Thursday, July 17, 2014
The Goats
I was reminded of when I inspected a house for an Insurance Company. When I arrived, I heard the sound of goats. I walked to the back and in a fenced area behind their house they had over 100 goats. It was in a nice housing area just outside of a major town. I asked if the neighbors complained and she said, "Not that I know of". I asked, "Do you eat them?". She said, "Oh no, we love them too much". I asked, "Do you breed them and sell them?"...and she said, "Oh no, we just lo...ve them too much". I asked, "Do you sell their milk?". She said, "Oh no, it is too painful for them to be milked." She then said, "Its a big problem. They keep producing more and more babies. They inbreed too much and that will cause a corrupted generation. We try to keep the brothers and sisters from each other but it is impossible." I threw up my hands and declared, "Oh My, what can be done?" She said, "We just do not know, pray for us." I shall never forget this lady and her goats. There are stories of life everywhere to be found. LOL.
GOD AND MONEY
Luke 9:23 New International Version (NIV)
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Since WW2 America has enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and thus the creation of a great middle class. We have enjoyed the riches provided to us by the blood, sweat and tears of previous generations. For years now we have lived on the national credit card using the riches of future generations to enrich our life style.
There are dangers to riches and material comfort. I believe the Bible and history shows us that through suffering we gain the greatest perspective on life. I am not saying we should seek suffering for the sake of suffering. I am not saying that having money and comforts are inherently sinful. I am pointing out the dangers of such that all must be aware of. Comfort and riches have a tendency to blind us to reality and to real meaningful lives. Riches can give us a false sense of self-importance. Material things have a way of blinding us to our duty to God and our fellow man. We give $100 on Sunday when we could give $1,000. We spend $500 our pleasures and give $10 to God on Sunday. We give $20 on Sunday and then go out to eat and spend $50 on a meal that could feed 100 hungry children. So, you have $250,000? Why not leave half of that to the church for mission work or to feed the hungry, instead of heirs who may or may not appreciate it and who may in turn just waste it on more and more "things". Something to think about. We ignore this topic because it makes us uncomfortable and preachers ignore it out of fear of criticisms and attacks. I will gain no "praises of men" for writing these words. But, I have long ago given up on any such concerns. God help me to do your will.
President Kennedy in the early 1960's called our Nation to service. He created the Peace Corps to challenge men and women all over America to role up their sleeves and go to work in the poorest parts of the world to better lives. This they would do not for fame and glory or any significant material gain but because it was right. It was the call of the better angels within us all.
I urge all to think of greatness in terms of service. A successful life is not one that is about accumulating more and more money and material things but a successful life is one that is about giving away your self in the service of God and humanity. Jesus taught us that the greatest among us is he/she that serves (Matt. 23:11).
Look back on your life for the last seven days. Did your spend most of your time on yourself? Did you give this message of self service and pleasure to your family? Or, did you show them by your life and by your influence on them, that the great things in life is about serving others.
I see ads on TV about these "glorious retirement places". There you can sleep to noon every day and golf the rest of the day and then enjoy a fine meal for dinner. Such is a recipe for an early grave. Such is also the recipe for a forgotten life.
All of us, for as long as their is life and opportunity within us must be about the Father's business. Serve, work, do, sacrifice, help, and give your all to the glory of God and the salvation of man.
A life of comfort and ease makes us lazy and self centered. Each day we think of the new restaurant we shall visit, new clothes we shall buy, shopping to accumulate more things to collect in our houses to dust each week, buying the newest car on the market at a $500 a month payment. We forget about the pain and suffering all around us and all over the world. We forget about the lost everywhere.
I have watched HGTV and seen programs where they remodel a kitchen. The old kitchen is perfectly fine and much of the world would be thrilled to have such. However, the family is outraged that they have such a kitchen. Therefore, they have it completely gutted and replaced with a new kitchen costing $50,000 and up.
