The Encourager Newsletter - Vol.4 Issue 14 - July 9, 2010 - A Man Named Charlie - A Christian Attitude

A Man Named Charlie

When people are buried, they disappear into the ground and grass soon covers it over. But one thing is almost always left hanging out of the grave: the name. The Bible is big on names. One has only to read the several rosters of names in the Bible to realize that God makes a lot of names. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John (John 1:6).

God carefully unfolded His own name to Moses and to those he led. God's name was a mystery, from the great "I Am" to several forms of Jehovah, Elohim, Adonai, and El.

One of the Ten Commandments given to Moses said: Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Exodus 20:7)

His Son was coming to earth one day and He would have a special name: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phlippians 2:9-11).

God made us in His image (Genesis 1:26) and part of that likeness is that we should have names; not numbers. Names in the Bible had meaning. Many names used today either begin or end with "el." Samuel, Daniel, Elizabeth, Rachel and Michael are a few. Names were given to urge a child toward godly living; something to live up to. But the modern trend is to dispense names to newborns because they sound good or strike a fancy.

In growing up, I heard "live up to your family name" or "don't disgrace your family name." I should not have climbed the fence and stole watermelons out of a farmer's watermelon patch with some teen buddies. My name means: "God is my judge." I violated my name in the watermelon patch…once.

The tombstone above us inscribed with the name: Charles A. Richards. Charles is of old German origin and has at least 27 variations, including Carl. I doubt if this Charles had any idea where his name came from but since he had it, he would guard it carefully and make it stand for something upright and dependable. He lived his life that way. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches….(Proverbs 22:1a)

Charlie was born September 11, 1875. I attended his funeral on September 3, 1954; just eight days shy of his 79^th birthday. I was thirteen days shy of 20. He was my favorite grandpa because in Medlock Hollow I had followed him everywhere he went, doing everything he did (sort of). I loved my daddy and liked to be with him when he was not off sawmilling somewhere. But, Grandpa Richards was my strongest male role model from the time I was four. I called him Grandpa. My mother called him Papa. Most people called him Charlie.

Last weekend we visited Charlie's gravesite and eight others (including Grandpa Carr's) and attended the morning service at Falling Springs Baptist Church on the Wilder Highway between Alpine and Allred, Tennessee. The day before was my Homesteads High School class reunion (58^th year) at Crossville, Tennessee.

We hear a lot about "generation gap" today. My generation gap was that my parents and grandparents knew more than I did and the smartest thing I could do was to listen more and talk less when they were around.

What a blessing it was to realize early in life that I was new on Planet Earth and my ancestors were smarter than me. We hear some youth today use the worn-out cliché: "You don't understand!" Truth is: we DO understand. The difference is that we don't agree. We understand that if you keep walking down the railroad track into that tunnel, you are going to meet a freight train that's not going your way.

McGee observes: "John the Baptist went forth in the spirit and power of Elijah, [and] would turn the hearts of the fathers to the children. He was to bridge the generation gap. Our problem today is not so much that there is a gap between the adults and youth but that there is a gap between adults and God. If adults had a proper relationship with God, they would not have the problem with young people that exists"

Charlie understood that his word was his bond and that if he gave his word on something, he would forfeit the family farm before he would go back on his word. No wonder that this man who finished the 3^rd grade probably had the biggest funeral attendance in the history of Falling Springs Baptist Church, and it is a very old church.

Charlie was slow to advise another man how he ought to plow his mule. He was not always preaching to people. He taught no Sunday school class and sang in no choir. But his life preached so loud and he was so encouraging to people around him that he was a walking Bible. He was a tough act for me to follow. That's why his tombstone is in my computer screen saver album and comes around frequently, reminding me to remember.

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (2Corinthians 3:2-3) Ω

A Christian Attitude―Barbara Carr

Paul gives us some really good insights and advice.

"For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me wasnot in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was withme. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed." (1Corinthians 15:9-11)

Humility. Paul calls himself the least of the apostles. He had persecuted the church of God. He considers himself to be the chief of sinners. Just as our sins remind us of who we are, Paul's sins reminded him of his life of scoffing and profanity. He tells us that it is "by the grace of God I am what I am."

If we understand divine mercy, we cannot hide pride in our hearts. Paul believed that the grace that saved him is sufficient for all. We are all equal in the sight of God. You may believe your sins were not as great as Paul's, but we are all guilty of the sins that nailed Jesus to the cross. Remembering where we were when the Lord saved us will produce humility and a deep sense of unworthiness. Paul worked as hard or harder than all the apostles, but he tells us that it was the grace of God that enabled him to accomplish what he did.

A Sense of Obligation. Paul never lost sight of how far God's grace had brought him. He often told his followers of his role in persecuting the church. (I Timothy 1:13) In all his travels, imprisonment and heartache, Paul kept praising the Lord for the privilege of serving.

A Sense of Dependence: Paul knew what it was like to depend upon one's own goodness and work to be religious and he wanted no part of it. Paul desired more of Jesus and none of himself.

"Yea 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, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: " (Philippians 3:8-9)

Paul made a voluntary choice of Jesus Christ, His cross, His poverty, and His reproach. He was completely dependent on God.

A Spirit of Absolute Confidence. When Paul was nearing death, he was as certain as ever that God was real, in charge, and worthy of all honor, glory and praise.

"Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:11)

Christ's glory is revealed in the life of a genuine follower by everything that he does and says. A true Christian loves to glorify God. He shows this by his conversation in declaring the glorious works and power of the Lord.

What about Our Attitudes?

Do we have these attitudes? It may help to read more about Paul and his life. We need to praise the Lord for all He has done for us and to work for Him until He calls us home.

"His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all:" (1 Corinthians 15:10) Ω

The Encourager Newsletter - 2010.07.03 - Vol.4 Issue 13 - July 4th and Prayer - Text of Declaration of Independence

July 4^th and Prayer—Barbara Carr

John Quincy Adams, 6^th president of the United States, had this to say on July 4, 1837. "In the chains of human events, the birthday of this nation is indissolubly linked with the birth of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity." (Dayspring) Isn't that a wonderful quote? The cornerstone of America's Independence was laid upon the ideas of Christianity. Where did they get these ideas? From the Bible.

Jesus Christ our Savior has set us free from sin and the bondage of sin. We do not have to be a servant of sin. Sometimes, we Christians accept defeat and failure as a normal Christian life. God never intended us to live like that. He intends us to live for Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)

In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States. (Wikipedia)

Dan and I repeat certain words often in our morning devotions. They are prayers of thanks and praise. I believe a heart appreciation to God would be an appropriate prayer for July 4^th.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for loving us so much that you created a world for us and you created us.

Thank you for giving your only son's blood that we might have eternal life.

Thank you for the pilgrims who risk their lives to journey into a foreign land, because they wanted religious freedom.

Thank you for our founding fathers, who wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution--looking to God for wisdom.

Thank you for being born to parents that were your children and taught us about you.

Thank you for our brothers and sisters, children, grand children, nieces and nephews.

Thank you that in our life time there has been no war within the boundaries of America.

Thank you for all the brave young men and women who have defended our shores and the many who have given their lives for our freedom.

Thank you for the freedom to worship in our homes and churches and to order our lives in pursuit of our individual dreams and ambitions. Ω

John Trumbull's painting,(not shown here) Declaration of Independence, depicting the five-man drafting committee of the Declaration of Independence$2 bill. The original hangs in the US Capitol rotunda. (Taken from Wikipedia.) presenting their work to the Congress. The painting can be found on the back of the U.S.

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor. http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm

We wish you a safe and enjoyable celebration of the founding of our country.

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