Dear Reader,
The Three Taverns is going strong. We don’t have a huge list yet but the feedback we are getting is encouraging, the percentage of opens and readers is strong, and I am thankful for your attention to the things we point out here.
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WAR ON GOOD
My 4th grade teacher Mrs. Meador once stood in front of the classroom and held up one of the ugly "troll" dolls.
I was a bad kid. I had been moved into her classroom after my first 4th grade teacher Mrs. Glover could not handle me. It was one more of those God chess moves in my life to prepare and craft me for His purposes.
Mrs. Meador talked about the hatred of pretty things that came from enemies of God as she held up this little doll. She had tears in her eyes.
I didn't understand this at all as a 4th grader and now as an adult I think these little trolls are so ugly they are cute. But I think in her spirit she was catching something that I definitely understand now.
There is a war on good.
"Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter." (Isaiah 5:20, NIV)
Things like:
Fatherhood.
Motherhood.
Marriage
Obedience of children.
Humility.
Beautiful architecture.
Godly Ambition.
Here are two thought-provoking examples.
1. What motivates the anti-Israel protesters? Cliff Asness says the root cause is not the well-being of the Palestinians but “the far left’s worship of failure and a concomitant hatred of success and merit—an anti–free enterprise, anti-Western, anti-progress, anti-prosperity dogma.”
The omnicause, hatred of good, in action.
Brilliant article:
https://www.commentary.org/.../pro-hamas-protests-capitalism
2. It’s getting harder and harder to find beauty in everyday items, argues Ted Gioia. Starting with train tickets, which are now just a barcode on your phone but once conveyed “a sense of wonder and enchantment,” Gioia argues that a slapdash aesthetic permeates everything, and points to a deeper problem.
https://www.honest-broker.com/.../the-banishment-of...
Satan cannot invent anything.
All he can do is pervert and soil what God has created. Music, culture, clothing, art, nature, human relationships, writing, governance….all old slewfoot can do is steal, kill and destroy.
Boldly uphold good, righteousness, love, and beauty in a dark and confused world. You will stand out like the sun.
FROM NEW YORK YANKEES TO PASTOR
At Tavern Talks this coming Tuesday, June 25th at 7am at The Mission Cigar & Social
Kyle Anson was a catcher with the New York Yankees for 5 seasons. He was described as one of the more patient batters on the team who retired with more walks than strikeouts. He was also considered one of their best defensive catchers while active on the team.
But Kyle felt another call. He retired at the age of 27 and now he pastors a growing congregation in Culleoka, TN. He has been a regular part of our Tavern Talks group and this week he will share some of his story with us Tuesday morning.
If you are in the Mid-TN area, then you might enjoy Tuesday mornings at 7am joining us for “Tavern Talks.” at The Mission Cigar & Social We've been having 20+ guys each week for the last several weeks...you are welcome even if you don't like cigars! Last Tuesday we had our largest group yet at around 30 guys who were riveted by Cactus Moser's story.
Bring your Bible, a friend, purchase a cigar (not required, we have non-cigar smokers who join us too!), your Febreze if you have to go to the office after, and be ready to participate with honesty, humor, open conversation, challenging looks at truth, all in an accepting atmosphere.
Looking up (Luke 21:28),
Tod Bell
Chief Tavern Host
P.S. Sometimes we overlook the obvious!
