An Old Saddle

One of my prized possessions is a saddle that belonged to my grandfather. The saddle was made in the late 1950’s/early 1960’s by R.E. Donaho in San Angelo,TX. My grandfather used it to calf rope and then to ranch for many years. He told many stories about gathering sheep and doctoring screw worms out of that saddle. The saddle is beautifully tooled and has a distinctive green padded seat, as was the style in those days. I’ve always loved the way it looks. It’s fun to look back at old photographs and see the saddle in use over many decades.

My grandfather had to stop riding many years back. I was given the saddle about 14 years ago. I started using it right away. I always enjoyed using something that had that kind of history. In recent years, I haven’t used it quite as much. I have other saddles that we use. Consequently, the saddle was beginning to show the effects of time. The padded seat was torn. There were some tears in the leather too. It needed some TLC.

I took the saddle to a repair shop recently and had them fix every issue. A new seat, new strings, new stirrup leathers, a good cleaning and oiling; I wanted the saddle to look new again. And now it does. It’s wonderful to see it in such good shape, but if I decide to put it back in the barn for another ten years, it will be right back in the same condition. Why?

Because saddles are meant to be used. When we stop using them, the leather becomes dry and brittle. The stirrup leathers and fenders stop moving freely like they did before. Often, one of the best things you can do with a saddle is to use it.

Our faith works in a similar way. Christ doesn’t save us so we can leave our faith on a shelf at home. It is meant to be used. And the more we use it, the better it becomes. We learn perseverance in the midst of trials. We are constantly shaped by the Holy Spirit, so that our lives begin to produce good fruit. This means living out our faith with other people. Our faith is personal, but it is not private. We are meant to live in community.

Using our faith means serving side by side with other believers in the local church. It means sharing the good news of Jesus with those around us. It means taking this free gift of salvation and putting shoes on it. Christ has commissioned us to preach the gospel to all nations, baptizing them and making disciples. 

When we hoard our faith, we stifle it. Does your faith feel dry and brittle? Take it out of the case and put it to use. Get plugged into a local church, start serving, and share Jesus with the world. 

Jesus told us that we must let our faith be seen in Matthew 5:16;

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

I’m going to be sure I keep using that old saddle. I would encourage you to keep using your faith. After all, our faith was meant to be shared.

You Only Have Now

Last Friday night, San Saba and Goldthwaite faced off in the “Battle Of The River.” This is one of the oldest rivalries in the state. If you grew up in San Saba, or if you have lived here for any length of time, you’ve learned about the importance of this game. In the history of this matchup, there have been many “extracurricular” activities eg. spray painting bridges, dead armadillos thrown out, defacing school property. These incidents only help to keep the intensity of the rivalry going. The game itself is usually somewhat heated. Both sides are pumped and ready. Tempers have been known to flair up. But all in all, it is a fun central Texas tradition.

Here is the thing about rivalries. What matters most is this year. It really doesn’t make a difference if San Saba won the game 35 years ago or if Goldthwaite won 35 years ago. The most important game is the one happening now…or in our case, the game that happened last Friday. This is what keeps old rivalries going. The rivalry is never settled or finished. There is always the next game. San Saba football players don’t rely on past victories, nor should they trust in future victories. What matters is the “right now.”

The Christian life is like this. Those who have been changed by Jesus must choose to obey Him in the “right now.” The Apostle Paul talked about this idea in Philippians 2:12;

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”

Followers of Jesus must continue to do good works as a result of their salvation. This is a key point. Many people have this sequence of events confused. Christians are called to do good things because they have been saved…not in order to be saved. Our salvation is and was an unmerited gift. We received something we could not earn. In light of God’s free gift of grace, we must respond in grateful obedience. This is one of the key doctrines behind the protestant reformation. Salvation is by faith alone. But true saving faith must produce good works.

The German reformer Martin Luther said this about good works. “Our good works do not generate righteousness, rather our righteousness in Christ generates good works.”

If you have been transformed into a new creation by Jesus, then live like it. That means daily obedience to what God has asked you to do revealed to us through His word. That obedience only happens in the “now.” Ultimately we only have “now.” You can do nothing about the past and you are not promised the future. Christian, the present is where you live. How will you respond?

The Battle Of The River happens only once a year. But opportunities to obey Jesus happen every minute of every day. The ultimate act of obedience to Jesus is to put your faith in Him for salvation, declare Him to be the Lord of your life, and turn from your sins. Do this and you will be saved.

Disappointment

A new friend asked me if I was a Dallas Cowboys fan to which I responded, “Yes, I am, and yes I am used to disappointment.” Sometimes, we get our hopes and expectations up just to have them come crashing down. 

