How many of you remember Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood and his little song, which he wrote and used for the opening of his made for children television program? I can hear it in my head at 4:30 am,
“WOULD YOU BE MY? WOULD YOU BE MY? WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?
In the opening scene of each episode there was a stop light which was stuck on YELLOW, it was there to remind children and parents to slow down a little. That is not a bad hidden message for all of us, even today. Mr. Rodgers fed fish on every episode and there was a reason for why he did this. A young blind child, who watched Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood and was part of all those who bought into the theme of the program wrote in and ask if the fish were ok? It was then Mr. Rodgers begin to loudly announce, he was feeding fish. Did you know I have been feeding fish for 65 years in hundreds of sermons, radio and television programs, social media releases and one on one times in sessions with those who just needed some one to talk with or a shoulder to cry on? Jesus made me a fisher of men. Mr. Rodgers actually was a Presbyterian minister and as such he was a brilliant communicator. I thank God for men like Fred Rodgers, he stooped to the interest of multiplied thousands of children.
Today, children are in the cross arrows of Hells irony. There is a battle for their souls and divided attention, for everyone it is our battle to protect and cover them.
God has given us weapons to use in the good fight of faith and just why do we call it a Good Fight? It is a Good Fight because it is a Fixed Fight, “WE WIN” and the Bible tells us so.
It is important to have a good concordance at your fingertips when you are studying the Bible. Early on in my journey of faith, I literally spent hour after hour with a Greek Lexicon, dictionaries, and a good Thompson Chain Reference Bible, in front of me. I even had one Bible that had 16 translations in it and it happened to be a thick paper back, which I nearly wore out.The rule of thumb back then, in regards to concordances was, Strong’s for the Strong, Cruden’s for the Crude and Young’s for the Young speaking of course for the major concordances of that day. I have to stop and remember, this 66 years ago.
My how things have changed, in todays world with the advancement of the information age, I have 66 translations available on my computer, my library gathers dust today, when at one time each tax season I could use the receipts for books I had purchased for ministry, as a deduction on my tax returns. Those who are computer savvy know what I am talking about. There are a long list of available programs, Bible students can use today but nothing will ever take the place of the hours I spent meditating, reading, re-reading, and researching for treasures in the Word of God. I have at my disposal thousands of helps through the advent of new technologies available to me now, which I did not have early on in my ministry. I can even fact check myself to see if I am saying something that may not be Kosher, in regard to something I am repeating from memory. This of course leads me to my mainstay, the Incorruptible Word of God.
We’ve traveled together through life’s rugged way
O’er land and o’er water, by night and by day:
To travel without it I never would try;
We keep close together, my Bible and I.
In sorrow I’ve proved it my comfort and joy,
When weak my strong tower which nought can destroy;
When death comes so near me ’tis thought I would die,
We still are together, my Bible and I.
If powers of evil against me would come
And threaten to rob me of heaven and home,
God’s Word then directs me to Him in the sky;
And nothing can part us, my Bible and I.
When evil temptations are brought to my view,
And I in my weakness know not what to do,
On Christ as my strength I am taught to rely;
And so we keep company, my Bible and I.
When life’s path is ended; if Jesus should come,
And take all his blood-purchased brethren home;
Or if, in long suffering, He waits till I die.
We’ll never be parted, my Bible and I.
And when in the glory my Lord I behold,
With all His redeemed gathered safe in the fold,
My Bible and I close companions will be,
For God’s Word abides for all eternity.
Back in the early 60’s a pastor in Bakersfield, California died one Sunday morning, as he was getting ready for the services he had prepared for during the week. He felt his heart was giving out on him so took a few steps back into his bedroom and grabbed hold of his Bible and knelt by his bed. When the E.M.S arrived they tried to remove his life companion from his hand but they could not because he had taken hold of it with a death grip. I want to be like that man of God, leaving this world holding on to the Word of God with a death grip. I would gladly say, “It is recommended.”
Hope you enjoyed my letter this week, I prayed for you as I wrote it and I was humming along in my mind:
“WOULD YOU BE MY? WOULD YOU BE MY? WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?”
In Christ.
Pastor Cleddie Keith