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The Journey-By Clem Head

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clemkylatinyThe Journey

By Clem Head

The end of my life journey began in July, 2008 when I was 73 years old. Before that time I had been my usual, hyper-energetic self: cutting firewood, playing music, even biking 14 miles. I went to church, and I loved my Lord Jesus, but I have to say that my relationship with Jesus sometimes took a back seat to the things I wanted to accomplish. I was admittedly proud of what I could still do at my age. Then I began to lose my energy. I got fatigued just walking around a grocery store. All I wanted to do was lie around.

I went to multiple doctors who, despite many tests, including an MRI and artery biopsy, came up with no clear diagnosis. All the while I grew weaker and weaker. I lost my voice and couldn’t sing. It saddened me to have to cancel my music shows as I hated to let my audience down.

Then, following a bout with pneumonia that sent me to the hospital, I was lying on our couch and felt a lump in my right side. More tests and another biopsy at last gave a clear diagnosis – I was dying of advanced liver cancer and given 1-3 months to live.
My wife, Diane, held my hand as we got the diagnosis. She recalls me saying “Good thing I know where I’m going. Guess I’m going to get to heaven sooner than I thought.” Since that time, I’ve discovered that knowing your time is short is a gift.

The beauty of the gift is that I’ve been able to draw much closer to God. I’m closer than I’ve ever been to my Jesus and I’m totally at peace for the first time in my life. I’ve been inundated with love and affection from our church families and friends, my former co-workers on the waterfront, people I’ve met playing music and, most of all, my family.

Not everyone is blessed with knowing their time is short. Not everyone gets to know where they are on their life’s journey, but everyone should live like their time is also short. Draw close to God and each other. It is my fervent prayer for you that you read this and accept the Gift.

Love in Christ Jesus,

Clem

December 16, 2009

NOTE: Clem Head is a dear friend of mine, and he and his family were among the first converts and members of Open Door Baptist Church. We first met in the spring of 1970. Because of Clem and Irene Head, many of their children, nieces and nephews are saved and serving the Lord. Joyce and I thank God that we were privileged to know Clem. We extend our heartfelt love to Clem and his family.

THE HADITH AND PLAGIARISM

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By Ken Blue

“Hadith: are narrations originating from the words and deeds of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Hadith are regarded by traditional schools of jurisprudence as important tools for understanding the Quran and in matters of jurisprudence. Hadith were evaluated and gathered into large collections mostly during the reign of Umar bin Abdul Aziz during the 8th and 9th centuries. These works are referred to in matters of Islamic law and history to this day. The two main denominations of Islam, Shi`ism and Sunnism, have different sets of Hadith collections.” (Wikipedia Encyclopedia.) Italic mine.

When reading the Hadith or the Quran, one will be struck with the number of comments that appear to be revised stories from the Holy Bible. We have seen the same phenomena in the book of Mormon.

If the quote from the Hadith, is indeed by Muhammad; the question is, did he borrow it from the words of Jesus and ascribe them to himself, or did God reveal them to him? Remember, Muhammad lived 600 years after the life and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus gave the following parable in Matthew 20:1-14. “ For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.”

Now, read and compare the following quote from the Hadith, Volume 1, Book 10, Number 533: as Narrated Abu Musa: “The Prophet said, “The example of Muslims, Jews and Christians is like the example of a man who employed laborers to work for him from morning till night. They worked till mid-day and they said, ‘We are not in need of your reward.’ SO the man employed another batch and said to them, ‘Complete the rest of the day and yours will be the wages I had fixed (for the first batch). They worked Up till the time of the ‘Asr prayer and said, ‘Whatever we have done is for you.’ He employed another batch. They worked for the rest of the day till sunset, and they received the wages of the two former batches.”

Although Muhammad was illiterate, and could neither read nor write, it appears that he heard bits and pieces of the Old and New Testament Scriptures and then presented them to his followers as coming from himself. The above is one example; there are many more. You read and decide for yourself. Since the Old and New Testament Scriptures were complete by the time Muhammad was born, are we to believe that the Quran has replaced the Holy Bible, that Esau has replaced Isaac, that the Arabs have replaced the Jews, and that Muhammad has replaced The Lord Jesus Christ?

CAN THE TIGER ESCAPE?

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By Ken Blue

There is no end to the bimbos who keep coming out of the woods, (no pun intended,) claiming to have had sex with Tiger Woods. Doubtless, this is only the tip of the iceberg. However, there are several ways whereby Tiger may escape.

First, it can be blamed on his wealth. Money attracts immoral women like moths to a flame. How can we expect any man to escape when beautiful women fling themselves at him constantly? There is a way. (2 Timothy 2:22; Genesis 39:12).

Some of the media have already placed the blame on the women. They argue that those women knew Tiger was a married man, and in spite of that, they made themselves available to him. So, blame the women. I assure you, if Tiger was single, the media would not have faulted him or the women for their fornication.

Another ploy that might work is to attribute his adulteries to his fame. Everyone knows that popularity is intoxicating. Men, who become famous, loose prospective, and see themselves as invincible, and they possess an attitude of entitlement. Perhaps we can blame his failings on his rise to super stardom.

Possibly, we could blame society. He is only as wealthy and famous as his promoters made him. He would have neither fame nor money, had we not bought into the hero worship; which is so prevalent in America.

