Zoo Work

One of my lifetime dreams was fulfilled when I began working at the Little Rock Zoo, but there were some surprises. First, I found it to be much harder work than I expected. It was very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter, and it was dirty and smelly all the time. I discovered that zoo animals do not recognize holidays or days off. They insist on being fed, watered and cared for everyday of the week, and unlike my dog, they do not care a lot for petting and affection. In other words, there was very little petting of the warm, fuzzy animals. On top of all of this, it just did not pay very well.
During my years there, I observed a number of people who were as surprised at some of these things as I was, and many did not make it. Most would make it through the first day and some even a week, but one individual who was sent out by City Hall about 10:00 one morning, left for lunch and never came back. The ones who lasted more than a few months were always the ones who had a genuine concern for the animals and were willing to sacrifice personal comfort, time and pay for them.
Have we not seen many people come into the church, profess Christ, attend services a few times, then drop out. Some may have lasted several months, but eventually just fade away. One cannot help but wonder about their salvation. Consider the following: They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us (1 John 2:19)
Then there are a few whose heart is full of love and concern for others, and like Paul, are willing to continue … in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake … (2 Cor. 12:10) These are the ones to whom Christ was referring when He said, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).
Maybe the thing that surprises so many is that they are expected to care more for others’ welfare than their own.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others (Philippians 2:3-4).
After all, we are not better than our Master, and He came to serve not be served. (Matthew 20:28)
 

TinaToo

This is a story of TinaToo. She is a puppy my children got me for Father’s Day. The name is another story, so never mind that. I want to tell you about her.
Her nose is white with the white extending up the center of her forehead. Black covers her cheeks, eyes and ears. She also has a black back extending down her sides and most of one back leg. Her shoulders, neck, chest and front legs are white with black freckles. There is a slight crook to her tail that may be from an injury. She weighs 20 pounds, and she has a bright intelligent look. At just a little over 3 months old and only one week of training, she has learned to sit and lay down. There has been one night-time incident on the puppy pad. In addition, she only sits and lays down with the expectation of food. When called, she only responds when she thinks she is going to receive something to eat.
In other words, she is rebellious and hardheaded. She only does what I want her to when it is of benefit to her.
Reminds me of a lot of people I know. God calls and calls—provides every opportunity, but they fail to respond. There is a church on almost every corner. They are mostly empty at almost every meeting. The church only meets four or five hours a week spread out over a couple of days, yet there are those who say they do not have time. Besides His church, God has provided His written word which is mostly ignored. It is bewildering that the Bible continues, year after year, to be the number one best seller, yet so few know anything about it.
Why did Jesus come to earth? Why did He have to die? So many are unable to answer these questions, even though the answers are in His word, and it is explained every Sunday in myriads of churches across the United States. But we won’t listen, we won’t respond.
One day I will have Tina trained. She will come the first time I call. She will sit, lie down and retrieve at my command. All of this will come with training, practice and persistence. I will not stop until she has achieved what I want her to achieve. I will force her to do my will.
God will not force you to do His will. He will call. He will train. He will persevere, but will you learn? Will you respond?
If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him (John 14:23).
 

Things Are Not Always What They Seem

There is an insect that looks like a stick, a fish that looks like a rock, a butterfly that looks like a leaf, etc., etc. I read where last month St. Louis Cardinal pitcher, Darryl Kile, died in his hotel room. Despite being a picture of health and having passed a recent physical exam with flying colors, Kile had a very diseased heart. Things are just not always what they seem to be.
This morning, as I was surfing the net, I found a webpage, www.thechangers.org. This site bills itself as the official site of The Changers, the home of “Conversations with God for Teens” by Neale Donald Walsch. Research revealed that “Conversations with God for Teens” is a book published by Scholastics, Inc. and marketed primarily to school kids. Does not the title sound spiritual, “Conversations with God for Teens”? The website also sounds good and wholesome.
The site starts off with, “You can create positive and healthy changes in your life and in the lives of everybody around you – simply follow these three steps: Have fun * Spread Joy * Share love.”
Nothing wrong with any of this. It goes on to say, “The Changers is a chance for you to make a statement about who you are. Here, you can connect with other visionaries with spiritual awareness to create positive change in yourself, your friends, your family, your community and the world.”
All of this sounds great, but remember, I told you this site was to promote the book, “Conversations with God for Teens,” and that things are not always as they seem. Keep in mind, also, that this book is marketed by a respected academic publishing company, and that kids are their primary audience.
Well, what does the book say? Listen!
One teenager asks, “Some of the kids are cheating in class, and on tests. They want me to join them. But I know that cheating is wrong . . .” The reply: God says “There is no such thing as right and wrong, as we discussed earlier. There is only what works and what does not work, given what you are trying to do.” Another teen asks, “How can we change our schools?” The answer, “God suggests abolishing tests, and scores, and marks, and measures, letting the joy in each child be the measure . . .”
A 16-year-old from Miami asks, “Why am I a lesbian?” “Conversation with God for Teens” answered, “Go now, out into the world, and celebrate who you are.”
Things are just not always what they seem.
There are professing Christians who are always criticizing the church, and they always seem to have a hard time getting along with other Christians. The Bible says, Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; (Romans 12:10).
Things are just not always what they seem to be.

