Never Alone

We're never alone.  It's easy enough for us to say, and I know a great number of us realize it in a deep, reassuring way.  But to pretend that it's always fully evident and obvious that God is with us when we live in a fallen and, at times, treacherous world, can be a stretch, depending on whom you ask.  The honest among us recognize that feeling God's presence can be more challenging to souls that have seen a greater portion of the darkness of this age.  Yet, experiencing that darkness is sometimes just the thing that unleashes the overwhelming light of our Creator.
A song I love begins, "I waited for you today, but you didn't show.  I needed you today, so where did you go?  You told me to call, said you'd be there.  And though I haven't seen you, are you still there?" It isn't shameful that some cry out like this.  King David opened his heart to God and cried, "How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalms 13:1) David who had seen the mighty works of God in a way that we may never experience had moments when he felt God resided some distance from him.  That being said, David concluded, " But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalms 13:5-6)
What's the point? God's presence and nearness is evident to those who take the time to really look.  But there is nothing debased and inherently evil about people who are struggling to see him.  The song began above continues: "I cried out with no reply and I can't feel you by my side, so I'll hold tight to what I know: You're here, and I'm never alone.  And though I can't see you, and I can't explain why I've such a deep deep reassurance you've placed in my life.  We cannot separate, cause you're part of me, and though you're invisible I trust the unseen."
There's comfort in knowing "He made from one man every nation of mankind ...that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us," (Acts 17:26-27)  We're never alone.
----Darrell Powell

A Dream of Spring

            "And winter slumbering in the open air, Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring! (Samuel Taylor Coleridge).  I love the springtime, but my mother taught me long ago that contentment in every season makes a man great. So, you could say, we're leaving a lustrous winter and entering the grand wonderland of warmth and growth that is the spring of the year.

            It's a time of renewal.  Eli, our 5 year old, asked me yesterday "Why did God make winter?" Now, I'm no scientist, but I explained that the world needs some time to rest and recover from working so hard in the warmer months and they get to do that in the winter.  But in the Spring, the world wakes back up and things that seemed dead and lifeless burst forth with new vigor.

            Maybe your faith is hibernating. Oh, you still "believe," but you haven't acted on your faith in some time.  I pray that for you, Spring is just around the corner. See, your "faith" isn't really faith at all if it isn't a "working faith." James wrote that "faith without works is dead." (James 2:26) But God justifies us when we ACT on the convictions that His word has placed in our hearts. (James 2:24)

            So, you're tired.  You're overwhelmed and burdened.  Jesus calls out "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)  The world is renewed when Spring comes, and your soul can be renewed by the forgiveness and grace supplied by the blood of Jesus. "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. " (II Corinthians 4:16).

Does it End Good...is it Happy? (Abraham and Isaac)

            When my son, Eli, was a little(er) boy, he'd sit on the edge of his seat as Jamie and I told grand stories of adventure and peril found within the pages of Scripture. For a while, his common question amid the most action packed or suspenseful parts was to stop me and ask, "Does it end good? Is it happy?" Not every story does end "happy," but in the ones that do, I was always happy to report, "Yes, buddy. It ends really good."

            One such story was that of Abraham who was commanded by God to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. (Genesis 22) Eli was understandably troubled as he asked, and I explained, what a burnt offering was. I told him how Abraham "rose early" to go and obey God's command (v. 3), and that on the third day of their journey, Abraham told his servants, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." (v. 5)  

            At this point, Eli didn't seem too rattled...almost as if he trusted that God would intervene. But, as Abraham built the altar, then "reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son," Eli reached out his hand to me and interrupted, "Daddy! Does it end good...is it happy?!" I explained that not only does this end happy, but this event helped make it possible for Jesus to save the world from sin.

            I found myself feeling so thankful for God and for men like Abraham whose bold faith gives me hope. I couldn't help but feel an extra measure of appreciation. See, it was hard for me to look my son in the eye and tell the story, because it frightened him so. But Abraham did "not withhold his...only son" from God. (v. 22)

            Then the pain pierced my heart as I realized, as if for the first time, that my God "did not spare his own Son but gave Him up for us all." (Romans 8:32) Because of Him, all things "end good." Because of Him, there is hope.

Only the Weak Are Strong

Have you ever noticed that often at the very moment you feel spiritually dedicated and strong, you get hit with a wave of temptation or hardship? First, let’s not be fooled, it’s the “good” and “perfect” gifts that come from God (James 1:16-17). This was written right after a segment about how it’s the devil who sends us temptations. But then, there’s the truth that struggles make us stronger, trials make us tougher, and problems make us patient (James 1:2-4). There’s a principle at work here that Christians should notice: God is ok with our weaknesses, because when we acknowledge them, He can do great things with them...and with us.

As a prime example of this idea, Paul wrote (and lived) this: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Corinthians 11:30). But, I’m tough, rich, popular, powerful, and beautiful. If you boast in these things, you are none of them. So, how does this work?

