Those Pesky Viruses!
For the second time on my current laptop, I have been attacked by a dreaded virus! This most recent event was by an insidious little varmit that resulted in the loss of some critical information. It has also caused me to miss some time making posts here. I realize that Mac users are going to be the first to tell me to jump off the PC train and get aboard the Mac express, but I guess I’m too cheap to buy a new computer, at least at this point in time. 
It got me thinking that sin is a lot like a computer virus. It’s extremely harmful, it will eat away at what’s important to you, and it will ultimately be the downfall of your eternal existence. I’m so thankful that God has provided a true and perfect solution to the sin virus through His Son Jesus! Mac or PC, it doesn’t matter, because Christ is the cure for the effects of sin!
Nick is dead!
Nick is dead! Now before you go crazy let me explain. Nick is my oldest son Brycen’s turtle. His name is Nick and he died last night. It was very traumatic and sad not only for my 8 year old but also for my wife and I. He cried and cried and as we buried him outside Brycen’s window he said, “I love you Nick! You were a good friend.” I guess it goes without saying that Brycen cried himself to sleep. I was sad for my son as this is the first pet death we have experienced at the McKeehan home. But as I laid down with him to try and comfort him my mind start thinking about what happened? What did we do that killed Nick? I started regretting that we cleaned his tank or that we went to Walmart for filters. What if I had done this or what if I had done that? Nick is dead however and I cannot change that. I did however resolve that if we get another turtle I will do better, pay closer attention to details, and try to keep my son’s pet alive longer than 5 months. Becuase in reality that is my plan in life! I want to do better, pay closer attention to details, and help show people Jesus. Nick is dead but many people I walk by daily are dead as well. They are dead in sin and my prayer is that I could help them see Jesus and eternal life that comes through the cross! The gospel isn’t about bad people good, it is about bringing life to people dead in their sin! Revelation 1:18 says, “I was dead but behold I am alive forever and ever amen!” That is my story and I pray that is your story to. I was dead but because of Jesus I am alive! Lead people to Jesus and if you have a turtle, make sure you don’t put him into water that is too warm or cold.
Update on Mr. Hickman
As many of you know already, we had a gentleman in our church collapse yesterday during our service with what we suspected was a heart attack. I wanted to update you on his condition today and for you to please continue to pray for him and his wife Kathy. Below is an email sent to Pastor Collins from Kathy.
Dear Pastor David, Jim rested somewhat last night and has been prepped for a possible Heart Cath today. The cardiac doctor came in late last night after being moved to his room and and spoke to us. The cardiac lab work showed up good and there was no sign of a heart attack according to the(this was not what we were told originally). The doctor says that the heart cath will reveal whether or not he has had any damage to his heart.
Among all the tests that were done they did a procedure to see if he had any blood clots in his lungs, the tests results on this have not been revealed.His oxygen level is ranging from 88 to 91, he is on oxygen and has been turned up from 2 liters to 4 liters. He is very emotional and is speaking of his love for Chilhowee Hills. This is an awesome church that we are truly blessed to be a part of.
I also want to express my deepest gratitude to all of those who responded to his medical emergency yesterday morning. I know, had we been at home… the outcome would not have been good. My road that leads to our house is in terrible shape and an ambulance would not have been able to get through. God had control of the whole situation , he put all of these precious people (angels on earth I call them) in the exact spot where he wanted them. I would also like to ask that you all lift him up in your prayers as the doctors try and find out exactly what the problem is.
I will update by phone today as soon as i have new news of what is going on. Once again, Thank you so much to all for everything. God Bless you all, Love, Kathy Hickman & family
“Need a Moment?”
Have you seen any of those commericials that have been running lately for Twix candy bars? The premise behind each of them is that, when faced with a crucial decision or when you don’t know what to say, you can pop a chewy, delicious Twix bar into your mouth, thereby affording yourself a few moments of time to compose your thoughts. It’s a nice thought, but it’s not always that easy in real life. That, however, doesn’t excuse us from at least trying! A dose of good advice when faced with a piercing question or some situation that demands a response is to take a deep breath and think about your response.
James 1:19 gives us that wonderful reminder to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.” Sort of like a holy Twix bar.
Life is a “kick!”
We have just completed a study in Bible Fellowship of I Peter, and God gave us many words of comfort and encouragement through that great apostle, especially about suffering and about how to deal with all that life gives us on our journey. One of the great lessons we have discovered as we have studied this book is that our lives are all temporary; it is the way in which we conduct ourselves that ultimately brings honor to God. In other words, even when things are difficult, our eyes should always be looking forward, striving to see the lessons that are learned by trials.
I am reminded of a quote I heard recently that was attributed to Kay Yow, the former head coach of the North Carolina State women’s basketball team, who passed away this year after a battle with breast cancer. She said, “When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.” This is a rather amazing statement, especially coming from someone who was facing a life-threatening illness.
The idea is that life is going to punch us, smack us, and beat us up at times. As Peter reminded us, we are not to be surprised when those things happen. What we are responsible for is how we react to those beatings. Coach Yow offered a biblical principle, urging us to press forward, learning lessons from defeat, and trying our best to fall forward when we do fall.
Christian, be encouraged today to fight the good fight, even if your circumstances seem overwhelming! And when life knocks you down, don’t fall backward in defeat, but fall forward with your eye on the impending victory!
Can You Spare Any Change?
