Dear Reader,
Thank you for being a free subscriber to The Three Taverns.
I’ve been pondering the mood of the country, of my community, and coming to a sense we seem to be awakening from a national mental crisis.
This psychosis led us to saying things that simply are not true and then trying to justify our insanity with logical gymnastics.
But it appears that a new era is coming, one where those who were shut down or silent out of fear are telling their side of the story. And if someone objects they are basically telling them to SHUT IT, you’ve had your turn and look how that turned out.
December 1st the Wall Street Journal reported that year to date sales of Bibles were up 22% over the previous year, and these sales were being driven by young people and first time Bible readers. That is amazing! This appears to be some evidence that after the fog of stupidity is clearing and being seen for what it is that people are looking for answers to what has been going wrong.
There is a returning to sanity and sense going on, where we are turning our back on those who “consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy” to Him who “broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality.” (I Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:10, NLT).
Let’s embrace the moment and continue to learn and embrace the PERSON to whom we are called.
YOUR HOPE
Christ in you, the hope of glory.
In other words, this is your ONLY hope, Christ HIMSELF in you.
This life people call "the christian life" can only be lived by Christ Himself. "It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me."
The more I read the new covenant scriptures, the more I realize that there is no answer EXCEPT Him.
He IS our peace. (Eph. 2:14)
He IS our holiness.
He IS our righteousness.
He IS our wisdom. (I Cor. 1:30)
He HIMSELF is the life! "In Him was life and this life was the light of men." (John 1:4)
Christianity is not the life. It is our attempt to categorize, to develop creeds, to make lists, to organize, institutionalize, create systems and clubs. I did not sign up for an "ity."
We look for formulas. Christ looks for fellowship.
Infinitely more vulnerable, but infinitely more real.
"The Father is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth."
I consider this one of the most amazing sermons ever preached. It’s only 6 minutes and so full of power! We used to play this on cassette tape in our van with all of our kids listening and loving it! It is amazing and worth playing over and over. Enjoy!
That's My King! by Dr. Shadrach Meshach (S.M.) Lockridge
TUESDAY TAVERN TALKS
Each Tuesday morning at 7am you will find 25-40 men gathered to hear each others’ stories, to encourage one another, to teach scripture and pray together.
This gathering is at The Mission Cigar and Social in Spring Hill.
Each week we are blown away at the amazing stories men tell about their lives. We have been blessed the past two weeks by Michael Houlihan and Adam L’Herault.
This Tuesday January 21st Tom Thompson will be sharing his miracle story of growing up in Viet Nam with missionary parents, the communist overrun, the seeming death of the mission, and the amazing way God worked. Out of heartbreak a powerful testimony grew changing the course of a region and a nation. You will not want to miss this and bring a friend.
January 28th- Tod Bell teaching
February 4th- Michael Taylor
Bring your coffee, your Bible, Febreze if you go to the office after, an open mind and open heart. You can purchase a cigar as well to enjoy your first cigar of the day.
We are really grateful to Mark, Monte and Willie for opening up The Mission early each Tuesday and participating in Tavern Talks!
Looking Up! (Luke 21:28)
Tod Bell
Chief Tavern Host
P.S. Proof that you can make anything sound good if you try hard enough.
