In It To Win It!

Winning is not an event, a time and place, and an action. It is not the sudden celebration of being on top of your goals, your dreams, or your fights. Winning is much more than the comparatively brief moment of excitement when all is said and done, at the end of the day when you receive the reward of your labors.

Winning is an attitude. It is a way of life.

Winning is every second of all four quarters of a game. It is every burn and muscle ache of a marathon; it is every minute and hour of study, every moment of initiative and extra hard work, every decision to put away the weights and hinderances from you, regardless of how petty they may seem, or how long the temptation persists.

In everything a real winner does, he wins. The final score may not show it, the last blow may be the one that knocks him out of the rink, and the last shot that falls may be the nail in the coffin that sinks his every effort to come out on top. But he wins. He wins because no matter what he does, he leaves everything, his heart and his soul, on the floor and leaves that fight knowing he did his best. In victory, he cherishes it. In defeat, he learns from it, making it not a defeat for him, but a lesson.

Winning is an attitude.

"Yeah, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,..." Phillipans 3:8

I have won many things, and in this world, there is much allurement out there to win and to succeed in various things. As with any winning, it comes with much sacrifice. But this is the part of winning that makes most people losers. It is hard, sometimes painful, to sacrifice in order to win. Consider a fighter, who gives up all foods that would hinder his physical shape or bodily systems, keeps a sleep log, trains for hours a day. etc. He gives his life, literally, to be the best fighter he can be. Or an athlete, who does similar routines in health and dieting, physical exercise and training. Or an elite soldier, who once again demostrates unquestioned determination in giving up his home and family to be the soldier he needs to be.

Winning takes sacrifice.

But to win Christ? As I stare in amazement at the phrase itself, it seems an impossibility. For one thing, he had to win me, sacrificing himself on Calvary! How could I win him?

This is ultimate sacrifice. It is not sacrificing family, food, fellowship, or life itself. It is being willing to sacrifice any and all of those things, including any honor you would receive for those sacrifices! At least with a fighter, you may enjoy the benefits of a healthy life and good self defense. At least as an athlete, you enjoy health and millions of dollars due to the idolizing of American sports today. As a soldier, should you truly give up life or limb, you will have much honor in this country, whether you died or were injured in an act of courage and bravery for this country and for your comrades. These are no small things to speak of.

But when you become a pursuant of winning Christ, it is of no benefit to you. It is all a benefit and glory to Christ! In the pursuit of winning Christ, you will have nothing of which to boast, nothing to claim, and should you sacrifice all, and "count them but dung," you will, in the end, hope against hope that you may get closer to understanding what Paul meant when he said, "Let this mind be in you..." You will chase that presence of God that demands ultimate sacrifice of self and pride. YOU gain nothing.....except the likeness of Christ!!! And even this serves only to glorify his name and further his cause, leaving you the with only the blessed priveledge of knowing you gave to him somewhat similar of what he gave to you. Self sacrifice is a pursuit in a Christians life that desires to make him more like Christ, so that you can aim to live in his steps, spending and being spent for others.

I can only hope that I can come close to pleasing my Saviour as much as he pleases me.

I don't suppose I will ever fully understand the concept of winning Christ. I can only pray and work, so that when I stand before him, he will say, "Well done!" If I could hear those words one day from my heavenly Father, I'd say that would be winning enough for me.

A Good Statesman

This is a good video of what many feel is a politician debate. But, Mr. Keyes is not enough of a politician to win an election. He is what our forefathers were, and that is not politicians, but statements. You will, as a Christian, enjoy this video. I only fear for those Christians who contributed to this mess by voting for Obama in the Illinois Senate race against Mr. Keyes.

Praying As We Ought

It has been said that prayer is ignorance that trusts in God. As Christians, we are so ignorant, we have no choice but to trust in God as we lean on Him in prayer.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:26 that “we know not what we should pray for as we ought.” That comes from the mouth of a man who was saved more than 25 years when he spoke it. You would think that after a good amount of time and experience, we would get to the point where we at least know for what to ask our heavenly Father in accordance with His will. But the truth is, we are helpless and ignorant children when it comes to the mind of God in many areas. How often have prayer requests been heard regarding unpaid bills, sick children, lost jobs, and countless other serious circumstances that put us on our knees before
Him, only to be at a loss for words? We are absolutely sure for what to ask as far as our will is concerned, but what about what His wishes are? What about what He sees? We are unable to see around today’s corner and, therefore, have no idea what results would come from a “Yes” answer to these requests.

