HERE IN THE REAL WORLD

WE HAVE MOVED

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:12:00 +0000

HERE IN THE REAL WORLD HAS MOVED! PLEASE VISIT AT THE NEW SITE

WWW.BOBBYCOHOON.COM

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Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
bobby@bobbycohoon.com

URBI ET ORBI

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:18:00 +0000

HERE IN THE REAL WORLD IS MOVING. PLEASE CHANGE YOUR BOOKMARKS AND READERS TO WWW.BOBBYCOHOON.COM

I live in what was once a small county: everyone pretty much knew everyone. That has changed somewhat in the last few years as more and more people have moved in. And it seems that as more have moved in the social degree of the county has dropped off some. People don't seem to know their neighbors as much as they did in years past. The world has become fast paced. When people get off of work they have time to eat then run somewhere else; Often times the are eating on the run. They make time for everything imaginable. But guess what the one thing they rarely make time for is: The commission of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20). In this world of networking we have the "go" down to a fine art. Yet, too often we neglect the only command in the Great Commission of Matthew: Make Disciples! We are great in our comfort zones. Meeting for an hour on Sunday is always done. We may meet for a small group Bible study with a group full of believers. But, what do we do to make disciples?

In our neighborhoods and the general areas that we travel daily there are plenty of people who don't know the one true and living God. Sadly we don't have time in our busy lives to share that message. We pass them daily. We may even take a minute to speak to them. Yet, we never seem to turn the conversation to Jesus. If they are poor we may even make a charitable donation or give some old clothes to try and alleviate their living conditions. And, that is great, but it is not what we are called to do: We are called to make disciples.

We network daily and nightly on the internet, not just with our city, but with the world. Maybe we become involved in e-mail chess. Maybe we are interacting with others trying to learn, or even trying to teach, about our favorite sport or pastime. We enter chat rooms and e-groups with people from all over the world. In the course of a day's time we go from the city to the world. And remember Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8b). We are to be witnesses to our city and to the world. And, yet in our cities and to the ends of the earth we can't seem to find time to work Christ into the conversation.

Every day we go from the city to the world. And, sadly while we are there we fail to mention the one who made the cities and the world. Is today the day you take Christ to the city and to the world.

Don't forget to check out the new site for Here In The Real World. Please update your bookmarks to the new URL. Also click the widget at the top of the new page for the new RSS feed and add your email in the box to have Here In The Real World delivered to your inbox. Let me know what you think about the new format.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
bobby@bobbycohoon.com

Living In The Dash

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:22:00 +0000

Just in my life span the pace of life has picked up greatly. It seems everything now is done in a hurry to get to the next thing on the list. I remember as a child most stores were not open every night and now they are open every night with some being open all night long. We are now really living life on the run. We are living on the dash. But, we are also living IN the dash.

Visit any cemetery and one thing you will notice is every tombstone has two dates on them and they are separated by a “DASH:” Born-Died. That dash between the two dates is where we are now. There is nothing we can do to change or have any effect on the first date, but we can have some effect on the second one. It’s true that it is appoint that man die once (Hebrews 9:27) but the life we choose to live in the “dash” can have an effect on when that time will be. Of course it can have a positive as well as a negative effect.

In the times we live rushing and stress have become common place for everyone. And, with the current economic problems (I promise no “the economy is bad jokes” here you have to visit my face book for those) people are stressing and turning everywhere for help. Yet, the one place where we all should be turning is the last place so many people turn. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Right now in the “dash” while the economy seems to crumble all around people turn to bankers, to stock brokers or even the government. They are turning looking for whatever relief they can get. Yet, many aren’t finding the relief that they need.

A few weeks ago I was told the story of someone who had taken some type of pills and wash them down with some type of liquor. All this was done because he had fallen victim to these bad economic times and lost his job. He was trying to have a negative impact on the date to the right of the “dash.” The rest he needed wasn’t to be found in a bottle or in a pill. It was to be found in Matthew 11:28. Maybe no one had taken time to tell him about that rest.

In these trying times while everyone is living “on” the dash while living in the “dash” we need to be there and ready to help those who are looking for rest. Our doors need to be opened and ready to help someone who is at the point of changing the size of their “dash.” This is a most important time for the church. We have to be prepared for a world that is in search. We can help others have a better life in the “dash” and and even better one in the life past the date on the right side of the dash.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

STROKE

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:43:00 +0000

It was a blessing in the midst of a storm to have a class study Christology during a week when my life has been turned upside down by my mom having a stroke. It is because Christ is that beacon of hope flashing during the darkest times of our lives. And, when we are down at our weakest is when we see Christ the strongest. Paul wrote, “That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). To be strong when we are weak is a result of Christ living in us. Paul said it was not him that lived but, Christ that lived in him (Galatians 2:20). And, that is where we get the strength to live when it seems the pressures and trials of this world are overwhelming. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

When Paul was suffering with the “thorn” he prayed. The answer that God have him was that God’s grace was sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). And when we suffer we know that we have that grace. The old Hymn, Amazing Grace says
Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

That very same grace that Paul wrote of is the grace that has led me through the last few weeks. No matter what my situation, how dire it may seem, with Christ I can get through it. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:30). How anyone can get through this life without Christ is beyond me.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

The Inevitabilty of Death

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Last year an entire family was wiped from our neighborhood. Not all at once mind you, but over the course of a few months. The father who was old and had been in bad health left this world first leaving his two sons. The older of the sons had been in bad health for years and the younger was taking care of him (as well as the father before his death).

