The Catcher In The Rye

In 1952 I became enthralled by  J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher In The Rye. The book for the most part was considered a “Must Read” by the crowd I ran with. I was skim reading it until I reached the point where Holden meets with Sally Hayes, at that point I had to stop and reread the book from the beginning. Holden’s relationship with Miss Hayes struck me in the gut. I knew the story, I had felt the feelings!

He was obviously torn in trying to admit to himself that he loved this girl. He decides to call her and ask her out since she is intelligent and sophisticated, while on the other hand he thinks she is stupid. I remember in trying to define my love at this time I couldn’t make up mind. A joy? A pain? Want? Love? Lust? Why does the female do this to us? Even as a suave young man soon to turn 21 I felt crazy like Holden and unable to think straight when in their (most of all HER) presence.

She arrives late, but that’s ok because she has the looks! He wants to marry her, yet he hates her! He is crazy! They go skating and it is blatantly clear that he is checking her out. He thinks that she chose to do this only to provide the chance for her to wear a short skirt and how off her “cute ass”. And he admits that it looks good.

But then he makes an offer that speaks more to me than anything, he suggests they should run away to New England and live in a cabin together. I do not believe that this anything more than a ploy to either run her off or to run away from her. And that was my downfall in my earlier years. Either run off the people around me or get out of Dodge myself.

If I could erase time and change anything it would be to stop running from my fears and admit my loves…..

Doctrine

I have been asked to expound on some of the things I believe. Many could be controversial. That is not the reason for stating them, but rather to enlighten and awaken. I am not one to say that basic doctrinal teaching will keep you out of heaven, but I am one to say that as we grow in Christ we should look at all the things we believe and reevaluate them. We grow in Christ based on the Spirit’s guidance and our learning.

1) Hell: Yes there is a hell and it is the place you spend eternity if you have not accepted Christ as your Savior. I cannot believe that many today teach it does not exist. 

2) Baptism: Some teach that baptism is essential to salvation. It isn’t! Consider the following;

• Romans 4:5 (KJV) 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
• Matthew 6:33 (KJV)33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
• Romans 10:3-4 (KJV)3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
• Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
• Acts 10:43 (KJV)43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
• John 14:6 (KJV)6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

3) Assurance: Yes you know in your heart if your saved and if your right with God

4) Trinity: Three in one. Father Son and Holy Spirit. Yes it is true!

5) King James Version: While I do believe the newer versions of the bible can be used as ‘commentaries’, you must always revert back to the KJV for a final reading. I am amazed at how many preachers today scoff at those using the KJV.

6) Communion: In remembrance. To have it every week takes away the specialness of it.

7) Book of Revelation: Yep it’s true.

8) Worship: 

• There is nothing wrong with good old gospel music. 
• While casual and informal clothing is becoming more accepted, I believe that you should honor God by dressing in your best (Sunday is not casual Friday). 
• Refreshments do not belong in the sanctuary. 
• Foot washing should make a come back
• Testify what God has done

Bringing In the Sheaves

Somebody asked me the other day about why he seemed to have no effect on those around him. He lives a decent life, obeys the laws is a model all around Christian.

Mark 4:26-29 (KJV) tells us; 26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

Here we find a farmer that sows his seed, he gives it no mind after that and goes about his business. The seed, influenced by the earth, sprouts and brings forth fruit.

Same for us when we try to take Christ to the world. We plant a seed and sometimes we get to see the whole cycle of it sprouting on through fruit bearing. But other times we plant the seed and may never know if it sprouted and if so to what extent.

I try to live my life remembering that to even those I do not speak to directly are influenced by me. Words, actions, inactions we are sowing seeds all day long. Are they good though?

It bothers me when the Church today is not doing the same. The gospel may be preached from the pulpit on Sunday, but is it lived from the membership the rest of the week?

Bringing In the Sheaves

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,

Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;

Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Refrain:

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Sad Sam Blues Jam

In all my years the one thing that I can honestly say I have lucky with is that in my travels I have had amazing opportunities to experience music. Through my time in Austin, New Orleans, Memphis and Chicago I have seen some the best and most varied of musical talents. I also find it amusing that when people look at me they think they see a good ole buy that surely likes bluegrass. And to me honest I love bluegrass, but I am not one to rule out blues, rock, country, reggae, whatever!

In June I had a chance to visit the Fort Wayne Rib Fest and while there I seen a fantastic group of teens play some foot taping blues. Fronted by three girls (young women?) the Sad Sam Blues Jam, rocked the park that day!

The group is made up of sisters Sadie and Sam Johnson, Krista Hess and Jacob Gates.

The good news? They are scheduled to play at the Linton Music Fest 6:15 pm Sunday September 1. I for one plan on attending that!

Find out more about then at:

http://lintonmusicfest.com/bands/sad-sam-blues-jam/

https://www.facebook.com/sadsambluesjam/info

http://www.reverbnation.com/thesadsambluesjam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAY9OhZW3zk

Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these

The Greene County Daily ran a great article Friday on another organization that seems to have their act together! The article “Backpack Bonanza helped 885 students prepare for the start of school” can be found at http://www.gcdailyworld.com/story/1994517.html

Family Life Center (http://www.flcminis.org/) in Bloomfield this year assisted 885 students with backpacks, school supplies and other items. Their mission statement is, “The mission of Family Life Center of Greene County Indiana Incorporated is to assist all the members of a family with the support required to enhance the emotional, social, mental, Spiritual, and Physical balance in their lives. In doing this we support our community by teaching, training, and supporting them.”

