The Critic

The Critic

By Rick Walker

CRITICISM

In a speech at the Sorbonne in Paris. on April 23. 1910. Theodore Roosevelt regaled his audience. He spoke of the history of France and the history of the United States. He compared the two and showed how they came to be great world powers through the ardent use of their physical and mental faculties. Yet he noted that whether in the field of physical or mental exertions there will always ne those who criticize. That portion of the speech is given below.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Criticism! It seems as though the Lord's people have had to deal with this since Noah built a boat. In the New Testament our Lord was constantly surrounded critics. He was criticized for hanging out “... with tax-gatherers and sinners,” (Mark 2:16; Luke 15:2). He was criticized for helping others on the Sabbath, (see John 5:16; 9:16; etc.). They even criticized Him for criticizing them, (Mark 3:1-6). So, we may as well accept what our Lord said, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you,” (John 15:20).

There is an old saying, “Those who are busy rowing the boat generally don't have time to rock it.” I truly think most critics would be willing to get involved, if …(there wasn't someone like them around who would stand and criticize them!). That being the case, let us take Roosevelt's advice and not concern ourselves with what others think. If the Lord is pleased, then what difference does it make what others say? Who knows perhaps when they see how much fun we are having they may come down off their high horse and join with us.

Love Versus Hate

Love Versus Hate

By Keith Bellamy

Last Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

My parents didn’t teach us to hate other people because of the color of their skin. For that matter we would get in trouble for even mistreating an animal.  I have never understood why anyone would think it was alright to mistreat anyone.  I never understood the Jim Crowe law, even when it existed.  Sadly, even so-called Christians demonize other races.

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

I like that statement.  It sounds like good advice.

Notice the words of Jesus:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31; NIV)

When hate spews out of one’s heart what does that say?  Someone said hate contaminates the container it is in.  

Mark Twain said, "Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured."

I know a man who spent 37-1/2 years incarcerated.  I asked him what turned him around.  He said the love of Jesus Christ changed him.

I think I will choose love over hate!

What about you?  Do you choose love over hate?

"How do you avoid discouragement?"

People ask: "How do you avoid discouragement?" All of us get down at times. It is part of what it means to be human. In "our" circle, however, this question is often associated with an ex-offender who is not doing well. Let me offer a few of my counter-thoughts.

(1) I force myself out of my fish bowl so I can see the "bigger" picture. When I compare new Christians coming out of prison to new Christians who have never been in prison, the scene is similar. Look through last year's list of baptisms in the local congregation. Where are they today? Get the point?

(2) Still, I may need to ask more questions. Each soul gets to make his/her own choices. I cannot rob souls of this responsibility. I want to be the best possible example, but I cannot "control" or "force" desired behaviors or conduct.

(3) I stand ready to help any Christian who has stumbled and seeks to get back up. I will go the Second Mile. I am eager and anxious to help. However, if one is intent on doing wrong, I will not hunt them down and expend all my energy chasing, phoning and getting them to do what is right.

(4) Most of my time is dedicated to working with those who sincerely want to change their lives. They may also stumble frequently, but they do not hide, deny, or run the other direction. They continue to seek fellowship with good people, attend church services, and refuse to give up. They energize me.

(5) Jesus stressed the value of just ONE soul. I steer away from the "numbers" game. I know the Lord wants to see the whole world saved, but I can't reach "two" until I reach "one". One billion starts with one. I do my best when I focus one-on-one...eye ball to eyeball.

(6) Now, I try to step back and really see the BIG picture. In my tunnel vision, I forget the ex-offenders who are faithfully serving the Lord today as preachers, missionaries, soulwinners, Bible School teachers, deacons and even elders in the church. It is not easy but through the power of Christ, lives have been drastically changed!

(7) I'm feeling much better. I'm getting enthused to rush back into the lion's den and rescue the perishing. Yes, it's hard work and sometimes I get "down" after much sweat and tears, but I cannot give up. I am dedicating myself to do a better job in the future. My "best" is all I can do. I must accept my limitations. I am just one of God's servants, not GOD.

God did not say serving Him would be easy. He did not promise everyone would say, "Thank you very much" or "I really appreciate you." They did not say such things to our Lord either.