In Numbers 21, the children of Israel are out in their wilderness journey, doing what they do best--complaining about the Lord’s lack of provision and Moses’ lack of leadership. The Lord sends fiery serpents among the people, and they begin to die as they are bitten. The natural request is: “pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us” (Num. 21:7). If answered, it would have doomed every bitten Israelite to certain death. In His mercy, the Lord ignores their request and provides something much better: a cure. Moses is told to make a serpent and hold it high on a pole for the smitten to see and live. That is “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20).

Just removing the serpents was not the right request. Maybe just removing the cancer, just healing that sick child, just paying that insurmountable bill, etc., isn’t what the Lord has in mind. I realize how hard this is to swallow, but the Lord has a lot more in mind than just our desires. He is dealing with a myriad of consequences that come with each request, about which we know nothing.

So we approach Him in ignorant faith. Oftentimes unable to fathom what He has in mind, we must kneel before Him and just wait; wait for the right things to say and wait for the Holy Spirit to help with our infirmities (Rom. 8:26). Waiting for something more than just what we want.

Any Christian who has been saved for a number of years can look back on some requests that they are glad the Lord did not answer with a “yes,” though that is what they wished for at the time. In hindsight, it is easy to clearly see that He who is “rich in mercy” (Eph. 2:4), sometimes says “No,” not in anger, but in love.


James and John once came to Jesus Christ and asked to sit at His right and left hands in His glory (Mark 10:35-37). Jesus answered that they did not even know what they were asking. Of course they didn’t. Like ourselves, they only had in mind what surely was an admirable request. What they could not know was that they were actually begging to be put into a position to have themselves beheaded by the Antichrist in the Tribulation. The right and left hand spots were already reserved for the “two olive trees” of Zechariah 4:3, the two witnesses who must be killed after preaching before the Antichrist (Rev. 11:3-9). James and John only saw a pretty good position in the kingdom, and what could possibly be wrong with that?

Thank God for ignorant faith. In our weak and sinful condition, we can come boldly before Him on His throne and wait for help from the Holy Spirit of God with all these infirmities (Heb. 4:16); especially the infirmity of selfishness that cannot see more than an inch in front of our faces and no further, an infirmity that hinders us from seeing clearly. Yet ignorant faith can help us to see, though “through a glass darkly” (1 Cor. 13:12). A sympathetic Holy Spirit helps us to see beyond ourselves. He reminds us of examples of those He has helped in their infirmities before us: like Esther, with both parents dead, living in an idolatrous foreign land, yet able to see past her own life and say, “If I perish, I perish” (Esth. 4:16); and like Ruth, a widow, outside of the promises of God and without hope in this world (Eph. 2:12), yet able to see past her Moabite gods and say, “Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

The Apostle Paul, after being saved many years and seeing the hand of God in his life, realized that “we know not what we should pray for as we ought.” But that does not mean that we do not pray. That does not mean we grovel in our infirmities and fear to make a single move. Instead, in ignorant faith, we kneel and ask the Lord to remember “that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14). In spite of the sins and infirmities, we look to lean on Him as we make our “requests . . . known unto God” (Phil. 4:6).

Prayer is ignorance that trusts in God. We pray for more faith and He gives darkness. We pray for peace and we get more struggles. We pray for a chance to serve, and He gives a corner in which to wait. We pray for fire to burn in our hearts, and we get more coldness. So in ignorant faith, with examples who have gone before us, we continue to believe that “He hath done all things well” (Mark 7:37), even when the answer is “No.”

Bravery

Bra'very, n: Courage; heroism; undaunted spirit; intrepidity; gallantry; fearlessness of danger; often united with generosity or dignity of mind which despises meanness and cruelty, and disdains to take advantage of a vanquished enemy.

"Be brave!" I was 7...maybe 8 when I recall hearing this phrase. My father was hosting a Maynard house boxing show, with half the neighborhood in our livingroom. Friday night fights had nothing on this! Punches flying, faces and heads getting hit, and everyone, including the ones boxing, having a blast! 

But I had some growing up to do. You see, boxing is not very fair...especially when you get hit a lot. That was me. I got hit more than a lot! If someone was bleeding, it was me. If anyone got injured, it was going to be me. If anyone was ready to quit, count on it--it was me. 

I sometimes felt like quitting. The punches hurt, and the fatigue can wear you down. "Be brave!" That was my dad's phrase...and it was like pumping me with an energy boost! I was ready to go when I heard those words.

