Morristown Church of Christ
Search our Site
  • Home
  • About
    • God's Vision for Us
    • What We Believe
    • What to Expect
    • Our Leadership & Staff
  • Watch & Listen
    • Past Sermons >
      • 2023
      • 2022
      • 2020
      • 2019
    • Video Resources
    • Good Grief
    • Take a Correspondence Course
  • Get Involved!
    • Upcoming
    • Iron Sharpens Iron
    • Spring Breakfast 2023
    • Weekly Bible Classes
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Our Location & Directions

The Blame Game

1/25/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
Last week, my 7-year-old daughter opened her box of markers to create her latest work of art. As she pulled one out, she noticed it lacked a lid. Turning immediately to her 4-year-old sister, she interrogated, “What did you do with the marker lid?” The accused retorted with both innocence and annoyance in her voice, “I didn’t do anything.” Sensing the impasse, I approached my older daughter and reminded her not to jump to conclusions or falsely accuse her sister before having all of the facts. I then said, “Why don’t you look in your marker box first and make sure you haven’t overlooked the lid?” And guess what? Right there it was.
 
It is so much easier to accuse others when something goes wrong than to accept personal responsibility. And it’s not just children who make this mistake.
 
A popular pastime in our society is to blame others for “the direction of our country/culture.” We blame politicians, celebrities, the media, the previous generation, and other easy targets. The truth is none of these people have ever made me tell a lie, be unkind to my fellow man, or do anything good or bad. I am responsible for me. If anyone has ever influenced my decisions, it is only because I allowed them. And while I can’t control WHAT happens to me, I certainly have authority over WHO I become.
 
There is one other figure who often gets unfairly blamed – the devil. We all know that Satan is bad news. What we forget is that he doesn’t make us do anything. The Bible says as much in James 4:7 – “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” That puts me in control over temptation’s influence in my life. When I resist, the devil flees. By accepting this truth, I also accept accountability for the choices I make.
 
The blame game is easy. Sometimes it’s even fun. But it’s also incredibly destructive to my spiritual well-being and my relationships with others. Before unfairly blaming others for our misdeeds, let’s commit this week to being blessed and being a blessing by accepting responsibility for ourselves.

1 Comment

Wayfaring Strangers

1/19/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
Have you ever been driving behind someone who clearly had no idea where they were going? The car’s blinker stays on, but the vehicle never turns. The driver’s eyes are looking in every direction except on the road ahead. The speed limit is 45, but because of the clueless wanderer in front you, you’re doing 25. And you’re thinking, “Just turn already and get out of everybody’s way!” After all, shouldn’t everyone have a GPS in 2016?

In case you were wondering, I found myself in this very situation last week. As my frustration grew with an absolute stranger, I noticed his license plate was out-of-state. That got me to thinking about times when I have driven in unfamiliar places. And how do I drive in those circumstances? Being unsure of where I’m supposed to turn, I prematurely turn on my blinker and leave it on too long. My attention on the road ahead gets distracted by possible turnoffs. And I drive slower than usual, sometimes WAY TOO SLOW.

You see, sometimes the wayfaring stranger is someone I don’t know. And sometimes the wayfaring stranger is me. The only difference between him and me is time and place. 

In Titus 3:2, the Apostle Paul advises us “to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” All people doesn’t exclude too many, does it? And why should I show such courtesy towards all? Paul answers, “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray . . .” At one time or another, we all have been lost. 

Your path this week might very well cross the path of someone who is lost. They might not be driving down the road, but they may be wandering through life, being led astray, and looking for direction. Instead of impatience, what they need is empathy and someone to get them on the right track. They need you and me. May God bless you and use you to be a blessing.

1 Comment

The Same Yesterday, Today & Forever

1/11/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Welcome to Week 2 of 2016! So how are those New Year’s resolutions going? Yeah, same here. According to this recent Washington Post article, 1 in 4 of us has already given up!
 
Regardless of your success on those resolutions, we all struggle to lead a consistent life. And let’s face it – life is not consistent. I feel like I have so many days when something unexpected comes my way, and my plan for the day goes out the window. There’s obviously no consistency there, so why should consistency be expected of me?
 
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Talk about consistency! This certainly includes Jesus’ time on earth. As you read about his life, though, his yesterdays, todays and tomorrows were rarely the same. There were times of joy, but there were certainly days of sadness. He experienced disappointment, and yes, he sometimes got angry. So how can we say that Jesus was consistent?
 
The answer is found in one word – character. Jesus has always been and will always be of the same character. Regardless of the situation or the people around him, Jesus is unchanged.
 
In our house, we aim to teach our children by word and example that it is acceptable to feel all of life’s emotions. What is not acceptable is to use our emotions as an excuse to change our character. Here are a few quick examples:
  • It is okay to be sad. It is not okay to sulk.
  • It is okay to be happy. It is not okay to gloat.
  • It is okay to be angry. It is not okay to throw a temper tantrum.
 
Life throws at us all kinds of situations, and with them comes a variety of emotions. All along life’s up and down way, though, we can live with a consistent, Christ-like character. Your yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows will not always go as you plan or desire. But you can live consistently with integrity, justice, and love. Regardless of your yesterday, today or tomorrow, may God bless you and use you to be a blessing.



0 Comments

Grace to Those Who Hear

1/4/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Thank you for taking a few moments out of your day to read the first blog post for Morristown Church of Christ. For every Monday morning of 2016, you can expect to visit this space and find a brief, encouraging thought for the week. 

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” I don’t know how many people will read this post or any of our posts for this year, but it is my prayer that it lives out the mission of Ephesians 4:29 – that each reader receives grace. 

I sometimes think that as long as I don’t use inappropriate or offensive language, then I have done well. This passage challenges me to a higher standard – to choose words that build up others. You don’t have to scroll far on Facebook to find conversation that complains, divides, incites, or insults. It may not include bad language, but it is corrupt nonetheless because it breaks down instead of builds up. And yes, it is very easy to respond to corrupting speech with more corrupting speech. I have often been far-from-perfect with both the words I speak and those I type (see James 3:2).

But what if each of us commit today to choose gracious words to build up those around us? Instead of seeking my own glory, what if I seek reasons to praise others? What if I use my words to praise God for his goodness and power and love? 

Whether you communicate online, by phone or in-person today, may your words build up and give grace to those who hear you. May God bless you and use you to be a blessing.
​
                                                                                                                                            - Blaine

0 Comments

    Blaine Kelly

    Disciple. Husband. Father.
    Church guy.


    Search Blaine's Blog

    Recent Posts

    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015


    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

SERVICE TIMES:

Sunday Bible Class @ 9:30 am
Sunday Worship @ 10:30 am
Wed. Bible Study @ 7:00 pm

We're Social! 

Or Call 423-586-8343

FIND US!