Then one night a fire hit the house where the two brothers lived. I was told early that morning that on of the brothers had departed this world from smoke inhalation. Knowing that the older brother had suffered breathing troubles I was prepared to face his near certain death. It was only later that I learned that the brother who could barely breath had survived. The healthy brother had left this world. After a few weeks the older brother joined his family.

The writer of Hebrews tells us in verse 27 of chapter nine, "man is destined to die once" (NIV). And like each of the family members above we have no clue when we will meet that destination. Most people would have figured the father to have gone years before he left. All knew that the older sick brother was living on borrowed time as he had been near death and revived many times in the hospital. The younger healthy brother, age 40, everyone thought would have been around for many more years.

While we are destined to die, we don't know when that time will come (unless by some twist of fate a judge tells us). We don't know what day we will stand to give account of our lives before God. Each second that tics on the clock brings us one second closer to the end. There are people all around us who for whatever reason have never obeyed the Gospel. Maybe they think they are healthy and have a good many years left.

There is on time like the present time to make things right with God. We don't know when our hour will come. And as the above story shows our degree of health, or lack there of, has little to do with it. A world around us is hurting. We are now living in some of the worst of times. Let today be the day you share what you know with someone.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

A COLONY LOST

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:01:00 +0000

I have been privileged this summer to be able to be around some of our brightest young actors while working with the Lost Colony. Paul Greene's outdoor drama, The Lost Colony, tells the story of the first attempt at a permanent English settlement in the new world.

Greene shows how they were brought here by Portuguese seaman, sailing for England, Simon Fernando (portrayed at on the left by born again Christian Micah Lyons).

He shows how they came to a new land only to meet with hostile natives.

But each step of the way Green shows that the colonist approached each new adventure with prayer and faith in the Almighty Father. Though the colony became lost, we know what was not lost: Their faith. The last word of act one is, "Amen." Act two ends after a rousing speech that culminates with the words, "Into Thy hands......" Followed by, "Amen."

Today American is on the verge of becoming a colony lost of its faith. Where the Lost Colony carried their faith through their every move and looked to God for strength, we seldom have time to look to God. We have for the most part removed a God that was very real to our forefathers from most aspects of our everyday life. In many instances we have relegated an hour on Sunday morning to the Father (with most of us giving up on that). The colonist knew that no matter what their situation, be it starvation, disease, cold winters, attacks by native Americans, that they "could do all things through Christ which strengthened [them]" (Philippians 4:13). Yet, in our busy world the simple "strengthening" of the Father is over looked.

We look to this easy way, or that foolproof way when all we have to do is look to the Father that gives us life. We have become engrossed in all the "self help" methods so our conscious is always turned to "self" and not to the God who can help. Isn't it about time we stop depending on self and becoming a colony lost and start depending on Him and becoming a colony found?

Thank you Lord for allowing me to be among some of our fine young people this summer. Some Christian (my niece Alex Cohoon-kight a drama major and Josh Schauder a drama major both born again Christians pictured at the left) some still searching. I was able to see that while it seems we are becoming a Colony Lost, we don't have to be. Their are still some keepers of the dream.

My brother Micah Lyons is a theatre major in Texas. He is starting a film company that will produce Christian movies. Please keep Micah in your prayers as he endeavors to do the work of Lord. Drop him a line of encouragement at mjlyons40@yahoo.com
and stop by and see his website for Breath Of Life Productions.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

Beast of Burden

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Sat, 10 May 2008 02:16:00 +0000

Beasts of burden come in many different varieties. There are the riding animals. You know the ones that you throw a saddle over and they carry you where you need to go. Much like the caring mothers who have their babes in arms or on hips or in laps. Those mothers who carry their babies with them where ever they go. They look after them tending to their every need.

Then there are the pack animals. Much like the mounts they carry everything needed. You know the type. They are mothers who are prepared for whatever lay in store. Maybe it is a diaper bag packed with extra food for the trip. Extra clothes. Extra everything!

Let us not forget the harness animals. You know the ones that are harnessed to something to pull it. Much like mothers that are harnessed to the every need of the family. They are harnessed to a soccer field. They are harnessed to homework. They are harnessed to a stove. And when things aren’t going as well as should be, they are harnessed to a family and are the glue that holds it together.

Is it any wonder that God said, “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12). They look out for our every need. Mothers are true beast of burden. But whereas a real beast of burden my only do one task (harness, or riding, or pack), a mother does it all. Even when they aren’t sure what lies ahead they are willing to do what needs to be done. Their families are put first. Look at Mary’s words, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). Mary didn’t understand all that was about to happen, yet putting herself second she rose to the occasion. Following the lead of Mary our mothers don’t always know what lies ahead in motherhood, yet they rise to the occasion.

Biology doesn’t make a mother; Love makes a mother. Love turns a woman into a beast of burden. To all the mothers out Happy mother’s day! To all the children we must remember that from the cross Christ made sure his mother was looked after; let us see that our mothers are cared for also.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

Warning Will Robinson

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:02:00 +0000

No one can argue that we live in the most automated of times. Almost every aspect of our lives is automated, mechanical, speed and ease is the name of the game. Cashiers have been replaced by “check your self out” registers. You can get money out of your bank without seeing a teller. Cooking time has been cut drastically by microwave ovens. Mechanics can tell what’s wrong with your car simply by hooking it up to a machine: they don’t even have to get dirty! Is that all that has become mechanical in our lives? Have we in some respects reduce our service to a series of mechanical actions?