I didn't realize how much boxing was like life...

"Be brave!"

It was that easy...as a kid, that's all I needed to hear. But in boxing, and in life, it's easier said than done. I wonder how many children are told that they need to be brave?! I know they do not know the importance of the concept.

But there are only three things that keep you going, whether you are in the ring, or in life. And they are real simple.

1. Be able to take a punch.

Throwing punches is great, but if you can't take one, you're sunk! You have to be able to bite a few punches real good, and still keep fighting! Life punches you! If you've lived life for any length, you'll see that. Everybody wants to throw punches at the enemy, because it's fun, and we like throwing punches, but it's when the punches hit us square in the face that we begin to rethink our dedication to the fight. "Be brave!" Take a punch, and keep fighting. If you can't, you won't last long.

2. Want to fight

You will flame out REAL fast if you don't want to fight. I can't tell you how many kids I've seen with a ton of potential that never get out of the starting bell 10 seconds because they don't want anything to do with the fight. When living for God, you have to want it! If you don't desire this fight, it will spew you out before you ever throw one punch! If you don't want it, then you definitely won't take a punch well. In fact, the first punch will send you to the floor, KO'd, because if you don't want to fight, you just won't. (Didn't I say this was simple?)

3. Have the right people in your corner

This is the most important concept, whether boxing or living for God. I would've fallen long ago, in the boxing ring and in my life, had it not been for having the right people in my corner. God is in my corner. My parents are in my corner. If I only ever had God, that would be enough to last the fight, but I have more. In addition to my parents, I have other friends...notice I didn't say buddies...in my corner. You can't have your buddies in your corner. All they will do is distract you. You need God, your family, and good solid people who have your best interest at heart and have proven that they will stick with you. Otherwise, clean your corner out. Get God in there, first of all, and then get your corner full of people that can truly help you stay in the fight. Buddies will say, "Have fun!" while the right people will say, "Be brave!"

I have a good corner, and thanks to them, I love this fight, and I've learned to take some hits. Loving the fight helps you take some hits. And when you start to really hurt, your corner comes through to encourage you to "Be brave!" 

We need some brave individuals. We need some people who aren't looking for a reason to bail out of the fight. We need some people to realize who should really be in their corner! 

And when you have those three things...jump in the ring, and "BE BRAVE!"

What has happened...

There is no easy way to write this post, as a lot of things that I simply do not have the time to tell about have occurred. First, my brother, Russell, got married to Hannah a month ago today. You can check out some pics at:

www.lovestorieswritteninheaven.blogspot.com

Then, I finished my freshman year 2 weeks ago. I have much to do this summer, as I plan on making some extra cash as well as stay busy around here at the academy. I am looking forward to a much needed break, though. I need to breathe deep for a while...

So, I've been doing the things that I love for the last two weeks...spending time with family, working at the academy, working out (HOOYAH!), and best of all, spending more time with the Lord, and THAT has been truly amazing! Isn't our Lord wonderful? He is truly altogether lovely!

I sat in church last night as my dad preached about thanksgiving and that we should think more on what we have to be thankful for, and I realized how much I have to be thankful for...and then after the preaching, during the invitation, members of our church just went to one another and told their brethren and sisters how much they appreciated them. You know, we all have people in our lives that we would simply not be the same without, and it is good for us to let those people know every once in a while how much we appreciate and love them. Last night, our entire church broke into a semi-frenzy of people wandering about, expressing their love and thankfulness to people who mean a lot to them. And it was good. Good for our church. Good for our hearts.

You see, sin can rip through a place, the devil can use people to divide, and false brethren can hurt...but true love still prevails!

I encourage you to do the same...find someone who mean alot to you and tell them so. You will be glad you did, and it will be healthy for you both!

Well, a pointless post is better than no post, so there you have it! LOL

I did want to let you all know what's been going on with me. Later, I plan on writing some posts about ideas that have been around for a long time and I haven't got to. But, thanks to summer, I'll have a little more time. Till next time.

Clay

“Christian Rock?”

What is "Christian?" Simply, it is Christlike, as they were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:26). But what is meant by "Christian Rock?"

First, you need to understand "rock and roll." I took a course on understanding music history last semester, and I learned a few things. "Rock and Roll" is a term that was first used by disc jockey Alan Freed in 1951 in Cleveland, Ohio.