 

The Capybara

Capybaras are South American animals commonly billed as the world’s largest rat, and they are indeed the world’s largest rodent weighing in at about 100 pounds.
When I first started at the Little Rock Zoo, there was a capybara housed in the middle of the lion house near the jaguar display. This was the first time I had seen such an animal, and I felt the need to learn more about it. My research revealed that they love water, will hardly breed on dry land, and have trouble with other natural functions out of water. In addition, I learned that jaguars were their number one natural enemy.
Here was this poor animal in a 6-foot square wire cage with its only source of water being a small 4 X 10 inch concrete dish, and it was only a few feet away from the jaguars, its number one natural enemy. I felt it must be miserable.
Immediately, I started a verbal barrage toward its keepers and the zoo director to move it to a more appropriate display. The older keepers told me to leave it alone. The zoo foreman told me to leave it alone. The zoo director told me to leave it alone, but I persisted. Made a pest out of myself is what I did.
The director finally threw up his hands and told me to do what ever I wanted and I began work on a grand display. It had a large pond deep enough for the capy to submerge itself, and there was a lot of green plants.
Moving day came and the capybara was place in the den in back of the enclosure. I went around front to observe the grand entry. A friend raised the den door, and the capy moved cautiously out onto the display. The animal froze, took one look at the wide open spaces, spun around in place and at high speed ran the length of the display, off the end into the 6-foot deep moat. This moat was designed to keep the animal in. It was dry and solid concrete. The Capybara landed on its muzzle and knocked several teeth out. Its mouth became infected, it never ate or drank again, and in a very short time the poor animal died.
What happened? Why did the animal react this way? It had been moved from small, cramped, inappropriate quarters to a freer, more natural environment, but there was one thing lacking, which at the time, I did not understand. However natural it may have been, the new enclosure lacked the security of the familiar.
Growth in a church brings in new members. There is change and the loss of the familiar. When this happens many members will desert, and others will fight the changes. In both cases the unfamiliar frightens them. Lets not be Capybaras. Let’s remember that Jesus left us to evangelize the world, and He warned us that it would not be easy.
. . . if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you . . . (John 15:20.) and . . . ye shall be witnesses unto me . . . unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8.)
 

THE BIRD FEEDER

We once lived in a house that had a large bird feeder in the back yard. It would hold about a four-quart bowl full of bird seed, and it had to be refilled at least every other day. The birds loved it. One morning I looked out the kitchen window and there were a number of small birds on or in the feeder and 20 (I counted them) mourning doves on the ground around it. I have seen the feeder so full and the ground around it with so many birds that I wondered if there were any more birds anyplace else in town. They were all pushing and shoving trying to get at the seed.
There was so much activity and excitement around this feeder that it attracted attention from other sources. Our cat would sit in the window with ears up, eyes alert and tail twitching. Occasionally it would jump up as if it was going to go through the window. Even our little eight-pound poodle would get excited. When we would let her out she would tear around the house and scatter the birds, but just for a short time. Nothing deterred them for long. Even with the dog chasing them and all the squabbling, pushing and shoving they would always return.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people saw this kind of activity and excitement in our churches? Even more, wouldn’t it be wonderful if people were as excited about the Word of God as these birds were over that seed? And what if nothing could discourage or run them off?
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. (Psalm 119:162 )
. . . I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. (Psalm 122:1)
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)



 

SPEAKING OF DEVOTIONS

            Psalms is a collection of hymns, poems and prayers and they make an excellent choice for our private devotions.  Many of the Psalms have inspired songs that we sing today, and these songs can be used as devotions.  Look through the church hymnal and see what I mean.

      Look at Psalm 105, O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.  Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.  Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. . .

      The Psalmist obviously is thinking about the Lord, and the more he thinks the more excited he becomes, and the more excited he becomes the more he wants to tell everybody.  Read the whole Psalm.  It will bless your heart, and maybe, get you all excited.

      I wonder if this was the Psalm that inspired the following:

                                    Get all excited, go tell everybody

                                    That Jesus Christ is King.

                                    . . .

                                    Jesus Christ is still the King of Kings.