In Luke 11:1, one of Christ’s disciples can and said, “teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” The words that Jesus then spoke have become probably the most famous prayer ever. We call it the Lord’s Prayer. It is said more than any other prayer. It is memorized early in life by most Christians. But, the question is HOW is it said? Has it been said so much that it is just a habit? Is it a mechanical part of our lives that contains no feeling or thought? Does it allow us to go through the motions without putting forth any effort? Did Christ give us this prayer to be a mechanical prayer that could be said on the run from memory without putting forth and effort? Or, was the “Lord’s Prayer” a model of how we should pray? Was it an outline of the things we should pray for and not the exact prayer that should be committed to memory to allow us to be able to go through the motions of Christianity while all we are doing is participating in a “fast food” religion?

On the night He was betrayed, concerning the Lord’s Supper Jesus said, “this do in remembrance of me” (I Corinthians 11:24). Yet, today this has become a ritual that is done from habit. It can be the coldest minutes of the service. In some churches should someone come in who knew nothing about the Lord’s Supper, they’d leave with the same knowledge they came in with. We go through the Lord’s Supper with all the mechanical precision of a skilled surgeon. Many people partake and yet have no clue what they are taking. Doesn’t a supper of this type deserve just a hit more?

Today’s world has changed drastically from the world I was born in (which had changed from the world my parents were born in). Today we are busier than ever and most things we do are “on the run.” Isn’t it time we slowed down and worshipped the risen Lord instead of running about in our fast food lives and settling for a McJesus?

If you want to receive Here In The Real World posts in your email Please use the subscription box in the upper right of the screen. They are delivered between 9 and 10 pm the night of the post.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

When Will The Bell Toll?

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:28:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I mentioned a friend of mine named Melvin who was struggling with mesothelioma. I asked for prayers for him. Tonight Melvin is resting comfortably in Heaven. He went home early this morning. Healings come in many ways.

The book of Job records, “Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass” (Job 14:5). If our days are numbered, one thing we don’t know is that number. While it was obvious last week that Melvin would soon be with the Lord, no one knew when he would go. Last Friday, when I was told the he hadn’t opened his eyes in two days I knew the end was probably very near. Yet, while I was in good health and Melvin wasn’t I was reminded of this verse. And I thought, “my days end could come before his.” The certainty of death is a good reminder of the uncertainty of life.

With all of our intelligence two things we don’t know are when we will die and when Christ will return. Will the “number of my months” end with a physical death in old age and thus let me lead a reckless life up to the point where I think the end is near then repent? Or, will they end early in life by some disease or accident of which time I have no way of knowing? Or, will the end when Christ returns? With no certainty each day should be lived as th0ugh our life support has just been turned off.

As painful as death can be, it can serve to be a reminder that we are to live our lives everyday for Christ. Death should be something that we keep before us more often than we do as death is a reminder of life: a life ever lasting with Christ.

Continue to keep the family of Melvin C. Hooker In your prayers that THIS phase of their lives will work for the Kingdom of God.

The rose still grows beyond the wall.
Scattering fragrance far and wide,
Just as it did in days of yore.
Just as it did on the other side,
Just as it will forevermore.

For those who have asked a new feature has been added. To subscribe via your email enter your email in the box on the upper right of the screen and follow the instructions.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

Take Me To Your Leaders

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Fri, 02 May 2008 22:41:00 +0000

No, I am not talking about Barak Obama, Hilary Clinton, or John McCain. It’s that time of year again when the nests of our homes are going to become empty. In the next few weeks most of our colleges will graduate their seniors and in the few weeks after that most of the high schools will graduate their seniors. In both cases those who graduate will set out to make their mark on the world. Hopefully the schools have given them the education needed for the quest. But, more than that, I hope homes have grounded them well in God for the life quests that the face.

David said to Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed; for Jehovah God, even my God, is with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah be finished” (I Chronicles 28:20). For the newly graduated, by they high school or college, the world is a new wide open adventure. There will be every type of temtptation known to man waiting for those who have their first taste of freedom. But if they are well grounded in the faith those temptations can be met and defeated.

Of course their will be failures along the way. If not their wouldn’t be growth. But with each temptation it can be met with strength and good courage. Each temtptation should be met with courage because God is with them. Our future leaders can grow daily and change this world for the good if they keep their focus on God. David said, “[God] will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” But their work has to be done with a focus on God.

It starts with one. God is only one. But, through that one focused on God this world can change. Because just as sin seems to be contagious, righteousness can be just as contagious. James wrote, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). While he is fleeing we need to be pushing forward to the everlasting arms.

Many people have asked if they can subscribe to Here In The Real World via email; I have fixed it that you can. There is an email subscription box in the upper right hand side of the page. Just put in your email and follow the instructions.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

Climbing DownThe Ladder To The Top

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:54:00 +0000

Our world today is a dog eat dog world. To many, if not most, all that matters is getting to the top. People will step on just about anyone to get to the top. That isn’t just in the secular world. From the earliest years we instill in our children a sense of always making it to the top. We use top CEO’s as roll models. There is only one place to be: the top. Number two is nothing but the first looser. Or, is it?

Luke wrote, “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11). That doesn’t say that being at the top is bad thing; it speaks to the attitude that we have on the way there and when we get there. We can be at the top of the ladder of success and be lower than the person on the bottom rung of the ladder of success. When we stand on the top and exalt ourselves we have gotten nowhere. Without God we are nothing; we are nowhere. And though at the top, we are at the bottom.

