Category: preparation

Being Prepared

Robert Warren

Let’s travel back in time to 1981, my freshman year in marching band at
Goodpasture Christian School in Nashville, Tennessee. We won the single A state
championship that year. Actually Goodpasture’s band won the state championship
in ’79, ’80, ’81, ’83 and several more consecutive times after I graduated in 1985.
Needless to say we took it very seriously. Friday night football game halftime
performances were seen as practices for band competitions the next day. We
marched during class time during the school period and from 3:15 until around 6:00
after school, except on Wednesdays when we let out a little early to make sure we
could get to church meeting on time.

We also had band inspections before our performances, including football
games, that were very similar to the military in style. We stood at attention while
our section leaders inspected our uniforms, our instruments, and our focus. Our
instruments had to pass the white glove test for cleanliness. We could be given
demerits for failing inspections, which would affect our grades given on report cards.
We were expected to be prepared.

One of the first contests we went to my freshman year was the MTSBOA
invitational. We were not placed in a first, second or third order, but instead we
received scores of our performance. It was a good way to prepare for future
competitions. Of course everyone wanted to be given the highest score possible.

The first part of this contest took place inside at a designated time. It was essentially
an inspection from a judge of the entire band at one time. The upperclassmen had
been preparing us freshman on every aspect of this inspection, as it could affect the
whole band’s overall score if we messed it up. We were not only to stand at attention
and not move, but if a judge stopped directly in front of you, you were to present
your instrument to him in a precise manner. If they asked you any questions you
could only answer them with the serial number found on your instrument you were
supposed to have memorized. They usually only stopped in front of 2, or 3 people
out of the entire band, so we were told to be prepared, but not to worry about it
because they probably won’t stop in front of you. You guessed it, they stopped in
front of me. I’m sure the rest of my line was holding their breath like I was. But I
was ready. I performed the way I had prepared. The band got their high score and I
didn’t mess it up for everybody.

When I took tests in school, if I had studied and prepared myself, I was usually
not nervous. But if I was not prepared, I was a wreck. Even now the more I prepare
before I speak in front of people, or teach a class the less nervous I am. There is a
direct connection with being ready and prepared and an inner peace.
Matthew 25:1-13 is a story Jesus tells about 10 virgins, 5 who are prepared
and 5 who are not. These virgins may have been more like how we would think of
bridesmaids. Weddings were held more towards evening and the lamps were
probably like torches wrapped in oil soaked rags.
Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary describes weddings like this:
the bridegroom was accompanied by his friends, by musicians and
singers and by persons bearing torches. The groom received his bride
from her parents, then he conducted the whole party back to his own
house, or his father’s house with song, music and dancing. On the way
back they were joined by additional friends of the bride and groom. A
feast was served and celebrated with great joy.

The virgins, or bridesmaids were waiting for the bridegroom. Apparently
bridegrooms were often late and their comings were repeatedly announced until they
arrived. It would have not been uncommon to need extra oil. Five were prepared.
Five were not prepared and missed the procession back to the groom’s house along with
the singing and dancing and were shut out of the feast and celebration (Matthew 25:1-13).

We do not know when Jesus is coming to claim His bride. We have to always be
prepared and ready. As the five foolish, or unprepared virgins discovered, you
cannot expect others to be prepared for you. It is an individual decision to be ready.
If you have not put on Christ in baptism, why wait? If you are already a Christian,
but need to make your relationship with God right, don’t wait.

The Heavenly Lifeboat

Art Shannon

In Belfast, Ireland, in the Spring of 1909, approximately 20000 workers began construction on a ship for the White Star Company of which U.S. mogul J.P. Morgan was a major stockholder. This vessel was designed to be bigger and better than anything currently out there on the market. When completed three years later, it would measure an impressive 10 decks high and three football fields long. 

This ship was named the RMS Titanic and was lauded worldwide for its grandeur. Superlatives such as opulent, luxurious, elegant, lavish, grand, and elegant were used to describe it. Ticket prices ranged from $35-$4300. It could accommodate 1500 passengers and 750 crew members. 

On April 10, 1912, it set out on its maiden voyage from England to New York. Within three hours, the bow was submerged and chaos ensued as people were scrambling to get on one of the 16 lifeboats or four collapsible boats. Only one ship, The Carpathia, responded to distress signals in those early morning hours and it picked up as many Titanic passengers as possible. The rough waters and frigid temps made survival difficult.

By daybreak on April 15, 1912, the world was waking up to news of the worst maritime disaster in history. The New York Times headline read: “Saved–866  Probably Drowned–1254.” In the days that followed, final estimates recorded 32% survivors and 68% fatalities. 

