How to Win

How to Win

by: Christopher Wiles

Joe Bertone of Arvada Church of Christ found this little bit of history that I share here. 

“In 1930 in a small Oklahoma town, the highschool football team was losing every game badly. Finally, a wealthy oil producer decided to take matters in his own hands. He asked to speak to the team in the locker room after yet another devastating defeat.  This business man proceeded to offer a brand new Ford to every boy on the team and to each coach if they would simply defeat their bitter rivals in the next game.

The team went crazy with sheer delight. For seven days, the boys ate, drank and breathed football. At night they dreamed about touchdowns and rumbleseats. The entire school caught the spirit of ecstasy, and a holiday fever pervaded the campus. Each player could visualize himself behind the wheel of a gorgeous coup with the attention of the girls in school focused solely on them.

Finally, the big night arrived and the team assembled in the locker room. Excitement was at an unprecedented high. The coach made several inane comments and the boys hurried out to face the enemy. They assembled on the sidelines, put their hands together and shouted a simultaneous "Rah!" Then they ran onto the field and were demolished, 38 to zero.”
The team's exuberance did not translate into a single point on the scoreboard. Seven days of hooray and whoop-de-do simply couldn't compensate for the players' lack of discipline, conditioning, practice, study, coaching, drill, experience, and character.

In American spiritually, many often believe that one hour of church on Sunday filled with a message from a cracker-jack speaker and worship led by the best-of-the-best would change their lives from daily losing to winning.  It’s a harsh reality when they learn no amount of paid professionals & emotional hype compensates for daily discipline, conditioning, practice, study, character, and coaching.  Focus on Him every day and you will succeed!

^4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” – Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Identity from the Ancients

Identity from the Ancients

By: Christopher Wiles

In our earliest surviving (2^nd century) written account (outside of scripture) of a Christian explaining faith to a person who doesn’t believe, we find a deep belief being shared by Mathetes to Diognetus.  I share Mathetes’ words with you here as together we assess what we are doing with our Christian lives.  Do our lives fit with the description Mathetes gives?

"... Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language, or custom. For nowhere do they live in cities of their own, nor do they speak some unusual dialect, nor do they practice an eccentric way of life. This teaching of theirs has not been discovered by the thought and reflection of ingenious people, nor do they promote any human doctrine, as some do.

"But while they live in both Greek and barbarian cities, as each one's lot was cast, and follow the local customs in dress and food and other aspects of life, at the same time they demonstrate the remarkable and admittedly unusual character of their own citizenship. They live in their own countries, but only as nonresidents; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign. They marry like everyone else, and have children, but they do not expose their offspring. They share their food but not their wives. They are in the flesh, but they do not live according to the flesh. They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven.

"They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws. They love everyone, and by everyone they are persecuted. They are unknown, yet condemned; they are put to death, yet they are brought to life. They are poor, yet they make many rich; they are in need of everything, yet they abound in everything. They are dishonored, yet they are glorified in their dishonor; they are slandered, yet they are vindicated. They are cursed, yet they bless; they are insulted, yet they offer respect. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when they are punished, they rejoice as though brought to life."

While this writing may not be directly inspired to be in our canon, I find it to be a beautifully accurate description of who we are to be.  Let us consider our identity in Christ as we strive to live out the direction from Paul in Colossians 3:1-3.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

Daviess County Courthouse Singers

We enjoyed the sweet Acapella spirituals that Vicki Bubalo and her talented vocalists brought to our community.  I'll be storing on this blogpost links to photos and videos that I recorded from the Daviess County Courthouse Singers performance of September 13th, 2016.  Feel free to share this link with others as I continue to add the full compliment of photos and videos.

Director - Vicki Bubalo

Daviess County Courthouse Singers

1)  Alleluiah by Mark Hayes

2) Kawouno Wan Gi Pi by Brian Tate

3) Little David, Play On Your Harp

4) Bring Me Water Little Sylvie by Kirby Shaw

5) Wade in the Water by Sally Albrecht

6) Ain't Judgin' No Man by John Parker & Greg Gilpin

The Wiles family is going camping today.  I'll upload the other 3 songs next week when we return.  Enjoy!

Living Lessons: Time for an Upgrade?

Living Lessons: Time for an Upgrade?

By: Christopher Wiles

     Apple has released it’s highly anticipated upgrades, updates, and iPhone7 preview this week.  All those Apple junkies are either geeking out or cracking jokes at the new wireless ear bud requirements.  Every year in September Apple releases their newest information and upgrades and the masses have come to make it a worldwide spectacle.  Twitter feeds are a buzz, Snapchatters are snapping, and Instagram followers are salivating as they post their newest upgrade delights.  Upgrading our computers, cellphones, and sundry tech devices has become a way of life for most of us.  Yet there are still a few holdouts that don’t desire learn anything new, do anything different, or take advantage of any extra tools that come with upgrades.  Yes, that’s right, there are still those out there that still run the Window’s XP operating system, have never touched a touchscreen, and have never used a GPS navigation. 