The church of Christ is in decline in the United States. You can argue with me all you want and try to deny such to the high heavens but it will not change the reality of massive church decline. For America as a whole the church of Christ is irrelevant to the average citizen. Jesus spoke of being the light of the world and transforming lives. What are we doing?
The first century Christians sacrificed everything and I mean everything for the cause of our Lord. That is why the church is here today Previous generations have sacrificed so much.
The average church member needs to pray more, worship more, give more, and sacrifice more for the spread of the gospel and for the growth of the Kingdom. Our success in the local church will be measured by our level of sacrifice.
Would you keep the old car you have instead of buying a new one and use the extra money to support a missionary? Would you keep the house you have instead of buying a bigger and newer one and use the extra to feed and help hungry children? Have you ever denied yourself anything for the cause of Christ?
Listen to the Bible:
1 Timothy 6:6-12New International Version (NIV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Our culture of wealth, materialism, and the mad rush for more and more has blinded the church to its great mission of evangelism and service to humanity.
I pray God to forgive me for my past years of too much concern for money, and help me to now see that my life is HIS. I pray God to forgive me for my past years of too much concern for money, and help me to now see that my life is HIS. I still struggle to try to be more spiritual and more a servant and less consumed with money and material things. All that I have including my very life is HIS! PRAISE GOD!All that I have including my very life is HIS! PRAISE GOD!
*Allen Ashlock, 2014
P.S. If you have bought a big, new house or new cars or remodeled your house, I am not trying to make you miserable. I rejoice in your blessings. I am just trying to point out that maybe we all should look at money and things more carefully. Maybe, we all should look at a life of service and sacrifice for the good of the church, and reaching the lost and helping the suffering as the greatest achievement of our lives.
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Since WW2 America has enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and thus the creation of a great middle class. We have enjoyed the riches provided to us by the blood, sweat and tears of previous generations. For years now we have lived on the national credit card using the riches of future generations to enrich our life style.
There are dangers to riches and material comfort. I believe the Bible and history shows us that through suffering we gain the greatest perspective on life. I am not saying we should seek suffering for the sake of suffering. I am not saying that having money and comforts are inherently sinful. I am pointing out the dangers of such that all must be aware of. Comfort and riches have a tendency to blind us to reality and to real meaningful lives. Riches can give us a false sense of self-importance. Material things have a way of blinding us to our duty to God and our fellow man. We give $100 on Sunday when we could give $1,000. We spend $500 our pleasures and give $10 to God on Sunday. We give $20 on Sunday and then go out to eat and spend $50 on a meal that could feed 100 hungry children. So, you have $250,000? Why not leave half of that to the church for mission work or to feed the hungry, instead of heirs who may or may not appreciate it and who may in turn just waste it on more and more "things". Something to think about. We ignore this topic because it makes us uncomfortable and preachers ignore it out of fear of criticisms and attacks. I will gain no "praises of men" for writing these words. But, I have long ago given up on any such concerns. God help me to do your will.
President Kennedy in the early 1960's called our Nation to service. He created the Peace Corps to challenge men and women all over America to role up their sleeves and go to work in the poorest parts of the world to better lives. This they would do not for fame and glory or any significant material gain but because it was right. It was the call of the better angels within us all.
I urge all to think of greatness in terms of service. A successful life is not one that is about accumulating more and more money and material things but a successful life is one that is about giving away your self in the service of God and humanity. Jesus taught us that the greatest among us is he/she that serves (Matt. 23:11).
Look back on your life for the last seven days. Did your spend most of your time on yourself? Did you give this message of self service and pleasure to your family? Or, did you show them by your life and by your influence on them, that the great things in life is about serving others.
I see ads on TV about these "glorious retirement places". There you can sleep to noon every day and golf the rest of the day and then enjoy a fine meal for dinner. Such is a recipe for an early grave. Such is also the recipe for a forgotten life.