I would imagine that 99% of the 2200 souls onboard the Titanic thought they were totally safe before the iceberg pierced the right side of the hull just below the waterline. How many of the 2200 were spiritually prepared for possible death? How many of us are?

If there were to be a newspaper headline following Judgment Day, which column do you want your name? Saved or lost? I think of the Book of Life somewhat as a headline. Revelation 20:12-13 says that those whose name is not written there are cast into a lake of fire. Matthew 7:13-14 tells us about the broad gate that leads to destruction or the narrow gate that leads to life. 

Later, in Matthew 7:21, it tells us that not everyone who thinks they are going to heaven will enter the kingdom, but those who do the will of the Father. Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” We are not promised tomorrow, but we do have the here and now. 

God offers each of us a “lifeboat” like no other with His Holy Word. It is up to us and our free will if we will accept His invitation and desire for us to be part of His heavenly home. The good news is each of us, as long as we have breath, have the ability to “write” our final headline of lost or saved. 2 Peter 1:10 tells us to make our calling and election sure, whether the need is to get into our heavenly lifeboat or adjust our life vest. 

Don’t Give Up!

Sunday’s Column: Learning From Lehman

Kason Eubanks

Austin Hatch’s story has been called miraculous. Some believe he is a walking miracle. He was born into a loving family who loved to spend time together. One day his family was going back home to Fort Wayne, Indiana from their family cabin in Michigan. On the flight back they experienced equipment failure. He lost his mom, his brother, and his sister. The only thing that was left was his father and the game they both love. The game of basketball was there to comfort Austin as they both trash talked each other during the games they played. After his dad got married he decided to take his new wife and Austin for a flight. Due to bad weather they were forced to land early, causing another crash. This time he was the only survivor. He was in a coma for six weeks. When he woke up he had to relearn his life. It was his dream to play for Michigan. Already accepting the scholarship he knew he needed to learn basketball again. He kept going to rehab and finally got in a game at Loyola High School when they got a big lead. They passed him the ball and he shot a three. He did it! He overcame the two worst days of his life.

He cared so much about the game of basketball that he went through all that trouble to go back through all the things he already learned so he could shoot that shot just a couple more times. Just like Austin we all suffer. Going to school or work everyday, it’s hard to keep the world out and remember our task from God.

Revelation 2:10 says, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Even the fear of death should not keep from the task God has given us. We are reminded in 1 Peter 3:14 and 2 Timothy 3:12 that if we suffer for the right that we will be given a greater reward. In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul tells us, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Just like we should. We should not let anyone stop us from keeping our faith no matter what we go through.

Austin Hatch’s story proves that anything can happen at any time. To anyone who is not a Christian or not living as a faithful Christian, what are you waiting for?

Are You “Prepping”?

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

Neal Pollard

Some have called it the “doom boom.” Before Covid, Digital Media Solutions estimated that there were some 3.7 million Americans who classified themselves as “survivalists” (source). From food to water, from clothing to shelter, a growing number of people are stockpiling, hoarding, or whatever term is most relevant to their situation. Actions range from accumulating ammunition, gasoline, and can goods to building high-end luxury apocalypse shelters. Whoever the perceived enemy is, shadow governments, foreign nations, social revolutionaries, or some combination thereof, people want to be ready!  It helps them feel calm even as they have friends, neighbors, and family who seem to be doing nothing to prepare for such increasingly plausible scenarios.

Scripture does talk about the importance of preparation. True, the Bible talks about how the ant “prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest” (Prov. 6:8). But even greater emphasis is put on a different kind of preparation. God directs us in this readiness. 

Are you prepping for every good work (2 Tim. 2:21)? Paul tells us how that’s done in context. We must “avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness” (16). Paul gives as an example of this people who upset the faith of others by saying the resurrection had past. He also says to “flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace” and “a pure heart” (22). Then, “refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels” (23; “split hairs,” 14). An untamed tongue (Js. 3:2ff), unholy craving (1 Cor. 10:6), and undisciplined mind (Prov. 4:23) can really keep us from being prepared to do the good works God designed us to walk in (cf. Eph. 2:10)? The aim, according to Paul, is to be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master” (21). Is what we do each day prepping us for that?

