Harmony Part III

Sorry this is late in coming. Seems like I have more to do than I can get done. Having two weddings coming up, Spring Sing, Easter, Rick Atchley weekend, and then trying to work can get in the way of blogging. Plus, you folks are way ahead of me on this anyway. The day I thought of this "Harmony" theme, I was driving down the road listening to some beautiful harmonies coming from my car radio. I happened to think about what maybe God considers to be beautiful music. I couldn't help but think that when we LIVE in harmony, it must be a beautiful sound not only to His ears.........but to His whole being also. When we argue, fight, disassociate, speak bad of, act judgementally, or just plain ole don't get along.........it has to be like those sounds that hurt our ears to Him. The fingernails across the blackboard kind of sound. But even more important than that, it breaks His heart. No, it really does. You want to really hurt the Father? Say something negative about one of His children. You want to really please the Father? Love somebody and everybody. Nothing earth shattering new in this post............no WOW factor at all. But try living it. If you are successful, then you can give yourself a WOW!! :) Our community is going to be testing this in the next few weeks with Rick Atchley coming. I have already heard some outrageously negative comments. Fingernails on the ole chalkboard kind of talk. It makes me sad. I know it makes Him even sadder.

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Craig Jones called me Wednesday and told me that his Jan has pancreatic cancer. Jan whipped breast cancer 15 years ago or so, and we are praying that she can whip this also. Please keep Craig, Jan, Rees, and Elaine in your prayers.

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I was able to attend the debate on campus this past week concerning "Just War vs Pacifism".
Mark Elrod and a student took the "pacifist" position while Kevin Klein and another student took the "just war" view. I went in with some convictions of my own, and I left the debate with my same convictions. I believe this is a Romans 14 issue..................I will have my convictions and hold to them strongly with a clear conscience, but I don't have the right to bind those convictions on you. I am to respect your view and convictions, as you equally respect mine.
I will tell you that I was VERY impressed with one really important aspect of the debate...........and that is the respect that each participant showed for the participants who were taking the opposite position. It was really amazing, and I appreciate so much the humble spirit that was shown to all those in attendance, most of which were college students. I don't know if the students will remember much about the arguments made, but my guess is they will always remember the respect and humble spirit of the participants. Thanks guys for that example!

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Hitting the road this week............Central Oklahoma and South-Central Oklahoma. One of these days I am going to stop and take a picture of me beside the exit to Duncan, my birthplace. My dad was preaching at Comanche at the time. Do you know who else was born in Duncan? Come back and find out! :) Whoever guesses it wins the prize..............strawberry short-cake from the Bulldog in Bald Knob!!!!!!!

Have a great week! Two weeks and two days till Pepperdine 2007! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!