Author: preacherpollard

Neal Pollard

David Shane Gosik.  The name seems innocuous enough, but he was the cause of much local consternation at Bear Valley last evening.  As I was preaching, I looked out at our “full house” to see anywhere from six to twelve men in the foyer rushing back and forth with looks of great concern on their faces.  Only when Dave Chamberlin made an announcement following the invitation song were most of us alerted to the problem.  There was a man, armed and dangerous, on the loose in the area of Hampden and Harlan.  As a crow flies, that is less than a mile from the building.  Police helicopters hovered over the building.  SWAT teams from two counties were looking for the felon.  Shortly after we were dismissed from services, word reached us that Gosik was found in a crawl space outside the Pebble Creek Apartment complex (news via 9news.com).

We live in interesting times.  We are more easily on edge at the thought of armed intruders with potentially evil intent.  We have had Columbine and Aurora to heighten that feeling of vulnerability.  While we are relieved that so many stood ready to protect us from potential harm, we hate to think that there are hardened criminals out there with such little disregard for others’ state of mind or safety.

It is harder for any of us to envision that every time we assemble as God’s people, there is a depraved and most hardened individual who is after each one of us.  Can you imagine if Gosik was trying to break down our doors looking for a specific person last night?  But the Bible speaks of the devil in those exact terms.  He seeks to devour us like a lion seeks his prey (1 Pet. 5:8). He seeks to take advantage of us (2 Cor. 2:11). He seeks to blind the mind (2 Cor. 4:4). He seeks to sway us (1 Jn. 5:19).  It has been said that he attends every worship service, but he certain is a powerful opponent out to get us.  Thankfully, our protection against him is foolproof if utilized (Js. 4:7; Eph. 4:27; Eph. 6:11ff; 1 Pet. 5:9).  But, the first line of defense is to be aware of the danger!  The comfort is that Jesus has already defeated him (Heb. 2:14).

Neal Pollard

A few years ago in Roanoke, Virginia, I heard a local news report about the struggles of a local eating establishment.  Apparently, some patrons saw mice scurrying around the restaurant in Ratatouille fashion.  Health inspectors condemned the eatery, but soon cleared it to reopen.  Strangely, the patrons were not flocking back to dine there.  Go figure.  The owner was interviewed, reassuring the TV audience that it was as safe and clean a place as could be in which to eat.  He likened it to what happens in the wake of an airplane crash.  People stop flying that carrier, though inspections and safety procedures done internally after the crash actually increases safety.  That could be, I guess.  But, I didn’t blame Mr. and Mrs. Consumer.  Rats on the floor and downed airliners get your attention.  You tend to remember the details.

Consider a few names:  Woody Hayes, Gary Hart, John Rocker, Steve Bartman. Milli Vanilli, Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder, George Custer, Mark Sanford, and Dan Quayle (and his “potatoe” spelling feat).  All of these folks except Custer lived beyond their infamous moments, but they are best known for their moment of notoriety.  They may have tried to “exterminate the rats” and “inspect the fleet,” but it did not matter.  They neutralized their influence and in some cases polarized themselves through their comments or actions.  In most cases, these individuals are associated with some gaffe, misbehavior, or foolish choice.

We may not be able to foresee the consequences of our actions when we do them, nor can we choose what the consequences will be.  In dimmer spotlights, average people have harmed their influence for Christ through a few moments of intemperance, dishonesty, rashness, volatility, immorality, or thoughtlessness.  A careless word may permanently alienate us from another.  A moment of indiscretion can cling to us throughout the rest of our lives.  An expression of outrage toward a clerk, store employee, or like professional may keep a soul from Calvary.  May we never lose sight of the power of our influence.  It is powerful, but fragile.  It is eternal, but that can be good or bad depending on how we use it.  If we lose our handle on it, it will drop and shatter.  We can try to clean up, but the stains and remnants may still be visible.  Let us cherish a good name and maintain proper influence.  Without them, we make our job as Christians very difficult.