To go to the top of the Spiritual ladder we can not take the first step without acknowledging that without God we are nowhere. The psalmist wrote, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes” (Psalm 13:1). It is God that knows our hearts and minds. He knows the motivations that push us to the top. We can get there either by pride or humility. We can get there by either by knowing that without God we are nothing, or we can get there by focusing on God. We can be in the top of the success ladder while being on the bottom of the spiritual ladder. Or, we can be on top of the spiritual ladder while being on the bottom of the success ladder. But, it is possible to be on top of both.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). With a proper focus on God, the giver of strength, we can stand on the bottom rung of the ladder of success, and be at the top of the Spiritual ladder. It is done through humility. It is done by being humble. We can stand on the highest rung of life and never be at the top until we let ourselves descend the ladder by being humble.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y'all!Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

Third Place

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:56:00 +0000

Commenting on the speed (or lack there of) of one of his baseball players, former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda said, “If he got in a race with a pregnant women he’d come in third.” Our world today is based on speed: who can get a job done first. Efficiency has become the trademark of world: speed and efficiency seem to be all that matter to us. If you can’t get the job done fast, usually you won’t get the job done. Luckily we have a Heavenly Father who looks at things differently than we do. Looking at two of Christ’s parables we can see that “which place” is not important, but “place” is the standard.

Look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. We see the story of a son who has gotten his inheritance while his father is still alive. He then leaves home and squanders what was given to him. And then he decides he wants to come home. We pick up the story with his fathers response to seeing the son return, “But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). It wasn’t that the son was ahead in a race to the father; it was that he had repented and had turned to the father that counted. He, the son, was still far away. Yet, he was coming to the father. God sees us the same way. There may be people farther along their journey to Him, yet he sees also the one who has just started and has compassion on him.

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20) gives us an an insight to the rewards of first, second, and third place and more. The story is that people were hired to work the vineyard. They were promised a denarius for a days work. Latter in the day more workers were hired…at the same pay wage. God isn’t interested so much in what place we come in; He is concerned that we come in! God’s concern is that we turn to Him and start that journey.

This world we live in may be overly concerned with being number one, but in the journey to God there are no “places.” There is only one reward. Number two is just as good as number one, and number three is as good as number two. God's concern is repentence and the pure heart that we seek Him with. God doesn’t grade us as win place and show: Show and Place WIN!

Until next time May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

What Are You Asking For?

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:52:00 +0000

Melvin is a young man of 66-67 years of age and Always on the go teaching school or coaching basketball. Then it hit: Mesothelioma. Immediately he went on everyone’s prayer list. Luckily, the cancer was not in the lung but between the lung and the rib. After a surgery and a little chemo there was no more cancer. Prayers were answered. Then just a month later the cancer was not only back but it was everywhere. Were the prayers unanswered after all?

One of the biggest problems in most people’s prayer life is that when things turn out opposite of what they prayed for they assume God isn’t listening and God isn’t answering prayers. And of course they stand on this verse: Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24). Sometimes the problem lies only with our inability to recognize an answer.

Of course we can’t understand someone sick as receiving an answer to prayer for healing. And then, when that person passes we cannot fathom that it is the answer to our prayers. Of course God is God and I believe whole heartedly that God has the power to heal today. I also believe that God can use whatever “earthly” things that are at his disposal to provide healing: Doctors and drugs. But what about the person who dies?

I believe that “going home” is a healing to a sick Christian. That sickness is immediately gone and there is never a chance that it will return. Though our prayer is for healing, His will as to how (and when) the healing will occur is in the hands of God. Sometimes, maybe, there are other things that need to be done through an illness and the healing is delayed. Maybe one of the family doesn’t know God; The situation can be one where while waiting for the healing lost love ones can come to Christ.
I think many times when we think prayers are unanswered the problem lies simple with our failure to understand or recognize the answer. Remember we pray His will be done and not ours.

Tonight my friend Melvin is in grave condition at home. He has hospice. His family needs our prayers for God’s healing (however God so chooses to do it). They need prayers for strength to get through this trying time. And they need prayers that if anyone of them don’t know Christ, that through this they may come to know Him.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y'all

Bobby
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina,USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

Silence Is Golden

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:05:00 +0000

There are some places where people would prefer that we didn’t talk. Libraries and hospitals come to mind right off. I am sure there are many others including school classes and as I write this I am sure a ton of them will pop into mind. But, the bottom line is there are some places where we just need to be quiet. Does that present a dilemma for Christians? After all Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and PREACH the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). And if you are like me you probably don’t know many quiet preachers.

They thirtyish minutes of preaching we hear on Sunday morning are one way of spreading the Gospel. The down side is that most of the people who are hearing the Sunday message have already began a life in Christ. On occasion there may be a few who come in who don’t know anything of Christ; but for the most part the churches are filled with believers. However, we preach the Gospel everyday.

Each day our lives are filled with various people: some we know others we don’t. Some of these people we are aware that they are seeing us. But, countless others see us and we are oblivious to their viewing. They see how we interact when we are running late and the 10th person in line at the gas station. The see us on the parking lot when the bottom falls out of the grocery bag. Almost every aspect of our day is viewed by someone. And while we may not be “preaching” the gospel, we should be living it. The most powerful preaching we everyday is the life we live in Christ. More powerful than words are the actions that everyone sees in our daily lives.

