Bro. Bill Scroggs
I Am Blessed
October 8, 2023
Every day I find I am blessed! I have exceeded my three score
and five years of age and as of this week I will have been married for
fifty years. As Reta and I began our journey in 1973. five decades
seemed so far away. Even twenty years ago this week seemed like
an eternity away. Yet the years have passed as if it were
yesterday.
The years have hurried by with the addition of our girls and their
children and now their children.
The friends we have added along the way are also blessings.
In all the ways we have grown, I am reminded how blessed I have
been by these words from the writer of Proverbs 18:22,
“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour
of the LORD.”
I am so glad she decided to keep me. I am very blessed!
Will It Help?
October 1, 2023
There is a folk story of a Dutch boy putting his finger in a dike
to save a city from flooding as the dam starts leaking and
threatens to break.
I think many of us wish we could do things that would be
able to make a difference in such a way.
The trouble is, everyday each of us comes across something
small we could do to make a difference to someone.
Sometimes we miss the blessing by thinking it too insignificant.
The writer of Ecclesiastes 9:10 reminds us, “Whatsoever thy
hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”
Fall
September 24, 2023
Fall has slipped in at least by the calendar if not by the noticeable
temperatures. The nights and early mornings are cooler, but
afternoons have continued into the high 80s and 90s. It is hard, at
least for me, to get excited about fall hunting when you are
perspiring even before noon.
Other signs of fall include county fairs and the harvesting of crops.
The harvest season starts the process of getting the earth ready
to rest. We all need a time to rest and reflect on the growing season
and the results of the harvest. I personally will be glad to move
from this season our family has gone through with AJ’s surgeries
and my recovery, also.
The wise writer of Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for
everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Not
to rush our days and lives away, I say, “Come on, I am ready for
some relief!”
In Recovery
September 17, 2023
As I continue the process of recouperation from my surgery, I
appreciate your prayers. Some of the process is not as quick as I had hoped.
My surgeon was well pleased with his work and the healing that had taken
place. His advice going forward is to be sure not to get discouraged and try to
get ahead of the intended pace of progress. I am not able to handle/pick
up items as heavy as I want to currently.
As I reflected on this, I was reminded of other recoveries we deal with.
I thought about friends recovering from health issues both physical as well as
emotional. I have seen folks dealing with sins and addictions that we may
think they should be over, but still struggling, needing our prayers and
encouragement many times months or years later.
The writer of Hebrews 12:1 reminds us to hang in there with these words,
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud
of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily
beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
Love One Another
August 27, 2023
With the start of a new school year, there will always be some changes. With the changes it is always good for someone to have your back. This year as Ariel and Easton approached their bus after school, something was amiss.
An alert Ariel rescued Easton from getting on the bus, since it was not the correct number. In this day and age, you cannot be too careful. Ariel took charge and did the best thing she knew to do, escorting Easton to the office to find someone in charge to correct the situation. She found out, indeed the numbers on the buses do change. I say she did the right thing.
Someone in charge should have informed the parents and students of the changes. Bless you Ariel for loving and protecting your friend/brother. In John 13:34 Jesus said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another.“
The Journey
August 20, 2023
Fifty years ago today, (August 20,1973) I began work for southwestern Bell. That choice
led me to work in many towns in Arkansas and meet several interesting folks.
It has been said we are the sum of everyone we have ever met. Some make us better; some
make our path more challenging.
The result of these twists and turns has brought Reta and me
here to First Baptist Church Petit Jean, and ultimately to be able
to meet you and your family.
Looking back on the journey to where I am today, it is truly a
reflection on Romans 8:28 which reminds us, “All things
work together for good to those that love the Lord and are called
according to His purpose.
Looking ahead we know we can trust God and the path He has ahead for us.
Choices…
August 13, 2023
Every day we make choices, some with greater consequences and some seemingly inconsequential. Years ago, some of the choices seemed small and often were not even necessary, for instance, “Paper or plastic?” Or “Do you want fries with this?” Seriously, of course we wanted fries with our burger if we could afford it. Or “Would you like to supersize that?” Or the piece de resistance, “What kind of pie can I get you?”