Neal Pollard

In the book of poems, “Pack Up Your Troubles,” is the following poem, entitled “Cares” and written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning:

The little cares that fretted me, I lost them yesterday
Among the fields above the sea, among the winds at play;
Among the lowing of the herds, the rustling of the trees,
Among the singing of the birds, the humming of the bees.
The foolish fears of what may happen, I cast them all away
Among the clover-scented grass, among the new-mown hay;
Among the husking of the corn where drowsy poppies nod,
Where ill thoughts die and good are born, out in the fields with God (Malone, 215-6)

This Victorian-era, English poet echoes the teaching of Christ in Matthew six.  In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord addresses one of mankind’s most common tendencies.  Worry, whatever we call it–“anxiousness,” “concern,” or “fretting”–is depicted by Jesus as short-sighted (25), senseless (26-30), faithless (30), forbidden (31), pagan (32), improper prioritizing (33), and unproductive (34).

In the midst of His admonition, Jesus points to the birds, lilies, and grass.  Long before Browning’s beautiful poem, Jesus had driven home this idea.  Watch the creation of God.  How carefree they tend to their business, not assured of another moment or another meal.  How provided for they are, even though they are so often helpless and powerless.

But we are made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27).  Jesus died for us all (2 Cor. 5:15).  He not only provides for us now, but He is preparing an eternal house for those of us who prepare to inhabit it (Jn. 14:1-4; Ps. 23:6).  Are you wrestling with worry?  Jesus knew you would.  All He says is that it is unnecessary since God knows you have needs, it is untrusting since it shows a lack of confidence in God’s power, and unfruitful since it concerns a tomorrow that is beyond our reach.  Certainly we have cares.  But, as Peter says, cast all of them on the caring Christ (1 Pet. 5:7).

Neal Pollard

I was actually watching when Juan Nicasio, Colorado Rockies’ pitcher, was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of the Washington Nationals’ Ian Desmond. The impact and fall broke Nicasio’s neck.  In the last few seasons, there have been several similar incidents with equally frightening consequences. Brandon McCarthy, Doug Fister, Hiroki Kuroda, Chris Young, and now J.A. Happ are other pitchers to have been hit in the head by a batted ball from 60 feet, 6 inches away.  It is remarkable that none of them died.  For men who throw the baseball as fast as 100 miles per hour and men with the hand-eye coordination to serve it back with the added momentum of the swing of the bat, the effect is like a launched missile.  Major League pitchers only have a baseball cap, and figuring out how to improve the protection is difficult.  A full-fledged helmet is too unwieldy and likely would add to pitchers’ danger.  Others have suggested Kevlar lining inside the cap.  The debate will likely rage on, and pitchers will remain exposed to this vulnerability.

Spiritually, you and I are also in a vulnerable position.  Our heads are exposed to various dangers on a daily basis!  Whether it be “philosophy and empty deception” (Col. 2:8), destructive distortions (2 Pet. 3:16; Gal. 1:7), “worldly and empty chatter” and false knowledge (1 Tim. 6:20), “empty words” (Eph. 5:6), the basic principles of the world (Gal. 4:3), and other, similar and dangerous ideas, we must protect our heads!  Thankfully, God has given us protection.  Ephesians 6:17 speaks of the helmet of salvation that will help protect us against dark powers and evil spiritual forces.  Paul calls the hope of salvation a helmet in 1 Thessalonians 5:8.  Isn’t it interesting that our salvation is meant to protect our heads from the forces of evil?  Do we maintain strong faith in the sacrifice of Christ? Does it motivate us to resist the world’s deadly enticements? Lose that hope and you could not be in a more vulnerable position!  Hold onto that hope and you are impervious to Satan’s fiery darts!  But, no one will make us wear this helmet!  That’s our own job as individuals.  Yet, let us constantly remind ourselves of what is at stake.  Protect your head!

Neal Pollard

I have fond memories of many preachers, living and dead, but elders have been some of my best friends.  On Friday, I received word that one of the first two elders to shepherd me as a full-time preacher died of a sudden heart attack on Friday, April 26.  He was 91.

