Adult Hissy Fits

We have all seen it at one time or another.  A two-year-old falls to the ground, kicking, screaming, and throws a bit hissy fit.  Anytime I have seen this, I can’t help but feel embarrassed for the child and the parents.  A fit is one of the ultimate displays of immaturity.  However, despite the fact that we get older, adults still throw hissy fits.

Yesterday evening, the New York Knicks played the Miami Heat in game two of the NBA playoffs.  The Kicks came up short and are now down two games for the series.  Naturally, everyone on the Knicks team was upset and frustrated, but Amare Stoudemire took it to a different level.  Minutes after the end of the game, Stoudemire took his anger and frustration out by punching the glass case around a fire extinguisher.  We might go so far as to say that he threw a hissy fit.

The results of the situation are pretty detrimental.  Stoudemire has several lacerations on his hand which required stitches.  He will miss the next game and possibly the rest of the playoffs.  His selfish move cost his team one of their best players and probably will result in them getting knocked out of the playoffs.  The situation was bad being two games down to a very good Miami team, but the situation now is much, much worse because Stoudemire threw a fit.

Anger is one topic that is well covered by Scripture (Ephesians 4:26, 31-32; Ecclesiastes 7:9; Psalm 37:8; Proverbs 14:17; 15:1, 18; 21:19; etc).  The question at hand is, “How do we react when we are angry?”  Do we act maturely and handle the situation like adults, or become selfish and throw a fit because things didn’t go our way?  It is always wrong when our anger drives us to…

• Violence (Psalm 11:5).
• Hurtful words (Matthew 5:22; Proverbs 15:1).
• Revenge (Matthew 5:38-48; Romans 12:9, 17-21).
• Any other sin (Colossians 3:8; Ephesians 4:26). 

While it comes in a less obvious form, we are kidding ourselves if we think adults don’t throw fits of anger.  Kids throw fits because they didn’t get their way, are being selfish, and make a public display of their disapproval.  Adults are also in situations where they didn’t get their way, are selfish, and decide to make a public display of their feelings.  All things considered, there is very little difference.  Most times, the root of our anger is selfishness.  Something didn’t go MY way, or something happened to ME that I don’t like.

Stoudemire isn’t a bad guy; he just made a bad decision.  I appreciate his comments afterwards on his twitter account, “I am so mad at myself right now.  I want to apologize to the fans and my team, not proud of my actions.  Headed home for a new start.”  Time will tell whether Stoudemire will control his anger or not, but at least he recognizes he was out of place and is looking towards improvement.

We have all lost control of our anger, and yes, even thrown adult hissy fits.  The question is, “What steps are you going to take to have better self-control over your anger” (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-7)?

In Awe

Albert Einstein very clearly expressed his feelings about God and this world.  Madeleine L'Engle once said this about him, “I share Einstein's affirmation that anyone who is not lost in rapturous awe at the power and glory of the mind behind the universe ‘is as good as a burnt out candle.’"  Einstein also made the statement about God and our universe, “He who can no longer pause to wonder, is as good as dead.”

Notice the beautifully crafted words of David in Psalm 65:8-13:

"By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation,

You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea;

Who establishes the mountains by His strength,

Being girded with might;

Who stills the roaring of the seas,

The roaring of their waves,

And the tumult of the peoples.

They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs;

You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.

You visit the earth and cause it to overflow;

You greatly enrich it;

The stream of God is full of water;

You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth.

You water its furrows abundantly,

You settle its ridges,

You soften it with showers,

You bless its growth.

You have crowned the year with Your bounty,

And Your paths drip with fatness.

The pastures of the wilderness drip,

And the hills gird themselves with rejoicing.

The meadows are clothed with flocks

And the valleys are covered with grain;

They shout for joy, yes, they sing.

It is very valuable to step away from our busy and troublesome lives to remember the amazing God we serve.  It is valuable to stand in wonder and awe at the majesty we have been surrounded with.  Einstein recognized the value in this.  David recognized this value of this.  Do we?

When 900 Million People Are Watching You

How do you feel when you stand before a crowd with all eyes on you?  Do your palms get cold and clammy?  Do you become nervous and anxious?  Do you blush, tremble, shake, or get nauseous?  Multiple sources indicate that 90 percent of all people deal with some level of stage fright (Vijai P. Sharma).  So chances are pretty good that you deal with some degree of stage fright.  However, this article is not about overcoming stage fright.  Even though 90% of people deal with this issue, there is at least one stage where the vast majority of people feel no fright at all!

This stage is none other than Facebook.  Last month, Facebook exceeded the 900 million active user mark.  This means that there are potentially 900 million people able to watch you and see exactly what you say and do.  Are you feeling a little bit of that stage fright coming back?  Most people are very careful in front of a crowd but may not be on Facebook and other social media avenues.