Paul said that the only boasting to be done should be about Christ…or our own weaknesses.  He told of how he had some physical problem that he wanted the Lord to remove so that he could be stronger…better. To which Jesus replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:5-10). The bottom line is, only when you are ready to humble yourself and exalt Christ can you ever be strong. God uses the foolish, the weak, the low, and the despised to show His might so that “no human being might boast in the presence of God (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

So, "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

----Darrell Powell

From Misery to Melody

           Songs can teach, encourage, even move us.  The right song can give us courage, like the time Darrell, the high-schooler, listened to “Standing Outside the Fire” until I felt brave enough to call a girl I thought I’d like to ask out.  But sometimes our hearts are just too heavy to turn to music.  The notes weigh heavy on our souls, so we sit in silence.  But in those times, God hears a special melody.

            The chorus of a song I like reads: “We pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody. Beautiful, the mess we are, The honest cries of breaking hearts are better than a Hallelujah [sometimes].” I admit I wasn’t sure I liked this idea at first. I know God doesn’t take joy in my misery. But He does know the reality of all my pain. God’s joy isn’t in my suffering, it is in His opportunity to help me when I hurt. After all, His “power is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9).

            He also “hears a melody” as He is causing everything to “work together for good” for His children. (Romans 8:28). God knows there’s trouble in this world. He felt it all for Himself (Hebrews 12:2). But He watches every day as our tragedies become anchors of strength in our lives. He sees us as our heartbreaks give us wisdom and patience that help us aid another person when they feel the same pain we once felt. And He knows that all these things will turn out alright. Dr. Cecil May recently wrote that God’s providential care is always present, though it isn’t always what we expect, on our time table, and sometimes only in eternity. 

My greatest confidence in adversity is gleaned from Paul’s inspired words in Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” All of our pain is only for a little while, and rest is a quickly approaching reality.

----Darrell Powell

Backwoods Christian Camp (Is It Worth A Week Of Your Time?)

What is so special about Backwoods Christian Camp?  Isn’t it rough and rugged and without many of the modern conveniences that make life so easy?  No WIFI, no TV, and no SMART PHONES!?!  Why would anyone want to go there?  Here are a few reasons why I go:  

It is almost an everyday occurrence for a simple glance at the beautiful river, mountains, or starlit sky to spark a meaningful conversation about our awesome Creator.  When I am at Backwoods, looking in any direction makes me want to proclaim: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalms 19:1).

Young people (and adults) who would normally have been playing video games or watching TV if they had been at home find themselves wanting to spend the late evenings in life-changing Bible studies.  At BCC you can always find someone to study or pray with.  Many souls have been saved because of the spiritual atmosphere that you will find there.  Maybe you are in need of new friends who genuinely care about you.

I’ve heard people talk about getting their “spiritual battery charged” when they attend a week of BCC.  This makes sense when you consider that in one week at camp you will hear around five sermons, eight Bible classes, fourteen devotionals or Bible studies, and be a part of at least 4 singing sessions (not including the occasions when singing breaks out at various places throughout the days). 

I guess a simple way of putting it is that a week at Backwoods Christian Camp is what I wish life in the “real world” were like.  It is filled with worship of the almighty God, fellowship with Christians and others who are seeking the truth, and so much joy.  Christians there seem to forget the fears they had about sharing Christ with those around them.  I mean it when I say that everybody is somebody when they are there.  You are invited to spend a week at BCC with the Walnut Street Church Of Christ July 7-12, 2013.  Call 334-382-3001 for details.

----Darrell Powell

The Few

I remember years ago, when I’d only been in Greenville, AL for a year or two, I was discouraged about some indifference in those I was trying to teach. I was feeling like a failure because I just couldn’t convince all the youth to “buy into” what we were trying to do here.  I took this discouragement to Jerry Barr and I’ve always remembered what he said to me. He said: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

He further explained to me that he had almost driven himself into a deep depression in the past because, as an elder, he was responsible for every soul at the Walnut St. church of Christ, and there were always those who stood on the outside, never giving their lives completely to God. But Jesus Himself tells us that there will always be more people on the wide way that leads to destruction.

This isn’t a white flag, give up on the sinners and hypocrites message. On the contrary, Jesus’ point…and Jerry’s point, was that living for God is a full-time commitment. To stay on that strait and narrow way, takes wholehearted service. It is a big responsibility to keep OURSELVES in the love of God (Jude 1:21), and to bear our OWN burdens (Galatians 6:5). Then we also must turn our attention to the interests and burdens of others (Philippians 2:4; Galatians 6:2). 

This concern that we MUST feel for others is healthy and needed for our own spiritual wellbeing.  But we mustn’t let it consume us to the extent that we become discouraged and unfaithful ourselves. As noted above, Paul taught that there are burdens and sins that we can help one another bear, but the final burden (Judgment) we must bear alone. (Romans 14:10)

----Darrell Powell