Ephesians 4:29

“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.”
ESV Ephesians 4:29

Like some of you, I’m old enough to remember practicing youth league basketball at the National Guard Armory in Russellville. One lesson I learned from those practices is forever etched in my mind. I never knew whether the lesson was intentional or accidental, but it’s etched in my mind all the same. The characters involved are still around, so I’ll withhold their names.

It must have been an early season practice, because everyone in the league was present that day. Our head coach had us kneeling in a circle and was lecturing us on basketball fundamentals, when all of a sudden he passed (some would say launched) the ball to an assistant coach standing on the outer edge of our circle. Unfortunately, the assistant was pre-occupied with a different conversation and the pass caught him completely by surprise…centered on the left side of his face. Those little bumps on a basketball can make nasty indentions on the side of a face. Lesson learned…always pay attention when the coach is talking.

The same principle should be applied to our Bible study. When God is talking through His Word we should pay attention! For Christians, Bible reading is much more than a “to do” item. It is a primary means by which we can learn God’s will and it is deserving of our time and concentration. I’ve noticed that when I take time and linger over scripture passages rather than rushing through them that I am much more likely to have what I like to call an “aha” moment.

While studying Ephesians recently I had one of those “aha” moments; like being hit in the face with a basketball. Look with me at what Paul is saying in this passage. Paul begins by telling them that they should avoid corrupting or unwholesome speech. Just a few verses earlier Paul had told them to speak only truth; nothing new here right? We’ve all been taught that we should tell the truth.

But now look closely at the text and see how we are to tell the truth. Paul puts three more conditions on our speech. First, the truth that we speak should be good for building up. In other words, we are not to use factual statements for the wrong reasons; to tear down another person. Secondly, we are to temper our words to fit the occasion we find ourselves in. Finally, we are to speak so that the recipient our words will perceive them as gracious…“aha.”

In our rushed, stressed, and impersonal world, it is more important than ever that we take Paul’s words to heart and put them into practice. Sometime today, whether in casual conversation or perhaps in an email, make an extra effort to choose you words carefully so that your recipient perceives them as gracious.

-Ken Askew

Psalm 104:21

“The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.”
ESV Psalm 104:21

Confession time…I am an animal show junkie. Yes, I’d beg to differ with them many times regarding their conclusions about the age and origin of the earth and its creatures, but the animal shows are really quiet entertaining.

As a kid, I recall two TV shows that were staples at our house. Just as surely as we watched Hee Haw on Saturday, we watched Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom on Sunday. My grandfather was always (or at least pretended to be) concerned for the safety of Marlin Perkins, but ole Marlin always got out of harm’s way and made it back with a new adventure the following week. Some of you must have watched it too because the show was in original production for 27 years.

Anyway, will any of you confess to watching meerkats scurrying around in the desert lately? Come on now, I’ll bet some of you can even tell me the clan names. The meerkats make an interesting family unit with each member carrying out duties for the good of the whole. And it seems they always make it through the tough times; avoiding danger and finding just enough food to sustain the family until the time of plenty (rainy season) comes again.

Maybe it’s a guy thing, but my favorite animal shows always include lions. With few natural enemies, a healthy adult male lion is at the top of the food chain. His roar can be heard five miles away, hyenas dread the day they wander too close, and the lionesses gladly vacate the dinner table when he’s hungry. The lion is simply the toughest, most capable predator on the plain. Like I said, maybe it’s a guy thing...

Capable as he is, the psalmist reminds us that even the mighty lion, on the top of the food chain, seeks his food from God. The lion is no less dependent on God for food than the lowly meerkat. You and I are in the same category; totally dependent creatures. How humbling.

As we enter into a common time of Thanksgiving, we would all do well to remember that we are dependent creatures. Only God is independent in the truest sense. Sometimes we are too quick to pat ourselves on the back, commending our own efforts and talents for accomplishments instead of thanking God for His provision.