He began using this term in 1951 to describe fornication in the backseat of a car while pop music was being played, because he thought the action was “exciting and inciting.” The term caught on, and the music mixture of country, jazz, blues, and rhythm that Freed aired became known as “Rock and Roll” music, or “Rock” music. This music has the natural overtone of sensuality and fornication, and is filled with rebellion and indecency. The music teaches all manner of immorality and is described in the vilest of terms.

To explain further why this music is from the pit of hell is to explain why Mt. Everest is tall.

As I sat in class last Tuesday, my teacher, who grew up in a Southern Baptist Church, left God and is an atheist and evolutionist, made the following statement:

“Back when I was a kid in the Baptist church, rock music was evil. It would damn your soul, because it was the devils music. Now, we have churches that embrace ‘Christian’ rock, having evolved their standards to fit in with the modern trends. I asked some kids the other day who went to this type of church why they went. They told me the reason they go to church is for the music! I was sure that they would tell me that they wanted to get closer to God, but no, they went for the music. Doesn’t that seem counter-productive? To compromise to the point that you lose what you started out trying to achieve?”

This comes from an evolutionary atheist, and yet there are claiming “Christians” who defend Christian Rock music!

If Christian means Christlike, and Rock and Roll means backseat fornication, does “Christian Rock” mean Christlike fornication? Do you see the hypocrisy of any saved person who listens to this trash?

Christian Rock and the CCM movement attempts to converge the meaning of the gospel songs with the music styles of the world. This is not possible, because the music that perpetuates betrays the words that are being sung, and the carnal overrides the spiritual.

To be honest, I don’t have a lot of time for people that like to slur the lines between Christian Rock and CCM and pure gospel music using subtlety and borderline music.

Who needs Jars of Clay or Jars of Mud, or whatever they’re called? And why would groups like the Gaither Vocal Band, Steve Green, and others in the southern gospel world slant their music to try to take a middle ground, to jump back and forth over the fence of right and wrong in their music? Whether we believe it or not, these musicians are about money for the most part, and the money is in the modern music, so there you have it! The problem is, the worlds music does not accentuate a Godly spirit, but a carnal one.

What all Christians need to realize is that when the music betrays the message, the sanctity of Godly music is lost, and the flesh will dominate the environment, every time!!

I say we produce a music that lives up to the holiness of the book we preach, the righteousness of the God we serve, and the true worship that our Lord deserves and desires. Then, and only then, will music accomplish its purpose: lifting up and glorifying our God!

More Ben Everson

Good Songs!

Here is some good music to listen to. He adds some visual effects as well, but his music is top notch.

Till next time,

Clay

Is this my blog?

I just ran across a link in my favorites, and I realized it was a blog link. No sooner had I clicked on it than it asked me to sign in. After putting in my usual username and password, it took me to a blog dashboard, and I wondered to myself if this was my blog. Indeed, it was! It had my picture, my information, even some interesting information about myself on the profile. Yes, this was surely mine!

You probably know that the first paragraph I was being sarcastic. But yes, it has been so long, that I almost forgot I had one--or two for that matter! So here I am, offering my deepest apologies for being so absent. I have been incredibly busy for a while. Life speeds up so fast as you get older. Indeed, much has happened.

I have started my second semester of college, and boy has it already been a ride. I preached at Bro. Charlie Andrews' youth rally in January, and this last week, our family went to the funeral of Dr. Homer Smith. So, like I said, much has happened. If you would like to hear the messages from the youth rally, click here: http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?SpeakerOnly=true&currSection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Clay^Maynard

Again, I've been busy in many things, but I look forward to getting back to the blog(s) as much as I can. If you'd like to know how I am, this is the blog to watch for. My other blog is strictly political, and you can find it on the sidebar. I will be posting there from time to time as well, Lord willing.

In Christ Alone,

Clay

His Thoughts or His Mind?

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus;"

Philippians 2:5

"For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD." Isaiah 55:8

If his thoughts are above our thoughts, then how can the mind of Christ be in us?

It is not the understanding thoughts of the Almighty's ways that we are to have in us, but rather the mind of willingness to do God's will and humility that the Saviour possessed while on earth. It is not the ability to know all things as God does in Isaiah 55:8 that we are commanded to have, but the ability to obey without understanding, like Christ did in Philippians 2:5.

