My Friend

Practically Speaking
By C. Wayne Childers

My Friend

A young girl "de-petals" a flower one at a time. "He loves me." "He loves me not." This cadence is repeated until the "petal-less" stem is naked. She is relieved that the chant ended with "He loves me." That is good to know.

George Strait sang the song about a boy who passed a note to a girl he admired. She was given the option of checking "yes" or "no" to the question of "Do you love me? Do you want to be my friend?" The song also had a happy ending. She checked "yes." That is good to know.

I hate to pop your bubble but did you know that some people are not going to love you and are not going to be your friend? That is right. The petal reveals, "he loves me not" and the box is checked with a big fat "NO."

It happened to Jesus, the babe of Christmas. Many did not love him and many refused to be his friend, even those who claimed to be his friend. Jesus responded by working around them to complete His purpose. He tolerated some and challenged the most religious. He did what His father said, he conducted His "Father's business." At the same time He trained eleven and focused on the three and then the one, Peter. His focus was not a human report card but the Divine "Yes." God was pleased and that was all that mattered.

The truth is that Jesus has made His decision. "He loves me." He checked "YES." He wants to be my friend. That is also true for you.

I like the song by that name; "What a friend we have in Jesus." The last section of that song says: "Do thy friends despise, forsake you? ... In his arms He'll take and shield you ... You will find a solace there." I know that solace today.

So that is what friends do. They shield you in their arms. They provide solace. Friends are few but cherished but none of them are like Jesus. He's that one closer than a brother. You are not heavy to him. What a friend!

Practically Speaking

By C. Wayne Childers

No Comparison

My daughter posted a quote by CS Lewis that resonated with me today. It is, 

"Comparison is the thief of joy." This statement is especially true at Christmas time. So many parents stress out over wanting to please their children so much that they go overboard in trying to get them what "everybody else" has. The standard of "everyone else" is never attained in this lifetime. Wants and needs have to be measured against values. "What do I want my children to value?" should be the question.

I discovered that there is a popular doll that "every" little girl "wants" but it is quite expensive. Some can get the doll with no stretch, but I understand that it is just an 18" doll. The clothes made for it will fit any 18" doll, even one bought for $2 at a thrift store. What should a parent do if they cannot afford the doll? Don't buy it and don't feel guilty. Be creative. Give yourself. Give values. Teach financial responsibility. Listen to a different drummer. No one is superior just because they can purchase a certain doll. Teach that to your children. No one is inferior if they can't.

There is a principle in scripture that helps me. We are reminded that comparisons of this nature "miss the point." 

"We’re not, understand, putting ourselves in a league with those who boast that they’re our superiors. We wouldn’t dare do that. ( somewhat tongue in cheek) But in all this comparing and grading and competing, they quite miss the point." (2 Corinthians 10:12 MSG)

Comparison is a thief. It will steal your joy. You are you. You are the you that God created. You are where you are. In most situations, that will not change. Contentment is the opposite of comparison. It does not mean that you never seek to do better. It does not mean you set aside all ambition. It does mean that you learn when enough is enough.

Paul nailed it again,

"... for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, weather it is ... with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13 NLT)

If you give from these values there is no comparison. There is no guilt. You can welcome joy again to your Christmas celebration.

Sent from my iPad

Sad For Holidays

Practically Speaking
By C. Wayne Childers

Sad For Holidays

It seems strange that "the most wonderful time of the year" can be the most sorrowful time to many. Sadness is as common as gladness. For every jolly ole Saint Nick, there are those who would just as soon trade the holiday for a root canal. They would rather hurt than cry on the inside.

What can help? I know "suck it up" so many more people in the world have so much more to cry about. Well that is one method. Like my parents used to say, " if you don't quit crying I'll give you something to cry about." Now that really helps.

Well the cure for sadness is not just the act of man. It is not trying to think differently. It is not something most of us can do by getting busy or being distracted through entertainment, pleasure or chemical sedation both legal and illegal. The cure for sadness is the same cure as for lostness (a common term used by believers in Jesus for those who have yet to believe in Jesus). The cure is from above us and beyond. The cure is spiritual not material. It is facilitated with a simple conversation with God.

I ask you, "have you asked God to heal your sadness?" He has given you tear ducts to express it and that helps. But have you asked Him for help? Have you asked Him for salvation? Deliverance? Healing? Try it this season. Just ask Him? Talk to the silence about how you feel.

The good book expressed one persons discovery. "You have changed my sadness into joyful dance. You have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with joy." Psalm 30:11

So sad is normal and has a healing process. However, after time, sad can be bad. At that point our sadness is only healed by help beyond ourselves and helping professionals. We need an intervention. A divine intervention.

Jesus is Emmanuel or "God with us." Joy to the world The Lord is come!


Sent from my iPad

Teaching Church History

Well I found out yesterday that I am teaching Church History in the MTI program for Capitol Baptist Association and Oklahoma Baptist University. However, it is about the students. But, church history? Man I will have to study....what an assignment.

Floyd McKee is in trouble for taking that Old Testament class. I had already taught that and it would have been easier....now I am going to have to work. Thanks Floyd.

Going to need Robert Bakers book, the new one. Does anyone have it?

It will be a nice journey down memory lane with some really motivated OBU students. God bring them on and teach me more. Help me to be able to use it at Minco as well.

My Grandson Is One

Big Wrig is one year old and this is him in a hub. Yes he is the center of our world right now and we are eating it up. I am not sure about the orange color in the background but he looks good. Wouldn't you agree?

I prayed for him today. I asked God to help him to be an influence for the Kingdom. I asked God to lead him to take risks in life. I asked God to make him bold but loving, relational but relevant, happy but realistic. I want him to be himself and to be the best self God can make him to be.

I wish I could spare him some of the pitfalls of my life. I know he will have to deal with his own. Mine have helped me be more the man and his will as well.

He has great parents and a great sister. He is going to receive into his life others who will guide him God's way and others who will tempt him to take the cheap, easy way. Don't go that way Wrigley.

If he plows, that is great. As long as after every row he realizes that God is the provider of all things. If he golfs, that is great. As long as after ever 18 he realizes that God is more interested in the Kingdom than the links. If he sings, that is great. As long as he realizes that when the music is over it is God that created the song. He is the greatest.

Give me the ability to guide him as his granddad or paw paw.

He is one and number ONE in my book today.

Laptop Not Included

It was an ad in the newspaper for one of the big box stores. It was a laptop cover and was on sale for $5. Then you knew you were in Oklahoma when the ad was qualified with the statement "Laptop Not Included." Duh!

Now that would be a deal for $5 to get a laptop included with a cover. We are all looking for something for nothing. That is the premise of gambling (gaming) addictions. I can take $5 and make it worth $2,000. Even if that happens, what do we do next?

A person's life is worth something only when he discovers the principle of loss and gain. We can gain everything and lose the most important thing; i.e. our eternal soul. We can gain the world and lose heaven. That is not a good trade.

Therefore, today take a step closer to discovering the one who can save your soul. Everything else is just a cheap cover.

Judging People

I am learning about judging people today. It is not helpful. It hurts especially if I question their motives. Of all people I learned something from Joe Biden our vice president when he was interviewed on the Tonight Show last night. He said it has always been his practice to never judge people's motives because we cannot read their minds. He said one can judge their judgement in decisions but never their motives. What good advice.

Today I choose to think the best of people. I am going to disagree with their decisions sometime but never their motives.

Everyone is doing the best they can to get what they want. My job is to help them get there or to change their quality world so that getting there is possible.