     While sticking with what you’ve got isn’t bad if it’s a decision based on good motives like frugality, time management, or necessity, sometimes we don’t upgrade just because we’re lazy and fearful of change.  

     Let’s redirect this conversation to you and your Spiritual life.  Have you been content to just settle with the same old operating system of going to Sunday service and praying only whenever you really want something?   I believe God is calling you to upgrade.

    We have classes on Sunday and Wednesdays that will challenge your thinking and sharpen your Bible skills.  There are service projects galore that will help others and get you out of your comfort zone.  God has blessed us with Bible reading plans that will push you in areas of discipline that may be lacking.  We have a women’s prayer group that may be what you are sorely needing.  Youth rallies and camp weeks may be the upgrade you never knew you needed.  There may even be a new ministry, Bible study, prayer group, fasting opportunity, mentor relationship, or accountability partnership that God is calling you to start. 

Is God calling you to an upgrade?  If so, what is holding you back?

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” – Colossians 1:9-10

Living Lesson: Who do you honor?

Who do you honor?

Take a good look at the Olympic medals coming out of Rio this year.  They are a marvel of intricate metal machine work with ribbons made from 50% recycled materials and hardwood cases from sustainable forests.  Obviously a lot of thought and care has gone into the metal tradition that was started in 1896 at the Athens games. 
https://youtu.be/8SDI_MqtmWQ (Click this youtube link to enjoy a 44 second video overview)

While the detail, materials, and thought behind the metals has changed much, some traditions have changed little.  Take into account the symbol on the front of the medal, such as the Greek goddess, Nike, who was the symbol of victory and often prayed to in battles of war and sports alike.  Here is a snippet from a prayer to Nike in from www.goddessnike.com  

"Charge our chariots strong & sturdy.

Vanquish without any mercy

Enemies of our valiant army

And give to us a divine glory

Furnished with medallions & jewelry

Everything that is worldly

Is only ours by your decree

We worship thee on bended knee."

I find it odd that we choose this ancient tradition lacking mercy & compassion for the medals at the largest worldwide competition existing today because so few believe in the ancient Greek pantheon.  "Hellenism" may have as many as 2,000 legitimate adherents today according to archeology.com1, and Nike isn't even one of the twelve main gods/goddesses worshipped. 

Why not make the medal symbol one of the Father, Son, & Spirit since approximately 32% (2.2 billion) of the world claims Christianity as it's religion?   I surmise choosing to honor Christ on the Olympic medal could usher in boycotts from the world's 1.6 billion Muslims, or 1 billion Hindi's, and the Olympic committee would likely be unwilling to alienate that many of the world's 5.8 billion religious adherents2.

This makes me all the more grateful for Olympic medal winners such as Steele Johnson, David Boudia, or Caeleb Dressel (Campus Church of Christ, Gainesville, FL)3 who chose not to honor and thank goddess Nike for their wins and abilities, but chose to honor God for the opportunity to represent Him to the world.  Consider how much more merciful our God is than that of Nike, as evidenced in this prayer, recited by Rio Olympian Sarah Scherer whenever she gets nervous 4.

  "Our Father in heaven,

Caleb Dressel writes scripture references on his cheeks.

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil." - Matthew 6:9-13 ESV

May we give the God of mercy and compassion all the honor & praise in our triumphs of life. 

What Do I Need - Living Lesson

Living Lesson: What do I need?

By: Christopher Wiles

“What do I need?”  Sometimes I wake up like America, feeling a little drained, so I asked the question today, “What do I need?”  Asking this deeply thought provoking meta-cognitive question about my own spiritual condition, I came up with more answers than Trump has boasts, than Hillary has lies, than America has problems.  Delving into the depths of my own spiritual psyche looking for solutions is like cracking open a fortune cookie looking for an answer to solve all my problems, it’s worthless.  Realizing the futility in answering the question by myself, I sought to find the answer to my spiritual needs through my daily calendar Bible readings.  It involves one part OT History, two parts wisdom Literature, one part NT inspiration.  Surely God would give me something interesting and exciting for me to achieve today spiritually! 

Check out the theme laid out in my reading below.

Psalm 119:97-98 “Oh, how I love your instructions!  I think about them all day long.  Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.”

Proverbs 16:20 “Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.”

John 18:20 “Jesus replied, ‘Everyone knows what I teach.  I have preached regularly…’”

2 Chronicles 35:4  “Prepare yourselves according to your fathers' houses, according to your divisions, following the written instruction of David king of Israel and the written instruction of Solomon his son.”

Thanks God (sarcasm intended).   I wanted some excitement, something passionate, amazing intellectual entertainment, or something so thought provokingly wild that I’ll mull over it all day long.  Yet I find what I need to find spiritual life, joy, and guidance is not in all the spiritual fluff given by deep televangelists or the latest best seller Christian author on the bookshelf.  What I need spiritually is simply the Lord’s instructions, His teachings, and His preachings from His Holy Word, and then I need to listen to it. 

Maybe America and I have a lot in common.  Maybe we don’t need to solve our problems by asking ourselves, by entertaining the issues away, by the next well written party platform, or by following a popular pontificating politician.  Maybe we all simply need the Lord’s instructions. 