All of us, for as long as their is life and opportunity within us must be about the Father's business. Serve, work, do, sacrifice, help, and give your all to the glory of God and the salvation of man.
A life of comfort and ease makes us lazy and self centered. Each day we think of the new restaurant we shall visit, new clothes we shall buy, shopping to accumulate more things to collect in our houses to dust each week, buying the newest car on the market at a $500 a month payment. We forget about the pain and suffering all around us and all over the world. We forget about the lost everywhere.
I have watched HGTV and seen programs where they remodel a kitchen. The old kitchen is perfectly fine and much of the world would be thrilled to have such. However, the family is outraged that they have such a kitchen. Therefore, they have it completely gutted and replaced with a new kitchen costing $50,000 and up.
The church of Christ is in decline in the United States. You can argue with me all you want and try to deny such to the high heavens but it will not change the reality of massive church decline. For America as a whole the church of Christ is irrelevant to the average citizen. Jesus spoke of being the light of the world and transforming lives. What are we doing?
The first century Christians sacrificed everything and I mean everything for the cause of our Lord. That is why the church is here today Previous generations have sacrificed so much.
The average church member needs to pray more, worship more, give more, and sacrifice more for the spread of the gospel and for the growth of the Kingdom. Our success in the local church will be measured by our level of sacrifice.
Would you keep the old car you have instead of buying a new one and use the extra money to support a missionary? Would you keep the house you have instead of buying a bigger and newer one and use the extra to feed and help hungry children? Have you ever denied yourself anything for the cause of Christ?
Listen to the Bible:
1 Timothy 6:6-12New International Version (NIV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Our culture of wealth, materialism, and the mad rush for more and more has blinded the church to its great mission of evangelism and service to humanity.
I pray God to forgive me for my past years of too much concern for money, and help me to now see that my life is HIS. I pray God to forgive me for my past years of too much concern for money, and help me to now see that my life is HIS. I still struggle to try to be more spiritual and more a servant and less consumed with money and material things. All that I have including my very life is HIS! PRAISE GOD!All that I have including my very life is HIS! PRAISE GOD!
*Allen Ashlock, 2014
P.S. If you have bought a big, new house or new cars or remodeled your house, I am not trying to make you miserable. I rejoice in your blessings. I am just trying to point out that maybe we all should look at money and things more carefully. Maybe, we all should look at a life of service and sacrifice for the good of the church, and reaching the lost and helping the suffering as the greatest achievement of our lives.
DO YOU LOVE AMERICA?
DO YOU LOVE AMERICA?
Do you love America? What would you sacrifice for the survival of the
United States of America?
All who read these lines have been blessed so much. You have freedom.
You have material gain and pleasures unknown to so many in the world.
So many have bled, suffered and died to give us what we all now enjoy.
Most of us have never been out anything at all for the security and preservation
of our beloved land.
I have walked by many of the graves at Arlington National Cemetery in
Washington D.C. Those brave soldiers gave their all for me, my family and all
Americans. What have I given?
Oh, I pay taxes. Out of my prosperity I have paid taxes. For those
taxes I get a world class military to protect me during the day and guard me as
I sleep at night. I get the police and fire departments which are always
ready on stand by to come to my aid. I get a world class education system that
has blessed my life and my family. In old age I will get Social Security and
for many Americans they will draw out far more than they paid. I get great
medical care. There is a great social net to catch me if I fall into poverty
and need help. I have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of
assembly, freedom of the press and on and on I could go. What a great
Country!
I have known brave Veterans of WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam and the current
wars. I have seen those who bare in their bodies terrible scars and
disabilities. Others carry great injury to their minds for life. I have
known children whose father's never came home. I have seen marriages destroyed
because soldiers that returned were never the same and thus their marriage was
ended. Those that died in war paid the ultimate price. Those that survive and
carry such pain pay for a lifetime. When I see an injured veteran struggling to
get out and do something, I go to them and thank them for their service. My
words of thanks seem small compared to what they have done. I struggle to know
what to do.