      In our Baptist Hymnal, 1956 edition, is a copy of one of my favorite hymns that is taken from one of my favorite scriptures, Isaiah 1:18.  It excites me to know that my sins are not going to be held against me.  The 103^rd Psalm, verse 10 assures us that,

            He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

      Now isn’t that exciting?  Does it not make you want to go and tell everybody? 

                        One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,

                        One day the skies with His glories will shine;

                        Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;

                        Glorious Saviour, this Jesus is mine.

Intolerant, Bigoted?

On January 23, 1996 Pastor Joe Wright lead the Kansas State Legislature in prayer, and you would have though he tried to assassinate the President...  You have probably read this before, but I feel it bears reading again.  The Legislature’s reaction well illustrates the state of our country and the need for sincere, fervent prayer. I believe Paul Harvey first made it public, but I obtained this copy from the Thomas Road Baptist Church web site, www.trbc.org.  Following is the actual prayer.

"Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance.

We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that’s exactly what we have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.

We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism.
We have worshipped other gods and called it multi-culturalism.
We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it a choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
We have abused power and called it political savvy.
We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the airwaves with profanity and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state. Grant them Your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your
will... Amen”

The reaction—three legislators walked out, Rep. Delbert Gross called it gross, divisive, sanctimonious, overbearing; David Hailey called it “blasphemous, ignorant.” Many others echoed these sentiments. 

Even today there is an entire web site devoted to branding the prayer intolerant and Pastor Wright as a bigot (www.home.att.net/~slatta/prayer.htm). 

However, I believe Paul Harvey told “the rest of the story” when he said that Pastor Wright, “told God on them.”  Amen?

Amen!!!

I AM DISTURBED

(This was first written five years ago for the bulletin of a church where I was then pastor. I’m still disturbed. I have edited and added some new material to this writing.)

During the Clinton Presidential campaign, there was some considerable question as to his morals and integrity, such that I felt I could not give him my vote. However, a committed Christian and close friend informed me that, in spite of this, he would have to vote for him because he believed Clinton was the only one who could do anything for the economy. Later, in 1999 a Gallup poll showed President Clinton as the most admired man in America. He was ahead of the Pope and Billy Graham. Now, just recently, Arkansas overwhelmingy approved Bingo for charitable organizations and video gaming in Hot Springs.

These last two measures could not have happened unless many born-again Christians voted for them, and for this I am disturbed. This apparently means that the morality of our laws and public officials are not worthy of consideration as long as we achieve the desired end result.

            I wonder how many parents today would agree with Tony Campolo’s parents? In a speech to Wake Forest University, Campolo pointed out that Japanese parents wanted their children to be successful. American parents wanted their children to be happy, but his parents wanted him to be good.

            We are told in the scriptures of this downward spiral into sin.

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (2 Thes. 2:3)

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Matthew 24:12)

Guaranteed Love, Joy, Peace …

      While trying to “get organized” and file away some of the hundreds of papers and clippings lying around my office, I ran across the following from the October 12, 1991 issue of the Arkansas Gazette:

“A.B. Cash, a disabled Vietnam veteran, says his Burkesville, Ky. church, the Living Word Assembly of God, has given him little to be cheerful about, so he’s suing to get back the $600 in offerings he tossed in the collection plate over the past two years, saying ‘It’s not about money. It’s about snobbery, lies and broken promises.’”

            Obviously, the church did not give this man what he felt he deserved. The incident would be funny if it did not hit so close to home. Many church members believe, as this man did, that the church is here to serve them. They believe that a loving God should supply what ever it takes to make them “happy, wealthy and wise.” After all, is this not what they hear over and over on the television, this “name and claim it” gospel?  This is a twisted gospel that barely touches the truth, yet it is believed and followed by millions. It, of course, finally leads to disappointment, to a feeling that one has been lied to and taken advantage of.

            The true gospel says:

. . . that in me ye might have peace. In the World ye shall have tribulation . . . (John 16:33).

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Galatians 5:14).

If, as the scriptures plainly state, we are no better than our Master (Matthew 10:24), then why would we expect to receive better treatment than He? If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you (John 15:18-19 )

If one wants a guarantee of love, peace and joy, then one must first, be born again (John 3:3), then follow the commandments of Jesus (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3). Finally, if one is born again and loves Jesus they will also love others who love Jesus.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him (1 John 2:3-5)

Falling to Keep From Falling

      Sometimes it is difficult to understand why we cannot do something our way. When working as a zoo keeper, I was once assigned to the bear moats. I did not look forward to this since we had been experiencing a hard freeze which had made it impossible to clean.  There would be three or four day’s accumulation of waste to deal with. I was told, despite the ice, to do the best I could without going into the enclosure. However, it was not freezing that day, and most of the ice on the ground had melted, and I saw no reason to do it their way and not go into the enclosure.

