Ring in the New Year with Auld Lang Syne

by Donovan Dobbs

During the New Year, most of us will either hear or sing the song “Auld Lang Syne” (For Times Gone By). Do you know where the song came from or have you really looked at the verses? I bet you didn’t know that the song has its roots in Scottish folk songs from the 1500s and that it was first written down around 1790 by Scotsman Robert Burns. You might need this information if you ever find yourself on Jeopardy. I will gladly accept part of the winnings!

The song recalls the days gone by and says we will always remember them. So how was 2007 for you? Did you have a good year or bad year? What difference does it make what happened last year? The year is over and a new one is beginning. I do not mean to be crass but you really cannot change what happened last year. Time has passed and the event whether good or bad has been swallowed into time. The only thing that you have to look forward to is today and tomorrow. Is that not what happens as we follow Christ?

Once we surrender to Christ, we should not concern ourselves with our past lifestyle but look forward to what he will create through us. 1 Peter 4:1–3 and Romans 7:6. As it says in Romans, “Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life” (Roma. 6:4 HCSB). With Christ we are a new person who is completely and forever changed (2 Cor. 5:17). We are renewed in body, mind and spirit (Eph. 4:23–24).

As we begin the new year let us be a new person. Do not worry what you did or didn’t do last year. Forget what you should or shouldn’t have done. 2008 is a new year with new adventures and new challenges from God. Have you surrendered to Jesus? If not, why wait let today be the day you surrender to Him. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are a new person who is continually growing to be what he wants you to be. Let 2008 be the year that he works through you in ways that you never expected nor imagined!

Whom Do You Serve?

by Donovan Dobbs

Jesus said, “Then the King will say to those on his right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’” —Matthew 25: 34–40

God has really been challenging me with this verse for about three months. It all began in the fall issue of Leadership Journal (published by Christianity Today). The entire issue was on churches and ministries that are reaching the “least of these.” These churches were not serving the people as a “people group” to be reached nor as “souls to be saved” but as people created by God who needed to be ministered to for no other reason than serving Christ. The articles were filled with just ministries. No programs. No how to make your church grow. No fluff but only serving Christ!

Am I any different than any other group helping others this time of year? During the “holidays” many groups are helping the less fortunate or those in need. Everyone from bikers to the local schools. Even my community group helped a lady named Barbie with Thanksgiving dinner. There is nothing wrong with helping someone this time of year. However, the question that keeps coming to mind is “How am I serving the rest of the year?” Do I help or serve those in need January through October? Do I make the sacrifices that I so easily make during this time of year? Am I willing to buy someone shorts for the summer when I bought them a coat at winter? How would you answer these questions?

So do we just keep on doing what were doing or do we allow Christ to change us? Christ does call us to serve for the sake of serving (Matt. 6:1–4). When we serve people for his sake, we will be blessed (Luke 14:12–14). After the hype and good cheer of Christmas are gone, let us be different from the world. In January, let’s bring warmth to someone. In February, share Christ’s heart with someone. In March, let your actions thaw a person’s heart that is cold because of this cynical wold. In April, spring to action by planting flowers in someone’s yard. In May, as the sun stays out longer buy shorts for a family. In June, teach a kid to swim. In July, celebrate your independence from sin by sharing Christ over a hot dog. In August, work on providing school supplies to those in need. In September, help those in need prepare for the coming winter. In October, scare away depression by spending time with someone simply because they are there.

Even after the holidays are over and we slip into the new year, keep your heart open to serving those around you all year long.

Young Men Retreat to Steel Creek

by Donovan Dobbs

On November 2-3, seventeen young and a few old men ventured into the wilds of Northwest Arkansas. This brave group hazard the bitter cold and the roar of killer elk near the camp! In the morning, we awoke to hearty nourishment that ultimately proved to help in our survival of the grueling day of the death-defying climbing before us. Throughout the plunge from 2100 feet above sea level to 600 feet above sea level, the men stayed together and fought the mountain. When we finally reached the bottom, all were accounted for, but a few were cut and bleeding.

OK, the trip was not quite as harrowing as I just described, but it was fun. The group was a mix of young and older—not old. When we arrived at the camp on Friday night, hot food prepared by our personal outdoor chef Eugene was waiting. Dinner was hamburgers and seasoned potato halves. It was a good meal, but dessert was the bomb! It was blueberry cobbler cooked in a Dutch oven, and it melted in our mouths. This meal was the first of three fixed with expertise by Eugene. His cooking alone was worth the trip. Every man there left on Saturday full and fat or fatter.

Friday night was a real blessing. Dallas posed the question about Christian leadership and what is it. Each man participated. The discussion focused on God’s role for men, and the consensus is that a leader should be a servant. It was encouraging to hear the younger men contribute and talk about leadership in their lives and generation as it applies to God. If you had listened to the conversation, you could not help but be encouraged by the commitment to Christ from those who participated.

For those who did not go, you missed beautiful scenery and invigorating exercise. One highlight was the discussion as we walked down the mountain and through a bamboo forest. (I never knew they had a bamboo forest in Arkansas.) The discussion centered around different Christian authors and their theology or in some cases, the lack thereof. As the conversation ebbed and flowed, I thought what an interesting conversation to have in the mountains and woods that God has skillfully crafted. Talking about Christ our king in one of his magnificent kingdoms that is how to spend a day.

