Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday Feb 23, 2011

Mrs. Roper On Getting Stupid

Over the years I have, unconsciously, developed the habit of ticking some people off due to the use of ideas, quotes and sometimes certain beliefs outside the norm of the group. I usually simply ask the offended one to state their case biblically, with contextual, well thought out reasoning and some historical illustration as to why I should not do so. That's usually the end of the argument for I am certainly doctrinally orthodox with said orthodoxy meeting the above criteria.

To say I have grown weary of time after time surrendering valuable time listening to what sadly turned out to be a mere rant and pulpit pounding preference is to seriously understate the case. On one occasion I listened as a gifted man spent 1 hour and 47 minutes assuring a congregation made up entirely of male clergypersons of the horror of the mini-skirt. I was so convicted that to this day, I have never worn a mini-skirt.

Mrs. Harlan J. Roper mate of Dr. Harlan J. Roper who pastored the Scofield Memorial Church for over 30 years, once gave a lecture and stated a profound truth, so profound that C. Sumner Wemp used her statement in his book, "The Guide To Practical Pastoring." Mrs. Roper said:

"If you don't exercise your muscles, you get stiff, and if you don't exercise your mind, you get stupid."

Mrs. Roper was addressing a class of college woman who were attending school in the hopes of getting an M.R.S. degree and strongly wishing this would come from a future preacher.

I take the liberty of applying the statement to all Christians in that many do NOT exercise or study, and if they do study said study is limited to only that which pertains to their latest deviation from the norm. Due to this destructive habit their life is as roughly worn as that of a seriously unbalanced tire. A seriously unbalanced tire can destroy many very important parts of a car or truck. The children in our churches have for years engaged in a rigorous plan of Bible study called Awana and now Kids4Truth. The Awana program is a guide in and of itself for a balanced plan of study for life. 2Ti 2:15:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Many of you, my dear readers have no idea of the cross I have borne these many years as I am married to a woman who reads, understands what she reads and has the memory of the proverbial elephant. (Note "Memory" of elephant). Oft is the time when I have pontificated on a subject, that after we arrive home, I hear words given in the most winsome tone, "Larry, I thought about what you said tonight at exactly 6:47:15 and I don't think you have thought your statement through." "Well, Charles Stanley says," comes later if needed. Being married to a blonde who can and does read has limited joy.

Larry Lilly Copyright (C) 2011 Use with credit

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