"I'm a Logger"

Any self-respecting Southerner will hold a special place in their heart for Jerry Clower and Ray Stevens.  You guessed it; I consider myself a self-respecting southerner.  I am a huge fan of Ray Stevens AND Jerry Clower, and Ray Stevens gave me the idea of tonight's blog with his song, "The Haircut Song".  Ok, for those of you without my appreciation for such silly humor, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNr1eZopzZ4 for the song.  Ray tells a great story about where to get your haircut and in the first two verses, he tells the barber, "I'm a Logger" (which by the way isn't true) and in the last verse, he tells the barber, "I run this church for Loggers".

My personal story to this happened several years ago in Elberton, GA.  Several of us from Easley Fire Department took some time off to go spend some time at Elijah Clark State Park.  While we were there, a BAD storm blew in causing all kinds of damage.  Being the professional firefighters we were, we sat out on the screened in porch of the cabin and witnessed first hand nature's destruction.  After the excitement died down, we decided to ride into Elberton to the Huddle House for a late night supper.  When we walked in, there was a man sitting at a booth with a straw cowboy hat on what had a Rattle Snake skin wrapped around it with the head of that snake fixed to the front of his hat with his mouth wide open.  You can imagine the sarcastic thoughts going through our mind, but the man asked me, (Chief Billy Gibson was witness to this) "Are you fellers loggers?" I immediately thought of The Haircut Song and replied, "No sir, we run this church for loggers."  It was all I could do to keep a straight face.

Seriously though, how many times to we customize who we are based on who we think other people want us to be? My focal passage tonight comes from Matthew 16:13-20 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2016:13-20&version=NIV and I want to key in verse 15.  Jesus was essentially asking the disciples what others thought of him or to put it in our words, what were the rumors about Jesus?  But Jesus asked Peter something that I think really shakes things up a bit when he asks in verse 15, "“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”  In today's terms, I think Jesus wasn't very concerned about what other people thought, but it was very important what the disciples thought; believed.  I think this passage could also teach us some leadership values, but what if Jesus had cleared it all up for Peter and said, "Peter, don't worry about it.  I'm a logger."  Or, when Jesus asked what other people thought, if Peter would have replied, "They think you run this church for loggers".  The truth of the matter is, Jesus was just like you and me and he didn't have to be anything for anybody.  He didn't ride up in the latest chariot with armed guards and an escort, he didn't live in the biggest mansion, and he didn't have his own reality show.

My question to you tonight, is, "Who do men say that you are?"  Are you a "Logger", do you "run a church for loggers", or do people see Christ seeping out in you?  Does your life reflect that of a life worth living?  For me, my prayer is constantly that God will keep me humble and remind me to set the example.  And, when I fail, that I seek forgiveness.

I hope all of you have a great week and know, that I am praying for all of you!

As posted before, it's time for us to step up, man up, and live for the cause of Christ.