Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you either hear, or are about to repeat, a rumor:
In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"
"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me, I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."
"Three?"
"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student, let's take a moment to test what you're going to say."
"The first test is TRUTH. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is True?"
"No," said the man, "actually, I just heard about it."
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it is True or not?"
"Now, let's try the second test, the test of GOODNESS. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something Good?"
"No, to the contrary...."
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.
Socrates continued, "You may still pass though, because there is a third test – the filter of USEFULNESS. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be
Useful to me?"
"No, not really...."
"Well" concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True, nor Good,
nor even Useful, then why tell me about it at all?"
The man was defeated and ashamed. This was the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.
Now, how spiritual was this? Sounds like an excellent principal to operate in your Christian endeavors as you seek to serve the Master. Listening to non truth or something that is not good or hearing things not useful plants a seed in our mind that we don’t need.
WWJD? I think Jesus would “Nip it in the bud” and seek to lift people higher and help them on their journey to heaven. WWYD? What will YOU do?
“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, and use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
As I was writing, thinking, singing and praying this chorus came to my heart and I just had to cry out Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me, melt me, mold me, fill me and use me. This is real and complete as I meditate on Jesus right now, I have nothing to add because His presence is so near and I want to drink from this fresh fountain and receive of my Lord as I am being filled with his love and grace this moment.
Join me as you read, take time for Jesus to melt you, mold you, fill you and use you. Just for a moment let him refresh you as you start or continue your day. Ah! What a sweet moment to be lost in Jesus. Thank you Jesus for you are so real and we praise you for this moment of worship and praise.
I was in a great assembly of people one time and a preacher was on program to lead us in prayer. He said folks I just start by saying Jesus, Jesus, Jesus and then let him have control. And as we did all heaven awoke and flooded our soul. Oh what a sweet lesson and may we learn from it as with sing out together “Spirit of the Living God fall fresh on me.” Oh! Hallelujah.
“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9
Have you ever thought about the people who will stand before the throne of God at Judgment? Scripture tells us that there will be "sheep and goats" (Matt 25:31-34, 41, and 46).
But, among the "goats," who will be there? I can think of 5 varieties of "goats."
The "There is no God" goat. This one's pretty simple: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). If that's not clear enough, 2nd Thessalonians 2:11 should add a little clarity: "...all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness."
2. The "I'm a good person" goat. This one's a little tougher. Consider the young man who came to Jesus in Mathew 19:16-30. He asked, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
Jesus answered, "...keep the commandments" (There are 613 in the Old Law). If you want to gain eternal life through your good works, you must keep all the commandments from birth until death. Only one man has ever done that - Jesus.
Jesus will say to many who did great works (but did not accept Him as Lord and Savior): "I never knew you... Away from me." (Matthew 7:22-24)
Like Israel, who pursued righteousness but did not attain it. Why not? Because they pursued it by works instead of by faith. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone" - Jesus. (Romans 9:31-33)
3. The "I know about Him but I don't accept Him" goat. They were told but didn't listen. It will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than for anyone who hears but does not listen (Matthew 10:14-16). These goats have seen the miracles; but, because they still refuse, their fate is sealed (Matthew 11:21-25). It would have been better if they had not heard (2nd Peter 2:21)
The "He's not the only way" goat. Jesus was very clear when He said, "No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Either we believe that the bible is the Word of God or not. If it is, Jesus is the only way.
5. Finally, the "I know Him... I'm just not ready" goat. This is the saddest of all the goats. They know Him for Who He is... They believe he is the Living Son of God. They know he is the only way to salvation and eternal life; but, they're just not ready to ask Him into their hearts as their Lord and Savior. They're not yet ready to live their life for Him. Philip P. Bliss said it in song in 1871 and it’s still true today...
“Almost persuaded” now to believe;
“Almost persuaded” Christ to receive;
Seems now some soul to say,
“Go, Spirit, go Thy way,
Some more convenient day
On Thee I’ll call.”
“Almost persuaded,” come, come today;
“Almost persuaded,” turn not away;
Jesus invites you here,
Angels are ling’ring near,
Prayers rise from hearts so dear;
O wand’rer, come!
“Almost persuaded,” harvest is past!
“Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last!
“Almost” cannot avail;
“Almost” is but to fail!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail…
“Almost,” but lost!