God has always called His people to be different from everyone else (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Timothy 2:21; etc).  The question for us is, do our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest accounts reflect this?  Here are several categories to consider:

What Do We Say and Post?  Are there any words on our accounts that reflect a less than Christian behavior?  Could someone look at our profiles and see bad language, gossip, slander, or other forms of crude and crass speech (2 Corinthians 12:20; James 3)?

What People and Activities Do We “Like” (Support)?  Do we “Like” celebrities, athletes, artists or other people with trashy reputations?  Do we support movies, music, TV shows, video games, or other things that are not Christ-like (Romans 12:2)?

What Pictures Are On Our Profiles?  Do any pictures show us engaging in sin or other less than godly behaviors (Romans 13:13-14)?  Do any pictures show us hanging with people or in places a Christians should not be (1 Corinthians 15:33)?  Do any pictures of us or anyone else on our profiles display immodesty or promote lust (1 Timothy 2:9-10; Romans 13:13; Matthew 5:28)?

In Matthew 5:14-16, God has called us to be a light in the darkness.  There is nothing further and more contrasting to darkness than light.  Do the things we say, post, support, and depict on social media sites show that we are a light to this world, or show that we are dabbling in darkness?  Potentially 900 million people can see what we put on our social media profiles depending on privacy settings.  What kind of conclusions will they make about us?  Will they even know we are Christians?

We must always be careful to be Christ-like in all parts of our lives. Whether it is out in public or online, may we always live by Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”

Jamie Moyer And Perry Cotham

Neal Pollard

Kathy and I went with Wes and Teri Autrey to the baseball stadium Tuesday night to watch the Colorado Rockies take on the San Diego Padres.  Not only did I know the potential history on the table, I was hoping I had not been getting my hopes too high.  The Rockies starting pitcher that evening was Jamie Moyer.  The significance of this fact is known, especially now, to even a great many non-baseball fans.  For the rest of you, Moyer was 49 years and 151 days old when he took the mound.  When Rafael Betencourt finally recorded the third out of the ninth inning for the save, Mr. Moyer became the oldest pitcher in the storied annals of baseball history to earn a victory.  At this point early in the season, he is the most effective pitcher on the Rockies’ roster.  According to statisticians, his slowest pitch was a 67 mile per hour curve ball and his fastest was a 79 mile per hour “fast” ball.  For non-baseball fans, that is s-l-o-w.  He has always pitched that way.  Steady.  Crafty.  Consistent.  Patient.  Successful.

I remember when Tillit S. Teddlie turned 100 in 1985, a song writer in the Lord’s church whose songs included “Don’t Wait Too Long,” “Heaven Holds All To Me,” “In Heaven They’re Singing,” “What Will Your Answer Be?,” and many, many others we have sung in worship.  As a teenager, I was awed and thought of him as the epitome of longevity.  Brother Teddlie lived to be 102.

But as a preacher, my picture of an enduring “legend” among preachers is Perry Cotham.  About the time I remember the birthday celebration for brother Teddlie, the church where my dad preached had brother Cotham for a gospel meeting.  The Texas evangelist had to be in his early 70s, and as such already ancient in my young mind.  I heard tales of his mission trips to India, Malaysia, and Thailand.  He told of his debates with Pentecostals and others.  His lessons were filled with Bible and interesting stories.  I have maintained contact with him through the years and have spoken with him on several programs.  In 2008, we were together in Calaveras County, California, preaching at a campground (the late William Woodson was also there; we roomed together at the same house).  He was 96 at the time, and after hearing his preaching all weekend two adult women responded to be baptized.  My last information is that brother Cotham is still preaching, though his health has declined.  He is 100 years old!

As much as I enjoy baseball, I love preaching.  As great as Moyer’s feat was, brother Cotham’s eclipses it.  What a reminder to us that it is not our age, but our willingness to keep on going however long we have serving the Lord with all of our might!

