Quote from Forum Archives on June 12, 2002, 3:30 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

We all know that the Beverly Hillbillies are not explicitly in
the Bible. My friend, Larry Davies, likes to use common, often
humorous, illustrations to point us to some truths.

In today's message, Larry begins a multi-part story about a
generous, giving attitude. Now I don't know that much about
Larry's local church, except that there is a good chance that it
is growing. Where I live, there are a number of churches that
are growing in size. That's the way that it should be, because
the population in our area is probably growing faster than church
attendance. If there's any gain, in some cases I wonder if it's
because of anything we've done or simply because people are
searching for answers to life's questions.

So as communities grow, there's a need for church communities to
grow with the neighborhood communities. Unfortunately, that
often does not happen because too many of us are like
Mr. Drysdale in the story, instead of like the naive, but likable
Jethro or good ole' Uncle Jed.

Instead of wondering how this story is relevant to each of us,
perhaps we should look at scripture. I'm sure that Larry will
have some verses to share with us as he finishes the messages,
but how about if we read some ourselves and think about the
significance of Mr. Drysdale and Jethro.

How about this one for starters?

"Listening and Doing

19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick
to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's
anger does not bring about the righteous life that God
desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil
that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you,
which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so
deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the
word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his
face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and
immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks
intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues
to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he
will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone considers himself
religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he
deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that
God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look
after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself
from being polluted by the world."

(James 1:19-26, NIV)

Or how about this:

24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one
and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise
the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

(Matthew 6:24, NIV)

Everything belongs to God. Therefore, let us consider all of the
resources that we have, including our money, our skills, and our
attitudes, and let's present them all before God, asking Him how
we may best use what He's given to us. God doesn't ask us to do
without, unless He Himself provides what we need. God does ask
us to be willing to love others, though, in everything that we
do, and that includes how we share with our communities,
including our local church.

So as we await Larry's next Hillbilly episode, let's think about
what God is calling us to do and be, even if it doesn't involve
recreating Beverly Hillbillies episodes! 🙂

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

From: "Sowing Seeds of Faith..." <sowseeds@nesbeonline.com>
Subject: "The Beverly Hillbillies Go to Church"

Sowing Seeds of Faith...

My favorite picture of Jesus is one that shows him with his head
reared back... laughing. I realize the church has a serious
responsibility but can't we smile a little along the way? My
prayer is that the devotions you read today and next week will
make you smile or maybe laugh a little. I pray you will also pick
up a lesson or two from "The Good Book." God bless. Larry

You can still pick up Larry's latest and best book, "Breaking the
Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's Recipe for a Better Life."
It's on sale at more than 25% off for one and 1/2 price for two.
Check it out and read a few excerpts by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

"The Beverly Hillbillies Go to Church" Larry Davies

"Uncle Jed, can I help take up the offerin'?" said Jethro Bodine.

Jed Clampett responded, "Why, I reckon you can Jethro but what's
an offerin'?"

Just before summer we do something a little different for one
worship service. The idea is to have fun, eat together and
encourage visitors. Last year, we had a beach party complete with
"Beach Boys" music and surfing. Most showed up in beach clothes
and entered a sanctuary full of beach balls, umbrellas and even
sand. People still talk about that service. What would we do this
year to top it?

"An offering is when you pass the hat and everybody fills it with
money. This church is puttin' up a new building out front so they
need lots of money."

"Well, how much do they need, Jethro?"

"A million dollars, Uncle Jed."

Upon entering the sanctuary, you knew this Sunday would be
different. The bulletin cover displayed the cast of "The Beverly
Hillbillies." Then as you turned the page you read: "Howdy folks!
Ya'll are welcome to sit a spell and hear this message of God's
love. We're glad you folks came today and we'll be hopin' to see
you right regular." The Beverly Hillbillies? What is this? Have
we lost our minds?

"Jethro, why can't we just give them a million dollars? No, let's
make it two million so they can feed the preacher and help some
poor folks too," said Jed Clampett.

Mr. Drysdale leaps from his seat and shouts: "Now see here Mr.
Clampett, you can't go giving my money! (Pauses and smiles.) I
mean your money to every charity that comes along."

The Ringin' and Grinnin' bell choir was dressed hillbilly style.
With an enthusiastic "yahoo ya'll," they played, "Coming Round
the Mountain," the theme from "Davy Crockett" and the old gospel
favorite "I'll Fly Away" all done with bells, railroad whistles
and kazoos. Then, the lights dimmed and the all-too familiar song
began, "Come and listen to a story about a man named Jed, a poor
mountaineer, barely kept his family fed..." On the big screen you
could see the opening of the famous television show.

Jed said, "You've got a point Mr. Drysdale but don't you think we
ought to give something?"

"Well of course," said Mr. Drysdale. "A dollar should be enough
maybe two or you can do what I do." For a moment, Mr. Drysdale
looks at Jed then he turns and smiles at the congregation. "You
can throw your money in the air and whatever stays up, give to
God. What comes down stays in my bank."

"Mr. Drysdale, that sounds like a great idea." Jed throws up a
pile of money which not only hangs in the air but seems to form
itself into the shape of a cross. There is a long pause while
everyone stares at the floating cross of money. "Well, doggy! I
do believe we' just seen a miracle," said Jed.

"...so they loaded up their truck and they moved to Beverly...
Hills that is: swimming pools, movie stars." As the music faded,
Jed Clampett appeared and said: "I want to thank you for invitin'
me and my family to Lynchburg, Virginia to talk about God and
share our faith. Next week, you will begin "The Beverly
Hillbillies' Bible study which uses our television show to teach
lessons from "The Good Book.'"

"I don't believe it!" Drysdale stomps off, shouting: "Miss
Hathaway, where are you?"

"Jethro," said Jed Clampett. "I think the Lord has spoken." Both
men solemnly remove their hats and hand them to the surprised
ushers. "Let's pass the hat and take up an offerin'."

Next week: Beverly Hillbillies Sunday continues with Jed?s
message. "Ya'll come back now. Y'here."

Larry's message from last years "Beach Party" worship service is,
"Going Surfing?" You can read it by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/going.htm

If you like this devotion you will love the book: ?Breaking the
Peanut Butter Habit: Following God?s Recipe for a Better Life?
now on sale only through this website. Click here for more
information: www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

Join our prayer ministry by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world -- like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don?t hide your
light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine
for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)

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--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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