Brothers and sisters, time is short. Don't be a goat. Your servant, Pastor RonU
Thank you Pastor Ron
“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9
I have been asked if there is a tape of the Homecoming thoughts I shared on Michael Metaxas celebration and there is not. I thank you for your kind words several have spoken on my thoughts and since several asked about these thoughts I am sharing them with our Surfing with Jesus Ministry. I was blessed to be able to know this 93 year old in his later years and hope you receive a blessing from it. My sole desire as I share is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 119: 169-176
169Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
170Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
171My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
173Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
175Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
Psalm 121
1I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
UNIQUE
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
Michael Metaxas
January 24, 2010
As I awoke yesterday a one word description of Bro. Michael Metaxas would not leave me so I arose and began to study it and write. This word is UNIQUE. It is an adjective that means “having no equal; unparalleled; incomparable. For me Bro. Metaxas was unique in his thoughts, his actions, and his deeds. His mind never stopped searching for truth. He would often say “Bro. Gene do you know this or that and I would say no.” He would say I’m going to tell you what it is or what it means.”
Bro Michael was always giving. Whether it be of thoughts, a kind word of encouragement, or something material. The last time I visited him at home his voice was at a place where he couldn’t really talk. I joked with him and said oh, you will have to listen to me today and he nodded his head to say yes. As you know this was a unique opportunity for me.
Every time I would visit his first thoughts were “How’s the church, how many did you have, how’s your family. Love for the Union Grove church and concern for us was an ever abiding thought.
It hurt me he couldn’t talk much because I knew I wouldn’t be able to capture another golden nugget for my treasurer chest. As I went to pray that day he wanted something from the table I couldn’t make out what he wanted because the only thing I saw was a box of envelopes. I gave it to him and he said use these for the church. He continue to reach out and I ask Ester if she would help me understand what he wanted, she came over and figured out he wanted a box under the table. He had been to the closeout sale at Pathway book store and bought yes another box of books. He pulled out two and gave them to me. One is Healing Grace for Hurting People which gives practical Steps for restoring broken relationships. It was just like him and once again his uniqueness shown through because he wanted to help me help others.
Oh, I wish I had the time to tell other stories he has shared over the years such as the last story of his new name that the angels shared with him, and the times the butterflies came and each time they returned and talked with him, the times he stopped beside the road on the way to church and he and the cows talked, the many 1st Sunday poundings he gave me over the years, from spay paints, to nuts and bolts and fruit and vegetables. One time I knew he had forgotten to bring a love gift but not to be outdone he said just a minute Bro. Gene. He went to the trunk of the car and it was like Christmas time when you kids and grandkids never knew quite what to expect when you opened your gift. He brought out four carpet sample pads and said use this in your garden it will help when you are on your knees.
UNIQUE is an understatement of one word of my precious friend, mentor, father, and encourager. My wife said please share what it meant to her when he would go out of his way to thank her for the music. Teresa shared with me how he quietly would show love thru his actions to her parents over the years and as a daughter-in-law.
At the hospital on three different occasions when he and I were alone, I was blessed to quietly sing old songs to him and chorus I knew he loved. On Friday morning as I sang hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, I can still see him as he raised both hands in worship to our King.
I pray we all be unique like Bro. Michael as we continue on our journey. Lord help us lift each other higher. Lord help us find joy in serving you. Lord help us see the good in all we experience in this life.
His ninety three years were so full, I am not able to do it justice. John, Ester, Georgia, Dinos, Chris, Tassos, grandkids he said he was going to write a book some day, well his book on earth is finished, its up to you to write it and continue the Metaxas story, maybe you can literally write it from the time you were born, from the good times in Cyprus to the struggles and staying together as a family and being happy. You can share with the world the Irene and Michael story as you made the traumatic transition from your homeland to America and the life you share with each other today.
You are a blessed family; continue to share the love mom and dad proclaimed to you. Permit me to indulge just a moment, yes, I can see her, its Sister Irene standing at the gate, what’s that in her hand, of course it’s a cup of coffee for her beloved spouse Bro. Michael. I know Dino’s you said there would be no coffee in heaven but I can only imagine as the gates swung open wide and welcomed your dad and proclaimed well done thou good and faithful servant.
Let us pray.
“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9