Change is one of those things that most of us associate with negativity. After all, isn’t it easy to keep things as they are? Why bother with all of the fuss and hard work that comes with doing things differently? Besides, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
I wonder what would happen if people applied that logic to every area of life. Most of us probably don’t remember, due to our age, but imagine how drastically different the world became at the advent of the automobile. I think it’s safe to say that most of us are far happier with a change that reduced horse-and-buggy use! Speaking of cars, who wasn’t a fan of air conditioning when it became a regular feature? Not too many complaints about that, either.
What about communication? Think anybody complains about the speed and convenience of, first telephones, then fax machines, and now computers? Probably not too many of us want to go back to the good ole days of smoke signals or hand delivered written notes.
How about some more modern changes? Anybody really complain about the seating expansions at Neyland Stadium? Or about that new-fangled Thompson-Boling arena with the fancy scoreboards and huge seating capacity? Nope.
When we think about it, we actually DO enjoy change. We adapt to it, we accept it, and ultimately find out that our lives are radically different as a result of it. Change can actually be a good thing!
Sometimes change in the church needs to happen. As Christians, we should always be focusing on what we need to do to reach our world for Christ. That means we always need to be staying up with or ahead of the “change” curve.
Just think how cool it will be one day to “teleport” our bodies on mission trips!
Getting Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
This year I am learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. I mean Jesus does not necessarily call me to comfort. He calls me to obedience. If God would lead his own son to the cross then where might God lead me? Maybe to the same place. Jesus said to be his disciple we had to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. Again no where does it mention comfort and safety. People said to me growing up that being in the center of God’s will is the safest place to be. When I read Paul’s writings and all of the things that happened to him I question that. Wasn’t Paul in the center of God’s will? So then is it the safest or just the right place to be! Wasn’t it uncomfortable for Abraham as he followed God not knowing his destination? Wasn’t it uncomfortable for Paul, for the disciples to follow Jesus? Wasn’t it uncomfortable for Jesus to die for us so that we might go free? So again I am learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. I want my life to glorify God and I want to live the rest of my days living open-handed to ALL people (Duet. 15:11). Love Loud, Risk Often, and Live Courageously!
GIVE GIFTS THAT KEEP GIVING
Scripture: Is. 32:17 (NKJV) The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING…
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. JUST LISTENING.
2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION…
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER…
Funny pictures. Share articles, funny stories and funny greetings. Your gift will say: “I love you to laugh with you”.
4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE…
It can be a simple, “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT…
A simple and sincere, “You look great in red,” You did a super job” or “That was a wonderful meal” can make someone’s day.
6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR…
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind to another person.
7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE…
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION…
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone; really it’s not that hard to say, “Hello” or “Thank You”
–Author Unknown–
A Moment in Time
The Greek language offers us many deep insights into specific word meanings, as it is a more colorful and descriptive language than English. That can sometimes limit our true grasp or understanding of words or phrases that we find in the Scriptures. Now, this doesn’t mean that we get the meaning wrong; it simply means that sometimes we miss the full dramatic impact of what the original text indicated. A great example of this is found in I Corinthians 15:52, a tremendous passage of hope for all believers.
Paul wrote that “in a MOMENT, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet,” we shall all be changed. He was writing, of course, about the time of the rapture, when the saints of God will be called home, whether we are dead or alive at the time. The Greek word that is translated as “moment” is atomos, which is a negative form of the word meaning “to cut.” What this literally meant to the ancient Greek mind was that something was “indivisible.”
Think about that just for a moment. God will call His children home in such a brief flash of time, and at any moment, so quickly that that exact moment will not even be able to be divided up into smaller chunks. Talk about nanoseconds! Paul goes on to give an illustration, describing such a rapid event as happening in the twinkling of an eye. In his day, things didn’t move as fast as they do for us, so this was likely one of the speediest things he could write to help his readers understand just how quickly the believers will be taken away.
The question is, when that MOMENT arrives, will you be among those who are called home? If not, don’t delay any longer! When it happens, there won’t be any small division of time for you to make a hurried decision, or to “jump on the bus.” It will happen faster than anybody will realize. Won’t you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior this MOMENT by asking Him to forgive you of your sins and to make you a new person? When that moment happens, you’ll spend eternity rejoicing in the fact that you did!
To My Friend Sam Griffin
To My Friend Sam Griffin,
I say my friend but in reality if you knew Sam he was your friend as well. I told him Monday that he never knew a stranger because Sam made sure that he took the time to talk to any and everyone. Lora, Sam’s caretaker jokingly said she would drop him off and sit in the car and wait because she knew he wanted to talk to everyone in the bank, church office, or the wherever he went. Sam always brought us donuts from Krispy Kreme when he would visit the church office. Sam Griffin was one of the godliest, nicest, and most generous men I have ever met. He was always smiling and he loved life! His goal in life was to be a witness for Jesus, who he no doubt knew as his Savior. Today at noon, Sam went to be with Jesus and to be re-united his wife whom he loved so much. Sam lived life and if you took the time to talk with him, he would share some of his life’s adventures with you. Sam was a great baseball player and shared with me once that he had the chance to play pro baseball but they did not offer him enough money. He went to work instead and made more money. Sam still had the original letter in the envelope. He would always jab with me how he pitched against Maryville College and beat them and I would fire back how I pitched against Carson Newman and beat them. Today my heart is sad and yet filled with joy. I will miss Sam and I will miss having lunch with him on Thursday along with Ray, Steve, and the others. Yet my heart is also joyous because Sam is home! Thank you Sam for blessing my life and thank you Sam for everything you have done for Chilhowee Hills. As a pastor I would say if we had more Sam Griffin’s then this world would be a better place. Then I stop and say I’m glad there was only one and I’m blessed to have known him.
Mark