Some time ago, I was getting gas at the service station. A man in a bay
next to mine was crippled and he was getting out of his van and dropped his
keys. He had a brace on his body and canes he used but was unable to bend
over. He asked for my help. I gladly assisted him. As I walked around to
the back and over to my car I noticed on his car tags, "Vietnam Veteran". I
went back, shook his hand and thanked him for his service to our Country. He
had tears and told me it meant a lot. He then told me his story of pain and
sorrow in Viet Nam. He did not tell me of his personal tragedy but of his
buddies who died and how he never can forget them. He said only recently had
he been able to talk about it all. I led a prayer right then for him and his
family and those that died in Viet Nam and their families. The man is very
special to me.
Such Veterans make me think and I am humbled by their presence. God bless
them, every one of them.
I think of THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE and these words: "And for the
support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine
providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our
sacred Honor." Wow, what words! That first generation of Americans risked
everything and suffered great loss to give us our Nation.
So, what would you be willing to sacrifice for the United States of
America? Would you give up all your money? Would you sign over your house,
your car and all personal possessions. Then, start over with no material
things, but have left the treasures of liberty of The United States Of
America.
Old Glory faces many problems today. There is greed, corruption in high
offices of government, selfishness, immorality, and criminals. But, such has
always been true to some level. As Americans we should always vote and express
our concerns to our leaders about what is happening. But, in the end, let us
always bow our head in fervent prayer for this land we love, America. Many say
terrible things about our leaders and things happening in America. Often those
screaming the loudest do not even know what they are talking about. But, they
have the freedom to declare their ignorance if they so desire. God bless
America!
In America's hour of need, if we Americans are not willing to sacrifice
everything including our lives to preserve our liberty then we will in the end,
lose everything!
God bless THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
*Allen Ashlock, 2014
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
LEADERSHIP
LEADERSHIP
For over 40 years I have studied the history of America. I have noticed some identifying characteristics of great leaders. Here they are:
1. Successful leaders have wisdom. They are able to see way down the road the consequences of decisions made today.
2. Successful leaders have courage. Despite criticism and attacks they will stay true and firm to their convictions.
3. Successful leaders are good communicators. They know what they believe and effectively express such to the people.
4. Successful leaders are leaders. They can work with others to get things done. They know the difference between principle and methodology. They are able to negotiate with others to achieve something good.
5. Successful leaders are good negotiators. A leader may be elected to office. But he/she realizes that others were elected for their office as well. A good leader realizes even though he/she may have been elected to an office that not all voted for them. They must work to represent all the people and bring people together.
6. Successful leaders take as a sacred duty the office that they hold. They realize that in a free society that they as leaders have the solemn duty to serve well and serve with honor.
7. Successful leaders realize it is never about themselves but it is about the people they serve and principles upon which they stand. They are leaders of faith in God and the Bible and given to fervent prayer.
We are living in a time in which there exists a famine of leadership. This drought of leadership is to be found in education, business, government, religion, and the home. There are many reasons why we as a people face such a leadership vacuum. But, above all I feel the major reason for the void in leadership is spiritual. When you destroy the foundations all will fall upon you. A solid foundation of faith in God, the Bible, righteousness, human rights, and liberty builds a great nation. God bless America!
*Allen Ashlock, 2014
"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psa. 11:3).
For over 40 years I have studied the history of America. I have noticed some identifying characteristics of great leaders. Here they are:
1. Successful leaders have wisdom. They are able to see way down the road the consequences of decisions made today.
2. Successful leaders have courage. Despite criticism and attacks they will stay true and firm to their convictions.
3. Successful leaders are good communicators. They know what they believe and effectively express such to the people.
4. Successful leaders are leaders. They can work with others to get things done. They know the difference between principle and methodology. They are able to negotiate with others to achieve something good.