Perhaps I have never met a more diverse and interesting man in my life.  He knew John Wayne and was friends with Alvin York.  He did archaeological work, and some of his finds are housed at the University of Tennessee.  He was Tennessee’s middleweight boxing champion in his youth.  He ate lunch with J. Edgar Hoover and assisted him on numerous classified projects.  He was extremely well-read and as good a historian as any I have met.  He was manager of government communications in Washington, D.C., a post that helped him to meet and work with eight presidents (Kennedy-Bush I). He was a veteran of World War II and Korea, serving in both the U.S. and Australian armies in WWII and as a marine in Korea.  He fought in the Pacific theatre and spent time as a prisoner of war. In his career at AT&T, he helped to avert at least one serious international crisis with the Soviet Union.  He authored a book on the history of AT&T.  Truly, this just scratches the surface of his achievements in the world.

But, I did not get to see him in these venues.  He regaled me with story after story the first five years I worked as the preacher for the Cold Harbor Road church of Christ in Virginia, about some of these incidents, but I knew him as my elder, a man for whom and with whom I worked in Christ’s vineyard.  His influence in the community led him to study with a man from whose conversion literally dozens more have come.  I sat in with him on other successful Bible studies.  He had a rare ability to plainly tell Bible truth to people in a way that convicted and persuaded, rather than angered, them.  He knew the flock.  He gently corrected those members in error and led them back home.  He led the congregation to lovingly, consistently practice church discipline.  He counseled with Christians and non-Christians.  He and Ann were as benevolent and giving as any couple I have known–who knows how many people they helped.  They were neither afraid of nor strangers to hard work, from work days to cleaning the baptistry monthly to helping the elderly and the sick.  If he ever missed a major surgery of a member, I cannot recall it.  He had boundless energy which he apparently used non-stop to the very end.  He established congregations in Australia and Virginia, and he was a major force behind the early growth of the Cold Harbor congregation. He served as an elder in at least two congregations.

Russell Young was a Renaissance Man in the noblest sense of the word.  He symbolized what made his the “greatest generation.”  But, he challenges us with his example.  If a country boy from the Sequatchie Valley of Tennessee could achieve so much in a long, full life, what about you and me?  The church can have great and numerous leaders to guide it to great heights, if there is a will within the men among us.  For now, those of us who knew Russell will long for the endless day of reunion with him in heaven!  Praise God for “mighty men” like Russell Young!

Neal Pollard

When Epaphras reported to Paul about the church at Colosse, he must have told him not only of their loving nature but also about a strange, new teaching bothering them.  It claimed to be a philosophy (2:8), had elements that sounded like Judaism (2:11,14,16-17), insisted that certain mystical powers were to be worshipped rather than Christ (2:15,18-19), taught the body is evil and must be abused (2:20-23), but claimed to be Christians (2:3-10). How do you respond to such a complex, multifaceted teaching?

The Holy Spirit though Paul exalts the supremacy of Christ. He taught Jesus as the absolute supreme and sufficient One throughout the epistle (read through and see how many proofs of this you can find in these four short chapters—I found 13 in just the first two chapters).  But I want you to notice seven great works of Christ, found in Colossians one, which point to His matchlessness.

• REVELATION (9). As opposed to the false knowledge of the ones condemned by Paul in this epistle, Paul points them to “the knowledge of His will” (9) for “understanding” (9) and “increasing in the knowledge of God” (10). Such allows us to walk right and bear fruit. The written revelation strengthens us with His might. He did that work through the Spirit (Jn. 14:26; 16:13).
• SALVATION (14). Paul tells us we have redemption and forgiveness in Him! He did that work at Calvary.
• CREATION (16). There was no creative act without Him.  “All things” were created by Him.  That’s exhaustive in nature.
• INCARNATION (19). Though coming in the flesh was not necessarily an act performed by Christ, He did the work of being a human flawlessly.  No one else ever did. In Colossians 2:9, Paul completes the thought implied here, that the fullness of God dwelt in Jesus “bodily.”  It also connects the statement in verse 19 to the thought in the next several verses. This work was completed at Calvary (cf. Jn. 19:30).
• RECONCILIATION (20-22). His death at Calvary, called redemption and forgiveness earlier, also involved bringing mankind back to God. Sin separated us. When we favorably respond to His offer, Jesus brings peace and makes us presentable (22).
• EXPECTATION (27).  What was long a mystery is now known: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” His successful atonement gives us hope in the most hopeless circumstances.
• FORTIFICATION (29). God left us a work to do, nothing more important than the evangelization of the world (cf. 23,28). Jesus strengthens us for that task, causing us to have supreme confidence (cf. Ph. 4:13).