Too often we desire the opposite: to understand the ways of God Almighty and his perfect design, and yet we refuse to have the submitted, self-sacrificial mind that our Lord displayed in his life on earth, though we be commanded to "follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21) The path of Phillipians 2:5-8 goes unaccomplished in most Christians as they seek to know "why" God does things, reaching beyond human comprehension into the knowledge of an infinite God, which we will never understand.

Our Lord would rather us have a Christ-like submission to his authority, crucifying ourselves with Christ. In this way, it is not our will, but his being done. This is the mind of Christ.

Therefore, not understanding God Almighty's thoughts and ways, let us have the mind of Christ.

True Victory; True Defeat

Victory is a coveted thing. A measure of heavenly immortality on mortal earth. Victory is when you truly get triumph in the face of a struggle.

And defeat. Defeat is not a "knocked down but never knocked out" attitude. Defeat is when you lose. In effect, the battle is over. No one takes defeat well.

I've felt victory before. True victory that was so longed-for and coveted that it almost hurt me for the exitement that I felt. It was a swelling of joy and longing in my heart that almost burst my spirit. And I've felt defeat. I've felt completely crushed, as if victory was not at all possible.

In fighting my flesh, victory and defeat are real things. In spiritual warfare, both of these can be felt. Sometimes just a whiff of victory can be very encouraging at a point in life where the campaign seems marked by defeat.

Most of the time, victory cannot be acheived because our battle efforts are not passionate enough. We lack the energy and will to do what is necessary in certain battles to gain victory. Then we get knocked down. We suffer losses. We take steps backward.

A lot of times, a defeat can aggravate me to the point that I will go all out, sparing no expense, and doing drastic things physically and spiritually to gain that victory. I'm a winner, and losing is not something I do well. And if anything good can come from losing, it is the determination that pushes me over the top to gain the victory, because I've made the effort necessary to win.

And that's where you need to get if you seem to never gain the victory. Get in a mode of win-or-die syndrome. And give it all you've got! You cannot go too far in putting forth an effort to gain a victory for God. Do the drastic things that seem overboard if that's what it takes. Fast for long periods of time. Pray at crazy hours of the morning and night. Get close to God in ways that you need to in order to get the upper hand on the flesh. You have to make the flesh weary and wasted before the spiritual man can get a solid foothold. Make the old flesh weary and tired. Then get a hold of God, and beg him for his strength. Victory is possible. Especially after defeat. God wants Christians to be victorious, and with his help and a sincere will-power, it can be acheived.

This is the purpose of the altar in the Bible--for flesh to be sacrificed. Burn the flesh. When the stink of burning flesh begins to rise out of your life towards God and for God, he says it will be a "sweet smelling savor." What stinks to you in the flesh will smell good to our Savior. Lay yourself on the altar, and kill the wicked flesh, sacrificing it to the Lord.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1

"I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galations 2:20

Christmas Ladies Meeting Setup

I have been sick for the last two days, and finding myself without much to do, I thought I would put up a few pictures. Although ladies meetings have nothing to do with me, I usually have a lot to do with the setup, cleanup, and eating up of the leftovers. So, I thought since I had a lot of investment in it, I’d put up a few pictures of that.

Somehow food tastes better when you eat it in a nice setting.

Somehow my mom couldn’t bear not to have a Christmas tree, so we settled for this little 3 footer. The way I see it, I have enough work to do without making extra work for myself. Makes sense, right?

These were the able waiters at the party. Many times I have been in those outfits, getting picked on, poked at cause I was at a ladies meeting, getting my cheeks pinched, and being told I was handsome all night (though it may be true). :) I don’t envy you boys… hope you had a blast! :D After setup, I left and went with Russell over to his trailer for a few hours. I’m sure the ladies had a good time, as always.

Double Decision

It is always easy to say things. It’s not always so easy to do them.

Words spoken in time of ease many times are hard to swallow in times of testing. And due to the excess of words, we find ourselves questioning things that we once have said, and now are expected to act upon.

It’s not that what was once said was wrong. It doesn’t even mean that we no longer believe it now that the testing is upon us. But our flesh gets into situations where our desire is so overwhelming that the things we once stood for are now being second-guessed and even being tossed to and fro in our minds.

As a Christian who takes a stand for many things, this is especially important. You must take that stand, but taking that stand will require you to live a very specific way.

“LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?…[he] In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” Psalm 15:1,4

Swearing to your own hurt, and changing not. These are powerful words spoken by the psalmist, realizing some things he knew personally.