5. Successful leaders are good negotiators. A leader may be elected to office. But he/she realizes that others were elected for their office as well. A good leader realizes even though he/she may have been elected to an office that not all voted for them. They must work to represent all the people and bring people together.
6. Successful leaders take as a sacred duty the office that they hold. They realize that in a free society that they as leaders have the solemn duty to serve well and serve with honor.
7. Successful leaders realize it is never about themselves but it is about the people they serve and principles upon which they stand. They are leaders of faith in God and the Bible and given to fervent prayer.
We are living in a time in which there exists a famine of leadership. This drought of leadership is to be found in education, business, government, religion, and the home. There are many reasons why we as a people face such a leadership vacuum. But, above all I feel the major reason for the void in leadership is spiritual. When you destroy the foundations all will fall upon you. A solid foundation of faith in God, the Bible, righteousness, human rights, and liberty builds a great nation. God bless America!
*Allen Ashlock, 2014
"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psa. 11:3).
FAMILY
Family is such a beautiful word. It is not in blood that there exists real family. It is not in having the same last name or relations. Family is the shared memories of life.
When family can get together and remember the birth of children, witnessing marriage vows, and crying over the death of patricharchs, it is then that you have family. It is MEMORY and it is a bond and a connection that moves through the ages and touches the past, the present and the future.
Family is a magical word! Treasure your family and invest in such for it is one of the few things in life that can be timeless.
*Allen Ashlock, 2014
When family can get together and remember the birth of children, witnessing marriage vows, and crying over the death of patricharchs, it is then that you have family. It is MEMORY and it is a bond and a connection that moves through the ages and touches the past, the present and the future.
Family is a magical word! Treasure your family and invest in such for it is one of the few things in life that can be timeless.
*Allen Ashlock, 2014
My Prayer
My Prayer:
Oh Heavenly Father: Thank you for a night of rest and restoration. Thank you for this glorious morning. Thank you for another day of life and opportunity. Thank you for my dear and devoted wife. Thank you for my children and their families, my beloved grandchildren, and all my family. Thank you for my father and bless him as he struggles in his aged years. Thank you for my Mimzy now on my desk, watching me write these words. Thank you for the church everywhere and thank you for the honor of preaching and teaching your words. Thank you for your Son who died that I and others might live. To you, Oh God I give glory, honor and praise!
Now, Oh God direct my paths daily and lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil. Protect all the people of the world from evil and help all to look to you Oh God for love, grace, and mercy. Help all the world to seek you, Oh God and find you. Help all to hear the gospel and be saved.
Oh God, I do not understand many things and often feel lost in a wilderness but you Oh God know all things. Lead me gently through this life and bring me home safe to you.
In this life Oh God, so many things seem amiss. Something is just not right. I know Oh God, that it is because I am separated from you by this veil of tears. I long for the day to be in your arms and safe in glory. Until then Oh God, let me do all the good I can do, as little harm as possible, and finally receive me into your Kingdom of glory and brightness.
Forgive me of my sins and help me to be a messenger of your peace!
Glory and Glory and Glory be unto your most wonderful name, my God!
In Jesus Name, Amen.
*Allen Ashlock, 2014
Oh Heavenly Father: Thank you for a night of rest and restoration. Thank you for this glorious morning. Thank you for another day of life and opportunity. Thank you for my dear and devoted wife. Thank you for my children and their families, my beloved grandchildren, and all my family. Thank you for my father and bless him as he struggles in his aged years. Thank you for my Mimzy now on my desk, watching me write these words. Thank you for the church everywhere and thank you for the honor of preaching and teaching your words. Thank you for your Son who died that I and others might live. To you, Oh God I give glory, honor and praise!
Now, Oh God direct my paths daily and lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil. Protect all the people of the world from evil and help all to look to you Oh God for love, grace, and mercy. Help all the world to seek you, Oh God and find you. Help all to hear the gospel and be saved.