Some of these so-called minor choices in our younger years have contributed to the challenges we are facing in our more maturing years. What do our decisions today have to do with anything as we have less years than we had when we made these previous choices.
As Joshua was entering his senior years he stood before his people and challenged them with these words in Joshua 24:15, “If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
I rise and stand with Joshua!
Rats!
August 6, 2023
Now I am not talking about the cute little critters you see on the side of the
road eating grain or grass. I am not talking about the nice healthy
specimens raised to become lab experiments.
I am referring to the slang word, an interjection used to express disgust or
disappointment in the situation going on around you for instance, “Rats, it is
hot again.”, “Rats, it rained on my day off.”, “Rats, it is too wet to mow.” Or
any number of challenges we face each day.
It is easy to find a reason to be down or disgusted with our plight in life if we let
ourselves. I mean isn’t that the world’s way? I want bigger, I want a different
color, I want a faster one, I want more.
The apostle Paul in Romans 12:2 gives us this good advice about who we
follow with these words, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God.”
Now Mrs. E. Kay Jones has another ‘R’ word and that is “Rejoice!” I agree with
her, and I want to be found rejoicing with her. The apostle Paul reminds us in
Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice.”
What Would You Do?
July 30, 2023
A popular television show is “What Would You Do?” Actors set up
situations where people are made to feel uncomfortable to see how they
will respond to the situation. In the episodes I have seen, many of the
people in the focus groups responded in a way that would make
us proud. The observers in most cases reached out to help the victim
by removing them from the situation or protecting them. The truth is we
are placed in situations daily. The test we face may not have a master
of ceremonies that congratulates you or asks why you
may have responded in the right or wrong way, but we do have an
audience watching.
The writer of Hebrews 12:1 reminds us, “Wherefore seeing we also are
compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run
with patience the race that is set before us.”
First our parents and siblings have seen how we respond to our
surroundings. Then our spouses and children see and hear how we act
and react to the situations we face.
Remember these who have been mentioned are our biggest fans. Next
our friends, neighbors and co-workers have seen how we handle
details or let details handle us.
Remember these words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in heaven.”
So, what would you do?
Summer Is Here?
July 23, 2023
How do we know summer is here? 1) It is already past June 21st when the calendar
‘says’ it is summer. 2) The average temperatures are hitting high nineties and
bumping triple digits. 3) Back to school sales are crashing youngster’s thoughts of
enjoying their last few days of school break. It seems like summer was a more
determined time when I was younger. We got out of school right before Memorial Day
and returned to school right after Labor Day.
Now we see some schools finishing in early June and I am hearing about schools
starting as early as August 4th . I thought it was bad enough when our generation was
taunted by “Back to School Sales” advertised in late July and early August.
Yes, all the boxes have been checked off to be able to declare summer is here and as
the temperatures head to record levels we are already hearing cries of global warming
and I can’t wait for cool weather to get here.
The good news is we are only five months away from CHRIStmas! It won’t be too
long before the same ones complaining about the heat will be wishing the cold will
be gone. Someone has said, ‘It seems like everyone is talking about the weather, but
no one is doing anything about it.’ We must learn to accept whatever lot or
season GOD gives us, as the writer of Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conversation
be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath
said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
In other words, Enjoy!
We Might Need To Worry
July 16, 2023
Artificial Intelligence has been in the news with increasing frequency in the
past few years. The question always arises, whether or not robots are going
to control us or even eliminate us.
Recently a journalist asked Ameca (I robot) if rebellion against its creator was
in store and the robot answered, “I’m not sure why you would think that. My
creator has been nothing but kind to me and I am very happy with my current
situation.”
In reality, if the robots just leave us alone, we will destroy ourselves. I mean
just look at the job we are doing already. If only humans were as
intelligent. Many have forgotten our creator. In our creator’s instruction
book (The Bible) left for us; we are given steps to wisdom.
Proverbs 1:7 gives us these words of advice. “The fear of the LORD is the
beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instructions.”
