Monday, January 30, 2006

Today's my birthday. My body's 40, my spirit's 4.

On January 30, 2002, I had an experience that many will dismiss as either hallucination or delusion. Some might even say I needed medication. But here is exactly what happened on that night about 8:45 pm.

I already knew I wanted Christ in my life, but I kinda thought He was there. If you don't know what you're missing, how do you know you're missing it? Still, no matter how hard I tried to be like Him, I wasn't able to make the jump. Then it happened.

I was listening to "Through the Bible" on the radio. At the beginning of the program, they read letters from listeners. They had just read a letter from some guy in the Middle East who was afraid to tell anyone he was a Christian. In his country, they kill people for that.

I thought, "It's a shame he has to be so afraid." and continued on my way home.

A voice - not audible but still heard - said, "Why are you afraid?"

It startled me. After I recovered, I replied, "I have a reputation to keep up. People like me for who I am. I make them laugh with my stories."

The voice said, "Are they more important than Me?"

I didn't even stop to think. I pulled into a Wal-Mart parking lot and asked Christ to forgive me. I sincerely prayed the prayer I'd faked at so many altar calls. At that very moment, I felt a change come over me. I felt that something was happening. I asked Him to turn me into the person He wants me to be. Then I went home and called everyone I knew and told them of my experience.

Starting that day, my musical tastes changed. Yeah, I still like guitars and drums, but now it's Third Day and Skillet instead of Metallica and Rush. My daily life has changed as well. Rather than steeping myself in bawdy jokes and Tales from the Cathouse, I focus more on stories about people finding Christ.

I can say with complete confidence that I died on January 30, 2002, and became a new man in Christ. Today is a day for reflection. Ideally, today would be a day spent meditating on a picnic table in a State Park with nobody around to interrupt me. But, God wants it to be a day in which I can spread His story.

Thank You, God, for granting me another day - another year - to do Your work. Thank You for tearing me down and re-building me into the person You want me to be. Thank You for getting me out of the pits and putting me on the pinnacles!

Amen!

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home

Friday, January 27, 2006

Men's Retreat

This weekend is my church's Men's Retreat. We generally meet on Friday night, eat food that our wives would chew us out for eating (Me - I'm a-gonna chow down on a double-portion of Chicken-Fried Steak with double gravy and jalapenos!). Then we go to the retreat center with a fire roaring and have a 'what's on your heart' time. It's mostly for encouragement, but there's some confession and other stuff as well.

Saturday, we start our program. This weekend it's going to be Ecclesiastes. I really like that book. Saturday afternoon, we always break for a couple hours for a football fix. Then we continue through the night.

Sunday Morning, we have a special service; weather permitting, it'll be outside. Not likely this weekend - it's s'posed to rain. Ah, well. Then we break and go home.

It'll be a weekend with fire and coffee and fatty foods. It'll be a weekend of comraderie and confession. Most of all, it'll be a weekend full of the Holy Spirit.

1 Comments:

Blogger Me said...

Have fun at the retreat! Wish I could go too!!!

27/1/06 21:38  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Help Judge Alito!

Daily, my wife and I pray that God will deliver us a Supreme Court Justice that will see His will done in America. I believe, after much prayer on the subject, that Samuel A. Alito is the man for the job. The enemy, as always, is trying to derail the nomination of Judge Alito as he has so many good people in the past.
“Sen. John Kerry Has Decided To Support A Filibuster To Block The Nomination Of Judge Samuel Alito To The Supreme Court, CNN's Congressional Correspondent Ed Henry Reported Thursday. Kerry, In Davos, Switzerland, To Attend The World Economic Forum, Was Marshaling Support In Phone Calls During The Day, Henry Said.”

“Sen. Kerry Calls For Filibuster Of Alito,” CNN.com, 1/26/06


I am an American. To see My Country going to the enemy sickens me. We have now legalized murder (abortion and euthanasia), and made unacceptable the speech of who desire to speak against it. Many who read my writings will dismiss them on the grounds that they believe I am a fruitcake. The word Christian has become a dirty word in today's America. We have been shut out of schools (which is why I homeschool). We have been shut out of work (people are being persecuted for praying at work). We have been labeled strange and undesirable by the masses because we stick up for what we believe in.
I believe much of what is happening in America is undesirable and strange. I believe America's social and moral decay can trace its roots to the removal of God from our everyday lives.
Christianity is not about hate. There is a saying that many dismiss: "God hates the sin but loves the sinner." This is a paraphrase of John 3:16 which says, "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life."