David said he would not touch God’s anointed. When Saul began throwing spears, David ran. He honored his word. But it did not end there. After more than 5 years of running from Saul, the opportunity to kill him was well within David’s grasp. Yet he apologized and repented for simply cutting the cloth of Saul’s garment. Swearing to your own hurt… and CHANGING NOT!

Stability is probably the most lacked character trait in this generation. People don’t even know what to stand for, and then those that do know what to stand for don’t stand.

There’s no such thing as making a decision for God only one time. If you make a decision for the Lord, the devil is sure to test it. Try it. If you made the decision once, you will need to make the same decision again.

I made the decision a long time ago to do whatever the Lord told me to do. A semester into college, I’ve made that decision at least 100 more times. :)

I made the decision not to use certain language. I make that same decision every time I go to work and deal with certain people that do their best to bring out the worst in me.

I made the decision to keep myself pure, saving my heart and body for the precious young lady I marry. I made that same decision again today.

The point is, if you made the decision for the Lord, expect to make it again, and again, and again. A world of sin is against everything you promise the Lord.

Have you made the decision to do whatever God wants? If you have, then never let financial circumstances, geographic locations, or self-will deter you.

Have you vowed to keep yourself pure? If the answer is yes, then never, ever give your heart, emotions, or feelings to anyone whom God has not expressly told you is the man or woman you will marry, and only then after you have the go-ahead from God’s authority in your life. In fact, I ask every unmarried young adult with Christian parents reading this to make a vow to the Lord: Vow to never pursue a relationship that leads to marriage until both of your parents approve. If one of them sees a problem, then there’s something wrong. But I promise you, if both of them agree that it is good, you can be sure the Lord is in it. (That advice was unplanned so that was free of charge) :D

And that will be another decision that your flesh will be sure to test you on. Just remember, even if it hurts, CHANGE NOT! What was right when you made the decision is still right today. Do not change based on the situation. The circumstances do not warrant exceptions, the circumstances show what you really believed all along. Stick with those decisions… especially when it hurts. God loves to see his children make decisions, and then make the same decision again when the going gets tough and it isn’t easy, because it honors him.

Double decisions will be the greatest tool of public testimony you can have. And to top it off, God will be pleased. And when he smiles, the frowns of the world won’t mean a thing. I love to make God smile, and he put it on my heart to write this post. God is pleased with double decisions!

One Nice Picture!

Just a few friends having a blast at the beach.

(Oh, actually it’s a few friends and a twitter-pated couple!)

Good times, tough times...

It has been a very unusually grim time around Truth Baptist Church and the Heritage Boys Academy. It has had its highlights as well though. Alot has happened, so I'll do this in chronological order.

On Wednesday, the 21st of October, our dear friends from the Netherlands, the Huussens, arrived in Panama City. They will be here until the first week of December, and will be back again sometime after the first of next year to get ready for the Russell and Hannah's wedding. I don't know the details of it all yet, but nonetheless, it has already been alot of fun since they've been here. I have enjoyed every spare minute I can "escape" over to their trailer. :D That was one of the highlights.

Then on Monday, the 26 of October, our campmeeting started. We had Pastor Charlie Andrews, Pastor Mike Keenan, Bro. Terrence Calvin, Bro. Terry Kendrick, Bro. Jake Huussen, and Bro. Daniel Waters preach during the week. There were some other assorted preachers during the week, including myself, and I had such a great time preaching! The Lord gave much liberty and I can't remember having such a good time preaching. The whole week was truly a blessing to our church. The quality of the preaching was excellent, and the Lord met with us in a great way.

Then some tough times came. On Sunday, the 2nd of November, Silas Blackburn, who has been fighting cancer for close to 6 six months, went on to be with the Lord. He went after fighting a battle most men couldn't take. The Lord's grace has been, and will continue to be sufficient. We are all grateful for the comfort that Silas' battles are now over, and we will see him again, and soon.

Since then, I have spent the last 9 days with some disease I can't seem to shake. It has included severe headaches, fevers, head and chest congestion, coughing, etc. It has in a large way interrupted school more than anything. It is the first time I've been sick this year. It has really caught me off guard, because I typically stay pretty healthy. Anyway, pray that I can shake this thing before Monday, cause I can't miss any more school or I'll really be in trouble.

I have really enjoyed some things I've learned from God recently as I've tried to grow closer to him. He has been especially close and real through the tumultous times, and I cherish the things I am learning and have learned.

The Lord is good.

What is Important?

What is important to you?