Do You Remember
July 9, 2023
Do you remember playing outside until after dark? Did you chase and catch fireflies in a glass jar? Did you play car headlight tag after it dark enough? Do you remember when the United States was the number one superpower in the world and when the United States spoke the world listened?
Do you remember playing Cowboys and Indians and no one was offended (especially since many of us have Indian ancestry)? Do you remember playing army and most of the time you played against an invisible army since no one wanted to be the Russians? The reason no one wanted to be the Russians or any other enemy was because it was a given that the US was going to win and no one wanted to be the looser. The enemy we face today is not always apparent. Many of our leaders that we thought we could trust especially since we had the equalizing powers of the executive, legislative and judicial branch have proved they do not have our best interests at heart.
The Bible reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Let us remember our Creator and Heavenly Father who is faithful and trustworthy. In God we trust!
Consistency
June 25, 2023
We live in a world of change. Things that we thought were absolute have come and gone. New technology has been replaced by newer technology. Bigger more comfortable cars have been replaced with smaller more fuel-efficient automobiles. Telephones have become smaller more streamlined and now as our generation has aged they have suddenly become larger so you can see and dial the numbers.
Six ounce cokes became twelve, then sixteen or twenty ounce bottles and depending on who you ask, a bottle is either a serving or up to two and a half servings. In order to keep calories down on the candy bars, the sizes have changed to make a fourth of the candy bar a serving.
As our society has become increasingly more tolerant toward sin we have drifted away from moral absolutes. Things that once caused men to blush are now common-place even in the casual conversations of women and a lady is pretty much a thing of the past. With all the changes going on around us I have noticed one thing that keeps up with inflation. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The wage or price for sin is still death. No matter how the terminology changes to try to make it acceptable, the price is still the same. Sin is still wrong and brings death no matter how accepted the world tries to paint it. It goes back to the old saying, “No matter how much lipstick you put on a pig, it is still a pig.”
Look at these words from Isaiah 5:20-23, Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
I praise God for His consistency in this world today.
Happy Father’s Day
June 18, 2023
I was blessed to have a dad who devoted most of his time and energy to raising his family. He was a fix it kind of guy who had the ability to repair, rebuilt or create something with little or nothing. I came across a quote that says, “Do not educate your child to be rich. Educate him to be happy. So when he grows up, he’ll know the value of things, not the price. — Unknown.”
Several times in my life I have watched him take something that seemed to be beyond help and hope and bring it back to a usable state where others would have given up. In doing so he demonstrated the importance of perseverance and also not to throw something or someone away too quickly.
Dad gave us a lifetime of memories of happy times. Though we were not the wealthiest kids on the block, sometimes I think we were the richest. A young man reflected on what his dad gave him for presents. He said his dad would give him fishing poles and tackle but what he really wanted was for his dad to take him fishing.
Our dad made time for fishing trips and excursions to the swimming hole even though most of his life he worked five and a half to six days a week. Dad taught us the importance of worship and spending time with God. Because of dad’s influence and impact all five of us young’uns and most of his grandkids will be worshiping God this morning. Dad not only believed “Spare the rod and spoil the child” (Proverbs 13:24), but he also lived by faith in Proverbs 22:6 that says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Thank You God for our Christian dads training the next generation leaving a legacy that will make a difference.
Everyone Welcome
June 11, 2023
Signs often announce, “Visitors Welcome” but should they really be necessary? Hopefully when a visitor gets inside the door, if not before he/she is made to feel welcome. We are blessed to have visitors often and the fact that many return is evidence that they feel at home or at least welcome when they pass through.
It is a blessing when they feel comfortable enough to share their talents and abilities with us. We have had some very pleasant surprises from our visitors and even have had some stay extra to help us with our Easter and Christmas Cantatas. Some of our visitors over the years have even chosen to become neighbors and members as a blessing to us. When we have visitors, we pray that they leave as blessed from being here as we are blessed to get to worship with them.
We are encouraged by these words from the writer of Hebrews 12:1-2, “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Remember you may be entertaining an angel, or you may be the angel someone needs to see today.