Have you been particularly successful in your vocation? Thank God for giving you that capacity. Are you proud of your family? They are a gift from God; give thanks. Can you claim Christ as Saviour? Thank God for His wonderful, perfect provision!

-Ken Askew

Romans 1:20

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” ESV Romans 1:20

This year it seems that our fall foliage was particularly beautiful. Instead of simply turning brown and falling off, the leaves erupted into splendid hues of red, orange and yellow; some parts of the county were breathtaking. While many residents have taken to the highways take it in, others have chosen to admire it here in our back yard. I’ve taken the back yard approach myself.

We truly have a crown jewel of creation right here in our back yard. The southeastern border of Franklin County skirts 180,000 acres of protected woodlands that make up the Bankhead National Forest. Inside of the forest, some 25,000 acres have been set aside in what as known as the Sipsey Wilderness area. And I’m here to tell you that the Sipsey Wilderness area is some kind of pretty right now.

It’s hard to imagine spending a day in the Sipsey without leaving in awe of creation; even more so, in awe of the Creator. On a recent hike, as I paused to rest and soak in the surrounding forest, I asked my hiking partner: How could anyone come here and not believe in God? To do so, you simply have to ignore creation. The thought positively confounds me.

The Apostle Paul undoubtedly encountered people that neglected to worship God even though creation itself points to Him. And in the first chapter of his letter to the church in Rome, Paul warns that those who willingly suppress the obvious truths of God’s existence, power and divine nature are “without excuse” for neglecting to worship God.

I wonder how many folks in our community wander around in willful ignorance of God. How many folks ignore His eternal and divine attributes that are clearly evident in creation every day? How many folks witness the splendor of creation all around and fail to give thanks to God? Suppressing the truth is a sin you know.

Winston Churchill once said that “men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” Don’t hurry off. The next time you take time to “smell the roses” and enjoy creation, take another moment to acknowledge and thank the Creator.

-Ken Askew

1 Corinthians 10:31

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” ESV 1 Corinthians 10:31

“Daddy needs one more thing on his plate.” That was the tongue in cheek answer that my wife gave to my two teenagers after they inquired as to why I would be writing some articles for the Franklin Free Press. And I have to admit, as usual, she’s right. I really don’t need one more thing on my plate right now. But then again, who does?

Balancing time and passions is not one of my strong points you see. Way too many things interest me (theology, bicycling and hiking to name a few) and there seems to be so little time. Melisa knows this all too well, but after 21 years of marriage, she should be getting to know me pretty well I suppose.

At any rate, God has blessed me with a very understanding and supportive family. Melisa, Chris and Ashley support me (and my passions) more often than not and it appears that this time is no different.

Hence we begin with an article about my car tag. Yes, my car tag; ICORX 31. I’ve been asked about my tag countless times. It’s just difficult enough so that many folks need a hint in order to figure it out. Sometimes when I’m asked about its meaning, I’ll simply say it’s a Bible verse and hope that they figure it out on their own. But when the occasion permits, I’ll quote the verse that you see above.

Why blaze a reminder of Paul’s words to the Corinthians on a car tag? For one, it is a constant reminder to me that I live my life coram Deo; before God. So do you by the way. We all live our lives before God. And as a Christian, I should be constantly aware that no action escapes His notice and that every choice I make should be a conscious effort on my part to honor and glorify God.

Paul’s words to the Corinthians were in response to an argument that had flared up about whether it was proper to buy and eat food that may have been offered to idols. Paul tells them that they were not seeing the forest for the trees! You see, their decision to eat, or not eat, should have flowed from a heart intent on honoring and glorifying God; not from a list of dos and don’ts. And not just decisions about food mind you, but decisions about every aspect of their daily lives; work, school, music, hobbies, the list goes on. Do your daily decisions reflect a heart intent on honoring and glorifying God?

I wish my reminder (tag) was failsafe, but it’s not. The reminder does not always produce the desired actions on my part. I still take the wrong path too many times. But my daily desire and prayer is that I’ll make choices that honor and glorify God. Won’t you join me?

-Ken Askew