Years ago, I had an opportunity for a promotion. This of course meant more responsibility, better pay, and a bit of an ego boost for me. After my interview, I received positive feedback from the interview panel. My co-workers also commented on how I was the best person for the job and a shoe-in for the promotion. Needless to say I was feeling pretty good. 

Lo and behold, a few days later I was informed that in fact I was not selected for promotion. Furthermore, that I would be training the person that had received my promotion. To say that I was disappointed is an understatement. I felt humiliated, mistreated, and resentful. I became angry and my attitude deteriorated for the worse. I felt like I was treated unfairly so I started acting like a victim and became  bitter towards everyone at work and home. 

They say, “hindsight is 20/20” and there is truth in that statement. Looking back at my life now I can see how God worked things together for good and how he is conforming me into the image of Christ. You see, I thought I knew better and when things didn’t turn out the way I wanted. I became angry and bitter. No one wanted to be around that guy, not even myself. 

A couple of weeks later, my newly promoted supervisor arrived for work and training. I mustered what little dignity that I had left and began showing my new boss the ropes. We worked together for about a year and became not only good co-workers, but great friends. On my last day on the job my new friend gave me a little book called a Survival Guide for Life. It contained a variety of Scriptures that spoke to many circumstances in life. This one spoke to me. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 

I did not understand what that verse meant until many years later. I was promoted to a new job right here in San Saba, Tx. I loved my job but, I’m no longer working there. I met people there that were Christians and they invited me to church and some visited my home and shared the good news of Jesus Christ with my family and I. We made a decision to follow Jesus. 

I now have the privilege of working for the Lord. Looking back I can see God’s hand at work in my life. God had a better plan than I could have ever imagined. His purpose for my life was to love Him and to serve Him and to love others. I could not see that then because I was focused on my own desires and looking for fulfillment in things other than God. I’m not sure where I would be now if I had gotten my way.

His plans do not always align with our plans, but when we trust Him to direct our lives we can rest assured that His plan for our lives is always better than our plans.  So keep trusting Him even when you do not understand. Especially, in times of disappointment. Go Cowboys!

GigiPop

My wife and I enjoy being great grandparents (emphasis on great). It is one of the most fun and rewarding times of our lives. We love spending time with our kids, and grandkids. What a joy it is when our little one says, “I wuv you GigiPop”. Of course, my wife is Gigi, and I am Pop, but in our great granddaughters mind we are one. Oftentimes she will simply say “I want to stay with GigiPop.” I love the fact that she refers to my wife and I as one. 

I am reminded of Jesus’ prayer in the Gospel of John “20 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” John 17:20-23. (NKJ).

The intimacy and ease with which Jesus speaks to God is unmistakable. Jesus and God share a perfect loving relationship. Through Jesus, we also enter a perfect loving relationship with God. Are you connected with the life of God so much so that you cannot be seen apart from that life? Jesus holds the key to unity and is indeed the revelation of the invisible God? What a gift we have been given, that we can show the world who God is by being one with Him and one with each other.

Life Changes

It has been said that the only person who likes change is a baby with a dirty diaper. In this present world, though, change is as certain as death and taxes. Our lives are in continual flux. Scientists tell us that the human body replaces approximately 330 billion cells every day! That is a lot of change. Census data reveals that about 40 million Americans move each year, which is about 12% of the population. Every day in our world some 178,000 people die, which computes to 7,425 an hour and 120 every minute. Solomon wisely observed, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

The older I get, the more I understand the transience of life. It really is a journey with different seasons and chapters. Other than God and His Word, there is nothing in this world that does not change. The Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Thankfully, the unchangeable God fully understands and guides us through the changes of life. He is the constant that gives stability in times of uncertainty. Not even death can unsettle the believer who trusts in the Lord. The promise of His presence and eternal life provide peace in the midst of anxiety.

Our family is going through a time of transition and change as we uproot our comfortable lives in San Saba to move to Gatesville and pastor the Trinity Baptist Church. God has a way of shaking us up – stirring our spirits and shifting our focus – for the next chapter of life. This decision was not something we planned or expected, but doors began to open and the Spirit of God began to nudge. Jan and I both sensed that God was calling us to a crossroads of life and we needed to obey. Though we grieve over leaving so many wonderful friends in San Saba and our church family at First Baptist, we are excited at what God has in store in the next phase of the journey.

Thank you, San Saba, for providing such a great place to raise our four daughters over the course of nearly a quarter of a century. Thank you for welcoming us and encouraging us as we lived out the call of God in this community. Thank you to all the devoted followers of Jesus Christ who lifted us up in prayer, walked with us through struggles, and supported the ministries we initiated through the church and in the area. Our lives have been greatly enriched through our time in this community. Our continual prayer for this town and county is that Jesus Christ will be exalted, the gospel will be shared, people will be saved, churches will be strengthened, families will be restored, and God will be glorified.