Kathy and I went with Wes and Teri Autrey to the baseball stadium Tuesday night to watch the Colorado Rockies take on the San Diego Padres.  Not only did I know the potential history on the table, I was hoping I had not been getting my hopes too high.  The Rockies starting pitcher that evening was Jamie Moyer.  The significance of this fact is known, especially now, to even a great many non-baseball fans.  For the rest of you, Moyer was 49 years and 151 days old when he took the mound.  When Rafael Betencourt finally recorded the third out of the ninth inning for the save, Mr. Moyer became the oldest pitcher in the storied annals of baseball history to earn a victory.  At this point early in the season, he is the most effective pitcher on the Rockies’ roster.  According to statisticians, his slowest pitch was a 67 mile per hour curve ball and his fastest was a 79 mile per hour “fast” ball.  For non-baseball fans, that is s-l-o-w.  He has always pitched that way.  Steady.  Crafty.  Consistent.  Patient.  Successful.
I remember when Tillit S. Teddlie turned 100 in 1985, a song writer in the Lord’s church whose songs included “Don’t Wait Too Long,” “Heaven Holds All To Me,” “In Heaven They’re Singing,” “What Will Your Answer Be?,” and many, many others we have sung in worship.  As a teenager, I was awed and thought of him as the epitome of longevity.  Brother Teddlie lived to be 102.
But as a preacher, my picture of an enduring “legend” among preachers is Perry Cotham.  About the time I remember the birthday celebration for brother Teddlie, the church where my dad preached had brother Cotham for a gospel meeting.  The Texas evangelist had to be in his early 70s, and as such already ancient in my young mind.  I heard tales of his mission trips to India, Malaysia, and Thailand.  He told of his debates with Pentecostals and others.  His lessons were filled with Bible and interesting stories.  I have maintained contact with him through the years and have spoken with him on several programs.  In 2008, we were together in Calaveras County, California, preaching at a campground (the late William Woodson was also there; we roomed together at the same house).  He was 96 at the time, and after hearing his preaching all weekend two adult women responded to be baptized.  My last information is that brother Cotham is still preaching, though his health has declined.  He is 100 years old!
As much as I enjoy baseball, I love preaching.  As great as Moyer’s feat was, brother Cotham’s eclipses it.  What a reminder to us that it is not our age, but our willingness to keep on going however long we have serving the Lord with all of our might!

Shakespeare And Jesus

Neal Pollard

On April 23, 1564, William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon, England.  While we do not know all the details of his life, it is clear that he is one of the most famous figures of history.  There are 38 plays and 152 sonnets attributed to him that survive, but not much of his personal life is known.  It is known that he married Anne Hathaway when he was 18, and she was already pregnant with their first child.  His son, Hamnet, died at age 11. He had two other daughters.  He died at the age of 52.  His contemporary, the poet Ben Johnson, said, “He was not of an age, but for all time.”

Jesus’ birth was a millennium and a half before Shakespeare’s.  We have some glimpses into His personal life through the inspired gospel writers.  We read an account of His lowly birth, His circumcision and first trip to the temple, His trip to the temple at age twelve, and the last three years of His life.  He did not marry.  The only writing we know that He did was on the ground, and its content is unknown (John 8:6,8).  He died a young man in His 30s, and that was by execution.  He was poor (2 Cor. 8:9).  So far as Scripture tells, He never traveled–during His public ministry–more than a total of 500 miles. Yet, Johnson’s word more aptly describe Jesus than any other person to ever live.

Jesus is not of an age, but for all time because as the Son of God He is deity and, as such, timeless (John 1:1).  Jesus is not of an age, but for all time because His teaching is timeless and relevant to all people of all places and times (Mat. 24:35).  Jesus is not of an age, but for all time because what He offers all humanity in history needs (1 John 2:2).

Whatever great contributions men continue to make in this world, the best one can hope to do is finish second to Christ.  He, more than all, influenced, changed, and improved this sinful world.  His words and will must be placed above all else!

On April 23, 1564, William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon, England.  While we do not know all the details of his life, it is clear that he is one of the most famous figures of history.  There are 38 plays and 152 sonnets attributed to him that survive, but not much of his personal life is known.  It is known that he married Anne Hathaway when he was 18, and she was already pregnant with their first child.  His son, Hamnet, died at age 11. He had two other daughters.  He died at the age of 52.  His contemporary, the poet Ben Johnson, said, “He was not of an age, but for all time.”
Jesus’ birth was a millennium and a half before Shakespeare’s.  We have some glimpses into His personal life through the inspired gospel writers.  We read an account of His lowly birth, His circumcision and first trip to the temple, His trip to the temple at age twelve, and the last three years of His life.  He did not marry.  The only writing we know that He did was on the ground, and its content is unknown (John 8:6,8).  He died a young man in His 30s, and that was by execution.  He was poor (2 Cor. 8:9).  So far as Scripture tells, He never traveled–during His public ministry–more than a total of 500 miles. Yet, Johnson’s word more aptly describe Jesus than any other person to ever live.
Jesus is not of an age, but for all time because as the Son of God He is deity and, as such, timeless (John 1:1).  Jesus is not of an age, but for all time because His teaching is timeless and relevant to all people of all places and times (Mat. 24:35).  Jesus is not of an age, but for all time because what He offers all humanity in history needs (1 John 2:2).
Whatever great contributions men continue to make in this world, the best one can hope to do is finish second to Christ.  He, more than all, influenced, changed, and improved this sinful world.  His words and will must be placed above all else!