Those of us who went were blessed and developed or strengthened our relationships with each other. I am sure that I speak for all when I say thanks to Dallas and Sam for planning and providing the trip. I can hardly wait for the next outing!

Ozark Choirs Sing to the Lord

by Donovan Dobbs

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. —Psalm 100

This is just one of the songs the Ozark High School choirs sang last week at the first choir concert of the school year. At least four of the songs gave praise and honor to God. Two of the songs were even sung in Hebrew. As I sat in the audience, I was thankful that at least one secular school in America is not afraid to give glory to God. It was motivating and uplifting.

Lifepoint youth were well represented in the choir. I know of at least four teens who are active in our church who were members of the various choirs—men’s choir, JV choir, women’s choir, and chorale. It was nice to see them sing publicly and openly to the Lord.

The next to the last two songs of the evening were “My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord” and “Praise His Holy Name” and were song by the Chorale. They both were upbeat and definitely lifted praise to God. After the end of “Praise His Holy Name,” the crowd stood and clapped!

I am thankful that my new hometown allows its high school to sing to the Lord. We never know how God will use the words of the songs to reach another person for him. I can hardly wait for the Christmas production.

Guys Gather for Men’s Fall Kick-Off

by Donovan Dobbs

On Monday September 24, we had the first fall gathering of the men of Lifepoint. It was great! We ate real man food (fried fish, fried potatoes, and cookies) that was cooked like real men should cook (outside over open flames). A little over 20 men showed up to eat and fellowship. It was nice to see men fishing with their sons. Men talking and getting to develop new relationships. Men deepening old relationships.

In his message, Lane spoke about authentic manhood. This made me think “Is that when I can whoop anyone else in the church?” or “Is that when I am always right about everything and my wife knows it?” I wonder if that is what some think is the right and proper view of manhood. My question would be “Is that your view of authentic manhood?” The world has so skewed the view of manhood that at times it has infiltrated the church. This is the view that men should be tough at all costs. Men should be right at all costs. Serving and sacrifice are weakness and bad.

God from the beginning has had the plan for manhood. Lane brought out the point that the first man (Adam) was designed for and had a relationship with God. Since his sin, we have not been able to have a complete relationship with God. Just like us, Adam thought something was better than his relationship with God. He took that relationship so lightly that he threw it away for nothing. We are not any different. Jesus continually wants to build a relationship with us yet we ignore or dismiss him. We allow so much to take priority in our lives other than Christ. Who gets most of your thought, time, and heart? Christ or everything else—work, activities, playing, building our dreams, etc.? As the old saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words.” What are your actions saying? Do you have authentic manhood using God’s standards?

Come join us at the next men’s gathering on Monday, 10/29 (check E.notes in the coming weeks). Let us gain authentic manhood together!

Baptists, Pentecostals, and Catholics—Oh My!

by Donovan Dobbs

How important are denominations in our lives as Christ-followers? I go to such and such church, so I am fine, right? We recently had Explore LifePoint, and in this session, there were three couples who were very interested in LifePoint. The question was asked “Are you affiliated with any denomination?” Lane aptly and with some brevity (emphasis on some), explained how LifePoint is not connected to a denomination.

Whether denominations are good or bad has been debated for centuries, and I am sure will continue to be debated. There is substantial evidence either way. Why wouldn’t you want to go to a church that isn’t affiliated with a particular denomination? I do not have the time or space to fully debate that question but I do want to point a few things out that may shed some light on the issue. If you want to compare the many denominations check out the religion comparison charts on ReligionFacts.com.

I cannot find any Scripture where Jesus spoke of denominations or different sub-groups of his followers. He said he was the only way to God (John 14:6). After his death and resurrection, his followers were called the Way (Acts 9:2). The Way was used because Christ was the way to God. This was not a denomination or viewed as a sect of the Jewish faith. It was a term used to identify Christ-followers’ beliefs. Followers of Christ were also called Christians from the very beginning of the church. The term is used three times in the Bible (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16), originally meant “of the party of Christ” and was used as derision to Christ-followers. Eventually the term became a term of honor for followers of Christ. Unfortunately in the present time, being labeled a “Christian” has lost its meaning and has to some degree reverted to its roots.

Here at LifePoint, we are called to be Christ-followers. This is not a denotation of denomination but a term defining who and what we are. From my reading of the Bible, I have always thought that is what I was to do. When I first heard Lane use that term, I knew that I was in the right place. Nineteen times Jesus told his disciples (us) to follow him (Matthew 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; 16:24; 19:21; Mark 1:17; 2:14; 8:34; 10:21; Luke 5:27; 9:23; 9:59; 18:22; John 1:43; 10:27; 13:36; 12:26; 21:19; 21:22). If Jesus called us to “follow me” then should we not do that? I am positive that when I stand before God one day, he will not ask me if I was Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal, or some other denomination. He will ask “Did you follow my son?” I want my answer to be “I followed Jesus Christ, nothing more and nothing less.” What will your answer be? Is there anything else?