How Do I Know if it's Sin?

Gary Richmond, a former zoo keeper, had this to say:

Raccoons go through a glandular change at about 24 months. After that they often attack their owners. Since a 30-pound raccoon can be equal to a 100-pound dog in a scrap, I felt compelled to mention the change coming to a pet raccoon owned by a young friend of mine, Julie. She listened politely as I explained the coming danger. I'll never forget her answer. "It will be different for me. . ." And she smiled as she added, "Bandit wouldn't hurt me. He just wouldn't." Three months later Julie underwent plastic surgery for facial lacerations sustained when her adult raccoon attacked her for no apparent reason. Bandit was released into the wild. Sin, too, often comes dressed in an adorable guise, and as we play with it, how easy it is to say, "It will be different for me." The results are predictable. 

Gary Richmond, View From The Zoo

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines sin as "the voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God. . . Sin comprehends not action only, but neglect of known duty, all evil thoughts purposes, words and desires, whatever is contrary to God's commands or law." But what if I'm not sure if it's sin?

A Clean Heart

Cleansing
Imbesis Law: In order for something to become clean, something else must become dirty. Freeman's extension: But you can get everything dirty without getting anything clean.

Forgiveness

Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, was reminded one day of a vicious deed that someone had done to her years before. But she acted as if she had never even heard of the incident. 
"Don't you remember it?" her friend asked. 
"No," came Barton's reply, "I distinctly remember forgetting it."

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Proverbs 28:1

Being right with God is wonderful, and living with a cleansed heart is amazing. When I'm right with God, my desire is for eternal (heavenly) things because my focus is on Him and His continuing work in my life. Then my life is one of thankfulness, willingness, strength, courage, contentment, and peace. Conversely, when I'm not right with God, my desire is for temporal (earthly) things because my focus is on me and my continuing effort to control my life. Then my life is one of selfishness, weakness, fearfulness, discontentment, and irritation. 

When I'm having a difficult time of things and feeling a bit down, discouraged, discontent, disgruntled, or disappointed (And don't pretend that you don't  feel like that sometimes, too.), it is easy for me to focus on (blame) my environment (people, situations, and stuff).

But that's not the real problem. Hitting the wrong nail with the hammer doesn't create cursing. It just shows what is already at the tip of the tongue. Bad traffic doesn't create road rage; it releases the rage that is already inside. My environment doesn't make me what I am; it really doesn't. It simply reveals what is already on the inside. Therefore, I must turn the focus inside and on the real problem. The real problem, of course, is me.

Can I see your ID?

"Many of my daily preoccupations suggest that I belong more to the world than to God. A little criticism makes me angry, and a little rejection makes me depressed. A little praise raises my spirits, and a little success excites me. It takes very little to raise me up or thrust me down. Often I am like a small boat on the ocean, completely at the mercy of its waves. All the time and energy I spend in keeping some kind of balance and preventing myself from being tipped over and drowning shows that my life is mostly a struggle for survival: not a holy struggle, but an anxious struggle resulting from the mistaken idea that it is the world that defines me."

(Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son, pg. 42)

So often, I can identify with Henri's description of emotions and reactions.  It seems, at times, like we are at the mercy of the waves of our circumstances.  However, we fail to realize that, like Henri pointed out, the temporary world that we live in does not define who we are.  Life should not be an anxious struggle, but it certainly is when we are deceived by Satan's foundational lies.  

The Last American WWI Vet

In honor of Frank Woodruff Buckles

 (1901-2011) 

Frank Buckles, the last surviving American veteran of World War I, died this year

My sincerest and deepest thanks to those who serve and have served to keep us free. 

Great sacrifices have been made so that we might have physical freedom.

flickr.com

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13 

The Noble and the Brave When America had an urgent need,
These brave ones raised a hand;
No hesitation held them back;
They were proud to take a stand.

The Barn Door

www.flickr.com

 For I acknowledge my transgressions: 

and my sin is ever before me.

 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: 

Psalm 51:3-4a

The story is told of a disobedient, young man whose father wearied himself with efforts to teach his son the importance of obedience. The father loved, taught, encouraged, admonished, and disciplined his son to no avail. The son’s explanation: I’d like to change, I want to change, but I’m not willing to change. 

When each confrontation was over, the son was sent to his room where he would stare out the window. Often he would see his father walk the path down to the old barn and return a great while later. The son thought, “Dad must need time to cool off, too.” He did not understand his father’s enormous pain or his father's great love.

After one particularly rough week, the boy noticed that the father’s pattern changed a bit. Each time his father left the barn he would nail a nail into the barn door. Several weeks passed, and the nails became more and more noticeable. In fact, the young man could see the shiny nail heads from his window as the sun set each evening.

