It's Just Not Fair

If you felt sorry for the bulldog being harangued by the toddler, here truly is a grievous trial for a dog.

Better a Poor Man

Proverbs 28:6

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

This is a concept that the evil men of the previous proverb would not understand. To them, and to most people, being rich is what matters. The wicked are blatant about this and thus will commit crime with impunity to get money. Most will do whatever is within "reasonable" bounds to attain wealth. What happens is that their greed inevitably corrupts them.

The blessing of the poor man who walks in his integrity is the very integrity itself. It provides him with peace of mind. It protects him from the anxiety of having to hold onto his riches or keep up with his neighbor. It allows him to focus on real pleasures, such as enjoying good relationships. He has clearer perspective about what matters. Most importantly, he is in good standing with his Maker and gains eternal riches (understanding that walking in integrity is walking in Christ).

The crooked rich man has only momentary pleasure in his riches, which he has to continually protect. He cannot be sure of his friends, nor can they trust him. It is difficult for him to see what is truly good. He is blind to his need for God. When he dies, he loses all. Pray for the crooked rich who are the poorest on earth.

Why Didn't He Give It to Gurley!

Georgia fans still complain about the coach's play calling in the game against South Carolina. Here is a fan taking it out on the school mascot.

Justice

Proverbs 28:5

Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.

The wicked don't get it about justice. They despise the weak who, in their minds, deserve their fate of being oppressed. They despise the righteous who must be either hypocritical or repressive. They follow the logic of natural evolution - we are animals controlled by animal instincts for self-protection and self-satisfaction, and the cleverer and stronger animals will dominate the weaker. To them, justice is a man-made idea (enforced by religious hypocrites) that has the semblance of protecting the weak, but in reality is another way for those in power to stay that way.

Kairos Cookie Ministry

I know this is late, but I am finding that LOPC has lots and lots of ministry activities, so it is hard to keep up. But Kairos Prison Ministry is collecting homemade cookies to deliver to prisoners. We need them at the church by 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. I know, I know, it's late to post, but if you are able and willing, here are the directions:

1. Each cookie should be approximately 2" to 3" in diameter.
2. Sealed in a Ziploc bag, 6 cookies per bag.
3. If containing peanut butter or nuts, then the bags need to be labeled as such.
4. A note in each bag expressing the love of God.
5. Delivered to the church by Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

Cookies containing chocolate will need to be taste tested by the pastor.

Volunteers for Food Bank Needed

I don't know how this happened, but I am actually going to do some work on a weekday! Tomorrow (the 29th) is "Work Day" at the Food Bank on 130-A Scott Oak Drive. A delivery is being made to Harlem, Kentucky on Thursday and Friday. So volunteers are needed to pack food. If you can join Ginger and me at 9:00 a.m., email Buddy Crews by clicking the link on his name.

The Problem of Good

It has finally arrived! The Problem of Good: When the World Seems Fine without God. Fellow contributors are Ruth Naomi Floyd, Steve Lawson, John Leonard, Sean Lucas, David Skeel, Paul Tripp, and Gene Veith. Published by P&R.

The book is an introduction the doctrine of common grace. Writers and preachers often make reference to the doctrine, but this is a full-length treatment of the subject written for the layperson. The doctrine provides the key for understanding a problem that I think may lead more believers away from the faith than the problem of good, namely, how can there be such good in an unregenerate world.

Forsaking vs Keeping

Proverbs 28:4

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law strive against them.

The heroes of the wicked are the wicked. Lawbreakers admire successful lawbreakers. They think their fellow transgressors are clever and brave. To them the wicked follow their passions, which is what gives real fulfillment in life. They are those who truly follow their heart. And they are realistic about life. They understand their fellow man, that he is not to be trusted, and that the fool deserves his treatment.

Fearing God

Jonah 1:5-16

10/26/14          D. Marion Clark

Introduction

What do you fear? Who do you fear? What does it mean to fear? Fear is the word that keeps cropping up in our text this morning. Getting these questions sorted out will help us to understand both this passage and how we ought to regard and worship God.

Beating Rain

Proverbs 28:3

A poor man who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.

The first line is a bit unclear. It may be as the translation reads or be translated as "a poor man and an oppressor of the poor." Either way, the primary message is the effect of oppression, whoever commits it.

Musical Surprises

Sunday presented two delightful musical firsts in my experience. First was the harp by Ellen Anderson. Yes, I have heard the harp in worship, but not playing A Mighty Fortress Is Our God! It was inspiring.

And then, to conclude worship with Amazing Grace. I have heard Amazing Grace in worship, but not by a bagpiper! Kudos for Susan Porter not only arranging it but keeping it a secret.

Now that I think about it, guest pianist Lauren Yarbrough surprised me with a rendition of Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini Op. 43.

A delightful musical morning all around.

Welcome!

Welcome to the DMC News at Lake Oconee blog. DMC News has migrated south from Philadelphia to milder climes, and from the center city to the lake side. Philadelphia is a great place to live with good food and diverse cultures. But it is good to be back in my beloved south where I can say y'all with impunity and eat grits and boiled peanuts without raising eyebrows. And as much as I liked the beautiful scenes in the city, walking along the lake early in the morning is a wonderful way to begin a day.

I will be making daily weekday postings of all kinds of news and un-news. As my readers from Philadelphia will attest, you never know what will appear. The only thing they felt was missing was humor. "Marion, you are just too serious," they would say. They would also say, "Why do you call yourself Marion?"