WOW! The part I like best is “…we support our community…”.

Remember the parable that Jesus told about the sheep and the goats? It was in Matthew 25:31-46 (KJV):

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

See when the Day of Judgment comes, the proof of our faith in Christ is tied to our actions. Now don’t think I’m saying you’re saved by acts, because you’re not. I’m saying that if you are saved then the actions of your life will prove it.

So the sheep are true believers and they because of their actions enter into heaven.

Meanwhile the goats are those who professed but were not sincere. They claimed the kingdom but did nothing to acquire it. They get the one way ticket to hell.

The two interesting parts of this are first neither group felt that their actions or inactions were directly tied to the Master. The sheep did good because they felt that was what was right (not because the Master was involved). Their hearts were filled with love and compassion. While the goats did nothing because in their mind the Master wasn’t tied to the needy.

The second part is the thought that is expressed by the goats that had we seen the Master in need we surely would of taken action.

So Family Life Center sees a need, someone hurting in their community and reaches out to them because they have the Spirit’s guidance in their lives. They have compassion and love for those around them.

In addition they have posted a very foreword thinking financial statement (http://www.flcminis.org/about_financial.htm). I believe from this statement that they are dedicated in doing the Lord’s work. They are not into it for their glory but rather His. What an example for the local church! It is time that we stop building shrines for our creature comfort and attend to the hungry. It is time that we walk away from the fellowship table and minster to the sick and dying. It is time that we look beyond our comfort zone and take the Word into the world!

Let us reason together

I was thinking of my statements about the multiple churches in a neighboring town and that reminded me of a story I had recently heard. A story of a group that I think are working hard to become what Christ meant for us all to be; The Three Nails Project over in Monroe City IN. Here is a family that had devastation visit their lives. Their story leads us from a couple who had wealth only to lose it all. They then heard a calling from God, to redirect their lives, dedicate themselves and serve Him.

In their own words, “We decided to change how we lived. Instead of pursuing the American dream, we began to sell off or give away all unnecessary "stuff".” And “We are beginning to recognize the awesome experience you can have when you quit living your life in pursuit of the empty American dream.”

Their calling is to reach out and help those in need. To assist those that God leads them to. Some of the mission activities they have worked in include:

• ·        Tornado relief in Joplin, MO, and Henryville, IN
• ·        Hurricane relief following Hurricane Sandy
• ·        Earthquake relief in Haiti
• ·        South Dakota Indian Reservation assistance
• ·        Plus a bunch of service projects locally

They have a web site at: http://threenailsproject.weebly.com/index.html

Just think of this, a family that sold off to support Christ, just think a Church or a community could do IF they reached out for Him!

Isaiah 1:11-14 (KJV) says “11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. 12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with ; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth : they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.”

I honestly believe that God is sick of us building great buildings, landscaping multiple acres, decorating sanctuaries in finery and hosting great fellowships for our comfort, while the world around us hurts. Our mission is NOT to make ourselves comfortable but to minister to the lost and needy.

Read on, in Isaiah, 1:17-19 we are told, “17 Learn to do well ; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now , and let us reason together , saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient , ye shall eat the good of the land:”

Works!

Raisin Pie and Dedication

Last Sunday I was headed up to Linton to eat at Stolls. I know one of the last things I need is their “Bountiful Buffet”, but sometimes you just have to scratch an itch. And beside all that I had not had a raisin pie forever and knew I could score one there.

I took a roundabout route enjoying the day. My drive took me east over through Elnora and then back 50 to 59 and up through Sandborn. As I hit Sandborn city limits I got to thinking about my earlier post and the percentage of people here in Knox County that claim a religion.

So off on a tangent, my meal (and pie) put on hold. I knew there was more than one church in Sandborn so I began to crisscross the city streets. I found three houses of worship in Sandborn; a Baptist Church, a Christian Church and a United Methodist Church. And I must admit there did not appear to be a problem with parking at any of the three locations.

Three churches for 415 people (2010 census). Basic math then (and some liberal averaging) would tell you that if only 49.61% of the residents attend church then only 206 of the 415 go to church. Now divide that by 3 and that would place the average attendance at each of the churches at 69 people.

Or if you break it down by the denominations of the 206; 25 are Methodist, 20 are Baptist (I’m assuming they are American Baptists) and 9 are Christian. While the others drive somewhere else for service because their flavor isn’t offered in Sandborn.

Now I am not picking on Sandborn and her churches per say, rather the whole concept of what this means.

If the 206 church going, God fearing people in Sandborn joined together as one united group rather than three small splinters think of what they could accomplish!

First, ever hear of the 5% solution? It states that 95% percent of a group don’t do much and that 5% carry them. So yes, 5% 0f 206 is still only 10, but that could be 10 in one location rather than divided into three locations (3.33 per building). I’m starting to confuse myself with all the numbers. But bottom line is more manpower to do the work.

The other side of this is money. Pay for three locations, three sets of salaries, and etc. Pay for enough items like this and how many children continue to go hungry? How many seniors freeze in the winter?

Bottom line I think is we need to move past the niceties of life, roll up our shirt sleeves, forget our differences and help the lost and needy. Leave our egos at the door and do what is right.

I did get my raisin pie (Got one to go, a whole one!) and had a great meal that helped to calm my spinning mind.