Finally, the boy’s curiosity got the best of him, so he asked, “Why do you go down to that old barn, and what’s up with the nails?  Cooling down? Letting off steam?” The father explained that his many hours at the old barn were spent in prayer for his son - each nail representing each of his son’s disobedient acts.

Lessons in the Waiting

Wait

by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;

Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .

And the Master so gently said, "Wait."

-
"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.

"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!

Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?

By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

-
"My future and all to which I relate

Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?

I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,

Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.

-
"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,

We need but to ask, and we shall receive.

And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:

I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."

-
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,

As my Master replied again, "Wait."

So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,

And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"

-
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .

and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

Dr. Stan Bushey's (99) Questions for Self-Examination

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, 

nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; 

and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, 

that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; 

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

Psalm 1:1-3

February 28th was the 5th anniversary of the homegoing of Dr. Stanley L. Bushey. After  having  taught for 13 years at San Francisco Baptist Theological Seminary and Baptist College and Graduate School of the West, he was a professor for15 years at International Baptist College in Arizona.
 

Although Dr. Bushey was known as great teacher who had a wonderful sense of humor, he was also known for his wisdom and godly character. I never had the opportunity to sit under his teaching, but many of his former students have told me that he was their favorite professor.

Some months after his death, his wife, Jane, found a handwritten document in her husband's files called "Questions for Self-Examination." The true measure of a man is not what he takes with him but what he leaves behind. Five years after his death, Dr. Bushey is still having an impact, not only in the lives of those he taught, but also with his writings which have survived him. May these practical questions bring blessing and conviction to your heart and soul. You will be challenged and humbled as you read through them. I certainly was.

    Questions for Self-Examination

    1. Is there anything in which I have failed to put God first?

    2. Have my decisions been made after my own wisdom and desires rather than by seeking

        and following God’s will?
    3. Do any of the following in any way interfere with my surrender to God?  

        Ambition, pleasure, loved ones, friendships, desire for recognition, money.

    4. Have I neglected to seek to be pleasing to God in all things?

    5. Do I carry any bitterness toward God?

    6. Have I complained against Him in any way?

    7. Have I been dissatisfied with His provision for me?

    8. Is there in my heart any unwillingness to obey God fully?
 

    9. Do I have any reservation about what I would or would not do concerning anything that 
        might be His will?

    10. Have I disobeyed some direct leading from Him?

    11. Have I neglected to thank Him for all things – the seemingly bad as well as the good?

    12. Have I virtually called God a liar by doubting His word?

    13. Do I worry?

    14. Is my spiritual temperature based on my feelings instead of the facts of God’s word?

    15. Have I failed to seek the lost for Christ?

    16. Have I failed to witness consistently with my mouth for the Lord Jesus Christ?

    17. Do I ever use the name of God or Christ improperly? How about in slang?

    18. Am I irreverent?

    19. Do I whisper and daydream while the Bible is being read or preached?

    20. Am I irregular in attendance to services?

    21. Do I neglect to attend or participate in meeting for prayer?

    22. Have I neglected or slighted daily private prayer?

    23. Have I neglected God’s word?

    24. Do I find the Bible or prayer uninteresting?

    25. Have I neglected thanksgiving at meals?

    26. Have I neglected a daily time of devotions?

    27. Have I robbed God by withholding time, talent, or money?

    28. Have I given less than 1/10 of my income to God’s work?

    29. Do I take the slightest credit for anything good about me rather than giving all the glory 

           to God?

    30. Have I dishonored Him and hindered His work by criticizing His servants?

    31. Have I failed to pray regularly for my pastor?

    32. Have I been lax in supporting foreign missions in prayer or in offering?

    33. Am I proud?

    34. Are my statements filled with “I”?

    35. Do I have any feeling of being better than others?

    36. Do I find it hard to be corrected?

    37. Are my feelings easily hurt?

    38. Do I feel that I am doing quite well as a Christian?  That I am not so bad?  That I am 

          good enough?

    39. Am I more concerned about what people will think than what will be pleasing to God?

    40. Have I made a pretense of being somebody that I am not?

    41. Am I stubborn?  Do I insist on having my own way?

    42. Do I insist on my rights?

    43. Do I seek for commendation of my deeds and feel hurt if I do not get it?

    44. Do I feel sorry for myself?  Do I have the blues?

    45. Am I self-conscious rather than Christ-conscious?

    46. Do I allow feelings of inferiority in attending to or attempting the things I should in serving 

          God?