In-Law Outlaws

Good morning, it's Topher, back with another message minute. 

School has ended and the season of family vacations has begun!  Yet you may find yourself wondering, "Why do I ever pay money in travel to visit people that irritate me?"  So traveling with family and to family isn't always everyone's favorite moment.  I get it, they talk different than you, they believe different than you, they even go fishing different than you, that's the worst.  By the end of a trip you view your in-laws as out-laws! 

For a positive family experience, take a page from Paul's book of "How-To-Get-Along" in Romans 12.  The church in Rome struggled with two different groups of the Christian family who were different theologically, traditionally, and probably had different accents, so he gives them this nugget of principle in verse 18 "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all people." 

I know, it says, "if it is possible".  What you and I should focus on is the "as much as depends on you" part.  All you can control is you, not anyone else.  In verse 10 Paul gives the nuts and bolts to change our attitude to live peaceably saying, "give honor and preference to one another."   That's right, treat that in-law outlaw as someone of honor, more important than yourself.  Consider them worth your effort at peace and you'll have a visit at peace with them, as much as it depends on you.  

Message Minutes are sponsored by  Washington Church of Christ and recorded for the public 107.9 The Memories WAMW morning radio program.  They air at approximately 7:35am on Weekday Mornings.

To find more of the Message Minutes that have been uploaded to this blog CLICK HERE.  

Blessings In Wait - Message Minute

**Mistake Notification**  Yes, I did rush things a bit when I mistakenly said, "My four YEAR old daughter!"  Lol, I'm rushing a little too much aren't I?  I hope you enjoyed the laugh!

Good morning, this is Topher from Washington Church of Christ bringing you a message minute.  

I’m joined by a special guest this morning, my 4 day old daughter, Clara.  Clara, say something to the listeners, …..  Alright, maybe we’re rushing things a little bit.  Speaking of rushing, here’s something I wrote to encourage you just moments before Clara was born.  

I quote:  “I’m waiting in the hospital, in mere minutes we'll finally know all about our fourth child by seeing him/her face to face.  Yet I’m in no hurry.  It drives some crazy when we wait to find out the sex of the baby. If I had a nickel for every person that said, "Oh, I just can't wait"..... as if it wasn't really up to them.

Hurrying, rushing, peeking, pushing, these actions caused by impatience just wear us and others around out.  

Patiently waiting is on the Lord’s good timing is something we desperately need to learn, because we are blessed by it!  

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.  - Isaiah 40:31

 This morning, you may be rushing to work, rushing to your last day of school, rushing to get a project finished.  Please remember this old counter cultural adage affirmed by the Bible.  Good things really do come to those who wait, especially when waiting on the Lord!


Message Minutes are sponsored by  Washington Church of Christ and recorded for the public 107.9 The Memories WAMW morning radio program.  They air at approximately 7:35am on Weekday Mornings.

To find more of the Message Minutes that have been uploaded to this blog CLICK HERE. 

Blessings in Wait - Living Lesson

by: Christopher Wiles 

 

The wait is over, we now have 4!

It is early Thursday morning as I write this bulletin article and wait by Ashley's side in the hospital. In mere minutes we'll finally know all about our fourth child by seeing him/her face to face.

In September 1992, Alabama expressed well the sad sentiment of our culture when they sang the song, "I'm in a Hurry (and I Don't Know Why)".  Christians are no exception in expressing their own slavery to the impatient mantra.  It drives some people crazy to wait in the hospital.  It drives some crazy when we wait to find out the sex of the baby. If I had a nickel for every person that said, "Oh, I just can't wait"..... as if it wasn't really up to them.

Ashley and I have been taught a few things about waiting from those who are wiser than us. Consider the advice we heeded when we we chose to NOT kiss on the lips till the day we said, "I do."  I can attest,  that was an amazing and memorable first kiss!  We believe there are blessings that come from waiting; not knowing everything immediately, not having sex before marriage, not peeking at Christmas presents, not having a car loan, not knowing if your baby is a boy or a girl, not indulging in instant gratification.  From my perspective, things are more enjoyable when you let the anticipation build for that big surprise, wait for that new car you till you pay cash for it, and wait to give your child that precious name till you see them.  You may call us old fashioned,  and maybe we are our of touch with the times on babies, loans, and kisses, but at least on some spiritual topics we can affirm with authority that it is better to wait.

Heaven is one of those topics that we believe God purposefully chose to make us wait and not to give us a limited description.  People who can't wait will write many stories about heaven, and many will be false like Alex Malarkey's book,  "The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven. " Yet our impatient culture will continue to devour books about heaven,  even if the authors admits the farce, because "We just can't wait..."  Yet David says that waiting is a must to enjoy that blessed land of the living.

"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" - Psalm 27:13-14

So we urge you, if you really want to wait,  you can!  Don't rush into everything.  Don't be anxious to know everything.  Don't believe you have to peek.  You have a choice.  Good things really do come to those who wait, especially when waiting on the Lord!

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31