Family? The right to be raised and raise your family as you see fit, stay healthy as you see fit, and love and serve God as you think is best is seen by most Americans as a right, and one that they would die for, at that! 

Friends? Your brothers and sisters in Christ and the comraderie you share is crucial to your spiritual encouragement and help, and I know that this is important to the majority of my readers.

Freedom? The ability to choose to serve God, own a gun, homeschool your kids, and preach against everything the Bible does are all freedoms that I would give my life for tomorrow. And so would most of my readers, I would presume.

But what we would truly give our life for tomorrow is what we give our lives for today. A lot of what goes on in American patriotism and politics today is nothing but talk!

People say they love America. Yet when it comes right down to it, they do nothing to effect the change they say they want to happen.

I have a hard time with the “I Love America” claims when people vote, not for the best man, but rather for the man who has the best chance of beating who they hate the most. (You want change, you say?)

I have a hard time with the “I Love America” claims when we send back to congress the same men who created this mess, and even elect them to the office of the President of the United States. (Where’s the Maverick now, when we need him most?)

I have a hard time with the “I Love America” claims when I can’t even get people to read a political blog that discusses the very issues they say are important to them.

I have a hard time with the “I Love America” claims when the courts, the lawyers, and the politicians are passing law after law trampling your freedoms and labeling you in a way King George III could have never dreamed of before the War for Independence. And you do nothing.

I have a hard time with the “I Love America” claims when some people have already quit reading this article because they don’t want to get involved with “all that political stuff.”

I have a hard time with the “I Love America” claims when you watch America go to Hell on a regular basis, and you can’t even get off the televisions, the video-games, the computers, and the beds to go on visitation, street preach, and be a witness for Christ. When you refuse to be different on purpose in situations where you can make a difference for God…

My point is this: I don’t believe a lot of people love America the way they say they do. When I get riled up about these issues, and I watch others yawn, I wonder just how possible revival is in this country. I wonder just how possible a real change for God is possible with these lazy Christians who “say” they love America.

You love yourself and your comfort. That’s what you love; because that’s what you act on.

But mark my words—you will answer to God for wasting the greatest opportunity of freedom a people has ever had in world history. You’ll answer to God for the immeasurable amount of patriot blood that has been spilt for what we squander today. And to top it off, we’ll have to apologize to some great men that gave their families, their fortunes, their reputations, and their lives so people like us can write what we think on a blog without government censorship.

If you want, you can plop down into your E-Z chair with a magazine and a cup of tea with your claims of “Oh, it’s just prophecy being fulfilled. Even so, come Lord Jesus.” But your complacency will be answered for one day. That’s a fact.

More than just forgetting...

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be BLOTTED OUT, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;" Acts 3:19

"I have BLOTTED OUT, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee." Isaiah 44:22

In your bible, you find that God forgets our sins. Our iniquities he will remember no more. But in these passages, I find an even deeper description of God's mindset toward our sin, past, present, and future: Blotted out.

When I forget something, it doesn't mean that it ceases to exist (I wish that were true in school). It simply means that I am unaware of it. But when something is blotted out, it literally ceases to exist! How can this be?

The almighty God that created our very being, hung stars we can't imagine in places we can't comprehend, and orchestrates the thunder I hear outside my window right now, said that your sins are "blotted out." I don't presume to understand my God in these things, but I have chosen to believe him when he says them. My sins aren't in a closet somewhere to be brought out by the adversary at the judgement. They simply don't exist. When I call to remembrance my sin, the Father turns to his Son, and says, "What is he talking about?"

I don't know about you, but many times when I pray it seems my sins are ever before me. I can't shut the sin out of my mind long enough to even talk to the Lord! If that happens to you, then that is the devil trying to distract you, hinder you, and stop you from praying. From now on, do what I do. I say to the Lord, "Lord, please hold on one second." Then I turn to the devil, and I say, "Devil, that sin is what Jesus took to Calvary, and I appreciate you reminding me of all that God did for me when he blotted out my sin. Anything else you need?" Then, without further delay, I continue praying.

That may seem strange to you, and you may think I'm crazy for talking to the devil like that. But just think of it this way--He doesn't mind interrupting you and God to talk to you, so you might as well take the time to shut him up. Just tell him that anything he wants to talk about is already gone in the blood of Jesus Christ, so he needs to go kick a coke can down the street, cause you don't have time to talk to him today. AMEN! Don't waste time with that old fool!