Nobody can compare to Jesus. Not the mystery cults. Not materialism. Not world religions. Not atheism. Jesus is supreme because His work is sublime! May this help us never surrender!

Let Us Praise.

Neal Pollard

Prayer is an area in which all of us can grow.  How beautiful it is to be led in prayer by a godly man who seems obviously seasoned in the practice of prayer!  If we are discerning, we can see some marks of a mature, developed prayer life.  While there are many characteristics of such, one has to be the practice of praising God in prayer.

David was a man who modeled effusive praise in his prayers to God.  The Psalms teach us praise through David’s writings, and at least 25 of the 150 have been catalogued as psalms of praise (or one out of every six)!  Take just one of these, Psalm 40, and notice how David lavishes praise on God as he prays to Him.  The maturity of his prayer here is in stark contrast to some prayers, noted for the abundance of the requests and petitions while notably omitting praise to God.

In Psalm 40, David praises God for deliverance (1-2), bringing joy (3), and His works (5). Though the middle of the Psalm is a petition for help, David cannot help but return to the theme of praise before he concludes his prayer.  I love the ending.  He says, “Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, ‘The Lord be magnified!’ But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God” (16-17).

May I encourage us, beginning with our personal prayer lives, to give forethought and be intentional in this regard.  Find ways and reasons to praise, exalt, and magnify God. Think of His nature, His power, His love, His concern, His majesty, and His holiness.  Tell Him how great He is!  See yourself in stark contrast to His perfection and sovereignty.  What will flow from that will not be a desire to be helped, but a gratitude that will show up in your prayers.  You will feel the need and desire to thank Him specifically and at length for all He has done, is doing, and will do.

Let us be powerful people of prayer!  Let us praise!

“I’ve Got Something More Important To Do”.

Neal Pollard

In John 4:7, the Bible says that a woman of Samaria came to draw water.  She met Jesus at the well and He taught her in such an incredible way that John 4:28 says, “The woman then left her waterpot” in her excitement to tell her neighbors about Jesus. In John 4:8, Jesus sent His disciples into the city to buy food. When they return with it in John 4:31 and urge Him to eat, Jesus seems to have lost interest in physical food in favor of another kind of food, His father’s will and work (John 4:34).  In both cases, the physical interest was eclipsed by the spiritual need.

How unlike the woman and Jesus we can be sometimes!  A workday, service project, gospel meeting, fellowship activity, or involvement meeting is announced, but we rarely if ever participate.  Instead, we have prioritized earthly things over these.  We let our children miss church services for their sports, homework, job, or other activities, choosing or allowing them to choose the earthly over the spiritual.  Do we ever abandon Jesus for the water pot, the food, or some 21st-Century equivalent?

I am convicted that I have often chosen the earthly over the spiritual when I worry about this world and its distractions, when I neglect prayer and Bible study, when money and material things become too important to me, and when I am not actively seeking ways to serve Christ or save souls.  An occasional shortcoming that does not characterize me is one thing, but I do not want to become like those bread-chasers in John 6.  I do not want to resort to Christ when all else is falling apart in my life.  I want to make Him the priority of my life, letting Him fix what is broken in me and use me as a tool in His hand.  I want to see Christ’s will as most important and say instinctively, “I’ve got something more important to do than ‘work for the food that perishes'” (John 6:27). What about you?