Sure we are to preach and teach, but we are also to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Always preach the gospel— if necessary, use words.” What is your most powerful preaching your words or your actions?

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish...................

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:10:00 +0000

We live in a world of numbers. We base almost everything in our lives on some type of statistic. And, though we might not personally be the one who does the count, you can rest assure that at some point most every thing in our lives has been a part of someone’s statistic. We even count in our churches. We take roll and attendance. Some churches actually pass around a “roll sheet” to be signed by everyone there. But what happens when someone’s name is missing from the list?
Are the list used to as map to visit or check in on those names that didn’t make the list?

People miss church for various reasons. And, while many of the reasons might not warrant a phone call to check on the missing person, without checking on them we may never know why they miss. What if someone is absent because they are sick? First, if we don’t call or pay a visit we might never know they are sick. We would only know that they are absent. Jesus said, “I was sick, and ye visited me” (Matthew 25:36). We are to care of our brothers and sisters, not just care when they are sitting beside us. Our Christian love is to flow outside the church walls as well as inside.

We live in a society where the “aged” population is constantly growing. Each year that population adds more and more people as advances in medicine have people living longer now than ever before. And sometimes with the ups and downs of advanced years these may be the very people whose names are absent on occasion from the church rolls, or, even less visible on a daily basis. But, yet most of us can’t find the time to make a call to check on them when they aren’t in out presence. James, wrote, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27). Yet, we struggle at finding the time even when we know they have been absent a few weeks in a row.

We have all the attendances of church taken on a weekly basis. We know who is there and who isn’t, yet we seem to never be able to find the time to check and see why they were absent. In his “Holy Rule,” St. Benedict wrote, “Before and above all things, care must be taken of the sick, that they be served in very truth as
Christ is served.” Jesus said, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40). Don’t our absent brothers and sisters deserve to be more than a Sunday morning statistic?

Until next time May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

Dorothy Gale Syndrome: Do You Have It?

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:09:00 +0000

You remember Dorothy Gale don’t you? She was the girl in the Wizard of Oz. She left home to go with Professor Marvel to see the crowned heads. Dorothy wound up in another land and spent her stay there trying to get back home. She searched high and low for the way back, and when she finally got back vowed that she’d never go searching farther than her own back yard. Dorothy’s biggest problem was that she never searched in her own back yard to begin with.

Jesus told us, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). And I agree totally with Him; We are to preach the gospel in ALL THE WORLD! Did you know that you can not get to the whole world without going through your own back yard? Your neighborhood stands between you and every other part of the world. Yet, we struggle so hard with teaching those in our own back yards. In all of our areas there are hurting people, homeless people, hungry people, and people who have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. Yet, for most of us it remains an unconquered mission filled.

We have no problem with sending money to support overseas missions. And, rightly so: we shouldn’t have a problem with it. But, by the same token we shouldn’t neglect the missions that are all around us. We have become farsighted: we can see all the mission needs afar off, yet our near vision is blurry at best. We need to get adjusted back to 20/20.

Each Sunday as we go to church and give money to be sent to far away missions we walk through, drive through and view some of the best overlooked mission fields. Are you like Dorothy Gale and realize that we need to look in our own back yards? Or, are you more like the “WIZ” and prefer to just “Ease On Down The Road?”

In Him,
Bobby
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

What Are You Looking For?

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:11:00 +0000

I have never given an endorsement to any political candidate on this website, and will not start now. My goal on here is and always has been to spread the words of Christ: To maybe in some way help someone find Christ or help them grow in Christ. But, I want to comment on a quote by one of the candidates. Senator Barak Obama is quoted as saying, “And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." I want to narrow my comments to the “clinging to religion” part.

That is one of the problems in the world today (not just among those who know Christ, but those who don’t). The very first sign that something has gone, or is getting ready to go wrong, people who otherwise never pray in their lives immediate start talking to God. They try and cling to the very thing that when all is going well is far from them. Many of these are our Eastmas guest. You know the ones whose shadows are cast in church twice a year: Easter and Christmas. As soon as things get better, their prayer life and walk with Christ again deteriorates.

Are these people looking for a loving God? Or, are they looking for a temporary fix to their problems in the world. Doesn’t God ask a bit more of us than our calling on Him just in a time of need, or only visiting His house twice a year? Yet, for many that is the sum of their Christian walk. When things are going good they act is if they don’t know God exists. But, the minute things head south the look to God for the answers. For some of this group their Christian obligation is fulfilled with two trips to church a year.

We are called to give God glory in all things, not just turn to Him when things get rough: whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31). Paul said we are to pray not only when things are bad, but all the time: Pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). Without ceasing implies all the time not just when times are tight and we get bitter.

If we only look to God when things are rough and we are bitter, one day we might stand before a judge whose words seem bitter when He asks, “Friend, wherefore art thou come?” (Matthew 26:50).

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

Overture, Cut The Lights........

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 23:45:00 +0000

We get so excited every time we hear that one of favorite “stars” is coming somewhere near us. Months in advance the posters go up and the buzz begins. Then the night of the show finally arrives. I remember years ago hearing a song start, “People see us everywhere.” Then a voice saying, “They call him the high priest of country music.” Followed by more of the song, “They think you really care.” Followed by an excited Joe Hoppel saying, “Conway Twitty!” Then Conway would break into his rousing version of "O Danny Boy." You know the most famous person to every grace the world’s stage came with the all the same fanfare that our favorite artists come yet He was for the most part unnoticed. And even today many don’t recognize His presence.