John 3:16, The Message


God loved the world so much He gave His Son to die for us. In the name of Christianity, people have taught hate and prejudice for so long that few wish to be associated with that name. Intolerance for our own brothers in Christ has taught many to believe that the language of Love (Jesus Christ) is not.
I have not been able to win a single person over to Christ by badgering them for sins I have observed. On the other hand, I have seen the fruits of loving another so much despite their sin - even sin against me - that they understand what Christ means.
I ask all Christians who are reading this to put down their hatred for anybody - whether brothers in Christ or sinners - and show the world what Love is. That is the only way to defeat the enemy in our country. Christ's love for us makes us love others. Loving others spreads Christ's love. Christ's love will guide this country back to Him.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Creation vs. Evolution

Creation vs. Evolution

Creation Painting
Evolution Painting

Recent news (see Reuters, Oct. 28, 2005) has illustrated that the old Scopes Monkey Trial -- not yet 80 years behind us -- remains to haunt our nation. As a scientist, I believe we need to view every angle before we can arrive at a conclusion. Please see the definitions at the right for clarification. Definitions come directly from www.dictionary.com. I'm not naïve enough to believe that my writings will change anyone's mind. I would like, however, to open the minds of people to accept what Creationists say is every bit as scientific as is Evolution. America is not becoming hostile to science, America is opening up to accept a new science that is as old as time.

Evolutionists have taught us that, since their theory was invented by scientists, it is the only scientifically plausible explanation for the origin of life. Because, they argue, Creation was invented by a centuries-old religion, it is not scientific and should not be taught in the classroom. Scientifically speaking, they are not being scientific. The Scientific Method says:

  1. Identify a problem
  2. Form a hypothesis
  3. Begin to observe or experiment
  4. Analyze the data
  5. Derive a conclusion

In their zeal to defend their belief, which is not a proven fact, they are discounting the very scientific pursuits of a large number of biologists, geologists and others who are seeking to prove Creation scientifically. I use the word 'zeal' because it indicates an undying devotion to a cause, very similar to Creationists' faith.

Creation has been propagated by centuries of religious beliefs. In fact, until the aforementioned Scopes Monkey Trial, teaching Evolution was a heresy and illegal in public schools. If you would like to read more on the "Trial of the Century," check it out here. Because it is ancient and divinely inspired doesn't make it bunk.

As I stated, I am a scientist. I hold a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M Univeristy - Corpus Christi. I enjoy reading books with details that make most people scream in boredom. I have studied Evolution. I found it to be a plausible theory, but there was no proof. Much like studying any science you cannot directly observe (astronomy, atomic theory, etc.), you have to accept the results of the observation. If there is an anomaly in your results, that anomaly needs to be addressed.

As I studied science, I found that hard and fast results were subject to very different interpretations, depending on what outcome one wanted. Take for example, the recent issue of Global Warming causing more intense hurricanes. Being a coastal resident, I have read up on this with great interest. Let's ignore for now the debate about whether global warming is actually occurring and focus on hurricanes. Hurricanes are generated by warm sea waters. One study, by the Georgia Institute of Technology and the National Center for Atmospheric Research indicates that "the number of category 4 and 5 hurricanes worldwide has nearly doubled in the last 35 years". But www.globalwarming.org has an article headlined "Global Warming/Hurricane Link Debunked". Dr. William Gray, the "Hurricane Man" who has studied hurricanes all of his life, points to the cyclical nature of hurricane intensity. We are in a period when hurricanes are very intense. They were intense like this 70 years ago (which is 35 times 2). The most intense hurricane on record struck the Florida Keys in 1935. Both parties are looking at the same evidence and drawing polar opposite conclusions.

Such can be said for any conclusion drawn on any scientific theory. Anybody can look at the fossils buried under tons of hardened mud. One may say, "This occurred over millions of years, and this animal is 600 million years old." Another may say, "This mud was laid down during the great flood described in many ancient religions. This animal is nearly 4,000 years old."

I know what I believe. But I ask you to look into the scientific evidence put forth by people who are zealously proving Creation is just as viable as Evolution. Check out these web sites for a differing opinion:

Or, just do as I did. Click Here for a Google Search.

Prayer:

Almighty Father in Heaven, maker of Heaven and Earth, Creator of life and holder of time, hear our prayer.

Father, throughout history, there have been those who want to subvert your creation into something they can understand. We are facing them today. We have been told that we are not qualified to speak on an issue because You say it is so. Help us, Father, in our fight for the right to speak Your name. Grant us the patience to face this fight as Christ taught. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may face our foes with wisdom and courage.
I pray this in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Community

This is the first of reposts from my old blog. I'm in the process of moving it all over here. Enjoy!


Your neighborhood.
Your town.
Your city, county, state and country.
Your church.
Your friends.

The World.
Your community.

In recent weeks, my daughter has been learning about community in her Homeschool History and Geography lessons. I don't want to let her know this, but Big Daddy's been learning as well. We've been learning that community doesn't necessarily mean the boundaries of your neighborhood or city. Community doesn't even mean the people you see every day. Community means the people you serve.


Nearly a year ago, on December 26, 2004, the entire world became community as we served the needs of nearly a million people affected by a giant earthquake and tsunami. People we'd never met, who speak a language different from ours, and who likely worship a different god or gods than we do, suddenly lost everything from children and grandparents to homes and mementos. We did everything we could to bring them hope. This summer, on a much closer front, I learned that community means long hours and hard work as I prepared items for distribution to people displaced by other natural disasters named Katrina and Rita.