Remember saints, your sins are forgiven, and on top of that, they're blotted out!

The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad!

Fast Living and Long Vacations

Yes, I am alive, if you began to wonder. Life has just been extremely busy for me lately. I haven't had time for really anything but school and work. I used to go to the gym pretty regularly to play basketball...not anymore! I used to do my piano lessons on Friday, my morning off. Now I take my Sunday afternoon nap and do piano lessons in that time. You know it's bad when your next door neighbor who just happens to be your grandmother says, "I never see you anymore." Yeah, I know. I hardly see myself anymore, it seems. The mirror is forgetting what I look like. :D Just kidding.

Actually, in times of crash and burn, I get moments of tranquility. I have my little recesses that I can't really afford to take, but the cost of not taking them just happens to be higher. It's a nap here and there, or something like that. I just do it and then make up for it later somehow.

Anyway, college has been a quite an experience, so to speak. I have had many, many discussions with professors who profess to be wise, but really can't back up what they say. They are used to students who allow themselves to be spoon-fed everything without feedback. I couldn't even begin to tell on this blog the stories of class issues that come up. It boils down to the fact that this country is so ignorant of truth, that even the concept of making sure things are true is completely foreign to them.

So here I sit, looking at my laptop screen, getting ready to take an absence from school for the next 2 days, and thanking God more than ever before that vacations exist. I wonder sometimes just how much of my life is going to be at this level of fast-pace. I want to think that after college, it will slow down, and I'm sure it will. Whatever the case, I am willing to give my time, effort, and personal well-being to the cause of Jesus Christ. Making a difference for Christ will never be convenient, and I am resigned to that fact. As a lawyer, I don't plan on signing papers for corporations to do business to the tune of $300 per hour. I plan on really making trouble for the devil, if you want to look at it that way.

But for this next week or so, it's time to sleep, eat, laugh with family, bible read, sleep, bible read, eat, sleep, have fun with family, bible read, good book read, sleep...you get the picture. :D

Stay in the fight, for it will soon be night, Christian!

In Christ Alone,
Clay

God's Will for Me

Should I think beyond God's will for me
And dare to fall as prey
To future days too far from me
And miss God's perfect way?

Should I think above God's will for me
As though there is a place
That I could reach by my own lead
Surpassing God's daily grace?

Should I think behind God's will for me
And wonder how it would measure
If I returned God's will to flee
And wish for seeming pleasure?

Should I think around God's will for me
That other ways be known
Than the way I know and plainly see
That God has clearly shown?

Or should I rest on eagles wings
And determine not to wrest
The design with which God fulfills all things
And wait--cause He knows best?

Real Treasure

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”

Christians today see their lives through the dimmed glasses of worldly philosophy. We seem to think that our life consisteth of the abundance of things that we possess, though the Bible warns us of this. In fact, the measure of a life is not in the amount that you can see, but rather in the amount that you can’t see. What has he given of himself to God?

The amount of yourself that has been given wholly to God is the true measure of your worth in this life. Those that only look to lay up great wealth here on earth have missed the greatest blessing that wealth can be to you—giving. If God supplies my needs, and I believe he does, then the amount of myself and my possessions that I give to God is the measure of what I think I need to help God take care of me. Do I have the faith that God can supply my needs without my help?

Christians have laid up no treasure in the eternal bank of heaven, focusing to treasure all temporal (and I mean REAL temporal) possessions in safes, banks, and wallets.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Herein lies the problem. God wants your heart. When he gets that, the money comes with it. My treasure has, for the most part, gone to reach souls around this world. As a result, I don’t have as many earthly treasures. Should I worry? Did God need that money to pay for my college? No! God paid for my entire college with scholarships.

When your money is not surrendered to the Lord, neither is a whole host of other things. Why? Your heart is wrong.

I know why so many churches freeze up when money is mentioned. I know why missionaries are spending 4-5 years on deputation. I know why the Mormons are doing such a much better job of reaching this world. Because we are looking at the sorriest bunch of Christians God has ever had to work with! You as God’s people are sitting on your wallets as if they belong to you while a lost world is going to Hell! That’s why.

Perhaps your pharisaical, cold heart will only be softened by the flames of Hell as the lost are turned into it on the day of judgment. I promise you, you will be the one that loses out by storing your money in banks that will burn and wallets that steal your treasure, and therefore your heart, from God. God’s people need wake up—and fast! The end is near, and the churches are asleep at the wheel.

Examine yourself!