Like all stars His arrival was announced in advance. But, unlike today’s artists who announce theirs a few months in advance, the arrival of the King was announced years, hundreds of years in advance. Isaiah wrote, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Years before the actual appearance, God announced to the world that its star was going to appear. He even gave us the place: But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2).

Then can time for the big blessed event. The lights were down: and the darkness comprehended it not (John 1:5b). It was show time: and she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7). The overture began, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:13-14). The show began, yet there wasn’t a mad dash of people buying last minute tickets. A show that was announced hundreds of years in advance, a free show at that, began in quietness unnoticed by the people all around.

Even today many fail to recognize what happened over two thousand years ago. His return engagement was even announced: Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:11). And though we don’t when it will be, we know it could be at any time: Behold, I come quickly (Revelation 22:7). Yet, many people are not getting excited. Maybe we are not getting the publicity wagon rolling as we should. Have you done your part to make His next appearance a sell out and standing room only?

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

Seeking The Old Path....Trains

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:37:00 +0000

Recently in Newark, New Jersey I was attempting to find the New York Transit’s PATH Train system. The course to get there took me many routes: From the motel I took a van shuttle to the airport where I got on an air tram to take me to another terminal to catch a bus which went across town to Penn Station where I boarded the PATH Train. Most days the route was decently easy, but on at least one day the trip seemed to take forever. And, that particular long day when I finally got there the train was filled to not just standing room only but standing room only packed liked sardines! I looked over the crowd that was packed in and noticed all the different types of people pushed in together. There were some from probably every walk of life. There were some from most any “social” class. There were some who were obviously drunks and addicts. You name it and it was probably on the PATH train. I thought how much like our Christian lives and walks this PATH Train really is.

We all start our Christian walks with various degrees of “Christian” education. What I mean is with various degrees of what we know about Christ and where we are headed and how we are to live to get there. Some are born into church going families while others find Christ sometime later in life. It would be great if Christianity was some type of box and when we get saved there would be a Christian suit that we could put on and be A1 Christians from that point forward. Fortunately it doesn’t work that way. I say fortunately because if it was like that we would never grow. And I believe it is our growth process that allows us to gain the life experiences that give us the wisdom to be able to give others directions to the old paths. Daily we chip away the old self as we search the Word, and each day we gain something that will not only help us but someone else that we will meet.

Just as the PATH Train was filled with people of various positions, so is Christianity filled with people of various walks seeking the old paths. Our experience can serve as excellent direction for those who have yet to get to the point on the path that we are, just as those ahead of us can serve to give us directions as we move farther along.

There are literally tons of different people seeking the old PATH Trains. There are even more seeking the old paths. For those of us who had traveled both we are to give directions to those who are seeking. Part of the Great Commission is teaching: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you (Matthew 28:20). Teaching is an ongoing and progressive process. Many people pointed me towards the old PATH train and there are many people who need to be pointed (taught) the way to the old paths.

I found the old PATH Train and when I did I found it full of other people who had come from all different directions seeking the same. I was happy later to be able to give others direction to the PATH. I am also happy to give people direction to the old paths. Always be ready to give directions; remember, wise men still seek Him, but they still need some direction after they find Him.

Last time I asked for prayer for brother John Dobbs' mother; I didn't realize that his father needed prayer also. Keep both of John's parents in your prayers as well as my mother.

Brother Nick Gill's website has change URLs it is now http://fumblingtowardseternity.wordpress.com/

Until next time May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y'all

Bobby
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

RENT

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:39:00 +0000

I was lucky enough to get to see Anwar Robinson perform in the musical “RENT.”
The story tracks about a year in the lives of several people. And, all have their share of problems. All but two of the principles have AIDS. A couple are gay. Most are addicts. They all have their baggage and non can pay the rent. Life can be rough even when we don’t have the man made problems that they have.

These are the very people that most of society (not to mention most in churches) shuns. But as Christians aren’t we called to do a little bit more? I remember reading the words of Jesus to say, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 15:16). He said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). I can’t find one verse where he said we are to pick and choose.

And when we begin to pick and choose we need to take a close look at ourselves. There is not a one of us who is without sin. We have attached such a stigma to some sins that we don’t want to teach the one who commits them. Yet, all sin no matter how big or little separates us from God. James wrote, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). ). In the vernacular of the peasantry, “lying can get you to Hell as quick as murder!”

There is not a one of us that is without sin, Paul told us that when he wrote, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Yet we, not God, put the sins of others into categories.The thing that separates us from them is that somebody cared enough to “teach” us about the love of God. When we stop being judge and begin to do what Jesus asked of us some of these people just might have enough to pay their Heavenly RENT!

Please keep my mom in your prayers; She is really sturggling right now with eye problems.

John Dobbs' mom is also in need of your prayers.

And sister Neva Cooper went through surgery this morning lets keep her in prayer.

I have added a new link on friends list; Drop by and make Steve Tucker feel welcome to the world of blogdom

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless and Keep you: All Y'all!

Bobby

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

FEED THE BIRDS

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:48:00 +0000

My trip to New York is now over and I must say it was awesome. It was made complete with a trip to the New Amsterdam Theatre to see the Musical “MARY POPPINS.” Though the entire show was top notch (to say the very least), I was particularly touched when Cass Morgan sang “Feed The Birds.” I promise it will bring you to tears two times: one in the theatre and the other when you leave and see all the “birds” that literally need to be feed.