    47. Am I undependable so that I cannot be trusted with responsibilities in the Lord’s work?

    48. Am I sentimental, allowing my emotions to be served?

    49. Am I reluctant to submit to authority in church work or elsewhere?

    50. Am I lazy?

    51. Am I guilty of any improper relations with the opposite sex?

    52. Do I have personal habits that are not pure?

    53. Do I allow impure thoughts concerning the opposite sex?

    54. Do I read that which is impure or suggestive?

    55. Do I indulge in any impure or suggestive entertainment?

    56. Am I guilty of the lustful look?

    57. Am I in careless with my body, failing to care for it as the temple of the Holy Spirit?

    58. Am I guilty of intemperance in eating or drinking?

    59. Do I have any habits that defile the body?

    60. Is there anyone against whom I hold a grudge?  Anyone I have not forgiven?  Anyone I 

          hate?  Anyone I do not love?  Are there any misunderstandings I am unwilling to forget?

    61. Is there any person against whom I am harboring resentment, bitterness, or jealousy?  

          Anyone I dislike to give praise?

    62. Do I secretly desire evil or misfortune for another?

    63. Am I secretly annoyed over the advancements or accomplishments of another?

    64. Am I guilty of any contention or strife?

    65. Do I quarrel?  Argue?  Or engage in heated discussions?

    66. Am I a partaker in any clicks, divisions, or party-strife?

    67. Am I partisan?  Are there people whom I deliberately spite?

    68. Do I ever (by word or deed) seek to hurt someone?

    69. Do I gossip?

    70. Do I speak unkindly concerning people who are not present?

    71. Do I carry prejudice against true Christians because they are of some different group

          than mine, or because I do not see exactly eye to eye with them?

    72. Do I complain?  Do I find fault?

    73. Do I have a critical attitude toward any person or thing?

    74. Am I irritable or cranky?  How about around home?

    75. Do I get angry?  Do I ever carry hidden anger?

    76. Do I become impatient with others?

    77. Am I ever unkind?

    78. Do I ever address anyone with a term of reproach, calling him an evil name such as 

          “you fool”, or something worse?

    79. Do I do things to get even?

    80. Am I guilty of evil speaking?

    81. Do I tell dirty, suggestive stories?  Do I listen to them?

    82. Do I engage in empty, unprofitable conversation?

    83. Do I ever lie, exaggerate, cheat, or steal?

    84. Do I overcharge, underpay, or skimp in my work?

    85. Have I been careless in payment of my debts?

    86. Have I sought to evade payment of debts?

    87. Do I waste time?

    88. Do I waste time for others?

    89. Have I allowed myself to become spotted by the world?

    90. Is my manner of dress pleasing to God?

    91. Is my standard beyond what is pleasing to God in food, clothing, house furnishings, 

          or anything else?

    92. Do I excessively desire jewels and ornaments?

    93. Do I follow the world in the over-use of makeup?

    94. Are I entangled in any close relationships with the lost?

    95. Do I listen to and watch only edifying media?

    96. Do I read worldly magazines, partake in worldly amusements?

    97. Am I taken up in the cares of this life?

    98. Does my conversation and heart joy over “things” rather than the Lord and His work?

    99. Am I careless in my observance of the laws of the land?

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.

Proverbs 23:7

"God is good all the time; all the time God is good."

Dr. Stanley L. Bushey

(1951-2006)

The background and print colors have been changed due to request for easier printing.

Please post any comments concerning Dr. Bushey in the comments section below.

Two forms of Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy of the Saved Exposed
Was shocked and too bewildered 

As I entered Heaven's door,

Not by the beauty of all,

Nor the lights or its decor.

But twas the folks in Heaven

Who made me shutter and gasp--

The thieves, the cheats, the sinners,

The liars - all the rift raft.

There’s the kid from seventh grade

My lunch money, he stole twice.

My old neighbor next to him

Who ne’er said anything nice.

Herbert, who I always thought

The truth he could never tell,

Was sitting up on cloud nine,

Looking incredibly well.

I nudged St. Peter and asked

I would love to hear your take;

How'd all these sinners get here?

It must've been a mistake.

And why are all so quiet,

So somber? Give me a clue.

Hush, my child, they're all in shock.

No one thought they'd be seeing you.

                                   Author Unknown

But be ye doers of the Word 

and not hearers only, 

deceiving your own selves. 

James 1:22

Hypocrisy of the Lost Exposed

Maybe you're a drunkard, an adulterer, a prostitute, a liar; won't admit you are lost; are proud. Maybe you're even proud you're not proud, and Jesus has a time of it.

Jesus said: "Come to me," not to the Church; to me, not to a creed; to me, not to a preacher; to me, not to an evangelist; to me, not to a priest; to me, not to a pope; "Come to me and I will give you rest." Faith in Jesus Christ saves you, not faith in the Church.

You can join church, pay your share of the preacher's salary, attend the services, teach Sunday school, return thanks and do everything that would apparently stamp you as a Christian - even pray - but you won't ever be a Christian - until you do what God tells you to do.   Billy Sunday  (1862-1935)

For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believeth in him 

should not perish, 

but have everlasting life. 

John 3:16