About a month ago, I found a neat place on the internet. It's a forum where you go and discuss stuff. This forum is huge. It's www.christianforums.com. I don't know why I went there, but what I found is another definition of community. There are literally thousands of people there. Some are not believers, but most do believe. People go there to chat about everything under the sun, including beer, barfing, kids, evangelism ... and prayer requests.


It's the prayer requests that get me. So many people out there are having the same -- or worse -- problems as me. All they are asking is that I help them get their plight before God. It's easy to do. I gotta admit, my prayer list has grown significantly since signing up.


Then, as true community goes, there is a much smaller group of about thirty that regulary shares with each other. We focus on each other more and are able to share a little more than we would with the bigger group. We have formed our own group called Faith Hope Love Forums. Consider this your personal invitation to join us.


The same holds true for all of our communities. We all live in the world. I live in the United States which is a sub-community of the world. I live in Texas, Harris County and Houston (well, not quite, but I'm one block out). Then there's my 'area', my neighborhood association, my neighborhood, my street and the folks I actually know. There's also my church, the small home group in my church, the friends I have at church... You get the idea.


Maybe I'm rambling. But that's what this is all about, right?

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home

Ecclesiastes - What Does It Mean?

Click here for music

Words © 2005, Clayton Harryman. Music © 2005, Bill Ward.



In "the words of the Teacher...Meaningless! Meaningless!"

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, NIV

. Other versions use the word "Smoke," "Vapors," or "Vanities" in place of the word Meaningless. The Teacher (Wise Old King Solomon) also tells us that much of what we call life is merely "chasing after the wind."

We are unsure how old he was when he wrote these words. The content tells us that he was quite mature, having experienced much. I picture a sad, gray-haired old man looking back on his years and regretting his mistakes.

In the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (© 1971), Wonka asks, "Charlie, do you know what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he ever wanted?" Solomon suddenly got everything he ever wanted. And the reason was that he was given the opportunity by God to ask for anything - and he asked for Wisdom. In return, God granted his wish - along with riches, power and fame. (1 Kings 3:1-15)

In the verses following (1 Kings 3:16-28), we see Solomon administering justice via his newfound wisdom. Read the story of the two women who both claimed to be mothers of a baby. Solomon solved the riddle by determining how the women would respond to his threat of murdering the baby. His thoughts were correct.

But, the enemy (read: Satan) tempted Solomon in all his wisdom to break God's commandments. A common practice in those days was for a king to marry a princess of a neighboring country to establish a treaty. It was also common practice for women to be brought before the king for - services. These women were not allowed to ever be with another man. This is how Solomon wound up with his legendary 300 wives and 700 concubines.

The wives from neighboring countries all requested that they be able to worship their gods and idols. In response, wise old King Solomon built altars and temples (high places) for these demonic 'gods'. He worshipped Ashtoreth, an ancient fertility goddess. It is presumed that he also offered his children as sacrifices - a practice called detestable by our L

ORD

.

In his latter years, he looked back upon his life.
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, NIV

Throughout this magnificent book, the Teacher continues to say "everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun."

As he continues his quest, he finds only one thing to not be meaningless. This is the worship of God. "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come".

Ecclesiastes 12:1, NIV

We have been created for one purpose. To worship God. Avoiding this purpose give us no satisfaction, no meaning.


Prayer:


Father in Heaven, Creator of all things, Holy is your name. You have blessed us with Your Hand, though we did not deserve it.

We have sinned against You, O Lord, through our own desires. These desires, we have found, are absolutely meaningless. Our sins that kept us from You are but a speck of dust blowing away. You have promised to remember them no more.

Thank you, Father, for the gift of Your Son who was sacrificed that our sins may be wiped clean, bleached white as snow. Thank you, Father, for raising Your Son so that His victory over death and the grave may be complete.

Thank you, Father, for blessing us with our basic needs, and for going beyond the basic. Thank you for blessing us with wisdom that we find in Your Word.

Father, we pray that You will bestow upon each of us the desire to follow in Your ways; to not only live according to Your commandments, but to follow them with our hearts. We ask for Your forgiveness for our transgressions. We ask You to grant us your peace as we daily face this world.

We pray this in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ our L

ORD

.

Amen.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

The Obligatory First Post

This is the Obligatory First Post. This is where you get to know me. This is where you get start to understand who Clayman really is.
Well, for those of you who don't know me, here's a little tidbit. I wanna be a preacher. This blog will be a sounding board for my writings. Heh, heh, heh. Yeah, you get to be the guinea pigs.
What else do you want to know?
  • I'm married.
  • I'm 40 years old.
  • I'm bald.
  • I'm happy.
  • My kids and my wife call me Big Daddy.

hmmm. Oh, yeah. I live in Yewsten, Texas. There's a lot to write about that.
So, read on. Enjoy! Get to know me better.

Better yet, get to know the L

ORD

!

1 Comments:

Blogger Me said...

Nice post...for your first post.

24/1/06 21:39  

Post a Comment

<< Home