Are you prepping your mind for action (1 Pet. 1:13)? Peter writes this to a people facing persecution and spiritual adversity (6). In the first of a series of imperatives, Peter tells them to “prepare your minds for action” (literally, “gird the loins of your mind”). The word is only found in this verse, but “It is taken from the custom of the eastern nations who, when they had occasion to exert themselves (as in journeying, running, etc.), used to bind up their long–flowing garments by a girdle or belt about their hips” (Zodhiates, The complete word study dictionary, np). So, the idea is cinching up what’s loose. Peter says you prepare your mind for action by keeping sober in spirit. I find it interesting how often sober-mindedness is connected to preparing for the judgment (1 Th. 5:6,8; 2 Tim. 4:5; 1 Pet. 4:7; 5:8). Even in this passage, Peter follows this command up with the command, “fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” There’s the action now of living the faithful Christian life, even in the face of opposition. Then, there’s the action of fixing your hope on Christ’s coming. We prepare to live in the present while preparing for the end.

Are you prepping for the Lord (Lk. 1:17)? Luke tells us that John the Baptist was sent “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” We can read in the New Testament that he was success in helping some do that, while so many others thought he was crazy and still others so dangerous that they resisted him. Ultimately, a wicked man who already wanted to kill him but was afraid of the many who regarded John as a prophet, found occasion to take his life (Mat. 14:5ff). His mission ultimately succeeded (Luke 7:22-23). Of course, Jesus Himself is eventually killed, but that death was necessary to help prepare us for His second coming (Heb. 9:28). There is a song which admonishes us, “There’s a great day coming…when the saint and the sinner shall be parted right and left, are you ready for that day to come?” How tragic to be stockpiling for an armageddon but unprepared for the Judgment. 

These may seem like dire days full of foreboding. Whether economic collapse, social unrest, or political corruption, we may be concerned about civil or national trouble ahead. Yet, that is not what Scripture emphasizes. Scripture emphasizes how God wants His people preparing to do good, think right, and be ready for eternity. All our “stuff” will be burned up in the end (2 Pet. 3:10). Our souls never die, and we will be somewhere eternally (Mat. 25:46). Each day is about prepping for that! May we encourage each other to get ready and stay ready!

When You Hit An Elephant In Enid

Neal Pollard

No, not Enid, Kenya, or Enid, India. Enid, Oklahoma. On November 4, 2009, a Wednesday night, Bill and Deena Carpenter were returning to their home from church services. Driving down the highway in their SUV, Bill at only the last second saw the 4,500 pound animal standing in the middle of the road. He attempted to evade the pachyderm, but the eight foot Asian elephant was too big to miss. The good news is that neither the humans nor the elephant were seriously injured. The massive mammal had escaped earlier that day from a circus set up at a nearby fairgrounds. It seems to me that there are a few important reminders to consider from this bizarre incident.

IT IS A REMINDER THAT SOME THINGS ARE OUT OF PLACE. Enid is an unusual place to (literally) run into an elephant. Elephants just do not roam our countryside in America. Some things are incongruous and not just elephants running free in Oklahoma. Worldly Christians, aimless shepherds, inactive deacons, scriptureless preachers, warring brethren, and the like are more out of place than an elephant on the lam in Enid!

IT IS A REMINDER THAT SOME THINGS ARE TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. When is the last time your friend or loved one warned you to be on the lookout for elephants on the loose as you drove home? You just do not anticipate the need for such a warning. Some things cannot be foreseen, can they? How many of our trials and difficulties came with clear, sufficient warning? Certainly some do, but many more do not! Furthermore, what a reminder that the second coming of Christ will not come with signs or prescient warnings (1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10; Matt. 24:35). The problems and adversities of this life often cannot be prepared for, but that coming, great, and unexpected day can and must be anticipated.

IT IS A REMINDER THAT EVEN THE BIGGEST ISSUES CAN BE MANAGEABLE. No doubt, Bill’s life flashed before his eyes. As he yelled “elephant” at the last second, he might have had time to think that this would be his last word. Mercifully, all parties escaped serious problems. What at first appeared catastrophic now makes for the story to end all dinner-party stories! How often do our looming problems seem overwhelming and utterly devastating only to pass like a storm with dark clouds and thunder but no damaging winds, rains, or hail? Too many times, we are so paralyzed by fear and worry over our personal challenges that we miss opportunities for spiritual growth and development (cf. 1 Pet. 5:7; 1 Cor. 10:13). We do not face a difficulty too hard for the Lord to handle.

No, you almost certainly will never hit an elephant driving down the highway this side of an African safari. Yet, you will be called to be salt and light in this world, a challenge that may make you awkwardly stand out at times. You will face the unexpected, both now and ultimately. You will also face supersized but surmountable issues in life. Do what you can to prepare, then leave the rest of it in the omnipotent hands of God!

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