week!