Neal Pollard

I have been regularly flying for nearly twenty years, but last Saturday I did something I had never done. I greatly regretted it.  As Kathy and I approached Pena Boulevard for her to drop me off, it dawned on me that I left my entire wallet at the house.  It is 45 minutes from our house to the airport and my flight was leaving in less than 90 minutes! I had no idea what happens when you attempt to fly without a government, photo identification (or even prescription meds), but now I do!  I got the “special treatment.”  After checking my bags, I went to security and told them I had no identification. A TSA officer was specially assigned to me.  We sat at a table and he called an important, government phone number.  They proceeded to do a background check on me, complete with a mini game of 20 questions to prove I was who I claimed to be.  After clearing that hurdle, I got to go the front of the line and undergo “extra screening.”  While it was not as bad as you might imagine or have bad dreams about, it was quite “personal.”  My laptop bag, with its 47 pockets, was thoroughly searched and swabbed. Ultimately, with these “backup measures” executed, I was allowed to go to my flight which I barely made.

While there’s an obvious travel moral to this story, I could not help but think that some people consider the matter of eternity in the same way.  They do not obey the gospel plan of salvation or they live an unfaithful Christian life.  They know they should not, but they believe that God will ultimately save them anyway.  They may only get in by the “skin of their nose,” but somehow, some way, God will have a backup plan for the disobedient.  Friends, such thinking is fatally flawed.

Paul says, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Th. 1:7-9). This sobering passage reveals no alternative to the one (Jn. 14:6), narrow (Mt. 7:13-14) way.  The Bible records no alternative to that way.  We must make sure we depart this life with the “proper credentials”–the blood of Christ covering our sins!  Do not leave earth without that!

P.S.–Overnight express just delivered my license for my return flight! Thank you, Kathy!

The White (And Black) Tupelo Tree.

Neal Pollard

The white tupelo tree grows in abundance only in the wetlands of the Florida panhandle and south Georgia (“tupelo” is a Creek Indian word meaning “swamp”). But, in the hands of the right beekeeper, those trees wed with honey bees to make some of the finest honey in the world.  It is “prized for its mild floral flavor, high fructose content and light amber color” (Stuart Englert, American Profile, April 7-13, 2013, p. 14ff). Bees are drawn to these trees that bloom in April and May.  Famed “tupelo honey” comes from the white tupelo tree.

But do you know about the black tupelo tree? Floridatupelohoney.com gives it almost footnote level notice on their website.  They say, “Black Tupelo, Nyssa Biflora, blooms in advance of white tupelo and is used to build up bee colony strength and stores. Black tupelo produces a less desirable honey which will granulate and is typically sold as bakery-grade honey.”

Now, honestly, if you are a honey lover, which would you prefer?  A honey compared by some to “fine wine” that will not granulate or a bakery grade, less desirable honey?  It seems clear-cut.

But, do not miss the fact that without the black tupelo tree, there is no premium honey from the white tupelo.  The black tupelo is vital to the survival of the bee colony which eventually yields the more delicious kind.  Black tupelo bloom first and fortify the bees for the task of gleaning nectar from the white tupelo and generating that expensive, prized honey.

Consider a very specific analogy from this example out of nature.  In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul makes the point that God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired” (18). He says “weaker members” are necessary (22) and those deemed less honorable and less presentable are still given special treatment (23).  Each part is dependent upon the other.  No member can say, “I don’t need you.”

Some members are more visible, more audible, and seemingly more honored.  Yet, they are not one whit above those members less so. In fact, no one in the body can survive without the rest of the body.  God made it that way. Nothing worthwhile can be accomplished without the beautiful cooperation stemming from everyone’s contribution. The world cannot benefit from the salvation of Christ without all of us doing our part.  The church cannot thrive without each of us producing according to our abilities. God cannot be honored without every foot, hand, eye, and ear playing his or her part.  May we never forget that!

Why Are Your Co-Workers Unhappy?.

Neal Pollard

Have you noticed that your co-workers are unhappy?  Maybe there is the guy (or gal) whose lips are loose and who lets you and everyone else know why.  Yet, statistics indicate that a great many workers are unhappy, staying in their current position only because of economic uncertainty and high unemployment rates.