Then, perhaps Tiger has an “addiction” and cannot help himself. That idea has been suggested by others. It seems like we heard something like this when Mr. Clinton was President. It is possible to become addicted to anything. But, our addictions cannot become our excuse. We become addicted, one act at a time, and each act is a conscious choice.

Finally, Tiger could claim demon possession. Some have given this excuse to escape personal responsibility. How can you fault a man, if the Devil made him do it? No doubt, the Devil is indirectly responsible for our fallen nature, and he will share his part of the blame. However, blaming the Devil did not get Eve off the hook, nor will it work for anyone else.

Like King David, Tiger has lost it all. His kingdom will continue to crumble until the end. Listen to King Solomon on this matter. “But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.” Proverbs 6:32.

Society may or may not forgive Tiger Woods, but he can find personal forgiveness and peace if he truly desires it. David prayed, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” Psalms 51:1.

Personally, I feel sorry for Tiger Woods, his wife and their children. No man or woman can commit an action without it impacting the lives of others. Not only did he betray his wife and children, he betrayed every small boy or girl who looked up to him and hoped someday to be a great golfer like him.

Some may argue that it is not his fault that others looked up to him; that may be true. But, it is his responsibility to maintain behavior and an image that will not damage or destroy the lives of others.

Scripture says, “The wages of sin is death.” Sin is death to relationships, happiness, health, wealth, fame, and freedom. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

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Policies and ProceduresBy Ken Blue

“…See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” Hebrews 8:5.

Policies are usually written orders or directions made to regulate the practice or the actions of people. Procedures describe a particular way of accomplishing something or of acting. It outlines a series of steps in a definite order. Primarily, policies have to do with rules and standards, whereas, procedures deal with how to proceed and carry out a task or mission.

Every church has policies and procedures. However, in most cases they are not written. They are assumed without giving much thought to them. These two documents are very important to the operation of the church. They must be in writing and made available to all who need them. There should few requirements, and they must remain simple. Don’t allow them to become a roadblock to the growth of the church. The more rules you have, the more resistance you can expect. They should be written in order to keep the church focused on its purpose. That is, they should support the structure and strategy of the church

There should be policies for every ministry. All workers must read and agree with them before they are installed in a ministry. Remember, do not recruit, install, and then present the policies. You are asking for trouble if you do. Give people plenty of time to read the policies and procedures before installing them. Some churches require the Job Description be signed after it has been agreed upon. The overall policies and procedures of the church should be taught to those seeking membership, prior to joining.

Sunday School teachers may have the same policies, but the procedures can change from class to class and department to department. The procedures will let the workers know the expected time to be in the class room, and give a step by step process from the time of arrival to the time of dismissal. Each step, with a time frame should be clear. This lets the teacher know how to carry out the class hour. Flexibility must be allowed.

It is important that the pastor take the lead in the writing these documents. As one can see, these will control what the church is about, and how it will proceed. Therefore, the pastor and staff should write these to ensure that they comply with the overall purpose of the church.

I suggest that policies and procedures be written for each Job Description. The pastor should take time when writing these, in order to communicate what he wants.

I mentioned in another article that one of the areas of complaint will be over policies and procedures. So, write them with care, and expect that some who disagree with them. These people are not on your team, so ignore them. Work with those who are eager and willing to work with you and help the church go forward. Policies and procedures may need to change. They are not your Bible; therefore, they can be adjusted as needed.

SHAME, SHAME

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By Ken Blue

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38.

The above verse should be read in its entire context to get the correct interpretation. Many pastors, in their zeal and effort to get sinners “down the aisle,” have quoted it, suggesting that failure to publicly come to the “altar” proves one is ashamed and that he is not saved.

This is a travesty, and it is the pastor who should be ashamed. Why not go all the way and tell the sinner if he is ashamed to get baptized, join the church, start tithing, go soul-winning, and stop smoking, the Lord will be ashamed of him and deny him heaven?

The context is not talking about heaven, the church, or the rapture. Nor does it have anything to do with a particular public profession of salvation. The entire text has to do with Jews acknowledging that Jesus is the Christ and demonstrating it, even unto death. Also, the text calls Jesus “the Son of man.” This is a title concerning His reign on earth as Israel’s Messiah. He is never called Son of man in any of the church epistles.

Notice also, it is not the rapture of the church mentioned here, but the Second Advent, following the Tribulation. Most of the Jews, who acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah, will be required to physically lay down their life in the coming Tribulation, if they hope to be resurrected and enter the Kingdom.

There is nothing the sinner must do or can do today to be saved. It has all been done for him! By faith in the finished work of Christ, he is made acceptable in the Beloved. It is not predicated on whether he is ashamed or not. There is no aisle one must walk, no profession one must make, and no church one must join, nor is there a set time one must make a public profession.

Finally, let me ask you, have you ever been ashamed to speak up for Jesus? Aren’t there situations right now, where you are ashamed to speak for Him? Do you think He is going be ashamed of you at His coming? Peter denied the Lord three times! Do you think Jesus will be ashamed of him? If we can’t understand the verse in its context, it is best we leave it alone. Why abuse a verse which was never intended to feed our ego? It is the pastor who uses it to goad people who ought to be ashamed.