Oh God, I do not understand many things and often feel lost in a wilderness but you Oh God know all things. Lead me gently through this life and bring me home safe to you.
In this life Oh God, so many things seem amiss. Something is just not right. I know Oh God, that it is because I am separated from you by this veil of tears. I long for the day to be in your arms and safe in glory. Until then Oh God, let me do all the good I can do, as little harm as possible, and finally receive me into your Kingdom of glory and brightness.
Forgive me of my sins and help me to be a messenger of your peace!
Glory and Glory and Glory be unto your most wonderful name, my God!
In Jesus Name, Amen.
*Allen Ashlock, 2014
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF ISRAEL
I pray for the peace of Israel. I see where Hamas is attacking Israel day and night with missiles and rockets designed to kill as many Jewish people as possible. Hamas refuses to recognize the State of Israel. They refuse to recognize Israel's right to exist. They adhere to a policy of death to all Jews. It reminds you of Hitler and the Nazi's who sought the extermination of the Jews in Germany and Europe and eventually all of the world. Such is the evil of humanity. Israel is smart and tough and has the power to wipe out Hamas from the Gaza Strip but Israel has shown restraint However, Hamas is giving Israel no choice but to invade Gaza and end this nightmare for its people.
We as Americans share much with the nation of Israel. We share common values of freedom and respect for human life. We share common ethical values rooted in the Judeo Christian ethics Bible. Israel is one of the few nations in the Middle East that is sane and rational and that our nation can reason with.
From a Christian standpoint we all owe much to faithful Jewish people. Jesus Christ was in the flesh a Jew. Joseph and Mary, the parents of Jesus in the flesh were Jewish. Peter and Paul, the great Apostles were Jewish. It was Jewish Christians that gave us the NT and spread Christianity to all the world. We owe them much and love their memory.
I believe God has made clear that Israel will always be until the end of the world. They are hardened in that as a people today in the 21st Century, they have refused to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin. However, they exists there as a living testament to the truthfulness of all the Bible. Their history is wondrous, glorious and even mysterious. The world today does not know quite what to do with them.
I pray for the peace of Israel. I pray for all of the Middle East. I pray all could live together in love and peace. The greatest person who ever walked the earth, Jesus Christ was born there and He came to give love and peace to all.
The Jews today like all people of the world can be saved from their sins through Jesus Christ our Lord. I pray for their physical safety and I pray for their spiritual salvation. There is such evil aligned against them. All who love good and seek peace should help Israel survive and overcome this present evil aggression.
* Allen Ashlock, 2014
We as Americans share much with the nation of Israel. We share common values of freedom and respect for human life. We share common ethical values rooted in the Judeo Christian ethics Bible. Israel is one of the few nations in the Middle East that is sane and rational and that our nation can reason with.
From a Christian standpoint we all owe much to faithful Jewish people. Jesus Christ was in the flesh a Jew. Joseph and Mary, the parents of Jesus in the flesh were Jewish. Peter and Paul, the great Apostles were Jewish. It was Jewish Christians that gave us the NT and spread Christianity to all the world. We owe them much and love their memory.
I believe God has made clear that Israel will always be until the end of the world. They are hardened in that as a people today in the 21st Century, they have refused to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin. However, they exists there as a living testament to the truthfulness of all the Bible. Their history is wondrous, glorious and even mysterious. The world today does not know quite what to do with them.
I pray for the peace of Israel. I pray for all of the Middle East. I pray all could live together in love and peace. The greatest person who ever walked the earth, Jesus Christ was born there and He came to give love and peace to all.
The Jews today like all people of the world can be saved from their sins through Jesus Christ our Lord. I pray for their physical safety and I pray for their spiritual salvation. There is such evil aligned against them. All who love good and seek peace should help Israel survive and overcome this present evil aggression.
* Allen Ashlock, 2014
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