Matthew Wong of Inc.com reports that site’s findings about the source of dissatisfaction.  It is not their co-workers, boss, or amount of vacation time.  It is, in order, “on-the-job stress,” “health benefits,” and “salary.”  The study goes on to say men most want more money and a promotion, while women want reduced and flexible hours. Gen X-ers want a higher job title, but millennials ask for more training.  Asked about what perks they want in addition to basic benefits, they said, “free beverages,” “a tablet or smartphone for personal use,” and “free massages.”  Author and Harvard professor, Teresa Amabile, says, however, that one thing matters to many people more than either benefits and perks, and that is “real job satisfaction” (via infographic on ragan.com).

There is quite a bit to mull over in that release.  Instead of bemoaning the obvious spoiled attitude, materialism, and greed reflected in these answers, consider what at least one expert (and many others besides her) believe make us happier.  That is job satisfaction.

That is more than being thankful for employment.  It means doing something you feel like is making a viable contribution, that is as fulfilling as it is enjoyable. All of us want to feel like we have made a difference in the world during our time in it.

But, whether you are a street sweeper or CEO, a sacker of groceries or supervisor, you can find profound purpose in your “real” profession.  The King James Version refers to the Christian life as a “profession” four times (1 Tim. 6:12; Heb. 3:1; 4:14; 10:23). In each instance, the word used is some form of the Greek word meaning to “say the same thing as another.” But, as used in each verse, the idea is of recognizing ourselves and showing others than Jesus reigns in our lives.  That is a lifelong process, something we carry with us wherever we go–including our job.  We see our occupation as a means to an end.  Our true profession is Christianity.  The perks, promotions, and profit are yet to be realized, but they will be!  Let us ever be faithful in His employ!

Neal Pollard

I was barely 21 the Sunday night I was asked to preach at the Holt Street congregation in Montgomery, Alabama.  Kathy, whom I had not been dating for very long, went with me to this memorable appointment.  This good church was exemplary for its “vocal encouragement.”  As I preached through one of my early sermonic attempts, the good brothers on the pew were constantly saying “amen” to what I was presenting.  They also filled the air with a steady chorus of “yes,” “that’s right,” and “preach on, brother.”  It was bliss to be spurred on from start to finish!  Driving back to campus, I asked Kathy what she thought of my preaching that evening.  She said, and has said more than once since then, that it was one of my best efforts.  Could the steady encouragement of the brethren have made that much difference?

The draining effect of preachers deciding to leave full-time ministry among the Lord’s church has long since become anecdotally acknowledged throughout our great brotherhood.  There are various reasons why men are leaving.  Some are forced to do so because of personal messes they or their spouse make.  Others have had to make this choice for financial reasons.  There comes a time when it seems that a man’s age limits or nearly eliminates his opportunities to put his accumulated wisdom to work in the local setting.  However, the plague of discouragement may claim more preachers than any other cause.

Not all discouragement comes from external sources.  Preachers are people, too.  They are not immune from allowing the problems, pressures, and perplexities of life to get the better of them.  Like anyone else, the preacher can bring discouragement on himself through his habits, shortcomings, or faulty perceptions.  Certainly, every preacher can tell stories of how they have been discouraged by the unfair actions of others.  Furthermore, the same problems that confront others at various stages of life face the preacher from the time he is single through his golden years.  Marital and family struggles are matters with which he must cope as much as any other.

Yet, hopefully, the preacher comes to appreciate that his work can be more rewarding and joyful than any other earthly path could be.  He gets to work with the best people on earth, serving the greatest Employer an earthly worker could have, getting to do the greatest work on earth, and being involved in the most important business of all time and eternity.  If you are a preacher, you have a special place in the heart of God.  Someone thrillingly put it, “God had one Son, and He was a preacher!”

If you attend a congregation that has a preacher, you probably know that his is a world that in many ways is different from the world in which most others live.  Yet, hopefully, he loves what he does and he loves the church.  There will be those who do not fit into this general pattern, including the lazy, the cantankerous, the perpetual victim, and the proud.  However, such are the exceptions rather than the rule. In a day when Satan and his willing servants are growing bolder and stronger, we need to encourage more great men and say to them in every way that we can, “Preach on, brother!”

A Great Lesson From Little Jack Hoffman.