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Some of the newer translations use the word “love” in place of “charity.” Many of the birds that need to be feed have little of any of these. But, through our charity they can begin to have them. When we put our love into actions we can help these people begin to have change in their lives. Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

In our world we have come to be respecters of people. Peter said of God, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34). There are birds all around us the literally need feeding, and we have been called to help them. The have no hope. They see little to have faith in. But, if we act on our love, if we use charity all of these things can come to be a reality in their lives. If anyone needs help in finding ways to help feed the birds I bet John Dobbs might be able to offer a little help with all the work he has done in post Katrina Mississippi. In New York there is an operation called “Midnight Run” that helps feed the birds there.

Can you help feed the birds?

Lord, I pray that you never let the faces and the plight of the homeless be erased from my memory.

I am now an evangelist looking for a church. If you know of a church needing a preacher forward them my name and email address.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y’all

Bobby

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
Cohoon@embarqmail.com

Mr. Cellophane

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:17:00 +0000

Greetings from NYC: The city that doesn’t sleep: The Big Apple. Over the last few days I have seen places that a southern boy never knew existed. I have looked up as far as I could, then backed up so I could look up higher and see the tops of the buildings. I have seen the richest of stores: 195.00 for a pair of jeans……no telling how much they would have cost if they hadn’t had the hole in them. I have seen the fanciest of restaurants….of course I ate at the Mickey D’s (sat in the third floor of the Mickey D’s). They say the neon lights shine bright on Broadway, and they do.

Last night I had the privilege of seeing CHICAGO.

The name on everybody’s lips might have been Roxy Hart, however, Amos Hart, her husband, sang his signature song “Mr. Cellophane”. You see Amos Heart, played by Ron Orbach, was Mr. Cellophane. Nobody noticed he was there: You could look and see right through him, right past him, and all the way around him. Nobody knew that Amos Hart existed. After looking up at all the tall buildings, the neon lights (which shine bright on Broadway) I looked down and saw Mr. Cellophane on the street. While New York City is filled with the happy, the bright, the big, there is a group of people who stand there almost unseen. Their lights don’t shine bright on Broadway. They don’t have enough money to go see a Broadway play. They don’t have enough money to eat on the third floor of the Mickey D’s (whose lights shine just as bright as those on Broadway). They don’t stay in apartments overlooking central park. They don’t stay in the three or five hundred dollars a night hotel in the city. And when they ride the subway, some of them it is not to go home: It is because it is their home.

In all the happiness of the Big Apple and the city that doesn’t sleep, there is a darker side represented by the people who have no home. There is a darker side represented by the people who picked up the change that I accidentally dropped (on purpose) to maybe put with some change that somebody else dropped to hope it grows enough for them to buy themselves a meal. In the city where people throw bread crumbs to the pigeons, we have brothers and sisters standing beside us who have no home. They have no food. The other side of the neon lights is the burned out lights of the homeless.

They are Mr. and Ms. Cellophane. They’re are people who people look at and don’t see. They’re are people who speak to you and are not heard. Yet, they are people. They are people who for whatever reason, some maybe by their own bad judgement, have been dealt cards by the bottom of life’s deck. As Christians, we talk about Christian love: The love that God has for all of HIS people. These people, created by the same God who created you and me, stand unseen. They are unheard. They have not bee hugged in years. They have not been spoke to. On the coldest of nights, their clothes are ragged. They’re our brothers and sisters.

James wrote, “And you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, You sit here in a good place, and say to the poor man you stand there, or, sit here at my foot stool,” Have you not shown partiality among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts (James 2:3-4)? Had James seen Mr. Cellophane?

“If a brother or sister is naked in destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, depart in peace, be warm and filled, but you do not give them things which are needed for the body, what does it profit” (James 2:15-16)? James says we are supposed to see Mr. Cellophane. James says that we are supposed to help Mr. Cellophane. We will never be able to help anyone spiritually until we begin to care for their physically.

“Cellophane. Mr. Cellophane. Should’a been my name. Mr. Cellophane. Cause you can look right through me. Walk right by me, and never know I’m there” – Jerry Orbach as Amos Hart in Chicago the Musical.

I am thoroughly enjoying my brief stay in NYC. I’ve seen the tower of the Donald’s (Trump and Duck): I’ve looked up at the Empire State Building: I’ve seen Central Park: I’ve stood in Times Square: I’ve prayed in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. But I think the most eye opening thing I’ve seen in New York, were the pictures from life’s other side.

More from New York on my next update.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Ya’ll.

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA

I’M GETTING OUT OF THIS WORLD ALIVE

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 02:20:00 +0000

Hank Williams sang that we can’t get out of this world alive. And, I guess some people may not. Maybe they get so caught up in the here and now that they forget that there is a future. Maybe they try so hard to blend in with the world that they just become a part of it. For what ever their reasons, some people have just decided they can’t get out of this world a live. But as for me I have decided to get out of this world alive.

In His “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus gave the keys to getting out of this world alive. He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). Jesus has pronounced a blessing on those of us who are “Poor in spirit.” This don’t mean you can go out and get rid of all your money and goods and this blessing will be put on you, no more than it means one who has money or other forms of wealth will be excluded. Being poor in spirit is a condition we all need to strive for. It is a condition where we realize that spiritually we are nothing without God. Without Christ we are dead spiritually and so far as the future goes dead in the next life too. We have to come to a realization that there is nothing we can do spiritually without Christ. And when we come to the place where we understand that is our condition we will be blessed. How do we know that? Because, Jesus said so.