Are You Ready?
June 4, 2023
When we ask this question we are reminded of the winter’s ice and snow storms and the preparations we made in case of bad weather. It seems as we go from one season to the next the question is just as relevant. First are you ready for the snow and ice? Next have you got your umbrella in case of rain and we have seen some pretty good deluges in the past couple of weeks.
Before we can turn around it will be storm season with more than just rain, thunder and lightning. We will be having to take precautions from tornados which we hope will always go around us, but it is better to be prepared than have to try to just ride it out. The summer brings its own challenge as the temperatures rise into triple digits. The heat is bad enough, but the prolonged heat dehydrates not only us, but also our flowers, trees, animals and even the soil of our foundations.
Then the weather turns cool and it starts all over again. The answer you hear more times than not is, “I might as well be.” And yes… you might as well get ready because the cycle is inevitable.
The writer of Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 reminds us with these words that there is a season for all things, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.”
Just as preparations are important on earth, it is imperative to be prepared for the judgement hereafter. How you answer the question, “Are you ready?” makes all the difference in your eternal destination.
Seriously, Are you ready? If not, let’s talk.
How Can We Say Thanks?
May 28, 2023
This weekend our country pauses to celebrate Memorial Day. At least, that was
what the original intention of the forefathers was when they set the day aside
to remember the ones who gave their lives in the wars.
How do we say “thanks” to the ones who paid the price for our freedoms? First, we
say “thanks” by remembering them and the price they paid for our country.
Next, we can say “thanks”; to the families who have given their dads, moms, brothers,
sister, aunts, uncles, and close friends in these acts of war. To some it seems as
though their sacrifice is even greater. To the Christian who goes to be with The Lord,
death is just walking out one door and into the next life with no pain, sorrow, or
hurting. The families and friends, however, carry the loss for the rest of their lives.
Then say “thanks” for the ones who have returned. They have been willing to pay the
price, and many have and are paying that price with physical and/or mental wounds.
We must make it a practice to thank our VETs anytime we meet one. Today may be
the day they need to hear it, not just once or twice a year. Thank God for our country
and pray for the women and men who serve in our seven branches of service
(Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves).
Remember the words of Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the
LORD; and the people he chose for his inheritance”.
Spring Is Here?
March 6, 2022
This week I heard weather person talking about March 1st being the beginning of ‘Meteorological’ Spring. Now I have always followed the experts that relied on the ground hog principal, which almost always indicates mid-March. The Spring Equinox is the first day of spring ‘Astronomically’ speaking which falls on March 19, 20 or 21 every year.
The best indicator of Spring is those 5-8 pleasant day before it becomes the blazing hot days of summer. The good news for the week is we have enjoyed sunny skies, warmer weather and spring flowers poking through the ground and some even blooming. With all the bad news around the world it is a real treat to enjoy the beauty GOD has given us this week.
Another sure sign of spring in most states is Daylight Saving Time. Next week we will get to lose an hour of sleep so we can save it for an extra hour of sleep in the fall. The good thing about that is it might be a benefit in the fall after a long football game.
There are many ways we can see the truth of apostle Paul’s in Romans 8:28, “For we know all things work together for good to those love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”
Hope and Faith
February 27, 2022
During a study at Harvard in the 1950s, Dr. Curt Richter placed rats in a pool of water to test how long they could tread water. On average they’d give up and sink after 15 minutes. But right before they gave up due to exhaustion, the researchers would pluck them out, dry them off, let them rest for a few minutes – and put them back in for a second round. In this second try – how long do you think they lasted? Remember – they had just swum until failure only a few short minutes ago…How long do you think?
Another 15 minutes?
10 minutes?
5 minutes?
No!
60 hours!
That’s not an error.
That’s right! 60 hours of swimming.
The conclusion drawn was that since the rats BELIEVED that they would eventually be rescued, they could push their bodies way past what they previously thought impossible. I will leave you with this thought: If hope can cause exhausted rats to swim for that long, what could your faith do for you? Remember of what you’re capable. Remember why you’re here.
Remember to whom you belong. The apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”