      When I tried to do it my way, I quickly found out why it was not the best way. It appears that the bear moats do not thaw out as quickly as the other animal exhibits. When I set foot on the grannite surface of the enclosure, I spent the next 10 minutes falling, trying to keep from falling. I learned about what, on the highway, they call black ice. You cannot see it until it is too late. Finally, I escaped my predicament without injury, and finished the job the way I was first told to do it.

      The Bible tells us there is only one way to heaven, and that way is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  There are those who would not disagree with this, yet they insist on attempting to do it their way. There are those who claim to accept Jesus, but they reject the church. At least, they refuse to accept the church the way the Bible teaches us to accept it, and the way Jesus would have us to accept it.

      The Bible, in almost every reference concerning the church, is referencing the “local church,” not some mystical, spiritualized, invisible thing, but the local gathering of believers. Strong’s Hebrew/Greek dictionary defines “church” as coming from the Greek word, ekklesia. Ekklesia (church) and is defined as “a popular meeting, an assembly, especially a religious congregation.”  Therefore, a church, by definition, would be a local gathering of Baptized believers. Further, we are told that if we accept Jesus Christ, we will do so publicly, and we will demonstrate our acceptance by following Him in obedience of Baptism.

      How many today are still falling, trying to keep from falling by doing it their way?

      Believe the Word, follow the Word.  Do it His way.  It’s the only way.

      Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together . . . (Hebrews 10:25)

      Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25).

      For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).

Do We Understand?

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: . . .  ²⁸Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? . . . ²⁹Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, . . . ³¹a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. ³²And we are his witnesses . . .(Acts 5:27‑32 KJV).

Did Peter and the Apostles not understand?

On a recent news talk show there were two guests being interviewed. One was to present a conservative Christian view, and the other a liberal, anti-Christian view. Since the Christian guest was representing an organization with which I was not familiar, I was interested in hearing his opinion, but this was not to be. Every time the Christian opened his mouth, the interviewer or the other guest would interrupt. The liberal guest was allowed to talk freely, with the only interruption being that for a station break.

The secular, humanistic, postmodern opinions are always allowed free reign. We are bombarded by such views from the public media to a large number of our governmental figures. If a Christian, in sincere love and concern, attempts to present the gospel, they are vehemently attacked. One will be accused of being judgmental, hypocritical, holier-than-thou, etc. Many Christians allow these attacks to intimidate them, and keep them silent. They don=t want to be accused of trying to Acram their views down others throats.@

We must not be silenced. If one truly loves the Lord, they will also love their fellow man and be concerned about their eternal state. We must remember what God said to Ezekiel, But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand (Ez 33:6).

The message we have is true and it tells of the only way one can escape judgment. And there will be judgment, not on how good we are, but on what we have done with Jesus.

Do we not understand?  If we truly understand we must tell others.

Louis Palau in a Christianity Today article asked, “What part of the Great Commission do you not understand.”

Telling others about Jesus is not self-righteous or arrogant. It only means, as someone once said, “We are just poor hungry beggars telling others where we found bread.”

Coati Mundi (co-ahte mun-de)

      A coati mundi is a small 10-20 pound relative of the raccoon that is found in Mexico and Central and South America. They have a long prehensile (movable) snout which they use to root in the ground for grubs and insects.  They will, however, eat almost anything. They are known to return to a fruit tree daily until it is stripped bare. They are active, curious little creatures and are usually easily tamed. I say, “Usually!”

      The Little Rock Zoo had four such creatures, only one of which could be approached, and this one would only cautiously take food from our hands. The others would run to the farthest reach of the enclosure when a keeper would enter. Then, one day a visitor brought in a young coati that had become too much of a problem for them to keep any longer. It was a very active, friendly youngster.

      We were concerned about introducing it into the enclosure with our other coatis, since an established pack usually will not accept a new addition unless it is born to them. However, we placed this new one in a wire cage inside the larger enclosure to observe their reaction to one another. When it appeared that they would be OK, we turned the young one loose. Contrary to what we expected, it was like a happy reunion.  The older coatis adopted the new one just as if he was a long lost relative. Not only that, but something else happened that surprised all of us.

      When a keeper would enter the enclosure, the youngster would climb up our legs and ride on our shoulders, or if we sat down it would climb into our laps. And wonder of wonders, the coatis we had been trying so long to tame, instantly became just like the little one.  Apparently, when they saw the reaction of the young one, they realized that we were not a threat to them.

      What does all this mean to us?

      People, like the coatis, are quite often, needlessly, afraid of what they do not understand. Most disagreements are from misunderstandings, not intentional insults. Most importantly, the reaction of the adult coati’s behavior after witnessing the young ones’ response to its keepers reminds me of the scripture:            By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35)

      We witness by the love we show, not the disagreements between us. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Eph 4:32)