And how will we be blessed? Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). We are blessed in that the Kingdom of Heaven is ours. That is a blessing that is in the here and now. It is a blessing in the present tense. At this very point the Kingdom is ours. But, the Kingdom of Heaven also carries with it the promise of the after life. For those of us who have recognized our spiritual poverty we have the Kingdom of Heaven now and when Christ returns to take us all home to the Kingdom future.

So maybe you want to choose and go the path of not getting out of this world alive. I decided long ago that without Christ I am spiritually bankrupt. I may have tons of money and maybe high priced property, yet without Christ I have nothing. So while you may choose to not get out of this world alive, I choose to be a part of the Kingdom present and the Kingdom future! Hope to see you there.

Around the world of Blogdom tonight:

Trey Morgan looks at forgiveness
John Dobbs has Saturday on the coast
Tim Archer has a discussion on the identity of Jesus
And everybody go by and wish Matt Dabbs a Happy Birthday! Happy birthday Matt. I know this is a few days early but I wanted to be the first

In a few weeks I will be looking at starting a new work; All prayers are accepted. Also, keep my brother John Dobbs in prayer as he transitions into a new work. Love you John and we are praying for you.

Until Next time May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

Have Yourself a Mary Little Christmas

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:03:00 +0000

I keep hearing that song over and over this year: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” I guess I have heard it over and over for many years, and it has remained on of my favorites this time of year. It seems that people go out of their way to be merry this time of year. People go a little farther to help others than they would say on the 8th of January or the 9th of May. It’s like there is something in the air that changes people. They know what God wants all other times of the year, but is seems the Christmas season brings it out in them.

James wrote, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit” (James 2:15-16)? Yet, all year most of us go through life not noticing the needs of those around us. When the Christmas season comes upon us those same people who didn’t notice the needy a month earlier are scrambling to find gifts for the “Angel Trees” and make donations so that someone less fortunate might have a merry little Christmas. We know all year what God wants, yet we only seem to find the time to do it during the Christmas.

Before the birth of our Savior Mary was approached by an angel and the angel told Mary of God’s will for her. Though it must have been a lot for a young girl to digest all at once, Mary’s response was, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). Mary heard God’s will and accepted it, and was prepared to follow it. Mary never once said, “Ok, Gabriel, I’ll do it one month of the year.” Mary’s response was one of acceptance and she was ready to do the will of God. A few months into doing God’s will Mary didn’t back out; She continued and followed through in the will of God.

We have God’s will for us in the Bible. Just as Mary made a choice to do the will of God, we have the same choice. More people could have a merry little Christmas everyday if we would have a little Mary Christmas in our lives.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby
Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com

Away In A Coffin

little_sorrel@yahoo.com (Bobby Cohoon) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 01:45:00 +0000

Turned away from the hospital on a cold winter night the poor couple left trying to find a warm place for the birth of their first child. The blizzard’s wind whipped the cold dry snow around them as they huddled together to try and keep enough warmth until they could find a place. The time came as he broke a window to open a door to get his wife inside out of the cold. Inside the warmth of love overpowered the cold outside as his first son came into the world. Looking for a blanket to wrap the child in, he grabbed a new shroud from the funeral home that he had just broken into. Then, he laid the child wrapped in the warm linens into a small casket that they used as a bed. Before you think this story strange, wasn’t the miraculous birth of our Savior surrounded by the elements of His death?

Luke records that Mary “Wrapped [Jesus] in swaddling clothes” (Luke 2:7). The picture that immediately comes to our minds is one of a little baby boy wrapped up all nice and snug in a nice warm blue blanket. Yet, the swaddling clothes that warmed our Savior in His first minutes of incarnation were something different. The swaddling clothes that warmed our savior were the chilling linens of a death shroud. They were the same type of linens that would again be wrapped around his lifeless body just after the crucifixion.

Luke goes on to record that Mary “Laid Him in a manger” (Luke 2:7). We are so found of the images that capture our thoughts this time of year of the baby Jesus laying in a little wooden manger. Yet, the manger that the Christ child was laid in was far different than what we have grown accustomed to seeing in yards every December. The manger, or feeding trough, that held the baby Jesus was made of stone. The Christ Child’s manger would have been a feeding trough hewn from the stone sides of a cave. On His first day of life He was laid in a stone manger; on the last day of his life he was laid in a stone tomb.

Matthew told us that the child Jesus was given gifts: And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). Myrrh is only mentioned three times in the New Testament. Myrrh is an aromatic gum produced from a thorn-bush that grew in Arabia and Ethiopia, and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. This thorny tree, called "balsamodendron myrrha", is similar to the acacia. It grows from eight to ten feet high, and is thorny. When it oozes from the wounded shrub, myrrh is a pale yellow color at first, but as it hardens, it changes to dark red or even black color. It is fitting that the Baby Jesus, our High Priest and the King of Kings was given Myrrh. As the smell of frankincense represented sweetness, myrrh represented bitterness. Aside from the birth of the Savior, myrrh is only mentioned two other times in the New Testament: each time it is at the death of Christ. The chief use of myrrh was one of embalming. John 19:39, “And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.”

Each December Christians gather to celebrate the joyous birth of their Savior. Through all their glad tidings that fail to see that His birth was a prefiguring of His death. For without the manger their would have been no cross. And, the Cross is the greatest of gifts.

Until Next Time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y'all!

Bobby

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com